Apparatus for securing and sealing a pneumatic tire to a wheel
First Claim
1. Apparatus for locking a tire mounted to a rim wherein the rim has a tire-mounting seat between opposed rim flanges with a rim interior surface in the tire-mounting seat, and the tire has opposed tire beads, comprising:
- an annular tubular member adapted for extending circumferentially around the rim;
a tensionable cable extending circumferentially through the annular tubular member;
first and second arms attached to the annular tubular member, each arm extending circumferentially around the annular tubular member and each arm having an outer end;
wherein the annular tubular member is selectively movable by tensioning the cable between a disengaged position in which the annular tubular member is spaced apart from the rim interior surface by a distance X and an engaged position in which the annular tubular member is spaced apart from the rim interior surface by a distance Y, where X >
Y; and
wherein in the engaged position the outer ends of the arms bear against respective tire beads to apply pressure thereto.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An annular and ring extends around the interior of a wheel/rim on which a tire is mounted. The inner diameter of the annular ring is sized for a snug fit on the wheel rim. A tensioning cable extends through the tubular ring and opposed arms are attached to the ring and are movable between disengaged and engaged positions. The apparatus is selectively movable by actuation of a cable tensioner between a first, disengaged position where the arms do not engage the tire and thereby lock it to the rim, and a second, engaged position in which the arm bear against the tire beads, capturing the tire beads between the rim flanges and the wing members to lock the tire to the rim and to create and/or enhances the air-tight seal between the tire and the rim. The bead lock apparatus may be beneficially used in combination with a foam insert for enhanced tire performance.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus for locking a tire mounted to a rim wherein the rim has a tire-mounting seat between opposed rim flanges with a rim interior surface in the tire-mounting seat, and the tire has opposed tire beads, comprising:
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an annular tubular member adapted for extending circumferentially around the rim; a tensionable cable extending circumferentially through the annular tubular member; first and second arms attached to the annular tubular member, each arm extending circumferentially around the annular tubular member and each arm having an outer end; wherein the annular tubular member is selectively movable by tensioning the cable between a disengaged position in which the annular tubular member is spaced apart from the rim interior surface by a distance X and an engaged position in which the annular tubular member is spaced apart from the rim interior surface by a distance Y, where X >
Y; andwherein in the engaged position the outer ends of the arms bear against respective tire beads to apply pressure thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. Apparatus for locking a tire mounted to a rim wherein the rim has a tire-mounting seat between opposed rim flanges with a rim interior surface in the tire-mounting seat, and the tire has opposed tire beads, comprising:
an annular member having a cable and annular first and second arms, and each arm movable by tension applied to the cable from a disengaged position to an engaged position in which each of the arms is adapted to apply pressure to a tire bead around the circumference of the tire. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. Apparatus for locking a tire mounted to a rim wherein the rim has a tire-mounting seat between opposed rim flanges with a rim interior surface in the tire-mounting seat, and the tire has opposed tire beads, comprising:
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an annular member adapted for extending circumferentially around the rim, and having a tube extending therethrough; a tensioner extending through the tube; tensioning means for selectively increasing and decreasing tension on the tensioner; and tire bead locking means movable from an unlocked position to a locked position by the tensioning means and for locking a tire to a rim. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification