Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Tyres.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1893
Complete Specification Lelt, 2nd June, 1893-Accepted, 8th July, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Tyres.
I, FREDERICK HENRY SPRANG, of Deva, St. Julian's Farm Road, West
Norwood, in the County of Surrey, Traveller, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to an improved method of manufacturing or treating india
rubber tubes adapted for use in or with pneumatic tyres to contain the air, the
object being to render the said tubes self-healing or closing when punctured.
According to my invention I take a tube made of india rubber and after
vulcanizing it by any of the known processes, I cause it to absorb any suitable
animal or vegetable oil. The rubber by absorbing the oil becomes increased in
volume and of such a nature that when it is pierced and the article of puncture
withdrawn the hole made thereby automatically closes up. The tubes may be
treated with the oil either on their internal surfaces, their external surfaces, or on
both surfaces, and the oil may be applied in any suitable and convenient manner,.
either before, during, or after the construction of the tyre.
In use these air tubes are preferable enclosed in a canvas bag or pocket, and
they are of such a size and length that they are subjected to no strain or expansion
when inflated.
Although I refer to animal and vegetable oil as most suitable, it may be that
other oils may be found which will answer the purpose.
I wish it to be understood that my invention is applicable to all types of pneu-
matic tyres whether made with separate air tubes, or with the air tubes formed as
part of the tyres as in the type known as "solid-wall” tyres.
Dated this 21st day of March 1893.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.J.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Tyres.
I, FREDERICK HENRY SPRANG, of Deva, St. Julian's Farm Road West
Norwood, in the County of Surrey, Traveller, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to an improved method of manufacturing or treating india-
rubber tubes adapted for use in or with pneumatic tyres to contain the air, the
object being to render the said tubes self-healing or closing when punctured.
According to my invention I take a tube made of indiarubber and after
vulcanizing it by any of the known processes, I cause it to absorb any suitable
animal or vegetable oil. The rubber by absorbing the oil becomes increased in
volume and of such a nature that when it is pierced and the article of puncture
withdrawn the hole made thereby automatically closes up.
The tubes may be
treated with the oil either on their internal surfaces, their external surfaces, or on
both surfaces, and the oil may be applied in any suitable and convenient manner,
either before, during or after the construction of the tyre.
In use these air tubes are preferably enclosed in a canvas bag or pocket, and they
are of such a size and length that they are subjected to no strain or expansion when
inflated

page_text: I wish it to be understood that my invention is applicable to various types of
pneumatic tyres whether made with separate air tubes, or with the air tubes formed
as part of the tyres as in the type known as "solid-wall" tyres.
The invention may be applied by merely pouring oil into the tube which absorbs
it to the required extent or amount, after which the oil is withdrawn ; old tubes
can be treated as well as new ones. The oil may be applied with a brush or the
like where that is practicable and it is preferable that only a portion of the total
thickness of the rubber should absorb the oil-say one-half or two-thirds.
The oil would usually be applied to the inside of the tube and allowed to impreg
nate only about half the thickness of the wall of the tube; the outer portion of the
wall would then not be increased in volume and by retaining its original proportions
would tend to compress the inner portion of the wall thus assisting in closing a
puncture even without an outer cover or pocket. Where the tube is treated from
the outside or is impregnated all through, the compression of the impregnated por-
tion could be caused or assisted by a pocket or outer cover.
I am aware that oil has before now been used in the mastication of raw rubber
and to keep it soft during vulcanizing; but never so far as I can ascertain after
vulcanizing or for the purpose of increasing the bulk or volume of a portion of the
rubber for the purpose of closing punctures.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In the manufacture of pneumatic tyres the treatment of rubber with oil after
vulcanizing whereby the bulk or volume of that portion of the rubber which has
absorbed the oil is increased.
2. A pneumatic tube or tyre treated with oil after vulcanizing substantially as
and for the purpose described.
3. A pneumatic tyre consisting of or comprising an air containing tube which has
been treated with oil after vulcanizing substantially as described.
Dated this Second day of June 1893.
FRED. H. SPKANG.
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicant.