274 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



[May 1, 1911 



A "SOLID PNEUMATIC" TIRE. 



FOREIGN MARKETS FOR RUBBER TIRES. 



A TIRE that is said to possess all the advantages of the solid 

 and pneumatic types, combined with greatly increased dur- 

 ability and efficiency, is at present undergoing exhaustive test in 

 England, preparatory to being placed on the market. The follow- 

 ing brief description will explain with the accompanying illustra- 

 tion, the construction of this new style of tire, whidi is known as 

 the "E. D. (Evans-Doubleday) solid pneumatic" tire, and is 

 especially recommended as adapted for light, high-speed, com- 

 mercial vehicles, such as taxicabs, delivery wagons, etc. At- 

 tached to the wooden felloes of the wheel is a steel rim, some- 

 what wider than the wooden rim, which acts at once as a bed 

 for the inner tube and as a band for the wooden felloes. Clamped 

 to the two sides of the wooden felloes, by means of bolts, are 

 side flanges, of pressed steel, one attached permanently, the 

 other removable, to provide the demountable feature, indis- 

 pensable in tires of this class. 



The E. D. "Soi,id-Pneum.\tic" Tike. 



The tire proper, consists oi an inner tube and a solid shoe, the 

 former being of the type commonly used with the inflatable 

 pneumatic tires and equipped with the usual valve; the solid 

 portion is made up of a flexible band of canvas and rubber, 

 which provides for the inward movement against the air tube 

 and has a bead at each edge, to form at one side a lock with the 

 rim, and on the other, in extended taper form, a protection for 

 the inner tube that guards against the possibility of nipping. 

 The tread portion consists of a narrow layer of red rubber, on 

 which the tread proper, made of an elastic and very tough 

 quality of rubber, is mounted. When the tire has been worn 

 down to this red surface, it can he retreaded and its life thus in- 

 definitely prolonged. 



The heavy rubber tread is designed to act as a shock absorber, 

 to take up the violent rebound inseparable from the ordinary 

 pneumatic tire, when running on a rough road, so that with the 

 cushioning property of the pneumatic the hard-wearing quality of 

 the solid tire is effectively combined. It is claimed, that in the 

 event of any injury to the inner tire, resulting in its deflation, 

 it can be run as a solid tire without injury to tire or vehicle, 

 until the necessary repair can be effected. As soon as the prac- 

 ticable value of the tire has been satisfactorily demonstrated, 

 steps will be taken to place it on the market. 



SUPPLEMENTING the communications from United States 

 consuls in foreign countries, on which the article under 

 caption in the March number of The India Rubber World was 

 based, the Department of Commerce and Labor makes public 

 some further reports, bearing on the same subject, from which 

 we abstract the following information : 



The consular agent at Markncukirchcn, Germany, states that 

 the sale of automobiles in his district is steadily increasing and 

 that tires are now kept in stock by several firms in the different 

 . cities. The main highway to the Bohemian spas, passes through 

 Adorf, the last German town where tires are kept in stock. 

 Dealers in this town and in Bad Elster, a nearby Saxon spa, 

 have a considerable sale for tires among tourists visiting this 

 section with their automobiles. Most of the tires sold are of 

 two well-known French and German makes. 



Bicycles are used quite extensiyely and there is a good de- 

 mand for tires, the only foreign tire sold being of American 

 make. To compete with the home and foreign tire manufacturers, 

 the consul is of the opinion that the establishment of branch 

 houses and sending out of travelling representatives would be 

 necessary. 



The United States consul at Barmen, Germany, reports an 

 entirely undeveloped field for the introduction of rubber tires 

 for wagons of all kinds. The city has 160,000 inhabitants and 

 the only vehicles with rubber tires are the ambulances. He con- 

 siders the opportunity for an enterprising concern handling goods 

 of this description as excellent. He recommends the establish- 

 ment by the manufacturer, of a branch agency. 



The United States vice-consul, at Genoa, Italy, states that 

 the tires of the tnree leading Italian manufacturers, enjoy the 

 largest sale in that country, but several foreign makes are also 

 sold, including some Americans. The fact that Italy imported 

 in 1909, 402.9 tons of rubber tires, of a value of $1,379,381, and 

 for the first ten months of 1910, 792.9 tons, valued at $3,519,683 

 and that this ratio of increase has been maintained for several 

 years past, is a fair indication of the importance of the trade. 

 Of the imports quoted for the first ten months of 1910, Germany 

 furnished 300.S tons, France, 220.9 tons; Great Britain, 202 tons 

 and all other countries, 69.S tons. Personal representatives, 

 familiar with the language and business methods of the country, 

 would be necessary to reach the Italian market, according to the 

 consul's opinion, who considers the present an opportune time to 

 introduce American automobile tires into Italy, and who does 

 not see why American manufacturers should not obtain a share 

 of the business. 



The American vice-consul general at Shanghai, China, de- 

 scribes the market for rubber tires in his district, as limited, 

 most of those used coming from Great Britain or France and 

 only a negligible quantity from the United States. He refers 

 particularly to the increasing number of jinrikishas — the light, 

 man-hauled buggies of the far East — that are being equipped 

 with rubber tires and to the active efforts some of the foreign 

 manufacturers are making to increase their business in this 

 direction. A man on the spot and conspicuous advertising, are 

 pointed out as likely to prove valuable factors in securing the 

 trade. 



From Kobe, J.ipan, the United States consul reports a large 

 and growing sale for rubber tires for bicycles and jinrikishas, the 

 trade being mainly in the Iiands of the English houses. A local 

 representative or an arrangement for representation by a local 

 firm, are pointed out as likely to bring results. 



The consul general of the United States at Guatemala City, 

 Guatemala, Central America, reports a considerable number of 

 carriages in that city equipped with rubber tires, mostly of 

 .'\merican make. Of 40 automobiles in the city, about 30 are of 

 American manufacture, there are a few motorcycles, no motor- 

 trucks, and bicycles are popular and numerous. 



