GB2044189A - Improvements in or relating to sealing means for pneumatic tyre and wheel rim assemblies - Google Patents

Improvements in or relating to sealing means for pneumatic tyre and wheel rim assemblies Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2044189A
GB2044189A GB8005931A GB8005931A GB2044189A GB 2044189 A GB2044189 A GB 2044189A GB 8005931 A GB8005931 A GB 8005931A GB 8005931 A GB8005931 A GB 8005931A GB 2044189 A GB2044189 A GB 2044189A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
tyre
sealing means
rim
bead
seal
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB8005931A
Other versions
GB2044189B (en
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Dunlop Ltd
Original Assignee
Dunlop Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dunlop Ltd filed Critical Dunlop Ltd
Priority to GB8005931A priority Critical patent/GB2044189B/en
Priority to IT20405/80A priority patent/IT1150055B/en
Publication of GB2044189A publication Critical patent/GB2044189A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2044189B publication Critical patent/GB2044189B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60CVEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
    • B60C5/00Inflatable pneumatic tyres or inner tubes
    • B60C5/12Inflatable pneumatic tyres or inner tubes without separate inflatable inserts, e.g. tubeless tyres with transverse section open to the rim
    • B60C5/16Sealing means between beads and rims, e.g. bands
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60BVEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B21/00Rims
    • B60B21/12Appurtenances, e.g. lining bands
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60BVEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B25/00Rims built-up of several main parts ; Locking means for the rim parts
    • B60B25/02Segmented rims, e.g. with segments arranged in sections; Connecting equipment, e.g. hinges; Insertable flange rings therefor
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60CVEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
    • B60C15/00Tyre beads, e.g. ply turn-up or overlap
    • B60C15/02Seating or securing beads on rims

Abstract

The sealing means 3 in a pneumatic tyre and wheel rim assembly comprises two seal elements 15 each having a resiliently deformable portion 15a which acts between confronting axially directed surfaces of the associated tyre bead 12 and bead seat 5 to facilitate assembly and subsequently hold the tyre bead 12 under compression in an axial direction to prevent the tyre bead 12 slipping relative to the wheel rim 1. The rim 1 is formed of three arcuate components 4 and the seal elements 15 are defined by lateral edge portions of a seal member 13 which extends circumferentially around, and axially across, the wheel rim 1 so as to seal the interfaces between the rim components 4. The seal member 13 is moulded in the form of a closed loop from a resilient, air-impermeable elastomeric material. In an alternative embodiment (Figure 2 not shown) each seal element has an axially and radially outwardly tapered portion which seats against the lower region of the adjacent tyre sidewall. The seal elements 15 may be formed as separate components. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to sealing means for pneumatic tyre and wheel rim assemblies This invention concerns improvements in or relating to sealing means for pneumatic tyre and wheel rim assemblies and in particularto sealing means for an assembly in which the rim has a pair of axially spaced bead seats defined by grooves in each of which a respective one of a pair of axially spaced tyre beads is located and retained.
According to one aspect of the present invention we provide sealing means for a pneumatic tyre and wheel rim assembly in which the rim has a pair of axially spaced bead seats defined by grooves in each of which a respective one of a pair of axially spaced tyre beads is located and retained, the sealing means comprising a pair of elastomeric seal elements, each seal element being constructed and arranged to act between a respective one of said tyre beads and the associated groove whereby each tyre bead is held under compression in an axial direction in the associated groove.
Preferably each seal element has a resiliently deformable portion constructed and arranged to act between confronting axially directed surfaces of the tyre bead and the associated groove which portion is resiliently deformable to facilitate insertion of the seal element and tyre bead into the groove during assembly and which subsequently holds the bead under compression.
Each seal element may be of generally channel section so as to embrace the tyre bead and provide lining for the associated groove. Conveniently each seal element may have an internal profile complementary to that of the tyre bead and an external profile complementary to that of the associated groove. With this arrangement it may be possible to effect a seal between non-matching tyre beads and grooves, for example a circular section bead and square section groove, by appropriate construction of the seal element.
Each seal element may have an axially and radially outwardly tapered portion which seats against the lower region of the adjacent tyre sidewall and which is urged against the sidewall by inflation pressure thereby improving the sealing effect.
Conveniently each seal element is moulded from a resilient elastomeric material, for example butyl rubber, which is air-impermeable.
The seal elements may be separate components.
Alternatively the seal elements may be defined by the edge portions of a seal member adapted to extend circumferentially around the radially outer surface of the rim and across the axial width of the rim between the bead seats. Preferably the seal member is moulded to the contour of the rim to which it is fitted.
Preferably the sealing means is in the form of a closed loop. However, the sealing means may be cut from extruded strips of the appropriate profile.
The construction in which the seal elements are part of the seal member is particularly suitable for assemblies in which the rim is multi-component.
Thus the tyre and seal member define an air-tight inflation chamber and air cannot leak through the interface between adjacent rim components. The necessity to provide additional sealing means for the rim components such as an inner tube or a seal component at each interface between adjacent rim components is thereby avoided.
Separate seal elements are suitable for use with assemblies in which the rim is a single component.
The sealing means of the present invention is therefore particularly suitable for use with the pneumatic tyre and wheel rim assembly disclosed in our co-pending U K Patent Application No 7,932,159 published on under Serial No. . In said U K Patent Application the wheel rim may be a single component or multi-component.
According to another aspect of the present invention we provide a pneumatic tyre and wheel rim assembly in which the rim has a pair of axially spaced bead seats defined by grooves in each of which a respective one of a pair of axially spaced tyre beads is located and retained and sealing means comprising a pair of elastomeric seal elements each of which acts between a respective one of said tyre beads and the associated groove whereby each tyre bead is held under compression in an axial direction in the associated groove.
The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a section through a multi-component rim and tyre assembly incorporating sealing means according to the present invention; Figure2 is a section through a multi-component rim and tyre assembly incorporating alternative sealing means according to the present invention; and Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the wheel rim of the assemblies shown in Figures 1 and 2.
The assemblies shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings each comprise a multicomponent well-less wheel rim 1 having a radial ply tyre 2 mounted thereon and sealing means 3 to provide a seal between adjacent rim components 4.
The rim 1 is formed by three similar rim components 4 (Figure 3) and comprised a pair of axially spaced bead seats 5 separated by an annular rim portion 6. Each bead seat 5 is similar and comprises an annular channel-section groove having a base portion 8 and opposed side portions 9, 10. The axially inner side portions 9 lead to the rim portion 6 while the axially outer side portions 10 terminate in rolled over radii 11. Each bead seat 5 locates a respective one of a pair of axially spaced reinforced tyre beads 12. Each bead reinforcement is substantially inextensible and has a diameter less than the maximum diameter of the side portions 9,10 of the associated groove. As a result each bead 12 is retained in the associated groove and cannot be displaced from the groove, for example following partial or complete deflation of the tyre.A bead retention system of this type forms the subject matter of our above-mentioned co-pending U K Patent Application No 7,932,159.
The sealing means 3 shown in Figure 1 comprises an elastomeric seal member 13 formed from an air-impermeable material, for example a rubber such as butyl rubber, moulded to the profile of the wheel rim 1. The member 13 extends circumferentially around the radially outer surface 14 of the wheel rim and across substantially the entire axial width of the wheel rim so as to line each groove and the rim portion 6. The edge portions of the member 13 which line the grooves define seal elements 15. A portion 15a of each seal element is of increased thickness and lines the axially inner side portion 9 of the associated groove. The portions 15a are resiliently deformable to facilitate insertion of the seal elements and tyre beads into the grooves during assembly.Subsequently each bead 12 is held under compression in the associated groove by the portion 15a of the associated seal element. As a result the tyre beads are prevented from slipping relative to the wheel rim following deflation of the tyre.
Assembly of the rim 1, tyre 2 and seal member 13 is as follows, the seal member 13 is fitted to the tyre 2 so that the beads 12 locate in the channel-section seal elements 15 defined by the axially outer edges of the seal member and then the rim components 4 are fitted in turn. The rim components are secured in position by a wheel disc (not shown). The tyre 2 and seal member 13 define an air-tight inflation chamber 16 such that the tyre can be inflated via the usual valve (not shown).
The sealing means shown in Figure 2 comprises an elastomeric seal member 20 formed from airimpermeable material, for example a rubber such as butyl rubber. The member 20 extends circumferentially around the radially outer surface 21 of the wheel rim and comprises a centre portion 22 of uniform thickness and axially outer edge portions 23 of increased thickness defining seal elements 24.
The centre portion 22 lines the rim portion 6 and the edge portions 23 seal against the tyre 2. Each seal element 24 is similar and comprises first and second seal components 24a, 24b having the shape shown.
The first seal component 24a lines the axially inner side portion 9 of the associated groove. The components 24a are resiliently deformable to facilitate assembly and subsequently each bead 12 is held under compression in the associated groove by the component 24a. As a result the tyre beads are prevented from slipping relative to the wheel rim following deflation of the tyre. The second seal component 24b comprises a flap or wing tapered in the axially and radially outwards direction and profiled to seat against the lower region of the adjacenttyre sidewall 25.
Assembly of the rim 1, tyre 2 and sealing means 3 is as follows, the seal member 20 is fitted to the tyre 2 so that the tapered wings 24b seat against the lower region of the tyre sidewalls and then the rim components 4 are fitted in turn so that the seal components 24a and the beads 12 are located in the grooves. The rim components are secured in position by a wheel disc (not shown). The tyre 2 and seal member 20 define an air-tight inflation chamber 26 such that the tyre 2 can be inflated via the usual valve (not shown). It will be appreciated that inflation pressure acting on the seal member 20 tends to urge the wings 24b axially outwards against the adjacent tyre sidewall thereby increasing the sealing effect of the wings 24b.
The invention is not restricted to the abovedescribed embodiments, for example each seal element 15 (Figure 1) may have a resiliently deformable portion of increased thickness which lines the axially outer side portion 10 of the associated groove in place of or in addition to the portion 1 5a of increased thickness which lines the axially inner side portion 9. It will be appreciated that by making a portion of the seal elements of increased thickness, which portion can be resiliently deformed, location of the tyre beads and seal elements in the grooves is facilitated.
It will be appreciated that the dimensions of the seal elements 15,24tyre beads 12 and grooves can be varied provided the seal elements and tyre beads remain as interference fit in the grooves to ensure the tyre beads are held under compression in an axial direction.
The rim 1 may be made as a single component in which the grooves are shaped by a secondary forming operation afterthe tyre has been located in position on the rim. In this construction it is not necessary to provide a seal member which lines the portion of the rim between the grooves and the seal elements 15,24 may be formed separately.
It will be understood that the sealing means 3 can be formed to suit any profile of rim or rim and tyre assembly. In this way tyre beads can be fitted to non-matching grooves, for example in the abovedescribed embodiments the tyre beads 12 are of generally arcuate cross-section and the grooves are of generally rectangular cross-section.
Furthermore the sealing means can be used with radial, cross-ply or belted bias tyre and wheel rim assemblies while the rims may be well-less as described or include a well.
Finally while it is preferred to form the sealing means as an annular closed loop of the appropriate profile and size to fit a given tyre and wheel rim assembly the sealing means may be formed as a strip, e g by extrusion, having a profile to fit a range of wheel rim sizes each having a corresponding profile so that a section of the appropriate length may be cut from the strip to form sealing means for a given rim size.

Claims (25)

1. Sealing means for a pneumatic tyre and wheel rim assembly in which the rim has a pair of axially spaced bead seats defined by grooves in each of which a respective one of a pair of axially spaced tyre beads is located and retained, the sealing means comprising a pair of elastomeric seal elements, each seal element being constructed and arranged to act between a respective one of said tyre beads and the associated groove whereby each tyre bead is held under compression in an axial direction in the associated groove.
2. Sealing means according to claim 1 wherein each seal element has a resiliently deformable portion constructed and arranged to act between confronting axially directed surfaces of the tyre and the associated groove.
3. Sealing means according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each seal element is of generally channel section so as to embrace the tyre bead and provide a lining for the associated groove.
4. Sealing means according to claim 3 wherein each channel-section seal element has an internal profile complementary to that of the tyre bead and an external profile complementary to that of the associated groove.
5. Sealing means according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said seal element has an axially and radially outwardly tapered portion constructed and arranged to seat against the lower region of the adjacent tyre sidewall.
6. Sealing means according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each seal element is defined by the lateral edge portions of a seal member constructed and arranged to extend circumferentially around the radially outer surface of the rim and across the axial width of the rim between the bead seats.
7. Sealing means according to claim 6 wherein said portion of said rim member extending across the axial width of the rim between the bead seats is of uniform thickness.
8. Sealing means according to claim 7 in combination with claim 2 wherein said resiliently deformable portion of each seal element is of increased thickness compared with said seal member portion of uniform thickness which extends between the bead seats.
9. Sealing means according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sealing means is in the form of a closed loop.
10. Sealing means according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sealing means is formed from a resilient, air-impermeable elastomeric material.
11. Sealing means for a pneumatic tyre and wheel rim assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
12. Sealing means for a pneumatic tyre and wheel rim assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
13. A pneumatic tyre and wheel rim assembly in which the rim has a pair of axially spaced bead seats defined by grooves in each of which a respective one of a pair of axially spaced tyre beads is located and retained and sealing means comprising a pair of elastomeric seal elements each of which acts between a respective one of said tyre beads and the associated groove whereby each tyre bead is held under compression in an axial direction in the associated groove.
14. An assembly according to claim 13 wherein each seal element has a resiliently deformable portion which acts between an axially inwardly and/or an axially outwardly directed surface of the tyre bead and the associated groove.
15. An assembly according to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein each seal element is of generally channel section so as to embrace the tyre bead and provide a lining for the associated groove.
16. An assembly according to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein each seal element has an axially and radially outwardly tapered portion which seats against the lower region of the adjacent tyre sidewall.
17. An assembly according to any one of claims 13 to 16 wherein each seal element is defined by the lateral edge portions of a seal member which extends circumferentially around the radially outer surface of the rim and across the axial width of the rim between the bead seats.
18. An assembly according to any one of claims 13 to 17 wherein each tyre has a substantially inextensible bead reinforcement.
19. An assembly according to claim 18 wherein the diameter of the bead reinforcement is less than the maximum diameter of the associated groove side portions.
20. An assembly according to any one of claims 13 to 19 wherein the rim is multi-component.
21. An assembly according to claim 20 wherein the rim is well-less.
22. An assembly according to any one of claims 13 to 21 wherein the tyre is a radial, cross-ply or belted bias tyre.
23. An assembly according to any one of claims 13 to 22 wherein the sealing means is formed from a resilient, air-impermeable elastomeric material.
24. A pneumatic tyre and wheel rim assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with referpence to Figures 1 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
25. A pneumatic tyre and wheel rim assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
GB8005931A 1979-03-07 1980-02-21 Sealing means for pneumatic tyre and wheel rim assemblies Expired GB2044189B (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8005931A GB2044189B (en) 1979-03-07 1980-02-21 Sealing means for pneumatic tyre and wheel rim assemblies
IT20405/80A IT1150055B (en) 1979-03-07 1980-03-07 IMPROVEMENTS ON OR RELATING TO SEALING VEHICLES FOR WHEEL RIM GROUPS AND TIRES

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB7908018 1979-03-07
GB8005931A GB2044189B (en) 1979-03-07 1980-02-21 Sealing means for pneumatic tyre and wheel rim assemblies

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GB2044189A true GB2044189A (en) 1980-10-15
GB2044189B GB2044189B (en) 1983-05-11

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GB8005931A Expired GB2044189B (en) 1979-03-07 1980-02-21 Sealing means for pneumatic tyre and wheel rim assemblies

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IT (1) IT1150055B (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2525968A1 (en) * 1982-04-30 1983-11-04 Honda Motor Co Ltd VEHICLE WHEEL COMPRISING THE ENTIRELY FIBER REINFORCED RESIN
DE3321979A1 (en) * 1983-06-18 1984-12-20 Uniroyal Englebert Reifen GmbH, 5100 Aachen Wheel rim
EP0633150A1 (en) * 1993-07-07 1995-01-11 Hutchinson Sealing device for spoked wheels und wheel with such a device
US6443533B2 (en) 1997-07-25 2002-09-03 Mavic S.A. Bicycle rim structure provided for a tubeless assembly and bicycle wheel
FR2847202A1 (en) * 2002-11-20 2004-05-21 Mavic Sa RIM BASE PROVIDED TO EQUIP A BIKE RIM
WO2005082642A1 (en) * 2004-02-26 2005-09-09 Continental Aktiengesellschaft Sealing ring for a vehicle wheel

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2525968A1 (en) * 1982-04-30 1983-11-04 Honda Motor Co Ltd VEHICLE WHEEL COMPRISING THE ENTIRELY FIBER REINFORCED RESIN
DE3321979A1 (en) * 1983-06-18 1984-12-20 Uniroyal Englebert Reifen GmbH, 5100 Aachen Wheel rim
FR2548095A1 (en) * 1983-06-18 1985-01-04 Uniroyal Englebert Gmbh Safety wheel-rim for tubeless tyre
EP0633150A1 (en) * 1993-07-07 1995-01-11 Hutchinson Sealing device for spoked wheels und wheel with such a device
FR2707213A1 (en) * 1993-07-07 1995-01-13 Hutchinson Sealing device for pneumatic wheel and wheel comprising such a device.
US6443533B2 (en) 1997-07-25 2002-09-03 Mavic S.A. Bicycle rim structure provided for a tubeless assembly and bicycle wheel
US6641227B2 (en) 1997-07-25 2003-11-04 Mavic S.A. Bicycle rim structure provided for a tubeless assembly and a bicycle wheel incorporating same
FR2847202A1 (en) * 2002-11-20 2004-05-21 Mavic Sa RIM BASE PROVIDED TO EQUIP A BIKE RIM
US7104300B2 (en) 2002-11-20 2006-09-12 Salomon S.A. Sealing strip for a rim of a wheel and a rim having a sealing strip
WO2005082642A1 (en) * 2004-02-26 2005-09-09 Continental Aktiengesellschaft Sealing ring for a vehicle wheel
US8082962B2 (en) 2004-02-26 2011-12-27 Continental Aktiengesellschaft Sealing ring for a vehicle wheel

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT1150055B (en) 1986-12-10
GB2044189B (en) 1983-05-11
IT8020405A0 (en) 1980-03-07
IT8020405A1 (en) 1981-09-07

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Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19930221