GB2238276A

GB2238276A - A band device for retaining a tyre on a wheel rim

Info

Publication number: GB2238276A
Application number: GB8926384A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bernard John Savage
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-11-22
Filing date: 1989-11-22
Publication date: 1991-05-29
Anticipated expiration: 2009-11-22
Also published as: GB2238276B; GB8926384D0

Abstract

A band device 2 for retaining a tyre on a wheel rim in the event that the tyre should become deflated comprises first and second band portions 4, 6 which are part circular, a flexible link member 8 for linking adjacent first ends 10, 12 of the band portions 4, 6 and screw threaded fastener means 14 for connecting adjacent second ends 16, 18 of the band portions 4, 6 such that the band device 2 is fastenable on the wheel rim. <IMAGE>

Description

A B, DEVICE FOR RETAINING A TYRE ON A WHEEL RIM This invention relates to a band device for retaining a tyre on a wheel rim in the event that the tyre should become deflated. This invention also relates to a wheel rim having the tyre band device and to a complete wheel comprising the band device, the wheel rim and a tyre.

Band devices for retaining a tyre on a wheel rim in the event that the tyre should become deflated are known. The band devices are effective to enable the tyre to remain on the wheel rim for a predetermined period after loss of air pressure from a tyre in the wheel rim. The band devices thus provide a degree of safety in the event that the tyre should suddenly become deflated whilst a road vehicle is travelling at speed. Known band devices are described and claimed in my UK patent Nos.2082129B and 2158785B.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a band device which is easy to fit and which is especially useful for wheels having tubed tyres.

Accordingly, this invention provides a band device for retaining a tyre on a wheel rim in the event that the tyre should become deflated, which band device comprises a first band portion which is part circular, a second band portion which is part circular, a flexible link member for linking adjacent first ends of the first and the second band portions, and screw threaded fastener means for connecting adjacent second ends of the first and the second band portions such that the band device is fastenable on the wheel rim.

The band device of the present invention is especially useful for wheels having tubed tyres in that the flexible link member can be designed to avoid chafing of the tube, whilst at the same time facilitating placing of the first and the second band portions around the wheel rim due to the flexibility inherent in the flexible link member. If desired, the band device may also be used on wheels having tubeless tyres.

The flexible link member preferably comprises a steel wire rope. Other materials for the flexible link member may however be employed.

The flexible link member may comprise a protective sleeve. Where the flexible link member is steel wire rope or other relatively abrasive material, then the protective sleeve acts to protect a tube in the tyre from being abraided by the steel wire rope.

Preferably, the protective sleeve is made of a rubber material. The protective sleeve may also be made of some plastics materials if desired.

The band device may be one in which the flexible link member has first and second ends, and in which the first and/or the second ends are enlarged for the purpose of retaining the first and/or the second ends to the first and/or second band portions of the band device. The first and the second ends of the flexible link member may each be enlarged by being provided with a ferrule.

The tyre band device may include an anti-chafe patch. The anti-chafe patch is preferably made of rubber but it may be made of some plastics materials if desired.

Usually, the first and the second band portions will be of substantially the same size.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a band device for retaining a tyre on a wheel rim; Figure 2 shows in more detail part of the band device shown in Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 show in more detail another part of the band device shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows in more detail part of a flexible link member; and Figure 6 shows an anti-chafe patch.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5, there is shown a band device 2 for retaining a tyre (not shown) on a wheel rim (not shown) in the event that the tyre should become deflated whilst a vehicle is moving. The band device 2 comprises a first band portion 4 which is part circular as shown, and a second band portion 6 which is also part circular as shown. The first and the second band portions 4,6 are of substantially the same size. The band device 2 also comprises a flexible link member 8 for linking adjacent first ends 10, 12 of the first and the second band portions 4, 6 respectively. The band device 2 further comprises screw threaded fastener means 14 for connecting adjacent second ends 16, 18 of the first and the second band portions such that the band device 2 is fastenable on the wheel rim.

The flexible link member 8 has a central portion 20 which is made of steel wire rope. A protective sleeve 22 is provided over the steel wire rope. The protective sleeve 22 is made of rubber but it may be made of other appropriate material.

The flexible link member 8 is such that it is enlarged at each of its ends by being provided with a pair ferrules 24, 26. The first ends 10, 12 of the first and the second band portions 4, 6 terminate in inwardly benttt flanges 28,30 and the shape of these flanges can best be seen in Figure 4. The flanges 28, 30 are provided with holes 32 and the holes 32 are shaped to receive the ferrules 24, 26 and then to retain them in position as shown in Figure 1.

The band device 2 shown in Figure 1 is especiaSy - useful for tubed tyres and a valve hole 34 for receiving a valve of a tube has been shown. It will be seen that the valve hole is positioned adjacent the flexible link member > 8+.

The band device 2 is tightened on the wheel rimusing the fastener means 14. The fastener means 14 comprises a threaded bolt 36, a threaded bar nut 38 and a bar washer 4iso, The second ends 16, 18 are provided with the illustrated slots 42 so that the fastener means 14 can be located in position and the head 44 of the bolt 36 can be reached for tightening purposes. The second ends 16, 18 terminate in inwardly bent flanges 46, 48 against which the washer 40 and the nut 38 abut.

The first and the second band portions 4, 8 are provided with box section legs 50. The legs 50 sit inside the well in a wheel rim andthey enable the first and the second band portions 4, 6 to sit flush at the top of the well in the wheel rim.

Preferably, the flexible link member 8 is arranged to sit on the floor of the well.

The band device 2 may be made of zinc coated mild steel. The zinc coating prevents various parts of the band device 2 from rusting when the band device 2 is subjected to the action of a chemical sealant inside the tyre. As an alternative to using zinc coated mild steel, stainless steel may be employed.

It is envisaged that the band device 2 will enable a vehicle to run on a completely deflated tyre at 30 miles per hour for up to ten miles. The band device 2 will be effective to hold the tyre on the rim. The band device 2 is easy to fit since the flexible link member 8 holds the first ends 10, 12 together whilst enabling them to be flexed due to the flexibility inherent in the flexible link member 8.

Figure 5 shows part of the flexible link member 8 and illustrates more particularly the sleeve of rubber or other material.

Figure 6 shows an anti-chafe patch 52 which may optionally be employed. The patch 52 may be provided with holes 54 for enabling the patch 52 to be located in position.

The patch 52 can be located over the flexible link member 8 or it can be located over the fastener means 14. The second ends 16, 18 are shown provided with holes 56 which may receive appropriate fasteners for locating the patch 52 if desired.

The band device 2 can be used with tubed or tubeless tyres. The drawings show round hole portions at the top of the first and the second band portions 4, 6 for accepting the ferrules 24, 26 vertically. If desired, the ferrules 24, 26 can be attached to the ends of the central portion 20 after the ends have been passed through the first ends 10,12 to be joined. As indicated above, fixing devices other than the ferrules 24, 26 may be employed.

With tubeless tyres and some low pressure tyres, protective material such as the protective sleeve 22 is not appropriate.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, a locking washer 58 is preferably employed between the head 44 of the bolt 36 and the bar washer 40. The holes 32 can be punched, drilled or otherwise provided in the first and the second band portions 4, 6. other designs for the legs 50 may be employed or they may be omitted if desired. More than one flexible link member 8 may be employed. The flexible link member 8 can be of any design and material providing it provides a strong flexible link which assists in the fitting of the band device 2.

Claims

1. A band device for retaining a tyre on a wheel rim in the event that the tyre should become deflated, which band device comprises a first band portion which is part circular, a second band portion which is part circular, a flexible link member for linking adjacent first ends of the first and the second band portions, and screw threaded fastener means for connecting adjacent second ends of the first and the second band portions such that the band device is fastenable on the wheel rim.

2. A band device according to claim 1 in which the flexible link member comprises a steel wire rope.

3. A band device according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the flexible link member comprises a protective sleeve.

4. A band device according to claim 3 in which the protective sleeve is made of a rubber material.

5. A band device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the flexible link member has first and second ends, and in which the first and/or the second ends are enlarged for the purpose of retaining the first and/or the second ends to the first and/or the second band portions of the band device.

6. A band device according to claim 5 in which the first and the second ends of the flexible link member are each enlarged by being provided with a ferrule.

7. A band device according to any one of the preceding claims and including an anti-chafe patch.

8. A band device according to claim 7 in which the anti-chafe patch is made of rubber.

9. A band device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first and the second band portions are of substantially the same size.

10. A band device for retaining a tyre on a wheel rim in the event that the tyre should become deflated, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.