Tire balancing using glass beads

• US 6,128,952 A
• Filed: 12/08/1998
• Issued: 10/10/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Counteract Balancing Beads Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Randi Leblanc
• Inventors: LeBlanc, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): MOLLER, RICHARD ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/207,021
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 73/66, 73/460, 152/154.1, 252/1, 501/32, 501/33, 156/75, 301/5.22
• US Class Current: 73/460
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 19/00 Tyre parts or constructions not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 19/003 Balancing means attached to the tyre
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 1/36 by adjusting position of masses built-in the body to be tested

Abstract

A tire balancing material made of glass beads and methods to balance tire using the same are disclosed. The glass bead material either in a loose format or a sealed pressurized package is introduced into an imbalanced tire. The motion of the imbalanced tire encourages the glass bead material to migrate to areas of the inside tire lining so as to correct the imbalance. Once the tire is balanced, the glass bead material migration comes to a general stop and generally remain there on the inside tire lining despite the vehicle coming to a stop and/or recommencing motion. The invention utilizes a dielectric material, such as glass beads, which charges and remains in place against the tire lining by electrostatic attraction.

Claims

1. A vehicle tire balancing material for injecting into the interior of a tire for correcting any imbalance therein, consisting only of glass beads and up to about 1% by volume of lubricant.

2. A balancing material as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lubricant is silicone.

3. A balancing material as claimed in claim 2, wherein said glass beads are rounded in shape.

4. A balancing material as claimed in claim 3, wherein said glass beads are primarily in the range between five to twenty-five thousands of an inch in diameter.

5. A balancing material as claimed in claim 3, wherein the balancing material comprises:

(a) 99% of glass beads, and

(b) 1% of silicone lubricant.

6. A method of correcting the imbalance in a wheel assembly comprising the steps of:

(a) injecting a desired amount of a balancing material consisting essentially of glass beads into the hollow interior of a stationary tire mounted to a wheel rim,

(b) pressurizing the air in the tire to a desired level, and

(c) setting the tire in motion,

whereby the glass beads migrate within the interior of the tire and come to a stop on the lining of the tire at a position or positions so as to counterbalance the imbalance in the wheel assembly, and wherein a substantial portion of said glass beads remain at those positions by electrostatic cling.

7. The method claimed in claim 6, wherein the desired amount of glass beads is approximately in the range of one ounce of beads for every thirteen pounds of weight of the tire.

8. A method of correcting the imbalance in a wheel assembly, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) introducing a predetermined amount of glass beads into the tire well of an unmounted stationary tire,

(b) mounting the tire,

(c) pressurizing the air in the tire to a desired level, and

(d) setting in motion the tire,

whereby the glass beads migrate within the interior of the tire and come to a stop on the lining of the tire at a position or positions so as to counterbalance the imbalance in the wheel assembly.

9. The method claimed in claim 8, wherein the desired amount of glass beads is approximately in the range of one ounce of beads for every thirteen pounds of tire.

10. A method of correcting the imbalance in a wheel assembly comprising the steps of:

(a) introducing into a well of a tire prior to the tire being mounted at least one pressurized sealed package containing therein a predetermined amount of glass beads,

(b) inflating the tire to a desired pressure level in (and) such a way so as to break open said sealed package whereby said glass beads are released into the tire well, and

(c) setting in motion the tire whereby the released glass beads migrate within the inner periphery of the tire and come to a stop on the lining of the tire at a position or positions so as to counterbalance the imbalance in the wheel assembly.

11. A method of balancing a wheel assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein said inflation step is achieved by an air bead blaster device.

12. A method of balancing a wheel assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the package material comprises polyvinyl chloride material.

13. A method of balancing a wheel assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the package material comprises cellophane material.

14. A method of balancing a wheel assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the package material comprises polyethylene material.

15. A vehicle tire balancing material for injecting into the interior of a tire for correcting any imbalance therein, consisting entirely of glass beads.

16. A balancing material as claimed in claim 15, wherein said glass beads are rounded in shape.

17. A balancing material as claimed in claim 16, wherein said glass beads are primarily in the range between five to twenty-five thousands of an inch in diameter.