Tubeless bicycle tire rim and tubeless bicycle tire in combination therewith
OwnerPaul R. Thomasberginventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to a tubeless bicycle tire and rim. The rim is formed with opposing recesses configured to engage corresponding beads formed on the tire. With the beads engaged in the recesses, the tire and rim seal for form an air tight, sealed chamber such that no inner tube is necessary. The rim is formed with a single aperture having a valve installed therein. Preferably, the valve is formed with a ring which extends into the air tight, sealed chamber. In the event of a flat tire, the tire may be removed from the rim. The valve may also be removed by grasping the ring and pulling.
Claims11
A bicycle tire rim comprising:
- an annular rim formed with opposing first and second side walls and an annular support portion extending therebetween, said first and second side walls and said annular support portion being formed continuously such that said first and second side walls and said annular support portion are airtight with an airtight tire installed thereon;
- each of said first and second side walls being formed with an annular protrusion, said annular protrusion on said first side wall extending toward said protrusion on said second side wall;
- and
- first and second recesses formed in said annular rim, said first recess being formed between a portion of said annular protrusion on said first side wall and a portion of said annular support portion, and said second recess being formed between a portion of said annular protrusion on said second side wall and a portion of said annular support portion, each of said first and second recesses formed with a first surface extending in a generally radial direction and second surface extending along a portion of said annular support portion at an angle of about 45° with respect to said first surface, said first and second recesses being configured to receive a bead of a tire and effecting an airtight seal between the beads of the tire and said first and second surfaces of said recesses, wherein each of said first and second recesses is formed by annular protrusions formed on said annular support portion.
A bicycle tire rim in combination with an airtight bicycle tire, the bicycle tire rim comprising:
- an annular rim formed with opposing first and second side walls and an annular support portion extending therebetween, said first and second side walls and said annular support portion being formed continuously such that said first and second side walls and said annular support portion are airtight with said tire installed thereon, each of said first and second side walls being formed with an annular protrusion, said annular protrusion on said first side wall extending toward said protrusion on said second side wall, and
- first and second recesses formed in said annular rim, said first recess being formed between a portion of said annular protrusion on said first side wall and a portion of said annular support portion, and said second recess being formed between a portion of said annular protrusion on said second side wall and a portion of said annular support portion, each of said first and second recesses formed with a first surface extending in a generally radial direction and a second surface extending along a portion of said annular support portion at an angle of about 45° with respect to said first surface, each of said first and second recesses being formed by annular protrusions formed on said annular support portion, said first and second recesses each receiving an annular bead of said tire and effecting an airtight seal between the beads of the tire and said first and second surfaces of said recesses, and the bicycle tire comprising:
- a carcass, the carcass formed with an airtight layer and at least one casing layer,
- said two annular beads, each annular bead formed on an inner radial edge of said carcass, each of said beads being supported by said at least one casing layer, each of said annular beads being at least partially surrounded by a seating portion, said seating portion formed with a generally smooth surface for seating within the bicycle tire rim, said seating portions providing an airtight seal between said smooth surface and said bicycle tire rim.
The combination of the bicycle tire rim and the bicycle tire as in claim 13, wherein said rim is formed with a radial aperture having a removable valve mounted therein, said valve formed with a ring for easily removing said valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.