Improvements in Tyres and Rims for Wheels of Cycles and other Wheeled Vehicles.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 18th May, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 17th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 18th Aug., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tyres and Rims for Wheels of Cycles and other
Wheeled Vehicles.
THOMAS SUTCLIFFE 19 Kings Road Finsbury Park London, N., Bottle
Stopper Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in rims and tyres for wheels of cycles
and other wheeled vehicles whereby the rims are made in different shapes herein-
after described to take in rings oval, oblong, square or any suitable shaped object
to form the tyre.
One object of my present invention is to provide a tyre, strong, resilient,
bendable yet resisting undue pressure that may be put on to it by a heavy weight
rider, and still keep its small tread surface, that comes in contact with the ground
or other surfaces, when the said tyre is in use, consequently high speed can be
attained with ease to the rider.
Another object of my said invention is to make a hollow tyre, hereinafter
described, that will not puncture when ridden over uneven or rough surfaces of the
road, doing away with breaking down or puncturing, as is the case with inflated
tubes or tyres now so much in use.
The direct object of my invention is to prevent expansion or flattening or bulging
of the tread surface of the tyre outside the rim, as it comes in contact with the
ground, and to maintain the said tread surface more firmly in its position when the
rider is putting heavy stress on for speed, which can be done with less strain to
the rider on this particular tyre, hereinafter described, as it will maintain its small
outer or tread surface, which comes in contact with the ground or other surfaces
when in use.
I shall now describe the manner in which I make my rims and rings or other
shaped objects, which form my improved rims and tyres complete, also the manner
in which my separate parts are put and kept together. Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
are sectional views. Figure 6 shows the rim with a slot cut out as hereinafter
described.
I make a rim of steel or other suitable material, either hard, pliable or springy
whichever suits my hereinafter described rings or other shaped objects, which are
placed in the rim, the best. I leave small spaces between the rings or other shaped
objects and the rim see Figure 1 at B and C, thus giving the rings or other shaped
objects freedom and elasticity. I do not confine myself to any spaces, or in which
part of the rim I have these spaces. For lightness in weight my rim may be made
in skeleton form or I may make a ribbed rim. I also place strips of india rubber
or other resilient material in the rim as shewn at Figure 2 at D and E, which take
the pressure of the rings or other shaped objects when in use therefore more
elasticity is obtained. These rubber strips with being placed inside the rim are
not liable to get damaged or cut in any way.
The rim may be made in any suitable shape to take my hereinafter described
rings or other shaped objects, which are placed in the rim to form the tyre. I
then make a slot or slots in any suitable part of the rim see Figure 6 at F
commencing from the outer edges to a depth which will allow the rings or other
shaped objects to drop on to the inner part of the rim. I then take these rings or
other shaped objects and drop them one by one into the slot or slots, passing them
round the rim of the wheel until they form the circle of the wheel to the slot or
slots and to complete the circle I put into the slot or slots what I call a key-ring,

page_text: made any suitable shape to bind them all together and to act in a similar manner
as a key-brick does in keying in an arch. This key-ring I fasten to the rim in any
convenient manner, or I put the rings or other shaped objects into the open part of
the rim lengthwise, and by twisting them round a little they are placed into their
I continue this until there is not sufficient room
proper position, that is crossways.
to put them in lengthwise, I then put them in the slot or slots and complete the
circle as described above.
In placing the rings in the rim it will be seen that they form a hollow or tubular
tyre. The above described rings or other shaped objects may be made either
round, flat, hexagon or any other suitable shape. It will therefore be seen that
some of these shapes will form a natural corrugated tyre, and thus prevent skidding
of the wheel to a great extent.
I make the rings or other shaped objects of any suitable material, such as cane
whalebone, composition or wood, solid or hollow, the latter for lightness in
weight.
I also make a ring of semi-circular shape to fit into a suitably shaped rim.
See Figure 3.
:
I also coat or cover these rings individually with rubber or any suitable material,
or partially cover them, just on the riding or tread surface, thus doing away with
an outer cover if necessary.
I also make a rim as shewn at Figure 4 to take my rings or other shaped objects
direct into their places, so that one half of each ring is exposed above the rim.
I then fill up the rim with my rings or other shaped objects until the circle is
complete when I key them together, or I fasten each ring or other shaped object
separately, or I fasten them in sections on this shaped rim. This enables me to
have distances between the rings or other shaped objects fastened on to the rim,
therefore less weight is attained. I then cover the rings or other shaped objects
with any suitable material, which I fasten to the rim in any convenient manner
securing the whole together.
I also make a tubular covering of any suitable material, and into this covering
I put my rings until I get as many as will fill up any sized circle I may require.
I then put this tubular covering when filled with rings into the hollow of the rim,
and I fasten the two ends together inside the rim, which will then form the circle
of the wheel.
I also make another tubular covering of any suitable material which will yield
readily when pressure is put on, or to the weight of the rider. In this covering I
cut out any suitable width in a longitudinal direction. This shape will allow me
to put my rings inside without pushing them through the tube. When filled up
with rings I put the said covering in the rim with the longitudinal cut next to the
felloe of the wheel. I cement or otherwise fasten the said covering on the whee
in any convenient manner most suitable to this shaped tubular covering.
I make a rim as shewn at Figure 5. This rim will allow the rings or other
shaped objects to be put straight into their places on the rim. I make the sides o
the rim slightly above the largest diameter of the rings when the said rings or othe
shaped objects are placed in the rims. I then put strips of any light material such
as cork inside the rims above the largest diameter of the rings. These strips when
fastened to the insides of the rim above the largest diameter of the rings, keep the
rings or other shaped objects in their places and can be made round at the surfac
to allow the wheel to go into any rideable angle or position.
Dated 18th May 1893.

page_text: Improvements in Tyres and Rims for Wheels of Cycles and other
Wheeled Vehicles.
THOMAS SUTCLIFFE 19 Kings Road Finsbury Park London N. Merchant,
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 rims and tyres for wheels of cycles
and other wheeled vehicles whereby the rims are made in different shapes
hereinafter described to take in rings, oval, oblong or any suitably shaped
objects to form the tyre.
One object of my present invention is to provide a tyre, strong, resilient,
bendable yet resisting undue pressure which may be put on to it by a heavy-weight
rider and still keep its small tread surface which comes in contact with the ground
or other surfaces when the said tyre is in use, consequently high speed can be
obtained with ease to the rider. Another object of my said invention is to make
a hollow tyre hereinafter described which will not puncture when ridden over
uneven or rough surfaces of the road doing away with breaking down or
puncturing as is the case with inflated tubes or tyres now so much in use.
The direct object of my invention is to prevent expansion, flattening or bulging
of the tread surface of the tyre outside the rim as it comes in contact with the
ground, and to maintain the said tread surface more firmly in its position when
the rider is putting heavy stress on for speed which can be done with less strain
to the rider on this particular tyre hereinafter described, as it will maintain its
small outer or tread surface which comes in contact with the ground or other
surfaces when in use.
I shall now describe the manner in which I make my rims and rings or other shaped
objects which form my improved rims and tyres complete also the manner in which
my separate parts are put and kept together.
I make a rim of either metal, wood, papier mache or any suitable material,
pliable or otherwise whichever suits my hereinafter described objects which form
my improved tyre the best. I leave small spaces between the hereinafter described
rings, oval, square, oblong or other shaped objects and the rim (see Figure 1
at B & C). These spaces left give the objects freedom to oscillate when in
creates great elasticity. I do not confine myself to any number of spaces between
the rim and tyre nor in what position I put these spaces.
use,
which
For lightness in weight I make a skeleton rim to suit a tyre hereinafter
described. See Figure 8.
I also make a rim as shewn at Figure 2 with a square or partly square
corner G. This partly square corner will allow me to use blocks or strips of
rubber or other resilient material. These blocks or strips of rubber or other
resilient material can be placed inside the rims in the aforesaid corners, and
the rings or other shaped objects, which form the tyre, when resting on the said
blocks or strips, keep them in position without being cemented or otherwise
fastened to the rim. These blocks or strips of rubber or other material being loose
give more resiliency.
The rings or other shaped objects in some cases I prefer to make of a hard
substance such as wood, cane, vulcanite or composition; but I do not confine myself
to any particular material. My reason for making the aforesaid rings or other
shaped objects of hard material is that when I put the said rings or other shaped
objects on the rubber blocks or strips as shown at G, Figure 1, and then cover
the rings or other shaped objects with a soft material, the hard substance being

page_text: between the two soft substances will give more resiliency, or what is better known
in a cycling term as "more life" to the tyre than having soft substances together
such as rubber on rubber which cause the tyre to ride dead and heavy therefore
requiring more power to obtain speed.
I also make a rim as shewn at Figure 3 narrower at the outer edges which will
keep my rings or other shaped objects inside the rim. I am aware that rims are in
use similar to this rim of mine but in my case I make a slot or slots (Figure 3
at F) in the said rim commencing at the outer edges to a depth which will allow
the rings or other shaped objects to drop on the inner part of the rim. I then
take these rings or other shaped objects and drop them one by oue into the slot
or slots passing them round the wheel until they form the circle, and to complete
the circle I put in the slot or slot's what I call a key-ring made any suitable shape
to bind them together and to act similar to a key-brick keying in an arch. I can
put the rings into the open part of the rim lengthwise and by twisting them round a
little they are placed crossways on the rim, that is resting on the rubber blocks
or strips as shewn at Figure 1 at G. It will be seen that the rings placed in the
rim crossways, as described above, form a hollow or tubular tyre. I can also make
these objects which fit crossways on the rim, of any light material such as discs
of cork or composition. In this case it would not be a hollow tyre exactly
although the action on this principle would be similar to the hollow tyre as above
described;
but not so light in weight. In either hollow or disc shape they both
form a corrugated tyre.
I also coat or cover these rings individually with rubber, or any suitable
material or partially cover them just on the riding or tread surface thus doing
away with an outer cover if necessary.
I also make the rim as shewn at Figure 2 to take my rings or other shaped
objects direct into their places so that one half or more of each ring is exposed
above the rim. I then fill up the rim with my rings or other shaped objects until
the circle is complete when I key them together or I fasten them between the
hereinafter described straps or clips, which will keep the rings or other shaped
objects from creeping thus making the tyre more secure. I then cover my rings
or other shaped objects and fasten them to the rim in any convenient manner
securing the whole together.
I also make a tubular covering which I fill with the above described rings.
I put in rings until I get as many as will fill up any sized circle I may require.
I then put this tubular covering filled with rings into the hollow of the rim and I
fasten the two ends together in any convenient manner which then form the circle
of the wheel.
I also make a rim as shewn at Figure 4. For this shape rim I make my rings
of a pliable material which will bend when in use. The space at B allows the
ring to bend. In this shape I should not require any rubber strips or blocks to
rest the rings on.
I also make a rim any suitable shape to suit my semi-circular rings as shewn
at Figure 5. These semi-circular rings I make of any bendable material. When
I place them in the rim I cover them over the riding surface and fasten them
to the rim.
I can make any of the rims I have described, of any thin metal for lightness
in weight and by putting straps round the rim, (see Figure 6), similar to straps
round a gun barrel, of any suitable size or thickness and at any distance from each
other, they will strengthen the said rim and also keep the outer edges of the rim
together when the wheel is in a lateral position, and when the rings are pushing
against the sides of the rim. Or I put a clip as shewn at Figure 7 which fits over
the outer edges of the rim and fastens to the rim. I can make the rims in wood,
papier mache or composition to suit my herein before tyre..
い
Round the skeleton rim as shewn at Figure 8. I fix straps over the parts, at M,
to strengthen it or I put clips over the outer edges (as at Figure 7) at any suitable
distance. These straps or clips answer four purposes. 1. They strengthen the

page_text: rim which can be made of any light material. 2. They keep the outer edges of
the rim firm which will prevent the said edges from bulging outward. 3: I can
secure my tyre to them in any convenient manner doing away with any outside
fastening. 4. Being crossways over the rim they prevent my rings or other
shaped objects from creeping when the tyre is in use.
I also make a tyre of wood or other suitable material having parts projecting.
on its inner periphery as shewu at Figure 9 at K. This tyre and projecting
parts K may consist of one piece or they can be made separately of the same
material or of different materials as found most convenient. I do not confine
myself to the number of projecting parts I have on this tyre or to any particular
distance from one another. These projecting parts of the tyre fit in a rim and rest
on rubber strips or blocks similar to my rings as hereinbefore described. They
also have, slots cut out as shewn at O in Figure 9 to fit over my straps or clips
which strengthen the rim and are secured to the rim by holes being cut in a
longitudinal direction through these projecting parts and pins or bolts placed
through the holes underneath the straps or clips, or they may be fastened in any
convenient manner.
Instead of making slots in the projecting parts of the said tyre as shewn at
Figure 9 at O, I make holes crossways through the tyre in convenient places as
shewn at P in Figure 9. I then pass my clips through these holes and fasten the
said clips or straps to the sides of the rim leaving the holes large enough to allow
the tyre to oscillate when in use.
The great advantage in using this tyre and a skeleton rim together is that the
portions of this tyre between the straps or clips form bridges, and the rim having
no sides between the straps or clips it reduces the weight to a minimum.
I make this tyre in sections as shewn at Figure 10. Each section has a piece
left on as shewn at K Figure 9. When put on the rim over the said straps or
clips I pass pins or bolts through the holes made in a longitudinal direction.
These pins or bolts being underneath the clips or straps keep all the parts together
and allow each section or bridge to take its own weight and bearing. I do not
bind myself to any number of sections or parts of the said tyre. Between the
sections of this tyre I leave spaces in which I place rubber discs or other suitable
material or shapes as shewn at Figures 9 & 10 at Q. These discs of rubber or
other material give the tyre more resiliency.
I wish it to be understood that I do not claim rubber bearings as shewn at
Figure 1 at G as I am aware that rubber for this purpose has been in use some
time; but I claim a rubber or other resilient material placed between the spaces
as shewn at Q in Figures 9 & 10.
Nor do I claim tubular coverings as I know these to be in use; but I claim
them filled with rings and afterwards bent over the rim to form the tyre.
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
(1.) The construction of a hollow tyre composed of rings or other shaped objects
with a suitable rim in shape as shewn at G in Figures 1 and 2 keeping the bearings
of rubber or other resilient material in their places while in use as hereinbefore
described.
(2.) The construction of a tyre for suitably shaped rims composed of discs of
a light material placed in the rims crossways and forming a natural corrugated
tyre. Each disc being separate and free to oscillate when in use.
(3.) Semi-rings as shewn at Figure 5 with a rim made in shape to take in
the semi-rings at any distance from each other and covered as hereinbefore
described.
(4.) A rim as shewn at Figure 3 narrower at the outer edges with a slot or
slots cut in to allow the rings to go into their places as hereinbefore described.
(5.) Clips as shewu at Figure 7 for purposes herein before described.

page_text: (6.) Rims. with straps as shewn at Figure 6 to go partly or completely round
the rim for purposes hereinbefore described.
(7.) A tyre of wood or papier mache or other suitable material with projecting
parts and slots in these projecting parts as shewn at Figure 9 and described
with a rubber or other pliable material between the spaces as shewn at Q in
Figure 9 & 10.
(8.) A tyre in different parts as shewn at Figure 10 with rubber or other pliable
material in the spaces as shewn at Q.
(9.) The combination of any of the above described rims and rings or other
shaped objects in separate parts with particular regard to the manner in which
these separate parts are put and kept together as hereinbefore described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 17th day of March 1894.
THOMAS SUTCLIFFE."