GB2377414A

GB2377414A - Vehicle tyre protector

Info

Publication number: GB2377414A
Application number: GB0116742A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shut Chen Hsu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-07-09
Filing date: 2001-07-09
Publication date: 2003-01-15
Also published as: GB0116742D0

Abstract

The protector has an annular body 10 for fitting over the periphery of an inner tube to protect it against piercing by external sharp objects, the annular body having a profiled outside surface providing corrugation like structure, optionally with a cover. The body 10 may be embedded in a tyre and can have flexible side portions. The body 10 can have perforations, optionally with flaps. Three such bodies can lie side-by-side partially overlapping.

Description

VEHICLE TIRE PROTECTOR The present invention relates to vehicle tires and, more specifically, to a tire protector for a vehicle tire, which protects the tire against piercing by external sharp objects.

A motor vehicle is an important transportation means to many people in every city in the world. A fatal accident may occur if one tire of the vehicle bursts during driving. For driving safely, the condition of the tires of the motor vehicle must be regularly checked.

However, with regular vehicle tires, one cannot effectively protect against piercing by an external sharp object. When a nail or the like pierces a conventional tire of a motor vehicle whilst in use, the tire may burst.

According to the present invention, there is provided a tire protector having an annular body for fitting around the periphery of the inner tube of a vehicle tire and adapted to protect the inner tube of the vehicle tire against piercing by external sharp objects, said annular body comprising alternate upper portions and lower portions connected in a series, and an angled side portion respectively connected between each of said upper portions and each of said lower portions.

The present invention provides a tire protector for a vehicle tire, which protects the tire against piercing by an external sharp object. The tire protector preferably fits different sizes of tires and is easy to install.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference

ill now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying rawings, in which :- FIG. la illustrates a tire protector for a vehicle ire constructed according to a first embodiment of the resent invention.

FIG. lb. is a sectional view taken along line A-A of [G. 1.

FIG. lAis an elevational view of the tire protector FIG. la before the formation of perforations.

FIG. 2 illustrates a tire protector for vehicle tire instructed according to a second embodiment of the resent invention.

FIG. 3 (a) is a front view showing a tire protector - thout perforations according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 (b) is a front view showing a tire protector -th a series of perforations according to the present Lvention.

FIG. 3 (c) is a front view showing a tire protector . th two parallel series of perforations according to the 'osent invention.

FIG. 3 (d) is a front view showing a tire protector . th three parallel series of perforations according to Le present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the tire protector shown in G. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a tire protector . stalled in the vehicle tire according to one embodiment the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a tire protector . stalled in the vehicle tire according another bodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates three tire protectors arranged in rallel and peripherally partially overlapping one other according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a tire protector for a vehicle tire constructed according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a tire protector installed in a vehicle tire according to still further embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. la and lb, the tire protector, referenced by 10, is made of flexible material and adapted to protect the inner tube of a vehicle tire against piercing by external sharp objects. The tire protector 10 is an annular member which fits around the periphery of the inner tube of a variety of vehicle tires, comprising alternating upper portions 10d and lower portions 10e connected in a series by angled side portions 10c respectively connected between each upper portion 10d and each lower portion 10e, and a plurality of longitudinal, transversely aligned, perforations lOa through the upper portions 10d and the lower portions 10e.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 3a, the tire protector 10 has an annular shape which fits around the periphery of the inner tube of a variety of vehicle tires, and has a corrugated outside surface.

Referring to FIGS. 2,3b, 3c, 3d, and 5, the tire protector 10 comprises at least one series of perforations lOa, and a plurality of flaps 101 respectively protrude from the inner surface of the tire protector out through the perforations lOa. By means of the perforations lOa and the flaps 101, the tire protector 10 can expand to fit the inner tube of the vehicle tire when the inner tube is inflated.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the tire protector 10 is

) vered with a flexible covering 20, and then fitted round the inner tube 31 of the outer tire 30, which is

istened to the rim 40 of the vehicle tire. After istallation, the inside space 310 of the inner tube 31 3 filled up with air. After the inner tube 31 has been iflated, the flexible covering 20 and its internal tire -otector 10 are squeezed between the outside wall of the iner tube 31 and the inside wall of the outer tire 30 to -otect the inner tube 31 against piercing by external larp objects.

The aforesaid tire protector 10 can alternatively be . rectly embedded in the outer tire 30.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a plurality of tire

'electors 10 may be arranged in parallel and partially ripherally overlapping on one another, and covered with flexible covering 20.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the tire protector 10 . s a plurality of flexible side strips lOb along both . ges of the annular protector 10 and is covered with a exible covering 20.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A tire protector having an annular body for fitting around the periphery of the inner tube of a vehicle tire and adapted to protect the inner tube of the vehicle tire against piercing by external sharp objects, said annular body comprising alternate upper portions and lower portions connected in a series, and an angled side portion respectively connected between each of said upper portions and each of said lower portions.
2. The tire protector of claim 1 wherein said annular body further comprises a plurality of perforations through said upper portions and said lower portions.
3. The tire protector of claim 2 wherein said annular body comprises at least one series of perforations arranged around the body and a plurality of flaps which respectively protrude from an inner surface thereof through said perforations.
4. The tire protector according to any preceding claim further comprising a flexible covering to cover said annular body.
5. The tire protector according to any preceding claim wherein said annular body is embedded in the outer tire of the vehicle tire.
6. The tire protector according to any of claims 1 to 4, which is arranged in parallel with a plurality of tire protectors of same structure and covered within a flexible covering.
7. The tire protector according to any preceding claim, wherein said annular body comprises a plurality of

<Desc/Clms Page number 6>

Lexible side strips along both edges of the annular Ddy, and is covered with a flexible covering.

A tire protector substantially as hereinbefore ascribed with reference to and as shown in the : companying drawings.