Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Tyres.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 17th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 19th Jan., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Tyres.
I, ROBERT EDWARD PHILLIPS M.I.M.E. of 70, Chancery Lane, in the Parish
of St. Andrew's Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer and
Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which has been
communicated to me from abroad by Hippolyte Joseph La Force of Toronto,
Canada) to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an arrangement of bands or fibres either adapted to
form the outer cover itself or adapted to be used in combination with an outer
rubber shoe and either with or without an inner lining of canvas or other textile,
fabric, the object being that the cover of the tyre shall contract or become smaller
on the inflation of the air tube and therefore tighten itself upon and securely fix
itself to the wheel rim.
The bands or fibres may be made of thread, cord, wire or string of any suitable
non-elastic material. The cover of the tyre may be either of the divided or open
type, or it may be slit along its underside and its edges adapted to meet or overlap
in the wheel rim.
The bands or fibres are arranged, to form the tyre cover, or in the tyre cover,
longitudinally or circumferentially, crossing the tyre at regular intervals from edge
to edge in an oblique or slanting direction one or more times, it being essential.
that the winding of the band or fibre should be done uniformly crossing over from
edge to edge at equal distances so that the tyre may tighten itself evenly upon
the rim.
A simple method of arranging the bands or fibres is to wind them upon a
circular revolving form. If an inner lining is to be used it is first placed upon the
form and the bands or fibres wound upon it. If no inner lining is used the bands
or fibres are wound upon the bare form and the outer covering or shoe afterwards
cemented or vulcanized over the arrangement of bands or fibres. The periphery of
the form is preferably raised at its centre so that the tyre may more readily assume
a tubular form when placed upon the wheel rim. When the winding of each band
or fibre is complete the ends are tied or otherwise fastened or secured and it will be
understood that a sufficient number of these bands or fibres are used to either
wholly or partially cover the surface of the tyre according to the strength
required.
When the bands or fibres are intended to form the entire cover they are
preferably plaited.
The bands or fibres may be wound upon the form either by hand or by machinery..
An automatic guide or feeder to the thread such as is used in winding machines
for spooling thread or winding cotton or threads on spools or bobbins may be used.
in connection with the revolving form and if a winder is used the feeder for the
thread should have an intermittent and not a continuous lateral motion, i.e., the
feeder or guide should pause for a longer or shorter period of time (according to
the number of times the band or fibre is crossed in each revolution) opposite each
groove of the form, and at regular intervals it should have a lateral motion to lead
the thread across the form. When it is desired to plait the fabric the threads are
fed on to the form at a number of different points simultaneously in the manner
well-known.
At each edge each series or collection of bands, or fibres may be closed in a loop

page_text: or recess running round each edge of the cover, the said recesses may be easily
formed by folding in the edges of the lining over the bands or fibres collected in
the grooves of the form. As a modification instead of folding in the edges of the
lining the said edges may be extended to meet or overlap in the wheel rim, such
overlapping edges being cemented or otherwise attached forming the tyre cover
into a complete tube.
As the tightening of the bands or fibres along the wheel rim is dependent on
their being connected with the outer circumference of the tyre cover which as it
enlarges radially due to the inflation of the air tube draws up and tightens the
said bands or fibres, it is not absolutely necessary, but only convenient that the
bands or fibres should be arranged to cross the tyre from edge to edge, as they may
be connected with the enlarging outer circumference in any other suitable manner,
so that the inflation of the tyre causes the bands or fibres to tighten sufficiently to
secure the cover to the wheel rim. A simple method of doing this is to make the
band into a number of endless loops or separate endless bands of equal length and
to attach such endless bands to the tyre cover or to the lining thereof in any
convenient manner-for, instance by stitching-at the points in the outer
circumference at or towards the tread, the said points of attachment being
equi-distant from the centre of the tread of the tyre cover on each side thereof.
Dated this 19th day of January 1894.
Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Tyres.
I, ROBERT EDWARD PHILLIPS, M.I. Mech. E. of 70, Chancery Lane, in the
Parish of St. Andrew's Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer
and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which has been
communicated to me from abroad by Hippolyte Joseph La Force of Toronto,
Canada) 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 pneumatic tyres and it consists of an arrangement or
fabric of bands or threads either adapted to form the outer cover itself or adapted
to be used in combination with an outer rubber cover or shoe, and either with or
without an inner lining of canvas or other textile fabric, the object being to
provide a tyre cover which will contract or become smaller at its edges on the
inflation of the air tube and thereby automatically tighten itself upon and securely
fix itself to the wheel rim.
The arrangement or fabric hereinafter called the fabric is composed of fibres of
thread, cord, wire, string, tape or any other suitable non-stretchable material
hereinafter called the thread. The cover of the tyre may be either of the divided
or open type, or it may be slit along its underside and its edges adapted to meet or
overlap in the wheel rim.
The threads of the fabric are arranged in the tyre cover longitudinally or
circumferentially, crossing the cover at regular intervals from edge to edge in an
oblique or slanting direction one or more times, it being essential that the winding.
of the threads should be done uniformly crossing over from edge to edge at equal
distances so that the cover may tighten itself evenly upon the rim.
A simple method of arranging the threads is to wind them upon a circular
revolving form. If an inner lining is to be used it is first placed upon the form and
the threads wound upon it. If no inner lining is used the threads are wound upon
the bare form and the outer rubber covering or shoe afterwards cemented or
vulcanized over the fabric of threads. The periphery of the form is preferably
raised at its centre so that the cover of the tyre may more readily assume a
1

page_text: tubular form when placed upon the wheel rim. When the winding of each thread
is complete the ends are tied or otherwise fastened or secured, and it will be
understood that a sufficient number of these threads are used to either wholly or
partially cover the surface of the cover according to the strength required.
When the threads are intended to form the entire cover they are preferably
plaited.
The threads may be wound upon the form either by hand or by machinery. An
automatic guide or feeder for the thread such as is used in winding machines for
spooling thread or winding cotton or threads on spools or bobbins may be used in
connection with the revolving form, and if a winder is used the feeder for the
thread should have an intermittent and not a continuous lateral motion, i.e., the
feeder or guide should pause for a longer or shorter period of time (according to
the number of times the thread is crossed in each revolution) opposite each groove
of the form and at regular intervals it should have a lateral motion to lead the
thread across the form. When it is desired to plait the fabric the threads are fed
on to the form at a number of different points simultaneously in the manner
well-known.
At each edge each series or collection of threads may be closed in a loop or
recess running round each edge of the cover, the said recesses may be easily formed
by folding in the edges of the lining over the threads collected in the grooves of
the form. As a modification instead of folding in the edges of the lining the said
edges may be extended to meet or overlap in the wheel rim, such overlapping
edges being cemented or otherwise attached forming the tyre cover into a
complete tube.
As the tightening of the threads along the wheel rim is dependent on their being
connected with the outer circumference of the tyre cover which as it enlarges
radially due to the inflation of the air tube draws up and tightens the said threads,
it is not absolutely necessary, but only convenient that the threads should be
arranged to cross the tyre from edge to cilge, as they may be connected with the
enlarging outer circumference in any other suitable manner, so that the inflation of
the tyre causes them to tighten sufficiently to secure the cover to the wheel rim.
A simple method of doing this is to make the threads into a number of endless
loops or separate endless bands of equal length and to attach such endless bands to
the tyre cover or to the lining thereof in any convenient manner at points in the
outer circumference away from the edges thereof, the said points of attachment
being equi-distant from the centre of the tread of the tyre cover on each side
thereof.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I will more particularly
describe it making reference to the nccompanying drawings in which :-
Figure 1 Sheet No. 1 is a broken view in side elevation-partly in section-of a
tyre and wheel rim embodying my invention, and
Figure 2 Sheet No. 1 is a view in transverse section thereof.
Figure 3 Sheet No. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the method of arranging
the threads.
Figure 4 Sheet No. 2 is a view in side elevation of a circular revolving form
which may be used in winding the thread in the construction of the fabric.
Figure 5 Sheet No. 2 is a broken view showing an arrangement of the threads
plaited as they are wound on the form.
Figure 6 Sheet No. 2 is a view in transverse section of a tyre with the edges of
the cover meeting and overlapping in the rim, and
Figure 7 Sheet No. 2 is a diagrammatic view in side elevation showing a
modification in the construction of the thread fabric.
Throughout the several views of the drawings, A designates the rubber shoe or
tread of the cover of the tyre; B the fabric of threads; b the thread or its
equivalent; C the inner lining of the cover of the tyre; D the inflatable air tube;
and E the wheel rim.
The tyre cover is composed of a fabric B of threads b, an inner lining C of

page_text: canvas or other suitable textile material to which the fabric B of threads may be
cemented, and an outer cover A. of rubber cemented or vulcanized to the inner
lining C over the fabric B of threads.
Although the use of the lining C is not compulsory I prefer to use such a lining
to protect the air tube D from being injured by the threads which in some cases,
especially when a fine hard thread is used, might cut or wear the air tube.
The
The fabric B is constructed by winding a thread 6 longitudinally and cir-
cumferentially, crossing the cover at regular intervals from edge to edge in an
oblique or slanting direction one or more times in each circumference.
winding of the thread 6 must be done uniformly, crossing the cover from edge to
edge at equal distances, so that an equal strain may be exerted throughout the
cover and thus ensure it tightening itself evenly upon the rim.
A simple method of constructing the fabric B is to wind the thread b upon a
circular revolving form such as X as shown in Figure 4. If an inner lining C is
used it is fitted upon the form X before the thread is wound upon it. If no inner
lining is used the thread is wound upon the bare form, the rubber sheath or shoe A
being in both cases cemented or vulcanized over the fabric B before it is removed
from the form. The form X has at each edge a groove to confine the thread as it
runs along the outer edge of the form, and the periphery of the form is preferably
raised toward the centre of its transverse width-as shown in Figure 4-so that the
cover may more readily assume a tubular form when placed upon the wheel rim.
The thread b is wound around so as to cross the centre line of the form one or
more times in each revolution. For example, if it is desired to have the thread
cross the form twice in each revolution it is started at any given point on the
centre line of the form and slanted across the form into one of the grooves a, then
along such groove, then crossing the form once to the opposite groove & through a
point in the circumferential centre line of the form midway between the point of
commencement and the point where it will next reach the circumferential centre
line of the form, and after running along the last mentioned groove it is slanted
back to the circumferential line of the form but not at the point of commencement-
as in such case the successive lines or circles of the thread would be wound one on
the other but at such a distance from the point of commencement as it is desired
that the successive lines or circles of the thread should be distant from each other
measured along the circumferential centre line of the form. The winding is then
continued uniformly, the successive circles of the thread being at equal distances
apart and the thread crossing the centre line of the form at equal distances until
the whole surface is evenly covered with a succession of threads crossing each
other as shown by the lower part of Figure 4. When the winding is completed
the ends of the thread are tied or otherwise secured to each other. The distance
apart of the successive circles of the thread may vary according to the strength of
the cover required. For the tyre of a cycle wheel a coarse thread such as carpet
sewing thread No. 18 may be used and it is preferably wound with its successive
circles about three-sixteenths of an inch apart, which makes a strong light cover.
If additional strength is required the winding may be continued until the surface
is again evenly covered.
Instead of winding the thread simply straight forward as hereinbefore described
it may be so wound as to form a plaited fabric as shown by Figure 5.
At each edge each series or collection B of threads may be enclosed in a loop or
recess running around each edge of the cover. These recesses may be easily
formed by folding the edges c, c, of the lining C over the two series B, B, of
threads collected in the grooves of the form.
To make a cover to fit a wheel rim of a given size the circumference of the
periphery of the form shown in Figure 4 at the bottom of the grooves x, x, should
be the same as, or very slightly greater than, the circumference of that part of the
groove or surface of the wheel im on which the edges of the cover are to tighten.
The rims a, a, of the form X should be made adjustable or detachable in order
that the fabric B of threads may be removed therefrom.

page_text: When it is desired to make the cover tubular in form, the edges c, c, of the
lining C are extended to overlap each other as shown by Figure 6, the said
overlapping edges being if desired cemented or otherwise connected together.
The contracting of the inner circumference of the cover may be easily understood
by reference to Figure 3 in which the thread 6 is shown as circling along and
around the circumference of the lining C of the cover a few times with its
successive circles far apart to more readily show the way in which the thread is
wound or arranged. The thread is arranged in exactly the same manner as if
wound upon a form as above described, being wound along the circumference from
edge to edge, running from a point b' in the middle of the cover slanting along the
circumference of the cover crossing the middle line of the tread thereof consecutively
at the points b³, 66, 67, 6º, 611, 61, 61, 617, the distances between such consecutive
points of crossing being equal as hereinbefore set forth. When the air tube is
inflated the cover is distended and its outer circumference enlarges or describes a
larger concentric circle, and the distance between the consecutive points b¹, b³, bª,
b², 6º, 6¹¹, 613, 61, 617, become greater, the tension between each two consecutive
points thus drawing a portion of the inner circumference or edge of the cover
inward toward the axis of the wheel. For example, the points 6, bª, bº, 6º, b¹º, b¹ª¸
614, 61, which are consecutive points in the tread at the inner circumference of the
cover midway between the consecutive points b¹, 6, 66, 67, 6º, b¹¹, b¹³, b¹º, 6¹7, (6³ being
mid-way between b' and 6³, and so on) tend in a very marked manner to approach
the centre as the consecutive points b², 63, 6, 67, 6º, 61, 613, 61, 617, become further
apart, as shown by arrows pointing in the direction of the force. It will readily be
seen that if a thread is wound or arranged along the circumference of the cover
with successive circles at short distances apart and continued until the whole
surface is evenly covered and the tyre is inflated, the inner circumference, i.e., the
edges, of the cover will contract evenly and form a smaller concentric circle. It
will also be seen that any two of such consecutive points in the outer circumference,
as and must be so far apart that a straight line drawn from one to the other,
will intersect the circle formed by the inner circumference of the cover.
The thread may be wound upon the form X either by hand, or by machinery.
As a modification of the construction of the fabric B as herein before described,
the said fabric may consist of a number of loops or separate endless threads b of
equal size or length, the said loops or endless threads being attached to the cover
of the tyre (preferably to the inner lining thereof) each at a point such as y in the
outer circumference at or towards the tread of the tyre as shown by Figure 7. Such
points of attachment y should be equi-distant from the middle line of the tread of the
cover of the tyre and therefore when the cover is distended or inflated equi-distant
from the axis of the wheel. Such points of attachment should also be equi-distant from
each other along the circumference of the cover. Each loop or endless thread may
be attached to the cover of the tyre at more points than oue. If attached at more
points than one the distances between the consecutive points at which loop or
thread is attached should be equal and the lengths of the several portions of the
loop or thread between each two consecutive points at which such loop or thread is
attached should be the same. If each loop or thread is attached to the cover at
two points, such points are at a distance apart of one-half of the circumference of
the cover; if attached at three points at a distance apart of one-third of such
circumference. These loops or endless threads should be of a diameter just so
much greater than the diameter of the wheel rim that when attached to the outer
circumference, such loops or endless threads except at and near where so attached,
may tighten firmly around the rim on the enlarging radially from the axis of the
wheel of the outer circumference of the cover when distended by the inflation of
the air tube. The loops or endless threads b may be conveniently attached to the
cover A by stitching them to the inuer lining Cat the desired points of attachment.
It will be understood that a similar number of loops or endless threads are attached
to each side of the cover.

page_text: As the self-fixing action of this improved tyre does not depend on the particular
form of wheel rim used, any form of rim may be used, but I prefer to use a rim
with upturned edges as shown in Figure 2 which assists in keeping the tyre in
place upon the rim. If a divided cover is used the upturned edges of the rim will
keep the collection of threads b, b, from spreading off the rim. For a tyre such as
is shown in Figure 6 having the overlapping edges secured together, a rim such as
is shown in Figure 6 may be used, although I prefer that shown in Figure 2.
It will be seen that the gripping action of this tyre is quite different from the
gripping action of tubular tyres having a reinforcing fabric cut on the cross or bias
as the action of this improved tyre on inflation only causes the edges of the cover
to grip inwardly and does not cause the outer part of the cover to become of a
smaller diameter.
I am aware that the reinforcing fabric used in the covers of pneumatic tyres has
already been constructed of threads for the purpose of increasing the resiliency of
the tyre, but my threads are not only arranged in a different manner than
heretofore but are also used for a different purpose, viz., as a means of rendering
the cover self-attaching to the wheel rim.
I wish it to be particularly understood that I do not limit myself to the precise
details of construction herein before described and illustrated by the accompanying
drawing, but that I hold myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as
fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1.) The improvement in pneumatic tyres, substantially as hereinbefore described
and illustrated by the accompanying drawing.
(2.) In a pneumatic tyre, a cover having a fabric of threads or their equivalents
arranged specifically as and for the purpose herein before set forth.
(3.) A divided cover for pucumatic tyres having a fabric of threads or their
equivalents constructed as hereinbefore described whereby the cover
on its
distention by the inflation of the air tube is caused to contract circumferentially at
its edges and thus automatically secure itself to the wheel rim, as set forth.
(4.) In a pneumatic tyre, the combination with the cover thereof of a fabric of
threads or their equivalents constructed arranged and adapted to operate, as and
for the purpose set forth.
(5.) In a pneumatic tyre, the combination with the cover thereof of a fabric of
plaited threads or their equivalents, constructed arranged and adapted to operate,
as and for the purpose set forth.
(6.) In a pneumatic tyre, a divided cover consisting of a fabric of threads or
their equivalents each of which lies along the edges of the cover crossing over the
periphery thereof one or more times in each circumference at regular intervals, and
of an outer shoe or tread, as set forth.
(7.) In a pneumatic tyre, a divided cover consisting of a fabric of threads or
their equivalents each of which lies along the edges of the cover crossing over the
periphery thereof one or more times in each circumference at regular intervals, of
an outer rubber shoe or tread adapted to cover the said fabric, and of an inner
lining of canvas or other textile fabric, as set forth.
(8.) In a pneumatic tyre the combination with an inflatable air tube, of a divided
cover consisting of a fabric of threads or their equivalents each of which lies along
the edges of the cover crossing over the periphery thereof one or more times in
each circumference at regular intervals, of an outer rubber shoe or tread adapted to
cover the said fabric, and of an inner lining of canvas or other textile fabric, as set
.forth.
(9.) For a pneumatic tyre, a fabric consisting of one or more threads wound and
arranged so that the thread crosses the periphery of the tyre two or more times in

page_text: each circumference, the said thread or layers thereof lying in the edges of the cover
between the points at which it crosses the periphery of the tyre, as and for the
purpose set forth.
(10.) For a pneumatic tyre, a fabric consisting of a series of loops or endless
bands of thread or its equivalent each attached to the cover at one or more points,
the said loops or bands lying in the edges of the cover between the point or points
at which they are attached to the cover as and for the purpose set forth.
(11.) A divided cover for pneumatic tyres having along each edge thereof a
series of threads or their equivalents running longitudinally in the said edges and
each crossing over one or more times to the other edge of the cover at regular and
stated intervals and in a uniform manner, as and for the purpose set forth.
(12.) A divided cover for pneumatic tyres having along each edge thereof a
series of threads or their equivalents running longitudinally in the said edges and
each crossing over one or more times to the other edge of the cover at regular and
stated intervals and in a uniform manner, in combination with an inflatable air tube
adapted to fill out and radially distend the tyre cover, as and for the purpose set
forth.
2T
1004
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Applicant.