AU689883B2 - A tyre inflation safety device - Google Patents

Description

gpp am a a u -r r- WO 95/29071 PCTIAU9500248 1 A TYRE INFLATION SAFETY DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a tyre inflation safety device for use on a wheel of a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are generally three types of motor vehicle wheels, one, two or three piece wheels. A one piece wheel, as commonly used on an automobile, comprises a hub and a pair of rims integral therewith. A tubed or tubeless tyre is forced over one of the rims and located around the hub between the pair of rims. A two piece wheel has a demountable rim substituted for one of the integral rims.

The demuntable rim operates similar to a large circlip and is forced on to the hub and locks in to a circumferential groove formed in the hub. The demountable rim is profiled on its inside face to match the corresponding outside profile of a bead of a tyre. A three piece wheel comprises both a flange and a locking ring substituted for one of the integral rims of the one piece wheel. The flange is located on a circumferential recess in the hub and locked into position by the locking ring which engages a groove in the outer surface of the recess of the hub. The flange is profiled on its inside face to match the corresponding outside bead profile of a tyre. The two and three piece, or multi-piece, wheels are used mostly with tubed tyres and are most common on trucks. Together with an internal seal ring the multi-piece wheels can also be used on a tubeless tyre.

When inflating a tyre of a wheel for the first time it may, for safety purposes, be necessary to restrain the wheel.

The wheel is detached from an axle of a motor vehicle and restrained by a known safety device. The known safety devices are designed so that failure of a rim of the wheel or a blowout of the tyre during inflation reduces the risk I P Isll WO 95/29071 PCT/AU95/00248 2 of injury to an operator. If a rim or a flange or a section thereof breaks free from the wheel this may result in a projectile which is particularly dangerous if not restrained. Also, if the tyre blows out the wheel can be forced explosively in an opposite direction to that of a jet of compressed air resulting from the blowout.

Presently there are four known tyre inflation safety devices, for use mostly on truck wheels.

The first of these known safety devices comprises a cage structure having a number of cross linked bars. The cage structure is anchored to the ground. The cage is shaped to receive a wheel that is rolled therein for inflation.

Spaces between the bars allow an operator access to the wheel for tyre inflation. These spaces also give the operator access to the wheel to periodically tap the demountable rim or flange to ensure that it seats in the groove located in the hub during inflation. The cage structure makes it difficult for the operator to have easy access to the wheel and often the operator may neglect to periodibcally tap the rim or flange during inflation. This is potentially dangerous as the rim and/or flange can release under explosive pressures, (up to 140 pounds per square inch) where it has not seated in the groove of the hub. In some cases the operator may in fact remove the wheel from the cage structure so as to tap the rim or flange. This is particularly dangerous if the rim or flang0 releases under pressure. A variation on this safety device is a mobile cage fabricated into a tailgate lift of a truck. This device has similar drawbacks to that of the fixed cage. Furthermore the tailgate must be substantially modified to include the mobile cage structure.

Another known safety device, resembling a barbecue plate, comprises a steel grate fixed to an arm, the arm pivotally anchored on the ground. The arm and steel grate can be

I-

WO 95/29071 PCT/AU95/00248 3 pivoted over a wheel, an integral rim of the wheel lying face down on the ground. A tyre of the wheel is then inflated and the flange or rim periodically tapped. As with the safety devices described above, because of the difficulty in accessing the rim or flange, the wheel is invariably inflated without periodic checking and this can lead to explosive failure of the flange and/or rim.

A further problem with all of the above tyre inflation safety devices is that the device is generally large and takes up space that could be used for other purposes. In the case of the mobile cage, when the tailgate lift is closed the mobile cage projects into and takes up space above the tray of a truck on which the tailgate lift is mounted.

A further known safety device for use during tyre inflation comprises a series of straps wrapped and tightened around the wheel to be inflated. The straps are usually arranged in four mutually orthogonal directions and are constructed of webbing to restrain any components such as a rim or flange that may break free during inflation. An alternative to this four-way strapping is a T-bar safety device. This comprises a T-bar which is designed to pass through the centre of the hub and connect on an opposite side of the wheel to a transverse member of a H-shaped bar.

Once the T-bar and H-bar are connected together the tyre can be inflated and any components of the wheel likely to break free are substantially restrained.

A problem with both the four-way strapping and the T-bar safety devices is that the device must still be anchored to avoid movement of the wheel upon failure of the tyre or a wheel component. Furthermore it is only possible to visually inspect one side of the wheel, as the tyr- is inflated, because the opposite side faces the ground. This is also a problem when using the known safety device st ~-pq~b~B1 -4 resembling a barbecue plate. It may only be possible, therefore, to detect the onset of a failure occurring on the side of the wheel visible to an operator. The above two procedures for coupling up the four-way strapping or Tbar may also be time consuming and inconvenient and, therefore, the use of these safety devices may be avoided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The intention of the present invention is to provide a tyre inflation safety device for use on a wheel of a motor vehicle which is relatively quick, easy, and safe to use.

According to the present invention there is provided a tyre inflation safety device for use by an operator on a wheel of a motor vehicle, the wheel comprising a hub, at least one rim, and a tyre mounted thereon, said safety device 15 comprising: restraining means defining a restraining zone for S: receiving said wheel; and, locking means coupled to the restraining means, the locking means being moveable relative to the restraining means between a storage position in which the locking means is located substantially within the restraining zone of the restraining means and a working position in which the wheel is received in the restraining zone of the restraining means and the locking means locks the wheel in position so that the wheel is restrained from moving during tyre inflation and substantially all of the wheel is both visible and accessible to the operator, and wherein upon failure during tyre inflation the restraining means in combination with the locking means substantially restrains the wheel or any components thereof thus shielding the operator therefrom.

WANSIMOAUUMMMMo m~s~s ra aa WO 95/29071 PCT/AU95/00248 5 Typically, the restraining means comprises a first substantially rectangular frame, a region bound by the sides of said first frame defining the restraining zone.

Typically, the locking means comprises a second substantially rectangular frame pivotally coupled to the restraining means.

Typically, the locking means further comprises an adjustable arm moveably coupled to the second substantially rectangular frame whereby, in use, when a wheel of a predetermined diameter is received in the restraining zone of the restraining means the adjustable arm can be adjusted so that when the locking means is pivoted into the working position the wheel is substantially restrained from moving during tyre inflation.

In one embodiment the safety device further comprises an elongate connector interconnecting the locking means and the restraining means when the locking means is in the working position and thus, in use, the restraining means in combination with the locking means substantially restrains a wheel received therein.

Preferably, the tyre inflation safety device can be adapted to be anchored wherein upon failure during tyre inflation both the wheel and the safety device are held substantially stationary.

Advantageously, the tyre inflation safety device can be adapted to be retrofitted to a tailgate lift of a truck.

Alternatively, the tyre inflation safety device can be adapted to be mounted on a wall.

j- L I I ~t~-~$WPI~II~ WO 95/29071 PCT/AU9500248 6 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of the present invention preferred embodiments of the tyre inflation safety device will now be described in some detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a tyre inflation safety device with a wheel located therein showing locking means of the safety device in a working position; Figure 2 is a top perspective view of a schematic showing restraining means and the locking means of the tyre inflation safety device shown in figure 1 separated; Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the tyre inflation safety device shown in Figure 1 coupled to a wall; and, Figure 4 is an end elevational view of the safety device shown in Figure 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As best shown in Figure 1 there is a tyre inflation safety device 10 for use on a wheel 12 of a motor vehicle. The wheel 12 comprises a hub or nave 14 and a tyre 16 located a.xound the circunference thereof. The tyre 16 may be either tubed or tubeless. The hub 14 has a pair of rims 18 on opposing faces thereof between which the tyre 16 is mounted.

After a tyre has been fitted to a one piece or multi-piece wheel the tyre needs to be inflated to a predetermined pressure. Because the wheel or a component thereof can fail during inflation it may be necessary to cage the wheel with a safety device.

The tyre inflation safety device according to the present invention will now be described in relation to inflation of WO 95/29071 PCT/AU95/00248 7 multi-piece wheels but is not restricted to these types of wheels.

The tyre inflation safety device 10 comprises locking means, in this example a second rectangular frame or locking frame 22 pivotally coupled to restraining means, in this example a first rectangular frame As best shown in Figure 2 the first rectangular frame comprises a pair of first longitudinal members 24 interconnected on each end by a first transverse member 26A, 26B, respectively. Each first longitudinal member 24 is constructed of a box-shaped section. One of the first transverse members 26A is constructed of plate section and is welded to an inside face of each of the first longitudinal members 24. The other first transverse member 26B is box-shaped and is also welded to an inside face of each of the first longitudinal members 24. The first rectangular frame 20 further comprises a supporting plate 28 welded to and in the same plane as an upper face of the first transverse member 26B.

The region bound by the first longitudinal and transverse members 24, 26 in this embodiment defines a restraining zone 29 through which the wheel 12, in anticipation of tyre inflation, is received.

The locking frame 22 is also rectangular in shape and comprises a pair of angle-shaped second longitudinal members 30 interconnected on each end by a second transverse member 32A, 32B, respectively. One of the second transverse members 32A is a plate section and is welded to an inside face of each of the second longitudinal members 30. The other second transverse member 32B is tubular and is also welded to an inside face of each of the second longitudinal members 30. The tube-shaped second transverse menmber 32B is concentric with a tube 34 which is WO 95/29071 PCT/AU95/00248 8 journalled thereon. The inside diameter of the concentric tube 34 is greater than the outside diameter of the second transverse member 32B by a tolerance dimension. The concentric tube 34 is of a smaller length than the transverse member 32B and can axially slide thereon.

The locking frame 22 of this embodiment further comprises an adjustable arm 35 detachably coupled to each of the second longitudinal members 30. The longitudinal members each have a series of three holes 31A, 31B, 31C, respectively, designed to receive the adjustable arm The three holes 31A, 31B, 31C are located adjacent the second transverse member 32 and each pair thereof is in alignment so that the adjustable arm 35, when passed through each pair of holes 31A, 31B, 31C, is disposed substantially parallel to the 'transverse member 32. The adjustable arm 35, being longer than the transverse member 32, has at one end a head 37 formed integral therewith, and at an opposite end a transverse hole 39 for receiving a first locking pin 41.

The locking frame 22 is pivotally connected to the first rectangular frame 20 by welding an outside face of the concentric tube 34 to each of three connecting pads 36, located on an inside face of the transverse member 26B.

The locking frame 22 is dimensioned so that a first plate of each second longitudinal member 30 can locate inside a corresponding inside face of each first longitudinal member 24. A second plate of each second longitudinal member is cut out adjacent the transverse member 32B. This allows the locking frame 22 to clear the upper face of each first longitudinal member 24 during pivotal movement of the locking frame 22.

The safety device 10 further comprises an elongate connector, in this embodiment a chain 38, fixed midway along the transverse member 32A. Each link of the chain 38 1CP~*AILII- nnara;llarnPI WO 95/29071 PCT/AU95/00248 -9can fit into a keyway 40 located midway along the transverse member 26A. The keyway 40 is a cutout of an outside edge of, and protrudes approximately half of the way into, the transverse member 26A.

The tyre inflation safety device 10 can be installed for use in various locations. For example the safety device can be wall mounted wherein the supporting plate 28 is hingedly connected to a horizontal plate connected to a wall (see Figures 1 and The horizontal plate is located above ground level at a height substantially equal to the radius of a wheel 12 of average dimensions to be used with the safety device 10. The horizontal plate can include a latch (not shown) which is designed to pivot or slide over the supporting plate 28 when the safety device 10 is in use. The latch prevents the supporting plate 28 and the first rectangular frame 20 from pivoting above a substantially horizontal plane. When the safety device is not being used the latch can be pivoted clear of the supporting plate 28 and the safety device 10 can be hinged back against the wall.

As shown in Figure 1 the first rectangular frame 20 further comprises a stand assembly 42 pivotally connected to one of the first longitudinal members 24. The stand assembly 42 has an upper section 44 and a lower section 46. The upper section 44 is pivotally connected to the longitudinal member 24, and the lower section 46 is adapted to rest on the ground. The upper section 44 is slidably received in the lower section 46 and held in a fixed position, relative thereto, by a second locking pin 48 passing through both the upper section 44 and the lower section 46. The lower section 46 has a series of three holes 50A, 50B, 50C which can be selected for varying the relative positions of the upper and lower sections 44, 46, respectively, and thereby moving the first rectangular frame 20 relative to the ground.

Irr l~sluD -ura~ WO 95/29071 PCT/AU95/00248 10 When a wheel 12 is to be inflated, using the safety device the wheel 12 is firstly rolled by hand in toward the safety device 10. The first rectangular frame 22 is then pivoted away from the wall so the wheel 12 is ,eceived in the restraining zone 29 of the firstL rectangular frame The stand assembly 42 can rest on the ground, as shown in Figure 1, or alternatively for smaller diameter wheels the stand assembly 42 can be pivoted back toward the stand assembly 42 so that the first transverse member 26A is then adjacent the ground. The locking frame 22 can then be pivoted into a working position such that an inside surface of the adjustable arm 35 bears against a circumferential surface of the tyre 16. The adjustable arm 35 can be moved between each pair of holes 31A, 31B, 31C so as to suit the particular diameter wheel 12 to be inflated. A link of the chain 38 can then be located in the keyway 40 of the transverse member 26A and the chain 38 held taut.

The acute angle defined between the first rectangular frame and the locking frame 22 is substantially minimised so that an increased surface area of each of the second longitudinal members 30 is able to bear against an inside face of each of the first longitudinal members 24.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second longitudinal members 30 are constructed of a heavy wall material. These two features in combination increase the strength of the safety device 10 in order to substantially withstand any force exerted by a wheel 12 when a failure occurs.

With the locking frame 22 in the working position and the wheel 12 received in the restraining zone 29 of the first rectangular frame 20 the tyre 16 can be inflated. During inflation an operator can view substantially all of the wheel 12. If, therefore, the operator sees a problem with the wheel 12 inflation can be stopped. Furthermore, the operator can periodically tap the demountable rim 18 or flange of the wheel 12 during inflation to ensure that it ~a I WO 95/29071 PCT/AU95/00248 1.1 seats in a groove located in a circumferential surface of the hub 14.

In the event of a failure during inflation the first rectangular frame 20 in combination with the locking frame 22 substantially restrains the wheel 12 or any components thereof and protects the operator. Advantageously when the locking frame 22 is in the working position it is restrained from lateral movement by an adjacent inside face of each first longitudinal member 24.

Once the tyre 16 has been inflated to the required pressure the link of the chain 38, located in the keyway 40, can be unlatched and both the locking frame 22 and first rectangular frame 20 pivoted away from the wheel 12. The inflated wheel 12 can then be rolled clear of the tyre inflation safety device 10. The locking frame 22 of this embodiment can be pivoted toward the first rectangular frame 20 into a storage position. In the storage position substantially all of the locking frame 22 lies in the restraining zone 29 of the first rectangular frame 20. The second plate of the second longitudinal member 30 rests on an upper face of the first longitudinal member 24.

The tyre inflation safety device 10 can also be adapted to be retrofitted to a tailgate lift of a truck. In this alternative embodiment, the first longitudinal and first transverse members 24, 26B respectively are constructed of angle-shaped section. The mesh or plate of the tailgate is then cut with sufficient clearance to allow the first rectangular frame 20 to be positioned and welded therein with relative ease. The tailgate can also be provided with a mesh cover hingedly connected thereto for covering the space defined by the restraining zone 29 when the safety device 10 is not in use.

WO 95/29071 PCT/AU95/00248 12 Now that preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in some detail it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention when compared with known prior art has at least the follcling advantages: 1) a wheel is both visible and accessible during inflation and the safety device is, therefore, relatively safe to use; 2) the safety device is relatively quick and easy to use when conrpared with known devices presently used for this purpose; and 3) the locking means of the safety device can be moved into a storage position whereupon the device takes up minimum space.

It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that numerous variations and modifications can be made to the tyre inflation safety device in addition to those already mentioned above, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention. For example, the locking means could be detachable from the first rectangular frame having a chain located on each end thereof, for holding the locking frame in the working position. The chain of the first embodiment herein could be substituted by a telescopically extendible arm. The receiving means may not comprise a first rectangular frame but rather a lattice structure with access to the wheel, in particularly the rims, during inflation. All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

Claims (8)

1. A tyre inflation safety device for use by an operator on a wheel of a motor vehicle, the wheel comprising a hub, at least one rim, and a tyre mounted thereon, said safety device comprising: restraining means defining a restraining zone for receiving said wheel; and, locking means coupled to the restraining means, the locking means being moveable relative to the restraining means between a storage position in which the locking means is located substantially within the restraining zone of the restraining means and a working o.1 position in which the wheel is received in the restraining zone of the restraining means and the locking means locks o, o 15 the wheel in position so that the wheel is restrained from moving during tyre inflation and substantially all of the .o o: wheel is both visible and accessible to the operator, and Wherein upon failure during tyre inflation the restraining means in combination with the locking means substantially 20 restrains the wheel or any components thereof thus shielding the operator therefrom.

2. A tyre inflation safety device according to claim 1, wherein the restraining means comprises a f:irst oseoe substantially rectangular frame, a region bound by the sides of said first frame defining the restraining zone.

3. A tyre inflation safety device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking means comprises a second substantially rectangular frame pivotally coupled to the restraining means.

4. A tyre inflation safety device according to claim 3, wherein the locking means further comprises an adjustable arm moveably coupled to the second substantially S rectangular frame whereby, in use, when the wheel of a I ~qs II -1 14 predetermined diameter is received in the restraining zone of the restraining means the adjustable arm can be adjusted so that when the locking means is pivoted into the working position the wheel is substantially restrained from moving during tyre inflation.

A tyre inflation safety device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the safety device further comprises an elongate connector interconnecting the locking means and the restraining means when the locking means is in the working position and thus, in use, the restraining means in combination with the locking means substantially restrains a wheel received therein.

6. A tyre inflation safety device according to any one o. -he preceding claims, wherein the safety device can be adapted to be anchored wherein, upon failure during tyre Sinflation, both the wheel and the safety device are held substantially stationary.

7. A tyre inflation safety device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the safety device can ee 20 be adapted to be retrofitted to a tailgate lift of a truck.

8. A tyre inflation safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the safety device can be adapted to be mounted on a wall. A tyre inflation safety device substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.