Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Feb., 1896
Complete Specification Left. 14th Dec.. 1896-Accepted. 14th Apr., 1897
THOMAS SUTCLIFFE 19 King's Road Finsbury Park London N. Agent do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the wheels of vehicles which are provided with spring
rubber or other devices giving a resilient nature to the felloes or tyres, as for
instance wheels constructed in accordance with Fig. 10 of the Specification to
Letters Patent granted to me and numbered 9963-1893 pneumatic tyres etc. etc.
The object of my invention is to provide a flexible tyre or cover of metal or
other suitable material applicable to a wheel of the description above referred to
whereby the inner rim or felloe is strengthened and protected from injury while at
the same time the resiliency of the wheel is in no way impaired.
I will now describe my flexible tyres or covers and the method by which the
same are attached.
In the case of resilient wheels other than wheels fitted with pneumatic or rubber
tyres, affix along each edge of the rim or felloes pieces of metal preferably
angle-shaped, each piece being a segment of the entire circumference and sufficiently
narrow to allow a longitudinal space along the centre of the outside of the rim or
felloe; these segments of metal are fastened to the rim or felloe by bolts or other
convenient means, care being taken to leave a small space between the ends of
adjoining segments in order that the resiliency of the wheel may be in no way
affected.
I make a flexible band consisting of one or more rope or ropes of flexible metal
or other suitable material and of suitable size such rope or ropes being preferably
galvanized or otherwise protected.
This flexible band I place on the rim or felloe of the wheel within the longi-
tudinal space between the above described metal segments and secure it in place as
hereinafter described. In this case I make the flexible band of greater thickness
than that of the metal strips so that the flexible band bears directly on the ground.
and the resiliency of the wheel is allowed full play.
In order to fasten my flexible band to the rim or felloe of the wheel I proceed
as follows:-In the felloe I cut a recess or slot of suitable size I then put my
flexible band in position round the wheel allowing each of the ends to finish above
this recess or slot; each of the ends is then drawn into the above mentioned recess
by a suitable appliance and passed through a hole or holes bored from the bottom
of the recess through to the under side of the felloe-the ends of the said rope or
ropes are then secured on the felloes or rim in any convenient manner. Sometimes
I put my flexible band upon the wheel in sections each section being fastened.
separately on the felloe whereby a greater resiliency is given to the wheel.
By another modification of my invention I do not allow the flexible band to come
in contact with the ground, in this case instead of fixing segments of metal along
the edges of the rim or felloes as described above I employ segments of metal of
a tunnel shape section which I place over the flexible band or bands passed round
the wheel and secure to each side of the felloe; any suitable number of such
tunnel shaped segments may be used, care being taken to leave a space between
the ends of adjoining segments as before.
The above described tunnel shaped cover inay also be applied to a rubber,

page_text: pueumatic, or other resilient tyre, in this case I make the rim of the wheel of a
peculiar shape to which I connect the segments of the tunnel shaped cover by
means of bolts or pins so arranged as to allow each segment freedom to play in a
radial direction. When I apply my invention in this way to a pneumatic tyre,
I find it advisable to cover the air tube with asbestes cloth or asbestos in any form
or some suitable material of a like nature.
The above described angle-shaped metal segments can be advantageously applied
as tyres, to wheels not resilient in their nature, without employing any flexible
band; in this case the surface of the rim or felloe is entirely covered by the metal
segments whereby a tyre is formed of which any part can be readily attached or
detached as the occasion may require. I do not confine myself to any particular
mode in which I place my angle iron on the rims or felloes of the wheels.
February 14th 1896.
THOMAS SUTCLIFFE 72 Wilberforce Road (late 19 King's Road) Finsbury
Park London N. Engineer 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 :-
This invention refers to elastic wheels and is designed to supply a wheel adapted
for either bicycles, cabs, 'busses, wagons, motor-cars, railway cars and all description
of vehicles.
It consists mainly of two parts or divisions, namely, (1) a special cover or series
of covers forming outside felloes which protect the rubber or other elastic tubes,
blocks, and bearings, and (2) special methods of forming and fixing the said rubber
blocks or bearings and of attaching the said covers, blocks, or felloes to the
said wheels.
I will now describe my covers and elastic blocks and the method by which the
same are put and kept together with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which :-
Fig. 1 shews an elevation of a half wheel constructed on my system with a
periphery of metal rope or other suitable material.
Fig. 2 shews an enlarged elevation of a segment of a wheel made on my system
without the rope periphery and having supplemental india rubber blocks .
Fig. 3 shews section on line 1-2 of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 shews an elevation of a half wheel constructed on an alternative system
to that shewn in Fig. 1, and provided with a segmental periphery of metal or of
other suitable material.
Fig. 5 shews an enlarged elevation of a portion of a wheel similar to that in
Fig. 4, but having side plates parallel to each other.
Fig. 6 shews a section on the line 3-4 of Fig. 1 with the position of the rope
used as a periphery.
Fig. 7 shews a method of employing a second pin or peg for preventing the
rubber cushion placed between two portions of the felloe, from shifting or turning
out of place.
Figs. 8 and 9 shew portions of a wheel, the outer rim of which forms a protecting
cover for an inflated tyre k, as shewn in Fig. 9.
Fig. 10 shews a cross section on the line 5-6 of Fig. 9.

page_text: Fig. 11 shews an enlarged side view of the hollow cover, as in Fig. 1, detached
from the wheel.
Referring to Figs. 1-2-3. a is the inner rim which is provided with a number
of projecting radial side-plates b, placed in pairs neross the face of the wheel.
These plates h, are connected together by pins c, e anl these pins engage with
radial slotted plates d, d Fig. 2, formed in one with the outer rim. The outer
rime is preferably made up of a number of segments forming when fitted together
the complete outer rim or cover. Each segment is separated from the one adjacent
thereto by a block of rubber, or other elastic substance, held in place bv a ping,
and prevented from turning by a supplementary pin g', as shewn in Fig. 7. Great
resiliency is thus given to the wheel. The inner rim a is separated from the outer
rim by means of a block of rubber h or the like, see Figs. 3 and 6. Referring to
Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the method of constructing the wheel is very similar to that shown
in the three previous figures, the principal difference being (1) the side-plates b, b
are preferably made as shewn in Fig. 4. (2) The covers with the vertical slots
are put inside these side-plates, and a pin or bolt is passed through the side-plates
and through the vertical slots of the cover which keep the two together. The
advantage of this is that when the cover is in contact with the ground it is perfectly
free from play, and is unimpeded by any fastening whatever. The side-plates
keeping it in its proper position, and the pins e not being actually needed at this
point they will be stationary in the slots.
Referring to Figs. 8, 9 and 10. k is an inflatable air-tube which is enclosed by
the inner rim a and the outer rim or cover e which is made up of a number of
sections. As shewn the outer rim as well as the inner is provided with side-
plates 1, in pairs. These may be slotted as shewn in Fig. 8, d, or the plates b, b
may be slotted. In any case they are connected by pins c, c which engage with
the slots d and allow play to the covers which are placed between the said side-
plates forming the outer circle of the wheel.
In case of the air-tube bursting, blocks m may be placed in the slots d of the
side-plates of the rims which will have the effect of forming a rigid wheel, and
enabling it to be used as an ordinary wheel until the air-tube can be repaired. I
wish it to be understood that I do not lay any claim to rubber in connection with
my improved tyre or cover, or to metal coverings or riding surfaces or sections
thereof.
To apply my invention I first take an ordinary wheel and I call the ordinary
rim the carrying rim. On each side of the carrying rim I attach plates at suitable
distance apart to keep my covers in position. These side-plates can be put or
fixed in either a straight upright position or they can be set at an angle. I do not
confine myself to any size or form of the said side-plates, or to their being fixed in
any particular part of the rim or wheel. In some cases I put on the carrying rim
a rib or several projecting rib pieces, as shewn in Fig. 12 and in section, in Fig. 13.
I make vertical slots in the said rib or rib pieces for the purpose.of attaching my
covers or I can attach my covers in other ways without making slots in the ribs.
The detached rib pieces are especially suitable to the case of light wheels. In
resilient wheels other than wheels fitted with pneumatic or rubber tyres, I attach
my covers in the ways shewn in Figs. 1 and 4. In this case in order to use a
flexible band or metal rope on the periphery either in sections or as an endless
band, I first attach plates of metal or other suitable material to each of the rims on
one side only. I then slip the flexible endless band over the cover, the rubber
block which bears under the cover and at each end of the covers giving way under
pressure and thus allowing the covers to contract towards the centre of the wheel,
thus enabling the band to be put on tight which gives great resiliency. I then put
my plates on the other side of the rim, and secure the band or rope between the
plates, allowing the band or rope to be sufficiently large in diameter so that the
plates can keep it in place. In this case only the flexible band comes in contact
with the ground, thereby adding to the resiliency of the wheels.
By another modification of my invention I make covers as shewn in Fig. 11, and

page_text: in section in Fig. 14, taken on the line 7-8 of Fig. 11, either of metal or any
other suitable material. I find by practice that by making the above covers in
different forms but on the same principle they can be applied to different tyres,
rims, and wheels. I will now describe the different ways in which I may use my
covers in different shapes and forms, when I apply the said covers to a pneumatic
or cushion tyre. I make the said covers as at Figs. 8 and 9 with downward side-
plates with only a tread surface in-addition to the said side-plates. I then make
my carrying rim of a suitable shape allowing freedom to the cover to work up and
down when the wheel is in use. I make vertical slots in the side-plates of the
cover and in the lugs of the rim as at Figs. 8 and 9, these vertical slots will have
pins or bolts to work in them which are put through à lug or eye on the rim in any
convenient place, but in a position exactly opposite the vertical slots. Before
putting my covers on I put the pneumatic tyre on the rim, and then before inflating
the tyre I put on my covers in sections, but I do not confine myself any
particular number of sections. I then inflate the tyre and as it rises up it will lift
the cover up until it is tight, and the covers will form the periphery of the wheel.
I prefer not to let the ends of the covers butt against each other, that is to say, I
allow a small space for play between the ends of the covers, as shewn in Fig. 9.
The width of these covers can be varied to suit the size of the pneumatic or cushion
tubes.
The advantage of this cover to pneumatic tyres will be chiefly when used
on beavy vehicles. If the tyre bursts or becomes in any way damaged the cover
could he kept in a fixed position by inserting pieces of any hard material as shewn
at m, Fig. 8, in the vertical slots made in the side-plates or on the rims. This will
form a rigid wheel which can be used until it is convenient to repair the tyre.
Over the pnet.matic tyre, and inside the cover, asbestos or some material of a like
nature may be put on or round the tyre in any form, to protect the tyre from heat
caused either by the weather or by friction in skidding, as it is well known that
when air is heated it expands and is then more likely to burst the tyre, or if a solid
or rubber tyre of any kind is used, heat would soften it and cause it to rub away
quickly. Asbestos covering would thus largely protect solid as well as pneumatic
tyres.
It will now be seen that in the above described manner of putting my
covers on the rim, the tyres will be left to work at their own will, ro clinching or
fastening on with wires is required as the tyre is kept in place by the cover, which
is only on the tread surface. It can therefore bulge and expand at the sides
without coming in contact with anything. When fitting together the special cover
shewn in Fig. 11, I put two or more pins g g' on the end as shewn, to fix the rubber
blocks on. These pins approach each other from the alternate ends of the covers
within a regulated distance, so as to allow the necessary play to the covers at their
ends where they are separated by the rubber blocks, see Figs. 4-5. This form of
cover (Fig. 11) protects the rubber from being worn or injured by great friction
or compression in heavy wear. In this case I make a wheel similar to Figs. 4 and 5,
but with the hereinafter described angle-shaped side-plates and recesses. I fix the
side-plates on the rim or any other convenient part of the wheel at a peculiar angle
see Figs. 4 and 5. I then make my cover with recesses b₁ to suit the peculia
angle-shaped side-plates, and when the side-plates are in the recesses of the cover
they will be flush at the sides like an ordinary cover and not liable to catch with
the kerb-stone or other obstacles with which the wheels might come in contact
I keep the rims and covers together in a similar manner for this wheel as I do the
covers on the pneumatic tyre above described. On the ahove described priuciple
the covers being between the rubber blocks end ways also between the plates side
ways, also bearing ou rubber as shewn in Figs. 1-4-5, will only allow each cove
to take its own bearing. The advantage of this is that on going over bad road
very little vibration will be felt and in crossing tram-lines there will be no skidding
as in the case of a rigid tyre but the cover that comes immediately in contact with
the tram-line or other object will give way to pressure and allow the wheel to pas

page_text: over without skidding or bumping. Another advantage of this wheel is that an.
ordinary brake can be used.
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 wheels as shewn at Fig. 1 with metal ropes or other
suitable material round the periphery and with a special shaped block of rubber or
other elastic material between the ends of the sections of the felloes or covers said
block forming also a bearing or cushion for same, as herein described and set forth.
2. In an elastic wheel a cover of a peculiar shape as shewn in Fig. 8, for the
purpose of protecting pneumatic or other soft tyres from bad or rough roads, said
cover having side-plates with vertical slots and pins to work in the same, and.
wedges to fit in the vertical slots in case of the tyre bursting, as herein described
and set forth.
3. In an elastic wheel the use of asbestos or other suitable material of a like
nature, to cover the tyre and protect the same from hot weather or heat, as herein.
described.
4. In an elastic wheel a peculiar shaped cover, as shewn in Figs. 5 and 11 with.
two or more pins at one end and with peculiar angle-shaped plates and recesses, as
herein described and set forth.
5. In an elastic wheel, the combination of an elastic tyre or elastic blocks, as
herein before described, with a rib or with ridges made of any suitable material fixed
on the carrying rim preferably in the centre, see Figs. 12 & 13, with an outer rim
or cover formed in sections made of suitable shape to fix over and connect same.
together, as herein described and set forth.
6. In an elastic wheel a combination of any of the above described covers plain
or angle-shaped side-plates and recesses, or other parts, with an ordinary wheel of
any description; as herein described and set forth."
Dated this 14th day of February 1896
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97 Newgate Street, London, E.C., Agent for Applicant..