Improvements in or connected with Pneumatic Tyres for the Wheels of Cycles and other Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: This Print is in accordance with the Original Specification as it stands after
Amendment (under Section 11 of the Patents, &c, Act, 1883) as required by
the decision of the Chief Examiner, of the 4th day of August 1898.
Date of Application, 15th Apr., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 15th Feb., 1898-Accepted, 9th Apr., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Pneumatic Tyres for the Wheels
of Cycles and other Vehicles.
I, ANTHONY PULBROOK, of 8, Unwin Mansions, Queen's Club Gardens, West
Kensington, London, Solicitor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
In the Specification filed in respect of an application for a Patent dated 24th
April 1896 No. 8696 I have described the arrangement of a hollow air-tight tube
or chamber of flexible material containing a suitable fluid placed next the rim
over the ends of the spokes, and between the rim and the pneumatic tube, instead
of the tape or other material usually employed. According to one part of my
present invention when using the aforesaid airtight chamber in lieu of tape or
other material usually employed I sometimes make the said chamber in three
longitudinal airtight compartments and I sometimes dispense with a separate air
tube, especially when the aforesaid airtight chamber is used in combination with
longitudinal air chambers at the sides, or when I bring the air chamber trans-
versely beyond the spoke heads and up to, or nearly up to, the edge of the rim.
I have a cover preferably of arched or saddle shape with wires or other hard
rigid or more or less inextensible material in the side or sides, or in the edge
or edges, or I may provide the side or sides, or edge or edges, with airtight
chambers containing a compressible or incompressible fluid, or with elastic edges,
these I arrange under, over, or between the air chamber or chambers, used in
lieu of tape, and the rim, or between pockets or gussets in the air chamber, in
such a manner that when the tyre is blown up in the usual way the pressure or
strain thereby produced causes an airtight joint to be formed by reason of the
may in
equal pressure exercised throughout by the fluid or air chambers. "I
instances, when not using an inner tube, have an ordinary non-return valve for
filling the air chambers with a compressed fluid to more completely render the
joint airtight.
some
In my aforesaid Specification No. 8696 of 1896 I have described methods of
forming tyres or covers by laying the foundation for the same on the rim before
the spokes are fixed to the latter, and by passing the spokes through the cover
or tyre. According to another part of my present invention I construct a tyre
or cover in a manner somewhat similar to that described in the said specification,
after the wheel is made up and the spokes fixed to the rim. For this purpose I
cement, solution, or otherwise fasten or fix a piece of material as therein described
on to the rim so as to permit of flaps on either side. I may or may not lay a
band of flexible metal or other more or less inelastic substance over the said
material where the same is fastened to the rim, and tighten, fix, or fasten this

page_text: band round the rim in any suitable manner, so that the material may not be
pulled from the rim without destroying the band. The band may have flanges, or
projections to fit into hollows in the rim or recesses to fit projections on the rim,
I may or may not use the inner tube. I pass one flap round and cement, solution
or otherwise secure it in any suitable manner to the other side, and then pass
the opposite flap over it to the opposite side and then fasten it in any known
manner. A tube or hollow tyre is thus formed which may be inflated in the
usual well known way, if made of airtight material.
Sometimes I have in that part of one or both of the above mentioned flaps
which will become the tread part of the tyre, and consequently will have a larger
circumference than the other parts, a band or tape of practically inextensible
material. It will be understood that on charging a tyre thus formed, with air,
it will be confined longitudinally between two practically inextensible parts,
namely the rim and the tread, and consequetly the strain will tend to keep the
tyre on the rim. The thrust outwards on either side will have no tendency to
draw the tyre off but all the strain will be taken up by the material. I may
fasten one or both of the flaps by having a depression in the bottom of the rim,
and a corresponding projection in the cover. This will correct the tendency to
draw radially outwards..
Sometimes instead of forming the tyre as before described, and as described in the
aforesaid Specification No. 8696 of 1896, by cementing or fastening the edges of the
cover together I furnish the edges, or either or any of them when more than one ply,
with hems, selvages, wires, plates, bands, laces or any other known devices for
attaching them together, or for attaching to them a saddle-shaped removable outer
cover in cases where a detachable cover is required; or one edge or flap may be
provided with a wire which is passed into the concavity of the rim and holds
that edge of the cover in place in the usual well known way. I may also elongate
the wire or wires by means of screws and nuts, levers, or other known contrivances
in order to pass it or them on to the rim and subsequently to tighten or clamp
the wire or wires to the rim or to the hollow therein, or I may make one or more
depressions in the rim and corresponding projections in one or both flaps of the
cover so that on inflating the tyre the projections will be forced into the depressions
and thus keep the flap in place, or I may affix to the rim or cover a flap or strip
or strips of shark skin in such a manner that the spines will bite into the cover
or flap or into rim and prevent the cover or flap being drawn out. I may facilitate
this by fixing to the cover or rim felt or similar substance for the spines to take
hold of.
Another method of fastening the tyre to the rim consists in making the rim
in two parts angle-shaped longitudinally with screw-nuts and bolts or other
devices to join the angles together. Now it will be understood that if the
cover be folded in two and inserted between the two angles and the bolts are
passed through holes made in the angles and the folded part of the cover, on
tightening up the nuts on the bolts the cover will be firmly held on the rim,
and the flaps of the cover may then be opened out and fixed as before described.
I may have a plate, as before described, passed longitudinally round the cover
to prevent rolling thereof.
I may make that part of the tyre or flaps, or either of them, which forms the
extreme circumference of the tread of laminated air-chambers, either with or with-
out more or less unpuncturable material inserted therein as described in the
Specification of a Patent granted to me dated the 3rd October 1893 No. 18512.
The above described arrangements and those shown in Figures 10, 12 and 14
of the aforesaid Specification No 8696 may in some instances be used without
inner or pneumatic tubes when the material of the outer cover is airtight, and
care is taken to cover the ends of the spokes with airtight material to prevent
leakage of air through the spoke holes in the rim.
When using an air chamber instead of tapes as above mentioned, and airtight
sides, or a cover with flaps as herein described. I sometimes effect the object

page_text: of avoiding the use of an inner pneumatic tube by making gussets or flaps on the
side of the airtight tape or cover with corrugations and depressions as described
in the Provisional Specification filed with my Application for Patent No. 17931
of 1893.
Another method of laying the foundation for the fastening of the tyre or cover
to the rim before the spokes are put in place consists in having a rim wholly or
partially in two layers or plates of metal, wood, or other suitable rigid material
with a recess between the same, one edge of the cover may or may not be thickened
and adapted to fit into the said recess between the two plates, which may or may
not be connected or joined together, the sides of the cover entering the recess
being held in place in any known manner or by levers as herein described.
I sometimes make the rim of the wheel in two parts, the inner part being
convex on its inner circumference, and the outer part convex on its outer circum-
ference, a hollow space being left between the two parts when they are put
together. The two parts are connected together by lateral flanges, and the spokes are
fastened at their outer ends into these flanges and the latter are preferably shaped
so as to stand at such an angle to the spokes which pass through them as will give
the spokes a direct pull on the rim. The two parts of the rim may be connected
together solely by the spokes passing through the flanges, but if required nuts and
bolts, or other suitable means of fastening them together, may be employed as well.
In a rim made in this way the cover of the pneumatic tyre may be secured thereto
by passing the edges of the cover in between the two parts of the rim and then
tightening the two parts together by the nuts of the spokes or by the nuts and
bolts or other fastenings employed. The edges of the cover may be thickened
and inserted into the hollow space between the two parts of the rim, whereby
the cover may be more securely held in place than when the edges are left plain.
When using sleeves for the fastening wires, as described in the aforesaid Speci-
fication No. 8696 of 1896 I sometimes use incurved rims, but in that case I need
not bring the ends of the wires through the rim as they may remain loose, and
free to move longitudinally inside the sleeves. I sometimes apply the wires.
when using sleeves, in the following manner:-I pass one end of the wire
into one end of the sleeve and the other end of the same wire into the other end
of the sleeve. I may employ one or more sleeves and wires and I fit them into
hems at the sides of the cover and leave them free to move. I fasten or secure
in any suitable manner a more or less inextensible but flexible band, tape, string,
wire, plate, or other connector as one end to one part of the wire, and at its
other end to another part of the wire and secure it about the centre to the cover
above the sleeve, the said connector forming with the sleeve and wire a triangle
or are of a circle, the apex of which is attached to the cover as before mentioned.
When using plates or other rigid connectors or links I joint them together and
to the cover at the apex of the triangle so that they can pivot after the manner
of a toggle joint. It will now be understood that the flexibility of the band,
tape, string, or wire, or the movement of the rigid connectors on their pivots,
will permit of the wires extending sufficiently to allow the edge of the cover
to pass over the side of the rim, and that on the tyre being inflated the cover
will draw the apex of the triangle or are radially away from the rim, and will
thereby draw the ends of the wire towards each other, thus tightening the wire
to the rim and fastening the cover thereto. With this arrangement I preferably
use incurved rims. This is a fastening specially suitable for use with a flat-
bottomed rim, and a tyre having a shark skin tread. I sometimes effect the
same object by having a net extending circumferentially round the cover, one
side being attached to the wires and the other to the cover when extended lateral.
I fasten a pneumatic tyre, or the cover thereof, to a rim by using transverse
levers with or without ledges or projections whereby pressure or strain on one
arm is utilized to hold the tyre or cover to the rim by the other. For example,
when one arm is held down towards the centre of the rim the other is canted
upwards and engages with a ledge or projection on the side of the rim, or vice

page_text: versa, when the lever is on that side of the rim nearest the hub. Sometimes I
have corrugations, hooks, ledges, projections or depressions in the rim to serve
as fulcra for the levers, and sometimes use fluid-tight compartments containing
a compressible or incompressible fluid in the sides of the cover or tyre, or in
the rim, to work in combination with the levers which may or may not also have
airtight compartments attached to them. This arrangement enables me to avoid
the use of an inner tube. The levers may be either on one or both sides of the
cover and may extend all round the rim, or partly round the same, or they may
be joined together by flexible material. I may have extensible or non-extensible
plates, wires, or other supporting arrangements between the levers, and sleeves
may be fixed for the plates, wires or other supporting devices to pass through.
Another mode of fastening consists in having a Hat rim with incurved sides.
In this arrangement I attach to the cover hinged plates preferably of rigid material,
the hinge part being in the centre of the rim. So that when the tyre is inflated
and the hinges straightened out by the pressure they will extend under the
incurved edges. The hinges may be so formed that they may be separated by
drawing the spindles out of the sleeves. Instead of hinges, or in combination
with them, I may use flexible material which may, or may not, have hems and
fastening wires or plates therein. In the gaps between the hinges I may have
wires, plates, or other more or less rigid material which may be extensible or
inextensible, and which may pass into, or partly into, sleeves leaving sometimes
a gap in the interior of the sleeves. I may have studs or other devices passing
from the hinge
or plate inside through holes in the rim and held down by screws,
nuts, cotter pins or other fastenings, so that when drawn to the rim the hinges or
plates will extend laterally and pass under the incurved edges of the rim.
I may in some instances obtain the extension under the incurved rims by
means of lazy-tong arrangements which may, or may not, be put in operation by
the inflation of the tyre.
In my aforesaid Specification No. 8696 I have described a restraining cover
formed of layers of textile fabric some cut on the straight, others on the cross
or bias. I make such a cover in the following manner:- -I first make a cover
of one or two layers of fabric cut on the cross or bias, and then either by inflating
it over an inner tube, or stretching it by means of a mandril, make it take the
rounded shape of a pneumatic tyre, whereby the extreme outer or centre circum-
ference is larger than that of the sides or inner circumference. I then solution
or cement a narrow tape of the textile material cut on the straight round the
extreme extended centre circumference and the like tape at the sides leaving no
space unsupported by the tapes. I may leave the edges of the tapes unsolutioned
or uncemented so that one may pass under the other. I may sometimes fix,
fasten, solution or cement either throughout or at the sides only a covering cut
on the cross over the tapes.
When waterproofing or cementing textile fabric or leather for the purpose
of making tyres I sometimes use a compound formed of that part of balata which
is precipitated on being dissolved in warm mineral naphtha or other hydro-carbon
(either hot or cold) capable of dissolving balata and india-rubber. I then mix
a solution of this material with a solution of indiarubber and preferably use the
compound warm.
I some times use the Mexican gum called chickel or some part thereof mixed
with indiarubber.

page_text: Improvements in or connected with Pneumatic Tyres for the Wheels
of Cycles and other Vehicles.
I, ANTHONY PULBROOK, of 8, Unwin Mansions, Queen's Club Gardens, West
Kensington, London, Solicitor, 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, reference being had to the
accompanying sheet of drawings in which Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12,
13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20 and 21 represent transverse sections of rims and tyres with
my improvements applied thereto, and Figures 11 and 19 elevations corresponding
to Figures 10 and 18 respectively.
In the Specification filed in respect of an Application for a Patent dated 24th
April 1896 No. 8696 I have described the arrangement of a hollow air-tight tube
or chamber of flexible material containing a suitable fluid placed next the rim
over the ends of the spokes, and between the rim and the pneumatic tube, instead
of the tape or other material usually employed. According to one part of my
present invention when using the aforesaid airtight chamber in lieu of tape or
other material usually employed I sometimes make the said chamber in three
longitudinal airtight compartments and I sometimes dispense with a separate air
tube, especially when the aforesaid airtight chamber is used in combination with
longitudinal air chambers at the sides, or when I bring the air chamber trans-
versely beyond the spoke heads and up to, or nearly up to, the edge of the rim.
I have a cover preferably of arched or saddle shape with wires or other hard
rigid or more or less inextensible material in the side or sides, or in the edge
or edges, or I may provide the side or sides, or edge or edges, with airtight
chambers containing a compressible or incompressible fluid, or with elastic edges,
these I arrange under, over, or between the air chamber or chambers, used in
lieu of tape, and the rim, or between pockets in the air chamber, in such a
manner that when the tyre is blown up in the usual way the pressure or
strain thereby produced causes an airtight joint to be formed by reason of the
equal pressure exercised throughout by the fluid or air chambers. I may in some
instances, when not using an inner tube, have an ordinary non-return valve for
filling the air chambers with a compressed fluid to more completely render the
joint airtight.
In Figure 1 of the drawings J represents the rim of the wheel which may be
of metal, wood, or other suitable material as usual. K K¹ K² the three longitudinal
air or fluid tight compartments. G represents a saddle or arch-shaped portion
of the inflatable tube which forms with the air or fluid-tight compartments K K K²
what is commonly called a tubeless tyre. M M show wires or other suitable
more or less inextensible material in the sides or edges of the part G of the tyre.
It will now be understood that if air or other compressible fluid be pumped
into the space G* through a non-return valve passing air-tight through the rim J
and compartment K or otherwise arranged to open into the space G* the sides
or edges of the saddle or arch-shaped part G containing the more or less inex-
tensible material are forced against the air or fluid-tight compartments, and the
fluid contained in such compartments being equally compressed in all directions
by the fluid forced into the space G* causes an air or fluid-tight joint to be made
between the sides or edges of the part G and the said compartments.
The making of the aforesaid 'air of fluid-tight joint may be facilitated by
treating the parts of G and K, K' and K2 that come in contact, with the air and
water-tight compound described in the Specication of my Patent No. 14839 of

page_text: 1895, or with graphite or other suitable substance that is not destructive of the
material used in the construction of the compartments K K K² or the part G
of the tyre.
Figure 2 shows a similar arrangement, but with the air or fluid-tight compart-
ments provided with pockets or extensions K K at the sides between which and
the compartments K' K² the sides or edges of the part G containing the more or
less inextensible material M are placed.
Figure 3 shows a tyre with a single air or fluid-tight compartment K extending
G* is
laterally up to, or nearly up to the edges of the rim J, when the space
filled with compressed fluid, and the compartment K is compressed by the pressure
of that fluid.
Figure 4 shows a tyre in which bands of metal, xylonite or other smooth flexible
material Mare enclosed in air or fluid-tight pockets or compartments K³ K
formed with or connected with the edges or sides of the saddle or arch shaped
part G of the tyre. The ends of the bands M overlap, and the said bands may
form extensible or contractile hoops, the extensions and contractions of which may
be facilitated by placing in the compartments K K containing them a suitable
lubricant such as French chalk, graphite and so forth to reduce friction as much
as possible.
It will now be understood that the extensibility of the bands M' in the com-
partments K K will enable the sides of the part G to be passed over the sides
of the rim J and to take their place inside the latter over the fluid-tight compart-
ment K. Inasmuch as at the junction of the overlapping ends of the bands M¹
there will be a space represented by the thickness of the band which would allow
of the escape of the air or other fluid at that part I employ the following arrange-
ment to make an even fluid pressure joint without break longitudinally round
the tyre, namely, I form fluid-tight compartments K' K8, containing a fluid at
the sides or edges of the part G of the tyre, interposed between the compart-
ment KK6, containing the bands M¹, and the fluid-tight compartment. K. These
fluid-tight compartments K K8 being forced into contact with the compartment K
by the pressure of the air or other Huid forced into the space G* form even air
or fluid-tight joints between those parts. When the saddle or arch-shaped part G
is placed on the rim J with the two fluid-tight compartments K7 K8 bearing
against the compartment K in the rim, and air is forced into the space G* the
compressed air acts on the bands M¹ throughout their entire circumference and
contracts their diameter causing them to press the fluid compartments K7 K8
tightly against the compartment K so as to make the space G* fluid-tight. I
am aware that it has previously been proposed to use inextensible bands with
overlapping ends in connection with tyres having inner pneumatic tubes, such
bands being used for the purpose of attaching such tyres direct to the rims of the
wheels, and I make no claim generally to the use of such bands for that purpose.
In my aforesaid Specification No. 8696 of 1896 I have described methods of
forming tyres or covers by laying the foundation for the same on the rim before
the spokes are fixed to the latter, and by passing the spokes through the cover
or tyre. According to another part of my present invention I construct a tyre or
cover in a manner somewhat similar to that described in the said specification,
after the wheel is made up and the spokes fixed to the rim. For this purpose
cement, solution, or otherwise fasten or fix a piece of material, as therein described,
on to the rim so as to permit of flaps on either side. I may or may not lay a band
of flexible metal or other more or less inelastic substance over the said material
where the same is fastened to the rim, and tighten, fix, or fasten this band round
the rim in any suitable manner, so that the material may not be pulled from the
rim without destroying the band. The band may have flanges, or projections to
fit into hollows in the rim, or recesses to fit projections on the rim,
I pass one flap round and cement, solution, or
or may not use the inner tube.
otherwise secure it in any suitable manner to the other side, and then pass the
opposite flap over it to the opposite side and then fasten it in any known manner.
I
may

page_text: A tube or hollow tyre is thus formed which may be inflated in the usual well known
way, if made of airtight material.
Sometimes I have in that part of one or both of the above mentioned flaps
which will become the tread part of the tyre, and consequently will have a larger
circumference than the other parts, a band or tape. of practically inextensible
material. It will be understood that on charging a tyre thus formed, with air, it
will be confined longitudinally between two practically inextensible parts,
namely the rim and the tread, and consequently the strain will tend to
keep the tyre on the rim. The thrust outwards on other side will have no tendency
to draw the tyre off but all the strain will be taken up by the material. I may
fasten one or both of the flaps by having a depression in the bottom of the rim,
and a corresponding projection in the cover. This will correct the tendency to
draw radially outwards.
This part of the invention is illustrated in Figures 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, in all of
which represents the rim of the wheel, which rim may be of any suitable shape
and material. Qrepresents the material composing the flaps, and Q*
strengthening material attached to the flaps inside so as to make them
of two or more ply thickness at the sides. In Figure 5, M2 represents a
band of metal or other suitable flexible material clamping the material Q to the
rim J, and Figure 6 shows a similar arrangement but with a wire or wires M³ in
place of the band M². I do not confine myself to the particular devices shown
for fastening the material Q to the rim J as I may employ a strap and buckle or
any other suitable means for that purpose. In the arrangement shown in Figure 7
the flaps of Qare brought round one another and cemented together at or near
the edges at Q Q. In Figure 8 the edge of one of the flaps is provided with a
projection T which, when the tyre is inflated, is forced into a depression or
groove T in the rim J and prevents the flaps being pushed out laterally. Figure 9
shows a method of fastening the tyre to the rim by means of a flexible band M3
enclosed in an air or fluid-tight compartment K9 formed in the material Q of the
tyre. The band M³ overlaps at its ends, and is free to move longitudinally in
the air or fluid-tight compartment as already described with reference to the
bands M and compartments K K of Figure 4. It will be understood that when
the compartment K is pressed against the outer periphery of the rim by the
pressure of air or other fluid in the space G*, or in a pneumatic tube contained
therein, the pressure between the rigid rim and the inextensible material I at
the outer periphery of the tyre will force the band Ms tightly against the inner
surface of the material Q of the tyre and thereby hold the latter in place.
Sometimes instead of forming the tyre, as before described, and as described in
the aforesaid Specification No. 8696 of 1896, by cementing or fastening the edges
of the cover together furnish the edges, or either or any of them when more
than one ply, with hems, selvages, wires, plates, bands, or any other known
devices for attaching them together, or for attaching to them a saddle or arch-
shaped removable outer cover, in cases where a detachable cover is required; or
one edge or flap may be provided with a wire which is passed into the concavity
of the rim and holds that edge of the cover in place in the usual well known way.
may also elongate the wire or wires by means of screws and nuts, levers, or other
known contrivances in order to pass it or them on to the rim, and subsequently
to tighten or clamp the wire or wires to the rim or to the hollow therein, or I
may make one or more depressions in the rim and corresponding projections in
one or both flaps of the cover so that on inflating the tyre the projections will be
forced into the depressions, and thus keep the flap in place, or I may affix to the
rim or cover a flap or strip or strips of shark skin in such a manner that the
spines will bite into the cover or flap or into the rim and prevent the cover or
flap being drawn out. may facilitate this by fixing to the cover or rim, felt
or similar substance for the spines to take hold of.
When using a saddle or arch-shaped detachable cover it is not necessary to
make the flaps so long as in the cases above described, as they are not required

page_text: to overlap one another, but I clamp the material forming the flaps to the out-
side of the rim by means of a band applied inside the said material as before
described, and only bring the flaps about level with the sides of the rim as shown
in Figure 10, where J represents the rim as before, Q the material clamped to the
rim J by the band M, or otherwise secured thereto, Q₁ are the flaps of the
material Q, to which flaps the saddle or arch-shaped cover G is secured by any
suitable means, for example, a series of hooks N may be attached to the outsides
of the flaps, between them and the sides of the rim J, and a corresponding
series of eyes N1, or eyelet holes №2 on or in the cover G as shown in Figure 11
may be adapted to take on to the hooks N of the flaps, or the edges of the
cover G may be provided with wires N³ which engage in the hooks N as shown
in Figure 10. The wires N³ are preferably contained in hems formed on the
edges of the cover G openings N being formed in such hems to enable the wires
to be engaged with the hooks.
I preferably use an inner inflatable tube D placed inside the cover G, and I
prefer to make the rim concave with its sides or shoulders reaching above the
longitudinal joints of the cover G to the flaps Q¹ so that when the tyre is inflated
the joints may be supported by the rigid rim.
It will now be understood that when the tyre is inflated in the usual way it
will force the cover G outwards from the periphery of the rim until the hooks
and eyes prevent further outward movement, so that when the inflation is com-
pleted the tyre is firmly fixed on the rim. The expansion of the tube laterally
forces the flaps Q₁ and the sides of the cover G against the shoulders of the
rim, and thereby prevents the hooks opening out, and the eyes, eyelets, holes or
wires being drawn out. The hooks may be made of flexible metal in order that
when the tyre is inflated the pressure against the rim may flatten the hooks so
that in case of deflation, from puncture or otherwise, the cover may be prevented
from leaving the rim.
It is obvious that the hooks or other similar devices may be placed on the
cover G, and the eyes, eyelets, holes or wires in the flaps Q' if preferred.
Figures 12 and 13 show another arrangement in which the sides of the rim J
are corrugated or formed with projections and recesses, G is the saddle or
arch-shaped detachable cover provided with air or fluid-tight compartments K¹K"
at its sides, which compartments are pressed into the corrugations or recesses
when air or other fluid is forced into the space G*. Q is the material clamped
to the rim J by the band M, or otherwise secured thereto, and Q¹ are the flaps
of the said material between which and the rim the compartments K K" of
the cover G are inserted. The flaps Q¹ may be provided with ribs or projec-
tions Q which press into the sides of the compartments K K and help to
hold the cover G in place.
When air or other fluid is forced into the space G* the sides of the cover are
forced into the recesses in the rim by the flaps Q' of the material Q, and an air or
fluid tight joint is made therewith, and the cover G is securely held in place.
This arrangement may be used as a tubeless tyre or it may be provided with an
inner inflatable tube I inserted in the space Ġ*.
Figure 14 shows an arrangement in which the grip of shark skin is employed
to fasten the tyre to the rim. I is the rim as before, G the cover or other part
of the tyre to be held in place. G₁ are strips of shark skin fixed to the edges
of the cover G, and G2 are strips of felt or other like material attached to the rim.
The strips of shark skin are so cut and placed that their spines hook into the
felt G when air or fluid is forced into the inner inflatable tube D contained
within the cover G; and the said cover G is thereby expanded and is held on to
the rim by the bite or grip of the shark skin in the felt. It will be obvious that
the shark-skin may be attached to the rim and the felt to the cover if preferred.
Another method of fastening the tyre to the rim consists in making the rim
in two parts angle-shaped longitudinally with screw- nuts and bolts or other
devices to join the angles together. Now it will be understood that if the cover

page_text: be folded in two and inserted between the two angles and the bolts are passed
through holes made in the angles and the folded part of the cover, on tightening
up the nuts on the bolts the cover will be firmly held on the rim, and the flaps
of the cover may then be opened out and fixed as before described. I may have
a plate, as before described, passed dongitudinally round the inside of the cover
to prevent rolling thereof.
This arrangement is illustrated in Figure 15, J J* representing the two parts
of the rim, each part being of more or less Ĺ section connected together, as
shown by bolts and nuts, rivets, or other suitable devices. The cover Qis
folded at Q5 and inserted between, the two parts J J* of the rim the connecting
bolts being passed through holes in the said folded part of the cover corres-
ponding to the holes in the parts of 'the rim J J*, and the flaps Q1 Q2 may then be
passed round and secured so as to enclose an inner pneumatic tube D, or to form
a pneumatic tube themselves. A plate Q³ may be passed round the inside of
the cover and be tightened thereon more or less as may be required in order to
prevent the tyre from rolling laterally on the rim.
I may make that part of the tyre or flaps, or either of them, which forms the
extreme circumference of the tread of laminated air-chambers either with or
without more or less unpuncturable material inserted therein, as described in
the Specification of a Patent granted to me dated the 3rd October 1893
No. 18,512.
Another method of laying the foundation for the fastening of the tyre or cover
to the rim before the spokes are put in place, consists in having a rim wholly or
partially in two layers or plates of metal, wood, or other suitable rigid material
with a recess between the same, one edge of the cover may or may not be thickened
and adapted to fit into the said recess between the two plates.
I sometimes make the rim of the wheel in two parts, the inner part being
convex on its inner circumference, and the outer part convex on its outer
circumference, a hollow space being left between the two parts when
they are put together. The two parts are connected together by
lateral flanges, and the spokes are fastened at their outer ends into
these flanges, and the latter are preferably shaped so as to stand at such an
angle to the spokes which pass through them as will give the spokes a direct pull
on the rim. The two parts of the rim may be connected together solely by
the spokes passing through the flanges, but if required nuts and bolts, or other
suitable means of fastening them together, may be employed as well. In a rim
made in this way the cover of the pneumatic tyre may be secured thereto by
passing the edges of the cover in between the two parts of the rim and then
tightening the two parts together by the nuts of the spokes or by the nuts and
bolts or other fastenings employed. The edges of the cover may be thickened
and inserted into the hollow space between the two parts of the rim, whereby
the cover may be more securely held in place than when the edges are left plain.
In Figure 16, J¹ represents an outer plate and J² an inner plate, the two plates
together forming the rim of a wheel. The inner plate J2 is preferably formed
with a corrugation or recess J³ G is the cover one edge of which is thickened
as shown at G3 and is passed in between the two plates, the thickened part G³
taking into the recess J. The spokes R are then passed through the plates
and the part of the cover lying between them, and are secured in the outer
plate J. One side of the cover is thus effectually, secured to the rim. The other
side of the cover is then brought round and secured to the other side of the rim
in the following manner:-A plate J, which may be made in segments, is
used as a washer to press the edge of the cover firmly against the inside of the
rim. Bolts J are passed through both plates of the rim, the edge of the cover
and the plate or segments J, and nuts J6 are screwed on to the bolts J5, and
the cover is then securely fixed on the rim. The bolts may be screwed through
the plates JJ, or be otherwise. secured thereto so that they will not drop out
of their holes when the nuts are removed from them. In order to get at the

page_text: inner tube when one is employed, or to effect a repair of the tyre G when the
latter only is employed as a tubeless tyre, it is only necessary to unscrew the nuts Jo,
and the edge of the cover can be lifted off the bolts and turned back. If pre-
ferred the plate or segments J may be inserted in a hem or in the selvage of
the cover G. Bolts and nuts J7 may also be used to assist in securing the
plates JJ together.
Figure 17 shows a somewhat similar arrangement; but in which the cover G
can be applied to or removed from the rim after the wheel has been made up
with rim, spokes and hub complete. In this case the washer plate or seg-
ments Jare placed inside the cover, or in hems or selvages thereof, and the
edges of the cover are pressed directly against the outer plate J2 or with air or
fluid-tight compartments K12 interposed between them and the said plate, the
attachment being effected by nuts and bolts as in the case of Figure 16.
When using sleeves for the fastening wires, as described in the aforesaid
Specification No. 8696 of 1896, I sometimes use incurved rims, but in that case
I need not bring the ends of the wires through the rim as they may remain
loose, and free to move longitudinally inside the sleeve. I sometimes apply the
wires, when using sleeves, in the following manner: -I pass one end of the wire
into one of the sleeve and the other end of the same wire into the other end
of
eeve. I may employ one or more sleeves and wires and I fit them into
hems at the sides of the cover and leave them free to move. I fasten or secure
in any suitable manner a more or less inextensible but flexible band, tape, string,
wire, plate, or other connector at one end to one part of the wire, at its other end
to another part of the wire and secure it about the centre to the cover above the
sleeve, the said connector forming with the sleeve and wire a triangle or arc of
a circle, the apex of which is attached to the cover as before mentioned. When
using plates or other rigid connectors or links I joint them together and to the
cover at the apex of the triangle so that they can pivot after the manner of a
toggle joint. It will now be understood that the flexibility of the band, tape,
string, or wire, or the movement of the rigid connectors on their pivots, will
permit of the wires extending sufficiently to allow the edge of the cover to pass
over the side of the rim, and that on the tyre being inflated the cover will draw
the apex of the triangle or are radially away from the rim, and will thereby draw
the ends of the wire towards each other, thus tightening the wire to the rim and
fastening the cover thereto. With this arrangement I preferably use incurved
rims. This is a fastening specially suitable for use with a flat-bottomed rim, and
a tyre having a shark skin tread. I sometimes effect the same object by having
a net extending circumferentially round the cover, one side being attached to
the wires and the other to the cover when extended laterally.
An arrangement of this kind is illustrated in Figures 18 and 19 in which one
end of the fastening wire V1 is passed into one end of a sleeve V lodged behind
the incurved part of the rim J, and the end of the same wire, after passing round
the rim, into the other end of the sleeve, the ends of the wire being free to slide
longitudinally in the sleeve. The sleeve V serves to bridge over the gap between
the ends of the wire V¹, and to prevent the edge of the cover from being blown
out at such gap. I may employ one or more sleeves and wires, and I fit the
sleeves and wires into hems at the sides of the cover G, and leave the wires free
to move in such hems. I fasten or secure in any suitable manner a more or less
inextensible but flexible band. tape, string, wire, plate, or other connector V4
or V5 at one end to one part of the wire V and at its other end to another part
of the wire V' as shown, and secure it about the centre to the cover G at V outside
the sleeve, the said connector forming with the sleeve V and the wire V¹ a
triangle or an arc of a circle the apex of which is attached to the cover at V6
as above stated. I sometimes use plates, or other rigid connectors or links
instead of flexible ones, and I joint them together, to the cover at the apex of
the triangle, and to the wires so that they can pivot after the manner of a toggle
joint. It will now be understood that the flexibility of the band, tape, string,

page_text: or wire Vor V5, or the movement of the rigid connectors on their pivots will
permit of the wire in the sleeve V extending sufficiently to allow the edge of the
cover to pass over the side of the rim, and that on the tyre being then inflated
the expansion of the cover G will draw the apex of the triangle radially away
from the rim J, and will thereby draw the ends of the wire toward each other
in the sleeve, thus tightening the wire to the rim and fastening the cover, to the
latter.
I fasten a pneumatic tyre, or the cover thereof, to a rim by using transverse levers
with or without ledges or projections whereby pressure or strain on one arm
is utilized to hold the tyre or cover to the rim by the other. For example, when
one arm is held down towards the centre of the rim the other is canted upwards
and engages with a ledge or projection on the side of the rim or vice versa, when
the lever is on that side of the rim nearest the hub. Sometimes I have corruga-
tions, hooks, ledges, projections or depressions in the rim to serve as fulcra for
the levers, and sometimes I use fluid-tight compartments containing a compressible
or incompressible fluid in the sides of the cover or tyre, or in the rim, to work
in combination with the levers which may or may not also have airtight com-
partments attached to them. The levers may be either on one or both sides of
the cover and may extend all round the rim, or partly round the same, or they
may be joined together by flexible material. I may have extensible or non-
extensible plates, wires, or other supporting arrangements between the levers,
and sleeves may be fixed for the plates, wires, or other supporting devices to pass
through.
Figure 20 illustrates this mode of fixing. J is the rim constructed with a dove-
tailed groove or depression at 18, and projections or ribs at Jo forming fulcra for
levers P. The rim J has incurved edges preferably shaped as at J10. The
levers P, which are made of convenient or suitable widths, are placed side by
side all round the periphery of the rim. They work on the fulcra J and are
fixed at their outer ends to the edges of the cover G, and are bent at their inner
ends and take into the dovetailed groove J8. PI is a plate or tape of metal,
leather, celluloid, or other strong and tough material to prevent the inner tube D
being injured by being forced into the groove J8. This plate or tape may be
connected air-tight to the levers.
It will now be understood that when the tyre is inflated the pressure of the air
or other fluid will press the inner ends of the levers P inwards into the recess or
groove J, and the outer ends of such levers attached to the edges of the cover
will be pressed outwards against the incurved sides of the rim, whereby the cover
will be securely retained on the rim.
Another mode of fastening consists in having a flat rim with incurved sides.
In this arrangement I attach to the cover hinged plates preferably of rigid
material, the hinge part being in the centre of the rim. So that when the tyre
is inflated and the hinges straightened out by the pressure the plates will extend
under the incurved edges. In the gaps between the hinges I may have wires,
plates, or other more or less rigid material and which may pass into, or partly
into sleeves to avoid an unsupported gap.
Figure 21 illustrates this mode of fastening. JJ' is the incurved rim as before.
P are pieces of metal or other suitable material placed side by side round the
periphery of the rim and hinged together in pairs at P³. P* is a piece of airtight
flexible material fixed airtight over the hinged parts P3; and the edges of the
cover G are fixed to the outer ends of the pieces P².
It will now be understood that when the tyre is inflated, the pressure of the
air or other fluid in the inner tube D will press the hinged part P³ towards the
rim J, and will cause the ends of the pieces P2 to be forced out laterally carrying
the edges of the cover G well under the incurved edges J¹ of the rim, thereby
firmly securing the tyre to the rim. If proper precautions are taken to make
an air or liquid-tight connection between the flexible piece P and the cover G the
inner tube D may be dispensed with.

page_text: In all the arrangements described and illustrated a band of more or less
inextensible material I may be cemented to the outer periphery or tread of the
tyre to strengthen it and enable it to wear longer.
or bias,
In my aforesaid Specification No. 8696 A.D. 1896 I have described a restraining
cover formed of layers of textile fabric some cut on the straight, others on the
cross or bias. "I make such a cover in the following manner:-I
first make a cover of one or two layers of fabric cut on the cross
and then either by inflating it over an inner tube, or stretching it by means of
a mandril, make it take the rounded shape of a pneumatic tyre, whereby the
extreme outer or centre circumference is larger than that of the sides or inner
circumference. I then solution or cement a narrow tape of the textile material
cut on the straight round the extreme extended centre circumference, and the
like tape at the sides leaving no space unsupported by the tapes. I may leave
the edges of the tapes unsolutioned or uncemented so that one may pass under
the other. I may sometimes fix, fasten, solution, or cement, either throughout
or at the sides only, a covering cut on the cross over the tapes.
When waterproofing or cementing textile fabric or leather for the purpose of
making tyres sometimes use a compound formed of that part of balata which
is precipitated on being dissolved in warm mineral naptha or other hydrocarbon
(either hot or cold) capable of dissolving balata and india-rubber. I then mix
a solution of this precipitated material with a solution of indiarubber and pre-
ferably use the compound warm.
I sometimes use the Mexican gum called chickel or some part thereof mixed
with indiarubber.
Similar letters of reference relate to like parts in all the figures of the drawings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
First. A pneumatic tyre composed of a hollow fluid-tight compartment placed
next to the rim, and filled with a compressible or incompressible fluid, and a
saddle or arch-shaped part or cover having hard rigid or more or less inextensible
material in or at its edges or sides, the said edges or sides being pressed against
the aforesaid fluid-tight compartment by the pressure of the inflating fluid, so
that the said fluid-tight compartment and the said saddle or arch-shaped part
or cover form together a fluid-tight inflatable tube substantially as described with
reference to Figures 1, 23 and 4 of the drawings.
Second. In a pneumatic tyre, the combination with one or more hollow fluid-
tight compartments placed next to the rim, of a saddle or arch-shaped part or
cover having hard, rigid, or more or less inextensible material connected there-
with adapted to abut against the said hollow fluid-tight compartment or com-
partments, so as to facilitate the formation of a fluid-tight joint between the
said compartment or compartments and the said saddle or arch-shaped part or
cover, substantially as described with reference to Figures 1, 2 3, 4, 12, and 13
of the drawings.
Third. In a wheel with a pneumatic tyre, the combination of a rigid unyielding
rim, one or more fluid-tight compartments placed next to the said rim, and fluid-
tight compartments connected with the inflatable tyre or cover and containing
flexible, hard, more or less inextensible material, substantially as described with
reference to Figure 4 of the drawings.
Fourth. In a pneumatic tyre the method of forming longitudinal fluid-tight
joints therein by causing the pressure of the inflating fluid in the inflatable part
of the tyre to press the edge or side of the said inflatable part against a fluid-tight
compartment containing a fluid, and interposed between the said inflatable part
and the rim, substantially as described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of
the drawings.
Fifth. In a pneumatic tyre the method of forming longitudinal fluid-tight
joints therein by causing the pressure of the inflating fluid in the inflatable part

page_text: of the tyre to press a fluid-tight compartment containing a fluid and connected
with such inflatable part, against parts of the rim formed with corrugations, or
with projections and recesses, substantially as described with reference to
Figure 12 of the drawings.
•
Sixth. The method of securing a pneumatic tyre, or the cover thereof, or a
part of such tyre or cover, to the rim of the wheel, which consists in clamping
the same thereto by means of a clamping band or wire or the like applied cir-
cumferentially to the inside of the said tyre or cover, substantially as described
with reference to Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 of the drawings.
Seventh. A pneumatic tyre consisting of a flexible part Q secured to the rim,
a flexible saddle or arch-shaped part G secured to the said part Q, and an inner
inflatable tube D, substantially as described with reference to Figures 10 and 11
of the drawings.
Eighth. In a wheel with a pneumatic tyre the combination with a rim formed
with a concave periphery, of a U-shaped part Q secured in the said concave
periphery, and a saddle or arch-shaped part G secured to the part Q, substantially
as described with reference to Figure 10 of the drawings.
Ninth. In a pneumatic tyre having longitudinal joints in the tyre, or in the
cover thereof, making the sides of the rim so that they extend beyond the said
joints in order to support the same, substantially as described with reference to
Figure 10 of the drawings.
Tenth. Securing a pneumatic tyre, or the cover thereof, to the rim by means
of the skin of fish of the shark species, substantially as described with reference
to Figure 14 of the drawings.
Eleventh. The method of securing a pneumatic tyre, or the cover thereof, to
the rim by folding the same and clamping the folded part between two parts of
the rim bolted or otherwise secured together, the joint of the folded part of the
tyre or cover being covered, or not, with a longitudinal plate encircling the rim,
substantially as described with reference to Figure 15 of the drawings.
Twelfth. The use in connection with tyres, or covers for tyres, constructed as
herein described, of laminated air-chambers constructed as described in the
Specification of my Patent.No. 18512 of 1893.
Thirteenth. A fluid-tight longitudinal joint for a pneumatic tyre which con-
sists of a fluid-tight compartment containing fluid and formed on or connected
with one part of the inflatable tyre and placed between a flap of the other part
of the inflatable tyre and the rim, the said flap and the said compartment being
pressed towards the rim by the presence of the inflating fluid in the inflatable
tyre, substantially as described with reference to Figures 12 and 13 of the
drawings.
Fourteenth. A wheel rim for a pneumatic tyre composed of two parts with a
hollow or recess in the middle and lateral flanges for the attachment of the spokes
and the tyre or its cover, substantially as described with reference to Figures 16.
and 17 of the drawings.
Fifteenth. The devices for securing the saddle or arch-shaped cover of a pneu-
matic tyre to the rim, which consists of a sleeve adapted to receive the ends of the
fastening wire, and connecting pieces attached or pivotted to the said wire and to
the cover, and so arranged as to act as a toggle joint operated by the outward
distension of the cover when the tyre is inflated, and to draw the ends of the
wire in the sleeve towards each other in order to tighten up the said wire, sub-
stantially as described with reference to Figures 18 and 19 of the drawings.
Sixteenth. The devices for securing a pneumatic tyre or its cover to the rim
which consists of a rim with incurved sides or edges, a series of levers placed
transversely on, and fulcrumed to the rim, and an inflatable tyre, or a cover
therefor, secured to the levers, all combined, and operating substantially as
5 described with reference to Figure 20 of the drawings.
Seventeenth. The devices for securing a pneumatic tyre, or its cover, to the
rim, which consists of a rim with incurved sides or edges, a series of hinged

page_text: plates placed on and acting transversely to the rim, and an inflatable tyre or a
cover therefor, secured to the plates, all combined and operating substantially
as described with reference to Figure 21 of the drawings.
Eighteenth. A restraining cover for a pneumatic tyre composed of longitudinal
strips of textile fabric cut partly on the straight and partly on the cross or bias,
and connected together, substantially in the manner described.
Nineteenth. A cement or fluid-proof compound for use in the manufacture of
pneumatic tyres which consists of a precipitate of balata mixed with indiarubber
solution, substantially as described.
1511
1000
A. PULBROOK,
Per W. H. Beck,
Agent, 115, Cannon Street, London, E.C.