Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Tires, and to Valves for Use in connection therewith.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Aug., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 4th May, 1896-Accepted, 18th July, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Communicated from abroad by Messieurs MORGAN & WRIGHT, of 339 West
Lake Street, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America, Rubber
Manufacturers.]
Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Tires, and to Valves for
Use in connection therewith.
I, JOHN THOMAS KNOWLES, Trade Marks Agent, of the Firm of D. Young
& Co., 11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
The invention relates to the class of pneumatic tires, in which the tube is
a valve attachment
arranged upon a wooden wheel-rim and provided with
having a threaded socket adapted to receive the threaded nozzle of an inflating
air-pump.
Velocipedes, and particularly bicycles are now largely constructed with wooden
wheel-rims having valved pneumatic tires. The demand for light machines renders
it desirable to economize in weight so far as such reduction in weight can be made,
consistently with requisite strength, and while the wooden wheel-rim can be made
light and economically, it is a matter of much importance that it shall have suitable
strength.
At the point where the valve attachment is arranged, a hole is made through
the wheel-rim, so as to permit the valve attachment to extend from the tire
through the wheel-rim. The wheel-rim is therefore weakened at such point, and
as a rule, when the wooden wheel-rim breaks, the break occurs at such point.
With regard to the valved portion of or attachment to the pneumatic tires for such
wheel-rim, the generally adopted mode of arrangement is to provide the pneumatic
tire with a valve attachment involving a shell or casing which extends through a hole
in the wheel-rim, and the generally adopted construction of such valve casing involves
a threaded socket formed in one end of the valve casing and adapted to receive the
threaded nozzle of an air-pump, the said nozzle being either upon the barrel or
piston or upon a tube attached to the barrel or piston of the pump. It is also the
general custom of manufacturers of pneumatic tires to make the bores of such
sockets and the nozzle of such air-pumps, of a uniform, standard size, whereby the
nozzle of any air-pump for inflating pneumatic tires, can be fitted to the valve-
casing of any one of the various kinds of pneumatic tires on the market.
Prominent objects of the invention are to provide a construction of valve
attachment whereby a hole of comparatively small area can be provided at the
point where the valve-attachment extends through the wheel-rim, and thereby
avoid unduly weakening the wheel-rim at such point, and at the same time,
provide a simple economical and desirable construction of valve-attachment in
which the threaded bore of the socket for the air-pump nozzle is of the general
standard size.
The cylindric shell or casing contains a valve baving a threaded stem, and a
spring arranged between the valve and a suitable stop or seat at the lower end of
the casing. This casing is provided at its lower end with a suitable opening which
forms an air passage between the interior of the pneumatic tire and the valve
chamber within the casing. The casing is also provided at its upper end with a

page_text: throat for the upwardly extending valve-stem, and for the passage of air into the
chamber during the use of an air-pump in inflating the tire, and also for the
passage of air from said chamber in deflating the tire, and as a simple construction,
the tubular or cylindric casing can be closed at its upper or outer end with the
exception of an opening which is formed centrally through such closed end, so as
to provide the throat or passage.. The valve casing has its lower end portion
preferably flanged. This lower end portion is desirably made integral with the casing,
but it can be made separately therefrom, and then secured thereto in any suitable
mechanical way. This lower end or base-portion of the casing is imbedded in a
flattened flexible attaching base or washer of rubber or rubber and fabric or similar
suitable material, and by forming said base portion or lower end of the casing with
an annular groove or one or more annular ribs or flanges, it will have a firm hold
in the rubber base which is moulded so as to provide it with a short neck in which
a portion of the lower end of the valve casing is imbedded. By such arrangement,
the neck teiminates at the point where the straight tubular portion of the casing
commences, it being observed that since the object is to provide the casing with its
main portion of small diameter, and at the same time properly secure the casing to
the rubber attaching base or washer, the easing could be made of uniform or
substantially the same diameter from end to end but have its lower end portion
provided with annular ribs, corrugations or flanges, or like means for permitting it
to be securely connected with the rubber attaching base. The rubber attaching
base can be secured to a one-tube or hose pipe pneumatic tire, when such con-
struction of tire is to be employed, or it can be secured to the inner tube of a
pneumatic tire comprising a sheath and an inner inflatable tube. The wooden
wheel rim is provided with a small aperture through which the small tubular main
portion of the valve casing extends. The neck of the rubber attaching base or
washer can fit within a corresponding hole in the sheath of a double-tube tire, and
abut against the periphery of the wheel rim, and likewise, the shoulder which is
formed at the junction between the base end and the main straight, tubular portion
of the casing and which is flush with the end of the neck of the rubber attaching
base can abut against said periphery of the wheel-rim.
The outer or upper end of the valve-casing is provided with a threaded
socket into which the usual threaded nozzle of an inflating pump can be
screwed, and in order to provide a socket for such purpose of standard size,
and at the same time reduce the diameter of the valve-casing, so that the
latter can be fitted through a comparatively small hole in the wooden wheel-
rim, the invention contemplates a detachable socket consisting of a sleeve having
an internally threaded end portion into which the nozzle of the pump can be
screwed, and also having an internally threaded portion which can be screwed
upon the threaded upper end portion of the valve-casing. The socket can be
provided with a stop to limit the extent to which it can be screwed upon the
casing and to such end it may contain a partition arranged between its ends and
having an opening which will register with the throat at the upper end of the
valve casing, and form a continuation of such throat when the socket is screwed
down. The socket can also be made of a length to abut against the inner side of
the wheel-rim when it is screwed down, and in such case, the stop within the socket
could be dispensed with, it being observed that by such arrangement the rim will
be clamped between a shoulder and one end of the sleeve which forms the socket,
thereby securely holding the valve attachment in place and further resisting any
disposition on the part of the air-tube to chase or creep within the sheath.
fitting the tire to the rim, the small tubular portion of the valve casing is passed
through the hole in the rim and the socket is then fitted to and screwed down upon
the valve casing.
In
When the tire is to be inflated, the nozzle of the air-pump can be screwed into
the socket, and after the tire has been inflated and the air-pump removed, the upper
or outer end of the socket can be closed by a cap which, if preferred, can have an
internally threaded neck arranged for engaging the threaded stem of the valve so

page_text: as to lock the valve against its seat. It is also understood that the air-pump
nozzle is connected with the pump in any known or suitable way, it being
observed that in practice the nozzle is sometimes upon the barrel or piston
of the pump, and sometimes upon a tube connected with either of said members.
Where the inner inflatible tire tube is not employed, the attaching base can
be secured to either the inner or outer side of the tire, or the base or inner
end of the valve casing can be secured to the tire in any other suitable
approved way.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the diameter of the valve-inclosing
casing, or the diameter of the portion of said casing which extends through the
wheel-rim and projects from the inner side thereof, can be as small as the diameter
of the socket-bore, whereby while the latter can be of the standard size, a material
reduction in the size of the valve casing can be secured. Also, that by omitting
the partition in the sleeve which forms the socket, the top end of the valve casing
can serve as the bottom of the socket. Where the spring alone is relied upon as a
means for holding the valve upon its seat, any suitable cap can be screwed upon the
sleeve which forms the socket, it being observed that it is always desirable to
normally close the open end of the socket so as to protect the thread from dirt and
moisture. The small valve inclosing casing can accurately fit the opening in the
wheel-rim, and by forming the rubber attaching base with a neck, leakage is more
effectively guarded against, particularly when the end of such neck is pressed
against the wheel-rim.
It is also observed that the use of a flexible nipple for holding the valve-casing
is dispensed with, and that the diameter of the opening in the wheel-rim is reduced
to the diameter of the small cylindric shell or casing, thereby rendering the
wheel-rim considerably stronger, and at the same time permitting the use of a
socket adapted to receive the air-pump nozzle and having if desirable its internal
area at least as large as the external diameter of the tubular valve casing
or shell.
Dated the 24th day of August 1895.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Tires, and to Valves
for Use in connection therewith.
1, JOHN THOMAS KNOWLES, Trade Marks Agent, of the Firm of D. Young
& Co. of 11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, 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:-
The invention relates to the class of pneumatic tires, in which the tube is
arranged upon a wooden wheel-rim and provided with a valve attachment having
a threaded socket adapted to receive the threaded nozzle of an inflating air-
pump.
Velocipedes, and particularly bicycles are now largely constructed with wooden
wheel-rims having valved pneumatic tires. The demand for light machines renders
it desirable to economize in weight so far as such reduction in weight can be made,
consistently with requisite strength, and while the wooden wheel-rim can be made
light and economically, it is a matter of much importance that it shall have suitable
strength.
At the point where the valve attachment is arranged, a hole is made through
the wheel-rim, so as to permit the valve attachment to extend from the tire

page_text: through the wheel-rim. The wheel-rim is therefore weakened at such point, and
as a rule, when the wooden wheel rim breaks, the break occurs at such point.
With regard to the valved portion of or attachment to the pneumatic tires for
such wheel-rim, the generally adopted mode of arrangement is to provide the
pneumatic tire with a valve attachment involving a shell or casing which extends
through a hole in the wheel rim, and the generally adopted construction of such
valve casing involves a threaded socket formed in one end of the valve casing and
adapted to receive the threaded nozzle of an air-pump, the said nozzle being either
upon the barrel or piston or upon a tube attached to the barrel or piston of the
pump. It is also advantageous for manufacturers of pneumatic tires to make the
bores of such sockets and the nozzle of such air-pumps, of a uniform, standard
size, whereby the nozzle of any air-pump for inflating pneumatic tires, can be
fitted to the valve-casing of any one of the various kinds of pneumatic tires on the
market.
Prominent objects of the invention are to provide a construction of valve
attachment whereby a hole of comparatively small area can be provided at the
point where the valve-attachment extends through the wheel-rim, and thereby
avoid unduly weakening the wheel rim at such point, and at the same time, provide
a simple economical and desirable construction of valve-attachment in which the
threaded bore of the socket for the air-pump nozzle is of the general standard
size.
The cylindric shell or casing contains a valve having a threaded stem, and a
spring arranged between the valve and a suitable stop or seat at the lower end of
the casing. This casing is provided at its lower end with a suitable opeuing which
forms an air passage between the interior of the pneumatic tire and the valve
chamber within the casing. The casing is also provided at its upper end with a
throat for the upwardly extending valve-stem, and for the passage of air into the
chamber during the use of an air-pump in inflating the tire, and also for the
passage of air from said chamber in deflating the tire, and as a simple construc-
tion, the tubular or cylindric casing can be closed at its upper or outer end with
the exception of an opening which is formed centrally through such closed end, so
as to provide the throat or passage. The valve casing has its lower end portion
preferably flanged. This lower end portion is desirably made integral with the
casing, but it can be made separately therefrom, and then secured thereto in any
suitable mechanical way. This lower end or base-portion of the casing is imbedded
in a flattered flexible attaching base or washer of rubber or rubber and fabric or
similar suitable material, and by forming said base portion or lower end of the
casing with an annular groove or one or more annular ribs or flanges, it will have
a firm hold in the rubber base which is molded so as to provide it with a short
neck in which a portion of the lower end of the valve casing is imbedded. By
such arrangement, the neck terminates at the point where the straight tubular
portion of the casing commences, it being observed that since the object is to
provide the casing with its main portion of small diameter, and at the same time
properly secure the casing to the rubber attaching base or washer, the casing could
be made of uniform or substantially the same diameter from end to end but have
its lower end portion provided with annular ribs, corrugations or flanges, or like
means for permitting it to be securely connected with the rubber attaching base.
The rubber attaching base can be secured to a one-tube or hose pipe pneumatic
tire, when such construction of tire is to be employed, or it can be secured to the
inner tube of a pneumatic tire comprising a sheath and an inner inflatible tube.
The wooden wheel-rim is provided with a small aperture through which the small,
tubular main portion of the valve casing extends. The neck of the rubber attaching
base or washer can fit within a corresponding hole in the sheath of a double-tube
tire, and abut against the periphery of the wheel-rim, and likewise, the shoulder
which is formed at the junction between the base end and the main straight tubular
portion of the casing and which is Hush with the end of the neck of the rubber
attaching base can abut against said periphery of the wheel-rim.

page_text: The outer or upper end of the valve-casing is provided with a threaded socket
into which the usual threaded nozzle of an inflating pump can be screwed, and in.
order to provide a socket for such purpose of standard size, and at the same time
reduce the diameter of the valve-casing, so that the latter can be fitted through a
comparatively small hole in the wooden wheel-rim, the invention contemplates a
detachable socket consisting of a sleeve having an internally threaded en 1 portion
into which the nozzle of the pump can be screwed, and also having an internally
threaded portion which can be screwel upon the threaded upper end portion of the
valve-casing. The socket can be provided with a stop to limit the extent to which
it can be screwed upon the casing and to such end it may contain a partition
arranged between its ends and having an opening which will register with the
throat at the upper end of the valve casing, and form a continuation of such throat
when the socket is screwed down. The socket can also be made of a length to
abut against the inner side of the wheel-rim when it is screwed down, and in such
case, the stop within the socket could be dispensed with, it being observel that by
such arrangement the rim will be clamped between a shoulder and one end of the
sleeve which forms the socket, thereby securely holding the valve attachment in
place and further resisting any disposition on the part of the air-tube to chase or
creep within the sheath. In fitting the tire to the rim, the small tubular portion
of the valve casing is passed through the hole in the rim, and the socket is then
fitted to and screwed down upon the valve-casing.
When the tire is to be inflated, the nozzle of the air-pump can be screwed into
the socket, and after the tire has been inflated and the air-pump removed, the upper
or outer end of the socket can be closed by a cap, which, if preferred, can have an
internally threaded neck arranged for engaging the threaded stem of the valve so
as to lock the valve against its seat. It is also understood that the air-pump
nozzle is connected with the pump in any known or suitable way, it being observed
that in practice the nozzle is sometimes upon the barrel or piston of the pump, and
sometimes upon a tube connected with either of said members.
Where the inner inflatible tire tube is not employed the attaching base can be
secured to either the inner or outer side of the tire, or the base or inner end of the
valve casing can be secured to the tire in any other suitable approved way.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the diameter of the valve-inclosing
casing, or the diameter of the portion of said casing which extends through the
wheel-rim and projects from the inner side thereof, can be as small as the diameter
of the socket-bore, whereby, while the latter can be of the standard size, a material
reduction in the size of the valve casing can be secured. Also, that by omitting
the partition in the sleeve which forms the socket, the top end of the valve-casing
can serve as the bottom of the socket. Where the spring alone is relied upon as a.
means for holding the valve upon its seat, any suitable cap can be screwed upon
the sleeve which forms the socket, it being observed that it is always desirable to
normally close the open end of the socket so as to protect the thread from dirt and.
moisture. The small valve-inclosing casing can accurately fit the opening in the
wheel-rim, and by forming the rubber attaching base with a neck, leakage is more
effectively guarded against, particularly when the end of such neck is pressed
against the wheel-rim.
It is also observed that the use of a flexible nipple for holding the valve-casing
is dispensed with, and that the diameter of the opening in the wheel rim is reduced
to the diameter of the small cylindric shell or casing, thereby rendering the wheel-
rim considerably stronger, and at the same time permitting the use of a socket
adapted to receive the air-pump nozzle and having if desirable its internal area
at least as large as the external diameter of the tubular valve-casing or shell.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a section taken centrally and longitudinally through a portion of the
pneumatic tire and wheel-rim, with the valve attachment shown in elevation.
Figure 2 shows the valve attachment and rubber attaching base in perspective.
Fig. 2 shows a valve casing arrangement by which the wheel-rim is clamped

page_text: between a shoulder on the valve casing and one end of Life Diceye which
socket.
Fig. 3 is a section taken transversely through a portion of the wheel-rim, the
pneumatic tire being indicated in dotted lines.
Fig. 4 represents in elevation and on an enlarged scale, the valve casing, detach-
able socket, and socket cap.
Fig. 5 is a similar view, showing the valve casing with the socket removed.
Fig. 6 is a section taken centrally and longitudinally through the valve casing,
detachable socket and socket cap, with the valve and valve-spring shown in
elevation.
Fig. 7 is a section taken centrally and longitudinally through the detachable
socket having a stop or shoulder arranged intermediate of its ends.
It is understood that Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 for convenience of illustration, represent
the devices on a considerably larger scale than is used in practice.
The valve attachment, as illustrated, comprises a comparatively small, straight
cylindric shell, A, which is constructed with an internally arranged valve seat 1,
a valve chamber a', and an opening a, which forms a passage from the chamber al
to the interior of the tire. The check valve B, and a spring C tending to close
the valve, are arranged within the valve chamber, and a throat 3, is formed through
the valve seat so as to provide both a guide-way for the valve stem b, and a port
which can be opened and closed by the valve. By such simple arrangement, the
valve, the valve-seat, and the spring are all contained within a small cylindric
shell which can be economically bored or cast to provide it with the valve seat, the
throat, and the valve-chamber.
The shell A is provided with a base portion or end as which is embedded in an
attaching base D of rubber or analogous material. The base end a³ desirably
provides a shoulder a, formed at the point of juncture between the shell and base,
and adapted to abut against the periphery of the wheel-rim when the shell A is
inserted through a small opening 9 in the wheel-rim G, as illustrated. The
shoulder a serves therefore as a stop which limits the extent to which the small
cylindric portion as of the shell A can be passed through the comparatively small
aperture in the wheel-rim G. The shell can therefore be passed through the
aperture in the wheel rim to an extent to bring the shoulder in engagement with
the wheel-rim, when the end thrust of the shell toward the center of the wheel will
be arrested.
g
1
The shell can, however, be withdrawn from the aperture in the wheel-rim by a
reverse movement, and hence the shell can be withdrawn while removing the tire or
a portion of the tire to which the shell is permanently secured, without detaching
the shell from such tire or portion thereof.
The base end a³ is also provided with a flange a', which is embedded in the
rubber attaching base D, and which causes said base end a³ to have a firmer hold
in the rubber attaching base.
Where the valve attachment is applied to a double tube pneumatic tire, comprising
a sheath E and an inner, inflatible air-tube F, the attaching base D is constructed
with a neck d, which fits in an aperture in the sheath, and abuts against the
periphery of the wheel-rim, the attaching base in such case being cemented or
otherwise united to the inner air-tube, as shown in Fig. 1.
The reduced size of the shell A will not admit of the formation therein of a
socket bore of sufficient area to receive the standard size threaded nozzle of air
pump now employed for inflating pneumatic tires, and to permanently enlarge the
receiving end of the shell A so as to admit of a suitably large socket would of
course prevent the withdrawal of the casing from the wheel-rim in the manner
herein before set forth, without correspondingly and objectionably enlarging the
aperture g in the latter. The small cylindrical shell A is therefore provided with
a detachable socket H, consisting of an interually threaded, straight sleeve, which
is fitted for a portion of its length upon the receiving end of the shell A, whereby
a portion of its bore is unoccupied and adapted to form a socket bore in which the

page_text: threaded nozzle of an air-pump of standard size for inflating pneumatic tires, can
be screwed.
The outer or receiving end portion of the shell A may be externally threaded
as at a', and the socket-sleeve H may be correspondingly threaded as at h¹ and
screwed thereon. The sleeve which thus forms a detachable socket, and which is
threaded, as at for the nozzle of the air-pump, can be closed by a suitable cap, I,
which can be removed preparatory to using the air-pump. The cap could screw
upon or into the sleeve H, but as shown, the check valve B, has a threaded stem a*
which extends up through the throat 3 in the shell and engages in an internally
threaded neck on the cap I and hence the cap I is maintained in position, and the
valve B is locked upon its seat. The sleeve or socket H may contain an annular
shoulder 2 which will abut against the outer end of the shell, and form a stop
serving to limit the extent to which the sleeve can be screwed down upon the shell,
as shown in Fig. 6. The shoulder h² may, however, be dispensed with, and the
sleeve can be made of a length to permit it to be screwed down against the inner
side of the wheel-rim, as in Fig. 2ª.
The shell A is desirably cylindric, although it could, of course, be elliptic,
polygonal or the like in cross section, in which case the aperture in the wheel rim
could be correspondingly shaped.
When the parts are in place, as in Fig. 1, the shell cannot be removed, owing to
the fact that the socket sleeve H is larger than the aperture in the wheel-rim.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim, is:
1. The combination of a wooden wheel-rim having an aperture, a pneumatic tire,
and a valve-attachment comprising the shell containing a check-valve and valve-
seat and secured to the pneumatic tire, and a removable socket consisting of the
internally threaded sleeve detachable fitted for a portion of its length upon the
shell and having the unoccupied portion of its bore forming a socket for
the threaded nozzle of an air-pump for inflating pneumatic tires, the shell being
extended from the pneumatic tire through the corresponding aperture in the wooden
wheel-rim and being removable from the latter along with the pneumatic tire or
portion thereof to which it is secured, when the sleeve which provides the socket
and which is of greater external diameter than the diameter of the aperture in the
wheel-rim, is detached from the shell, substantially as described.
2. The combination of a wooden wheel-rim having an aperture, a pneumatic tire
arranged upon the wooden wheel rim and a valve attachment comprising the shell
containing a check valve and valve seat and having a base end imbedded in an
attaching base of rubber or the like secured to the pneumatic tire, and a socket
removably held upon the shell and having a threaded bore adapted for connection
with the nozzle of an air-pump for inflating pneumatic tires, the shell being
extended through the aperture in the wheel-rim and being removable therefrom
when the socket is detached from the shell, and the attaching base being arranged
to abut against the periphery of the wheel rim when the shell is extended through
the latter, substantially as described.
3. The combination of a wooden wheel-rim having an aperture, a pneumatic tire
arranged upon the wheel-rim and a valve attachment comprising the shell containing
a check-valve and having a base end forming a shoulder a and imbedded in an
attaching base of rubber or the like which is secured to the pneumatic tire, and a
socket removably held upon the shell and baving its bore adapted for the threaded
nozzle of au air-pump for inflating pneumatic tires, the shell being extended through
the aperture in the wheel-rim, and the shoulder as being held against the periphery
of the wheel-rim, substantially as described.
4. The combination of a wheel-rim, a double tube pneumatic tire thereon, and a
valve-attachment comprising a shell containing a check-valve and having a base
end imbedded in an attaching base D which is secured to the air-tube and formed

page_text: with a neck d which extends through an opening in the sheath and abuts against
the periphery of the wheel-rim, the shell being extended through an aperture in the
wheel-rim, substantially as described.
5. The combination of a wooden wheel-rim having an aperture, a pneumatic tire
arranged upon the wooden wheel rim and consisting of a sheath and an inner
removable air-tube, and a valve attachment comprising a straight cylindric shell A
containing a check-valve and having a base end secured in an attaching base of
rubber or the like which is secured to the removable air-tube, and a removable
socket detachably held upon the shell and having a threaded socket bore adapted
for the threaded nozzle of an air-pump for inflating pneumatic tires, the shell being
extended through the aperture in the wheel-rim and being removable therefrom
when the socket is detached, substantially as described.
6. The combination of a wooden wheel-rim having an aperture, a pneumatic tire
arranged upon the wheel-rim and comprising a sheath and an inner air-tube, and a
valve attachment comprising a straight cylindric shell containing a valve and valve
seat and having a base end imbedded in a rubber attaching base which is secured
to the inner air-tube, and a removable socket consisting of an internally threaded
sleeve screwed for a portion of its length upon the shell and forming a socket for
the threaded nozzle of an air-pump, the straight cylindric shell being fitted within
and extended through the aperture in the wheel-rim, and being removable there-
from when the socket is detached, substantially as described.
7. The combination of a wheel-rim provided with a pneumatic tire, and a valve
attachment comprising a shell containing a check-valve and secured to the pneumatic
tire, and a socket formed and arranged to receive the threaded nozzle of an air-
pump and consisting of an internally threaded sleeve screwed for a portion of its
length upon the shell and having one end in engagement with the wheel-rim,
substantially as described.
Dated this 4th day of May 1896
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.