Element for Tyre

Abstract

System for attaching a tread formed as an elongated element to a tyre, such as a bicycle tyre. The system comprises at two elongated attachment members configured to be fastened along the circumference of a side of the tyre. The element and the members are provided with mutually interlocking means for engagement with each other when the element is attached to the tyre. The mutual interlocking means may be a zipper, or a hook-and-loop system, or a dual-lock system.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A system for attaching an elongated element with a riding surface to a tyre, comprising at least one elongated member configured to be fastened along the circumference of a side of the tyre, wherein the elongated element and the member include cooperative interlocking means for engagement with each other to attach the elongated element to the tyre.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the cooperative interlocking means are provided along elongated sides of the elongate element and the elongated member, and wherein the side of the elongated element faces the side of the elongated member when the element is arranged on the tyre.

17. The system according to claim 15, wherein the cooperative interlocking means is selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners, dual-lock fasteners and teeth of a zipper.

18. The system according to claim 15, comprising two elongated members, each elongated member being fastened to an opposite side of the tyre, and wherein the elongated element is provided with a cooperative interlocking means on both elongated sides, and attached to both members.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the element has a riding surface that includes a tread or a spiked fabric.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the elongated member comprises one end to be fastened between the rim of the wheel and the tyre, and one end comprising a zipper for engaging the means of the element.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the elongated member is integrated into the side wall of the tyre.

22. An elongated element configured for attachment to a tyre by a system comprising at least one elongated member configured to be fastened along the circumference of a side of the tyre and comprising an interlocking means, the elongated element comprising an interlocking means that is cooperative with the interlocking means of the elongated member for engagement of the respective interlocking means with one another to attach the elongated member to the elongated element when the elongated element is attached to the tyre, the elongated element further comprising a riding surface.

23. The element according to claim 22, comprising means for mutual interlocking engagement with a member on each longitudinal side.

24. A method for attaching an element with a riding surface to a tyre using a system that comprises at least one elongated member configured to be fastened along the circumference of a side of the tyre, wherein the elongated element and the member include cooperative interlocking means for engagement with each other to attach the elongated element to the tyre, comprising the following steps: a) fastening at least one elongated member to a side the tyre, and b) engaging the cooperative interlocking means on the element with the cooperative interlocking means on the member.

25. The according to claim 24, wherein the cooperative interlocking means on the elongated member and the cooperative interlocking means on the elongated element are cooperative teeth of a zipper, comprising the step of: c) closing the zipper and engaging the element to the member to thereby attach the element to the tyre.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the member is fastened to the tyre by inserting a part of the member between the tyre and a rim of a wheel.

27. The method according to claim 24, wherein one elongated member is fastened on each side of the tyre, and the elongated element has opposite longitudinal sides, wherein each side of the elongated element has a cooperative interlocking means, each cooperative interlocking means on the elongated element being positioned adjacent one of the opposite elongated members for engagement with the cooperative interlocking means of the respective adjacent elongated member.

28. The method of claim 24, comprising the step of fastening two ends of the riding surface to one another.

29. The system according to claim 16, comprising two elongated members, each elongated member being fastened to an opposite side of the tyre, and wherein the elongated element is provided with a cooperative interlocking means on both elongated sides, and attached to both members.

30. The system according to claim 17, comprising two elongated members, each elongated member being fastened to an opposite side of the tyre, and wherein the elongated element is provided with a cooperative interlocking means on both elongated sides, and attached to both members.

31. The system of claim 16, wherein the elongated member comprises one end to be fastened between the rim of the wheel and the tyre, and one end comprising a zipper for engaging the means of the element.

32. The system of claim 17, wherein the elongated member comprises one end to be fastened between the rim of the wheel and the tyre, and one end comprising a zipper for engaging the means of the element.

33. The system of claim 18, wherein the elongated member comprises one end to be fastened between the rim of the wheel and the tyre, and one end comprising a zipper for engaging the means of the element.

34. The system of claim 18, wherein the elongated members are integrated into opposite side walls of the tyre.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following Figures wherein:

[0047] FIG. 1 shows schematically a side view of a bicycle wheel with a replaceable element having a riding surface on a tyre;

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the wheel shown in FIG. 1, indicating the rim of the wheel, but not any spokes;

[0049] FIG. 3 shows schematically in perspective a cross section through FIG. 1, only showing a portion of the tyre and rim;,

[0050] FIG. 4 shows schematically a cross section of a second embodiment of the invention, without an element with a riding surface; and

[0051] FIG. 5 shows the embodiment of FIG. 4 with an element with riding surface attached to the tyre.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0052] FIG. 1 shows schematically a bicycle wheel 10 from one side. The tyre 11 is covered of an element 15 (see FIG. 2) bearing a riding surface attached with a system according to the present disclosure. The wheel 10 comprises as usual a hub 14, a number of spokes 13, rim 12 and a tyre 11 fastened to the rim 12 in a conventional way. FIGS. 2 and 3 show a cross section of the wheel 10 with, and without, an inner tube 17 respectively.

[0053] The system comprises two members 16, each fastened between the rim 12 of the wheel 10 and the tyre 11, on opposite sides of the tyre 11. When the members 16 are to be mounted, the tyre 11 and/or the inner tube 17 as the case may be, must be slightly deflated to make room between the tyre 11 and the rim 12, whereupon the members 16 are arranged at the desired position between the tyre 11 and the rim 12. When the tyre 11 or inner tube 17 is inflated again, the members 16 will be forced towards the rim 12 and fastened or locked from movement by the pressure inside the tyre 11. When fastened, the members 16 protrude along the side wall of the tyre 11, and are provided with means for engaging corresponding means on the element.

[0054] The element 15 has a length corresponding substantially to the circumferential length of the tyre 11, while the width corresponds to the distance across the arc of the tyre 10 from one of the attachment members 16 to the opposite attachment member 16. The element is provided with mutual interlocking means for engagement being configured to engage to means on the members, in order to attach the element 15 to the tire 11, along a common contact line 18. As shown in the Figures, the means of the element 15 is attached to one member 16 on one side of the wheel 10, and another member 16 on the other side of the wheel, the entire arc of the tyre 11 being covered by the element 15.

[0055] In the shown embodiment, both the underside of the element and the riding surface of the tyre are smooth and will give some friction towards each other when the wheel is rolling. In other, not shown embodiments, the adjacent faces may be arranged to increase the friction, and/or the tyre surface may have a patterned riding surface.

[0056] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second embodiment, corresponding to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, but the members are integrated parts of the tyre. In FIG. 4 the means of the member is shown as protruding edge 22, but it is actually a part of a zipper, and in FIG. 5 an element having a riding surface is attached to the tyre by means of the zipper shown in FIG. 4.

[0057] In the disclosed embodiments, the attachment between the means along the peripheral edge of the members 16 and the corresponding means along the peripheral sides of the element 15, shown as common contact line 18 in the Figures, is positioned closer to the edge of the rim 12 than to the riding or contact surface of the tyre 11. It should be appreciated, however, that the positioning of such joint may be anywhere along the side wall of the tyre, but not higher than of the height of the tyre.

[0058] As indicated in the Figures the rim 12 is provided with two upwards projecting arms 19, terminated at their free ends with an inwards projecting bead or bulb 20, while the tyre 11 preferably is provided with a corresponding outwards projecting bead or bulb 21. The corresponding end of the members 16 may preferably, but not necessarily be provided with a curved end so as to enhance the fixing of the members 16, enhancing the locking effect between inner surface of the rim 12 and the lower, external surface of the tyre 11.

[0059] The example above is given to illustrate the invention and should not be used to interpret the following claims limiting. The scope of the invention is not limited by the example given above, but the following claims. Modifications and amendments of the invention, being obvious to a person skilled of the art, should also be included in the scope of the invention.