BALANCED NON-DEFLATABLE VEHICLE TIRE

Abstract

A balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire providing balanced operation even after partial puncture, adjustment of overall air pressure, use of standard rimmed wheels, and the option of being retrofit into existing tires, by providing alternating layers of puncture-resistant sheet material and pressurized-cell sheets, and an inner-tube to fill the remaining internal space and to adjust and apply balanced pressure internally.

Claims

1. A balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire, comprising: (i) a vehicle tire having an outside and an inside, and having a circumference and a center; (ii) a layer of puncture-resistant sheet material adapted for placement inside and conforming to the circumference of said vehicle tire; (iii) at least two layers of pressurized-cell sheets adapted for placement inside and conforming to the circumference of said vehicle tire; and (iv) an inner-tube adapted for placement inside and conforming to the circumference of said vehicle tire; where said puncture-resistant sheet material and said pressurized-cell sheets are arrayed in layers proceeding from the inside circumferential surface of said vehicle tire; where said inner-tube is arrayed inside said vehicle tire from the innermost layer of said pressurized-cell sheet toward the center of said vehicle tire; where, in use, with said vehicle tire mounted upon a rimmed wheel, inflation of said inner-tube causes an expansion, producing an expanding force between the rimmed wheel and the layers of said puncture-resistant sheet material and pressurized-cell sheets, the expanding force pushing the layers of said puncture-resistant sheet material and pressurized-cell sheets into place along the inside surface of said vehicle tire; where, in normal use, the layers of said puncture-resistant sheet material and said pressurized-cell sheets, and said inner-tube, are held firmly against the inside surface of said vehicle tire, promoting balanced rotation; where, in use, upon encountering a puncturing object, said layer of puncture-resistant sheet material resists puncture and diffuses the puncturing force by reversible deformation into underlying layers, and the affected cells of said layers of pressurized-cell sheets resist puncture and resist bursting by reversible deformation into adjacent cells within the same layer and into underlying layers; and where, upon the puncture or bursting of up to a small number of affected cells, support of the inside surface of said vehicle tire is continued by the remaining cells and by said inner-tube, and operation of said vehicle tire is not affected.

2. The balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire of claim 1, where said puncture-resistant sheet material further comprises a puncture-resistant fabric.

3. The balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire of claim 1, where said puncture-resistant sheet material further comprises a metal in sheet form.

4. The balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire of claim 1, where said puncture-resistant sheet material further comprises a metal in mesh form.

5. The balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire of claim 1, where said puncture-resistant sheet material further comprises a metal in chained metal form.

6. The balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire of claim 1, where said pressurized-cell sheets further comprise hexagonal cells.

7. The balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire of claim 1, where said inner-tube further comprises an air valve.

8. The balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire of claim 1, further comprising at least three layers of said pressurized-cell sheets.

9. The balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire of claim 1, further comprising at least four layers of said pressurized-cell sheets.

10. The balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire of claim 1, where said inner-tube is further adapted to provide for increased and decreased overall inflation pressure of said vehicle tire.

11. A balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire kit, for a vehicle tire having an outside and an inside, and having a circumference and a center, the non-deflatable vehicle tire kit comprising: (i) a layer of puncture-resistant sheet material adapted for placement inside and conforming to the circumference of the vehicle tire; (ii) at least two layers of pressurized-cell sheets adapted for placement inside and conforming to the circumference of the vehicle tire; and (iii) an inner-tube adapted for placement inside and conforming to the circumference of the vehicle tire; where said puncture-resistant sheet material and said pressurized-cell sheets are arrayed in layers proceeding from the inside circumferential surface of the vehicle tire; where said inner-tube is arrayed inside the vehicle tire from the innermost layer of said pressurized-cell sheet toward the center of the vehicle tire; where, in use, with the vehicle tire mounted upon a rimmed wheel, inflation of said inner-tube causes an expansion, producing an expanding force between the rimmed wheel and the layers of said puncture-resistant sheet material and pressurized-cell sheets, the expanding force pushing the layers of said puncture-resistant sheet material and pressurized-cell sheets into place along the inside surface of the vehicle tire; where, in normal use, the layers of said puncture-resistant sheet material and said pressurized-cell sheets, and said inner tube, are held firmly against the inside surface of the vehicle tire, promoting balanced rotation; where, in use, upon encountering a puncturing object, said layer of puncture-resistant sheet material resists puncture and diffuses the puncturing force by reversible deformation into underlying layers, and the affected cells of said layers of pressurized-cell sheets resist puncture and resist bursting by reversible deformation into adjacent cells within the same layer and into underlying layers; where, upon the puncture or bursting of up to a small number of affected cells, support of the inside surface of the vehicle tire is continued by the remaining cells and by said inner-tube, and operation of the vehicle tire is not affected.

12. The balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire kit of claim 11, where said puncture-resistant sheet material further comprises a puncture-resistant fabric.

13. The balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire kit of claim 11, where said puncture-resistant sheet material further comprises a metal in sheet form.

14. The balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire kit of claim 11, where said puncture-resistant sheet material further comprises a metal in mesh form.

15. The balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire kit of claim 11, where said puncture-resistant sheet material further comprises a metal in chained metal form.

16. The balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire kit of claim 11, where said pressurized-cell sheets further comprise hexagonal cells.

17. The balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire kit of claim 11, where said inner-tube further comprises an air valve.

18. The balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire kit of claim 11, further comprising at least three layers of said pressurized-cell sheets.

19. The balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire kit of claim 11, further comprising at least four layers of said pressurized-cell sheets.

20. The balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire kit of claim 11, where said inner-tube is further adapted to provide for increased and decreased overall inflation pressure of the vehicle tire.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire of the invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross-section detail view of the balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire of the invention;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a section view of the balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire of the invention; and

[0017] FIG. 4 is a section and cutaway detail view of the pressurized-cell sheets of the balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1 and all of the figures generally, the balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire 10 of the invention is shown.

[0019] The balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire 10 optionally provides a vehicle tire 1, or may be implemented as a retrofit for an existing tire or type of tire.

[0020] The balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire 10 provides a layer of puncture-resistant sheet material 2, and at least two layers of pressurized-cell sheets 3, 4, 5. The number of layers can vary for different sizes and types of tires and for different anticipated uses and operating conditions. The illustrated embodiment provides three such layers, and is appropriate for standard-sized automobile tires in normal use.

[0021] The balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire 10 provides an inner-tube 6 mounted between the rimmed wheel and the layers of puncture-resistant sheet material 2, and pressurized-cell sheets 3, 4, 5. The inner-tube 6 presses the layers against the inside of the vehicle tire 1 evenly, which distributes the layers evenly and prevents material from moving around within the tire, which would negatively affect the balance of the tire in operation.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 2 & FIG. 3, under a constant and adjustable pressure from the inner-tube 6, the layers of puncture-resistant sheet material 2 and pressurized-cell sheets 3, 4, 5 are firmly held against the inside of the vehicle tire 1. The inner-tube 6, being flexible, can adapt to and fill in spaces or gaps created by the bending and folding of the layers. In the event of a partial puncture of enough adjacent cells to create a soft spot in the layers, the inner-tube 6 can fill into, and increase the supporting air pressure, behind such soft spots. Because the inner-tube 6 holds the layers in place, it is not necessary to glue or otherwise attach the layers to the inside of the tire 1. This configuration in turn provides easier and less expensive installation of the balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire 10 in a retrofit, and avoids the balance problems that would arise if glued components slipped out of place and became unequally distributed. The inner-tube 6 also provides the pressure necessary to maintain the seal between the tire and the rimmed wheel, and allows enough deflation to break that seal for removal of the tire from the rimmed wheel. Additionally, the balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire 10 can be installed on a wheel with the inner-tube 6 fully or partially deflated, and later pressurization of the inner-tube 6 will set the seal between the tire and the wheel. The inner-tube 6 provides an air valve that can be mounted as a replacement for an existing air valve, usually extending through the rimmed wheel.

[0023] With the balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire 10, the vehicle tire 1 mounted to the rimmed wheel does not need to be completely sealed or air tight in order to operate. Adjustment of the air pressure in the inner-tube 6 will set the overall air pressure in the tire, and can be adjusted to a higher or lower overall pressure, if needed, to best perform under various temperature, altitude, weather, and vehicle-load conditions. Small punctures in the vehicle tire 1 do not require sealing, because the tire does not have to be completely sealed. Larger punctures, such as cuts or gashes, are likely to ruin the structural integrity of the tire, causing it to eventually fail if it is left on the vehicle and subjected to a long period of further use. However, even with a larger puncture or cut, the balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire 10 will not significantly deflate beyond any individual cells that are damaged, and the inner-tube 6 will continue to exert the pressure needed to keep the tire 1 mounted to the rimmed wheel, which avoids the complete destruction which can happen to a tire if it is driven on with no pressure and is therefore not sealed to the wheel.

[0024] The puncture-resistant sheet material 2 should be a material or combination of materials that are relatively thin and flexible, but can still resist a puncturing force from an object such as a nail, screw, or other object likely to be encountered while driving. For example and without limitation, steel or metal in the form of chain-linked mail can be used. Manufactured specialty textiles, such as those known to be bullet proof or puncture resistant, can also be used. Preferably, the layer of puncture-resistant sheet material will protect all of the exposed surfaces of the tire, including sidewalls. The layer of puncture-resistant sheet material 2 may be configured as an accordion-folded layer, in order to provide extra material in the system, which would in turn allow an affected area of the material to expand and deform into an adjacent space.

[0025] Referring additionally to FIG. 5, the pressurized-cell sheets 3, 4, 5 are made up of adjacent pressurized cells constructed into a flexible or semi-flexible sheet. The pressurized-cell sheets can be made of a plastic or rubber material. In the illustrated embodiment, the cells have walls that are hexagonal, with top sheets and bottom sheets attached. The pressurized-cell sheet needs to have airtight cells. Standard barometric pressure is adequate. Increased pressure, if desired, can be achieved by sealing the pressurized-cell sheets under increased air pressure during manufacture. Gasses other than air, such as nitrogen, can be used. Preferably, the layers of pressurized-cell sheets 3, 4, 5 will protect all of the exposed surfaces of the tire, including sidewalls.

[0026] In use, the balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire can optionally be installed as a retrofit to an existing vehicle tire by providing a pre-assembled unit having the puncture-resistant sheet material 2, pressurized-cell sheets 3, 4, 5, and inner-tube 6 in the proper positions, with the inner-tube 6 deflated. Such a pre-assembled unit can be placed into an unmounted vehicle tire 1, with no need of gluing, attaching, or fine positioning. Optionally, the inner-tube 6 of this pre-assembled unit can be temporarily partially inflated in order to achieve an initial expansion of the unit into place inside the tire. Then, with the inner-tube 6 deflated, the vehicle tire 1 containing the pre-assembled unit can be mounted to the rimmed wheel in the usual way. Thereafter, the inner-tube 6 is inflated, which seals the tire in place on the wheel and pushes the other components into place inside the tire.

[0027] In use, the puncture-resistant sheet material 2 and pressurized-cell sheets 3, 4, 5 are kept in place by a combination of the centrifugal forces of the turning wheel and the pressure exerted by the inner-tube 6, which keeps the balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire 10 in balance. Although the components of the balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire 10 are held in place for balance purposes during smooth operation, the components are able to move enough to transfer force inside the component and outside between components in the event of a puncturing force. Each discrete unit or area of each component is designed to transfer puncturing force to and from adjacent units in a chain of transfers, which distributes a focused puncturing force across a large area. Also, failure of any discrete unit or area is incremental, and the tire remains supported by the rest of the components. The balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire 10 is designed so that even the failure of several adjacent units or areas will not affect the continued use of the tire. If a very large area is punctured and fails, the inner-tube 6 will expand into such an area, and air pressure can be added to the inner-tube 6 to compensate. Such conditions will probably affect the balanced operation of the tire, but will not prevent the tire from continuing to be used and driven on.

[0028] In use, when an object, such as a nail, penetrates the vehicle tire 1, it strikes the layer of puncture-resistant sheet material 2. If the nail is stopped by the layer of puncture-resistant sheet material 2, it is likely that the nail will deform the material enough to cause it to bulge into the layer of pressurized-cell sheet 3. The deformed puncture-resistant material will distribute and spread the nail's force to a certain extent, and the specific cell corresponding to the point of the nail might be able to absorb the force by bulging into the adjacent cells, which will further dampen or transfer such force. On the other hand, the force from the bulging puncture-resistant material might burst the specific cell corresponding to the point of the nail, or the nail might penetrate the puncture-resistant sheet material 2 and directly penetrate and burst the specific cell. In such an event the integrity and operation of the tire are essentially unaffected, because such a small percentage of the air-pressure support is lost. In the usual slow leak circumstances of a nail or screw being forced through the tire by continued driving, the puncturing force is small and spread out over time, and is therefore unlikely to deform or penetrate the layer of puncture-resistant sheet material 2 or to burst any cell in the outer layer of pressurized-cell sheet 3.

[0029] If the puncturing object, such as a nail, overcomes and penetrates the layers of the puncture-resistant sheet material 2 and pressurized-cell sheets 3, another layer of pressurized-cell sheets 4 lies underneath, and functions in the same way, but resisting a significantly lower and more diffuse force, because a significant amount of force will have been dissipated in overcoming the outer layers. Even if the second layer of pressurized-cell sheets 4 is overcome, the failure of one or a small number of cells will not affect the operation of the tire. Optionally, particularly in embodiments for larger tires or harsher hazards, a third layer of pressurized-cell sheet 5 can be provided, or even more layers can be provided.

[0030] Many other changes and modifications can be made in the system and method of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I therefore pray that our rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.