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US 7,533,606 B2Granted
Tool for inserting “run flat” device into tire and for removing “run flat” device from tire
OwnerWayne W. Wrightinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tool for compressing a run flat device is provided. The tool contains a spool and a belt. The belt is wrapped around spool and the run flat device, and when the spool rotates, an effective length of the belt decreases to compress the run flat device.
Claims32
A tool for compressing a run flat device, comprising:
- a spool having a rotational axis;
- a detachable elongated rigid stabilizer coupled to the spool;
- a first rigid member that is separated from the rotational axis of the spool in a radial direction of the spool and the first rigid member revolves around the rotational axis of the spool when the spool rotates;
- and
- a belt that forms a closed loop, which extends from a first side of the run flat device towards the spool, threads between the spool and the first rigid member, extends away from the spool towards a second side of the run flat device, and wraps around the run flat device from the second side of the run flat device to the first side of the run flat device,
- wherein the spool is located inside of the closed loop and the first rigid member is located outside of the closed loop,
- wherein, when the spool rotates, the first rigid member engages the belt to wrap the belt around the spool, and
- wherein as the belt wraps around the spool, an effective length of the belt decreases to compress the run flat device.
5 more elements
A tool for compressing a run flat device, comprising:
- a spool;
- and
- a detachable elongated rigid stabilizer coupled to the spool;
- a belt wrapped around the run flat device and the spool,
- wherein a first portion of the belt is located on a first side of the spool and a second portion of the belt is located on a second side of the spool,
- wherein the second side of the spool is opposite to the first side of the spool,
- wherein, when the spool rotates, the first portion of the belt travels towards the spool in a first direction along a longitudinal axis of the belt and wraps around the spool and the second portion of the belt travels towards the spool in a second direction along the longitudinal axis of the belt and wraps around the spool to decrease an effective length of the belt and compress the run flat device, and
- wherein the first direction is substantially opposite to the second direction along the longitudinal axis.
5 more elements
A tool for compressing a run flat device, comprising:
- a spool;
- a belt wrapped around the run flat device;
- and
- an detachable elongated rigid stabilizer coupled to the spool,
- wherein, when the spool rotates, an effective length of the belt decreases to compress the run flat device,
- wherein a longitudinal axis of the elongated rigid stabilizer is not parallel to a longitudinal axis of the belt and contacts a side of the run flat device to stabilize the spool with respect to the run flat device,
- wherein the run flat device comprises an opening, and
- wherein the elongated rigid stabilizer spans the opening in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the elongated rigid stabilizer.
5 more elements
A tool for compressing a run flat device, comprising:
- a spool;
- and
- a belt wrapped around the run flat device and the spool,
- wherein a first portion of the belt is located on a first side of the spool and a second portion of the belt is located on a second side of the spool,
- wherein the second side of the spool is opposite to the first side of the spool,
- wherein, when the spool rotates, the first portion of the belt travels towards the spool in a first direction along a longitudinal axis of the belt and the second portion of the belt travels towards the spool in a second direction along the longitudinal axis of the belt to decrease an effective length of the belt and compress the run flat device,
- wherein the first direction is substantially opposite to the second direction along the longitudinal axis,
- wherein the tool further comprises a first rigid member and a second rigid member,
- wherein the belt is threaded over the spool and contacts the spool when the belt is wrapped around the run flat device,
- wherein the belt is threaded under the first rigid member and contacts the first rigid member when the belt is wrapped around the run flat device,
- wherein the belt is threaded under the second rigid member and contacts the second rigid member when the belt is wrapped around the run flat device,
- wherein the spool is disposed between the first rigid member and the second rigid member when viewed along a longitudinal axis of the belt, and
- wherein the first rigid member comprises a roller and the second rigid member comprises a roller.
10 more elements
A tool for compressing a run flat device, comprising:
- a spool having a rotational axis;
- a detachable elongated rigid stabilizer coupled to the spool;
- a first rigid member that is separated from the rotational axis of the spool in a radial direction of the spool and that revolves around the rotational axis of the spool when the spool rotates;
- a second rigid member that is separated from the first rigid member, wherein the first rigid member moves relatively to the second rigid member when the first rigid member revolves around the rotational axis of the spool;
- a belt wrapped around the run flat device,
- wherein, the belt (1) extends from a first side of the run flat device towards the second rigid member, (2) is threaded under the second rigid member and contacts the second rigid member, (3) extends from the second rigid member towards the spool, is threaded between the spool and the first rigid member, and contacts the spool, (4) extends from the spool and contacts a second side of the run flat device;
- wherein, when the spool rotates, the first rigid member engages the belt to wrap the belt around the spool, and
- wherein as the belt wraps around the spool, an effective length of the belt decreases to compress the run flat device.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.