Improvements relating to Tyres for Wheels of Velocipedes and other Wheeled Vehicles.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Dec., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 20th Mar., 1891-Accepted, 25th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Tyres for Wheels of Velocipedes and
other Wheeled Vehicles.
I, JOHN BOYD DUNLOP, of 50, Gloucester Street, Belfast, in the County of
Antrim, Ireland, Veterinary Surgeon, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
My invention relates to tyres for wheels of velocipedes and other wheeled
vehicles, and more especially to hollow inflatable pneumatic or air tyres of the kind
or class described in the Specification accompanying former Letters Patent granted
to me and dated the 23rd July A.D. 1888 No. 10,607, and comprises an improved
method of constructing the said tyres, and of fastening or securing them upon the
rims of the wheels.
In carrying my said invention into practice: I employ a canvas or cloth tube
woven diagonally, and of a suitable length to encircle the wheel to which the tyre
is intended to be applied. Into this canvas or cloth tube I draw a hollow tube of
india-rubber or the like material. Through a hole or aperture formed in the
canvas tube, and in the inner india-rubber or other tube, and into the interior of
the latter I pass a small tube or duct also formed of india-rubber or other suitable
material, and provided with a non return air valve which may be similar in con-
struction to that described in the Specification accompanying former Letters Patent
granted to me and dated the 8th March A.D. 1889, No. 4115; or any other suitable
description of valve may be employed. The ends of the internal india-rubber tube
and of the external canvas tube are then joined or connected by means of cement
or otherwise.
An outer covering of india rubber or the like material with a band or strip of
straight woven canvas vulcanized to its inner surface is moreover provided, and is
cemented to and made to encircle the canvas tube in order to protect the latter
from wear.
In order to secure a tyre constructed in this manner upon the rim of a wheel the
said tyre is placed in position thereon, and the free end or extremity of the above
mentioned small tube or duct is drawn or passed through a suitable hole or aperture
provided for that purpose in the said rim. The tyre is then sufficiently inflated by
forcing air or other gas into the interior thereof through the said duct and valve
contained therein, by means of a force pump or the like. When the tyre is thus
inflated and dilated it will contract lengthways owing to the canvas tube being
woven diagonally as hereinbefore mentioned, and is thereby firmly held on the said
rim, which latter may be of the usual description.
It is obvious moreover that I can somewhat modify the construction of my
improved hollow inflatable pneumatic or air tyre without departing in any way
from the nature of my said invention.
Dated this 15th dor of December 1890
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Tyres for Wheels of Velocipedes and
other Wheeled Vehicles.
I, JOHN BOYD DUNLOP, of 50, Gloucester Street, Belfast, in the County of
Antrim, Ireland, Veterinary Surgeon, 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 tyres for the wheels of velocipedes and other vehicles
and more especially to hollow inflatable pneumatic or air tyres of the kind or
class described in the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to me dated
the 23rd July A.D. 1888 No. 10607. The said invention comprises an improved
mode or method of constructing the said tyres, and of fastening or securing them
upon the rims of the wheels.
In carrying my said invention into practice I provide a linen, canvas, cloth or
other tube woven diagonally or spirally, or a tube made entirely or partially of
cloth, cut or woven diagonally or spirally; or otherwise so formed that when inflated
or expanded diametrically it contracts lengthwise. The said tube is of a suitable
length to encircle the rim of the wheel to which the tyre is to be applied. Into
this peculiarly formed tube I draw or otherwise insert an air proof tube of india-
rubber or like material. Over or outside of the said diagonally or spirally woven
or cut tube and encircling the latter so as to protect it from wear, I cement or
otherwise secure an outer tube or covering of india-rubber or other suitable
material. This outer covering is preferably formed with the tread or that portion
thereof intended to come in contact with the ground or other surface thicker than
its other portions.
Upon the surface of the above mentioned diagonally or spirally woven or cut
tube nearest to the rim of the wheel, and also upon the outer peripheral or tread
surface thereof I cement or otherwise secure strips or bands of linen, cloth or
other suitable non-elastic, or slightly elastic material, the inner strip or band
being of a suitable length or approximately equal to that of the circumference
of the rim, so as to fit closely or tightly on the said rim and thereby assist in
retaining the tyre in position thereon, more especially if the said tyre should
happen to be soft, or only partially filled with air. The outer strip or band of
cloth or
canvas is of such a length as to be tight or tense when the tyre is
inflated, and thereby prevent undue expansion of the outer or tread surface of
the tyre when it comes in contact with the ground. The ends of the internal
and external india-rubber tubes and of the canvas, cloth or other diagonally or
spirally woven or cut tube are joined or connected by means of cement or other-
wise. I sometimes close each end of the internal india-rubber or other tube
separately by means of an india-rubber cap or otherwise, thereby admitting of the
said internal india-rubber or other tube being more easily removed for repairs
or other purposes. The joining or sean of the linen canvas, cloth or other
diagonally or spirally woven or cut tube is made by means of cement lacing,
stitching, or in any other convenient manner.
I provide moreover a small tube or duct also formed of india-rubber or other
suitable material and fitted with a non-return air valve which may be similar in
construction to that described in the Specification accompanying former Letters
Patent granted to me dated the 8th March A.D. 1889 No. 4115; or any other
suitable description of valve may be employed.
This tube or duct is passed through suitable holes formed in the said tubes, and
is cemented or otherwise secured thereto.
In the accompanying drawing I have shown in transverse section a tyre con-
structed and applied to the rim of a wheel according to my said invention.
A is the rim of the wheel, B B are portions of some of the spokes thereof, C is
the diagonally or spirally woven or cut canvas, cloth or other tube; D is the india-

page_text: rubber or other air proof tube which is drawn into or otherwise inserted into the
tube C as hereinbefore specified. E E are the strips or bands of linen, cloth or
other suitable non-elastic, or slightly elastic material cemented or otherwise secured
to the diagonally or spirally woven or cut tube C. F is the outer india-rubber or
other tube or covering, which is shown somewhat thicker at the tread or that part
thereof intended to come in contact with the ground than at its other portions as
above specified. In some instances the strips or bands E are cemented or
otherwise secured to the inner surface of the said outer india-rubber or other tube
or covering F. G is the tube or duct which is fitted with a non-return air-valve.
To secure the above described tyre upon the rim A according to my improved
method the said tyre is first placed in position thereon and the free end of the above
mentioned small tube or duct G passed through a suitable hole provided for that
purpose in the said rim, and through the tubes forming the tyre as shown. The
tyre is then sufficiently inflated by forcing air or other gas into the interior thereof
through the said duct and valve, by a force pump or other suitable means. By
reason of the above specified diagonal or other peculiar formation of the canvas or
other tube C the said tube when inflated and dilated contracts in length that is to
say, this tubular inflated circle surrounding the rim of the wheel is contracted upon
the said rim and thereby is firmly secured and retained in position thereon.
My improved pneumatic or air-tyre can be very readily placed upon and removed
from the rim of the wheel, and moreover it has the advantage of being applicable
to bicycle or tricycle rims of the usual construction such as is shown in the
drang.
I so.. es apply a layer of unvulcanized india-rubber on or underneath the
surface or the internal or external india-rubber or other tubes so as to render the
tyre more air-tight.
It will be readily understood that the aforesaid strips or bands of non-elastic or
slightly elastic material are also advantageously applicable to cushion tyres and to
solid india-rubber or other elastic tyres.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it understood
that I claim:-
First. The use in an inflatable tyre, of a diagonally or spirally woven or cut tube
for the purpose specified.
Second. A pneumatic or air-tyre comprising one or more india-rubber or other
air-proof tubes, and a linen, canvas, cloth or other tube so woven or cut and placed
in the tyre, that when inflated the said tyre will contract lengthwise, substantially
as, and for the purposes specified.
Third. The improved tyre constructed with the air proof tube or tubes, and the
longitudinally contractible tube and with the strip or strips of non-elastic or
slightly elastic material, substantially as, and for the purpose, hereinbefore
described.
Fourth. The tyre constructed as described and provided with a duct and valve,
for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The herein described improved mode or method of securing a pneumatic
or air-tyre upon the rim of a velocipede or other wheel.
Sixth. The combination of my improved pneumatic or air tyre, constructed as
described, and having a suitable valve, with the rim of a wheel, substantially as
described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 19th day of March 1891
JOHN BUID DUNLOP.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.