Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Dec., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 26th July, 1892-Accepted, 17th Sept.. 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
I ROBERT SAMUEL LOVELACE of Blackmoor Cycle Works, Henstridge, in the
County of Somerset, Cycle Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates first to an improved detachable crank for velocipedes, and
secondly to an improved pneumatic or air-inflated tyre therefor.
My improved detachable crank is constructed in the following manner :- - [
take a crank of any suitable size and length and on its boss I form a radial
projection which I split through to the eye to form a split boss with lugs or
ears, by which the eye can be contracted to grip the axle. To draw the two
lugs or ears together a link or shackle is passed over the two lugs or ears and
a set screw or its equivalent screwing in one end of the said shackle or link is
tightened up to impinge on one of the said lugs or ears. The axle has one or
more flats or keys thereon, or therein, to engage with equivalent formations in
the eye of the crank. The link or shackle may if desired be fulcrated to one of
the lugs or ears, and as a modification a plain bar may take the place of the
link or shackle, the said bar being fulcrated to one of the lugs or ears and pass
through a slot in the other lug or ear, a nut threaded on its free ends enabling the
lugs or ears, to be drawn together. On the link, or its equivalent, is formed a
projection adapted to engage with a slot in the axle to prevent the crank working
off in case it becomes loose.
My improved pneumatic tyre is constructed in the following manner :--I take
a rim of a flat V or U section, and having small vertical flanges of any suitable
shape. The cover consists of rubber or similar material moulded or bent into an
arch or equivalent shape in cross section, that part adapted to form the tread being
thicker, than the other parts. The cover is also thickened at the edges so that
when it is placed in the rim there is a flat V-shaped space between the two edges
of the cover.
In this space a ring of rubber or other suitable material of a dove-
tail shape in cross section is placed, so that the pressure of the air-tube on this ring
firmly locks the cover to the rim. The locking ring may if desired be made of
vulcanite or other hard material cut in short lengths and fastened and drawn up
taut by a wire or its equivalent running through or over the said pieces.
Dated this 1st day of December 1801
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
I ROBERT SAMUEL LOVELACE of Blackmoor Cycle Works, Hensbridge, in the
County of Somerset, Cycle. Manufacturer, 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 an improved pneumatic or air-inflated tyre for the wheels
of velocipedes, and it has for its object facilitating the removal of the outer cover
to get at the air tube, and the firm interlocking of the cover with the rim when in
5 place.

page_text: 1 attain this end in the manner illustrated by the accompanying drawing in
which
Figures 1, 2, and 3 are views in transverse section showing various forms of my
improved tyre.
Figure 4 is a view in transverse section of the air tube therefor.
Figure 5 is a view in transverse section of another form my invention may
assume, and
Figures 6 and 7 are views of the locking ring.
Throughout these views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
The cover A of my improved pneumatic tyre is made of rubber or other suitable
material and it is moulded to assume somewhat of an arch or equivalent shape in
cross section, that part adapted to form the tread being thicker than the other
parts. The edges a, a, of the cover are thickened or enlarged, and they are so
shaped that when the cover is placed in the rim B of the wheel there is a
V-shaped space' between the said edges. In this space a ring C of rubber or
other suitable material of a dovetail or wedge shape in cross section is placed
so that the pressure of air in the air-tube D, when the tyre is inflated, forces it
into the space between the edges of the cover, and so binds the said cover to the
rim. The locking ring C may if desired be made in one piece with the air tube,
or it may be attached thereto in which case it is preferably made on or fixed to a
strip of canvas cas shown by Figure 6, the said strip being then solutioned or
otherwise fixed to the air tube. When the locking ring is made of vulcanite or
other hard material I prefer to make it in short lengths as shown by Figures 5
and 7 in which case they are threaded on a cord or its equivalent c¹. This cord
may either be an elastic one, or a non-elastic one, in which latter case it is provided
with any suitable means for connecting its ends when it is drawn up taut when the
ring is in position in the rim.
The rim B of the wheel is made of any suitable section, and it has in some
convenient position short vertical sides or flanges b, b, of any suitable shape to
engage with the enlarged or thickened edges a, a, of the cover A. These vertical
sides or flanges b, b, may either be located at or near the centre of the rim as
shown by Figures 1, 3, and 5, or at the edges thereof as shown by Figure 2 in
which case prefer to make them in the form of tubular beads as shown. These
sides or flanges b, b, may also be slightly inclined towards one another as shown by
Figures 3 and 5 to enable the edges a, a, of the cover A to get a better grip
thereon.
Either the outer cover A or the air tube B is reinforced with canvas or its
equivalent in the well-known manner.
I wish it to be particularly understood that I do not limit myself to the precise
details of construction herein before described and illustrated, 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 improved pneumatic tyre, as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the
accompanying drawing.
2. In a pneumatic tyre, locking the outer cover to the rim of the wheel by means
of a wedge-shaped ring, as set forth.
3. In a pneumatic tyre, an outer cover having thickened or enlarged edges so
shaped as to be forced apart by a wedge-shaped locking ring, acted on by the air
tube when inflated, to force the edges of the said cover into contact with the rim of
the wheel, as set forth.
4. In a pneumatic tyre, the combination of the outer cover A. having thickened
or enlarged edges a, a, of the rim of the wheel B having vertical sides or flanges b, b,

page_text: of the locking ring C of a wedge shape in cross section, and of the air tube D, all
combined, arranged, and operating, as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 26th day of July 1892.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.