Resilient tires and wheels – Tires – resilient – Wheel securing means
Patent
1993-09-07
1995-07-25
Stormer, Russell D.
Resilient tires and wheels
Tires, resilient
Wheel securing means
1523815, B60B 2112
Patent
active
054353688
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a well-filler for retaining a tire on a drop-center wheel rim.
A common wheel design of has a rim (known as a drop-center rim) in which there is a comparatively narrow well which effectively reduces the diameter of the wheel all around its circumference. Such a well facilitates the mounting of a pneumatic tire on the wheel. One inextensible bead of a tire is slipped over the lip of a side flange of the rim and into the well and then the diametrically opposite part of that bead of the tire is then able to be passed over the flange and be mounted on the rim. Inflation of the tire forces the beads into their correct position with their feet engaged on slightly conical seats adjacent the flanges.
A major problem with wheels with drop-center rims is that without a device to fill the well there is a danger of the tire detaching itself upon a loss of air pressure, for example after a puncture. One of the beads may slip into the well and the mounting procedure for the tire be effectively reversed. This loss of concentricity involves loss of control, and is dangerous if it happens on a vehicle travelling at high speed.
Band devices for filling wheel wells are known. However, well-fillers of current designs have to be made individually for different types of wheel of different diameter and especially for wells of different effective widths. None of the known well-fillers is adjustable in width. In addition, current designs have to be made in different materials to suit steel and alloy wheels the properties of which vary differently with temperature and load changes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a well-filler of variable width for a well of a drop-center wheel rim, the well-filler having a band for circumposing the rim in the well in engagement with a plurality of obstructor segments, and mutually engageable connector means at first and second ends of the band, the connector means being adjustable for tightening of the band in the well around the rim, engagement of the band with the segments being such that when the band is tightened in the well of a wheel rim the segments are urged in directions transverse to the band so that the width of the well-filler matches that of the well.
Preferably, the band extends through a channel in a body portion of each segment, the channel having an engagement surface to engage with a corresponding surface of the band, the engagement and corresponding surfaces being angled such that tightening of the band around the rim causes the segment support to be urged in a direction transverse to the band axis. The engagement surface on the band is preferably one of a pair of equally-inclined surfaces forming a V-shape in cross-section; these may respectively engage with an inclined engagement surface of the segments which is one of a pair of surfaces forming an equally inclined V-shape in cross-section.
Preferably, the segments are arranged so that alternate ones are urged towards opposite transverse directions. The segments may be substantially identical to each other but be oriented in opposite senses to achieve relative motion in opposite directions.
Preferably the obstructor segments are flexible so that they may curve to follow the arc of the band around the rim.
The connector means may be pivotally attached at the ends of the band and the position of their attachment to the band may be varied. This gives accommodation to the diameter of the wheel to which the device is to be applied. The connector means may be mutually engaged via a socket head screw and locking nut. The attachment of the connector means at the ends of the band then facilitates location of the screw in the nut.
In an alternative embodiment the band has a slot to receive a cable. When the slot is on an outer peripheral surface of the band it should be of sufficient depth so that the cable does not protrude from the band. At first and second ends of the cable, mutually engageable connector means may be rotatably atta
REFERENCES:
patent: 4078597 (1978-03-01), Noda
patent: 4122882 (1978-10-01), Fisher et al.
patent: 4374535 (1983-02-01), Watts
patent: 4694874 (1987-09-01), White
Stormer Russell D.
Technovia Patents Limited
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