NO20160335A1 - Element for tyre - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for attaching an elongated element with a riding surface to a tyre comprises two types of elongated members, wherein at least one first elongated member is configured to be fastened along the circumference of a side of the tyre, and a second elongated member is configured to be fastened to the elongated element, the first and second members being provided with attachment means for engagement with each other when the element is attached to the tyre. Element to be attached to a tyre by a device according to the invention, and method for attaching an element to a tyre when using a device according to the invention.

Description

Element for tyre.

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a tread or tyre cover for a tyre and a method for replacing such a tread, according to the preamble of the independent patent claims. More particularly, the invention relates to a tyre cover for a vehicle providing a tyre protecting cover detachably mounted on the outside of tyre.

Background of the invention

A tyre for a vehicle, such as a car, lorry, or trucks comprises in general a ply; beads; belts; sidewalls; shoulders; tread; sipes and grooves; and a rib. The plies are made of layers of fabric that make up the skeleton of the tyre, and are typically made of fibre cords that are woven together and coated with rubber, allowing the tyre to be flexible but not elastic. The beads are made from high-strength braided steel coated in rubber and create an airtight seal between the tyre and the rim of the wheel. Steel belts may be placed around the tyre to reinforce strength and provide rigidity. The sidewalls are the area of extra thick rubber that runs from the bead to the treads and gives the tyre lateral stability. The shoulder is a small bevelled edge where the treads meets the sidewalls and its design and construction play an important role in how the tyre helps take corners. Treads are the soft area of the tyre where rubber meets the road, providing both a cushion and grip. Sipe and groove is the part of the tyre configuration formed by deep grooves that allow the tyre to disperse water, snow and mud. Sipes are the smaller grooves or cuts made in the tread blocks themselves to give extra grip, which is especially important in a tyre made for snow and ice. The rib is the centre of the tyre, running down the centre.

A tyre for bicycles comprises a casing, covered by a rubber tread and provided with a bead or clincher for attachment to a rim the casing being wrapped around two beads, one on each edge. The bicycle tyre casing provides the resistance against stretching necessary to contain the internal air pressure while remaining flexible enough to conform to the ground surface. The tread is part of the tyre that contacts the ground. The profile of the tread is usually circular, matching the shape of the casing inside it and allowing the tyre to roll to the side as the bicycle leans for turning or balancing. The sidewalls of the casing, i.e. the part on each side extending between the tread and the bead is not being intended to contact the ground. This part of the tyre may be referred to as a side of the tyre.

In order to prevent slipping or skidding of vehicles when driven on snow road or icy road, it is widely used to fit chains on the tyre or mounting snow tyres.

However, in the case of using the chains, there are shortcomings that the service life of tyre is shortened due to load concentrated and wear on contact portion between the chains and tyre. Since many areas of the tyre wherein the chains are not positioned are kept in contact with road surface, occurrence of slip cannot be still avoided. Another issue is the lack of space for chains in the area between the tyre and the vehicle, such as the wheel are, and the inconveniency in riding when the wheels have chains. If existing methods should be used for attaching snow chains to bicycle tyres, it often becomes a conflict with the vehicle breaking systems.

In the case of mounting snow tyres the replacement operation is cumbersome and time consuming and the effect of prevention of slip may be insignificant. Further there is a cost issue, as one need to keep two complete sets of tyres for each vehicle.

Yet another issue is that consumers use their vehicles for different purposes, and thus they might need several types of treads.

In US 2012/0305152 or US 2010/0200136 it is described a tyre håving a tread which can be replaced because the tyre is worn or because the consumer would like to use different kinds of treads on the same tyre. For example, some consumers use their vehicles on more than one kind of surface (i.e., paved roads, unpaved roads, gravel paths, and the like). In the bicycle industry, it is quite common for consumers to need different tread surfaces for mountain trails and for rides on traditional roads. The tyre according to US 2010/0200136 has variable tread characteristics determined by a removable riding surface. The tyre body is provided with a slot that extends circumferentially around the tyre underneath the riding surface, and receives the removable riding surface. The removable riding or tread surface is provided within the slot by attachment mechanisms. Such methods for attaching the riding surface do however not work satisfyingly with the natural distortion, deformation and stretching taking place during use of vehicle tyres, and results often in locking failure or difficult handling.

Other known methods for replacing tread involves use of screws, pins, Velcro, etc. directly under the tread, and require considerable efforts during attachment. They may further directly inhibit the natural movements, stretching and deformation of tyre rubber during usage. This substantially reduces the characteristics of the tyre, and thus the user experience.

Objects of the present invention

All vehicle tyres have the same basic construction as pointed out above, and it is mainly the tread pattern and tread rubber type that define the tyre characteristics such as winter tyre, off-road tyre or racing tyre. Changing the tyres entirely involve considerable efforts, and is unnecessary when only the tread should be replaced. An object of the invention is thus to provide a method that securely attaches a tread, riding surface, tyre cover, or similar on a vehicle tyre, preferably a bicycle tyre. Another object of the invention is to provide a user friendly method for attaching and removing such alternative tread and to provide a durable attachment, without reducing the characteristics of the tyre.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for attaching a removable tread, riding surface, tyre cover or the similar to a tyre, wherein the riding surface does not slide circumferentially in relation to the tyre nor is any substances such as ice, pebbles or the similar allowed to access in between the tyre and the riding surface.

Another object of the invention is that the device should not reduce the elasticity of the tyre, both stretching and deformation occurring during normal use of the tyre, such as a bicycle tyre, should be allowed even when a tyre cover is mounted onto the tyre by the device.

Summary of the invention

The principle used is to provide a replaceable element, for example of an anti-skidding type, peripherally around a tyre, the element should be removable fixed to the side walls of the tyre by means of attachment devices. The element to be attached is in the form of a rectangular or U-shaped configuration with a length more or less corresponding to the circumferential length of a tyre and a width large enough to surround a tyre crosswise covering the tread of the tyre and extending at least partly down the side wall along each side. The element is flexible, and may also be elastic both in longitudinal direction and crosswise, allowing the element to be wrapped around the tyre in both said directions. The element is intended to be releasable fixed to at least one corresponding member extending circumferentially along both side walls of the tyre.

The objects of the invention are met by a device for attaching an element with a riding surface to a tyre, an element to be attached to the tyre, and a method for replacing such an element according to the characterizing part of the independent claims. Further features, embodiments or alternatives are defined in the corresponding dependent claims.

The invention relates to a device on the tyre for attaching an element with a riding surface or tread to a tyre, for instance a conventional bicycle tyre. In addition to the element with a riding surface or tread, the device comprises two types of elongated members, wherein at least one first member is configured to be fastened along the circumference of a side of the tyre, and a second member is configured to be fastened to the element, the members comprise means for engaging each other, when the element is attached to the tyre.

The engagement means of the first and second member are preferably configured to be positioned on a side of the tyre.

By the term " side of the tyre" or "side wall of the tyre" it is herein meant the area of the tyre from the rim to the riding surface, as discussed above. If used on a bicycle tyre, the riding surface includes the area of the tyre bearing against the ground even during a sudden turn when the wheel is inclined at an angle to the ground. Further, when riding the bike on rough ground, or with different air pressure inside the tyre, possibly due to changing temperature, the first members should not come in conflict with the rim or become a part of the riding surface. A person skilled in the art would know what part of the tyre would be the "side of the tyre" based on this information. In a preferred embodiment, the "side of the tyre" includes the tyre being more than 1 cm away from the rim, but not more than 3/5 of the height of the tyre.

In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises two first members, being fastened to opposite sides of the tyre, wherein the element is attached to both first members. By the term "opposite sides of the tyre" it is herein meant that one first member should be fastened to one side of the wheel, and the other first member should be fastened to the second side of the wheel. If used on a car, one side of the wheel would be facing outwards and the other side would be facing inwards underneath the car. It is preferred that the first members are fastened symmetrically along both sides of the tyre.

By "elongated members" it should be understood that the members are longer than wide, and when "elongated members" should be "fastened along the circumference" it should be understood that the member should be fastened in such a way that its longer side is arranged in the circumference direction of the wheel.

The element to be attached to the tyre has a riding surfaced which may be adapted to different grounds, for instance pavement or terrain, or different road conditions such as slippery, or snowy conditions. The element preferably have a length corresponding to the outer circumference of the tyre, however, the same function will be achieved even if the element is longer or shorter. In case the element is longer, the ends of the element will overlap, and in case the element is shorter, there will be a gap between the ends. The second member is fastened to the element, and has preferably a length corresponding to the length of the element. In a preferred embodiment, two second members are fastened to the element, one member along each longitudinal opposite sides.

The width of the element should correspond to the distance from one side of the tyre, over the top, and to the other side of the tyre. In case two first members are fastened to the tyre, one on each side, the width of the element should correspond to the distance between the first members to which the element should be attached. It is however preferred that the width of the element is shorter than the distance between the members in such a way that the element must be stretched upon attachment. In this way differences in air pressure, and thus distance between first members will be encountered by stretch of the element without affecting the effect of the element. This also makes it possible that one element may fit to more types of tyres.

In an alternative embodiment, a second member is fastened to the element along one longitudinal side, and a non-elastic wire is fastened to the opposite longitudinal side of the element. The ends of the wire are arranged in such a way that they may be connected to each other, and the wire may be tightened. When using such an element, only one first member fastened to the tyre is necessary. When attaching such an element to the tyre, the element should be placed over the tyre, the longitudinal side comprising the wire should be on the opposite to the side where the first member is fastened. The ends of the wire are connected and the wire is tightened until the corresponding longitudinal side of the element is at the desired place along the side of the tyre. Then the second member being on the opposite longitudinal side of the element, is attached to the first member.

Reference throughout the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

In an alternative embodiment, the element håving the riding surface is only attached to a part of the tyre, leaving other parts uncovered. In another alternative embodiment, the first members are only fastened to parts of the tyre, however many first members may be used in a row around the circumference, leaving uncovered parts between. The element may then be attached to the row of first elements and cover the whole tyre, or it may be used a corresponding number of elements.

The riding surface of the element may be a tread of different types, a spiked tread, a course tread, a rubber surface without any tread pattern, an inflatable rubber surface, a fabric, a surface of rubber and fibres combined, or any combinations of these.

In an embodiment the first member comprises one longitudinal side to be fastened between the rim of the wheel and the tyre, and one longitudinal side comprising the means for engaging the second member. The first member has preferably a length corresponding to the circumference of the tyre at the place of fastening, and a width corresponding to the distance from the rim of the wheel to the place of fastening to the second member. As discussed above, the means for engaging the first and second member should be on the side of the tyre.

It is the pressure from the inside of the tyre, for instance from an inner tube towards the rim which holds the first member(s) in the required position. In an embodiment the side of the first member, to be fastened between the rim of the wheel and tyre, has a protrusion which will render the fastening even more secure. In yet another embodiment, the ends of the elongated first member may be attached to each other, and the member will be a circle. The circumference of inner part, being the side to be fastened between the rim and the tyre may be similar or smaller than the circumference of the rim, and then when the ends are attached to each other, the fastening of the first member will be similar to the fastening of the tyre to the rim.

The first members may be fastened to the tyre, even when an element is not attached to the tyre. In this way, the user may fasten the first members to the tyre once, and only use an element when convenient. The members may be fastened to the tyre in the autumn, and the user may attach an element with a spiked riding surface when the road is slippery and remove it once the road is dry. This may vary even during one day.

In an alternative embodiment, the first members are an integrated part of the tyre, exposing the means for engaging the second member available for attachment. In yet another alternative embodiment the first member is fastened to the tyre by being fitted into a premade track on the side of the tyre, by means of screws, nails, velcro or the similar being obvious to a person skilled in the art. In this case the member may be fastened to the tyre and function as an integrated part of the tyre, however, when the user wants to he/she may release the member from the tyre without deflating the tyre, and use the wheel without the member.

The first and second member both comprises means for engaging each other. This means attach the element to the tyre, and must thus be sufficiently strong to keep the element in place during use of the tyre, even on rough and demanding surfaces. Further the means should be easy to engage and disengage, withstand repeated use and rough conditions such as dirt and water.

The means should preferably be continuous, meaning that the second member is not engaged to the first member only at separate fastening points. In this way the element may not twist or rotate in relation to the tyre, and it will not be possible for water, ice and/or dirt to cross the means, and come into the area between the element and the tyre. Preferably the means may be opened and closed in one continuous movement, at the same time as they allow the element to be stretched during attachment.

In a preferred embodiment the means for engaging the first and second member is a zipper, wherein the zipper teeth are exposed along the adjacent sides. The zipper slider should preferably be on the element, as the first members may be fastened to the tyre even without using an element, and thus the slider would be exposed to rougher conditions if fastened to the first member. In an alternative embodiment, the means for engaging the first and second members is a velcro, dual-lock, zip-lock or the similar.

The element may be mounted on any tyre, regardless of the pattern of the riding surface of the tyre. However, in an alternative embodiment, the tyre has a smooth surface which will give a good grip towards the underside of the element, and in yet another embodiment, the surface of the tyre and the underside of the element may have patterns giving some friction towards each other, and assisting the attachment of the element.

The invention also comprises a method for attaching an element with a riding surface to a tyre, when using a device as described above. The method comprises the following steps:

a) fastening at least one first member to a side the tyre,

b) engaging an end of the second members to the first member, and

c) engaging each whole second member to each whole first member.

If the first members are an integrated part of the tyre, then step a) is omitted. Further,

if an element should be replaced, then step a) should be replaced by a step of removing an element already attached to the tyre.

When the first members should be fastened between the rim and the tyre, the first member preferably comprises one end håving a protrusion to be fastened between the rim of the wheel and the tyre, and one end comprising the means for engaging the second member. The tyre should be sufficiently deflated to fit one end of the first member, the end håving a protrusion, between the rim of the wheel and the tyre, in such a way that the protrusion will engage an inward protrusion of the rim. This should be done along the whole circumference of the rim, and possibly on both sides of the rim. The rim normally comprises an inward protrusion to engage the ends of the tyre. When the first member(s) is fastened, the tyre should be inflated again, and due to the air pressure inside the tyre, the first member(s) will be fastened between the tyre and the rim.

Once the first member(s) is fastened, the element with the riding surface should be attached. When using two first elements, this is done by arranging the means of the second members on the element in engagement with the first members. When the element comprises a non-elastic wire as described above, the wire should be attached first, and then the means of second member of element should engage the first member. In case the engaging means is a zipper, the zipper slider should engage the zipper teeth on both the first and second member, and be pulled along the length of the zipper, and thus attach the element to the tyre.

In one embodiment, the method should comprise a further step for fastening the ends of the element to each other. This may for instance be done with an elastic band, tying the ends to each other, a clips, a magnet, velcro or the similar, which will be obvious to a person skilled in the art.

The method for attaching an element with a riding surface to a tyre according to the invention is fast and easy, and once the first members are fastened one does not need to deflate the tyre to replace the riding surface or to add a spiked surface to the tyre. The device according to the invention will not interfere with the rest of the vehicle, and thus it is independent on the type rim or wheel and as it does not embrace the rim in any way, it will also work with all types of brakes.

The invention will now be described by means of the enclosed figures. The different parts of the figures are not necessarily in scale to each other, as the figures are merely for illustrating the invention.

Description of the Figures

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein: Figure 1 shows schematically a side view of a bicycle wheel with a device for a replaceable riding surface on a tyre; Figure 2 shows a section through the wheel shown in Figure 1, also indicating the rim of the wheel, but not any spokes; Figure 3 shows schematically in perspective a cross section through Figure 2, only showing a portion of the tyre and rim;, Figure 4 shows schematically a cross section of a second embodiment of the invention, without a riding surface; and Figure 5 shows the embodiment of Figure 4 with a riding surface attached to the tyre.

Description of preferred embodiments of the invention

The following description of an exemplary embodiment refers to the drawing, and the following detailed description is not meant or intended to limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Figure 1 shows schematically a bicycle wheel 10 from one side. The tyre 11 is covered of a tyre cover 15 (see Figure 2) bearing a riding surface attached with a device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The wheel 10 comprises as usual a hub 14, a number of spokes 13, rim 12 and a tyre 11 fastened to the rim 12 in a conventional way. Figures 2 and 3 show a cross section of the wheel 10 with, and without, an inner tube 17 respectively.

The device comprises two first members 16, each fastened between the rim 12 of the wheel 10 and the tyre 11, on opposite sides of the tyre 11. When the first members 16 are to be mounted, the tyre 11 and/or the inner tube 17 as the case may be, must be slightly deflated to make room between the tyre 11 and the rim 12, whereupon the first members 16 are arranged at the desired position between the tyre 11 and the rim 12. When air pressure is then added to the tyre 11 or inner tube 17 again, the first members 16 will be forced towards the rim 12 and fastened or locked from movement by the pressure inside the tyre 11. When fastened, the first members 16 stretch along the side wall of the tyre 11, and are provided with means for engaging corresponding means on second members.

The device also comprises two second members in the shown embodiment, each is fastened a longitudinal sides of the tyre cover 15 bearing the riding surface. The tyre cover 15 has a length corresponding more or less to the circumferential length of the tyre 11, while the width corresponds to the distance across the are of the tyre 10 from one of the first attachment members 16 to the other. The second members are provided with means for engagement being configured to engage to the means for engagement on the first members, in order to attach the tyre cover 15 to the tire 11, along a common contact line 18. As shown in the Figures, the second members of the tyre cover are attached to one first member on one side of the wheel, and another first member on the other side of the wheel, the entire are of the tyre 11 being covered by the tyre cover 15

In the shown embodiment, both the underside of the tyre cover and the riding surface of the tyre are smooth and will give some friction towards each other when the wheel is rolling. In other, not shown embodiments, the adjacent sides may be arranged to increase the friction, and/or the tyre surface may have a patterned riding surface.

Figure 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the invention, corresponding to the embodiment shown in figure 2 and 3, but the first members are an integrated part of the tyre. In Figure 4 the means of the first member is shown as protruding edge 22, but it is actually a part of a zipper, and in Figure 5 an element håving a riding surface is attached to the tyre by means of the zipper shown in Figure 4.

In the embodiments disclosed the attachment between the means along the peripheral edge of the first members 16 and the corresponding means along the peripheral sides of the second member on the cover 15, shown as common contact line 18 in the Figures, is positioned doser to the edge of the rim 12 than to the riding or contact surface of the tyrel 1. It should be appreciated, however, that the positioning of such joint may be anywhere along the side wall of the tyre, but not more than 3/5 of the height of the tyre.

As indicated in the Figures the rim 12 is provided with two upwards projecting arms 19, terminated at their free ends with an inwards projecting bead or bulb 20, while the tyre 11 preferably is provided with a corresponding outwards projecting bead or bulb 21. The corresponding end of the first members 16 may preferably, but not necessarily be provided with a curved end so as to enhance the fixing of the first members 16, enhancing the locking effect between inner surface of the rim 12 and the lower, external surface of the tyre 11.

Claims (15)

1. Device for attaching an elongated element with a riding surface to a tyre,characterized in thatthe device comprises two types of elongated members, wherein at least one first elongated member is configured to be fastened along the circumference of a side of the tyre, and a second elongated member is configured to be fastened to the elongated element, the first and second members being provided with attachment means for engagement with each other when the element is attached to the tyre.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the engagement means of the first and second member are configured to be positioned on a side of the tyre.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2,characterized in thatthe device comprises two first members, being fastened to opposite sides of the tyre, wherein the element is attached to both first members.

4. Device according to claim 3,characterized bycomprising two second members, fastened to both the elongated sides of the element with the riding surface.

5. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 4,characterized in thatthe attachment means for engagement is a zipper.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims,characterized in thatthe riding surface of the element is provided with a tread, or a spiked fabric.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims,characterized in thatthe first member comprises one end to be fastened between the rim of the wheel and the tyre, and one end comprising the means for engaging the second member.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1-6,characterized in thatthe first member is integrated into the side wall of the tyre.

9. Elongated element to be attached to a tyre by a device according to any one of claims 1-8,characterized bycomprising a riding surface and at least one second member håving attachment means for engagement with a first member being fastened to the tyre.

10. Element according to claim 9,characterized in thatthe second member is fastened to the element along one longitudinal side, and that a non-elastic wire is fastened along the opposite longitudinal side of the element, wherein the ends of the non-elastic wire may be attached to each other.

11. Element according to claim 9,characterized in thatthe element has two second members, one along each of the longitudinal sides.

12. Method for attaching an element with a riding surface to a tyre, when using a device for attachment according to any one of claims 1-7,characterized bycomprising the following steps: a) fastening at least one first member to a side the tyre, b) engaging an end of the second member to the first member, and c) engaging each whole second member to each whole first member.

13. Method according to claim 9,characterized in thatthe fastening of the first member to the tyre is performed by inserting a part of the first member between the tyre and the rim of the wheel.

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13,characterized in thatthe two first members are fastened to the tyre, one on each side.

15. Method according to any one of claim 12-14,characterized bycomprising a further step for fastening the ends of the riding surface to each other.