Description:FIELD OF INVENTION :

The invention relates to a rim well closing device to enable tubeless tyre fitment to classic wired spoked wheels.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION :

The primary objective of the invention is to enable the fitment, use and benefits of tubeless tyres on classic wire spoke wheel designs with typical centre laced construction where the spokes & nipples assemble through holes in the well of the rim. The classical appearance of the wheel and traditional wheel assembly and truing methods are important to retain whilst enabling the use and benefits of tubeless tyres.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION :

The present invention relates to traditional wire spoked wheels, particularly wheels for motorcycles, fitted with a tubeless tyre. More specifically the invention relates to the design of a device to close the tyre cavity when fitted to a conventional wire spoked rim enabling the function of the tyre without the need for an inner tube.

A motorcycle wheel consists of a bearing carrying hub, where spokes connect the hub to the rim which provides a channel to mount a pneumatic tyre. Cast or forged methods can be used to manufacture wheels with integrated spokes between the hub and rim, generally with this method the number of spokes is relatively low. Wire-spoked wheels have a significantly greater number of spokes which typically have a head formed on one end and an external tread formed on the other; further, nipples with internal threads are used to generate tension in the spokes between hub and rim. Different hub and rim designs use many alternate patterns of spoke arrangement and cater for spokes to be assembled with the thread and nipple portion either at the inner hub interface or at the outer rim attachment.

Traditionally rim designs have radial apertures in the well of the rim profile arranged around the circumference, usually within dimpled forms in the rim to cater for the attachment of spokes at an angle to the radial direction, with the nipple adjuster device located at the rim.

PRIOR ART :

KTM Patent - US 2006/0108041A1 uses an aluminium rim with the specific profile including the keyway region to accept the sealing band. This uses a malleable sealing material such as a soft rubber which is push fit into the keyway provided in the rim profile. The keyway is difficult to achieve in sheet steel rim designs, especially using a single piece. The sealing material is located to the centre of the rim only and doesn’t extend under the tyre bead.

Figure 1 - A rim design according to KTM Patent; US 2006/0108041A1 (extract).

Aloy; Jorge N Patent - US 4824177A (EXPIRED) - Prior to the above KTM patent of a similar design this comprises an annular elastic band positioned within a shallow groove in the centre of the rim.

Figure 2 - A rim design according to Patent; US 4824177A (extract).

Aloy; Jorge N Patent - US5538058A (EXPIRED) - Another similar design prior to the above KTM patent comprising an annular elastic band positioned in the centre of the rim.

Figure 3 - A rim design according to Patent; US 5538058A (extract).

SUMMARY OF INVENTION :

A rim closing device design is provided for application on wire-spoked wheels to receive pneumatic tubeless tyres. The closing device utilises a continuous band which locates in the dropped centre of the wheel section, segments of sealing clamp pieces are located into the recess in the wheel well compressing the band and creating an airtight seal. The ends of the closing clamps attached together creating circumferential tension to retain them.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS OF THE INVENTION :

Figure 4 - A wheel design according to the invention with the rim closing device fitted.

Figure 5 - A section through the wheel design according to the invention showing the profile of the closing device.

Figure 6 - An area section through a wheel according to the invention showing the profile of the closing device and seal elements in relation to the rim.

Figure 7 - An area section through a wheel according to the invention highlighting specific features of the closing device and seal elements in relation to the rim.

Figure 8 - An area section through a wheel according to the invention showing the profile of the closing device and seal elements in relation to the rim, with material type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention provides a wire-spoked wheel solution to the previously described issues relating to the use of tubeless tyres using a closing device within the drop centre well of the rim, to seal any leak path created by the nipple retaining features at the base of the well.

The disclosed motorcycle wheel design comprises wheel bearings (8) located in a central hub (1) and tyre receiving rim (4) connected with numerous wire spokes (2). The proposed rim (4) has radially extending dimples protruding inwardly towards the hub (1) which are distributed circumferentially. The outer end of each spoke (2) has an external threaded portion to connect with nipples (3) which have internal threads located through holes within dimples in the rim (4); spoke tension and wheel form are generated by tightening the nipples (3). The spokes (2) extend from the rim (4) in a general radial direction to a circumference offset from the hub (1) where the inner ends have a bend towards the hub. The spoke ends expand at an inclination angle to a head form of larger diameter and thus anchor through locating holes countersunk and distributed around the circumference of the hub (1). Thus construction of a wheel in a conventional manner.

The disclosure specifically relates to the introduction of an annular rim sealing device applied to the rim (4) before the tyre is fitted. The device consists of firstly a continuous band (5) of rubber-like material stretched and installed into the well of the drop centre portion of the rim (4). Symmetrically the sealing band (5) when installed extends axially across the base of the well in the rim (4), covering the nipples (3) and their locating holes through the innermost portion of the rim (4). There are a pair of circumferential beads (5a) protruding radially inward on the sealing band which engage a surface of the rim (4) well outboard of the nipples (3)on each side. The sealing band (5) continues, extending radially outboard within an undercut portion of the rim well, at the outermost edge of the sealing band is a lip seal type (5b) interface which engages laterally onto the side wall of the rim well. Secondly there is a firmer, plastic, clamping device (6) which is installed as segments around the rim (4) after the sealing band.
The clamping device (6) is generally of a H shaped channel; the outermost edge of the H channel (6a) engages and is retained under the undercut of the rim profile with the innermost circumferential beads (6b) extended radially inwards at the sides, these are designed to compress the beads on the sealing band (5a) radially into the rim surface, ensuring a radial seal is formed. The lateral portion of the H shaped closing channel has a slight curvature (6c) to assist with flexure to enable the assembly past the undercut portion of the rim (4a), once in place this creates a lateral pressure to assist the lip seal elements at the sides of the sealing band against the sidewall of the rim. The ends of the clamping device (6) are attached together by means to create a circumferential tension. This ensures that the clamping device (6) is not dislodged during use and the compression of the sealing band (5) created by engagement under the rim undercut (4a) is not interrupted.

An inflation valve (7) is assembled through the centre of the sealing band and protrudes radially inward through the rim (4). This may be retained as a stand alone part by tightening of a nut across the rim interface or by overmolding the valve (7) during the sealing band (5) manufacture in a similar way to the valve of a conventional inner tube. There may be a hole in the clamping segment (6) located at the valve (7) interface or the ends of 2 adjacent segments may be positioned either side of the valve (7) to allow air flow to the central tyre cavity.

In one aspect the invention is for a design for an annular closing device fitted to conventional wire-spoked wheel rims to receive an inflatable tubeless or tubed tyre where an enclosed cavity is formed between the tyre, the rim and the closing device.

In another aspect the invention is for a rim closing device; wherein the closing device comprises a sealing band and a plurality of clamping segments which compress the sealing band against the rim.

In another aspect the invention is for a rim closing device design where the sealing band has lateral and radial sealing elements to engage with the rim.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION:

Enabling tubeless tyre fitment offers its own benefits relating to puncture occurrence and management and provides greater choice with increased availability of tubeless products from tyre manufacturers and distributors.

The closing device is applicable to wheels using existing and well understood wheel assembly and truing techniques. The visual appearance of a classically styled spokes wheel but with the benefits of tubeless tyres is a major advantage. The clamping segments as the outer portion of the closing device offer protection to the softer sealing element during tyre assembly and removal.

It is submitted that all variants as known in skilled person are within the scope of the invention.
, C , Claims:WE CLAIM :
1. A wheel and rim assembly associated with a central hub assembly for a tubeless tire comprising :

a. a plurality of dimples circumferentially arranged on the rim protruding inwardly towards the central hub with each dimple having a hole within,
b. a plurality of nipples with internal threads arranged corresponding into plurality of dimples through the hole of the dimple,
c. a plurality of countersunk locating holes circumferentially arranged on the central hub,
d. a plurality of wire spokes fixed onto the rim circumferentially and extending from the rim radially to a circumference offset from the central hub,
e. said spokes is such that each spoke has an inner end bent towards the hub, and the inner spoke end adapted to expand at an inclination angle to a head form with a larger diameter and anchor through one of the corresponding countersunk locating holes arranged circumferentially on the central hub,
f. said spokes is such that each spoke has an outer end with an external threaded portion which is adapted to fit into said internal threads of the nipples,
g. a continuous band of rubber stretched and installed into the well of the drop centre portion of the rim,
h. a sealing band arranged axially extending across the base of the well of the rim, and thereby covering the nipples and their locating holes through the innermost portion of the rim,
i. the said sealing band adapted with corresponding pairs of circumferential beads protruding radially inward on the sealing band, and thereby engaging a surface of the rim well outboard of the nipples,
j. the said sealing band also adapted with radial outboard and thereby extending into and within an undercut portion of the rim well,
k. the said sealing band further adapted with a lip seal interface at the outermost edge of the sealing band and thereby engaging laterally onto the side wall of the rim wall,
l. a ‘H’ shaped clamping channel, is arranged such that the outermost edge of the H channel engages and is retained under the undercut of the rim profile and with the innermost circumferential beads extending radially inwards at the sides, and thereby compressing the beads on the sealing band radially into the rim surface and achieving a radial seal, the said H channel also has a curved lateral portion thereby enabling assembly past the undercut portion of the rim, and when arranged in the rim creates a lateral pressure on the lip seal interface at the sides of the sealing band against the sidewall of the rim, and further the two ends of the H clamping channel is attached together, thereby creating a circumferential tension, and preventing dislodging of the clamping channel and preventing interruption of compression of the sealing band created by engagement under the rim undercut, and
m. an inflation valve is arranged and retained through the centre of the sealing band and protrudes radially inwards through the rim.

2. The Inflation valve of claim 1 is retained with a nut across the rim interface.

3. The Inflation valve of claim 1 is retained with a hole in the clamping segment located at valve interface.

4. The Inflation valve of claim 1 is retained with two ends of two adjacent segments positioned either side of the valve to allow air flow.