Improvements in Rubber Tyres and Metal Rims or Felloes of Wheels for Cycles and other Light Vehicles.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 16th June, 1891-Accepted, 25th July, 1891
**
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rubber Tyres and Metal Rims or Felloes of Wheels
for Cycles and other Light Vehicles.
I CHARLES KINGSTON WELCH of Fairmead Philip Lane Tottenham in the
County of Middlesex Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in the construction of rubber tyres and
metal rims or felloes, and methods of securing the same one to the other for the
wheels of cycles and other light vehicles.
The chief objects of my invention are easy running, reduction of vibration and
security of the rubbers to the metal rims or felloes.
Hitherto the majority of rubber tyres used on cycle wheels have been found in
section and of small diameter fitted in grooved rims or felloes which has not only
rendered half of the rubber tyre of little or no use for reducing vibration but has
also cut on the sharp edges of the rims or felloes thus destroying the tyre.
According to this invention the rubber tyres are soft and of larger form and are
constructed to fit either wholly or partly outside the metal rims or felloes which
may in some cases be of special shape as hereinafter described.
In constructing a light wheel for a cycle I may form the rim of a length of
round or D shaped weldless steel or other tube (say about in. diameter) or I may
form a hollow rim or felloe having shoulders of more or less extent at the sides, or
I may form rims of the ordinary crescent shaped steel turned the reverse way or
any other suitable form having a more or less rounding surface outwardly (in
section) for the rubber tyre, into any of these the spokes may be suitably secured.
The rubber tyres to fit the above described rims or felloes may be moulded (in
section) saddle or arch shaped thickened in the crown thus forming a groove inside,
into which is fitted the metal rim or felloe of the wheel. In order to secure the
rubber tyre to the metal rim I may have two small holes through the rubber one
on each side of the rim through each of which a suitable wire may be put and
the ends may be connected with a nipple having a right and left hand thread, or
I may put a thread on one end of the wires and a head on the other and connect it
with a similar device, or I may use the well known spring wire, the nipples may be
of hexagon form or may be enlarged in any part in the form of a hexagon collar
which may be turned by means of a suitable thin wrench pushed between the ends
of the rubber or if the tyre is moulded in a complete ring, small apertures may be
made for the purpose, thus the above described rubber tyres may be placed on
either of the described metal rims or felloes one wire of which may be connected
beforehand the ends of the other wire may then be connected after the tyre is
in place and each drawn together with the wrench thus the rubber tyre would
tighten on the rim or felloe and the sides would be slightly drawn in towards
the centre of the wheel.
I may mould rubber tyres as above described in quite a different form (in
section) from what they appear when on the rim or felloe, for instance the sides
of the rubbers may nearly touch having in section somewhat the form of a closed
horseshoe. In fitting a tyre thus moulded on to the metal rim it is obviously
necessary to open the rubber which would not only hug the rim but also cause the
outer surface of the rubber tyre which is subject to the most wear to be compressed
laterally rendering it softer and more indestructable.
I may also make the rubber tyres larger in circumference and draw them into
the rims or felloes by the wires, this would cause the surface of the rubber to be
compressed generally making it still more indestructable and easy running. I may

page_text: also line the inner and under portions of these rubbers with canvas or similar
material either to give support to the wires or to prevent undue wear on the part or
parts in contact with metal.
The outward form of these rubber tyres (in section) may be rounding or may be
more or less flat as found in practice to be most advantageous in reducing
vibration.
The inner surfaces or those in contact with the metal rim or felloe may be
grooved or embossed for the purpose of either lightening the rubber, reducing
vibration or for cementing to the rims, felloes or the like.
The above described improved rubber tyres are also applicable to cycle and other
wheels in present use or made in the ordinary way in which case they may be
fitted over the existing rubbers without necessarily making any alteration or I
may substitute in place of the ordinary rubbers a lighter or cheaper material such
as cork.
I may also fit this class of tyre to the ordinary rims by modifying the form of
the inner surface of the rubbers in which case a hole through the centre may be
an advantage for lightening the same.
In all cases these tyres may be cemented in addition to the wires described for
either preventing the collection of dirt or dust or to help in keeping them in
position.
Another method of securing the rubber tyres to the rims is to have thin pieces of
metal such as brass stamped to fit the metal rims or felloes and vulcanized on the
inner surfaces of the rubbers these can either be fastened to the metal rims or felloes
by small screws or soft soldered to the same.
The above described rubber tyres being outside the metal rims or fellocs are
free to expand laterally thus giving a more elastic contact with the ground and
therefore reducing vibration more effectually.
In applying these improvements to wheels other than cycles it may in some
instances be necessary to vary the details of construction.
Dated this 15th day of September 1890.
CHARLES KINGSTON WELCH
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rubber Tyres and Metal Rims or Felloes of Wheels
for Cycles and other Light Vehicles.
I CHARLES KINGSTON WELCH of Fairmead Philip Lane Tottenham in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in the construction of rubber tyres and
metal rims or felloes and methods of securing the same one to the other, for the
wheels of cycles and other light vehicles.
The chief objects of my invention are to produce rubber tyres that will be easy
running, reduce vibration and also be securely fastened to the metal rims or
felloes.
The rubber or elastic tyres hereinafter described are in most cases saddle or
arched (when on the rims) in section and are made to fit either wholly or partly
outside the metal rims or felloes which may in some cases be of special form as
hereinafter described, I also construct this form of tyre to fit over other elastic
tyres or wheels at present in vogue or made in the ordinary way, either for protecting
securing, or reducing vibration. In all cases the method of securing renders the
rubber tyre easily attachable or detachable for repairs &c.
Referring to the accompanying sheet of drawings throughout the several figures
similar parts are marked with like letters of reference. Fig. 1 is a transverse
section of a saddle or arched shape rubber or elastic tyre as fitted to a round

page_text: weldless steel tubular rim. Fig. 2. is a transverse section and part side elevation
of a similar tyre as fitted to a D shaped tubular rim in which the spokes may be
suitably secured. Referring to both figures a. is the rim. c. the saddle or arched
shape elastic tyre through which two longitudinal holes are formed one on each
side of the rim, these are lined with a strong canvas or insertion and vulcanized
within the rubber c. as shown at d. these linings may be separate one from the other
as in Fig. 1. or I may fold a piece of canvas on each side and either stitch or other-
wise fasten it together and vulcanize the same within the rubber tyre as shown
at d. in Fig. 2.
In order to secure the rubber or elastic tyres to the rims I insert two wires or
cores e. e. (which may be of steel brass, bronze or other sufficiently inelastic material
to answer the purpose) one on each side of the rim, the ends of the wires may be
connected with a nipple f. having a right and left hand thread screwed thereon,
or I may put a thread on one end of the wires a head on the other and connect
it with a similar device as shown with reference to Fig. 21 or in any other suitable
way. The nipples may be of hexagon form or may be enlarged at any part in the
form of a hexagon collar as shown at f. Fig. 2 which may be turned by a thin
wrench as shown in Fig. 3 pushed between the ends of the rubber when the tyre
is made of a straight length or if moulded in a complete ring small apertures may
be made for the purpose as shown at g. Fig. 2.
Thus the above described rubber
tyres may be placed on either of the described metal rims or felloes one wire of
which may be connected beforehand the ends of the other wire may then be
connected after the tyre is in place and each drawn together with a wrench, thus
the rubber tyre would tighten on the rim or felloe and the sides would be drawn
in towards the centre of the wheel securing the same thereto, the under or inner
portion of the tyre Fig. 1. is shown lined with canvas to strengthen the same,
cement may be used in addition to the wires for either preventing the collection of
dirt or dust or to help in keeping them in position, when the tyres may be grooved,
serrated or embossed as shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 shows in section a tyre of similar construction to that described with
reference to Fig. 2. but is round in outward form and is fitted to a different
section of rim, the inner surface of the rubber is shown at h. deeply grooved for
either lightening the same or for reducing vibration.
Fig. 5. shows in transverse section a saddle or arched shaped rubber as fitted to
an inverted crescent steel rim or felloe. a. is the rim. c. is the rubber tyre. d. is
the canvas for supporting the wires and is shown double or formed of a flattened
canvas tube. e. e. are the wires or cores for securing the same which may be applied
in the same manner as described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.
Figs. 6 and 7 are transverse sections Fig. 8 a longitudinal section of saddle or
arch shaped rubber tyres of different outward form, fitted to hollow rims formed
with an outward rounding surface having shoulders formed thereon of more or less
extent at the sides.
The under or inner surfaces of these tyres are deeply embossed for the purpose
of reducing vibration or for lightening the rubber. Referring to the above three
figures a. shows the form of the rims. c. the construction of the rubber tyres. d. the
manner of inserting the canvas or insertion within the tyres. e. e. are the wires or
cores for securing the same. In connecting or disconnecting the wires on this form
of rim the tyres may be lifted and held from the rim by any convenient tool such
as a screwdriver. By making this form of rim very shallow I may connect both
the wires beforehand and force the rubber into its place on the rim.
The above described improved rubber tyres are also applicable to other elastic
tyres or wheels at present in vogue either in their construction or for protecting,
securing, or reducing vibration. Figs. 9 and 10 shows saddle or arched shaped
tyres constructed and secured in the same manner as those described with reference
a. Fig. 9 shows an
to Figs. 1. 2. 4 and 5 but fitted over ordinary round rubbers.
ordinary in. hollow rim. b an ordinary round rubber tyre. c is the saddle or arched

page_text: shaped elastic tyre. d., the canvas for supporting the wires e. e., the under or inner
surface of the tyre is grooved or serrated that it may the better grip the under
rubber, or for the use of cement. Fig. 10 shows a rubber tyre having an embossed
under surface similar and for, the same purpose as those described with reference
to Figs. 6. 7 and 8 fitted, over an ordinary in. rubber tyre cemented in an ordinary
rim as in Fig. 9.
I may mould tyres herein described in quite a different form in section from
what they appear when on the rims, felloes or tyres for instance the sides of the
rubbers may nearly touch, having in section somewhat the form of a closed horse-
shoe as shown in Figs. 11 & 12. In fitting a tyre thus moulded and vulcanized on
to the metal rims or tyres, it is obviously necessary to open the rubber which not
only hugs the rim, tyre or felloe but also causes the outer surface of the rubber
tyre which is subject to the most wear to be compressed laterally thus rendering
it the more indestructible. I may also make the rubber tyres slightly larger in
circumference and draw them on to the rims, tyres or felloes by the wires or cores
thus causing the surface of the rubber tyres to be compressed generally making it
still less liable to cut. In all cases I prefer to line these tyres with canvas or other
suitable material.
Fig. 14 shows an ordinary cushion tyre protected and secured by my improved
form of tyre or outer covering. a. is the rim. b. is an ordinary cushion tyre. c. is a
saddle or arched shaped tyre made much thinner in the crown than those before
described. d. is the canvas lining. e. e. are the securing wires, the method of applying
is similar as in the designs hereinbefore described.
Fig. 15 shows a transverse section of a saddle or arched shape rubber or elastic
tyre constructed according to my invention for covering, protecting and securing
tyres of wheels which are inflated with air as described in Thomsons Patent
No. 10990-1845. and are now in present use. a is a wide metal rim constructed
with a rounding surface outwardly in the form of a shallow concave groove on each
side of which the shoulders k. k. are formed the spokes may be secured in the rim
in the ordinary way, this rim may also be made in a tubular form. b. is an ordinary
inflatible tyre similar to that described in Thomson Patent hereinbefore mentioned
and also in present use. c. is a saddle or arched shaped tyre similar to those before
described but made larger as shown in the drawings, d. d. is a strong canvas lining
made from a width of canvas or other suitable material folded over and sewn or
otherwise secured as before described so as to form a strong support for the wires
or cores, in some cases it may be desirable to double the canvas throughout, e. e. are
the securing wires or cores which are inserted into the sides of the tyre or covering
as in other cases hereinbefore described, the ends of the wires may be fastened by
nipples similar to those before described or I may render the wires endless in this
case by beveling the ends of the wires for about 2 in. and braze them together, the
tyre may then be made up on the wires or cores and vulcanized with the same. l. is
a piece of canvas placed over the spoke heads to protect the inflatible tyre from
undue wear. Fig. 16 shows a saddle or arched tyre of this class moulded or
vulcanized in a closed form in a similar manner and for the same purpose as those
described with reference to Figs. 11. and 12. whereby the outer surface is rendered
more, indestructible. Fig. 17. shows another method of moulding or vulcanizing
the same tyre, whereby the condition and shape of the rubber when on the ground
may be the same or nearly the same as that when moulded or vulcanized thus
rendering it less liable to cuts or punctures.
Fig. 18. is a transverse section of the complete tyre and rim as described with
reference to Figs. 15. 16 and 17. showing the manner in which the tyre is attached
or detached from the metal rim. a. is the metal rim b is an ordinary inflatible tyre
or tube shown doubled up or in a collapsed form inside the closed tyre c. (see also
Fig. 16) e. e. shows the wires or cores which are made smaller in circumference
than the flanges of the rim. m. shows the ordinary tube for inflating in which is
generally fitted a valve this projects through a hole in the rim a. through which the

page_text: inner tyre is inflated in the ordinary way. To secure the whole on the rim the
inflatible tyre is first placed within the outer or protecting tyre c. the wires or
cores are then closed together allowing the tube m. to project between, this is
then pushed through the hole in the rim a. and the two wires or cores are placed
into the bottom of the concave groove for about two thirds of the whole rim the
remainder of the wires or cores with the tyre can then be lifted or sprung over
the edge of the rim opposite the tube m. as shown in the drawing the inner tube
or tyre b may now be inflated with a small pump in the usual manner,
this causes
the wires or cores e. e. to part until finally they are pushed into place over the
shoulders k. k. thus the wires being smaller in circumference than the edges of
the rim, the inner tube or tyre may be pumped tight against the inner surface of the
protecting tyre thus the whole is rendered secure on the rim as shown in Fig. 15.
and also in dotted lines in Fig. 18. To detach the rubber tyre or outer covering
from the rim the air must first be allowed to escape when the wires or cores may
be pinched or closed together round the rim by the thumbs and fingers until the
wires can be lifted over the edge of the rim; the whole can then be removed as
shown in Fig. 18.
Fig. 19. shows a complete tyre constructed to fit the ordinary large sized rims.
a. is the rim in which is fitted the rubber tyre c. constructed with a hole through
the same for either lightening or reducing vibration. d. is the canvas for supporting
the wires. e. which are passed through the holes and drawn together in a similar
manner to those described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.
Fig. 20 shows a similar tyre constructed with a much larger hole through the
centre this hole or space may be inflated through a suitable tube fitted with a valve
in the ordinary manner. a shows an ordinary hollow metal rim made with rounded
edges c is a saddle or arched shaped tyre connected at the bottom by a web or
band of rubber thus making a complete tube; d. is the canvas insertion which is
vulcanized within the rubber in the form of a tube for strengthening the same and
also to give support to the securing wires or cores e. e. which may be connected
by the described nipples or the wires may be rendered endless by brazing the ends
together as before described in which case they must be inserted before vulcanizing.
m. is the valve-tube through which the tyre may be inflated in the usual manner.
order to secure the tyre in its place on the rim the tube m is first pushed through
the hole in the rim a. the rubber tyre is then pulled open as shown in dotted lines
which allows it to be forced or pushed into its place, the tyre is then inflated
which causes the web or band of rubber to be pressed down tightly into the
concave grooved rim and thus preventing any displacement laterally, the tyre
being held on each side by the wires or cores is therefore firmly secured to
the rim.
In
To remove the tyre from the rim all that is necessary is to allow the air or gas
to escape, the tyre can then be easily pulled laterally over the edge of the rim
without disconnecting the securing wires or cores. In most cases these tyres may
be cemented in addition to the described wires or cores for either preventing
the collection of dirt or dust or to help in keeping them in position on the rims.
The above described rubber tyres being either wholly or partly outside the
metal rims or felloes are free to expand laterally thus giving a more elastic contact
with the ground and therefore reducing vibration more effectually.
It is obvious that I may fit these improvements to various other wheels
and also vary the details of construction without however departing from my
invention.
I would have it distinctly understood that I am aware that arched tyres have
been used before also that wires and other cores have been applied in a variety
of ways.
I am also aware that a tyre similar in form and fitted on to a similar rim to that
described by me with reference to Fig. 1. is shown in Salamons Patent 170938*
but is secured to the rim by cement only, or by shrinking.

page_text: 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. A rubber or elastic tyre having the form of a saddle or arch in section in
combination with two wires inserted through the sides of the same for securing it
to the metal rims or felloes substantially as herein described.
2. The application of a rubber or elastic tyre to a metal rim or felloe in such
a manner that the wires or cores inserted within the said rubber for securing the
same are outside the rim or felloe substantially as herein described.
3. A rubber or elastic tyre having the form of a saddle or arch in section
fitted with two wires or cores so arranged that the same may be easily attached
or detached by a wrench from outside the rim, felloe or tyre substantially as
herein described.
4. A rubber or elastic tyre having the form of a saddle or arch in section
lined with canvas in combination with two wires or sufficiently inelastic cores
for securing the same to the rims or tyres substantially as herein described.
5. The application of endless wires or cores to each side of a rubber or
elastic tyre having a saddle or arched form in section in combination with a
canvas insertion or insertions for supporting the same substantially as herein
described.
6. The methods of securing the elastic tyres in combination with the form of
rims substantially as herein described and shown in the drawings with reference to
Figs. 6. 7 & 8.
7. Grooving or embossing a rubber or elastic tyre for the purpose of reducing
vibration or for lightening the same in combination with the wires or cores for
securing to the rim felloe or tyre substantially as described with reference to
Figs. 4. 6 7. 8 and 10. of the drawings.
8. The application of my improved rubber or clastic tyres to an ordinary
rubber and rim substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 9. 10
and 14 of the drawings.
9. A rubber or elastic tyre having the form of a saddle or arch in section
provided with endless wires or cores fitted or vulcanized within each side for the
purpose of securing the same to the rims in combination with an inflatible inner.
tyre or tube substantially as described and shown with reference to Figs. 15 and 18.
of the drawings.
10. A rubber or elastic tyre having the form of a saddle or arch in section,
lined with canvas and provided with endless wires or cores for covering, protecting
and securing an inflatible inner tube or tyre, substantially as herein described.
11. Forming the inner surface or groove of a metal rim with shoulders in combi-
nation with the construction of tyre substantially as described and shown in the
drawings with reference to Figs. 15 & 18.
12. Making the endless wires or cores for securing the covering or protecting
tyre of smaller circumference than the edges of the rim or felloe in combination
with an inner inflatible tyre whereby the wires or cores are placed and held in
position by the pressure of air substantially as described with reference to Figs. 15.
16 & 17 of the drawings.
13. The method of placing the securing wires or cores with the tyres on the
metal rim namely-by holding the two wires or cores together and placing them
round the bottom of the concave groove until the remainder can be forced over
the edge in combination with an inner inflatible tyre whereby the outer covering or
protecting tyre is held or forced into its place on the rim substantially as herein
described with reference to Figs. 15 and 18 of the drawings.
14. The methods of attaching or detaching the rubber or elastic tyres on or from
the rims substantially as herein described and shown in the drawings with reference
to Figs. 15. 16. 18 & 20.
15. The methods of moulding or vulcanizing rubber or elastic tyres substantially

page_text: as described with reference to Figs. 11. 12. 16 and 17 of the drawings whereby the
outer surfaces are rendered more indestructible.
16. A rubber or elastic tyre of a saddle or arch form in section but having a
connecting web or band of rubber at the bottom or base in combination with two
wires or cores for securing the same to the rim substantially as herein described
with reference to Figs. 19 and 20.
17. An inflatible rubber or elastic tyre secured to a concave grooved rim by two
endless wires or cores one on each side of the tyre in combination with a flexible
band or web of rubber connecting the base and so constructed that the pressure on
the inside when the tyre is inflated causes the said band to press tightly in the
groove whereby it is firmly secured laterally substantially as herein described with
reference to Fig. 20 of the drawings.
18. The various methods of constructing rubber or elastic tyres in combination
with the various metal rims, felloes or tyres and the manner of securing the same
substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 16th day of June 1891
C. KINGSTON WELCH.