Improvements in Air Valves.
Year: 1897

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Air Valves.
We, PETER FYFE, of Milton Lea, Kilmalcolm, in the County of Renfrew,
Engineer, and WILLIAM DEWAR, of 1 Montrose Street, in the City of Glasgow,
Draughtsman, 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 air valves of the class referred to in the Specification of
Letters Patent No. 933 of 1800 as used for maintaining air pressure in the inflated
cells or compartments of pneumatic hubs and for like purposes, and it has for its
object to adapt the valve for use in simultaneously inflating the several cells or
compartments and for automatically disconnecting them upon inflation.
The Invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a
sectional view of the air valve, Figure 2 an elevation of the same with the cover
removed and Figure 3 an elevation of a slightly modified form of the valve.
The improved valve is composed of a tubular casing A having two, three or other
number of tubular branches B, B1, B2, each of which is adapted for connection by
a flexible tube or otherwise to one of the several cells or compartments of the hub.
The main branch B forms a continuation of the tubular casing A, is tubular
throughout, and has fitted within it a stemn piece having a disc end C¹ serving as a
valve. The other branches B', B2, which extend outwards at right angles are
also tubular and the bore of each communicates with a small kneed passage b' or b²
bored in the main branch B and in the branches B1, B2 respectively, the ends of the
bores terminating under the dise valve C¹ in the inain branch B. A rubber or other
washer c is fitted under the valve disc to render the valve air tight. The valve stem C
extends through the casing A and has fitted around it a coiled spring D which is
maintained under compression by means of an adjustable nut E screwed on the
stem, the spring serving to keep the valve close down on the seat at the bored end
of the branch B. A cap F is fitted over the end of the casing A and tapped so
that it may be screwed on to the valve stem C and by bearing on a shoulder A¹ on
the casing it serves to draw the valve down hard on its seat. This cap is removed
and the nozzle of an inflator applied to the screw threaded end A' of the casing A
when it is desired to inflate the cells of the hub the air passing by way of the valve
stem which fits loosely in its guiding socket. The inflator may serve by pressing
on the stem C or nut E to raise the valve, or the air may be driven through the
tubular brauch B with sufficient force to lift the valve C'. In either case the air
under pressure passes not only to the cell connected to that branch, but also by
way of the bores b', 6', to the branches B', B, and the cells with which they are
connected. When inflation ceases and the inflator is removed the valve C' closes
upon its seat and closing the several air passages disconnects the cells from the
atmosphere and from each other. The cap F is then applied to lock the valve C¹
on its seat.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. An air valve constructed and arranged to operate substantially as described.
2. A multiple branched air valve adapted for simultaneous inflation of a plurality
of air cells and to automatically disconnect said cells by closing the several air
passages communicating therewith substantially as described.
Dated this 31st day of May 1897.
WALLACE FAIRWEATHER,
Of the Firm of Cruikshank and Fairweather,
Chartered Patent Agents,62 Saint Vincent Street, Glasgow,
Agent for the Applicants.