Resilient tires and wheels – Tires – resilient – Inflating devices
Patent
1980-09-22
1982-07-06
Kittle, John E.
Resilient tires and wheels
Tires, resilient
Inflating devices
D12153, 137232, 138 891, 138 893, 138 894, 138116, 1521851, 152354R, 152355, 152359, 156120, B60C 2900
Patent
active
043378145
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to tires and more particularly to tire filling arrangements.
2. Background Art
In some closed torus tires the air filler device, a valve stem, is integrally formed in the rim wall of the tire. The valve stem protrudes through a hole provided in the rim, and is accessible for tire filling and pressure regulation. A tire of this type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,606,921, Sept. 21, 1971 to C. E. Grawey entitled, "Belted Oval Pneumatic Tube Tire". Such a tire is commonly mounted on a two piece rim.
Occasionally, rim to tire slippage occurs between the rim and tire due to the high drive train torque applied to the tire. Rim movement with respect to the tire can shear-off or badly damage the valve stem. Thus, the tire goes flat, or becomes unoperable.
Also, a valve stem located in the rim is subject to a continuing problem of mud, rock, foreign material to the extent that the valve stem can become damaged or inaccessible due to foreign material buildup around the stem.
In an other closed torus tire application a flexible track belt can be circumferentially placed about the tire; such a belt is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,899,220, Aug. 12, 1975, to C. E. Grawey, et al, entitled, "Flexible Sealed Track Belt". As the coefficient of friction between the track belt and tire is negligible, the problem of slippage between tire and rim is increased; thereby the likelihood of valve stem damage is likewise increased.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention a tire carcass is fitted with an air conduit which communicates in the track wall with the air chamber and which is connected in the side wall of the tire carcass to an air valve receptacle.
In another aspect of the present invention, an air conduit is installed by forming a slot in the outer surface of the tire carcass and forming a passage through the track wall into the air chamber. An air conduit is positioned in the slot and the passage so that the conduit communicates with the air chamber and is accessible at the side wall of the tire.
The present invention is directed to the prevention of damage to air conduits by relative motion between tire carcasses and rims. The present invention solves this problem by moving the air conduit completely away from the rim.
The present invention is also directed to preventing dirt and foreign materials from accumulating around air valves. This problem is solved by using a plug which fits in the side wall of a tire and covers the end of the valve and the air conduit.
Further, the present invention is directed to locating an air conduit on a tire at a position that is accessible for filling and pressure measurement, that is protected from damage from passing objects, and which is subject to minimum flexure of the tire during operation. These objectives are achieved by locating the end of the air conduit in the air chamber substantially at the center of the track wall, running the air conduit laterally across the track wall and positioning the air valve in the side wall of the tire.
Other aspects, objects and advantages of this invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, and disclosure, and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of a tire in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates a tire carcass 7 having two side walls 8 (only one shown), a rim wall (not shown) and a track wall 10 which forms a closed air chamber 12. The carcass is helically wound with a radial wire wrap 14 to provide strength and protection for the tire. The exterior surface of the track wall 10 contai
REFERENCES:
patent: D226657 (1973-04-01), Grawey et al.
patent: 1067668 (1913-07-01), McCleary
patent: 2052130 (1936-08-01), Cassady
patent: 2746812 (1956-05-01), Eger
patent: 3311153 (1967-03-01), Wolfe
patent: 3470933 (1969-10-01), Molnar
patent: 3606921 (1971-09-01), Grawey
patent: 3899220 (1975-08-01), Grawey et al.
patent: 4238258 (1980-12-01), Kraps et al.
Bokan Thomas
Caterpillar Tractor Co.
Kittle John E.
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