Improvements in and appertaining to Pneumatic Tyres for Velocipedes or Light Road Vehicles.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 22nd Dec., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and appertaining to Pneumatic Tyres for
Velocipedes or Light Road Vehicles.
I JOHN LITHERLAND of 1 Osborne Place The Downs Altrincham in the County
of Chester, Coach Body Maker 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 object of my invention is to provide a simple and effective form of pneumatic
tyre that shall be capable of being readily and securely attached to the rim of a
wheel and easily detached therefrom, that shall also be provided on the outer
surface of the tread with means for preventing or reducing side slip and on the
inner surface of the tread with means for protecting the air bladder or tube from
puncture and also for protecting such air tube from being punctured or damaged by
projecting ends or bosses of spokes and I likewise provide by my invention a
special form or section of rim which is necessary to enable me to more perfectly
carry out my said invention and particularly as regards the attaching and detaching
of the outer cover of the tyre.
In describing my invention I shall refer to certain letters and figures on the
accompanying sheet of drawings on which
Figure 1. is a section of my improved tyre and rim the inner tube or air bladder
not being shewn.
Figure 2. is a plan or view of part of the tread portion of the outer surface of
the tyre.
In carrying out my said invention I form my special rim as shewn at A. Figure 1.
having slight flanges a. a all round its edges and the surface slightly inclined
downwards towards the centre as b. b in the centre I form a dip, hollow or trough
such as c the bottom of which will be over the ends of the spokes which may be
inserted through holes d therein if desired.
I make the outer casing or cover B mainly in the usual manner preferably of
india rubber and thickened towards the tread on which I form or fix corrugations
or ribs C. C. C¹ C₁ (Figures I and 2.) of peculiar character being alternately
raised and sunk in portions of their length as shewn such corrugated ribs being
intended to prevent or reduce side-slip.
I line this outer case or cover B. throughout its entire length and inner surface
or width with canvas or like strengthening material D. a flap or extension of
which E. I continue over the rim so as to lie under the inner tube or air bladder
when in position and inflated or I may dispense with this flap or extension E
without interfering with the tyre.
In order to prevent puncture through tread or running surface I form flaps or
pockets F. F on the canvas lining on either side of tread and in these secure an
arched metallic band or strip H. or this may be secured in position by other means
such as by pasting with solution or other agent to the canvas lining.
The usual air tube or bladder is enclosed within the outer casing or cover B. but
is not shewn on drawing and this is arranged in any well known manner and
provision made for inflation and deflation as is well understood.
To secure the outer case or cover B to the rim A. I form flat pockets or slots J. J
in the canvas lining by stitching or pasting all along or around the edges thereof a
narrow band or tape and in these pockets I insert fat bands or strips of steel or
other resilient metal K. K of slightly less length than the circumference or

page_text: peripheral length of the flanges a. a of the rim, the ends of the bands K. K
being permanently joined after insertion in the pockets so as to form endless bands
of metal.
In the centre of the rim and so as to lie over the holes d through which spokes
may be inserted I place an elastic endless band or tape L say of rubber which may
be passed over the edge of the rim and lie in trough c for the purpose of
preventing damage to the inner air tube by reason of a spoke or spokes protruding
through holes d.
The outer case or
cover or tyre proper is secured by passing the metal
bands K. K, enclosed in their respective slots or pockets J. J, over one portion of
the flanged rim and into the hollow portion thereof when the remaining parts may
pass over the flanges and be brought into their proper positions or nearly so-the
air tube is then inflated when the bands K. K will be forced sideways against the
inner surfaces of the flanges a a and downwardly against the sloping portions of
the rim b. b thus firmly securely the whole tyre until the air tube or bladder is
deflated when the outer cover may be removed by reversing the operations.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is-
1. In pneumatic tyres the combination of an outer cover or case such as B
corrugated fluted or ribbed on the tread so as to present alternately arranged
elevations and depressions such as C. C. C¹ C' a metallic interior tread protector
such as H. endless metallic securing bands such as K. K. an elastic band such as L.
for the purpose of protecting the air tube from damage by spokes and a specially
formed rim such as A having a hollow or trough in its centre, the whole substantially
as and for the purposes herein before described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
2. The means for and method of securing the outer case or cover of a pneumatic
tyre to the rim substantially as herein before described with reference to the
accompanying drawing Fig. 1.
3. For wheels of velocipedes and light road vehicles using pneumatic tyres a
rim having a central hollow or trough in its outer surface or periphery such as
shewn on Figure 1. and substantially as herein before described with reference to
the accompanying drawing.
4. Forming or fixing on the treads of pneumatic or like tyres corrugations or
ribs having alternate elevations and depressions substantially as herein before
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
5. The general arrangement and construction of outer cover or case and rim for
pneumatic tyres substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 14th day of November 1894.