Runflat device and fitting method
AssigneeRun Flat Systems Limited
InventorRichard Lust
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A runflat device, and a method of fitting a runflat device. The runflat device can include a chain of segments which is flexible enough to be manipulated for fitting, while also being laterally stable to ensure correct positioning and to avoid misalignment when tightening onto a wheel. The fitting method initially expands the runflat device within the cavity of the tire, retaining the runflat device securely in place against the inside of the tire's tread area. This advantageously leaves the beads of the tire unobstructed for fitting to a wheel.
Claims14
A runflat device for a wheel comprising a tyre, the device comprising:
- a flexible body with two ends, the ends of the body being joined together by an adjustable connection means, which adjusts a distance between the ends of the flexible body, and thereby forms a ring with an adjustable diameter,
- wherein the connection means comprises one or more rigid elements, the diameter of the ring being forcibly increased by adjustment of the connection means, wherein the increased diameter locates the ring against an inside of a tread area of the tyre,
- wherein the body is formed as a chain of individual segments joined together in abutment with one another,
- wherein the segments in the chain are held together and pre-tensioned by a tensioning means,
- wherein the tensioning means comprises one or more cables,
- wherein the one or more cables run through guide means provided on the segments making up the chain, and
- wherein the guide means are provided as separate components fixable to the segments.
A method of fitting a runflat device comprising a flexible body having two ends, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing the flexible body formed as a chain of individual segments joined together in abutment with one another, the chain being flexible, and ends of the chain being joined together by the adjustable connection means, which adjusts a distance between the ends of the chain, and thereby forms the ring with the body diameter being adjustable, wherein the adjustable connection means comprises one or more rigid elements, the diameter of the ring being forcibly increased by adjustment of the connection means, wherein the increased diameter locates the ring against an inside of a tread area of a tyre, wherein the body is formed as a chain of individual segments joined together in abutment with one another, wherein the segments in the chain are held together and pre-tensioned by a tensioning means, wherein the tensioning means comprises one or more cables, wherein the one or more cables run through guide means provided on the segments making up the chain, and wherein the guide means are provided as separate components fixable to the segments;
- coiling the flexible body to a diameter smaller than an interior diameter of the tyre;
- inserting the coiled body into a cavity of the tyre;
- uncoiling the body within the tyre cavity and connecting the ends of the body with an adjustable connection means, thereby forming a ring;
- and
- expanding the ring with the adjustable connection means, thereby locating the ring against the inside of the tread area of the tyre.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.