GB2151561A

GB2151561A - Inner tube for a vehicle wheel

Info

Publication number: GB2151561A
Application number: GB08333244A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jose Maria Herrer Lopez-Cuervo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-12-13
Filing date: 1983-12-13
Publication date: 1985-07-24
Also published as: GB2151561B; GB8333244D0

Abstract

The inner tube comprises a plurality of independent compartments 4,5,6 each of which extends around the entire circumference of the tube. In the inner region 7, corresponding to the rim of the wheel, where the walls of the compartments are of short length, a rubber disc is provided with internal ducts which communicate all the compartments with a single air inflation valve. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Inner tube for a vehicle wheel The present invention relates to an inner tube for a vehicle wheel.

According to the present invention there is provided an inner tube for a vehicle wheel comprising a plurality of independent compartments, each of which extends around the entire periphery of the wheel, being provided in the inner part corresponding to the rim of the wheel with a region in which the walls of all the compartments are of short length, such that all the walls are covered by a member provided with internal duct means which communicate all of the compartments with a single air inflation valve.

Such a construction has the following advantages: 1. Since the inner tube is divided into different, completely independent, compartments, even if one of the compartments may suffer a puncture or blowout, the tyre does not go down, since the damage does not affect the remaining compartments. Each of said compartments extends around the entire circumference of the inner tube whereby, when the above mentioned damage occurs, the tyre does not lose its toroidal shape, as would happen if the compartments were disposed transversely.

2. The various compartments are filled by way of a single valve, thereby ensuring that all the compartments are filled with air to the same pressure, an important consideration being that, once the operation of inflating the compartments is concluded, air cannot pass from one compartment to the other through the valve.

3. The inner tube may be fitted with any of the tyres which are at present on the market and on any rim of a new or used vehicle.

In order that the present invention may more readily be understood, the following description is given solely by way or example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-section through one embodiment of inner tube according to the invention, in a plane through the axis of the inner tube; Figures 2 and 3 show an elevational view and a plan view respectively of one form of valve assembly for the inner tube of Fig. 1; and Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the valve assembly shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the embodiment illustrated has three independent compartments, but there may be any number greater than one of such compartments. Ail the compartments converge towards the the inner region 7 which corresponds to the rim of the wheel, at a point at which the valve can be fitted. The compartments are of the same internal volume (to be at the same pressure) but are of different shapes, compartments 4 and 6 being identical mirror images to one another and different from compartment 5.

The region 1 corresponds to the region which will be the tread band of the tyre, being the region where there is the maximum probability of a puncture, it being more difficult to have a puncture in the compartments 4 and 6, since the object causing the puncture will have to pass through the double wall 2. The wall 3 will be in contact with the outer cover of the tyre (not shown in the drawing).

With reference to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be seen that the assembly of the valve comprises a rubber disc 8, which is secured by adhesive means to the inside surfaces of the walls of the inner tubes in the region 7, covering portions of the three compartments 4, 5 and 6. The disc has an annular reinforcing portion 9, an axial stem at the same side as the reinforcing portion 9, and a cylindrical projecting portion 10 on the opposite side, such that the valve proper is totally surrounded by rubber, to ensure that it is air-tight. The projecting portion 10 is inside the inner tube and the axial stem 11 projects outwardly thereof through the rim, whereby it is accessible for filling the inner tube with air from the exterior.

Provided within the disc 8 are ducts 1 2 and 13, which connect the air intake body portion 1 4 of the valve to each of the compartments, as shown, the ducts 1 2 going to the compartments 4 and 6 and the duct 1 3 going to the compartment 5.

With reference to Fig. 4, it will be seen therefrom that the valve has an air intake duct 15, which communicates with the ducts 1 2 and 13, for taking air to the various compartments. The valve body portion 1 6 projects outwardly through a hole provided in the rim, its upper part 1 9 having a screwthread 1 7 for carrying a cap 18, which covers an opening stem 20, provided with a screwthread 21 for connecting it to the upper inner part of the valve body portion 1 6.

The stem is provided, in its interior, with a valve core 22 which, when the tyre is being inflated, is pushed in by the pressure of the air and displaces the conical closure member 23 disposed at the centre of the valve body, which terminates in a conical enlarged portion 24, within which there is a recess 25 for housing a spring 26, which is overcome by the inward movement of the valve core and permits air to pass along the walls of the closure member, passing into the cavity 27 and flowing on through the ducts 1 2 and 1 3 to the compartments. When the operation of inflating the tyre is concluded, the spring 26 recovers, whereby the closure member 23, by the action of the spring 26 in combination with the pressure of the air, seats in the cavity 27 and prevents the air from escaping. Pro vided in the base 28 of the valve, which has a screwthread 29 for connecting it to the valve body portion 16, is a recess 30 for housing the spring 26.

Claims

1. An inner tube for a vehicle wheel comprising a plurality of independent compartments, each of which extends around the entire periphery of the wheel, being provided in the inner part corresponding to the rim of the wheel with a region in which the walls of all the compartments are of short length, such that all the walls are covered by a member provided with internal duct means which communicate all the compartments with a single air inflation valve.

2. An inner tube according to claim 1, wherein said member is a rubber disc.

3. An inner tube according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inflation valve is provided in its outer part with a valve core which, upon being subjected to the pressure of the inflation air, yields and pushes in a conical closure member, overcoming the force of a spring which, upon conclusion of the inflation operation, recovers and closes the closure member, the pressure of the air in the inner tube also co-operating to produce the closure action.

4. An inner tube according to claim 3, wherein after passing the closure member, the air reaches a cavity from which extend ducts for distributing the air to the various compartments.

5. An inner tube according to any preceding claim, wherein the internal volume of each of said compartments is equal, although they are of different geometrical shape.

6. An inner tube according to any preceding claim wherein, in the event of a puncture, only the compartment affected deflates, the other compartments filling up the space which is left free by the compartment which deflates, by virtue of the elasticity of the rubber forming the walls thereof.

7. An inner tube for a vehicle wheel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.