FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10, rule 13)
1. Title of the invention: BEAD SPACERS FOR TIRES
2. Applicant(s)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS
CEAT LIMITED Indian RPG HOUSE, 463, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400030, India
3. Preamble to the description
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it
is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates, in general, to spacers for vehicle tires
and, particularly but not exclusively, to bead spacers for tubeless tires.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A tire has a tread portion and sidewalls on either sides of the tread region.
In an example, the tread portion may comprise a center region and a shoulder region on each side of the center region connected to upper portions of corresponding sidewall. Center region may be understood as outer region of the tire formed along complete circumference of the tire that spreads along width of the tire and contacts with a surface during rotation. The tire also has beads connected to lower portions of the sidewalls. The beads may be understood as edges of the tire. The beads contact with wheel during mounting of the tire.
[0003] Tires support load of a vehicle and provide for impact handling, drivability,
and safety of the vehicle. Thus, the mounting of the tire on the wheel needs to be such that impact handling, drivability, safety of the vehicle etc. properties of the tire are not impacted adversely.
[0004] However, it is often observed, particularly, in case of tubeless tires, that
beads of the tires get misaligned during storage and transportation leading to improper
mounting of the tires. For example, if several tires are stacked one on top of the other,
the beads of the tires, especially the beads of the tires that are towards the bottom of
the stack, get pressed towards each other due to the weight of the tires on top.
[0005] If the beads of a tire are retained in pressed position, they tend to retain the
shape corresponding to such a pressed position and when the tire is mounted on a wheel, the tire having lost its original shape as intended by the manufacturer, is either improperly mounted or poses significant challenges for proper mounted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0006] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying
figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure
in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout
the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0007] Figures 1A and 1B illustrate isometric views of a spacer, in accordance with
an implementation of the present subject matter.
[0008] Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the spacer, according to an example
implementation of the present subject matter.
[0009] Figures 3A and 3B illustrate front and side views of the spacer according to
an example implementation of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] The present invention relates to preparation of tires for shipment or for
storage by incorporating use of inexpensive and ecofriendly spacers to aid the tires in retaining their original shape during shipment or storage. Thus, the tires can be properly mounted on wheels such that impact handling, drivability, safety of the vehicle etc., properties of the tire are not impacted adversely due to misalignment of tire beads during shipment or storage.
[0011] As mentioned above, the beads of the tires get misaligned during storage
and transportation where, more often than not, several tires are stacked one on top of the other. The beads of the tires, especially the beads of the tires that are towards the bottom of the stack, get pressed towards each other due to the weight of the tires on top. Owing to the structure and material of the tire, the beads when pressed, tend to retain the shape corresponding to such a pressed position. This causes disorientation in shape of the tire due to change in distance between beads at the two ends and consequently, leads to improper mounting of the tires.
[0012] Generally, to avoid misalignment of the beads of a tire during shipment or
storage, spacers are inserted into an open bellied tire. The spacer inserted within the

tire, holds the opposite sidewalls and the beads of the tire spaced apart from each other. The spacer is generally made of a stiff material, which when inserted into the open bellied tire, prevents the opposite sidewalls and the beads of the tire from getting pressed by providing resistance to the weight applied.
[0013] Conventionally, the spacer is generally made of plastic material. Plastic
spacers are not biodegradable. They not only add to the pollution but are also expensive. Often, plastic spacers are one-time use only in nature. A plastic spacer once used, loses its shape and is disposed as waste in the environment.
[0014] To this end, the present subject matter provides a spacer for separation of
beads in a tire. The spacer comprises a body having a curved portion defining an inner curved surface and an outer curved surface, the curved portion has a first end and a second end at either sides of the curved portion and a top curved surface and a bottom curved surface along a top and bottom of the curved portion, respectively. On insertion of the body into the tire, the first end and the second end are placed inside the tire along a width of the tire, and the top curved surface and the bottom curved surface abut against a top sidewall portion and a bottom sidewall portion of the tire to cause separation of the beads of the tire. The spacer is made of organic fibrous material which is eco-friendly and cost effective.
[0015] In accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter, the spacer
is made of bamboo. The bamboo spacers that have been presently described fulfill the functional requirements for safe transportation and storage in a manner similar to the spacers made of plastic. Spacers made of bamboo are strong during usage and do not affect the dimensions of the tire and thus serve as an alternative to the plastic spacers, the polluting effect of which is notorious.
[0016] Further, bamboo is easy to process and clean, thus making the spacer
manufacturing process easy and cost effective. Also, not only the bamboo spacers described herein are eco-friendly and can be easily disposed in the environment without increasing carbon emissions, the bamboo spacers can be re-used.

[0017] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter
will be better explained with regard to the following description and accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter along with examples described herein and, should not be construed as a limitation to the present subject matter. It is thus understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. Further, for the sake of simplicity, and without limitation, the same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0018] Figures 1A and 1B illustrate isometric views of a spacer 100, in accordance
with an implementation of the present subject matter.
[0019] Reference is first made to Figure 1A which shows the spacer 100 that may
be used for separation of beads in a tire. Accordingly, the spacer 100 can have
dimensions corresponding to the tire is which the spacer 100 is to be used.
[0020] The spacer 100 has a body 102. The body 102 is curved and has a curved
portion defining an inner curved surface (I) and an outer curved surface (O). The body 102 may be understood as a curved thick wall, wherein the inner curved surface (I) and the outer curved surface (O), are inner and outer surfaces of the wall.
[0021] As shown in Figure 1B, the curved portion of body 102 has a first end 104
and a second end 106 at either sides of the curved portion. The curved portion of body 102 also has a top curved surface 108 and a bottom curved surface 110 along a top and bottom of the curved portion, respectively.
[0022] During shipping or storage of the tire, when the spacer 100 is inserted in the
tire, a substantial part of the body 102 gets inserted into the tire. The body 102 gets inserted such that the first end 104 and the second end 106 are to be placed inside the tire along a width of the tire, or, in other words, along the tread portion of the tire. As the spacer 100 is inserted in the tire, the top curved surface 108 and the bottom curved

surface 110 of the spacer 100 abut against a top sidewall portion and a bottom sidewall
portion of the tire, respectively, to cause separation of the beads of the tire.
[0023] As discussed above, with the use of the spacer 100, the problem of
misalignment of beads of the tire that generally occurs during storage and transportation is addressed and in turn the problem of improper mounting of the tire on a wheel is also solved. Thus, if several tires are stacked one on top of the other, the beads of the tire do not get pressed towards due to presence of the spacer 100 therebetween to withstand the pressure.
[0024] In accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter, the
spacer 100 is made of organic fibrous material. In an example, the spacer 100 is made of bamboo. Similarly, in another example, the spacer 100 is made of wood. The spacer 100 made of bamboo or wood is as functionally effective as a conventional spacer made of plastic but is eco-friendly and does not add to the carbon emission associated with manufacturing as well as disposal of plastic spacers. At the same time, use of spacer 100 made of bamboo or wood is cost effective.
[0025] A length (L) of the body 102 of the spacer 100 corresponds to a bead-to-
bead distance of a tire which the spacer 100 is to be used. Making the length (L) in
accordance with the width of the tire provides for effective bead separation.
[0026] In accordance with an example implementation of the present the spacer
100, a sectional groove (S) is provided on either sides of the top curved surface 108 and the bottom curved surface 110 to facilitate insertion of the body 102 into the tire. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 1B, sectional grooves provided on the top curved surface 108 are shown. As shown, the first end 104 as well as the second end 106 have a sectional groove (S) each. Though not visible in Figure 1B completely, the bottom curved surface 110 of the spacer 100 also has two similar sectional grooves at the first end 104 and the second end 106.
[0027] Referring to Figure 2 that illustrates a top view of the spacer 100, according
to an example implementation of the present subject matter, it will be apparent that each of the sectional groove (S) is created by carving out a part of the body 102 of the

spacer 100. The part carved out is in proportion to the portion of the body 102 of the
spacer 100 that is to be inserted into the tire. Each of the sectional groove (S) is a
slanting cut which slants inwards from the corresponding first end 104 and the second
end 106.
[0028] As will be apparent from the top view of the spacer 100 shown in Figure 2,
the sectional groove (S) does not extend upto the center of the curved portion of the
body 102. Rather, the sectional groove (S) covers about half of the curvature from the
corresponding first end 104 and the second end 106 to the center of the curved portion
of the body 102.
[0029] As the body 102 of the spacer 100 gets inserted into the tire, the first end
104 and the second end 106 are placed inside the tire such that the top sidewall portion
and the bottom sidewall portion of the tire accommodate the four sectional grooves (S)
provided on the top curved surface 108 and the bottom curved surface 110 of the
corresponding first end 104 and the second end 106. Thus, the slant in the sectional
grooves (S) allow not only easy insertion of the spacer 100 into the tire but also better
accommodation of the sidewall portions of the tire, thereby resulting in a better grip
that prevents the spacer 100 from being ejected out, for example, due to jerks in the
transportation.
[0030] In accordance with an example embodiment of the present spacer 100, a
notch (N) is also provided on the top curved surface 108 and the bottom curved surface
110 along a top and bottom of the curved portion, respectively. The notch (N) enables
insertion and extraction of the spacer 100 to and from the tire.
[0031] Referring again to Figure 2 that illustrates a top view of the spacer 100,
according to an example implementation of the present subject matter, it will be
apparent that the notch (N) is located at the center of the curved portion of the body
102 of the spacer 100.
[0032] Upon insertion of the body 102 of the spacer 100 into the tire, the first end
104 and the second end 106 get inserted inside the tire and the corresponding top
sidewall portion and the bottom sidewall portion of the tire get placed along the

respective sectional grooves (S) of the top curved surface 108 and the bottom curved
surface 110. Thus, the sidewall portions of the tire grip the four sectional grooves (S).
In such cases, to remove the spacer 100 from the tire, a small force may have to be
exerted. This may be achieved by a user by inserting one of more fingers in the notch
(N) located at the center of the body 102. The user may, in one example, also insert a
small plunger-type object and apply force to extract the spacer 100 from the tire.
[0033] Figures 3A and 3B illustrate a front and side view of the spacer 100
according to an example implementation of the present subject matter. As depicted in Figures 3A and 3B, the sectional groove (S) extend midway from the corresponding first end 104 and the second end 106 towards the center of the curved portion of the body 102. Also, as depicted, the notch (N) located at the center of the curved portion of the body 102, such that a center of the notch (N) coincides with the center of the curved portion of the body 102.
[0034] Reference is made to Figure 1B once again, wherein, as depicted, a length
(L) of the body 102 of the spacer 100 corresponds to a bead-to-bead distance of a tire in which the spacer 100 is to be used. In an example, the length (L) of the body 102 of the spacer 100 is about 123mm. Similarly, in an example, a length (L1) of the body 102 from the center of the notch (N) provided in the top curved surface 108 to the center of the notch (N) provided in the bottom curved surface 110 is about 110mm. Likewise, for example, a length (L2) of the body 102 from the end of the sectional groove (S) provided in the top curved surface 108 to the end of the sectional groove (S) provided in the bottom curved surface 110 is about 100 mm.
[0035] In an example, the respective sectional grooves (S) slant at an angle of about
20-30 degrees with respect to the center of the curved portion of the body 102. The sectional grooves (S) may each have a length of about 20-25mm while the notches (N) may each be about 10-15mm in length. The body is curved to have a substantially semi-circular shape with a radius of about 30-40mm in one example.
[0036] Furthermore, in one example, a portion of the outer curved surface (O) of
the curved portion is made flat. For instance, a longitudinal strip along the length (L1)

of the body 102 from the notch (N) on the top curved surface 108 to the notch (N) on
the bottom curved surface 110 may be carved to create the flat portion on the outer
curved surface (O).
[0037] During transportation, when the tires are stacked, they may also be strapped
to prevent movement of the tires, for example, due to jerks during the transportation.
The portion of the outer curved surface (O) of the curved portion that is made flat
provides grip to a strap to hold the tire during transportation.
[0038] In an example, the Flexural Modulus (MPa) of the spacer 100 is about 3700
at Volume fraction of 0.4 and the Flexural Strength (MPa) is about 128.5 at Volume
fraction of 0.4. The weight of material used is about 55-70 gms/spacer, in an example.
Also, in an example, the spacer 100 is reusable multiple times upto a duration of 12
months.
[0039] Further, the spacer 100 also sustains a drop test wherein a tire fitted with
the spacer 100 is kitted with a strap and then dropped forcibly from a height of 5 meters
multiple times. The spacer 100 remains intact inside the tire without ejecting out.
[0040] It is therefore demonstrated that the spacer 100 serves the same
functionality as a plastic or metal spacer. Thus, the technical advance of reusability,
biodegradability etc., along with economic significance in manufacturing and reusing
the spacer 100 is achieved without any compromise in strength or any other functional
aspect.
[0041] Although implementations of a spacer 100 are described, it is to be
understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific
features of the spacer 100 described herein. Rather, the specific features are disclosed
as implementations for the spacer 100.

I/We Claim:
1. A spacer (100) for separation of beads in a tire, the spacer comprising:
a body (102) having a curved portion defining an inner curved surface (I) and an outer curved surface (O), the curved portion having a first end (104) and a second end (106) at either sides of the curved portion and a top curved surface (108) and a bottom curved surface (110) along a top and bottom of the curved portion, respectively, wherein
on insertion of the body (102) into the tire, the first end (104) and the second end (106) are to be placed inside the tire along a width of a tread portion of the tire, and the top curved surface (108) and the bottom curved surface (110) are to abut against a top sidewall portion and a bottom sidewall portion of the tire to cause separation of the beads of the tire,
the spacer (100) being made of organic fibrous material.
2. The spacer (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spacer (100) is made of bamboo.
3. The spacer (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spacer (100) is made of wood.
4. The spacer (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a portion of the outer curved
surface (O) of the curved portion is made flat to provide grip to a strap to hold the tire
during transportation.
5. The spacer (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a length (L) of the body (102)
corresponds to a bead-to-bead distance of the tire.

6. The spacer (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a sectional groove (S) is provided on either sides of the top curved surface and the bottom curved surface to facilitate insertion of the body into the tire.
7. The spacer (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sectional groove (S) slants inwards from the corresponding first end (104) and the second end (106) and to carve out a part of the body (102), the part being in proportion to a portion of the body (102) that is to be inserted into the tire.
8. The spacer (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a notch (N) is provided in the top curved surface (108) and the bottom curved surface (110) of the body (102).