CA1065747A - Pneumatic tube - Google Patents
Pneumatic tubeInfo
- Publication number
- CA1065747A CA1065747A CA285,825A CA285825A CA1065747A CA 1065747 A CA1065747 A CA 1065747A CA 285825 A CA285825 A CA 285825A CA 1065747 A CA1065747 A CA 1065747A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tube
- tire
- inflated
- end portions
- annular
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000012858 resilient material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920003052 natural elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001194 natural rubber Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920003051 synthetic elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000005061 synthetic rubber Substances 0.000 description 2
- 244000186140 Asperula odorata Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000008526 Galium odoratum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000002950 deficient Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009972 noncorrosive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011800 void material Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60C—VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
- B60C5/00—Inflatable pneumatic tyres or inner tubes
- B60C5/10—Inflatable pneumatic tyres or inner tubes formed as a single discontinuous ring with contiguous ends which may be connected together
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Tires In General (AREA)
Abstract
CLAUDE MAYNARD, JR.
PNEUMATIC TUBE
S P E C I F I C A T I O N
Abstract of the Disclosure An improved tube for use with pneumatic tires. The tube is provided with sealed end portions which are mateably deformable with respect to each other and has a filling valve located intermediate the end portions. The tube is of such a length that when properly inflated within the tire the end portions will mateably deform whereby the tube will substan-tially fill the annular cavity defined by the tire and rim.
The filling valve is designed so that its weight will precisely counterbalance the combined weight of the sealed end portions of the tube.
PNEUMATIC TUBE
S P E C I F I C A T I O N
Abstract of the Disclosure An improved tube for use with pneumatic tires. The tube is provided with sealed end portions which are mateably deformable with respect to each other and has a filling valve located intermediate the end portions. The tube is of such a length that when properly inflated within the tire the end portions will mateably deform whereby the tube will substan-tially fill the annular cavity defined by the tire and rim.
The filling valve is designed so that its weight will precisely counterbalance the combined weight of the sealed end portions of the tube.
Description
J;'~ ~.0657~7 - -l Background of the In~ention -;~ ,"~ .
Field of the In~ention - ' The present invention relates generally to inner ~ tubes for pneumatic tires. More particularl~ the in~ention ¦ 5 concerns an improvement ln tubes for use in pneumatic tor-cycle tires.
Discussion of the Prior Art -Inner tubes for use in connection with both automobile I and motorcycle pneumatic tires are traditionally annular in 'I 10 sbape. To replace such a tube lt is obviously necessary to ~ remo~e the wheel from the ~ehicle. Uhile this procedure is ':
, ,.- ' ~, . ~b ' ,',;
~0657~7 1 acceptable In the case of auto~obiles ln which spare tires may conveniently be carried, the procedure is most troublesome ln the case of motorcycles which generally are not equipped with spare tires. When a flat tire is experienced when ridin8 a motorcycle, the motorcycle wheel must be removed and the tube repaired or replaced in situ. mis is both time consuming and difficult, particulary when the work must be d~ne in a ;
- remote area with a limited availability of tools.
When time of repair is of the essence as is the case in motorcycle racing, removal of the wheel to replace the tube is extremely disadvantageous.
, Because of the difficulties inherent in replacement of annular shaped, or continuous tubes, the concept of makin8 a tube in which the ends are closed but not ~oined has previously been suggested. With such a design the tube can be inserted into the tire casing without removing the wheel from the vehicle.
Variou~ configurations of such tubes have been suggested. For example~ in the U.S. pstent to Simes, No. 1,476,111, a butt ended .~ .
tube is de6cribed in which eacb butt end is thickened and reinforced. In the early U.S. patent to Edlin~ ~o. 486,191~ a butt ~ .
ended tube i~ described in which one end has a tubular exten don adapted to telescopically receive the opposite end. Similarly, in the early U.S. patent to Woodward~ No. 477,397, several ;I configurations of butt ended tubes are suggested.
In actual practice, the butt ended tubes of the prior art exhibited numerous difficulties. m e tubes having thickened ends or telescopically ~oined ends proved undesirable because of the increased weight in the area wherein the ends ~oined. This . ~ .
Field of the In~ention - ' The present invention relates generally to inner ~ tubes for pneumatic tires. More particularl~ the in~ention ¦ 5 concerns an improvement ln tubes for use in pneumatic tor-cycle tires.
Discussion of the Prior Art -Inner tubes for use in connection with both automobile I and motorcycle pneumatic tires are traditionally annular in 'I 10 sbape. To replace such a tube lt is obviously necessary to ~ remo~e the wheel from the ~ehicle. Uhile this procedure is ':
, ,.- ' ~, . ~b ' ,',;
~0657~7 1 acceptable In the case of auto~obiles ln which spare tires may conveniently be carried, the procedure is most troublesome ln the case of motorcycles which generally are not equipped with spare tires. When a flat tire is experienced when ridin8 a motorcycle, the motorcycle wheel must be removed and the tube repaired or replaced in situ. mis is both time consuming and difficult, particulary when the work must be d~ne in a ;
- remote area with a limited availability of tools.
When time of repair is of the essence as is the case in motorcycle racing, removal of the wheel to replace the tube is extremely disadvantageous.
, Because of the difficulties inherent in replacement of annular shaped, or continuous tubes, the concept of makin8 a tube in which the ends are closed but not ~oined has previously been suggested. With such a design the tube can be inserted into the tire casing without removing the wheel from the vehicle.
Variou~ configurations of such tubes have been suggested. For example~ in the U.S. pstent to Simes, No. 1,476,111, a butt ended .~ .
tube is de6cribed in which eacb butt end is thickened and reinforced. In the early U.S. patent to Edlin~ ~o. 486,191~ a butt ~ .
ended tube i~ described in which one end has a tubular exten don adapted to telescopically receive the opposite end. Similarly, in the early U.S. patent to Woodward~ No. 477,397, several ;I configurations of butt ended tubes are suggested.
In actual practice, the butt ended tubes of the prior art exhibited numerous difficulties. m e tubes having thickened ends or telescopically ~oined ends proved undesirable because of the increased weight in the area wherein the ends ~oined. This . ~ .
-2-. .
, : : ' ~0657~7 ,. .
1 increased weight created unacceptable out-of-balance conditions as the wheel rotated. In those devices in which the tubes were configured so as not to butt or telescopically îoin~ a void~
or unfilled portion within the caslng often resulted. This failure to substantially completely fill the casing also resulted in out-of-balance conditions and unacceptable irregularities in the outer circumferential surface of the tire.
Other drawbacks of the prior art butt ended tubes included failures of the tubes due to wear caused by relative movement between the butt ends of the tube, shifting of the tubes within the tire casing and failures in the butted, or tele-scopically ~oinet end portions themsel~es.
The drawbacks of the earlier suggested closed end i tubes have been successfully overcome by the tube of the present ; 15 invention. As will beco~e more apparent from the description which follows~ the tube of the present invention is specially conflgured so that when fully inflated within the tire the tube ; nd5 will teformably mate with each other in a unlque manner to substantially completely fill the tire casing. Additionally, to make certain that the tire will be perfectly balancet, the valve means of the device i8 located exactly equidistant from the sealed ends and is of a weight precisely equal to the combined weight of the sealed end portions. When the tube of the present invention is used in the sport of racing motorcycles, experience has shown that the tube can be replaced in one half the time required to replace a tube of conventional design.
In addition to the earlier mentioned patents~ applicant ' U.S.
~- is aware of the/patents to Dickinson, No. 1,413,834 and Weingand, No. 2,138,392. These patents represent the most pertinent art ',' :
~ !
: ~ . . . .~ . , . :
106574r7 1 known to applicant and serve to demonstrate the novelty of the present invention.
Summary of the Invention ~-It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved tube for use in connection with pneumatic tires which can quickly and easily be inserted into the tire casing without removing the wheel from the vehicle and which is specially configured so that when fully inflated within the tire it will substantially completely fill the tire casing at all points. ~-It is another object of the invention to provide an .
improved tube of the aforementioned character which is `
., :
perfectly weight balanced so that when fully inflated within the tire, the vehicle wheel and tire will remain in balance ; 15 even at high speeds.
. , .
In one form this invention employs the standard pneumatic motorcycle tube, but with this difference: The tube is cut in half at a point opposite the valve stem and the ~ ?~
two ends are vulcanized or otherwise sealed to hold air pressure. This results in a semi-straight tube which can be inserted quickly in a motorcycle tire without removing the ., ', :
wheel or tire from the frame. This could also be used on ~ ,~
other type vehicles to quickly change a flat tire.
The object of the invention is to save time in changing a flat tire, particularly in the case of motorcycle `
~i racing when elapsed time is very important. It will also be ? very useful and time saving on an ordinary trip when the $ pneumatic or time saver tube can be quickly put in the flat , tire with very little loss of time or trouble. In such cases change time can be reduced from an hour or more to a matter of a few minutes.
', ... .
:` .- ' ., ` .. ~-.~ .-:: . , 10~ '7 1 Motorcycle tube manufacturers can produce the pneumatic or time saver tube by modifying molds now used to produce standard pneumatic tubes. Until this invention, motorcycle inner tubes have been made in continuous circles.
This invention gives the motorcycle owner or operator a choice of tubes to use.
In summary these and other objects of the invention are realized by an inflatable tube constructed of a yieldably resilient material for use in connection with pneumatic motorcycle tires of the character having relatively thick treads and side walls defining in connection with the rim of the motorcycle wheel an annular-shaped cavity. The tube has first and second sealed ends having end portions which are generally semi-spherical in shape when the tube is in- -flated in an unconstrained environment. One of the first or second end portions is yieldably deformable relative to the other when the tube is inserted within the tire and inflated to a predetermined pressure whereby the tube will substantially completely fill the annular-shaped cavity at the point of engagement of the ends of the tube. Valve means are disposed intermediate the first and second ends for introduction of a fluid medium into the tube and the -~
tube has interconnected side walls, the side walls being in a substantially parallel relationship when the tube is deflated and cooperating to define a generally annular-shaped --tube which is substantially circular in cross section when the tube is inflated. The tube has an overall length when inserted within the tire and inflated to a predetermined pressure which is greater than the mean circumference of the ~ tire and is adap'ed to be laid out substantially in a straight 30 line when deflated and is of such a length that when inflated to a predetermined pressure within the tire, the end portions will mateably enyage in a manner whereby the tube will substanti-ally completely fill the annular-shaped cavity at all points.
~ -5-,~ :' : ,, -: ;
- 106579,7 ~ ~rief DescriptiOn of the Drawings ::
Fig. 1 is a generally diagrammatic view illustrating the manner in which the pneumatic tube of the invention is :, inserted into the casing of a motorcycle tire with the wheel of the motorcycle still connected to the motorcycle frame.
ig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines , 2 - 2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational cross-sectional view showing the partially inflated tube of the invention in place within the casing of a motorcycle tire.
.. ..
' Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines -~ 4 - 4 of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to Fig. 3 showing the fully inflated tube of the invention operably -,~ 15 positioned within the casing of the motorcycle tire.
, Fig. 6 is a view taken along lines 6 - 6 of Fig. 5.
,,. . .-.
~ Description of One Form of the Invention ~ . '., Referring to the drawings and particularly to Fig. 1, the inflatable tube of one embodiment of the invention is 4' ;
designated by the numeral 12. The tube is preferably constructed of a yieldably resilient material such as natural or synthetic rubber and is adapted for use in connection with pneumatic tires 14 of the character illustrated in the drawings.
.~ ' ' As best seen in Fig. 4, pneumatic tires 14 are r 25 characterized by naving side walls 16 defining in connection ~`3 with the rim 18 of the vehicle upon which the tire is mounted, an annular-shaped cavity 20 within which the pneumatic tube 12 is received.
;~, I Tube 12, unllke conventlonal annular-shaped pneumatlc tubes, is provlded with first and second sealed ends 22 ant 24 respectlvely. The tube is conflgured such that when lt is inflated ln an unconstrained environment with a fluld medium such as a noncorrosive liquid or air, end portions 22 and 24 are generally semi-spherical in shape.
Disposed intermedlate flrst and second sealed ends 22 and 24 ls a valve means 26 for lntroductlon of the fluld medium into the tube. An important feature of the pneumatic tube of the present invention is that valve means 26 is specially con-structed so as to be of a weight substantially equal to the comblned weight of the first and second end portions 22 and 24.
Consequently, due to the fact that the valve means is exactly centered between the sealed ends~ when the tube is fully inflated within the tire the valve means will precisely balance the combined we1ght of the end sections of the tube. With this ;I construction the tire and the wheel will run true ant will be perfectly balanced e~en at hi8h speeds.
As ~llustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, when the tube is deflated it is adapted to be layed out substantially in a straight line with the interconnected side walls 28 and 30 thereof disposed in a generally parallel relationship. As best seen in Fig. 6~ when the tube is inflated it conforms to the shape of the ca~ity defined by the tire and rim and is substantially circular in cross section.
In the preferred form of the present invention, when the tube is inflated to a predetermined pressure within the tire, the overall length of the tube is 8reater than the mean : , : .......... : ; : :, ;, ,, :
.. . .
106S7~7 circumference of the tire. The effect of this important aspect of the invention is illustrated by referring to Figs. 3 and 5 of the drawings. As seen in Fig. 3, when the tube 12 is partially inflated within the tire 14 the end portions 22 and 24 will move into engagement. As depicted in Fig. 5, when the tube is fully inflated, construction of the end portions is such that they will yieldably deform relative to one another in the manner illustrated. With this construction, when the tube is properly inflated to a predetermined pressure, it will substantially completely fill the annular-shaped cavity defined by the side walls of the tire and the rim 18 of the vehicle wheel. This important feature of the present invention effectively prevents formation of undesirable irregularities in the outer :..................................................................... . . .
$ circumferential surface of the tire as were frequently found in ... .
prior art constructions.
, :
In actual practice the tube of the invention is preferably manufactured in a single piece by molding a natural or synthetic rubber into the desired configuration. The length ~,~ and diameter of the tube, of course, varies depending upon the tire and rim size within which it is to be mounted. As previously mentioned, these dimensions are carefully `I predetermined to achieve the complete filling of the casing as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6.
~ ' ' ..
;~ Alternatively, the tube can be manufactured by cutting a conve~tional pneumatic tube opposite its valve stem and then ~,' sealing the severed end portions by vulcanizing or by the use of the sealing compound. When this technique is used, it is preferable to make the overall length of the tube approximately ~'4j ~ 30 ., i .:: . , ,, . ;- . ;.: : , : : :.
I equal to the mean circumferentlal dlameter of the tlre ln whlch lt is to be used. Wlth such a constructlon the tube when fully lnflated will not, as ls the case ln the earller descrlbed embodlment, completely fill the casing. For certain appllcatlons, however, the lnternal volds withln the casing may not be detrlmental. For example, when the tube ls uséd in connection with motorcycle tlres havlng relatlvely thlck treads and slde walls volds of llmlted ~olume wlthln the tlre caslng may not have slgnlflcant adverse effects.
Uslng the pneumatlc tube of the lnventlon as hereln describet, the method of replaclng a defective tube withln a tlre such as the torcycle tlre ls dlagramatically lllustrated ln Flg. 1. The method comprlses the steps of flrst removing the defectl~e tube from the annular cavity defined by the tire and rim of the wheel. This done, and with the motorcycle wheel still attachet to the motorcycle frame~ as shown in Fig. 1, a replacement tube of the character pre~iously descrlbed is in-8erted between the tire 14 ant the rim 18. This is accomplished ln the manner depicted by laying the deflated tube in substantially a stralght line and then carefully inserting the valve means 26 ~ -through the aperture 32 provided therefor in rim 18. With the valve means in position~ the motorcycle wheel ls rotated in a -~ first direction so that one leg of the tube can readlly be ,~ inserted into the casing between the tire and the rim. The wheel is then rotatet ln the opposlte dlrectlon so that the i other leg of the tube can be threaded lnto the casing between the tlre and rlm. Wlth the tube 12 thusly placed withln the tlre 14, lt ls now inflated with the fluid medium such as non- -corroslve liquid or alr under pressure. The lnflatlon pressure ~ -' ~ .
~ 9 ..
. . , :, , :. . .: .. . .
~:. . :. . . - - - -106S7~7 is carefully predetermined so as to cause the end portionq of the tube to move into engagement and to deform relative to one - another in the manner illustrated in Fig. 5. As previously mentioned, when the tube is properly inflated in accordance with the method of the invention, it will substantially fill the annular cavity of the tire at the location to which the end portions of the tube engage.
Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those - 10 skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes -and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions.
Such changes and modifications may be made without departing ~ from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the :: 15 following claims.
.~ '~. ' .'1 :
::
, .
~ 25 , .
' 30 ~i `` .
.i . .
. ~. , . :
: ., :-' ~ . . . .
, : : ' ~0657~7 ,. .
1 increased weight created unacceptable out-of-balance conditions as the wheel rotated. In those devices in which the tubes were configured so as not to butt or telescopically îoin~ a void~
or unfilled portion within the caslng often resulted. This failure to substantially completely fill the casing also resulted in out-of-balance conditions and unacceptable irregularities in the outer circumferential surface of the tire.
Other drawbacks of the prior art butt ended tubes included failures of the tubes due to wear caused by relative movement between the butt ends of the tube, shifting of the tubes within the tire casing and failures in the butted, or tele-scopically ~oinet end portions themsel~es.
The drawbacks of the earlier suggested closed end i tubes have been successfully overcome by the tube of the present ; 15 invention. As will beco~e more apparent from the description which follows~ the tube of the present invention is specially conflgured so that when fully inflated within the tire the tube ; nd5 will teformably mate with each other in a unlque manner to substantially completely fill the tire casing. Additionally, to make certain that the tire will be perfectly balancet, the valve means of the device i8 located exactly equidistant from the sealed ends and is of a weight precisely equal to the combined weight of the sealed end portions. When the tube of the present invention is used in the sport of racing motorcycles, experience has shown that the tube can be replaced in one half the time required to replace a tube of conventional design.
In addition to the earlier mentioned patents~ applicant ' U.S.
~- is aware of the/patents to Dickinson, No. 1,413,834 and Weingand, No. 2,138,392. These patents represent the most pertinent art ',' :
~ !
: ~ . . . .~ . , . :
106574r7 1 known to applicant and serve to demonstrate the novelty of the present invention.
Summary of the Invention ~-It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved tube for use in connection with pneumatic tires which can quickly and easily be inserted into the tire casing without removing the wheel from the vehicle and which is specially configured so that when fully inflated within the tire it will substantially completely fill the tire casing at all points. ~-It is another object of the invention to provide an .
improved tube of the aforementioned character which is `
., :
perfectly weight balanced so that when fully inflated within the tire, the vehicle wheel and tire will remain in balance ; 15 even at high speeds.
. , .
In one form this invention employs the standard pneumatic motorcycle tube, but with this difference: The tube is cut in half at a point opposite the valve stem and the ~ ?~
two ends are vulcanized or otherwise sealed to hold air pressure. This results in a semi-straight tube which can be inserted quickly in a motorcycle tire without removing the ., ', :
wheel or tire from the frame. This could also be used on ~ ,~
other type vehicles to quickly change a flat tire.
The object of the invention is to save time in changing a flat tire, particularly in the case of motorcycle `
~i racing when elapsed time is very important. It will also be ? very useful and time saving on an ordinary trip when the $ pneumatic or time saver tube can be quickly put in the flat , tire with very little loss of time or trouble. In such cases change time can be reduced from an hour or more to a matter of a few minutes.
', ... .
:` .- ' ., ` .. ~-.~ .-:: . , 10~ '7 1 Motorcycle tube manufacturers can produce the pneumatic or time saver tube by modifying molds now used to produce standard pneumatic tubes. Until this invention, motorcycle inner tubes have been made in continuous circles.
This invention gives the motorcycle owner or operator a choice of tubes to use.
In summary these and other objects of the invention are realized by an inflatable tube constructed of a yieldably resilient material for use in connection with pneumatic motorcycle tires of the character having relatively thick treads and side walls defining in connection with the rim of the motorcycle wheel an annular-shaped cavity. The tube has first and second sealed ends having end portions which are generally semi-spherical in shape when the tube is in- -flated in an unconstrained environment. One of the first or second end portions is yieldably deformable relative to the other when the tube is inserted within the tire and inflated to a predetermined pressure whereby the tube will substantially completely fill the annular-shaped cavity at the point of engagement of the ends of the tube. Valve means are disposed intermediate the first and second ends for introduction of a fluid medium into the tube and the -~
tube has interconnected side walls, the side walls being in a substantially parallel relationship when the tube is deflated and cooperating to define a generally annular-shaped --tube which is substantially circular in cross section when the tube is inflated. The tube has an overall length when inserted within the tire and inflated to a predetermined pressure which is greater than the mean circumference of the ~ tire and is adap'ed to be laid out substantially in a straight 30 line when deflated and is of such a length that when inflated to a predetermined pressure within the tire, the end portions will mateably enyage in a manner whereby the tube will substanti-ally completely fill the annular-shaped cavity at all points.
~ -5-,~ :' : ,, -: ;
- 106579,7 ~ ~rief DescriptiOn of the Drawings ::
Fig. 1 is a generally diagrammatic view illustrating the manner in which the pneumatic tube of the invention is :, inserted into the casing of a motorcycle tire with the wheel of the motorcycle still connected to the motorcycle frame.
ig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines , 2 - 2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational cross-sectional view showing the partially inflated tube of the invention in place within the casing of a motorcycle tire.
.. ..
' Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines -~ 4 - 4 of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to Fig. 3 showing the fully inflated tube of the invention operably -,~ 15 positioned within the casing of the motorcycle tire.
, Fig. 6 is a view taken along lines 6 - 6 of Fig. 5.
,,. . .-.
~ Description of One Form of the Invention ~ . '., Referring to the drawings and particularly to Fig. 1, the inflatable tube of one embodiment of the invention is 4' ;
designated by the numeral 12. The tube is preferably constructed of a yieldably resilient material such as natural or synthetic rubber and is adapted for use in connection with pneumatic tires 14 of the character illustrated in the drawings.
.~ ' ' As best seen in Fig. 4, pneumatic tires 14 are r 25 characterized by naving side walls 16 defining in connection ~`3 with the rim 18 of the vehicle upon which the tire is mounted, an annular-shaped cavity 20 within which the pneumatic tube 12 is received.
;~, I Tube 12, unllke conventlonal annular-shaped pneumatlc tubes, is provlded with first and second sealed ends 22 ant 24 respectlvely. The tube is conflgured such that when lt is inflated ln an unconstrained environment with a fluld medium such as a noncorrosive liquid or air, end portions 22 and 24 are generally semi-spherical in shape.
Disposed intermedlate flrst and second sealed ends 22 and 24 ls a valve means 26 for lntroductlon of the fluld medium into the tube. An important feature of the pneumatic tube of the present invention is that valve means 26 is specially con-structed so as to be of a weight substantially equal to the comblned weight of the first and second end portions 22 and 24.
Consequently, due to the fact that the valve means is exactly centered between the sealed ends~ when the tube is fully inflated within the tire the valve means will precisely balance the combined we1ght of the end sections of the tube. With this ;I construction the tire and the wheel will run true ant will be perfectly balanced e~en at hi8h speeds.
As ~llustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, when the tube is deflated it is adapted to be layed out substantially in a straight line with the interconnected side walls 28 and 30 thereof disposed in a generally parallel relationship. As best seen in Fig. 6~ when the tube is inflated it conforms to the shape of the ca~ity defined by the tire and rim and is substantially circular in cross section.
In the preferred form of the present invention, when the tube is inflated to a predetermined pressure within the tire, the overall length of the tube is 8reater than the mean : , : .......... : ; : :, ;, ,, :
.. . .
106S7~7 circumference of the tire. The effect of this important aspect of the invention is illustrated by referring to Figs. 3 and 5 of the drawings. As seen in Fig. 3, when the tube 12 is partially inflated within the tire 14 the end portions 22 and 24 will move into engagement. As depicted in Fig. 5, when the tube is fully inflated, construction of the end portions is such that they will yieldably deform relative to one another in the manner illustrated. With this construction, when the tube is properly inflated to a predetermined pressure, it will substantially completely fill the annular-shaped cavity defined by the side walls of the tire and the rim 18 of the vehicle wheel. This important feature of the present invention effectively prevents formation of undesirable irregularities in the outer :..................................................................... . . .
$ circumferential surface of the tire as were frequently found in ... .
prior art constructions.
, :
In actual practice the tube of the invention is preferably manufactured in a single piece by molding a natural or synthetic rubber into the desired configuration. The length ~,~ and diameter of the tube, of course, varies depending upon the tire and rim size within which it is to be mounted. As previously mentioned, these dimensions are carefully `I predetermined to achieve the complete filling of the casing as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6.
~ ' ' ..
;~ Alternatively, the tube can be manufactured by cutting a conve~tional pneumatic tube opposite its valve stem and then ~,' sealing the severed end portions by vulcanizing or by the use of the sealing compound. When this technique is used, it is preferable to make the overall length of the tube approximately ~'4j ~ 30 ., i .:: . , ,, . ;- . ;.: : , : : :.
I equal to the mean circumferentlal dlameter of the tlre ln whlch lt is to be used. Wlth such a constructlon the tube when fully lnflated will not, as ls the case ln the earller descrlbed embodlment, completely fill the casing. For certain appllcatlons, however, the lnternal volds withln the casing may not be detrlmental. For example, when the tube ls uséd in connection with motorcycle tlres havlng relatlvely thlck treads and slde walls volds of llmlted ~olume wlthln the tlre caslng may not have slgnlflcant adverse effects.
Uslng the pneumatlc tube of the lnventlon as hereln describet, the method of replaclng a defective tube withln a tlre such as the torcycle tlre ls dlagramatically lllustrated ln Flg. 1. The method comprlses the steps of flrst removing the defectl~e tube from the annular cavity defined by the tire and rim of the wheel. This done, and with the motorcycle wheel still attachet to the motorcycle frame~ as shown in Fig. 1, a replacement tube of the character pre~iously descrlbed is in-8erted between the tire 14 ant the rim 18. This is accomplished ln the manner depicted by laying the deflated tube in substantially a stralght line and then carefully inserting the valve means 26 ~ -through the aperture 32 provided therefor in rim 18. With the valve means in position~ the motorcycle wheel ls rotated in a -~ first direction so that one leg of the tube can readlly be ,~ inserted into the casing between the tire and the rim. The wheel is then rotatet ln the opposlte dlrectlon so that the i other leg of the tube can be threaded lnto the casing between the tlre and rlm. Wlth the tube 12 thusly placed withln the tlre 14, lt ls now inflated with the fluid medium such as non- -corroslve liquid or alr under pressure. The lnflatlon pressure ~ -' ~ .
~ 9 ..
. . , :, , :. . .: .. . .
~:. . :. . . - - - -106S7~7 is carefully predetermined so as to cause the end portionq of the tube to move into engagement and to deform relative to one - another in the manner illustrated in Fig. 5. As previously mentioned, when the tube is properly inflated in accordance with the method of the invention, it will substantially fill the annular cavity of the tire at the location to which the end portions of the tube engage.
Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those - 10 skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes -and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions.
Such changes and modifications may be made without departing ~ from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the :: 15 following claims.
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Claims (2)
1. An inflatable tube constructed of a yieldably resilient material for use in connection with pneumatic motorcycle tires of the character having relatively thick treads and side walls defining in connection with the rim of the motorcycle wheel an annular-shaped cavity, said tube having:
(a) first and second sealed ends having end portions which are generally semi-spherical in shape when the tube is inflated in an unconstrained environment, one of said first or second end portions being yieldably deformable relative to the other when the tube is inserted within the tire and inflated to a predetermined pressure whereby the tube will substantially completely fill the annular-shaped cavity at the point of engagement of said ends of the tube;
(b) valve means disposed intermediate said first and second ends for introduction of a fluid medium into the tube; and (c) interconnected side walls, said side walls being in a substantially parallel relationship when the tube is deflated and cooperating to define a generally annular-shaped tube which is substantially circular in cross section when the tube is inflated; said tube having an overall length when inserted within the tire and inflated to a predetermined pressure which is greater than the mean circumference of the tire and being adapted to be laid out substantially in a straight line when deflated and being of such a length that, when inflated to a predetermined pressure within the tire, said end portions will mateably engage in a manner whereby the tube will substantially completely fill the annular-shaped cavity at all points.
(a) first and second sealed ends having end portions which are generally semi-spherical in shape when the tube is inflated in an unconstrained environment, one of said first or second end portions being yieldably deformable relative to the other when the tube is inserted within the tire and inflated to a predetermined pressure whereby the tube will substantially completely fill the annular-shaped cavity at the point of engagement of said ends of the tube;
(b) valve means disposed intermediate said first and second ends for introduction of a fluid medium into the tube; and (c) interconnected side walls, said side walls being in a substantially parallel relationship when the tube is deflated and cooperating to define a generally annular-shaped tube which is substantially circular in cross section when the tube is inflated; said tube having an overall length when inserted within the tire and inflated to a predetermined pressure which is greater than the mean circumference of the tire and being adapted to be laid out substantially in a straight line when deflated and being of such a length that, when inflated to a predetermined pressure within the tire, said end portions will mateably engage in a manner whereby the tube will substantially completely fill the annular-shaped cavity at all points.
2. A tube as defined in Claim 1 in which the weight of said valve means is substantially equal to the combined weight of said first and second sealed ends whereby when said tube is operably mounted within the motorcycle tire the weight of said valve means will counterbalance the weight of said sealed ends.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA285,825A CA1065747A (en) | 1977-08-31 | 1977-08-31 | Pneumatic tube |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA285,825A CA1065747A (en) | 1977-08-31 | 1977-08-31 | Pneumatic tube |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1065747A true CA1065747A (en) | 1979-11-06 |
Family
ID=4109436
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA285,825A Expired CA1065747A (en) | 1977-08-31 | 1977-08-31 | Pneumatic tube |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1065747A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20130075002A1 (en) * | 2011-09-23 | 2013-03-28 | David GASTELUM | Split inner tube |
| CN109895559A (en) * | 2019-01-31 | 2019-06-18 | 厦门正新实业有限公司 | The breakaway-element inner tube of a tyre and tire |
-
1977
- 1977-08-31 CA CA285,825A patent/CA1065747A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20130075002A1 (en) * | 2011-09-23 | 2013-03-28 | David GASTELUM | Split inner tube |
| WO2013044140A1 (en) * | 2011-09-23 | 2013-03-28 | David Gastelum | Split inner tube |
| CN109895559A (en) * | 2019-01-31 | 2019-06-18 | 厦门正新实业有限公司 | The breakaway-element inner tube of a tyre and tire |
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