Abstract:
A tire insert attachment apparatus includes a pin attached to a first part of the insert and extending into a second part of the insert to engage an actuator that draws the bolt into the second part. The actuator includes a tool engagement head that transmits rotational motion of a tool to a translator via a converter, the converter transforming the rotational motion of the head into linear motion imparted on the translator. The translator can be a rack and pinion setup or can be a thread arrangement. Preferably, the head rotates a worm, which rotates a pinion that has threads formed on an inner surface and engaging mating threads on the pin, the pin taking the form of a bolt, such as an eyebolt.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 of the earlier filing date of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/451,742, filed Jun. 13, 2006. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     “Run flat” tire inserts are devices that allow vehicles to continue operation after one or more pneumatic tires have been deflated. The inserts are installed snugly against the wheel and within a tire mounted on the wheel to keep the deflated tire stable and/or to distribute load on the wheel while keeping the wheel rims off the ground, preventing rim damage while substantially maintaining mobility and control. While most tire inserts have limited range at speed, they are typically designed to allow the vehicle on which they are installed to get far enough away from the point at which deflation occurred to get help or at least get out of danger. Additionally, some tire inserts can redirect explosive forces to reduce damage to a vehicle should it drive over an explosive device, such as a land mine or the like. Inserts improperly installed are more likely to fail during deflated tire operation or even during normal operation of the vehicle on which the wheel is installed. Proper installation is thus very important to the proper function runflat tire inserts, but because of their structure and where they are located, proper installation can be difficult and time consuming. 
     A typical runflat tire insert for single piece wheels is substantially toroidal and has at least one break therein to allow the inserts to be slipped onto a wheel. Some inserts have two or more sections separated by breaks, while others have one section that stretches open at a single break. In all of these incarnations, the sections of the insert must be connected and drawn together over the break(s) by attachment apparatus to ensure that the insert stays in its designated configuration. Because the inserts are installed in the tire cavity, they must be installed after at least partial tire installation, hindering access to the insert and attachment apparatus. The difficulty associated with insert installation, then, arises from maneuvering parts and tools around, under, and within the tire. To add to these difficulties, the various designs of attachment apparatus that have been employed in tire inserts sometimes require that mating insert components be manufactured with very tight tolerances to insure proper assembly and function at normal rotational speeds of wheels. 
     An example of a prior art solution is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,696, which incorporates a screw and nut turn buckle type connection between two half rings of the device. However, other prior art apparatus, such as those of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,270,592 and 3,976,114, incorporate combinations of positional retaining member “hook and ratchet” or “plug and socket” arrangements. These combinations typically require separate engagement and disengagement devices to activate the fasteners. Additional prior art apparatus are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,911, which employs axial bolting members with limited adjustability, and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,391,317, which uses circumferential bolting members that are difficult to access inside of tire cavities. All of these prior art solutions still suffer from cumbersome, laborious installation and, in some cases, parts that must be installed from outside the wheel/tire/insert assembly. There is thus a need for an attachment apparatus that allows easier access and operation to speed and ease the installation process for inserts. There is also a need for tire inserts that eliminate separate components to accomplish such installation. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments comprise a new attachment apparatus used in assembling, adjusting, and disassembling runflat tire inserts that includes all parts required for proper installation. Embodiments include an actuator more easily accessed from outside the tire and more easily operated by virtue of its orientation and construction. The actuator comprises a nut, bolt head, or the like accessible with a tool when a tire is mounted on the wheel for work with the inserts. The actuator can be attached to a mechanical assembly that converts rotation of the head into motion of parts of the insert toward or away from each other, depending on the direction of actuator rotation. For example, a gear and/or pinion can be used in the actuator. A preferred embodiment employs a worm and a pinion mounted in one part of an insert and a pin or the like, such as an eyebolt, mounted in another part with its shaft protruding toward the first half. Threads on the shaft of the eyebolt in preferred embodiments engage the pinion, such as via corresponding threads on the pinion&#39;s internal surface. The worm can be turned to rotate the pinion, which moves the bolt along its axis via the threads, which moves the parts of the insert together or apart, depending on which direction the worm is rotated. Other embodiments employ a rack and pinion arrangement and a threaded anchor. Embodiments can also include a locking feature to ensure that the actuator is fixed in position once assembly is complete. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying FIGS. in which like reference numerals refer to like parts. 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional schematic view of a typical tire insert mounted on a wheel and within a tire. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic side view of an insert in which embodiments can be employed. 
         FIG. 3  is a close-up of the insert of  FIG. 2  as indicated by the box labeled, “3”. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic representation of another embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic representation of another embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  see-through perspective view of an attachment apparatus according to embodiments at a break in a tire insert taken along the axis of rotation of a head of the apparatus. 
         FIG. 8  is another schematic see-through perspective view of an attachment apparatus according to embodiments at a break in a tire insert. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic elevation view of the actuator portion of an attachment apparatus according to embodiments. 
         FIGS. 10-12  are schematic cross-sectional views of the actuator portion of embodiments and including a torque limiter in various states of operation. 
         FIGS. 13 and 14  are schematic elevations showing the actuator portion before and after placement in an insert. 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional schematic view of the actuator portion of embodiments illustrating a preferred angle at which the head should be mounted. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As seen in, for example,  FIG. 1 , a runflat tire insert  10  is mounted on a wheel  1  and within a tire  2 . Preferably, the insert includes a roller  10   a  that rides on a runner  10   b  mounted about the wheel  1 .  FIG. 2  shows a side view of an insert  10  that has two breaks  11  between first and second portions  12 ,  13  of the insert, an attachment apparatus  20 , and a static connection assembly  30 . It should be noted that the connection assembly  30  could be replaced with a second attachment apparatus  20 . The one or more breaks  11  in the insert allow it to be placed on the wheel, and the attachment apparatus  20  at least one break  11  allow the insert  10  to be tightened about the wheel  1 . As seen in  FIGS. 3-7 , the attachment apparatus  20  broadly comprises a pin  21 , a translator  22  that acts on the pin  21  to tighten/loosen the insert  10  about the wheel, and an actuator including a head  23  that can be rotated by a tool, and a converter  24  that takes rotation of the head  23  and transfers it into motion the translator  22  can use. Rotating the head  23  causes the converter  24  to act on the translator  22 , which draws the pin  21  into or moves the pin out of the portion of the tire insert into which it projects, depending on the direction of head rotation. The particular locations of these components in the parts of the insert can be changed as long as the components accomplish the functions they must to draw the portions together and secure the insert. In embodiments, the head  23  and the converter  24  comprise an actuator mounted in the second portion  13  of the insert that is mechanically connected to and end of the pin  21  in the second portion  13 , and can be selectively operated by a tool or the like, while the other end of the pin is anchored in the first portion  12 . 
     An exemplary embodiment is shown in FIGS.  4  and  7 - 9 .  FIG. 4  shows a pin  21  in the form of an eyebolt  310  with the translator  22 , head  23 , and converter  24  at an end opposite the eye of the bolt. The eyebolt can be replaced with a T-bolt or another suitable connecting bolt or pin.  FIGS. 7-9  show additional details of the arrangement wherein threads  320  (See  FIG. 10 ) on the pin and in a pinion  330  act as the translator  22 , and a worm  340  and the pinion teeth  331  are the converter  24 . The head  23  can be a hex head  350  mounted on a shaft  360  (See  FIG. 10 ) about or on which the worm  340  is mounted. While a worm  340  is preferred, the worm  340  can be replaced with a helical gear or other toothed member that transfers motion from the head  24  to the pin  21  so as to allow the first and second portions  12 ,  13  of the insert  11  to be moved together and apart with little or no risk of reverse operation from stresses imparted during use of the insert  11 . The actuator could further be replaced by engaging bevel gears, one rotated by the head, the other acting on the pin, by a face gear engaged by a pinion, or by another power train. 
     With reference to FIGS.  4  and  7 - 9 , where an eyebolt  310  is used, it is mounted in a first portion  12  of the insert  10  on one side of a break  11 , the eye portion  311  of the eyebolt being hooked over a post  312  or the like. The threads  320  include threads  321  formed on a portion of the shaft  313  of the eyebolt  310 , and the threaded portion of the eyebolt  310  projects toward a second portion  13  of the insert on the other side of the break  11 . Preferably, the threaded portion of the eyebolt is inserted into a bore  14  (See  FIG. 13 ) in the second portion  13  of the insert  10  and into a central bore  332  of a pinion mounted for rotation in the second portion  13 . The pinion  330  of embodiments includes external teeth  331  about an external perimeter thereof and threads  333  on the surface of its central bore  332 . The bolt shaft  313  is drawn into the second portion  13  when the pinion  330  is turned in one direction and is forced out of the second portion  13  when the pinion  330  is turned in an opposite direction. The actuator thus comprises the worm wheel  340  mounted in the second portion  13  and the head  23 ,  350  mounted on the end of the worm  340  or on the end of a shaft  360  about which the worm  340  is mounted for engagement and rotation with a tool. The teeth  341  (See  FIG. 15 ) of the worm  340  engage the teeth  331  of the pinion  330  to convert rotation of the head  23 ,  350  into translation of the pin  21  or the like, here eyebolt  310 . 
       FIG. 5  shows an alternate arrangement in which the pin  21  has the translator  22  at one end and the head  23  and converter  24  at the other end. The pin  21  has a pinion  501  mounted on and for rotation with one end of the pin  21  in the second portion  13  of the insert  10 . The pinion  501  could be mounted with a key on the pin  21 , or the pin  21  and pinion  501  could be integrally formed as one piece, or another configuration could be used. The pin  21  further includes threads  502  on the end opposite the pinion. The threaded end  503  of the pin  21  is inserted through a threaded anchor  504  mounted in the first portion  12 . The pinion  501  engages a toothed member  505 , such as a worm, that is rotated by the head  23  so that rotation of the head  23  turns the toothed member  505 . As the toothed member  505  turns, so does the pinion  501 , which rotates the pin  21 , causing translation of the pin  21  via the threads  502  engaging the anchor  504 . Thus, the translator  22  includes the threads  502  and anchor  504 , and the converter  24  includes the toothed member  505  and pinion  501 . Again, while a worm is preferred, the toothed member  505  can be a helical gear or other toothed member that transfers motion from the head to the pin so as to allow the first and second portions of the insert to be moved together and apart with little or no risk of reverse operation from stresses imparted during use of the insert. The actuator could again be replaced by engaging bevel gears, one rotated by the head, the other acting on the pin, by a face gear engaged by a pinion, or by another power train. 
       FIG. 6  shows an additional arrangement in which the pin  21  is similar to that of  FIG. 4 , but in which the converter  24  and translator  22  are combined. The pin  21  has a static anchor  601 , such as an eye or T, at one end and a rack  602  of teeth  603  or the like at the other end. The rack  602  is engaged by a pinion  604  or the like that is rotated by rotation of the head  24 . When the head  24  is turned, it rotates the pinion  604 , which moves the rack  602 , causing translation of the pin  21 . The translator  22  and converter  24  both include the rack and pinion teeth in this variant. 
     Whatever form the actuator takes, whether it be a worm, pinion, or other mechanism, it is arranged to provide access to the head with a tool. For example, the worm of embodiments can be oriented so that its longitudinal axis is parallel to the rotational axis of the wheel on which the insert is mounted, while the pinion and bolt are mounted with their longitudinal axes parallel to a tangent of the insert/wheel. However, a parallel orientation of the worm axis is not optimal for access when a tire is mounted about the wheel and insert to be secured. Rather, as seen in the FIGS. and particularly in  FIG. 15 , an angle in the range of from about 0° to about 60° can provide better operation. In particular, an angle in the range of from about 10° to about 35° is effective, with an angle of about 20° being particularly effective. Similar ranges of angles are preferred for the axis of rotation of the pinion when the pinion directly receives rotation from the head and engages a rack on the bolt shaft. 
     The actuator, converter, and translator can be encapsulated in their own housing  50 , as seen in  FIGS. 7-9 , but particularly in  FIGS. 13-15 . Thus, embodiments include a housing  50  for the worm  340  and pinion  330 , which housing can retain lubricant that reduces friction between the teeth  341 ,  331  of the worm  340  and the pinion  330 . Alternative embodiments can include a housing that omits a wall or a portion of a wall, or even a housing that is integral with the tire insert. Embodiments in which a portion of a wall or an entire wall omitted will not retain lubricant within the housing permanently, but saves on materials costs and provides easier access to the worm. Where one or more walls are omitted, lubricant can be applied when the worm is to be used. In either alternative, the head protrudes beyond the housing to enable access with a tool. Preferably, the portion of the runflat insert in which the housing is mounted is molded to accommodate the tool engaging portion or head of the wheel and to allow engagement with the tool. 
     Embodiments can also include a torque limiting arrangement such that the insert and attachment apparatus can not be damaged by the application of too much torque to the head. In embodiments, as seen in  FIGS. 10-12 , the worm  340  is mounted about a bolt or shaft  360  on which the head  350  is formed. The worm  340  can slide along the shaft or bolt  360 , but is limited in its motion on one end by one or more springs  362  mounted between the end of the worm and a wall in the second portion of the insert or wall of the housing in embodiments in which the apparatus is mounted in a housing. On the other end, the worm translation is limited by a pin  361  projecting from the shaft  360 , the pin  361  engaging a notch  342  in the end of the worm  340 . The notch  342  acts as a cam, and the pin  361  acts as a follower. The notch  342  includes a ramp  343  on the tightening side and the spring  362  presses the worm  340  against the pin  361  so that torque below a limit set by the spring load results in rotation of the worm  340  with the head  350  and shaft  360  when tightening the portions of the insert (drawing them together), but if the torque limit is reached, the pin  361  moves out of the notch  342  up the ramp  343  and the worm  340  can remain stationary. The loosening side of the notch  342  preferably does not include such a ramp, instead having a simple wall  344 . To provide the spring bias, disc springs or the like are preferred as the spring(s)  362 , though coil springs could also be used. 
     In operation, an installer places the insert about the wheel, inserts the shaft of the eyebolt into the bore and pinion, attaches a tool to the head on the worm, and rotates the head in the tightening direction. The worm is rotated by the head and turns the pinion, whose threads engage and rotate about the threads of the shaft of the eyebolt, drawing the eyebolt into the second section of the insert, which tightens the insert on the wheel. In embodiments including a torque limiter, when the design torque is reached, the torque limiter provides feedback to the installer so that he or she can stop rotating the head and remove the tool to proceed with the remainder of installation. In embodiments with no torque limiter, the design torque can be verified by the installer, such as by using a torque wrench or measuring a positional displacement. 
     Broadly, as described above, embodiments comprise a pin, a translator that acts on the pin to tighten and loosen the insert around the wheel, a head that can be rotated by a tool, and a converter that takes rotation of the head and transfers it into motion the translator can use. The particular locations of these components in the first and second portions of the insert can be changed as long as the components accomplish the functions they must to draw the portions together and secure the insert. In the embodiments shown in FIGS.  4  and  7 - 15 , the pin is the shaft of an eyebolt mounted in the first portion of the insert. The translator is the combination of the threads on the shaft and the threads in the pinion. The converter is the worm and the teeth of the pinion, which take rotation of the head and convert it to rotation of the pinion about a different axis, which rotates the threads of the pinion about the eyebolt shaft, drawing the eyebolt into the second portion of the insert. To facilitate access, the axis of rotation of the head is inclined. In an alternative embodiment seen in  FIG. 5 , the translator can be threads on the end of the pin in the first section and engaging a threaded anchor in the first section. The other end of the pin carries a pinion with external teeth, the pin rotating with the pinion. The external teeth of the pinion engage the worm such that rotation of the head rotates the worm, rotating the pin, causing translation via the threads. The axis of rotation of the worm would be in the range discussed for the worm embodiment above. In another embodiment seen in  FIG. 6 , the translator can be a rack on the pin engaged by teeth of a pinion rotated directly by the head, though this arrangement would be reversible and would require a locking mechanism or the like to prevent spontaneous loosening of the insert during use. Additionally, this alternative embodiment would have the axis of rotation of the pinion in the range discussed for the worm embodiments above. 
     It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also, it will be understood that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.