Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Tyres.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Aug., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 31st May, 1895-Accepted, 6th July, 1895
Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Tyres.
I, PERCY ALBERT CRAVEN of 9 Kings Road, Wimbledon, in the County of
Surrey, Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of pneumatic tyres, as
used upon the wheels of bicycles, tricycles and the like, and has for its objects the
lessening of vibration, and consequently providing additional comfort to the rider
or riders, and adding to the speed of the tyre, without in any way adding to the
weight of the machine, and I attain these objects by the employment of a specially
constructed lining for the outer cover or wearing surface of what are generally
known as detachable tyres.
As hitherto manufactured the said outer covers are either incapable of expansion
in any direction, arising from the fact of their being lined throughout with canvas,
or otherwise they have been so constructed as to be capable of expansion in the
direction of the circumference of the wheel only, which in some instances has been
effected by the employment of elastic webbing or similar material as a lining, in
lieu of the before mentioned canvas.
According to my invention I purpose using the two materials named, or their
equivalents, in combination, so as to give to the tyre when inflated that softness
and resiliency afforded by the latter method of construction above referred to,
and yet at the same time prevent undue circumferential stretch of the cover when
the machine is climbing a hill, sprinting or the like.
By one method of constructing the said lining according to my invention, I employ
strips of tape, canvas or the like, or threads of cotton, hemp, worsted, silk, or other
flexible cords, or thin gut or wire, which I place side by side, parallel with each
other, and preferably close together, and these, or any desired combination thereof,
I either solution te, or embed in a sheet of rubber, or by a suitable or repeated
application of rubber solution thereto, arrange that they form a sheet in themselves,
but whichever of these methods I may prefer to adopt, I eventually cut the sheet so
formed into strips of any desired width, and in such a manner, that the said tapes,
threads or the like, cross the same diagonally, or at an angle of 45% or
thereabouts.
In like manner I construct or cut from the same sheet a second strip, with this
difference, that the cords, tapes or the like therein or thereon, are at a contrary
angle to those in the first strip, so that when both strips are placed together
edgewise the cords, tapes or the like in or on the one strip would be at right
angles, more or less, with those in or upon the other, so that collectively the two
sets of cords or the like would form two sides of an approximately equilateral
triangle.
The two strips thus formed I place edge to edge, and fix by rubber solution or
other suitable cement, or by any other convenicut means, upon one surface of any
material or fabric capable of expansion in the direction of its length only, such for
instance as elastic webbing, or the like, the length and breadth of which would be
such as best adapted to the purpose, and preferably with the junction of the strips
thereou running down its centre.
By another method of construction according to my invention, I may employ a
sheet of canvas or the like, cut upon the bias or otherwise, in lieu of the before

page_text: mentioned sheet of one way elastic material, and cut up the said one way elastic
material to form the two before mentioned narrow strips, in such a manner, that
the position of the nou-elastic portions thereof are in every way identical with
that of the tapes, cords or the like in the first named strips, so that when solutioned
or otherwise fixed upon the said sheet of canvas or the like, the non-elastic threads
of the two strips form two sides of an approximately equilateral triangle as
before.
Whichever of the foregoing methods I may adopt, the compound strip or sheet
thus formed, I solution or otherwise fasten to and upon the inner surface of the
rubber outer cover or envelope, as a lining therefor, which I then place upon the
wheel, preferably, in such a manner, that when the wheel is upon the ground,
the points or apex of the cords or the like in the said lining, point in the direction
of the travel of the wheel, and when the said cover is to be fastened in position by
means of endless or other cords or wires, I may fold over or otherwise form in the
outer edges of said lining a loop or passage for the reception of same, or I may
provide this by the addition of a strip or strips of canvas solutioned or otherwise
attached to the said lining or the cover itself or both, and which may be carried
any distance thereacross, the edges whereof may be jagged, pointed, or scolloped
or left plain as desired, and adapted for any other of the well known means of
attachment. In either of the foregoing methods of constructing the said lining,
I may find it convenient or desirable to join the edges of the said narrow strips
together, which may be by the means of a strip or strips of cotton or other tape,
canvas or other fabric, cut upon the bias or otherwise, and solutioned or otherwise
cemented to both strips, and engaging with either or both sides thereof.
As an alternative method I may dispense with the one way elastic material in
sheet form, or the sheet of canvas or other fabric upon which to fasten the said
strips, constructed in either of the manners herein provided, and fasten the said two
strips, by solution or other means, direct to and upon the inner surface of the
outer cover as a lining therefor, in which case the meeting edges of the strips
would he joined together as previously stated.
I may also construct single tube tyres upon the same principle, by placing and
fixing upon the inner surface thereof, during its manufacture, the before mentioned.
strips, (constructed in either of the ways herein provided) in such a manner, that
the apex of the cords or the like therein, occur at that portion of the tube intended
to be the tread of the wheel, and pointing in the direction of its travel, when upon
the ground.
I do not confine myself to the arrangement or disposition of the parts as herein-
before provided, but reserve to myself the right to employ any combination thereof
suitable for attaining the same ends.
Dated this 1st day of August 1894.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
1 Broad Street Buildings, Liverpool Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Tyres.
I, PERCY ALBERT CRAVEN of 9 Kings Road, Wimbledon, in the County of
Surrey Gentleman, 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 improvements in the manufacture of pneumatic tyres,
for the wheels of bicycles, tricycles and other velocipedes and has for its objects,
the lessening of vibration, and the consequent addition of comfort to the rider or

page_text: riders and at the same time adding to the speed of the machine without in any
way adding to its weight. I attain these objects by the employment of a specially
constructed lining for the outer cover or envelope of what are known as detachable
tyres, or as a lining for the wearing portion of what are known as single tube
tyres.
As hitherto manufactured such covers or envelopes are either incapable of
expansion in any direction arising from the fact of their being lined throughout
with canvas or other non-stretchable material, or otherwise they have been so
constructed as to be capable of expansion in the direction of the circumference of
the wheel only which in some instances has been effected by the employment of
elastic webbing or its equivalent as a lining, in lieu of the before mentioned
canvas.
According to my invention I purpose using the two materials named, or their
equivalents, in combination, so as to give to the tyre when fully inflated, that
softness and resiliency afforded by the latter method of construction above referred
to, and at the same time prevent undue circumferential stretch of the cover
when the machine is climbing a hill, sprinting or the like.
Referring to the accompanying drawings:
Figs. 1, 2, and 3 Sheet 1 are plan views of portions of the special material
constructed by me according to my invention, while Figs. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate
the manner in which I combine the same with canvas or the like, or other material
in constructing the said lining as hereinafter explained.
Fig. 7 Sheet 2 is a sectional view of the said compound material as it would
appear when finished ready for lining the said outer cover or envelope.
Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a complete tyre and rim in which the said lining
has been used, illustrating the positions of the non-elastic threads of same in
relation to the direction of the travel of the wheel, whether employed for lining
the outer cover of a detachable tyre, or a single tube tyre.
Fig. 9 is a perspective elevation of a complete rim and wheel according to my
invention, and further illustrating its application thereto.
For the purposes of my invention, I employ strips of silk or cotton tape, canvas
or the like A, or threads of cotton, hemp, worsted silk, or other flexible cords, gut,
or wire B, which I place side by side, parallel with each other, and preferably
close together, which I may effect by winding these spirally upon a mandrel, or
by any other convenient and suitable means, and these or any desired combination
thereof, either solution to and upon, or embed in a sheet of rubber, or by
repeated applications of rubber solution thereto, arrange that they ultimately
form a sheet in themselves, but whichever of these methods of constructing the
said material I may prefer to adopt, I eventually cut the sheet so formed into
strips of any desired or suitable width, and in such a manner that the said tapes,
threads or the like, cross the same diagonally at an angle of 45° or thereabouts.
Such a strip (when tapes are employed) is shewn by Fig. 1, and when threads,
cords, or the like are used, by Fig. 3.
In like manner I construct, or cut from the same or other sheet, a second strip
constructed with this difference, that the cords, tapes, or the like, in the second
strip are at the same angle, but placed contrary wise to those in the first strip.
Such a strip, whether made with tapes A, or cords, threads, wires, or the like B, is
illustrated by Fig. 2.
If the first and second strips he now placed together edgewise, as suggested
by Figs. 1 and 2, the said cords, tapes or the like iu or on the one strip, would be
at right angles, or thereabouts with those in or upon the other, so that collectively,
the two sets of cords, tapes or the like would form two sides of approximately
equilateral triangles. This will be understood if Figs. 1 and 2 are considered as
being in touch with each other.
The two strips thus formed I place edge to edge, and fasten together by rubber
solution, or other suitable elastic cement or by any other convenient means, and
fix both by the same means upon one surface of any material or fabric capable of

page_text: expansion, or being elastic in the direction of its length only, the length
and breadth of which would be such as best adapted for the purpose, namely,
a lining for the outer cover or envelope of a detachable tyre, or a single tube
tyre, and preferably with the junction of the said strips running down its
centre.
The said one way elastic material upon which the said strips are placed and
fixed as stated, may be, such as that known as elastic webbing, and such an
arrangement is illustrated by Fig. 4 in which the two diagonal strips are
denoted by C and D, while the said webbing or other one way elastic material is
shewn by E, the thick lines F in which are its elastic threads, while the thin cross
lines G are its non-elastic threads, interwoven between the threads F.
Or I may provide the said one way elastic material E of the same material as
that of which C and D are made, as hereinbefore described, such an arrangement
being shewn by Fig. 5, in which the non elastic threads in E are denoted by H.
By another method of construction according to my invention, I may employ a
sheet of canvas or the like, cut upon the bias or otherwise, to form the portion E,
and may employ the said elastic webbing in the construction of the two strips C
and as shewn at Fig. 6, the said strips being cut in such a manner that the
non-elastic threads thereof G, would occur diagonally in every way identical with
that of the non-elastic threads B or tapes A of the strips C and D of Figs. 4 and 5,
while the elastic threads F would supply an equivalent for the rubber sheet or
rubber solution employed in the construction of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 as previously
explained.
It will therefore be understood, that the compound material C, D, E, whether
constructed as at Figs. 4, 5 or 6 would be capable of stretch in the direction of
the arrows, but not in a direction at right angles thereto, and whichever of these
methods of construction I may adopt, the compound strip or sheet thus formed,
I solution or otherwise fix to and upon the inner surface of the rubber outer cover
or envelope J as at Fig. 7, which may be with the portion E or the strips CD, next
thereto, the former being chosen in the view Fig. 7.
The outer cover or envelope J thus lined I place upon the wheel rim K in such
a manner that when the wheel is upon the ground and rotating in the direction of
the arrow L, and travelling upon the ground in the direction of the arrow M
in Fig. 8, the points or apex in the tapes, cords or the like in the said lining, as
they near the ground, would point in the direction of the arrow M as shewn by
their dotted outlines in Fig. 8, and more graphically by Fig. 9.
It will therefore be understood, that, as the wheel bites the ground, and more
especially when mounting a gradient as at Fig. 9, or sprinting, that in ordinary
tyres, the cover or envelope J would have a tendency to stretch in the direction of
the arrows M, but according to my invention, the pull thus given to J would be
imparted to the apex of the A disposed threads or tapes in the lining and these
being non-clastic would resist the tensional strain imposed thereon, and prevent
distortion of J, and so add to the speed of the machine, at the same time the said
lining would provide sufficient elasticity transversally of the tyre to prevent
vibration being felt by the rider or riders when the wheel was passing over stones
or other obstructions, such transverse elasticity being due to the partial separation
of the legs of the said shaped tapes, threads, or the like, occasioned by the
lateral stretch of the elastic material in or upon which they were incorporated or
mounted, and this without unduly lessening the lateral rigidity of the tyre, such
rigidity being to a sufficient extent maintained by reason of the tensional pull
thus imparted to the said tapes threads or the like.
When the cover or envelope is intended to be fastened upon the rim of the
wheel by the means of endless or other cords or wires, I may fold over or other-
wise form in the outer edges of the said lining, loops or passages for the
reception of same, as shewn in Fig. 7. Or I may provide the passages O by the
addition of a strip or strips of canvas solutioned or otherwise attached to the said
lining, or the cover itself or both, and may carry the said canvas strips any

page_text: distance towards the inner centre of said lining or cover or both, the edges of said
canvas strips being finished plain or jagged, pointed or scolloped as desired, and
may be adapted to accommodate any of the well known methods of attaching the
said cover to the rim.
In either of the methods herein described of constructing the said lining, I may
find it convenient to connect to the junction edges of C and D a strip of sheet
rubber, tape or canvas, as shewn by the dotted lines in Fig. 5.
I may also construct single tube tyres upon the same principle, by placing and
fixing upon the inner surface thereof a lining constructed in either of the manners
herein provided, in such a manner, that the apex of the A disposed cords or the
like occur at that portion of the tube intended to be the tread of the wheel and in
like manner pointing in the direction of its travel.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The construction and use of strips such as C and D, composed of tapes or
strips of canvas or the like A, or cords, threads or wires B, or any desired
combination of these, in combination with rubber, sheeting or rubber solution to
form a sheeting and the employment of same as a lining for the outer covers or
envelopes of detachable tyres substantially as described and shewn.
2nd. As a lining for the outer covers or envelopes of detachable tyres, the
employment of strips such as C and D as set forth in the preceding claim, fixed
upon, aud in combination with a sheet E, composed of elastic webbing GF as
at Fig. 4 or composed of the same material as themselves as at Fig. 3 and the
manner of fixing and using such material as a lining within and upon a cover or
envelope J with the apex of the A disposed tapes, cords or the like therein placed
in the direction of the travel of the wheel shewn by M, substantially as and for the
purposes herein described and shewn.
3rd. As a lining for the outer covers or envelopes of detachable tyres, the
employment of strips C and D as set forth in the preceding_claims, composed of
elastic webbing or other one way elastic material such as G F, fixed upon canvas
or the like E, cut upon the bias as at Fig. 6, substantially as and for the purposes
herein described and shewn.
4th. The construction and use of a one way elastic material or sheeting
composed of threads, cords, gut, tapes or wires, or any desired combination of
these, placed side by side and in touch with each other by winding upon a mandrel
or otherwise, and held together by one or more coatings of rubber solution or other
elastic cement and the application of same as a lining for the outer covers or
envelopes of pneumatic tyres substantially as herein described and shewn.
Didow of M 1895
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
1 Broad Street Buildings, Liverpool Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.