Abstract:
A method for locking a tyre to a wheel rim, includes the steps of mounting a tubular tyre locking element on the wheel rim, which tubular locking member is arranged with a valve, which valve is pushed through a hole in the rim; mounting a tyre on the rim such that the tyre encloses the tubular tyre locking element and a pressure chamber is obtained between the tyre locking element and the tyre; pressurizing the tubular tyre locking element via the valve such that it expands, whereby the beads of the tyre are pressed against the flanges of the wheel rim; inserting a hollow needle through the tyre and into the pressure chamber, which hollow needle is connected to a pressurized air source; pressurising the pressure chamber to desired pressure, removing the hollow needle; and sealing the hole caused by the needle with sealing fluid or plug.
Abstract:
A tire structure including a secondary chamber formed between a tire casing and road engaging tire tread. A first air passage provided from the tire interior to the secondary chamber and a second air passage through a side wall of the tire casing substantially adjacent a bead portion of the tire. An air line extends between the two air passages and is bonded to the interior side wall of the casing, and a valve unit associated with said second passage to provide controlled air inlet and relief to said chamber.
Abstract:
A wheel-and-tire apparatus has a pneumatic tire with two or more circumferential tread sections, the relative diameters of which may be adjusted to select the tread sections in contact with the road. The tire may have one or more air chambers. The apparatus facilitates selective use of tire tread designs and compositions having different performance characteristics to suit particular road conditions and vehicle operating parameters. Adjustment of tread section diameters is accomplished using tread diameter adjustment means having a source of compressed air. Sensors monitor selected operational parameters of the vehicle and transmit corresponding signals to a computer, which selects an optimal configuration of tread section diameters to suit the data from the sensors. The computer sends a corresponding signal instructing the tread diameter adjustment means to adjust the diameter of one or more tread sections as required to achieve the selected configuration of tread section diameters.
Abstract:
A safety tire is provided having an outer tire with treads and a puncture resistant inner tire defining inner and outer chambers, a first inflation/deflation valve extending through the sidewall of the outer tire into the outer chamber, a one-way valve to enable air flow from the outer chamber to the inner chamber, and a second inflation/deflation valve extending through the rim of the tire into the inner chamber.
Abstract:
A valve (10) for a dual chamber tire comprises a hollow sleeve (15) with at least two ports (21) (22) therein each of which is connected with an inflation chamber. A hollow valve stem (31) is slidably disposed within the sleeve (15). A locking means (50) is capable of holding the stem (31) and sleeve (15) in two different operating positions. An air passageway (35) connects the hollow interior (32) of the stem with the interior (16) of the sleeve (15) and is arranged so that when the stem is locked in one of said two operating positions air can be supplied to two inflation chambers (12,14) simultaneously and when the stem is in the other of said two operating positions one of the inflation chambers (12) is isolated.