Description:FIELD OF INVENTION

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

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 had 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. These designs require initial assembly and spoke replacement to be carried out without a tyre fitted to the rim and use an inner tube to inflate the tyre due to the nature of the spoke attachment through apertures in the well of the rim creating multiple leak paths.

Wheel designs with closed rim profiles for tubeless tyres are available which connect the spokes to; formed features in the rim, flange(s) or through the outer edge of the rim. These rims are generally manufactured from complex aluminium extrusions or forgings and as such are less suitable for the economic requirements of a mass market cost sensitive product, particularly for regions with limited aluminium availability and processing capacity.

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).

HD Patent - US 2011/0204706A1 - method of manufacturing a sealing band of a sealing material initially with 2 free ends which are closed with a connector into a complete ring, like a rubber band. The sealing band closely mates the rim contour across the full width, including underneath the tyre interface. The soft nature of the sealing material means that this solution is susceptible to damage when mechanical tools are used to lever the tyre from the rim for replacement,

Figure 2 - A rim design according to HD Patent; US 2011/0204706A1 (extract).

Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd Patent - US3965957A (EXPIRED) - This and a similar also expired patent from Dunlop ( US 2006/0108041A1 ) appear to be similar to the HD patent above in that they offer a sealing device which spans the full width of the rim profile extending under the region where the tyre seats against the rim. The Sumitomo patent also extends up the side wall between the tyre bead and vertical portion of the rim. This also uses bead stoppers to clamp the tyre against the rim and sealing sealing band which is endless and of a flexible rubber material. Ribs are deployed to engage with similar features in the rim and prevent lateral movement.

Figure 3 - A rim design according to Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd Patent; US3965957A (extract).

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 use of tubeless tyres on economically competitive steel wheels as well as conventional existing designs of simple aluminium extruded wheels is of initial importance but the invention may also relate to the retrofitment of tubeless tyres on pre-existing wheels already in the market.

DRAWINGS OF THE INVENTION

Figure 4 - Left; A wheel design according to the invention with the rim closing device | Right: A standard wheel design showing spoke attachment through the rim centre region.

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

Figure 5B - A section through a standard wheel design with no closing device.

Figure 5C - An area section slice through a wheel according to the invention showing the profile of the closing device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A rim closing device design is provided for application on wire-spoked wheels to receive pneumatic tubeless tyres. The closing device reproduces the full width wheel profile across the tyre mating portion in a manner which covers the leak path of convention spoke attachment and may further include the MT profile features. The ends of the closing device are overlapped and sealed or may form an incomplete ring which is bridged by another part to completely close the rim for tyre
inflation.

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 well of the conventional sheet metal derived rim, a closed inner profile to the tyre cavity is formed.

The disclosed motorcycle wheel design comprises a central hub and tyre receiving rim connected with numerous wire spokes. The proposed rim has radially extending dimples protruding inwardly towards the hub which are distributed circumferentially. The outer end of each spoke has an external threaded portion to connect with nipples which have internal threads located through holes within dimples in the rim; spoke tension and wheel form are generated by tightening the nipples. The spokes extend from the rim in a general radial direction to a circumference offset from the hub 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. Thus construction of a wheel in a conventional manner.
The disclosure specifically relates to the introduction of an annular rim closing device applied around the outside of the rim before the tyre is fitted, to provide a closed channel for the tyre cavity. The profile of the closing device follows closely that of the rim profile, with the exception of the centre portion where inside the well there are no dimples or holes and thus the nipples and spoke ends are covered, see section view in figure. The closing device may also provide the addition of the MT profile “humps” (as described in the European Tyre & Rim Technical Organisation (ETRTO) - Standards Manual) between the inner edge of where the tyre seats and the well in the centre of the profile. The well is provided to aid fitment of the tyre and the MT profile humps assist with tyre retention and sealing in a standard way. The closing device may have outwardly protruding flanges at the sides between the side of the tyre and the wall of the rim profile to assist with lateral sealing of the tyre bead.

The ends of the closing device may be overlapped and sealed between the contacting faces or wrapped around the wheel to an incomplete circumference and the remaining portion between the ends closed with an additional element. The intention is that the device may be removed from the wheel assembly for the purpose of replacing spokes and nipples. A tyre inflation valve would locate and seal through a hole in the closing device and extend through a hole in the rim providing access to inflate the cavity between the closing device and tyre with the appearance of traditional wheel valves. A rim lock type device may be fixed through the closing device or formed as part of the valve attachment to ensure the tyre does not rotate relative to the rim, particularly for high torque to low pressure applications. Alternatively in the case where a separate part is used to seal the tyre cavity between the ends of the rim closing device, this additional part may also form the rim lock function, clamping the tyre to the rim.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a wire spoked wheel with a central and tyre receiving rim connected with wire spokes. It comprises of an annular rim closing device positioned around the outside of the rim, thereby providing a closed channel for the cavity. The said annular rim closing device has a profile which follows closely that of rim profile, with the exception of the centre portion where inside the well there are no dimples or holes, wherein the nipples and spoke ends are covered. Tthe said annular rim closing device provides MT profile humps between the inner edge where the tyre seats and the well in the centre of profile, such that the well provides fitment aid of the tyre and MT profile humps assist with tyre retention and sealing. The said annular rim closing device has outwardly protruding flanges at the sides between the side of the tyre and the wall of the rim profile to assist with lateral sealing of the tyre lead. The said annular rim closing device has ends which are overlapped and sealed between the contacting faces or wrapped around the wheel to an incomplete circumference and remaining portion between the ends closed with an additional element.

In another aspect, the arrangement includes a tyre inflation valve positioned and sealed through a hole in the said annular rim closing device and extends through a hole in the rim, thereby providing access to inflate the cavity between the closing device and the tyre just as a traditional wheel valves.

In another aspect, the arrangement includes a rim lock device through the closing device to ensure tyre does not rotate relative to rim.

In another aspect, the arrangement includes arranging rim lock device is instead formed as part of the valve attachment and ensures the tyre does not rotate relative to rim.

In another aspect, the arrangement includes arranging additional element closing the ends of rim closing device and is adapted as a rim lock for clamping the tyre to the rim.

The invention exhibits following novel features :

1. 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 and the closing device.
2. A rim closing device wherein the closing device is manufactured from rigid material.
3. A rim design wherein the closing device has a length greater than the rim it is applied to with overlapping ends.
4. A rim design wherein the closing device has a length less than the circumference closed with an additional part.
5. A rim design wherein the closing device has the inclusion of the MT profile hump as defined in the ETRTO - Standards Manual.

BENEFITS 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 existing and widely used wheel designs in both steel sheet construction as well as simple aluminium extrusion designs with minimal or potentially no change to the current design and manufacturing process. The closing device is therefore a direct replacement for the inner tube and with potential cost and weight benefits. The visual appearance of a classically styled spokes wheel but with the benefits of tubeless tyres is a major advantage.

There is further potential for fitment of this device to existing vehicles in the marketplace to enable tubeless tyres and inner tube replacement. Exchange of rubber inner tubes, which often require in-service repair or replacement following a puncture, with the closing device as a permanent feature offers environmental benefits over the life of the vehicle.

Compared to existing similar designs which seal the rim, as detailed in the prior art section above, the proposed invention is intended to be made with rigid material (metallic or potentially hard plastic), this is more robust to contact from tools used to lever the tyre from the rim for tyre replacement. Further this enables the inclusion of the MT profile hump as part of the wheel profile as a feature of the rim closing device. This is particularly useful for sheet steel manufactured rims where creation of this feature from the parent rim material means it is visible as a groove visible on the final wheel assembly.

Thus, the invention relates to a detachable rim closer of a spoked wheel of an automobile which was unknown in prior art. The invention allows the rim closer to be quickly and easily removed from the wheel, and can be reapplied with equal ease.

This invention consists essentially in a detachable ring type closer and in means for locking it in place. The annular ring is rigid with requisite strength and lightness and is suitably reinforced at the valve opening.

It is intended that detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it is understood that the appended claims including all equivalents are intended to define the scope of the invention.
, Claims:WE CLAIM :

1. A wire spoked wheel with a central and tyre receiving rim connected with wire spokes comprises of :

- an annular rim closing device positioned around the outside of the rim, thereby providing a closed channel for the cavity,
- the said annular rim closing device has a profile which follows closely that of rim profile, with the exception of the centre portion where inside the well there are no dimples or holes, wherein the nipples and spoke ends are covered,
- the said annular rim closing device provides MT profile humps between the inner edge where the tyre seats and the well in the centre of profile, such that the well provides fitment aid of the tyre and MT profile humps assist with tyre retention and sealing,
- the said annular rim closing device has outwardly protruding flanges at the sides between the side of the tyre and the wall of the rim profile to assist with lateral sealing of the tyre lead,
- the said annular rim closing device has ends which are overlapped and sealed between the contacting faces or wrapped around the wheel to an incomplete circumference and remaining portion between the ends closed with an additional element.

2. The wire spoked wheel as claimed in claim 1 also includes a tyre inflation valve positioned and sealed through a hole in the said annular rim closing device and extends through a hole in the rim, thereby providing access to inflate the cavity between the closing device and the tyre just as a traditional wheel valves.

3. The wire spoked wheel as claimed in claim 1 also includes a rim lock device through the closing device to ensure tyre does not rotate relative to rim.

4. The wire spoked wheel as claimed in claim 3 wherein the rim lock device is instead formed as part of the valve attachment and ensures the tyre does not rotate relative to rim.

5. The wire spoked wheel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the additional element closing the ends of rim closing device is adapted as a rim lock for clamping the tyre to the rim.