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The Palmer Tyre, Ld. v. The Pneumatic Tyre Company, Ld.
and Others.

"wheel, and the segments being flanged so as to abut against one side of "the rim, and also showing the means for securing the several parts to "the wheel.

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"In the drawings A designates the tubular ring or tire made of suitable 5" flexible material. As will be understood this ring must be air tight, while "for the purpose of filling or inflation there is provided a small tube b, having a suitable valve-cock b'. This tube is conveniently inserted through an opening provided in the felly B, and extending through the body of the tube "A, to receive it. The tubular tire may be filled with air, gas, aeriform or 10 gaseous fluid or water, or other liquid, to any desired degree of pressure "sufficient to maintain the wall of the tubular ring forcibly expanded. The "wall of the tubular ring or other tire when so expanded will yield to the impact of projecting obstacles, impediments, or irregularities upon the surface, "and thereby allow the wheel to ride over the same without jar or shock, or the 15 "causing of any irregularity or unevenness in the movement of the vehicle. "Pebbles or stones on the surface, or ridges in the roadway and the like, will "simply indent the cushion-like surface of the tire while the latter is in contact, "and when the obstacle is passed the tire will again assume its normal shape. "In applying the inflatible tire to the fellies of wheels of ordinary vehicles, 20" such as carriages and wagons, special provision has to be made for securing "the tire to place therein or thereon, as such are generally provided with either "flat or convex tires or rims.

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"In Fig. 9 is illustrated another form of my invention, consisting of a hollow "flexible tire A, composed of two or more tubes made of the same or different "material. The tire constructed as shown in said figure may be composed of "two or more tubes, partly or wholly secured together by cement or other glutinous or adhesive material; but they are preferably arranged so that they may be independent of each other in order that each may be free to creep independently of the other, that is, one tube within another tube. In this 30 instance, as before mentioned, the tire is either sprung into the grooved felly "B, or secured solidly therein by means of cement or other glutinous or "adhesive material.

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"In Fig. 10 is shown a tubular tire composed of flexible or compressible "material, with projections a' and a2 diverging slightly in opposite directions, 35 "and which are brought into engagement with the extremities of the grooved"felly B, and held thereto by cement or in any other preferred manner. These "projections thoroughly protect the extremities of the felly in the event of collapse of the tire due to leakage of the liquid or fluid of which it is inflated "and preventing also the tire from coming in contact with the ground which 40" would tend to retard the free and easy movement of the vehicle.

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"In Fig. 11 is shown a tubular flexible tire A, capable of being inflated, which, "if desired, may have the tread portion in the formation of the tube made of "tougher material than the felly-facing portion or the tube may be thickened or reinforced at the tread, if desired, in any suitable manner. Ribs or projections a1 and a2 are formed preferably integral with the tube in its manu"facture and with a central web a3. In such an instance the felly B is made "in two parts B and B', with channels or grooves 2 and b3, formed in said "parts for the reception of the ribs or projections a' and a of the tire A. The "web a3 of the tire is caused to engage between the flanges band of the 50"two-part felly and the respective parts are held firmly together by means of "bolts c and nuts c1. The tire is secured into the grooves 2 and b3, and "the faces of the two-part felly, by means of cement or other glutinous 66 or adhesive material. Through one of the parts of the felly is introduced a "small-tube b, with a stop-cock b', for permitting of the inflation of the tire 55 "by means of air, gas, water or other aeriform or gaseous fluid or liquid.

The Palmer Tyre, Ld. v. The Pneumatic Tyre Company, Ld.

and Others.

"In Fig. 12 is illustrated a tire A of my improved construction which is "made of a sheet of rubber or other flexible or elastic material which in the

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course of its manufacture is rendered impervious to fluids or liquids. The "sides a1 and a of the rectangular sheet of rubber or other analogous material "is thickened to form enlargements a1 and a3, thereat to engage in the counter- 5 "sunk grooves, channels or recesses b2 and 2, of the felly B, made of metal or "other suitable material. These channels or grooves extend into the body of "the felly some distance on each side of the centre thereof in order that the enlargements of the flexible sheet forming the hollow tire may be firmly "fitted to and held therein by means of cement or other glutinous or adhesive 10 "material. In the outer surface of the felly B is provided an opening through "which extends a small tube b, provided with a stop-cock b', for inflating "the hollow impervious or fluid tight flexible tube A. The degree of compressibility of this tire may be regulated by the degree of the inflation which may be introduced under pressure. This tire may be made of other material 15 "besides rubber but preference is given to the use of rubber for the formation "thereof. The felly may be made of either wood or metal, Furthermore the enlargements in the sides of the sheet of flexible material may be retained in "the grooves of the felly B, by pins, rivets, bolts or other suitable fastening.

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"In Fig. 14 is illustrated a hollow flexible tire capable of being inflated with 20 improved constructions of fellies. The hollow flexible tire A is made from "a sheet of flexible material impervious to liquids or fluids. When constructed "in the form approximately of an inverted letter U, the sides near the outer "extremities, and designated by the letters a1 and a3, are thickened so as form "enlargements thereat for a purpose to be presently explained. Band B' are 25 "two flanged rings made of metal, wood or other suitable material and constituting the felly proper of the wheel. C is an annular rim which is inter'posed between the tire and the felly and these parts when combined are held "firmly in position by means of bolts c and nuts c'. The rim C is located "above the enlargements a1 and as of the tire A, in order that the tire when 30 "bent into a cylindrical form or approximately the form of the letter U, "may be held snugly and tightly up against the inner walls of the flanged rings B and B', constituting the two-part felly by means of bolts c and nuts c1. "The tire A may be held more solidly in its normal position by cementing the "same to the rim C, and the flanged rings B and B', in any preferred manner 35 "and thereby not only holding said tire in a firm position but in a most "satisfactory manner guarding against leakage of the inflating medium from the "said tire. In the wall of the rim C is inserted one or more tubes b, provided "with stop-cocks b', for the introductin of air, gas, water or other aeriform or gaseous fluids or liquids for the inflation of the tire and of causing the same 40 "to retain its cylindrical contour or approximately U-form whilst in use.

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"In Figs. 16 and 17 are illustrated the manner of applying the inflated tubular "ring or tire A to the wheels of an ordinary vehicle such as a carriage or wagon "in which special provision has to be made for securing the tire to place on "such wheels owing to the fact that the rims are generally either flat or convex. 45 "The inflated or inflatible tire in this instance consists of a web of india-rubber "or other suitable material A, having its edges pinched and secured between "the walls of flanges d', formed at the edges of a metallic ring or hoop e. "These flanges are formed by bending and folding the metal upon itself and "projecting it inwardly from the periphery of the hoop. When the device is 50 applied to a wheel in the course of construction the fellies of the latter are "readily fitted to the hoop e, and are embraced by the flanges d'. When the "device is to be applied to a wheel already made a filling of segments of wood or other material G, should be arranged between the rim or tire of the wheel "and the hoop e. These segments are flanged on one side as shown at g, so as 55

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The Palmer Tyre, Ld. v. The Pneumatic Tyre Company, Ld.

and Others.

to abut against one side of the rim of the wheel and when in place are secured "to the wheel by cleats g', or other suitable fastenings. Any other convenient "method of securing the hoop and inflatible tire to the wheel may be adopted. "The inflatible tire and its metallic hoop may be applied to the wheels of 5" bicycles, tricycles and other vehicles by using suitable fastening devices. "The flexible tube or tire may be either made in one or more layers or reinforced "at any desired point. It may also consist of one or more materials or of "different qualities of materials.

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"Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and objects 10 "of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I "would have it understood that I make no claim to any method of constructing "tires other than such in which the tyre or tyre cover is made with longitudinal "ribs or has enlarged edges which pass into and are held within grooves or "their equivalents formed in the rim of the wheel but subject hereto I declare 15 "that what I claim is -1. A wheel provided with an inflatible tire having the "sides or edges thereof secured between the flanges of a rim or felly, substantially "as and for the purposes set forth. 2. A wheel provided with an inflatible flexible "tire having the sides thereof pinched and secured between flanges formed "with a rim or felly and the flanges projecting inwardly from the periphery 20 "of said rim or felly, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. "3. A wheel provided with a tyre composed of a web of flexible material having the sides or edges secured between the walls of flanges formed with "a rim and a tube with a cock for permitting of the inflation of the said "tire, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. 4. An inflatible tire 25" composed of a sheet of flexible material having the sides thereof enlarged and "firmly held in grooves or counter-sunk channels formed in the sides or edges "of a felly, substantially as described. 5. An inflatible tire composed of "flexible material having the sides enlarged, in combination with a felly "having grooves or channels in the sides or edges thereof to receive the 30 enlargements of the tire and a tube with a cock secured into said felly, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. 6. A flexible or elastic hollow "tire provided with ribs formed integral therewith and firmly secured to a "felly adapted to receive said tire and a tube with a cock extending through "the body of said felly and tire, substantially as and for the purposes 35"set forth.'

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On the 28th of November 1890, Letters Patent (No. 19,411. &90) were granted to James Richard Trigwell for an invention of "Improvements in an

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The Palmer Tyre, Ld. v. The Pneumatic Tyre Company Ld.

and Others.

relating to Wheels for Cycles and other Road Vehicles." This Patent (in this report referred to as Trigwell's Patent) was amended on the 24th of May 1898. The Provisional Specification was as follows:

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My invention relates to an improved rim and tyre for the wheels of velocipedes and other road vehicles.

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"The rim is made out of one or more pieces of sheet steel or other suitable metal, and it may be made either hollow or solid. The cross section of the "tyre when finished resembles a letter Y, the small projecting flanges on the "underside of the rim being adapted to receive the spokes and thus enable "them to be removed and replaced without disturbing the tyre in the rim. 10 "The small flanges on the upper part of the rim are either shaped to form "small U-shaped channels round the edges of the rim, or they are bent "upwards to form vertical flanges according to the means I adopt to fix the 66 tyre in position.

"The tyre consists of a combination of an inner cushion and an outer cover 15 "or tread, this latter consists of an arch-shaped ring of rubber preferably thicker "at the top than at the sides, and having a sheet of canvas, or wire gauze, "moulded in it. The inner cushion may be either an air-inflated tube or a "cellular rubber ring, the cells taking the form of a series of transverse holes "arranged to give the most active cushioning effect.

"When a rim with the U-shaped flanges is used the ends of the arch-shaped 66 cover or tread are made in the form of an enlarged bead and it is fixed to the "rim either by turning over the edges of the flanges so as to grip the beads on "the said cover or tread, or a wire is run through each bead and drawn up taut "by any suitable device, when the cover or tread is in place on the rim.

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"When a rim with the vertical flanges is used, I shape the inner sides of the arch-shaped cover or tread to fit the said flanges, and I attach them to the said flanges by transverse screws and ring washers adapted to grip the ends of the "arch-shaped cover or tread, the top edges of both the flanges of the rim and of "the ring washers being suitably shaped to prevent the cover or tread being cut 30 "under compression."

The Complete Specification, as amended, was as follows:

"My invention relates to an improved rim and tyre for the wheels of "velocipedes and other road vehicles.

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"The rim is made out of one or more pieces of sheet steel or other suitable 35 "metal, and it may be made either solid or hollow. The cross section of the "rim which I prefer to use resembles a letter Y, the stalk being adapted to "receive the spokes and thus enable them to be removed and replaced without disturbing the tyre. The small flanges on the upper part of the rim are "shaped to form small longitudinal U-shaped channels on the edges of the rim. 40 "The tyre which may be of the pneumatic or cushion type has an outer cover or tread preferably arch shaped in cross section and thicker at the top "than at the sides. With this outer cover or tread is incorporated a lining of "wire gauze or equivalent material, to afford greater protection from punctur"ing. The edges of the arch shaped cover or tread are made in the form of 45 enlarged beads, and the said edges are fixed in the channels on the edges of the rim by passing a cord or band through or over each bead, the said cord or

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"band being adapted to be drawn up taut by any suitable device.

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"In order that my invention may be fully understood I will more particularly describe it, making reference to the accompanying drawing in which 50 "the figures are views in transverse section of various forms my invention may 66 assume, similar parts being marked with like letters of reference. "Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing. A designates the rim "which in this case is shown as a solid one, a designates the radial stalk adapted to receive the spokes of the wheel, and a', a', the two channels 55

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The Palmer Tyre, Ld. v. The Pneumatic Tyre Company, Ld.
and Others.

"formed on the edge of the rim. B designates the outer cover or tread, and C "the lining of wire gauze which in this case is shown on the inner face of the 66 cover or tread. b, b designate the beads formed on the edges of the cover or "tread B and adapted to fit in the channels a1, a'. The cover or tread B is fixed 5" to the rim A by means of bands or cords D, D, either passing through the "beads b, b, as shown by Figure 2 of the accompanying drawing, or over them "as shown by Figure 3 of the accompanying drawing, or by a band or cord passing through one bead and the other band or cord passing over the other "bead as shown by Figure 4. The bands or cords D, D, are drawn up taut to 10 "fix the outer cover or tread by a right and left handed running nut, or by any "other equivalent device. The beads b, b, and channels a', a', may be of any "other suitable section than circular as shown, and they may be wholly outside "the walls of the cover or tread B as shown by Figures 1 and 3, wholly inside "them as shown by Figure 4, or partially inside and partially outside them as 15" shown by Figure 2 of the accompanying drawing.

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Figures 2, 3, and 4, illustrate various constructions of the rim A.

"In Figures 2 and 4 the lining C of wire gauze, or its equivalent, is shown incorporated in the thickness of the outer cover or tread.

"I wish it to be particularly understood that I do not limit myself to the 20 precise details of construction herein before described and shown by the "figures of the accompanying drawing, but that I hold myself at liberty to "make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of "my invention."

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The Patentee claimed-

"1st. The improvements in wheels for velocipedes and other road vehicles, as and for the purpose herein before set forth. 2nd. In a wheel for a velocipede and other road vehicles having a hollow tyre, fixing the outer cover or tread of the said tyre to the rim of the wheel, and strengthening it, in the manner herein before set forth. 3rd. In a wheel having a hollow tyre, the 30"combination of an outer cover or tread, arch-shaped in cross section, having a "lining of wire gauze or its equivalent on its inner face or incorporated in its "thickness, and having beads or their equivalents formed on its edges; of a "rim having longitudinal channels on its edges adapted to receive the said "beads; and of two bands or cords contained within the said beads and adapted to bind them into the channel on the rim, as set forth. 4th. In a "wheel having a hollow tyre, the combination of an outer cover or tread, arch"shaped in cross section, having a lining of wire gauze or its equivalent on its "inner face or incorporated in its thickness, and having beads or their equiva"lents formed on its edges; of a rim having longitudinal channels on its edges 40" adapted to receive the said beads; and of two bands or cords engaging with "the said beads or their equivalents and holding and confining them in the "channels on the rim, as set forth."

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