Improvements in Pneumatic Tyres for the Wheels of Cycles and other Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pneumatic Tyres for the Wheels of Cycles and
other Vehicles.
I, ROBERT FISHER JACOBS, of 7, Lancaster Road, Higham Hill, Walthamstow,
in the County of Essex, Clerk, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
It is well known that the greatest risk to which the ordinary pneumatic tyre
used by cyclists is liable is that of becoming punctured, and consequently deflated,
by nails, glass, or other sharp instruments lying in the road.
The present invention has for its object more especially a novel method of
preventing the risk of such puncture, without injuriously affecting the flexibility,
utility, and resilience, of the tyre.
For this purpose I use a thin ring or separate tyre of thin metal, such for
instance as steel, iron, or aluminium, of sufficient flexibility, and I make this tyre
in the form of an endless strip of suitable diameter surrounding the indiarubber
or other pneumatic tyre, but absolutely straight transversely in cross section, so
that it offers no perceptible resistance to the bending required by the compression of
the part of the tyre which comes in contact with the road.
I take a strong airtight tube of indiarubber, indiarubber with thicknesses of
canvas, or other flexible material of the kind ordinarily used, which I fit and fix
round the metal rim of the wheel, which may be made of any suitable section, to
which the inner part of the tyre is fixed by cement, or by other of the means
ordinarily employed. A separate soft indiarubber internal air tube of the well-
known kind may be used.
:
The body of the flexible tyre may be circular or of any suitable shape in trans-
verse section, provided that such shape will enable it to resist any objectionable
deformation when it is inflated under considerable pressure, but I make the outer
part, or the part which touches the ground when running, flat transversely on its
outer side, and upon this flat part I fit the thin flexible metal tyre already described.
It is evident that so long as this metal tyre retains its flatness transversely, its
flexibility in running will be unaffected, but if it be curved transversely the
resistance which it offers to the required bending as the tyre comes in contact with
the ground, will be enormously increased, and its flexibility will have practically
disappeared.
The thin metal tyre must therefore be so thick that the pressure of the inflated
tube will be insufficient to curve it preceptibly transversely, whilst its flexibility
longitudinally is practically ample.
In order to hold it in its place on the outer surface of the indiarubber tube, which
is transversely straight as already described, I make upon the latter, upon each

page_text: side of the metal tyre, a projecting rib completely round the wheel, these ribs holding
the edges of the flexible metal ring between them, and projecting sufficiently
outside the latter radially to give a grip upon the ground and prevent lateral slip,
when going round curves.
In order to further strengthen the flexible tube at the outer corners, one or more
extra thicknesses of canvas or other suitable material or fabric may be combined
with, the indiarubber at these parts.
T
The flexible metal tyre may be made in one endless piece, or of a strip the ends
of which are attached together by brazing, or rivetting, or by forming the ends into
hooks engaging with each other. Or it may be made of two or several pieces,
attached together at their ends by joints or hooks. A number of such pieces may
be carried by the rider, so that in the event of accident one or more of them can
be easily substituted for the damaged piece or pieces.. Or, it may be formed of
wire coiled so as to form an endless flat band of the required diameter, or of
woven wire, or wires twisted together, provided always that the band so formed is
flat or straight in transverse section, as already above described.
The thin metal tyre may evidently be corrugated or ribbed in any desired
way, without injuring its flexibility so long as such ribs or corrugations are straight
across it and are not curved transversely.
The thin metal tyre may be bare, so that it runs directly upon the road, or it may
have holes or openings through it of any desired size and shape, (so long as its
strength is not injuriously affected), into and through which the transversely flat
surface of the indiarubber tyre protrudes and assists in holding the ring in place,
or studs or projections may be formed upon the indiarubber which enter
corresponding holes in the ring, for the same purpose.
Or a separate protecting strip of indiarubber, or indiarubber and canvas, may be
fitted round the outside of the thin metal ring, its edges fitting between the edges
of the projecting ribs round the flat part of the tube; between which the ring fits:
or an outer flexible covering tyre of the ordinary well-known kind may be used
the inner side of the said covering tyre, and the outer side of the tubular tyre being
made straight transversely and holding the thin transversely straight metal ring
between them. One, or both of the ribs round the tube may be made to project
sufficiently to allow one or both of them to be bent over, and cemented or otherwise
held down upon the ring.
In the simplest form, or modification, of the invention, an ordinary, pneumatic
tubular tyre of indiarubber, indiarubber and canvas, or other suitable material,
may be used, fixed in any suitable manner in the metal rim, and when it is partially
inflated, the strong, flexible, transversely straight metallic ring described is fitted
round its outer periphery, and the inflation is then continued sufficiently. The
flat ring or band forms a longitudinally flexible tyre which cannot stretch, and
the additional inflation holds it perfectly tightly, whilst the tube swells up on each
side of it, forming projecting ribs which run upon the road and at the same time are
in such position that it is impossible or extremely unlikely that they can be
punctured. The arrangement described may he applied outside a covering tyre
instead of outside the tubular tyre itself. Instead of the longitudinally flexible
metal band, in the arrangements just described, one or more strong metal wires may
be fitted round the partially inflated tyre, constricting the latter to any desired
diameter, and the inflation is then completed, the tyre swelling out laterally, and
also radially considerably outside the diameter of the wire or wires.
It will be seen that in the invention the thin flexible metal ring being in-
extensible in diameter prevents the outer side of the pneumatic tube from exceeding
such diameter, however strongly it may be inflated, and the ring forms an abutment
which causes the tube to expand strongly when inflated against the metal rim of
the wheel, against which therefore it is firmly and securely held.
To prevent too great expansion or bulging of the sides of the tube by inflation,
one or more internal transverse canvas or other stays, continuous or interrupted,
may be provided inside the tube to hold its sides together. To further assist in

page_text: holding the tubular inflated tyre on the rim of the wheel, the sides of the latter
may, have tongues cut out of them-but left adhering at one edge, which when the
tubular tyre is in its place are bent inward against the latter.
The rim of the wheel may be of any convenient and suitable shape to hold the
pneumatic tyre, which as already explained—may itself be of any suitable shape
in transverse section.
In order to hold such flexible tubular tyres in the metal rim, the latter may have
its edges, which embrace the tube, curved in and over so as to form recesses, and
inside the tube are provided a sufficient number of transverse plates of sufficiently
flexible and inelastic metal,, the outer edges of which are rounded. These plates, are
bent upward at their centre so that they together with the flexible tube which con-
tains them can be readily introduced between the edges of the rim, and their centre
being then pressed down, their edges, together with the adjoining part of the tube
are forced outward and retained in the recesses of the rim.
4':
Similar fastenings may be used to fix the edges of covering tyres, being in
such cases arranged outside the inner tube and inside and between the edges of the
covering tyre.
a
Of course, the fastenings described must be fitted and used before the hollow
tyre is. inflated.
By this invention the danger from puncture is entirely avoided, whilst the means
employed are very simple, economical, and easily used, and the efficiency of the
pneumatic tyre is not in any way affected.
I do not confine myself to the precise details of form and, construction, which
may be varied more or less as may be found advisable.
Improvements in Pneumatic Tyres for the Wheels of Cycles and
nother Vehicles.
'
I, ROBERT. FISHER JACOBS, of 7, Lancaster Road, Higham Hill, Walthamstow,
in the 'County of Essex, Clerk, 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, and accompanying drawing, that is
to say
"
It is well known that one of the greatest risks to which the ordinary pneumatic
tyre used by cyclists is liable is that of becoming punctured, and consequently
deflated, by nails, glass, or other sharp instruments lying in the road.
To remedy this, it has been proposed to use a thin metal band inserted between
the inner tube of the tyre and the outer covering, or fitted and attached inside or
outside the latter, or embedded in the body of the material. But such method of
arrangement has not been satisfactory, mainly on account of the difficulty of
manufacture, and the injury to the flexibility and resilience, of the tyre..
The present invention has for its object more especially a novel method of
preventing the risk of such puncture, without injuriously affecting the flexibility,
utility, and resilience, of the tyre,, or increasing the difficulty of manufacture.
.. For this purpose I use an external. thin ring or separate tyre of thin metal, such for
instance, as steel, iron, or aluminium, or other suitable metal or alloy or com-

page_text: bination of metals, of sufficient flexibility and strength, and I make this ring or
tyre in the form of an endless strip of suitable diameter surrounding the india-
rubber or other pneumatic tyre, but straight transversely and of uniform thickness
in cross section, its outer and inner sides being quite parallel, so that it offers uo
perceptible resistance to the bending required by the compression of the part of the
tyre which comes in contact with the road.
I take a strong airtight tube of indiarubber, indiarubber with thicknesses of
canvas, or other flexible material of the kind ordinarily used, which I fit round the
metal rim of the wheel, which may be made of any suitable section, (to which the
inner part of the tyre is fixed, if desired, by cement, or by other of the means
ordinarily employed). A separate soft indiarubber internal air-tube of the well-
known kind may in some cases be also used.
The body of the flexible tubular tyre may be circular or of any suitable shape in
transverse section, provided such shape will enable it to resist any objectionable
deformation when it is inflated under considerable pressure, but make the outer
circumference, or the part which is nearest to the ground when running, flat
transversely on its outer side, or having a separate strip flat transversely on its
outer side, cemented upon it, and upon the flat part I fit the thin flexible metal
tyre already described. It is evident that so long as this metal tyre retains its
flatness transversely, its flexibility in running upon the road will be unaffected,
but if it be at all curved or arched transversely, the resistance which it offers to the
required bending as the tyre comes in contact with the ground, will be enormously
increased, and its flexibility will have practically disappeared.
The thin metal tyre must therefore be so thick that the pressure of the inflated
tube will not curve it perceptibly transversely, whilst its flexibility longitudinally
remains practically ample.
In order to ensure its retaining its proper place on the outer surface of the india-
rubber or flexible tube or tyre or strip, which is transversely straight as already
described, I make upon the latter, upon each side of the metal ring or tyre, which
is not fastened to it in any way, a projecting rib completely round the wheel, these
ribs having the edges of the flexible metal ring fitted loosely between them, and
projecting slightly outside the latter radially, so as to give some grip upon the
ground, and prevent lateral slip, especially when going round curves. These ribs
may project outwardly very little beyond the metal (as shown in Figure 15); or
their outer surface may be level with that of the latter. The outer circumference of
these strips and the outer face of the metal ring run upon the ground.
In order to further strengthen the flexible tube at the outer corners, one or more
extra thicknesses of canvas or other suitable material or fabric may be combined
with the indiarubber at these parts.
The
The accompanying drawing is in illustration of the invention. Figures 1, 2, 3, 4,
and 5, are cross sections of different modifications. In Figure 1, a is the wheel
rim, and a strong airtight tubular tyre of indiarubber and canvas.
outer side of this tyre is made flat transversely, to receive the thin flexible metal
ring c. The ribs at the sides of the ring c are shown at d, d. The tubular tyre is
inflated to sufficient pressure in the usual way, after the ring c has been fitted
round it.
In Figure 2, an internal separate indiarubber tube e is shown, and the metal
ring c is shown of less width.
In Figure 3, the metal ring c is shown in two parts side by side, a third projecting
rib being shown between them.
In Figure 4, the projecting ribs d, d are shown rounded on the inside as well as
upon the outside.
In Figure 5 the rim a is shown of different section, carrying a tube b resembling
that shown in Figure 1, but approximately circular in transverse section.
The flexible metal tyre c may be made in one endless piece, or of a strip the
ends of which are attached together by brazing, or rivetting (as illustrated in
Figure 6), or by forming the ends into hooks engaging with each other (as

page_text: illustrated in Figure 7). A modified method of making such hooks is illustrated in
Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Figure 8 shows a front view, and Figure 9 a
longitudinal section, of one end of the flexible metal tyre c, in which any desired
number of hooks, at equal distances apart, are formed by cutting tongues f which
are left adhering to the metal at their base, their outer ends being bent down.
These tongues fit into corresponding transverse slots or openings 9 (Figure 10),
in the other end of the ring c, as shown in Figure 11 in front view, and in
Figure 12 in longitudinal section. This method of attaching the ends is simple
and effective.
Or, the ring c may, be made in two or more pieces, attached together at their
ends by joints of the kind just described. A number of such pieces may be carried
by the rider, so that in the event of accident one or more of them can be easily
substituted for the damaged piece or pieces. Or, a separate ring in one piece may
be easily carried when coiled up.
The thin metal tyre may evidently be slightly corrugated or ribbed in any desired
way (as illustrated in Figure 13), without injuring its flexibility, so long as such
ribs or corrugations are straight across it.
The thin metal ring or tyre runs directly upon the road, and it may have holes
or openings through it of any desired size and shape, (so long as its strength is not
injuriously affected), into and through which the transversely flat surface of the
indiarubber tyre protrudes and assists in holding the ring in place, or studs or
projections may be formed upon the indiarubber which enter corresponding holes
in the ring, for the same purpose.
Or, an outer flexible covering tyre of the ordinary well-known kind may be
used, fixed in the usual way, and shaped and arranged at its outer circumference
to receive a transversely flat thin metal ring or tyre of the kind described, which
runs directly upon the road.
Or, instead of such ordinary flexible covering tyre, a flexible strip (as shown in
Figure 1) having its outer side shaped and arranged to receive the transversely flat
thin metal ring or tyre, may be cemented round the outer circumference of a plain
tubular pneumatic tyre, its inner surface being curved transversely to fit the tyre.
Such a strip can be readily removed.
Instead of one, two or more of the thin metal rings may be used, one outside the
other, with or without indiarubber or other soft material between them.
In order to assist in retaining the ring upon the wheel, in the case of the
pneumatic tyre collapsing from any cause, steel pins or narrow strips may be
passed transversely through the indiarubber ribs or through the indiarubber seat
upon which the ring rests, the said pins or strips also passing over the ring, or
through or over tongues or loops punched out or formed in the ring, or between
the latter and a strip of metal rivetted or attached to it, or through transverse
recesses on the outer surface of the ring.
In the simplest form, or modification, of the invention, (such as that illustrated
in Figure 5) an ordinary pneumatic tubular tyre of indiarubber, indiarubber and
canvas, or other suitable material, may be used, fixed in any suitable manner (if
desired) in the metal rim, and when it is partially inflated, the strong, flexible,
transversely straight metallic ring described is fitted round its outer periphery,
and the inflation is then continued sufficiently. The flat ring or band forms a
longitudinally flexible tyre which cannot stretch, and the additional inflation holds
it perfectly tightly without further fastening, whilst the tube swells up on each
side of it, (as shown in Figure 16), forming the projecting ribs h, h, which are
in such position that it is impossible, or extremely unlikely, that they can be
punctured.
It will be understood that the thin flexible metal ring c being inextensible in
diameter prevents the outer or flattened side of the pneumatic tube b from exceeding
such diameter however strongly it may be inflated, and the ring c forms an
abutment which causes the tube b to expand strongly, when inflated, against the

page_text: metal rim a of the wheel, against which it is firmly and securely held in the usual
way. In most cases, therefore, no other method of attaching the tyre to the rim
is required.
.
To prevent too great expansion or bulging of the sides of the tube by inflation,
one or more internal transverse canvas or other stays, (not shown in the figures),
continuous or interrupted, may be provided inside the tube to hold its sides
together. To assist in holding the tubular, inflated tyre on the rim of the wheel,
the sides of the latter may have tongues cut out of them-but left adhering at
one edge, which when the tubular tyre is in its place are bent inward against
the latter.
...
The rim of the wheel may be of any convenient and suitable shape to hold the
pneumatic tyre, which-as already explained--may itself be of any suitable shape
in transverse section.
In order to hold such flexible tubular tyres in the metal rim, the latter. (as
illustrated in Figures 14 and 15) may have its edges, which embrace the "tube,
curved in and over so as to form recesses, and inside the tube are provided a
sufficient number of transverse plates of sufficiently flexible and inelastic metal,
the outer edges of which are rounded at h¹. These plates h are bent upward at
their centre (as shown in Figure 14), so that they, together with the flexible tube b
which contains them, can be readily introduced between the edges a¹ of the rim a,
and their centre being then pressed down into the position shown in Figure 15
their edges together with the adjoining part of the tube are forced outward and
retained in the recesses a¹ of the rim.
Similar fastenings may be used to fix the edges of ordinary covering tyres, being
in such cases arranged outside the inner tube and inside and between the edges
of the covering tyre.
Of course, the fastenings described must be fitted and fixed before the hollow tyre
is inflated.
By the present invention the danger from puncture is entirely avoided, whilst the
means employed are very simple, economical, and easily used, and the efficiency
of the pneumatic tyre (which is very light) is not in any way affected, the entire
tyre consisting of a pneumatic inflated tube, and an external thin metal ring,
straight and of uniform thickness in cross section, lying upon the exterior
transversely flattened surface of the tyre, or of a strip cemented upon the latter.
In some cases, especially where the improved tyre is applied to the driving wheel
or wheels of automatic carriages or vehicles, the thin flexible ring or band may be
connected with the rim of the wheel by means of side links, the outer ends of which
are pivotted to the ring or band, and the inner ends to the sides of the rim. These
links are not arranged radially but nearly tangentially, as they serve to transmit
the power from the wheel to the outer band, without affecting the pneumatic tyre
or tube.
The thin flexible ring or band may be of other suitable material, sufficiently
strong and flexible and impervious to puncture, instead of metal. For instance, it
may be of hard indiarubber, or indiarubber and canvas, and it may be applied to
solid or cushion tyres, as well as to pneumatic tyres.
I do not confine myself to the precise details of form and construction, which
may be varied more or less as may be found advisable, but having now particularly
described and ascertained the nature of the said invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is: "
1. In tubular pneumatic tyres, the combination with such tyre of a separate
external thin endless ring of metal, flexible longitudinally and straight transversely
and of uniform thickness in cross section, lying between two projecting rings on
the tubular tyre, and running (together with such projecting rings) directly upon
the road, substantially as described and illustrated.
2. The method of holding tubular tyres, or covering tyres in the metal wheel
rim, by means of flexible transverse plates, bent up to allow their introduction and

page_text: then bent down so as to hold the tubular tyre, or the covering tyre, against the rim,
substantially as described, and illustrated in Figures 14 and 15.
Dated this 28th day of February 1898.
EDWARDS AND Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.