US2633887A - Punctureproof steel inner tube - Google Patents

Description

April 3 J. E. HATULA 2,633,887

PUNCTUREPROOF' STEEL INNER TUBE Fild Aug. 10, 1950 3| 3 INVENTOR. g R Jamv E.HATULA. /I l l b y Patented Apr. 7, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PUNGTUR-EPROOF STEEL INNER TUBE John E. Hatula, Painesdale, Mich.

Application August 10, 1950, Serial No. 178,725

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a punctureproof steel inner tube for a vehicle tire, and more particularly to a novel inner tube construction which includes a series of flexible spring steel bands which are arranged in a. circle in circumferentially spaced relation and adjustably joined to each other.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an inner tube construction for a tire which is sturdy in construction, durable, and fully effective for the purpose intended.

It is the further object of this invention to provide a series of substantially circular U- shaped steel bands which are arranged circularly, and which are adjustable with respect to each other to conform to the tire size, and which are furthermore adjustable transversely of their circular arrangement.

These and other objects will be seen from the following specification and claims in conjunction with the appended drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the present inner tube with the tire to which it is adapted shown in phantom.

Fig. 2 is avsection on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, being a fragmentary illustration; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

It will be understood that the above drawing illustrates merely a preferred embodiment of the invention, and that other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the claims hereafter set out.

Referring to the drawing, the punctureproof inner tube includes a plurality of steel sections, or 90 degree sectors H, I2, [3 and I4, which are adjustably joined together in the manner hereafter described. 1

. Each of said sections includes a series of cir cumferentially spaced arcuate bands I5, which are of generally U-shape as shown in Fig. 2, but whose free ends include the substantially parallel outwardly projecting portions 15. Each of the steel bands is generally circular in construction with the width of the inner portion being less than the width of the outer portion as shown in Fig. 1, whereby each of the steel bands i5 is substantially and equally spaced from the adjacent band throughout the circumference of the tube.

Each of the bands [5 in any particular section are joinedto each other by the arcuate braces l6 which bear upon the inner surfaces of each of said bands adjacent their open portions, and

which are effectively secured thereto by a series of rivets l1. a

A second arcuate brace 22 is contained within each of said sections, being arranged upon the opposite sides of said bands and secured to the respective bands by the rivets 23. It is contem" plated, however, that the braces 16 and 22 could be otherwise secured to the respective bands and transversely thereof, such as by welding.

As shown in Fig. 3 the respective opposite ends of the bands iii are outturned at it, and a bolt N with head 20 is adjustably threaded through corresponding openings in the outturned portions l8. By this construction it is possible to adjust one section with respect to an adjacent section at one end, such as sections H and 12 shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 1. Lock nuts 2! are carried upon bolts 19 for securing each of said bolts in the desired adjusted position.

Similarly the second braces 22 have outturned portions 24 which are inter-connected by the bolts 25 carrying the stationary nut 26 whereby said bolts may be adjustably turned. And here also suitable lock nuts 21 are employed for securing the bolt and the respective sections in their adjusted positions.

Each of the sections ll, 12, I3 and I4 have the reinforcing steel braces Iii-and 22 secured thereto, so that a series of circumferentially spaced steel bands l5 may be held together as shown in Fig. 1. Furthermore, each of the braces 15 and 22 of each section have the outturned portions I8 and 24 whereby, and by means of the adjust able bolts [9 and 25 one section may be adjustably joined to the adjacent section until a complete inner tube-is completed.

Furthermore, by this arrangement each of the sections will be substantially and equally spaced from adjacent sections. Thus the sections may be assembled within the proposed tire and thereafter suitably adjusted with respect to each other to obtain'the proper fit and the desired pressure.

Arcuate reinforcing rin s 28 and 30 are also secured to thexrespective outturned portions l5 by the rivets 29 and 3| respectively, which rings further bind the bands together at their free ends, and also provide for the adjustable securing of the inner portions of the bands at their free ends with respect to each other in a direction transversely of the circular arrangement of said bands.

Upstanding inwardly projecting lugs 32 and 33 are arranged in opposed relation and are joined at their lower portions to the free ends, respectively of the bands I5, and may be riveted thereto,

or otherwise suitably secured as shown in Fig. 2.

Preferably there are two pairs of such lugs 3233 arranged within each of the sections ll, #2, l3 and I 4, being equally spaced from each other. Transversely arranged threaded bolts 34 extend through corresponding threaded openings in the upper ends of lugs 32 and 33, each bolt carrying a stationary central nut member 35 whereby said bolts may be adjusted to thereby regulate the spacing of the inner ends of the bands with respect toeach other in each individual section.

Here also there are provided lock nuts 36 for securing the bolts 34 in the desired position of adjustment. These bolts provide for expanding and contracting of the tube to obtain the desired pressure for easy riding and to prevent friction.

There are preferably two adjusting bolts 34 for each section, or a total of 8 such adjusting bolts which are preferably arranged in equal spaced relation around the tube.

There are also twoadjusting bolts l9 and 25 at each of the ends of the sections for adjusting the sections with respect to each other, making a total of eight more bolts.

It is obvious that the tire 3'! with the above described inner tube cannot go fiat, and that no compressed air is required. There can be no troublesome punctures, annoying slow leaks and dangerous blowouts. The rubber inner tube is completely eliminated as Well as the repairs which are required from time to time.

It is also apparent that the tire 31 and its casing can be worn practically through with safety, thus many extra miles of Wear may be obtained from the rubber tire.

Having described my invention, reference should now be had to the claims which follow for determining the scope thereof.

I claim:

1.. A punctureproof tire inner tube comprising a plurality of ,circumferentially spaced inter-connected tube shaped sections, each section consisting of a plurality of circumferentially spaced centrally directed U-shaped metallic bands, a

plurality of spaced arcuate braces inter-connecting and joined to each of said bands, and ad justable threaded means transversely inter-connecting the central open portions'of each section for regulating the pressure thereof.

2. A punctureproof tire inner tube comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced inter-connected tube shaped sections, each section consisting of a plurality of circumferentially spaced centrally directed U-shaped metallic bands, a plurality of spaced arcuate braces inter-connecting and joined to each of said bands, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced threaded means arranged transversely of and adjustably inter-connecting the free ends of said bands for regulating the pressure in each section.

3. A punctureproof tire inner tube comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced inter-connected tube shaped sections, each section consisting of a plurality of circumferentially spaced sisting of a plurality of circumferentially spaced centrally directed U-shaped metallic bands, a

- plurality of spaced arcuate braces inter-connecting and joined to each of said bands intermediate their ends, additional spaced arcuately shaped braces arranged at the free ends of said bands and immovably secured thereto for further inter-connecting the same, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced threaded means arranged transversely of and adjustably inter-connecting said additional braces in each section.

5. A punctureproof tire inner tube comprising a plurality of oircumferentially spaced inter-connected tube shaped sections, each section con sisting of a plurality of circumferentially spaced centrally directed U-shaped metallic hands, a plurality of spaced arcuate braces inter-connecting and joined to each of said bands, threaded means adjustably inter-connecting the respective adjacent ends of said sections, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced threaded means arranged transversely of and adjustably inter-connecting the free ends of said bands in each section for regulating the pressure therein.

6. In combination with a vehicle tire, a punctureproof inner tube positioned upon its interior surface comprising a pluralityof circumferentially spaced inter-connected tube shaped sections nested within said tire, each section consisting of a plurality of circumferentially spaced centrally directed U shaped metallic hands, a plurality of spaced arcuate braces joined to and inter-connecting each of said halide-threaded means adjustably inter-connecting the respective adjacent ends of said sections and a plurality of circumferentially spaced threaded means arranged transversely of and adjustably inter-connecting the free ends of said bands in each sec tion for regulating the pressure therein.

JOHN E. HA'I'ULA.

REFERENCES GITED- The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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