Claims:CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A universal valve 100 usable with different tire rim openings O, said universal valve 100 comprising:
a valve body 102 extending between a first end 105 and a second end 107;
at least one resilient member 104 surrounding and bonded to the valve body 102 at the first end 105;
at least one adaptor member 106 surrounding and bonded to the at least one resilient member 104; and
a sealing member 108 surrounding and bonded to the at least one adaptor member 106.

2. The universal valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve body 102 includes a bore 112 extending from the first end 105 to the second end 107 and having a bore diameter d.

3. The universal valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve body includes a flange 110 defined at the first end 105 of the valve body 102 and having a diameter d1 larger than the diameter D of the bore 112.
4. The universal valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one resilient member 104 is a tubular member formed of elastomeric material having an inner diameter d2 and an outer diameter d3.

5. The universal valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one adaptor member 106 is a tubular member formed of at least one of plastic materials like Polyoxymethylene, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and other thermoplastic material and at least one of metals like brass and steel, having an inner diameter d4 and an outer diameter d5.

6. The universal valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner diameter d4 of the at least one adaptor member 106 is configured to be constant and the outer diameter d5 of the at least one adaptor member 106 ranges between 8mm to 21mm.

7. The universal valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing member 108 is a tubular member formed of elastomeric material metal having an inner diameter d6 and an outer diameter d7.

8. The universal valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one adaptor member 106includes:
a first engaging portion which surrounds and bonds to the at least one resilient member 104; and
a second engaging portion which bonds and seals the rim opening O.

9. A universal valve 100 usable with different tire rim openings, said universal valve comprising:
a valve body 102 having a first end 105 and a second end 107;
at least one adaptor member 106 surrounding and bonded to the valve body 102; and
a sealing member 108 surrounding and bonded to the at least one adaptor member 106.

10. A method 500 of providing a universal valve 100 for sealing various diameters of rim openings O, said method comprising step of:
providing a valve body 102 having a first end 105 and a second end 107;
attaching at least one resilient member 104 to the valve body 102 at the first end 105;
providing at least one adaptor member 106 surrounded to the at least one resilient member 104; and
providing a sealing member 108 surrounded to the at least one adaptor member 106.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to a tire valve for automotive vehicles. More specifically, relates to a universal tire valve and a method, adapted to fit various diameters of rim opening.

BACKGROUND
[002] A conventional type of valve stem is usually a tubular piece of brass, one end of which is exteriorly threaded, the stem being provided with a central bore which has adjacent its outer end a tapered shoulder adapted to cooperate with a portion of a standard valve insides having a packing member engaging with such shoulder. The standard valve insides are provided with a threaded exterior portion adapted to engage with threads formed upon the inner bore at the end of the valve stem. These valve stems are made of either brass or aluminium in order to provide for an easy insertion or removal of the valve insides and prevent the same from becoming frozen within the stem after they have been assembled for a long period of time and subjected to severe weather conditions.
[003] Conventional practice by automobile and other wheel rim manufacturers is to provide openings for a tire valve in the metal rim. These openings vary in size depending on the age of the vehicle wheel. Also, diameters of rim holes vary depending on the type of vehicle. For example, a two-wheeler wheel rim opening has an opening with smaller diameter than a rim opening of a truck wheel and passenger cars.
[004] The provision of different size rim openings in the metal rim accordingly requires tire valves formed to accommodate the various diameters, respectively. The after-market supplier has to stock different diameter valves for each valve length and style. This has involved inventory complications which have resulted in sizeable investments and stocking problems.
[005] Therefore, there exists a need for a universal tire valve adapted to fit various diameters of rim openings. Further, there exists a need for a universal tire valve, which eliminates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[006] The principle object of an embodiment herein is to provide a universal tire valve adapted to fit various diameters of rim opening.
[007] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a universal valve body, which can be adapted for easy access and inflation.
[008] Yet another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a universal valve, which retains a seal against the leakage of air through a rim an opening provided on the rim.
[009] Still another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a universal valve, which snaps into the rim opening to anchor and prevent sliding within a tire casing.
[0010] Also, another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a method of sealing various diameters of rim opening by a universal valve.
[0011] The objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which
[0013] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a universal tire valve, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0014] FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of a universal tire valve, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0015] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a universal tire valve, according to an alternate embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0016] FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of a universal tire valve, according to an alternate embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0017] FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart a method of providing a universal valve for sealing various diameters of rim openings O, according to an alternate embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of known components are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0019] The embodiments herein achieve a universal tire valve adapted to fit various diameters of rim opening. Further, the embodiments herein achieve a valve body, which retains a seal against the leakage of air through a rim hole provided on the rim. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve a method of sealing various diameters of rim opening by a universal valve. Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 5 where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0020] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a universal tire valve 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the universal valve 100 includes a valve body 102, at least one resilient member 104, at least one adaptor member 106 and a sealing member 108.
[0021] In an embodiment, the universal valve 100 includes the valve body 102 which is a rigid tubular insert of metal, for example, brass or brass plated metal, or other suitable rigid material. In an embodiment, the valve body 102 includes a central bore 112 having an inner diameter d (not shown) to receive a valve core (not shown) and an outer diameter D (not shown). In an embodiment, the bore 112 of the valve body 102 is provided with a threaded portion (not shown) configured to engage with the valve core.
[0022] In an embodiment, the valve body 102 is a cylindrical member extending from a first end 105 to a second end 107. In an embodiment, the valve body 102 is surrounded by the at least one resilient member 104 at the first end 105 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0023] In an embodiment, the valve body 102 includes a flange 110 provided at the first end 105 of the valve body 102. In an embodiment, the flange includes a larger diameter d1 (not shown) than the diameter D of the valve body 102.
[0024] In an embodiment, the universal valve 100 includes the at least one resilient member 104 which is made of an elastomeric material like rubber. The term “rubber” as used herein is intended in its generic sense to denote natural rubber, synthetic rubber, blends thereof, or any suitable elastomeric material.
[0025] In an embodiment, the at least one resilient member 104 is adjacently surrounded and bonded to the flange 110. Further, in an embodiment, the resilient member 104 is a tubular member having an inner diameter d2 (not shown) equal or slightly lesser than that of the diameter d1 of the flange and an outer diameter d3.
[0026] In an embodiment, the universal valve 100 includes the at least one adaptor member 106 configured to surround and bond with the at least one resilient member 104. In an embodiment, the at least one adaptor member 106 is a tubular member having an inner diameter d4 (not shown) and an outer diameter d5 (not shown). In an embodiment, the inner diameter d4 (not shown) of the at least one adapter 106 remains constant and the outer diameter d5 (not shown) is configured to be varied as required by the rim opening O. In an embodiment, the at least one adaptor member 106 includes, a first engaging portion which surrounds and bonds to the at least one resilient member 104, and a second engaging portion which bonds and seals the rim opening O.
[0027] In an embodiment, the at least one adaptor member 106 is bonded to the at least one resilient member 104 by at least one of moulding and bonding using suitable glue. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any type of attachment or bonding between the at least one adaptor member 106 and the at least one resilient member 104 without otherwise deterring the intended function of the bonding as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, the at least one adapter member 106 is mounted on the rim assembly of the tire irrespective of the type of wheels. In an embodiment, the adaptor member 106 is configured to be varied as desired by the opening of the rim assembly. In an embodiment, the adaptor member 106 includes a width w substantially equal or same dimension as a thickness of the wheel rim.
[0028] In an embodiment, the universal valve 100 includes the sealing member 108. In an embodiment, the sealing member 108 is surrounded and bonded to the adaptor member 106. The sealing member 108 is coupled to the at least one adaptor member 106 by at least one of moulding and bonding using suitable glue. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any type of attachment or bonding between the sealing member 108 and the at least one adaptor member 10 6without otherwise deterring the intended function of the bonding as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, the sealing member 108 is configured to seal the valve body 102 against the rim assembly so that no leakage occurs in the tire assembly. In an embodiment, the sealing member 108 is a tubular member formed of metal having an inner diameter d6 (not shown) and an outer diameter d7 (not shown).
[0029] FIGS. 3 and 4 depict a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a universal tire valve, according to an alternate embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an alternate embodiment, the universal valve 100 includes the valve body 102, the at least one adaptor member 106 and the sealing member 108.
[0030] In an alternate embodiment, the universal valve 100 includes the valve body 102 which is a rigid tubular insert of metal, for example, brass or brass plated metal, or other suitable rigid material. In an alternate embodiment, the valve body 102 includes the central bore 112 having the inner diameter d (not shown) to receive the valve core (not shown) and the outer diameter D (not shown). In an alternate embodiment, the bore 112 of the valve body 102 is provided with the threaded portion (not shown) configured to engage with the valve core.
[0031] In an alternate embodiment, the valve body 102 is a cylindrical member extending from the first end 105 to the second end 107. In an alternate embodiment, the valve body 102 includes a flange 110 provided at the first end 105 of the valve body 102. In an alternate embodiment, the flange includes a larger diameter D1 (not shown) than the diameter D of the valve body 102. In an alternate embodiment, the at least one adaptor member 106 is adjacently surrounded and bonded to the flange 110 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0032] In an alternate embodiment, the universal valve 100 includes the at least one adaptor member 106 configured to surround and bond with the flange 110. In an alternate embodiment, the at least one adaptor member 106 is a tubular member having an inner diameter D4 (not shown) and an outer diameter D5 (not shown). In an alternate embodiment, the inner diameter D4 (not shown) of the at least one adapter 106 remains constant and the outer diameter D5 (not shown) is configured to be varied as required by the rim opening O. In an alternate embodiment, the at least one adaptor member 106 includes, a first engaging portion which surrounds and bonds to the flange 110, and a second engaging portion which bonds and seals the rim opening O.
[0033] In an alternate embodiment, the at least one adaptor member 106 is bonded to the flange 110 by at least one of moulding and bonding using suitable glue. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any type of attachment or bonding between the at least one adaptor member 106 and the flange 110 without otherwise deterring the intended function of the bonding as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings. In an alternate embodiment, the at least one adapter member 106 is mounted on the rim assembly of the tire irrespective of the type of wheels. In an alternate embodiment, the adaptor member 106 is configured to be varied as desired by the opening of the rim assembly. In an embodiment, the adaptor member 106 is made of suitable plastic material like POM, ABS, and other thermoplastics. In an embodiment, the adaptor can also be made of any suitable metal like brass, steel, etc. which can be suitably moulded or glued to the sealing material.
[0034] In an alternate embodiment, the adaptor member 106 includes a width w substantially equal or same dimension as a thickness of the wheel rim.
[0035] In an alternate embodiment, the universal valve 100 includes the sealing member 108. In an alternate embodiment, the sealing member 108 is surrounded and bonded to the adaptor member 106. The sealing member 108 is coupled to the at least one adaptor member 106 by at least one of moulding and bonding using suitable glue. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any type of attachment or bonding between the sealing member 108 and the at least one adaptor member 106 without otherwise deterring the intended function of the bonding as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings. In an alternate embodiment, the sealing member 108 is configured to seal the valve body 102 against the rim assembly so that no leakage occurs in the tire assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the sealing member 108 is a tubular member formed of metal having an inner diameter D6 (not shown) and an outer diameter D7 (not shown). In an embodiment, the sealing member 108 is made up of at least one of Ethylene propylene diene Monomer rubber (EPDM), Hydrogenated Acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (HNBR), Neoprene, Viton, or any suitable elastomeric material to ensure sealing between the valve and the rim opening O.
[0036] In an embodiment, a method 200 of providing a universal valve 100 for sealing various diameters of rim openings O is disclosed. The method comprising step of, providing a valve body 102 having a first end 105 and a second end 107 (step 202). Further the method includes, attaching at least one resilient member 104 to the valve body 102 at the first end 105 (step 204). Furthermore, the method includes, providing at least one adaptor member 106 surrounded to the at least one resilient member 104 (step 206). In addition, the method includes, providing a sealing member 108 surrounded to the at least one adaptor member 106 (step 208).
[0037] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Referral Numerals
Valve body 100
Valve body 102
Elastic member 104
First end 105
Adaptor 106
Second end 107
Sealing member 108
Flange 110
Bore 112