Abstract:
To provide a tire tube having excellent sealing performance and long lasting durability. The tire tube contains a primary and secondary cavity, each having multiple ports. In the event of a tire rupture or puncture within the primary cavity, the secondary cavity can be inflated manually through a secondary tire valve, or via a rapid pressurization utilizing an actuation value and a pressurized cavity within the rim structure. An adhesive impregnated rubber or synthetic layer bonded to a tubular layer will form the boundary between the wall separating the primary and secondary cavities, and provide a filler to seal the leak in the primary cavity tube outer wall, and into the tire itself.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to tires and more particularly to self-sealing tires for bicycle wheels. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Prior Art 
         [0004]    In the known art, descriptions have been given of self-sealing tires provided with at least one layer comprising a polymeric material which can adhere to the object causing the puncture and can also flow into the puncture site when said object is removed, thus sealing the puncture and preventing the outflow of air from the tire. 
         [0005]    Currently, there exist pneumatic tires with puncture sealing materials wherein these tires are often made of an elastomer material, such as rubber, with reinforcing materials such as fabric and wire. Bicycle tires that rupture during use require immediate repair, and can result in time prolonged delays as well as potential endangerment to the user depending on the location of the rupture. The potential for a tire rupture forces the user to carry spare tire tubes, or failing that, to call for assistance. Furthermore, the process of repair can be time-consuming and burdensome, eliminating racers from competition, or holding up groups of riders. Additionally, tire ruptures impact those who rely on bicycles as a primary mode of transportation, particularly with the current emphasis on reducing fuel consumption. 
         [0006]    An alternative to preventing tire ruptures would be to use foam-filled or solid rubber tires. However, solid and foam-filled tires are heavy, and provide a rough ride, thereby reducing the air cushion, which is a critical element of shock absorption in traditional bicycle tires. The proposed invention involves the use of a multi-cavity tire tube with multiple ports, whereas prior art in the field has focused on the use of a single cavity tire tube, which is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0007]    In the event of a rupture in the primary cavity, the secondary cavity can be inflated, thereby collapsing the primary cavity. Subsequently, a rubber or synthetic layer with an attached adhesive impregnated surface layer will form the boundary separating the primary and secondary cavities. This adhesive impregnated rubber or synthetic layer provides a filler to seal the leak in the primary cavity, and into the tire itself. The secondary cavity may be filled manually through a secondary tire valve, or via a rapid pressurization utilizing an actuation value and a pressurized cavity within the tire rim structure. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The instant invention, as illustrated herein, is clearly not anticipated, rendered obvious, or even present in any of the prior art mechanisms, either alone or in any combination thereof. In view of the limitations now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new and useful Pneumatic Tire and Rim Featuring Manual Fill and Auto-Fill of use thereof, which is more universally functional and more versatile in operation than simply repairing or changing out a tire when a rupture occurs during a ride or using foam-filled or solid rubber tires. 
         [0009]    The primary object of the instant invention is to provide for a multi-cavity tire tube having multiple ports. If a rupture occurs in the primary cavity, then the second cavity can be inflated, collapsing the primary cavity. A rubber or synthetic layer with an adhesive impregnated surface will form the boundary between the wall separating the primary and secondary cavities, and provide a filler to seal the leak in the tube outer wall, and into the tire itself. The secondary cavity can be filled manually through a secondary tire valve, or via a rapid pressurization utilizing an actuation value and a pressurized cavity within the tire rim structure. 
         [0010]    Another object of the present invention is to provide the rider with an alternative to changing out a tire tube in the event that there is a tire rupture. In the event of a tire rupture, the rider would manually inflate the second cavity via the secondary valve. 
         [0011]    As a result, the tubular layer will invert, pressing against the outer wall of the tube. The adhesive layer will be pressed between the tubular layer and the outer wall of the tube. As the pressure increases, the adhesive layer will fill the rupture of the tire tube, and thus, ensure that there is a strong boundary between the secondary air cavity and the ground. The valve for cavity A will collapse into the rim as the tubular layer is pressed into the tire, making it apparent that the tube needs to be changed off-line at a more convenient time following the ride. 
         [0012]    In a more advanced aspect of the solution, in the event of a tire rupture, the rider would use a basic tool to actuate a sealed piston in the rim structure. The rim would have a pressurized structural module as part of the design, and act as a backup air source. By actuating the sealed piston, the rider would inflate the second cavity as described above. This would be much more rapid than a manual inflation, and would be useful in a racing environment where every second counts, or for those who do not wish to manually inflate their tires. 
         [0013]    In a highly advanced solution, tire pressure sensors, as used on automobiles, would be used to monitor tire pressure, and when low or at zero, would communicate with a biking computer or handheld device such as an iPhone via an API and a communication protocol such as Bluetooth. The rider would have the ability to actuate the sealed piston over the communication protocol leveraging an actuating valve to release the air pressure into the tire. 
         [0014]    In an optimal embodiment, the volume of the pressurized module would be close to that of the tire, so that actuating the valve would link the two chambers for a near instantaneous pressurization that would result in a pressure in the mid-range of the rating of the tire. Advanced applications would be able to monitor the tire pressure, and incrementally actuate the sealed piston to enable precise pressurization of the tire, maintaining different pressure levels in the tire and pressurized reservoir module. In one embodiment, there are two separate pressure reservoirs in the rim, one serving cavity A and the other cavity B of the tire to enable precision adjustment in each application. 
         [0015]    These together with other objects of the invention, along with various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims, Detailed Description of the Embodiments Sections and drawings of this application, with all said sections adding to this disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the instant invention having a rim, a multi-cavity tube, a plurality of radial supports and a pair of air valves. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional front view of a prior art single cavity tube tire. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a cross-sectional exploded view of the multi-cavity tube assembly contained within the instant invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a prior art tire having a single cavity tube assembly. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an exploded view of the multi-cavity tube assembly prior to rupture, wherein the primary cavity is inflated, and the secondary cavity is deflated. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5B  illustrates an exploded view of the multi-cavity tube assembly after rupture, wherein the primary cavity is deflated, and the secondary cavity is inflated. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5C  illustrates operation of the secondary air valve in the inflated upright position following the inflation of the secondary cavity. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6A  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the instant invention having a sealed piston for operation of the multi-cavity tube assembly for inflation, wherein the primary cavity is inflated and the secondary cavity is deflated. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6B  illustrates the alternate embodiment of the instant invention having a sealed piston for operation of the multi-cavity tube assembly for inflation, wherein the primary cavity is deflated and the secondary cavity is inflated. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention, such as the use of tire pressures sensors to monitor tire pressure. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  illustrates an improved pneumatic tire, having a rim  10 , wherein the rim  10  includes an inside wall  46  and an outside wall  44 . A tire  14  is attached to the outside wall  44 , and extends along the circumference of the rim  10 . A multi-cavity tube  40  is housed within the tire  14 , wherein the multi-cavity tube  40  and includes a primary cavity  18 A and secondary cavity  18 B (see  FIGS. 3A and 3B ). A plurality of radial supports  12  is preferably equidistantly disposed along the inside wall  46  of the rim  10  and extend inwardly towards the center  48  of the tire  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the radial supports  12  are spokes. A plurality of pressure sensors  42  (see  FIG. 5A ) is disposed within the inside wall  46  of the rim  10 , wherein the pressure sensors  42  are disposed to measure the pressure of the multi-cavity tube  40  against the rim  10 . A primary air valve  16 A is disposed along the inside wall  46  of the rim  10  and extends downwardly into the primary cavity  18 A (see  FIG. 5A ), wherein the primary air valve  16 A charges air into the primary cavity  18 A (see  FIG. 5A ). A secondary air valve  16 B is disposed along the inside wall  46  of the rim  10  and extends downwardly into the secondary cavity  18 B (see  FIG. 5B ), wherein the secondary air valve  16 B charges air into the secondary cavity  18 B (see  FIG. 5B ). Preferably, the pair of air valves  16 A and  16 B are located substantially opposite each other on the rim  10 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a prior art pneumatic tire with a single cavity tube. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a cross-sectional, exploded view of the multi-cavity tube assembly  40 , wherein the multi-cavity tube  40  further includes an inner wall  50  and an outer wall  30 . The outer wall  30  of the multi-cavity tube  40  is situated against the tire  14 , and the inner wall  50  of the multi-cavity tube  40  is situated against the outside wall  46  of the rim  10 . The inner wall  50  of the tube  40  extends along the circumference of the rim  10  and the tubular layer  28  (see  FIG. 5A ). 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of a single tube  40  cavity assembly for a prior art pneumatic tire, having only a single cavity tube  40 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an exploded view of the multi-cavity tire tube  40 , wherein the primary cavity  18 A includes the primary valve  16 A for primary cavity  18 A pressurization. The multi-cavity tube  40  includes an inner wall  50  and an outer wall  30 . An adhesive layer  32  forms the boundary separating the primary  18 A and secondary  18 B cavities. Furthermore, the adhesive layer  32  acts as a sealant to a leak in the primary cavity  18 A, and thus into the tire  14  itself. 
         [0032]    In one preferred embodiment (shown in  FIGS. 5B and 5C ), in the event of a tire rupture, the secondary cavity  18 B is manually inflated via the secondary air valve  16 B. Once the secondary cavity  18 B is manually inflated, the tubular layer  28  will invert, thus pressing against the outer wall  30  of the multi-cavity tube  40 . This action will in turn cause the adhesive layer  32  to be pressed between the tubular layer  28  and the outer wall  30  of the multi-cavity tube  40 . The increase in pressure will cause the adhesive layer  32  to fill any rupture or puncture of the multi-cavity tube  40  as well as the tire  14 . The adhesive layer  32  filling such a rupture or puncture will ensure a strong boundary between the secondary cavity  18 B and the ground, and thereby allowing for extended riding time. Furthermore, as the tubular layer  28  is pressed into the tube  40 , the primary valve  16 A for the primary cavity  18 A collapses into the rim  10 , thus signaling to the rider that the tire  14  needs to be changed off-line at a more convenient time following the ride. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a second preferred embodiment of the instant invention. A plurality of pressure sensors  42  is disposed within the inside wall  46  of the rim  10 , wherein the pressure sensors  42  are disposed to measure the pressure of the multi-cavity tube  40  against the rim  10 . In the event of a rupture, a sealed piston  34 B located in the rim  10  structure is actuated by the use of a basic tool, such as a screwdriver. A pressurized structural module  36  is located within the rim  10 , where in the pressurized structural module  36  stores air that will be released into the secondary cavity  18 B upon actuation of the sealed piston  34 B. Once the sealed piston  34 B is actuated through a piston access channel  38 , the secondary cavity  18 B is inflated automatically using the same mechanism in manual inflation as described above and reiterated below. 
         [0034]    Once the secondary cavity  18 B is inflated due to actuating of the sealed piston  34 B, the tubular layer  28  will invert, thus pressing against the outer wall  30  of the tube  40 . This action will in turn cause the adhesive layer  32  to be pressed between the tubular layer  28  and the outer wall  30  of the tube  40 . The increase in pressure will cause the adhesive layer  32  to fill any rupture or puncture of the tube  40  as well as the tire  14 . The adhesive layer  32  filling such a rupture or puncture will ensure a strong boundary between the secondary cavity  18 B and the ground, and therefore allow for an extended riding time. As the tubular layer  28  in the secondary cavity  18 B is pressed into the tube  40 , the primary valve  16 A for primary cavity  18 A collapses into the rim  10 , thus signaling to the rider that the tire  14  needs to be changed off-line at a more convenient time following the ride. 
         [0035]    Inflation due to actuating the sealed piston would be much more rapid than a manual inflation. Automatic inflation would be useful in a racing environment where every second is of vital importance. Alternatively, automatic inflation would be ideal for those riders who do not wish to manually inflate their tires. 
         [0036]    In a highly advanced embodiment, once the tire pressure reaches below a pre-determined threshold, the plurality of pressure sensors  42  would communicate with a biking computer or handheld device such as an iPhone and API and a communication protocol such as a Bluetooth. In this highly advanced solution, the rider would have the ability to actuate the sealed piston  34 B over the communication protocol, thereby leveraging an actuating valve to release the air pressure into the tire tube  40 .