Improvements in or relating to Pneumatic or Spring Tyres.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Sept., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Pneumatic or Spring Tyres.
We, THOMAS MCKINNON, Chemical and Produce Broker, No. 2, Oswald Street,
Glasgow, and JAMES PRINGLE, Practical Engineer, of No. 124, Stanley Street,
Kinning Park, Glasgow, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention may briefly be described as a double rimmed wheel, and between
said rims we introduce for the purpose of resiliency, either air balls, or springs of
a suitable design, which rest on their bearings surfaces in small cups, or otherwise
as hereinafter more fully described. The special advantage of the outer or treading
rim is, that it distributes the weight brought on the wheel over quite a number of
the air balls or springs, and at same time gives a smooth and even running
effect.
Into the hollow of an ordinary cycle wheel rim, where the tyre usually lies, we
affix a strap of metal which runs round the wheel, and which by a small screw or
other suitable adjustment is made to be a tight fit. On to this strap at stated
intervals we have small cups, which are securely fixed to the aforesaid strap which
goes round the rim of the wheel. Another way would be to fix these cups direct
to the rim of the wheel. Into these cups we then put India-rubber air balls.
These air balls may get a coat of varnish, or suitable cement on the end which
is placed in the cup, or may be put in without this fixing.. In like manner
we have a thin metallic strap with corresponding small cups, at equal distances to
those on the strap passing round the wheel, which fit on to the treading or running
surface of the air balls, and which in a similar way by means of a screw or other
suitable adjustment, is brought to bear with some pressure on said air balls, or it
may be made in one complete ring, without any adjustment, if desired. On the
treading or running surface of this metallic strap, we affix in suitable manner,
either, rubber, guttapercha, or leather, or some other such material. The capacity
of the cups, and size of the air balls may be made of whatever measurement may
be desired, allowing always sufficient side spring in the balls to admit of the
required resiliency when weight is put on the wheel. The strap holding the cups
on the rim of the wheel, and also on the treading surface of the air balls may be
made of leather, a woven fabric of cotton, or some other similar material which
may be combined, covered or coated with rubber or guttapercha.
design of the outer strap may be made of an arched description, so as to
come down on either side partly or wholly covering in the cups and air balls,
or an arrangement may be made whereby the balls lie in the hollow of the rim
without any cups, but held in position by means of having straps of cotton cloth,
prepared in rubber or guttapercha, or of leather, or any other similar material,
which will in the one case pass over and under the vertical axis of the air balls,
these straps running from left to right, and right to left, so as to form a ring in
the vertical axis in which the balls are held, and in like manner straps may be
made to pass round the balls in the centre of their horizontal or latteral axis, in
The

page_text: transverse manner from left to right, and right to left, so that on looking at the
ball it will shew only the four quarters of the circle. A single strap may then
if desired be passed over each ball to hold the straps referred to in place. Or the
balls may be put in cups either fixed direct to the rim, or on a detacheable strap as
already described, and a cover without cups put over same, having wires running
round each side of said cover in the outer edges of same, which may be tightened
or slackened by means of a screw or other suitable adjustment to admit of the
balls being taken out and put in when required. There is another application of
the arrangement with cups, whereby a steel spring of suitable design is put in,
in place of the air balls.
A further application of the air balls may be by having a tubular casing made of
cotton and covered with rubber, into which the balls should fit tightly. This
tube to have suitable openings on the side next the rim of the wheel, to admit
of the balls being taken out, and put in.
In addition to cycles this pneumatic and spring tyre may be made applicable for
all kinds of road veihicles, or machinery where pneumatic or spring wheels may be
required, whether propelled by manual, or mechanical power, by increasing, or
decreasing the strength of the various parts, as the requirements of the case may
demand.
Improvements in or relating to Pneumatic or Spring Tyres.
We, THOMAS MCKINNON, Chemical and Produce Broker, 2, Oswald Street,
Glasgow, and JAMES PRINGLE, Practical Engineer, 124, Stanley Street, Kinning
Park, Glasgow, 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:-
This invention has for its object to provide a wheel tyre suitable alike for light
wheels such as those fitted in cycles and for the heavier class of wheels used for
carriages or other road vehicles, the said tyre being of the pneumatic or resilient
type, but not being subject to the risks involved by puncture of the usual
pneumatic tyre.
The resilient or cushioning effect is obtained by interposing between the felloe
or rim of the wheel and the treading surface a series of hollow rubber balls held in
place by means of small cups secured to the outer tread ring, the arrangement being
such that the load on the wheel is distributed over a number of the air or otherwise
inflated balls.
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is an elevation of part of the composite
tyre and felloe of a wheel as constructed in accordance with our invention, and
Figure 2 is a cross section thereof. Figures 3 and 4 are similar views showing a
slightly modified construction.
As represented at Figures 1 and 2 a metallic or other strap or rim A is secured
around the ordinary wooden or other felloe B and on this strap are fitted a series
of small cups C each by preference adjustably secured in the strap or rim by means
of a screw-threaded stem c. Into these cups hollow rubber balls D filled with
air or otherwise inflated are fitted and are tightly held therein by means of inverted

page_text: cups C¹ secured by rivets or otherwise to the inner face of a metallic ring E,
preferably flanged, on which is fitted a treading surface E' of iron or of rubber,
wood or other material. By means of the screw-threaded stems the cups C and C¹
may be brought more or less closely together to press on the balls, and thus the
felloe and outer rim or tread of the wheel are firmly held together and the degree
of resilience regulated whilst lateral play of the tread is avoided.
In the modification represented at Figures 3 and 4 the separate inner cups (C)
are dispensed with, and in lieu thereof the strap A is formed with a series of
cavities a whereinto the balls 1) are fitted.
In the lighter class of wheels such as those used in cycles the usual metallic rim
may replace the wooden felloe B shown, and may be formed or fitted with cavities
for the balls, whilst the outer tread E is also lightened.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is;
1. In a wheel tyre the combination with the felloe or rim of an outer tread
ring, a series of cups adjustably secured to the rim and fitted with hollow rubber
balls and a corresponding series of inverted cups secured to the tread ring engaging
said balls substantially as described.
2. In combination a wheel felloe or rim formed with cavities for the reception
of balls, hollow rubber balls fitted therein and an outer tread ring having secured
on its inner surface a series of cups adapted to engage said balls substantially as
described.
WALLACE FAIRWEATHER,
Of the Firm of Cruikshank & Fairweather,
Chartered Patent Agents,
62, Saint Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agent for the Applicants.