Tire Blocks
AssigneeKenneth B. Sanford, JR.
InventorKenneth B. Sanford, JR.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Tire blocks are described. The techniques described herein may enable multiple blocks of foam to substantially fill an inside of a tire. Each of the blocks used to fill a tire may have a wedge shape and a rigidity that is sufficient to operate the tire without air pressure. The wedge shape of each of the tire blocks has sides that may be positioned at least partially against sidewalls of the tire and sides that may be be positioned against other blocks of foam. The tire can then be inflated to the desired air pressure for operation. Because of the density of the foam and the wedge shape design, a failed tire can still be used for normal operation.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of blocks of foam configured to substantially fill an inside of a tire, each of the blocks of foam having:
- a wedge shape having sides that are configured to be positioned at least partially against sidewalls of the tire or configured to be positioned against other said blocks;
- and
- a rigidity that is sufficient to operate the tire without air pressure.
An apparatus comprising:
- a tire having a space defined inside the tire;
- a plurality of foam blocks configured to fill the space, each foam block having:
- a same wedge shape as other said foam blocks;
- and
- a same rigidity as the other said foam blocks, said rigidity is sufficient to operate the tire without air pressure.
A method comprising:
- lubricating a plurality of wedge shaped foam blocks that are configured to substantially fill an inside of a tire and have a rigidity that is sufficient to operate the tire without positive air pressure;
- positioning at least some said foam blocks within the inside of the tire;
- spreading the at least some said foam blocks to form space for one or more other said foam blocks, the spreading causing the at least some said foam blocks to be compressed;
- and
- positioning the one or more other said foam blocks in the space formed by the spreading.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.