Abstract:
A tire cavity cover to seal the cavity formed between the pair of beads of a tire including a cover member configured to be inserted approximate the beads of the tire, the cover member further comprising a pair of coupling members configured to each receive one of the beads of the tire and, thus such apparatus, functions to eliminates the need (time and effort) for cleaning and significantly reduces tire and tire bead deterioration caused by damaging agents, reduce the time spent cleaning road debris from within the tire cavity and on the tire bead, and protect the bead of the tire and sidewall from damage.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM TO RELATED US APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    To the full extent permitted by law, the present United States Non-Provisional patent application claims priority to and the full benefit of United States Provisional patent application entitled “Tirelid”, filed on Jun. 27, 2011, having assigned Ser. No. 61/501,357, incorporated entirely herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The disclosure generally relates to a tire or spare tire special receptacle or package and, more specifically, is related to a partial encasement, cover or shield. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Present day commercial trucks and long haul rigs or tractor-trailers typically travel with a rimless spare tire in case of a tire failure such as a flat tire. The rimless spare tire may be slung over a spare tire carrier mounted on the underside of a semi-trailer or attached on the backside of a tractor cab and transported until the spare tire is needed. In addition, the spare tire is often locked in place by positioning a chain or cable through the tire center hole and locking the chain or cable to the truck. In the event of a tire failure, a roadside service technician or mechanic changes the failed tire by dismounting the failed tire from the tire rim and mounting the spare tire to the tire rim. 
         [0004]    During transport of the spare tire, the spare tire is exposed to dirt, mud, sand, rock, salt, water and other road debris. Therefore, prior to mounting the spare tire all debris must be removed from the tire cavity and the bead of the tire sidewall must be thoroughly cleaned before mounting the spare tire on the tire rim. 
         [0005]    Moreover, when rimless tires are stored inside, such as in a warehouse or outside, they are exposed to damaging agents such as debris, animal nests, sand, humidity, water, dust, and others. As a consequence the rimless tires need to be thoroughly cleaned before mounting on a tire rim for use. Furthermore, the above elements deteriorate the tire and the tire beads quality throughout time. 
         [0006]    When an airplane tire is being stored the tire is fitted with two hard plastic hubcap devices with a bolt running through the hubcap center point pulling the hubcap devices together to seal the tire from contaminants. Often the bolt extends beyond the width of the tire compromising the stackability or palletizing capability of the protected tires. 
         [0007]    Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a recognizable unmet need for a tire cavity cover and method of protecting that eliminates the need (time and effort) for cleaning and significantly reduces tire and tire bead deterioration caused by damaging agents, reduces the time spent cleaning road debris from within the tire cavity and on the tire bead, and decreases the dirt or residue accumulating on the bead of the tire and sidewall by covering the tire cavity and bead portion of the tire sidewalls. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    Briefly described, in an example embodiment, the present apparatus and method overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for a tire cavity cover and method of protecting comprising, in general, a flexible planar member configured with a first lengthwise edge and a second lengthwise edge; a pair of groves, a first lengthwise groove configured approximate the first lengthwise edge and a second lengthwise groove configured approximate the second lengthwise edge of the flexible planar member and, thus such apparatus, functions to eliminates the need (time and effort) for cleaning and significantly reduces tire and tire bead deterioration caused by damaging agents, reduce the time spent cleaning road debris from within the tire cavity and on the tire bead, decreases the dirt or residue that accumulates on the bead of the tire and sidewall, and protect the beads of the tire sidewall from damage. 
         [0009]    According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present apparatus meets the recognized need for a tire cavity cover to cover and seal the cavity formed between beads of a tire and cover the beads themselves comprising a cover member configured to be inserted approximate the beads of the tire, the planar member further comprising at least one coupling member formed integral with the planar member and configured to receive at least one of the beads of the tire. 
         [0010]    In a further exemplary embodiment, a tire cavity cover to seal the cavity formed between the pair of beads of a tire comprising a cover member configured to be inserted approximate the beads of the tire, the planar member further comprising a pair of coupling members configured to each receive one of the beads of the tire. 
         [0011]    In a further exemplary embodiment of a method of shielding the cavity formed between beads of a tire from debris comprising the steps of providing a cover member configured to be inserted approximate the beads of the tire, the planar member further comprising at least one coupling member formed integral with the planar member, positioning the cover member approximate the cavity formed between beads of a tire, and affixing the at least one coupling member to at least one of the beads of the tire. 
         [0012]    Accordingly, a feature of the tire cavity cover and method of protecting is its ability to reduce the time spent cleaning road debris from within the spare tire cavity and the beads themselves prior to mounting the spare tire or tire. 
         [0013]    Another feature of the tire cavity cover and method of protecting is its ability to decreases the dirt or residue that accumulates on the bead of the tire and sidewall prior to mounting the spare tire or tire. 
         [0014]    Yet another feature of the tire cavity cover and method of protecting is its ability to significantly reduce the deterioration caused during transportation and/or storage of the tire caused by damaging elements such as debris, animal nests, sand, humidity, water, dust, and others of the tire cavity and the bead and to preserve the proper function of the tire such as inflatability properties and seal between the tire rim and tire bead. 
         [0015]    Still another feature of the tire cavity cover and method of protecting is its ability to accommodate a variety of spare tires or tires, such as size, angle of bend of bead or sidewall of the spare tire. 
         [0016]    Yet another feature of the tire cavity cover and method of protecting is its ability to provide a stylish tire cavity cover that may be fitted to a tire for display, marketing and sales purposes. 
         [0017]    Yet another feature of the tire cavity cover and method of protecting is its ability to provide a low cost tire cavity cover that may be fitted to a tire shortly after manufacture. 
         [0018]    Yet another feature of the tire cavity cover and method of protecting is its ability to fit within the tire width adding no additional width to the tire maintaining current packaging and distribution methods. 
         [0019]    Yet another feature of the tire cavity cover and method of protecting is its ability to provide full access to the tire hole to maintain current sorting, distribution and delivery methods. 
         [0020]    Yet another feature of the tire cavity cover and method of protecting is its ability to provide full access to the tire hole to enable insertion of a cable or chain for security purposes, such as chaining the tire to the trailer bracket. 
         [0021]    Yet another feature of the tire cavity cover and method of protecting is its ability to provide full access to the tire hole to enable easy access, lifting and transport of the tire. 
         [0022]    Yet another feature of the tire cavity cover and method of protecting is its ability to be laid flat or rolled for storage when not in use. 
         [0023]    These and other features of the trim assembly will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Drawings, Detailed Description and Claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The present garment with carrying pouch and support system or the like will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference to numerals denote similar structures and refer to like elements throughout, and in which: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tire or spare tire; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a top view of an example embodiment of the tire cavity cover; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional sectional side view of an example embodiment of the tire cavity cover shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a tire or spare tire shown with an example embodiment of the tire cavity cover inserted therein; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of the tire cavity cover approximate the tire shown in  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of the tire cavity cover engaged with the tire shown in  FIG. 4A ; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram of a method of protecting or shielding the inner cavity of a tire from road debris. 
       
    
    
       [0032]    It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the disclosure to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    In describing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6  specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The present disclosure, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed to be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples, and are merely examples among other possible examples. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 1  there is illustrated a perspective view of a sample tire T. A tire T is a pneumatic inflatable ring or doughnut-shaped covering that fits around a tire rim of a motor vehicle or other transportation device to provide enhanced performance by providing flexible material that absorbs shock while maintaining the tire in close contact with the ground. Tire T preferably includes any motor vehicle or transportation tire such as modern day radial tires. Radial tires are rubber tires with a network of cords, called carcass, such as polyester, steel or other material, that give tire strength and shape. The network of cords includes bias-ply which are at angles of about +60 and −60 degrees from the direction of travel and radial-ply which are at angles of about 90 degrees from the direction of travel. The network of cords may run from bead B 1  through sidewall S 1  under the tread Td through the other sidewall S 2  and terminate at the other bead B 2 . Moreover, network of cords may criss-cross or be layered throughout and encased in rubber to form the tire T a hollow ring with an inner cavity C having a circumference G and width W 1 . 
         [0035]    Each bead B (of a pair of beads or circular beads B) portion of tire T includes a radial inner surface IS and also a radial outer surface OS of a predetermined height that extends in a generally radial direction. The inner surface IS and outer surface OS of bead B portion of tire T are connected to one another by axial surface RS (which may be a point or seam) and each inner surface IS and outer surface OS at a predetermined angle with respect to the axis of rotation of tire T (shown in  FIG. 4 ). Moreover, inner surface IS, outer surface OS, and axial surface RS form hole H 1  in tire T. The dimensions and orientation of the surfaces of the bead portion of a tire are selected by a tire engineer in accordance with well known engineering practices so that the bead portions will mate properly with a rim or rim edges that the tire T is designed to be mounted upon. 
         [0036]    As used herein “axis” refers to the axis of rotation of tire T and “axial” and “axially” refers to directions parallel to said axis. “Radial” and “radially” refer to directions that is perpendicular to said axis. 
         [0037]    Tires T are used on many types of vehicles or transportation devices, such as bicycles, wagons, motorcycles, wagons, trailers, cars, trucks, earthmovers, farm equipment, aircraft and the like. Tire T is preferably formed of a suitable material, such as synthetic rubber, natural rubber, fabric, wire, stainless steel, aluminum, metal, metal alloys, shape memory alloys, carbon fibers, along with other compound chemicals or the like, capable of providing structure to tire T. Preferably, the material includes other suitable characteristics, such as durability, flexibility, light weight, wearability, inflatability, chemical inertness, oxidation resistance, ease of workability, or other beneficial characteristic understood by one skilled in the art. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 2  by way of example, and not limitation, there is illustrated an example embodiment tire inner cavity shield or cover member such as tire cavity cover  10 . Preferably, tire cavity cover  10  includes a formed, cut or shaped polygon configured as a flexible planar member, surface, or strip having one or more sides  22 ,  23 ,  24 , and  25 , top  26 , and bottom  28  arranged preferably as a rectangle with rounded ends. It is contemplated herein that configurations other than rectangular for tire cavity cover  10  may be utilized herein known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Tire cavity cover  10  is preferably formed, molded or configured from a suitable material, such as expanded polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyurethane or alternative resin: plastic, paper, cardboard, canvas, rubber, fiber, inflatable material, gel filled material, foam filled material, fiber reinforced, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, fabric, wood, metal, aluminum, alloy, stainless steel, shape memory metal, wire, stips, or any flexible material or the like and any manufacturing method, capable of providing structure to tire cavity cover  10 . Preferably, the material includes other suitable characteristics, such as strength, durability, water-resistance, thermal neutrality, clean-ability, light weight, pliability, durability, flexibility, wearability, inflatability, resilience, chemical inertness, oxidation resistance, safety, smoothness, ease of workability, longevity, or other beneficial characteristic understood by one skilled in the art. Sides  22 ,  23 ,  24 , and  25 , top  26 , and bottom  28  may include a rich-textured or luxurious fabric sheet or surface layer such as cotton, linen, velvet, flock, faux leather (Vienna™), faux suede, silk, burlap, indicia, trademark or the like, or a high friction material, such as a soft rubber or polymer, an adhesive, or the like covering an exterior surface of tire cavity cover  10  or marked with an indicia or trademark to provide a high end appearance for show room displays of tire T. Preferably, sides  22 ,  23 ,  24 , and  25 , top  26 , and bottom  28  may be configured to be curved or contoured. 
         [0039]    In a preferred embodiment, tire cavity cover  10  has approximate dimensions length×width, wherein the length L of sides  24  and  25  are preferably as great as the circumference G of cavity C of tire T and the width W of sides  22  and  23  are preferably as great as the width W 1  of cavity C (distance between beads B) of tire T. It is recognized herein that tire cavity cover  10  may include dimensions other than those set forth above. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 3A , there is illustrated a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of tire cavity cover  10 . Preferably, tire cavity cover  10  includes top  26 , bottom  28 , side  23 , first end  27 , second end  29 , coupling member  30 A, and coupling member  30 B. Preferably, first end  27  and second end  29  may be configured as rounded or bull nose shaped but other shapes are contemplated herein. In a preferred embodiment, tire cavity cover  10  has an approximate dimension height H that is greater than the height of inner surface IS and outer surface OS of beads B of tire T. It is recognized herein that height H may include dimensions other than those set forth above. 
         [0041]    In addition, tire cavity cover  10  includes one or more cutouts, grooves, jaws, bead seat or fingers such as coupling member  30  configured to fit or encompass bead B of tire T. Coupling member  30  preferably includes at least first sidewall  32  and second sidewall  34  to form a u-shaped groove running the approximate length of sides  24  and  25  of tire cavity cover  10  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ). It is recognized herein that coupling members  30  may be configured in shapes other than u-shaped to accommodate any dimension and shape of beads B of tire T. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 3B , there is illustrated a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of tire cavity cover  10 . In another example embodiment, coupling members  40 A/B may include a pair of jaw or a gripper, having one or more jaw, finger or pincher, such as first finger  42  and second finger  44  preferably configured to releasably engage and connect tire cavity cover  10  to beads B of tire T. It is contemplated herein that coupling members  40  may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate beads B of tire T. 
         [0043]    It is further contemplated herein that tire cavity cover  10  may include one or more pin holes, vents or other apertures  45  to enable venting of air or moisture to maintain ambient conditions within cavity C of tire T. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 3C , there is illustrated a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of tire cavity cover  10 . In another example embodiment, coupling members  30  may include a channel, cutout or slot such as coupling member  50  preferably configured to releasably engage and connect tire cavity cover  10  to beads B of tire T. It is contemplated herein that coupling members  50  may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate beads B of tire T. Coupling member  50  preferably includes at least first sidewall  32  to form a channel running the approximate length of sides  24  and  25  of tire cavity cover  10 . 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 4A , there is illustrated a perspective view of a tire T shown with an example embodiment of tire cavity cover  10  inserted therein and, thus, seal cavity C of tire T from debris. It is further contemplated herein that tire cavity cover  10  may include one or more segments S 2  of tire covers connected together, end to end or overlapping or the like, to form tire cavity cover  10  which covers the circumference G of cavity C of tire T. Moreover overlapping ends OE or angled ends may be added to facilitate complete coverage of circumference G of cavity C of tire T. 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIG. 4B , there is illustrated a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of tire cavity cover  10  approximate with tire cavity cover  10 . In use, tire cavity cover  10  is positioned approximate hole H 1  in tire T and coupling members  30  are preferably aligned approximate beads B (B 1  and B 2 ) of tire T. When tire cavity cover  10  is in this position, tire T and tire cavity cover may be pushed or forced together to cause coupling members  30  to engage beads B of tire T and, thus, preferably releasably affix or connect tire cavity cover  10  to tire T. 
         [0047]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is illustrated a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of tire cavity cover  10  engaged with tire cavity cover  10 . In use, tire cavity cover  10  is positioned approximate hole H 1  in tire T and coupling members  30  are preferably aligned approximate beads B of tire T. When tire cavity cover  10  is in this position, tire T and tire cavity cover  10  may be pushed or forced together to cause coupling members  30  to engage beads B of tire T shown herein and, thus, preferably releasibly connect or affix tire cavity cover  10  to tire T. Preferably coupling member  30 A and coupling member  30 B of tire cavity cover  10  are designed to accommodate, cover, affix or fit at least a portion of inner surface IS, outer surface OS and axial surface RS (shown in  FIG. 4A ) of beads B (B 1  and B 2 ) to releasibly connect or affix tire cavity cover  10  to tire T and, thus, seal cavity C of tire T from debris. Moreover, the depth of coupling member  30 A and coupling member  30 B should preferably be about the same as the height of inner surface IS, outer surface OS (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3A ), but in any event the depth of coupling member  30 A and coupling member  30 B must be deep enough to connect or affix tire cavity cover  10  to tire T. 
         [0048]    It is contemplated herein that tire cavity cover  10  may be configured with minimum depth of coupling members  30  to enable a frictional fit or connection between tire cavity cover  10  to tire T to maintain the position of tire cavity cover  10  relative to beads B of tire T, and, thus, seal cavity C of tire T from debris. 
         [0049]    It is further contemplated herein that tire cavity cover  10  may be configured with no depth to coupling members  30  to enable a frictional fit or connection between tire cavity cover  10  to tire T to maintain the position of tire cavity cover  10  relative to beads B of tire T, and, thus, seal cavity C of tire T from debris. In this example embodiment, coupling members  30  is the surface area of side  28  in contact with to beads B of tire T. Furthermore, tire cavity cover  10  may include shape memory material such as a wire  52  (shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A and  4 B) within tire cavity cover  10  to enable a frictional fit or connection between tire cavity cover  10  to tire T to maintain the position of tire cavity cover  10  relative to beads B of tire T. 
         [0050]    It is still further contemplated herein that when tire cavity cover  10  tire is connected to tire T sealing the cavity C of tire T from debris and, thus, preventing debris from entering the inside of tire T. 
         [0051]    Preferably, coupling members  30 A and  30 B are configured to have a width and depth at least as great as the width and height of bead B 1  and the other bead B 2  and a spacing therebetween equal to that of the distance between bead B 1  and the other bead B 2  to accommodate insertion therein of bead B 1  and the other bead B 2  of tire T into coupling members  30 A and  30 B. 
         [0052]    Preferably, coupling members  30 A and  30 B are configured to have a shape and size to accommodate, affix, fit or cover at least a portion of bead B 1  and the other bead B 2  of tire T into coupling members  30 A and  30 B. 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is illustrated a flow diagram  600  a method of protecting or shielding the inner cavity C of tire T from debris. In block or step  610 , providing tire cavity cover  10  configured as a formed, cut or shaped polygon configured as a flexible planar strip having one or more sides  22 ,  23 ,  24 , and  25 , top  26 , and bottom  28 , wherein bottom  28  preferably includes coupling members  30  for gripping or connecting to beads B of tire T, as described above in  FIGS. 1-5 . In block or step  620 , positioning tire cavity cover  10  approximate hole H 1  and/or cavity C of tire T. In block or step  630 , aligning coupling members  30 / 40  approximate beads B of tire T. In block or step  640 , coupling or affixing tire T and tire cavity cover  10  by pushing or forcing coupling members  30  to engage beads B of tire T. In block or step  650 , sealing cavity C of tire T from debris. In block or step  660 , protecting beads B of tire T from damage. 
         [0054]    The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments, it should be noted by those ordinarily skilled in the art that the disclosures within are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one ordinarily skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Moreover, the present invention has been described in detail; it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.