Improvements in Inflatable Tires.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Feb., 1899-Accepted, 29th Apr., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Inflatable Tires.
-
I, ROBERT ALEXANDER MCCREADY, residing at Victoria and St. David Streets,
in Goderich, Province of Ontario, Canada, 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:-
Practically speaking there are two classes of inflatable tires, namely: the
detachable tire and the cemented tire. Each tire of the detachable class ordi-
narily consists of an inflatable tube and a removeable outer covering containing
the inflatable tube, held in position by the inflatable tube forcing its edges
against the rim when inflated.
In order to repair a puncture to the inflatable tube of a detachable tire it is
necessary to disinflate the tire, remove the tire from the rim, repair the puncture,
replace the tire on the rim, and inflate it.
The tires of the double tube cemented class each consists of a tubular cover-
ing and an inflatable tube contained within the tubular covering, the tubular
covering being provided with one or more openings to admit the inflatable tube,
which openings are closed by lacing together or otherwise fastening the edges.
In order to repair a puncture to the inflatable tube of a tire of this class it is
necessary to disinflate the tire, remove it from the rim, unfasten the openings
of the outer covering, withdraw the inflatable tube, repair the puncture, replace
the inflatable tube, refasten the openings, replace the tire and cement it to the
rim.
The operation of repairing a puncture to a detachable tire or to a double tube
cemented, tire is comparatively difficult, and requires considerable time. There
are several methods in vogue for repairing a puncture to a single tube cemented
tire, one of which is to inject soluble rubber through the puncture into the tire,
so that it will settle around the opening and seal it. Another method employed
to repair a puncture is to insert a plug with an enlarged base into the tire,
so that the base will close the opening on the inner side of the tube, this base
and plug then being cemented in position. Another method to repair this style
of a tire consists of foreing fine rubber bands dipped in rubber solution through
the hole to fill up the puncture. None of these methods of repair can be called
perfect, in as much as the materials used for the purpose invariably become loose,
and usually as a last resource the tire is vulcanized at the risk of a complete
destruction by burning.
One of the objections to a detachable tire, or to a double tube cemented tire,

page_text: is the weight added by the outer covering, and a Jess of portion of the life
elasticity and resiliency of the inflatable tube.
To devise a tire which will overcome the objectionable features of the tires
above mentioned, and to so' arrange the tire that it will consist of a single tube,
arranged to be cemented or otherwise fastened to the rim, and to provide the
tube with a detachable tread, is the object of the present invention; and it
consists essentially of the devices hereinafter more fully set forth and more par-
ticularly pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings:
13: 1
elasticity and resiliency of the inflatable tube.
To devise a tire which will overcome the objectionable features of the tires
above mentioned, and to so arrange the tire that it will consist of a single tube,
arranged to be cemented or otherwise fastened to the rim, and to provide the
tube with a detachable tread, is the object of the present invention; and it
consists essentially of the devices hereinafter more fully set forth and more par-
ticularly pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1
tion.
sectiond view of a tire showing the detachable tread in posi
Fig. 2 is a view of the detachable tread.
Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of a tire showing a modification.
Fig.
is a view of the tread shown in Fig. 3.
Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the specification and
drawings.
A represents the inflatable tube, which is made of rubber or of canvas placed
between two layers of rubber and vulcanized, in order that the inflatable tube
will be practically air-tight.
B represents the detachable tread, which is of a smaller circumference than
the outer circumference of the inflatable tube A. The inflatable tube may be
cemented or otherwise securely fastened to the rim, and when deflated the detach-
able tread is placed in position. When the tire is inflated, the detachable tread
being smaller in circumference than the outer circumference of the inflatable
tube, is stretched and held firmly in position by the inflation of the tire. To
insure the tread being maintained in position and prevented from lateral dis-
placement, the sides of the inflatable tube A are thickened just below the edges
of the detachable tread B. to provide two lugs c, c, opposed to the edges b, b, of
the tread B. Whilst the lugs c, c. will insure the tread being maintained in posi-
tion, still it is possible to make the tread sufficiently smaller than the inflatable
tube to allow of the expansion of the inflatable tube stretching the tread and
holding it securely in position when inflated to its fullest capacity, or when par-
tially deflated, and without the danger of the tread coming off.
The purpose for which the detachable tread or covering is used is to cover the
tread of the inflatable tube, in order that the inflatable tube will be protected
from wear, and any repairs to the tube covered and protected.
It has been found from practical experience that the most satisfactory way of
repairing a puncture is to cement to the outside of the inflatable tube a piece
of the same material of which it is made. As the majority of punctures occur
on the tread of the tire, or in close proximity to the tread, an outside patch can-
not be placed on a single tube tire, and in order to protect these patches it is
advisable to use some kind of a covering. In order that the patches can be covered
without detracting from the elasticity and resiliency of the tire I find it advis-
able to use the detachable tread.
The detachable tread may be corrugated or plain as found most suitable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. The inflatable tire hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of
the accompanying drawings.
2. The inflatable tire hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4
of the accompanying drawings.
3. An inflatable tire consisting of an inflatable tube, and a detachable tread of
a smaller circumference than the outer circumference of the inflatable tube, sub-
stantially as specified.
4. An inflatable tire consisting of an inflatable tube, a detachable tread of a

page_text: smaller circumference than the outer circumference of the inflatable tube, and
lugs on the sides of the inflatable tube opposed to the edges of the detachable
tread, to prevent its lateral displacement, substantially as specified.
Dated the 0th dow of Wobra 1800
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street Finsbury, London,
Agents for the Applicant.