Solid Rubber Tires,
Page 41
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The November Show at Olympia was naturally productive of a 'very representative collection of pneumatic tires, and we dealt with them then as the same tires would be required for a touring car as for a light delivery van. It is, therefore, unnecessary again to describe the various makes of pneumatic tires, and those readers who wish to study the various makes to ascertain which would be the most suitable for their own vans are referred to our issue of November 220d, 1906, where they are set out in detail. The same issue gave illustrations of those solid rubber tires which were then to be seen on the stands of tire manufacturers who were present at the November Exhibitiort as catering for the lighter side of motoring, but, to make this section complete, all exhibits of solid tires to be seen at the Commercial Motor Exhibition will be reviewed, regardless of whether or no they were previously described in November last.
The North British Rubber Company, Limited, of Castle Mills, Edinburgh, shows examples of all the various forms of tires, for which it is justly famous. The best known for heavy motor vehicles are the " Clincher Block " tire, and the " Clincher Grid " tire, sections of which are shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The " Clincher Block " tire is much in evidence on some London omnibuses, but more so in Paris, where it is preferred to endless tires. It is made in several patterns; one in which the blocks are parallel to the edge of the wheel, another in which they are arranged spirally across the circumference, and another in which one set of blocks is arranged in right-handed spirals, and the other set of twin blocks in left-handed spirals. The makers now term these double tires their " Arrowhead " pattern.
J. Liversidge and Son, Limited, of 196, Old Street, E.C., is showing the
K.T." tire in various patterns and sizes. This tire is shown in section in Fig. 3, from which it will he seen that the rubber is a complete band right round the wheel, with a number of bosses on it. These are arranged in two rows, and in some cases three and four rows, each boss standing up opposite the gap between two in the next row. The bosses are hollow, so that the rubber is allowed a much better opportunity to alter its shape under load. The rubber is held in position by an endless steel band, with holes for the rubber bosses to stand up through it. This company also market the "De Nevers " grooved tire, so many of which are in use at the show.
The Dunlop Rubber Company, Limited, shows new " Dunlop Sectional " tire (Fig. 4). This tire is made in sections ; and each section,is vulcanised to a steel plate, which projects at the end. One end fits over the other end of the next piece, and they are all held in position by square-headed bolts which pass through the notches in the ends of the plates.
Gaulois Tyres, Limited, is showing the " Bergougnan " solid-robber tire, the twin variety of which is shown in section in Fig. 5. The rubber is vulcanised to an endless Steel band with dovetailed upper surface, and the tires are forced on to the rim from opposite sides, and secured by ring flanges riveted to the rim.
'The Hartriclge Tire Syndicate, Limited, is showing its patent tire, which is made up of a number of segmental blocks, and Fig. 9 shows a transverse section between the blocks, cutting through the serrated tongue plates which are placed circumferentially between the blocks, and also through the distance pieces between each set of blocks.
J. E. Hopkinson and Company, Limited, is showing the " Hopkinson " tire for motor omnibuses. These tires fit on to wedge-shaped strakes attached to the steel rim, so that it is impossible for the tire to creep. The soft treads are vulcanised on to a hardened base, in which is embedded an endless steel band, so that the tire is inexten
sible. A detachable flange is then clamped on each side, to hold the tires in position. See Fig. 15.
The Peter Union Tyre Company exhibits sets of motor omnibus tires. These tires are endless, and are forced on to the rim from either side, and held in position by detachable flanges which are drawn together by right and lefthanded screws. Fig. 12 shows a section through twin " Peter Union " tires. It will be noticed that a steel band is embedded in the base of the tire, and is surrounded by hard rubber; or vulcanite, to which the softer tread is vulcanised. A number of old tires are also shown, and these have done from 12,000 to 19,000 miles in service.
The Sirdar Rubber Company, Limited, is exhibiting a large variety of " Royal Sirdar " solid tires. These tires are forced into the steel channels, which are specially shaped to ensure the maximum of resilience. Fig. to shows a section through the twin " Royal Sirdar " tire, which make is almost exclusively used by the Great Western Railway Company.
The Shrewsbury and Challiner Tyre Company, Limited, shows the "Road" tire (Fig. 7), " Giant " tire (Fig. 8) for the front wheels of motor omnibuses, the " World ." tire (Fig. it) with helical spring fastening, and the " Pioneer " tire (Fig. 13), which is a novel block tire with a number of holes in it to secure a suction grip on the road, and to prevent side-slip.
The Swinehart Tyre and Rubber Company shows the" Swinehart "concave, solid-rubber tires (Fig. 14). These are an American importation, which obtain their peculiar resilience from the the concavity of the side walls.
The Goodrich tire, which is shown by J. W. and T. Connolly, Limited, is an endless tire secured in position by side wires, and another interesting exhibit is by the New Motor apd General Rubber Company, Limited.
Representative as is this section of the show, there are still a few large makers who have not got places there, and of these we may name the Polack Company, of 32-34, Basinghall Street, E.C.