GB2608629A

GB2608629A - Tubeless tyre tool

Info

Publication number: GB2608629A
Application number: GB2109847.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hurst Poynton George
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-07-08
Filing date: 2021-07-08
Publication date: 2023-01-11
Also published as: GB202109847D0

Abstract

A tool for inflating a tubeless tyre is provided. The tool comprises a housing and a valve retainer. The housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet. The valve retainer being arranged to receive a valve element at the outlet during use, and further arranged to withdraw the valve element into the fluid flow path, and to retain the valve element in the housing, thereby allowing fluid to flow from the inlet to the outlet while bypassing the valve element. A method of inflating a tubeless tyre is also provided.

Description

TUBELESS TYRE TOOL

The invention relates to a tool for inflating tubeless tyres, for example a tubeless bicycle tyre, and a method for inflating tubeless tyres.

Typical tyres, such as those for bicycles, have an inner tube which is inflated inside the tyre. However, a problem with such tyres is that they are prone to a type of puncture known as a pinch flat. A pinch flat is caused by the inner tube within the tyre pinching against a rim of the wheel the tyre is mounted upon, this causes a double puncture resembling a snake bite which can cause the inner tube, and hence the tyre, to rapidly deflate in a dangerous manner.

Tubeless tyres, particularly for bicycles, are becoming increasingly popular due to their resistance to punctures. A sealant fluid is often provided within tubeless tyres that can repair leaks caused by small punctures such as thorns and small sharp objects. Further, tubeless tyres avoid pinch flats altogether due to not having an inner tube which can be pinched at the wheel rim.

However, tubeless tyres are considered to be more difficult to inflate, install and maintain when compared to standard tubed tyres. Tubeless tyres seat against, and therefore seal against, the rim of the wheel -they have an open inner circumference with a U-shaped cross-section. As such, installing tubeless tyres requires an initial rapid inflation to cause an initial seal between the tyre and wheel rim to correctly seat the tyre and allow further inflation to a useable (e.g. rideable) pressure. This can be particularly difficult to manage in parallel with the insertion of sealant fluid in the tyre. Sealant fluid is typically liquid-like (initially) and cannot easily be injected into the tyre after it has been pressurised, and must therefore be included within the tubeless tyre prior to inflation. However, since the sealant fluid can escape from the tubeless tyre up until the tyre is correctly seated and sealed against the wheel rim, some amount of sealant is usually lost before the tyre seals against the wheel rim. Further, sealant fluid can dry out over time and become ineffective, so the tubeless tyre must be deflated and the above process repeated to replenish sealant fluid within the tubeless tyre at regular intervals. In summary, installing and maintaining tubeless tyres is generally considered an awkward, more time consuming and inconvenient exercise when compared to traditional tubed tyres.

It is therefore desirable to provide improvements that mitigate the difficulties experienced with existing solutions in inflating tubeless tyres. -2 -

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a tool for inflating a tubeless tyre, comprising: a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet; a valve retainer arranged to receive a valve element at the outlet during use, and further arranged to withdraw the valve element into the fluid flow path, and to retain the valve element in the housing, thereby allowing fluid to flow from the inlet to the outlet while bypassing the valve element.

The fluid may therefore be pressurised fluid (e.g. fluid at a pressure greater than ambient pressure). The fluid may therefore bypass the valve element during inflation of the tubeless tyre and/or after the tubeless tyre has been inflated e.g. partially inflated. The fluid may be air e.g. compressed air or the like that is normally used to inflate a tubeless tyre such as a tubeless bicycle tyre. However, because the fluid can bypass the valve element, it is not restricted thereby and a greater mass flow rate of fluid entering the tubeless tyre can be achieved than if the flow had to travel through the valve element. For example, a burst of air can be provided e.g. to correctly seat the tyre on a wheel. Further, because the fluid can bypass the valve element, the fluid may also be a liquid such as a liquid sealant or the like. It is not typically possible to pass sealant fluid through a valve element because sealant fluid by its nature seals narrow air holes and therefore clogs valve elements. However, in the present invention the valve element is retained in the housing of the tool during inflation, so the tubeless tyre may be partially or fully inflated, and sealant may then be introduced into the tubeless tyre when it is already pressurised. As such, since the pressurised tyre is necessarily already sealed e.g. against a wheel rim, loss of sealant can be avoided.

The present invention therefore enables a two-stage process for installing a tubeless tyre, and separates the injection of sealant fluid from the initial inflation, since the tool prevents the tyre deflating between the insertion of inflating fluid and the subsequent injection of the sealant fluid. The present invention also provides a means to conduct maintenance after installation such as addition of further inflation fluid and/or sealant whilst preventing the tyre deflating.

The valve element may be any suitable valve element for use with a tubeless tyre. For example, the valve element may be a Schrader valve core, a Presta valve core, a Dunlop valve core, or any other valve core, valve insert or the like that can be inserted and removed from a valve, valve outer or the like. -3 -

The valve element may be a one way valve, i.e. the valve element may allow fluid (e.g. compressed air) into the tyre but prevent it from flowing out of the tyre. The valve element may have a means of manually opening the valve to allow flow in either direction, i.e. to deflate the tyre if necessary. The valve element may comprise a first threaded portion configured to engage a threaded portion of the valve or valve outer or the like. The valve element may comprise a second threaded portion configured to attach a protective cover (e.g. a dust cap), the tool, or other components.

The tool may be for inflating a tubeless bicycle tyre. The tool may be for introducing liquid (e.g. sealant) into a pressurised tyre. The fluid flow path may therefore be for providing pressurised fluid from the inlet to the outlet.

The valve retainer may be moveable between a first position and a second position. The valve retainer may be arranged to receive the valve element at the outlet when it is in the first position. The valve retainer may be arranged to move to the second position to retain the valve element in the housing. Thus, the valve retainer may be arranged to move the valve element from the first position at the outlet of the housing to the second position within the housing.

The tool may be configured to couple to a valve outer e.g. the tool may comprise a screw thread for screwing to a valve outer, or may comprise a friction-fit seal or the like. The valve retainer may be configured to receive the valve element before and/or after the tool is attached to the valve outer. For example, during use the valve element may be loaded into valve retainer of the tool, and the tool then attached to the valve outer. The tool may be operable to first attach to the valve outer, and the valve retainer may be operable to then engage the valve element and remove it from the valve outer.

The valve retainer may be configured to receive and couple to the valve element, and thereby retain it e.g. by a screw thread, shaped recess, keyhole, or the like. The valve retainer may be configured to receive and couple to the valve element via any suitable mechanism (e.g. a friction fit) and thereby retain it. The valve retainer may comprise a recess for receiving and retaining at least a portion of the valve core. The valve retainer may be of sufficient elasticity to provide a friction fit and thereby retain the valve element during operation of the tool. The valve retainer may be a section of flexible tubing, e.g. rubber tubing. The valve retainer may be configured to provide a universal friction fit for the different types of valve element, that is the same valve retainer may be capable of retaining a -4 -number of differing valve element types such as a Schrader valve core, a Presta valve core, a Dunlop valve core, or any other valve core, valve insert or the like that can be inserted and removed from a valve, valve outer or the like. Alternatively, the valve retainer may be shaped for primarily receiving and retaining specific valve elements. The valve retainer may have a portion shaped like a typical valve key for removing valve elements from valve outers.

The valve retainer may be further arranged to return the valve element to the outlet and thereby seal the outlet (and hence the tyre) with the valve element. The valve retainer may be operable to move the valve element from the second position within the housing, to the first position at the outlet. The valve retainer may therefore be operable to re-seal the tubeless tyre using the valve element. The valve retainer may be configured to re-seal the tubeless tyre using the valve element such that the tool can be removed without risking deflation. The valve retainer may be operable to torque (e.g. tighten) the valve element within the valve outer, or the final torqueing (e.g. tightening) of the valve element may be provided after the tool is decoupled. Then, fluid flow through the outlet must be through the valve element. The valve element may therefore be returned to its original position e.g. to seal the tubeless tyre. The valve element may be a conventional valve element (e.g. valve core) and may be arranged to permit fluid flow in only one direction unless opened e.g. fully opened.

The valve retainer may therefore temporarily retain the valve element in the housing during inflation of the tyre, and return the valve to seal the inflated tyre. The valve retainer may retain the valve within the housing while the housing is pressurised, e.g. while pressure in the interior volume of the housing equalises with pressure inside the tubeless tyre.

The inlet may be a first inlet and the housing may define a second inlet. The first and/or second inlet may be configured to receive fluid for inflation of the tyre (e.g. compressed air or the like), and the other of the first and/or second inlet may be configured to receive sealant fluid. The second inlet may therefore be configured differently from the first inlet if needed e.g. so that the injection of sealant fluid therethrough will not block or clog the second inlet. The tool may therefore comprise parallel inlets, so that sealant can be injected into the tyre during inflation e.g. to be entrained in compressed air during inflation. -5 -

The second inlet may be in fluid communication with the outlet so as to provide sealant thereto. Thus, the fluid flow path may receive fluid from the second inlet.

The tool may comprise a means for supplying sealant at pressure to the first and/or second inlet(s). The tool may therefore allow injection of sealant into the pressurised housing and hence into the pressurised (e.g. inflated or partially inflated) tubeless tyre.

The first and/or second inlet may be configured to receive fluid (e.g. air and/or sealant) for inflation of the tyre via a handheld pump, a motorised pump, high mass flow rate pumps, pressurised fluid canisters and the like.

The first and/or second inlet may be configured to receive sealant and may comprise a one-way valve. The inlet configured to receive sealant may be configured to allow sealant to be inserted via injection, or via any suitable process. The valve of the inlet may be configured so as not to be blocked or clogged by the passage of sealant therethrough e.g. it may have relatively wide apertures or the like. The sealant may be provided under pressure. The inlet for receiving sealant may be configured to receive sealant via a syringe, plunger, pump or the like.

The first and/or second inlet may be configured to receive sealant and may be configured to receive sealant from a container, capsule, canister, package or the like. The sealant container or the like may be pressurised. The sealant container may contain a predetermined amount of sealant corresponding to the required amount of sealant for sealing a tyre. Therefore, the tool may comprise a sealant source e.g. a detachable and/or disposable sealant source (e.g. a capsule), at least in one configuration. The sealant in the sealant source may be pressurised e.g. at a higher pressure than ambient pressure.

The first and second inlets may both be configured to receive inflation fluid and/or sealant. Where both inlets are configured to receive inflation fluid, two relatively low-mass flow rate pumps or the like may provide inflation fluid to each fluid inlet such that the overall inflation fluid mass flow rate through the tool is increased. Having a higher mass flow rate of inflation fluid increases the ease with which a tubeless tyre may be seated to a wheel rim.

One or both of the first and second inlets may be additionally configured to act as a pressure relief valve if the pressure within the tool exceeds a threshold pressure. The tool may additionally comprise a pressure relief valve. The inlet configured to act as a pressure relief valve or the pressure relief valve may have a -6 -variable pressure relief threshold setting. The pressure relief threshold may be set to the desired pressure of the tyre inflation. The pressure relief threshold may be set to a safe pressure limit or safe pressure limit margin. Having a pressure relief valve ensures safe use of the tool and/or allows the tyre to be inflated to specific desired pressures with ease.

The valve retainer may comprise an actuator operable to move the valve retainer between the outlet and the withdrawn position. The actuator may be operable to move the valve retainer between the first positon and the second position. The actuator may be electronically or manually actuated. The actuator may be a piston. The actuator may be a shaft, a rod or the like. A portion of the actuator may project out of the housing, so that a user can position the valve retainer within the housing.

The actuator may be rotatable by a user such that engagement features of the valve element can engage corresponding engagement features of a valve outer via rotation of the valve element e.g. to remove or reinsert the valve element from or into the valve outer and thereby open or seal the region enclosed by the wheel rim and the tubeless tyre. The actuator may comprise a thumbwheel or the like, operable to rotate the valve retainer and thereby rotate the valve element to seal with the valve outer.

The tool may comprise a seal positioned about the actuator to prevent pressure loss from within the housing. The seal may permit movement of the actuator relative to the housing whilst maintaining pressure within the housing.

Optionally, two seals may be positioned about the actuator to prevent pressure loss from within the housing. The two seals may bridge the first and/or second inlets when the valve retainer is positioned at the outlet, so that one of the two seals prevents fluid from the inlet(s) to the outlet (as well as preventing fluid flow from the outlet to the inlet(s) e.g. in a reverse direction that would deflate the tyre), and one seal prevents fluid flow from the inlets out of the housing past the actuator e.g. where the actuator passes through the housing.

The tool may comprise a seal for sealing the outlet to the valve outer. The seal may clamp around the valve outer/valve stem. Alternatively, the seal may be formed by engaging an inner thread of the outlet with an outer thread of the valve outer. The tool may be configured to couple to a valve outer e.g. to screw to the valve outer to secure the tool for inflation of the tyre. -7 -

The valve retainer may comprise a threaded portion configured to engage an outer threaded portion of the valve element to retain the valve element. The valve retainer may alternatively comprise a clamp or gripper configured to engage a surface of the valve element. The clamp or gripper may retain the valve element during use. The gripper may be a section of rubber tube or the like. The gripper may be an elastic member capable of providing a friction fit with a surface of the valve element. The clamp or gripper may provide a means of universally retaining differing valve element types such as a Schrader valve core, a Presta valve core, a Dunlop valve core, or any other valve core, valve insert or the like that can be inserted and removed from a valve, valve outer or the like. The valve retainer may be shaped substantially like a typical valve key for removing a valve element. The valve retainer may be deformable to engage with and retain the valve element.

The valve retainer may be configured to release the valve element when the valve element is engaged to the valve outer e.g. when the valve retainer is moved or urged toward the withdrawn position while the valve core is screwed into the valve outer.

The tool may be reasonably small, and may be of a shape and size to be hand-held. The tool may be smaller than 50 centimetres in a length dimension, smaller than 30 centimetres in a length dimension, smaller than 20 centimetres in a length dimension, smaller than 10 centimetres in a length dimension, or smaller than 5 centimetres in a length dimension. The tool may be smaller than 15 centimetres in a width dimension, smaller than 9 centimetres in a width dimension, smaller than 6 centimetres in a width dimension, smaller than 3 centimetres in a width dimension, or smaller than 1.5 centimetres in a width dimension. The tool may be portable. The tool may weigh less than 1 kilogram, less than 500 grams, less than 300 grams, less than 250 grams, less than 200 grams, less than 150 grams or less than 100 grams.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a tubeless tyre inflation system, comprising: a wheel rim, a tubeless tyre for inflation on the wheel rim, a fluid source, and the tool as described herein in relation to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the fluid flow path connects the fluid source to the wheel rim to inflate the tubeless tyre on the wheel rim.

The fluid source may be a first fluid source and the assembly may further comprise: a second fluid source, wherein one of the first and second fluid sources comprises a gas for inflating the tubeless tyre, and the other of the first and second -8 -fluid sources comprises sealant (e.g. for sealing the tubeless tyre and wheel rim, or for sealing a puncture in the tyre), wherein both fluid sources are fluidly coupled to the wheel rim and tubeless tyre by the tool According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of inflating a tubeless tyre, comprising removing a valve element from a valve outer and retaining the valve element in a pressurised volume in fluid communication with the interior of the tyre, and introducing fluid into the pressurised tyre by bypassing the valve element in the pressurised volume.

The method may further comprise the step of introducing a second fluid into the pressurised tyre by bypassing the valve element in the pressurised volume, wherein the first fluid is a gas for inflating the tyre and the second fluid is a sealant. The sealant may be for sealing the tubeless tyre and wheel rim. The sealant may be a sealant fluid for sealing punctures in the tubeless tyre. The method may comprise at least partially inflating the tubeless tyre prior to providing any sealant within the tubeless tyre.

The method may further comprise the step of reinserting the valve element into the valve outer without loss of pressure in the pressurised volume.

The method of the third aspect may be performed by providing and/or using the tool of the first aspect or the system of the second aspect. The previously described features are applicable, as appropriate, to both the tool of the first aspect, the assembly of the second aspect, and the method of inflating a tubeless tyre of the third aspect.

Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an example of common valves for tubeless tyres; Figure 2 is a valve element; Figure 3 is a bicycle wheel with a tubeless tyre; Figure 4 provides a cross section of the wheel of Figure 3 showing the tubeless tyre in an uninflated state; Figure 5 provides a cross-section of the wheel of Figure 3 showing the tubeless tyre in an inflated state; and Figure 6 is a tool for inflating the tubeless tyre of Figures 3 to 5.

Figure 1 shows examples of common valves 10 for tubeless bicycle tyres 100, of the type suitable for use with the tool as described herein. The valve 10 -9 -typically consists of a valve outer 20 and a valve core 30 secured within the valve outer 20 to thereby prevent fluid flow therethrough. The valve core 30 may also be referred to as a valve element 30. One end of the valve 10, specifically the valve outer 20, has a tapering (e.g. conical) portion 60 (see e.g. Figures 4 and 5) such that when the valve is inserted through a valve aperture 140 in a tubeless tyre wheel rim 110 the conical portion 60 abuts an interior of the wheel rim 110 preventing the valve 10 from passing entirely through the aperture 140. Towards the conical end of the valve 10, the valve outer 20 also comprises a threaded portion such that a nut 70 can be engaged to secure the valve 10 on the wheel rim 110 with the conical portion 60 abutting an interior side 120 of the wheel rim 110 and the nut 70 abutting the exterior side 130 of the wheel rim 110. When secured, an air tight seal is formed between the aperture 140 and the valve 10. Thus, during use, the valve 10 seals an internal volume of the wheel rim 110 and tubeless tyre 100.

Figure 2 shows the valve element 30. The valve element 30 has two threaded portions, the first threaded portion 40 engages a corresponding threaded portion in the interior of the valve outer 20, and the second threaded portion 50 typically allows a protective cover (e.g. a dust cap) to be attached to the valve 10. The valve outer 20 is hollow and substantially cylindrical for receiving the valve element 30. The valve element 30 is therefore removable from the valve outer 20, and may be reinserted into the valve outer 20.

The second threaded portion 50 may also be used by valve element removal tools to disengage and remove the valve element from the valve outer. Valve elements may comprise other features to disengage and remove the valve element from the valve outer such as engagement features that can be engaged by a valve key or valve cap. For example, the valve element 30 may comprise one or more flattened portions that engage with corresponding portions of a valve key and allow the valve element 30 to be rotated thereby.

Figure 3 depicts a tubeless tyre 100 installed on a bicycle wheel rim 110.

Figures 4 and 5 show a cross section of the wheel of Figure 3 denoted by line A-A in a deflated and inflated state respectively.

With the valve 10 secured to the wheel rim 110, as illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5, fluid can be provided via the valve 10 from the exterior side 130 of the wheel rim to the interior side 120. The wheel rim 110 has a substantially U-shape cross section and the tubeless tyre 100 has a substantially U-shape cross section as -10 -shown in Figures 4 and 5, so that the tubeless tyre 100 co-operates with the wheel rim 110 to form an enclosed volume that can be pressurised to thereby inflate the tubeless tyre 100. The tubeless tyre 100 is placed adjacent the wheel rim 110 such that the opening of the tubeless tyre 100 formed by its cross section is disposed toward the interior side 120 of the wheel rim 110.

In a non-inflated state, i.e. during installation wherein the tubeless tyre 100 is placed about the wheel rim 110, if inflation fluid is provided with the valve element 30 in place, the mass flow rate that can be provided is limited, and it is likely that the inflation fluid will simply escape through gaps between the tubeless tyre 100 and the wheel rim 110 as indicated by the arrows in Figure 4. Hence the tubeless tyre 100 will not inflate (or at least will not inflate efficiently). This can be particularly problematic if the tubeless tyre 100 contains sealant fluid for later use in sealing punctures in the tubeless tyre 100, since sealant will be ejected and lost.

Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of the tubeless tyre 100, wheel rim 110 and valve arrangement shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 in combination with the tool 200 for inflating the tubeless tyre 100. The tool 200 comprises a housing 220 and a valve retainer 240. The housing defines an inlet 260, an outlet 280, and a fluid flow path between the inlet 260 and the outlet 280. In Fig. 6 the tool 200 comprises both a first inlet 260A and a second inlet 260B.

The first inlet 260A is configured to receive inflation fluid, e.g. air, from a pump, compressor, pressurised canister or the like and the second inlet 260B is also configured to receive inflation fluid and/or sealant fluid. The second inlet 260B is also configured to act as a pressure relief valve if the pressure within the housing 220 exceeds a predetermined amount.

The valve retainer 240 is arranged to receive the valve element 30 at the outlet 280 during use, and is further arranged to withdraw the valve element 30 into the fluid flow path, and to retain the valve element 20 in the housing 220, thereby allowing fluid to flow from the inlet 260A, 260B to the outlet 280 while bypassing the valve element 30. The valve retainer 240 also includes an actuator 290 which is operable by a user to move the valve retainer 240 between the outlet 280 and the withdrawn positon, and thereby move the valve element 30 from its initial position to a location within the pressurised housing 220. The actuator 290 comprises a thumbwheel at its external end, operable to rotate the valve retainer 240 and thereby screw the valve element 30 into the valve outer 20.

The tool 200 further comprises a first seal 300 and a second seal 320 configured to prevent fluid within the housing 220 (and fluid within the region enclosed by the wheel rim 110 and the tubeless tyre 100) from escaping during use. The first seal 300 and the second seal 320 are located at different positions along the length of the actuator 290. When the valve retainer 240 is positioned at the outlet 280 (i.e. when the actuator 290 is inserted into the housing 220 as far as possible) the first seal 300 prevents fluid flow between the inlets 260A, 260B and the outlet 280 (and vice versa), and the second seal 320 prevents fluid flow between the inlets 260A, 260B and the opening in the housing 220 through which the actuator 290 passes.

Operation of the tool 200 is described as follows. The valve element 30 can be removed from the valve outer 20. For example, it may be removed using the tool 200 secured to the valve outer 20, e.g. using the valve retainer 240 engaged with the valve element 30, so that rotation and actuation of the actuator 290 withdraws the valve element 30 from the valve outer 30. Alternatively, the valve element 30 may be removed without the tool 200 attached to the valve outer 20, and may be loaded into the valve retainer 240 before the tool is attached to the wheel e.g. to the valve outer 20. With the valve element 30 retained by the valve retainer 240 and moved to the withdrawn position, the tool 200 can be secured to the valve outer 20 (if not already) such that the fluid flow path between the inlet 260A, 260B and the outlet 280 of the tool 200 is in fluid communication with the space enclosed by the tubeless tyre 100 and the wheel rim 110 via the valve outer 20.

Inflation fluid can then be provided via the first inlet 260A and/or the second inlet 260B of the tool 200 such that the inflation fluid enters the enclosed space between the tubeless tyre 100 and the wheel rim 110. This inflation fluid causes the pressure within the enclosed space between the tubeless tyre 100 and the wheel rim 110 to increase and the tubeless tyre 100 will press and seat against the wheel rim 110 to provide an initial seal. Pressurised fluid can be provided through both inlets 260A, 260B simultaneously, increasing the rate of inflation and improving efficiency of the tyre-seating stage of the process. The absence of the valve element 30 from the valve outer 20 allows a greater mass flow into the tyre. This stage may include providing a burst of fluid to seat the tyre 100 on the wheel rim 110.

-12 -With the tubeless tyre 100 inflated with an initial seal, sealant fluid is injected via the first inlet 260A and/or the second inlet 260B of the tool such that it enters the space enclosed by the tubeless tyre 100 and the wheel rim 110 via the valve outer 20. Sealant may also or alternatively be injected at the same time as providing the inflation fluid that forms the initial seal such that the sealant is entrained with the inflation fluid. To ensure even coverage of the sealant the wheel and tubeless tyre 100 can be rotated after injection such that the sealant fluid can flow around the tubeless tyre 100.

The sealant can be injected into the tool 200 via the inlet 260A, 260B after the tyre 100 has been seated against the wheel rim 110, and while the tyre 100 is being further inflated. The sealant may therefore be entrained in the inflating fluid (e.g. compressed air) and carried into the interior volume of the tyre 100. Thus, injection of sealant into the tubeless tyre 100 may be simplified.

With the sealant applied, the valve retainer actuator 290 is operated to insert the valve element 30 into the valve outer 20. The actuator 290 can be pressed toward the valve outer 20 such that the valve element 30 enters the valve outer 20 and the actuator 290 is then rotated (e.g. by the thumbwheel) such that the outer thread 40 of the valve element 30 can engage the inner thread of the valve outer 20, and thereby seal the interior volume of the tubeless tyre 100. The engagement of the outer thread 40 of the valve element 30 and the inner thread of the valve outer 20 may be an initial engagement such that the valve outer 20 is sealed and may be further torqued (e.g. tightened) when the tool 200 is removed.

The valve element 30 may be released from the valve retainer 240 by moving the valve retainer 240 to the withdrawn position while the valve element 30 is secured within the valve outer 20. That is the engagement of the outer thread 40 of the valve element 30 and the inner thread of the valve outer 20 may hold the valve element 30 is position as the valve retainer 240 is withdrawn.

With the valve element 30 reinserted and released from the valve retainer 240 the tool 200 can be released from the valve outer 20 to complete the process.

Since the valve element 30 is held within the housing 220 of the tool 200 during the tubeless tyre 100 installation/inflation process and since the tool 200 is secured to the valve outer 20, the space enclosed by the tubeless tyre 100 and the wheel rim 110, and the space enclosed by the housing 220 are in fluid communication throughout the process. This means that throughout the process they have corresponding pressures. This also means that the risk of the tubeless -13 -tyre 100 deflating between the steps of providing inflation fluid and sealant is reduced as the inflation fluid enclosed by the tubeless tyre 100 and wheel rim 110 is unable escape through the valve outer 20.

The tool 200 provides numerous benefits to the process of inflating tubeless tyres. For instance, the tool 200 prevents the tubeless tyre 100 from deflating between the steps of removing the valve element 30, adding inflation fluid, adding sealant and reinserting the valve element 30. The tool 200 also allows the addition of further top up sealant for instance during regular maintenance without the need to deflate the tyre 100.

Whilst the specific embodiment of the present invention has been provided in relation to the installation and maintenance of tubeless tyres 100 for bicycles, the invention is equally applicable to the installation and maintenance of any other tubeless tyres such as those in automotive applications.

Claims

-14 -CLAIMS: 1. A tool for inflating a tubeless tyre, comprising: a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet; a valve retainer arranged to receive a valve element at the outlet during use, and further arranged to withdraw the valve element into the fluid flow path, and to retain the valve element in the housing, thereby allowing fluid to flow from the inlet to the outlet while bypassing the valve element.
2. A tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve retainer is further arranged to return the valve element to the outlet and thereby seal the outlet with the valve element.
3. A tool as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the inlet is a first inlet and the housing defines a second inlet, and wherein the first and/or second inlet is configured to receive fluid for inflation of the tyre, and the other of the first and/or second inlet is configured to receive sealant fluid.
4. A tool as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the valve retainer comprises an actuator operable to move the retainer between the outlet and the withdrawn position.
5. A tool as claimed in claim 4, wherein a seal is positioned about the actuator to prevent pressure loss from within the housing.
6. A tool as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a seal for sealing the outlet to a valve outer of a wheel rim for supporting the tubeless tyre.
7. A tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the valve retainer comprises a threaded portion configured to engage an outer threaded portion of the valve element to retain the valve element.
8. A tubeless tyre inflation system, comprising: a wheel rim, -15 -a tubeless tyre for inflation on the wheel rim, a fluid source, and a tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fluid flow path connects the fluid source to the wheel rim to inflate the tubeless tyre on the wheel
9. The tubeless tyre inflation assembly of claim 8, wherein the fluid source is a first fluid source, the assembly further comprising: a second fluid source, wherein one of the first and second fluid sources comprises a gas for inflating the tubeless tyre, and the other of the first and second fluid sources comprises sealant for sealing the tubeless tyre and wheel rim, wherein both fluid sources are fluidly coupled to the wheel rim and tubeless tyre by the tool.
10. A method of inflating a tubeless tyre, comprising removing a valve element from a valve outer and retaining the valve element in a pressurised volume in fluid communication with the interior of the tyre, and introducing fluid into the pressurised tyre by bypassing the valve element in the pressurised volume.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of introducing a second fluid into the pressurised tyre by bypassing the valve element in the pressurised volume, wherein the first fluid is a gas for inflating the tyre and the second fluid is a sealant.
12. The method of claim 10 or 11, comprising reinserting the valve element of the tubeless tyre without loss of pressure in the pressurised volume.