Rim construction and tool apparatus for safe tire inflation

In a multi-piece wheel assembly comprised of a rim base member, a pair of flange members removably associated at either end thereof and formed to have an inflatable tire mounted therebetween, the rim base member defining first and second annular grooves circumferentially oriented adjacent one end, said first annular groove proximate said end, and a lock ring removably adapted to fit and positionable in said first annular groove and a seal member positioned in said second annular groove, the improvement comprising:

• a bead [set] seat band formed to receive one flange member and mountable on said rim base member inwardly of said first annular groove and overlying said seal member, said lock ring [while] being seated in said first annular groove for retaining said bead seat band on said rim base member said bead seat band being spaced from said rim base member defining a space therebetween in communication with the interior of the mounted tire ;
• said bead seat band defining a plurality of radial ports adjacent said one flange member to communicate the space and hence the interior of [a] the mounted [inflated] tire with atmospheric air between the flange member and the bead seat band when the radial ports are not sealed by the seal member , said ports sealed by said seal member to block said communication between the interior of said mounted tire and atmospheric air only while said bead seat band is urged against said lock ring seated in said first annular groove.