Improved Method of and Mechanism for Propelling Road Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 20th May, 1897--Accepted, 10th July, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Mechanism for Propelling Road Vehicles.
I, HENRY SYMES, of Alexandra South, Otago, in the Colony of New Zealand,
Auctioneer, 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 relates to vehicles and has for its object to provide a method and
mechanism by which vehicles may be more easily propelled.
The invention will be described herein with special reference to a bicycle and its
adaptability to such vehicles set out, wherefrom its application to other vehicles will
be readily seen by a skilled person.
The bicycle is constructed with a frame closely resembling existing machines but
the frame is strengthened to carry an air motor. The ordinary perishable rubber
tyre is dispensed with and replaced by a tyre of thin steel by preference. A
battery of pumps is arranged around the periphery of such steel tyre with their
piston rods protruding radially so that as the wheel is revolved the pressure of the
rider forces air into the tyre which becomes a receiver whence the compressed air
may be conveyed to the motor to revolve the pedal cranks.
In order that the invention may be most easily understood reference will be made
to the accompanying drawings whilst giving a detailed description.
Figure 1 is a side view of a bicycle fitted with the invention.
Figure 2 is a front view of the motor and cranks on a larger scale.
Figure 3 is a section of a union or coupling.
Figure 4 is a section of the steel tyre and one of the pumps as used for cushioning
only.
Figure 5 is a similar section of one of the pumps as used for forcing air into the
tyre.
Figure 6 is a side view of several of the pumps in position in the tyre.
Similar letter refer to corresponding parts.
Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2 the frame (a) is strengthened by
means of a pillar (a1) to carry the motor (b), which may be of any suitable
construction to be operated by compressed air. I prefer to have a single motor
acting upon the pedal crank as shewn, though it is obvious that two smaller motors
may be used acting on each side of the rear or front wheel, or one motor may
operate upon the front wheel and another on the rear wheel.
With a motor as shown, the crank is made as illustrated on Figure 2 where a
journal is provided at (61) for the connecting rod (62), the ordinary pedal (63) being
provided to revolve at the side of the motor.
The tyre (c) is made preferably of thin steel for strength and lightness and is
furnished with a battery of pumps (d) which project radially from the periphery of
the tyre. The details of the pump are shewn in the sections Figures and 5. The
pump barrel (d') has a collar (d2) threaded to screw into the boss (c¹) brazed or
otherwise secured in the tyre (c) and an air tight joint is made by means of a
washer (c2). The bottom of the barrel is supported by passing into a hole provided
in a plate (c) secured within the tyre.

page_text: The piston (3) has a cupped leather washer (d') to prevent the return of the air
after it has been admitted through the spring valve (d³). The piston rod (6) and
its foot (d) normally project as shewn under the pressure of spring (d) but when
the foot (d') touches the ground the piston is forced by the weight of the rider into
the pump, compressing the air contained in the barrel and forcing it through the
holes (d) Figure 5 and past the india rubber band (d10) when it is trapped within
the tyre (c) in a manner similar to that employed when inflating an ordinary
pneumatic tyre.
The return of the piston is effected by spring (d').
The compressed air is conveyed from the tyre through any convenient spoke or
spokes (c) to the axle (f) Figure 3 which is hollow, revolves with the hub of the
wheel, and is made to project sufficiently to pass into a union or coupling (g). The
end of the axle is screwed to receive the bearing (f') after the plate (g¹) and
gland (92) have been slipped thereon. A ball bearing to take the pressure and a
stuffing box are thus provided wherein the axle (f) may revolve with little friction
and without loss of compressed air which is conducted to the motor (b) through the
pipes (h) secured to the frame by clips (¹). If desired the air may be conveyed
through the hollow frame of the machine, which may be made air tight for the
purpose.
In starting the machine the rider works the machine in the ordinary manner and
when the pumps have compressed the air, he admits the same to the motor and is
thereby assisted in propelling the machine. The operation of compressing the air
will provide elasticity to the movements of the pistons which will thus act in
cushioning the tyre.
Figure 4 shews the pump as constructed for merely cushioning the tyre and
when a motor is not employed, and this subordinate part of my invention is one of
its essential features. It will be seen that there is no exit for the air after it has
passed through the valve (d) the barrel (d) becoming a compression chamber
wherein the air is again and again compressed and operates in cushioning the tyre
thus facilitating the propulsion of the same. The return of the piston is ensured by
the expansive force of the spring (d).
It will be obvious that I may use the pumps on one wheel for compressing the
air and the pumps on the other wheel for merely cushioning the tyre.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I claim is :-
:-
1. A tyre wherein the air is compressed by pumps arranged around its periphery
and operated by the weight of the vehicle and rider, said air being then conveyed
to a motor to assist in propelling the machine, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth herein.
2. A tyre wherein the air is compressed by pumps arranged around its periphery
and operated by the weight of the vehicle and rider, said air being conveyed to a
motor through pipes and unions provided with ball bearings to reduce friction and
a stuffing box to prevent escape of air substantially as and for the purposes set forth
herein.
3. In mechanism for propelling vehicles a union provided with ball bearings to
reduce friction upon an axle revolving under pressure in combination with a stuffing
box to prevent escape of compressed air, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth herein.
4. A tyre wherein the air is compressed by pumps arranged around its periphery
and operated by the weight of the vehicle and rider in combination with a motor
acting by such compressed air upon the pedal crank which is provided with a
journal for the connecting rod of the motor and carries a pedal for the rider's foot,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein.
5. A tyre wherein the air is compressed by pumps arranged around its periphory
and operated by the weight of the vehicle and rider, such compressed air forming a

page_text: cushion and thus facilitating propulsion substantially as and for the purposes set
forth herein.
6. The improved method of and mechanisin for propelling vehicles consisting of
parts constructed arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposes set
forth herein and illustrated on the accompanying drawings.
0th Janet M-1907
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.