Abstract:
A tire removal tool for removing a tire from a dual wheel assembly has a handle having a gripping portion configured to be manually gripped, a head configured for introduction into the space between the wheels, and an intermediate portion connected between the handle and the head. The intermediate portion has a bent configuration so that the tool can extend over the outermost wheel with the head in contact with the inside of the wheel and the handle manually accessible at the outside of the wheel. The head includes an engagement surface arranged to simultaneously contact the sidewall of the innermost wheel to act as a fulcrum for transmitting an upward force applied to the handle to a force at the distal end of the head sufficient to dislodge the tire bead from the rim.
Abstract:
A fore-aft self-balancing personal transportation device having a single wheel structure with multiple air chambers and air pressure equalization between the air chambers. Embodiments include dual tires on a single rim structure, or a single tire structure with multiple lobes, etc. Air passage between the air chambers may be internal through the rim or external via an air hose or related structure. The air chambers may be tubed or tubeless. Several different embodiments are disclosed.
Abstract:
This invention describes a system to maintain equal pressure in a pair of dual tires, and also incorporates a valve mechanism that will prevent one dual wheel tire from going flat in the event the other dual wheel tire experiences a rapid air loss. Dual wheels are typically mounted on the vehicle hub with both wheel disc faces in direct contact with each other. To ensure equal pressure in both tires, this invention has air passageways machined into the wheels such that the air passageways meet at the interface between the wheels where the wheel disc faces are in direct contact. These junctions are sealed by a rubber seal or gasket. Both tires can then be inflated or deflated simultaneously through a standard air valve located on either wheel. Where a dual wheel arrangement requires the use of an intermediate piece between the dual wheels, air passageways can connect the two-piece wheels via intermediate air passageways going through the common intermediate piece. A dual pressure equalizing valve is connected to the air passageways and embedded into the wheels or intermediate piece.
Abstract:
A heavy duty dual tire assembly (10) for mounting on dual rims (2) is disclosed. The assembly has a pair of tires (14) and a pair of separate removable annular tread belts (12) for mounting over both tires (14) the pair of separate removable annual tread belts (12) bridge the gap between the tires (10) when they are laterally adjacent and coaxially aligned by mounting on a dual rim. In one embodiment there is a separated tread belt spacer (9) that is interposed between tread belts (12) to, in combination with the tread belts, bridge the gap between the tires.
Abstract:
A tire assembly includes a tire. The tire has a pair of perimeter walls coupled to and extending inwardly from an outer wall of the tire. The pair of perimeter walls of the tire each has a distal edge with respect to the outer wall of the tire. The distal edge of each of the pair of perimeter walls of the tire defines an opening. The tire may be coupled to a wheel on a vehicle. The tire is one of a pair of the tires each positioned adjacent to one another. A ring is coupled to and extends outwardly from an associated one of the pair of perimeter walls of the tire. The pair of tires is oriented so the ring on each of the pair of tires is directed toward one another. The ring deflects an object outwardly from between the pair of tires.
Abstract:
A tire pressure equalization system for controlling air pressure between a first tire and a second tire has a housing with a bore extending therethrough, a first air passageway with an end opening to an interior of the bore, a second air passageway with an end opening to an interior of the bore, and a valve positioned in the bore. The first air passageway is connected to the first tire. The second air passageway is connected to the second tire. The valve is movable between a first position in which the first air passageway communicates with the second air passageway so as to allow the air to equalize between the first and second tires and a second position that blocks communication between the first air passageway and the second air passageway so as to prevent air from flowing between the first tire and the second tire.
Abstract:
The invention is a hybrid wheel apparatus with a hybrid roadway apparatus that greatly reduces the energy lost due to rolling resistance where operation is on the hybrid roadway, but the system is configured to allow operation on conventional roads as needed.The hybrid wheel system is a steel wheel used in combination with a rubber tired wheel. The hybrid roadway is a low profile steel rail fixed to the otherwise conventional road surface, which is preferably concrete but could also be the very common asphalt composition.Where roadways are appropriately equipped with rails, the rail top surface is elevated over the roadway surface, and dimensions are set so that most of load force is carried on the steel wheel for general forward travel. Where the rail is absent the load is carried on the rubber tire, and the steel wheel is elevated above the roadway surface such that contact between the steel wheel and the roadway is prevented.
Abstract:
A tire removal tool for removing a tire from a dual wheel assembly has a handle having a gripping portion configured to be manually gripped, a head configured for introduction into the space between the wheels, and an intermediate portion connected between the handle and the head. The intermediate portion has a bent configuration so that the tool can extend over the outermost wheel with the head in contact with the inside of the wheel and the handle manually accessible at the outside of the wheel. The head includes an engagement surface arranged to simultaneously contact the sidewall of the innermost wheel to act as a fulcrum for transmitting an upward force applied to the handle to a force at the distal end of the head sufficient to dislodge the tire bead from the rim.
Abstract:
An air maintenance tire system and method in accordance with the present invention includes an air pumping mechanism configured to maintain air pressure within a first tire and a second tire in a dual tire arrangement. The system includes a control valve assembly attached to an elongate valve stem projecting from a rim of a first tandem tire, and a one-way valve carrying connecting tube from a sidewall air pumping passageway within a sidewall of the first tire. The control valve assembly further includes first and second outlet tubes connected to the elongate valve stem to selectively pass pressurized air into the tire cavities of both tandem mounted tires on an as-needed basis.
Abstract:
A motor vehicle with twin tires which includes one tire with a winter tread and a further tire with a summer tread arranged on a common rim. Each tire is provided with a device for the air pressure regulation for achieving a selective pressure decrease and increase. The device for the air pressure regulation is connected with a device for the air pressure control by way of a common control unit. Actuating switches influencing the control unit serve for the mutually matched pressure adjustment of the tires for the summer and winter operation.