Improvements in Inflatable or Pneumatic Tyres.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Mar., 1898-Accepted, 6th Aug., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Inflatable or Pneumatic Tyres.
I, WILLIAM IRVIN DREISBACH, of 600, Berger Street, Williamsport, in the County
of Lycoming, and State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Rubber Worker,
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;
"
-
My invention relates to improvements in inflatable or pneumatic tires of that
class which employ an outer sheath in connection with the inner inflatable tube,
but is also applicable to those tires in which an inner inflatable tube is not used.
One of the objects of my present improvement is to dispense with the tape
or piping" disclosed in the patent issued on my prior invention for holding the
edge which is first seated in place on the wheel rim, and a further object is to pro-
vide an improved construction of the outer tube or sheath which will hold itself
in place and permit of the ready insertion and interlocking of the free edge of
the sheath with the edge which is first fitted to the wheel rim beneath the inflatable
inner tube.
With these ends in view, my invention consists in the novel construction and
arrangement of parts, which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.
To enable others to understand my invention, I have illustrated the preferred
embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specifi-
cation, and in which,--
Figure 1 is a vertical transverse sectional view of my improved tire seated on
a wheel rim and showing the edges thereof interlocked with each other.
Figure 2 is a vertical cross sectional view illustrating the manner of applying
the outer sheath or tube to the wheel rim.
Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of the outer sheath or tube removed from
the wheel rim and the inner tube.
Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of the outer case or tube spread or flattened
out and locking at the inner face thereof to show the transverse arrangement of
the fabric forming the locking flap to the fabric of the case or tube, proper.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of another embodiment of the tire in which a
single tube is used similar to a hose pipe tire.
Like numerals of reference denote like and corresponding parts in each of the
several figures of the drawing.
Referring by numeral to the drawing, 1 designates the wheel rim of an ordinary
bicycle, and 2 is an inflatable inner tube of a pneumatic tire. The rim, 1,, may be
the ordinary wood or metallic rim of a bicycle or other vehicle, and the inflatable
tube, 2, is of any suitable or preferred construction, because no novelty for these
devices is herein claimed, as they form no part of my present invention.
My improvement resides in the construction of the outer tube or sheath, 3, which
is adapted to form a protection to the inner tube, 2, and to be seated on the wheel
rim in a manner to permit of ready removal of said outer tube for the purpose
of obtaining access to the inner tube, whereby said inner tube may have its punc-

page_text: tures repaired in a very easy manner. My improved outer tube or sheath 3,
relates more particularly to that class which are divided longitudinally at the line
where said tube or sheath is seated upon the wheel rim, but said outer tube or
sheath is not interlocked with the wheel rim in any manner. On the contrary,
the inner seat portion of the outer tube or sheath is peculiarly constructed with a
view to hold itself firmly in position on the wheel rim without, however, attaching
the same directly thereto by interlocking devices, as in some constructions of
tubes or sheaths which have preceded my invention; but such construction of the
outer tube or sheath also provides for the ready releasing of the edges thereof when
the inner tube is deflated or partially deflated and also permits the ready inter-
locking of the two edges of the divided outer tube or sheath.
In the practical construction of my improved outer tube or sheath, one edge, 4,
thereof is thickened transversely to form a bearing or seat face adapted to be
applied to a wheel rim, and this thickened bearing face, 4, of the outer tube or
sheath is externally roughened or corrugated to enable the same to have good
frictional contact with the wheel rim.
In connection with the thickened bearing edge, 4, of the outer tube or sheath,
I employ a locking flap, 6, which is formed of a separate piece of fabric and united
permanently to the inner face of the thickened bearing edge, 4. This locking
flap is united at one edge thereof to the thickened bearing edge 4, of the outer tube
or sheath by any suitable means, as, for instance, by vulcanizing or cementing
the flap and bearing edge together along the line indicated at 7; and in thus
uniting the locking flap with the bearing edge, 4, of the sheath care should be
exercised to have the threads of the fabric forming the locking flap, at a different
angle to the threads of the fabric forming the sheath or tube, 4, in order that the
locking flap may be united or joined with the tube or sheath, 3, in a manner to
prevent stretching of the locking flap under the strain or pull of the free edge of
the sheath or tube when it is interlocked therewith, as will presently appear.
The locking flap, 6, projects a suitable distance beyond the thickened bearing
edge, 4, of the tube or sheath, and on the under face of the locking flap or on that
face adjacent to the wheel rim, the locking flap is provided with one or a series of
integral longitudinal ribs, 8.
The other edge, 9, of the outer tube or sheath 3, is provided on its inner face
with one or a series of longitudinal ribs, 10, which are spaced apart a distance cor-
responding to the space of the longitudinal ribs, 8, of the locking flap, 6, and said
free edge, 9, of the outer tube or sheath is adapted to lap under the locking flap, 6,
in a manner to present the longitudinal rib or ribs, 10, thereon opposite to the
longitudinal rib or ribs, 8, of said locking flap, whereby the two series of ribs on
the free edge of the sheath and the flap are designed to interlock with each other
when the outer tube or sheath is properly fitted to the wheel rim to enclose the
inner tube, 2, of the tire.
One of the important features of my improved construction of the outer tube
or sheath resides in the thickening of the edge, 4, of said tube and in uniting the
locking flap, 6, to the thickened edge, 4, said flap having a longitudinal rib or
ribs, 8. This construction is important in a tire of this class, because the
thickened edge enables the tube or tire to be held in place on the wheel rim by
contraction of the tire or tube itself and the edge of the outer tube or sheath,
which is seated upon the wheel rim, is built up or raised a distance equivalent to
the thickness of the rib or ribs, 8, whereby the ribbed edge, 9, of the outer tube
may be adjusted beneath the locking flap to have proper engagement of the two
series of ribs with each other and enable the bearing face of the free edge, 9,
to lie substantially flush with the bearing face, 5, of the edge 4, of said outer tube
or sheath. The outer face of the thickened edge 4, of the sheath or tube 3, is
roughened or "pebbled" to form the bearing face 5, and in a similar manner the
outer face 11, of the free edge, 9, of said outer tube is roughened or "pebbled"
as at 11, thus providing another bearing face on the tire. It will be apparent that
the edges 4, 9, of the tire may be adjusted into close relation to each other to have

page_text: their bearing faces 5, 11, substantially flush with each other, and at the same time
the rib or ribs 10, of the edge 9, have the proper interlocking engagement with
the rib or ribs, S, of the flap 6. The outer tube or sheath is thus adapted to have
a firm seat upon the wheel rim, because the bearing faces 5, 11, thereof lie sub-
stantially flush with each other.
In my invention, the tire or tube has one edge thereof built up to provide the
thickened edge, and this increase in the thickness of the tire-edge is furthered
by the union of the flap with the thickened edge, although it is evident that the
flap may be made as an integral part of the tire or tube. As a result of this con-
struction, the tire or tube is made to hold itself in place solely by contraction
of the tire upon the wheel rim, provision is made for interlocking of the flap with
the free edge of the tire, and the pressure of the air in the tube or tire increases
the contraction of the tire upon the wheel rim.
The thickened edge of the tire or tube is fitted to bear upon the wheel rim practi-
cally throughout the width of said rim; and to enable the free thickened and
ribbed edge of the tire or tube to conform accurately to the curve of the wheel
rim, I make the ribs on the flap of different thicknesses or depths and make the
outer rib 9, on the free edge of the tire slightly beveled or inclined, say one six-
teenth of an inch, whereby the free edge has the proper interlocking engagement
with the flap and the two thickened edges of the tire conform accurately to the
contour of the wheel rim and seat firmly thereon so that the tire or tube may have
the necessary contraction on the wheel rim.
In operation, the bearing faces 5, 11, of the two edges of the divided tube or
sheath 3, are firmly seated on the concave face of the wheel rim, and the ribs 8, 10,
engage with each other to prevent expansion of the outer tube and separation of
the edges thereof. In the event of a puncture of the inner tube, the latter
becomes deflated or partially deflated, thus removing the pressure from the lapped
edges of the outer tube. The operator is now able to withdraw the edge 9, of
the outer tube from engagement with the flap, 6, and the edge 9, may now be
raised to permit access to be obtained to the inner inflatable tube 2, the thickened
edge 4, of the outer tube remaining seated upon the wheel rim. The inner tube
may now be easily repaired to effectually seal the puncture therein, and said
inner tube is then replaced within the outer tube, and the edge 9, of the latter is
adjusted beneath the locking flap 6, for the rib or ribs 10, to engage with the
rib or ribs 8, on said flap. The inner tube is now inflated in the usual way and
the pressure thereof upon the outer tube causes the interlocked edges 4, 9, thereof
to be held firmly together and upon the wheel rim.
In one form of my invention, the fabric forming the locking flap is cut on a bias,
as represented by Figure 4, and one edge of this flap is united in any suitable
way to the thickened edge 4, of the tube. But I would have it understood that I
do not restrict myself to the particular use of the bias-cut fabric because it is
evident that the fabric for the flap may be cut straight or lengthwise, or from suit-
able material, and vulcanized to the thickened edge 4, thus preventing the edge 4,
and the flap 6, from stretching in relation to each other along the joint but per-
mitting contraction of the outer cover or sheath when the tire is inflated.
In my tire it is necessary to make the ribs or corrugation of the thickened edge
and the flap of proper thickness or depth and width to cause them to remain inter-
locked when the tire is deflated, thus overcoming one of the practical objections
to prior devices in this art.
<
In the drawings, I have illustrated the thickened edges 4, 9, of the divided outer
case or tube as having the outer faces thereof provided with the integral corruga-
tions or pebbling,"
," but I would have it understood that I do not limit myself
strictly to this construction, because I am aware that metal may be united to the
thickened edges of the outer tube or case to provide a frictional bearing surface
for said outer case upon the wheel rim. If desired, other suitable material than
metal may be united to the tube or case to secure the desired frictional contact
between the wheel rim and said case.

page_text: While I have shown and described my tire as especially adapted for use in con-
nection with an inner tube, thus forming a double tube tire, it is to be under-
stood that I do not strictly limit myself to the use of the cover or sheath in connec-
tion with an inner tube because I am aware that the inner surface of the outer
tube may be coated with rubber for the purpose of rendering the tube air proof,
thus making the outer tube serve the purpose the tire itself in a manner similar
to the device known as "hose pipe" tires.
This embodiment of the invention is represented by Figure 5 of the drawing
in which the inner surface of the divided tire is coated with a thin film or layer of
rubber as at 13, the outer face of the flap in the first groove adjacent to the abrupt
shoulder formed by the thickened edge of the tire is provided with a sealing layer
of soft rubber 14, and the ribbed or corrugated face of the flap is coated with a
thin film or layer of rubber at 15. The surfaces of the divided tire are thus
adapted to be pressed together to secure tight joints, and the tire is rendered air
tight by the presence of the sealing layer 14, of the soft rubber.
The tire is rendered air tight by the presence of the films and sealing layers,
owing to the interlocking of the ribs or corrugations, and this air tight feature
is furthered by the pressure of the air in the tire.
It is evident that changes in the form and proportion of parts may be made
by a skilled mechanic without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advan-
tages of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a pneumatic tire, an outer case provided at one of its edges with one or a
series of integral longitudinal ribs or corrugations arranged on the outer surface
thereof, and one or a series of integral longitudinal ribs or corrugations at the
opposite edge of said case or tube and arranged on the inner surface thereof, the
rib or ribs on the first named edge of the tube or case being of proper diameter to
permit the free edge of the outer case to be removably inserted and interlocked
with the rib or ribs on the other edge of the case or tube, substantially as described.
2. In a pneumatic tire, the combination with a wheel rim, of a tube provided on
one edge with a rib or ribs, and a locking flap united to the other edge of said
case and also provided with the rib or ribs adapted to engage with the rib or ribs
of the first nained edge of the case, substantially as and for the purposes described.
3. In a pneumatic tire, a tube provided at one of its edges with a rib or ribs
arranged on the inner face thereof, a locking flap projecting from the other edge
of said outer case and provided on its outer face with a rib or ribs adapted to
interlock with the corresponding rib or ribs on the first named edge of the case,
and a roughened seat provided on the exposed faces of the edges of said case, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes described.
4. In an inflatable tire, a tube or tire provided with a thickened edge, a locking
flap projecting from said thickened edge of the tube and provided with a rib or
ribs, the other edge of said tire or tube having a rib or ribs and adapted to lap
under the flap to present the rib or ribs thereon into position to lock with the rib
or ribs on said locking flap, substantially as described.
5. In an inflatable tire, a tube or case having its edges thickened and provided
with roughened outer bearing faces, one edge of said tube having a rib or ribs,
combined with a locking flap projecting from the thickened edge of said tube
or case and provided with a rib or ribs adapted to interlock with the rib or ribs
on the edge of the tube or casing, substantially as and for the purposes described.
6. In an inflatable tire, a tube provided with a rib or ribs on the inner face of
one edge thereof and having its other edge thickened transversely, in combina-
tion with a locking flap projecting from the thickened edge and having on its pro-
jecting part a rib or ribs to interlock with the corresponding rib or ribs on the
tube or case, substantially as described.

page_text: 7. An inflatable tire comprising a tube provided at one edge with a rib or ribs
on its inner face and having its other edge thickened transversely, and a locking
flap provided on the outer face of its projecting portion with a rib or ribs to inter-
lock with the rib or ribs of the free edge of the case or tube, said ribs being of
proper width and depth to insure interlocking of the two parts of the divided tube
or case which is adapted to be used singly as a hose tire or in connection with an
inner tube, as set forth.
8. An inflatable tire having a thickened edge and a series of ribs or corrugations
beyond said thickened edge, the other edge of the tire provided with like corruga-
tions or ribs, one of which has an inclined or beveled face, substantially as described.
9. An inflatable tire comprising a divided tube provided with the films or layers
which cover the ribs or corrugations thereof and a soft rubber sealing between
said interlocking ribs or flanges, substantially as described.
Hated this 28th day of Wah 190 E
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.