Abstract:
The present invention is a system which improves the installation and provides a seal between tubeless tires and the rims of the wheels upon which they are mounted. A pliant sealing member or ring (10) is placed over the base (21) or rim of the wheel The ring has an opening to match the valve opening (27) of the rim. A special valve stem sleeve (15) may be provided to enhance the sealing of the valve stem. The invention features a stretch zone (19) which allows universal fit for a range of wheel sizes and also accommodates the drop center (24) of wheels. A method of casting the ring (10) is disclosed which includes the design of a mold (40) and the production of twin rings which are cut when completed to form two separate rings (10). The sealing ring (10) may be made of vinyl having a durometer rating of between 50-75 and a thickness of 0.5-1.0 mm.
Abstract:
An auxiliary member, made of metal or synthetic resin, is disposed between each rim seat of the rim of a wheel and at least a bead base portion of each of the beads of a pneumatic tire fitted to the rim seats.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a unitary run flat tire (RFT) reinforcement using filament material that is formed into a relatively rigid shape. The reinforcement is insertable into a mold for an RFT support and can maintain the needed structural rigidity for such insertion. Further, the invention provides an RFT support that is molded and includes the RFT reinforcement. The invention also provides a wheel assembly including a tire, a rim, and an RFT support between the rim and the tire, where the support includes the RFT reinforcement. The RFT support can have a colored indicator formed or subsequently applied thereto to indicate one or more attributes of the support.