Back to results
US 11,260,694 B2Granted
Segmented inner tube
AssigneeEidon, LLC
InventorRoger N. Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An inner tube comprising a unitary tube segmented into a plurality of chambers, the plurality of chambers interconnected therebetween. A plurality of interconnections may be respectively configured between the plurality of chambers wherein the plurality of interconnections may be operable to control airflow between adjacent ones of the plurality of chambers. A valve coupled to the unitary tube, the valve operable to allow introduction of air into the plurality of chambers through the plurality of interconnections.
Claims21
An apparatus, comprising:
- an inner tube comprising cinched portions at a plurality of locations along the inner tube, the cinched portions having a hollow core to form a plurality of passageways interconnecting a plurality of bladders in series, wherein the plurality of passageways have a defined size such that, responsive to impact of a first one of the plurality of bladders, air pressure is generated to prevent the first one of the plurality of bladders from compressing against itself, wherein the plurality of passageways are devoid of protrusions into the plurality of bladders;
- a tire carcass which encapsulates the plurality of bladders of the inner tube, the tire carcass solely inflatable via the plurality of bladders;
- and
- a single valve coupled to the inner tube, the single valve operable to allow introduction of air into the plurality of bladders through the plurality of passageways and inflation of the tire carcass responsive to the introduction of air into the plurality of bladders,
- wherein each of the plurality of bladders are shaped to comprise:
- a lower portion;
- and
- an upper portion, the upper portion disposed on the lower portion of a subsequent one of the plurality of bladders, wherein the subsequent one is positioned along an opposite rotational direction of the inner tube.
5 more elements
A tire assembly, comprising:
- an inner tube comprising cinched portions at a plurality of locations along the inner tube, the cinched portions having a hollow core to form a plurality of passageways interconnecting a plurality of bladders in series, the plurality of bladders configured to be pneumatically inflated, the plurality of passageways have a defined size to occlude pneumatic flow between adjacent ones of the plurality of bladders in response to a substantial increase in the pneumatic flow between the adjacent ones of the plurality of bladders, wherein the plurality of passageways are devoid of protrusions into the plurality of bladders;
- a tire carcass having beads along its edges, the tire carcass encases the inner tube and is solely inflatable via the plurality of bladders;
- a single valve coupled to the inner tube to allow pneumatic inflation of the plurality of bladders through the plurality of passageways and inflation of the tire carcass responsive to the pneumatic inflation of the plurality of bladders;
- a rim having flanges wherein the beads interlock with the flanges to secure the tire carcass to the rim, the inner tube enclosed by the rim to support the tire carcass;
- and
- ancillary bladders to fill space gaps between successive ones of the plurality of bladders, wherein:
- the ancillary bladders are connected to at least one of the plurality of bladders or the plurality of passageways, and the single valve serves as a single connection point to the successive ones of the plurality of bladders.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.