A device incorporating a method to inflate and fill pneumatic tires with sealants for repairing and preventing punctures.
There are over one billion cyclists in the world today, and many additional transportation methods incorporate inflatable pneumatic tires. A flat tire is always a risk and the repair is inconvenient and generally time consuming. As of now, there is no simple solution enabling one to permanently fix a flat tire and continue one's journey in a matter of a few minutes or less.
At a minimum, current permanent repair solutions require the user to disassemble and reassemble the pneumatic tire valve. However, in most cases, there is a need to disassemble and reassemble the entire tire and, in addition, most of the existing solutions require the user to locate the puncture. Hence, these procedures require a fair amount of technical skill, tools and are time consuming.
One current simple and fast option to repair a puncture is the injection of ‘Sealing Foam’ that normally comes in compressed canisters and are applied through the tire valve stem. They seal a puncture by polymerizing into foam that fills most of the pneumatic tire cavity. This type of sealant has the advantage of being easily deployed, but has the downside of only providing a short-term repair that will render the tire useless within a few hours of use. Therefore, this sealant solution does not truly solve the problem, but rather delays a permanent solution to a more convenient environment. A major disadvantage of this sealant category is that it contains chemicals hazardous to humans and the environment, holds inferior sealing properties (normally patching punchers up to 2 mm long) in comparison to all other methods of flat tires repairs, and requires the use of a compressed canister. Finally, this method exerts an environmental impact by using a disposable metal canister, toxic and hazards sealing agents, and adding the fact that one will still need to replace the tire within a matter of hours of use. This is therefore the least eco-friendly solution on the market today.
Patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,417 “Tire sealing methods and related apparatus” is an example of a related patent, which discloses a method for sealing and inflating a punctured pneumatic automotive tire using a specially designed sealant canister containing CO2 or N2 gas propellant and a canister containing a Sealant Foam mixture. This requires maintenance of a pressurized canister, which is prone to leak and/or explode, and manufacturing of a can is extremely wasteful with energy production and materiel.
The sealing agent may also be forced out through container 24 using an external source of pressure 28. In the latter case, as before, there is no provision to prevent the sealing agent from flowing out of hose 30 if connection to a pressure source 28 is made before connector 14 is connected to the tire to be injected.
This Sealing Foam delivery device can be operated with valve core of 14 left in place, allowing insertion of sealing agents and the simultaneously filling of pressure. Although this provides an immediate and easy fix to the problem, it does not provide a permanent or long lasting solution due to the quick degradation of the mechanical properties of the sealant, and it cannot insert securely sealants from the Sealant Slime family. One could even say that in using the device they are postponing the fixing of the core problem to a later and more convenient (but also possibly less convenient) environment.
Patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,145 “Pneumatic tire sealant dispenser” discloses a housing designed to enclose a given amount of tire sealing fluid, coupled with a flexible hose at its output port with a pneumatic tire valve, and charged at its input port from a source of compressed air to inject the tire sealing fluid through the pneumatic valve. This protects the tire against later blowouts or puncturing when in use. The simultaneous tire inflation and insertion of puncture sealant factors remain undisclosed.
The aforementioned device is capable only of insertion of sealant liquid without re-inflating capabilities. The device must be connected in a certain order, first connecting the tire to be inflated and then connecting the high-pressure source. Failing to follow the precise steps will cause failure in procedure completion.
Furthermore, the flow in the device do not behave with a low Reynolds number. Since the device is structured with large changes in the tubes' inner diameter, the flow behaves in a high turbulent flow. This fact results in the rising of the accumulated energy and increases the risk of premature polymerization. Adding to the unwanted factors, the existence of the metallic hose connector nozzle 38, which, from a thermal dynamic point of view, functions as an expansion valve. This can trigger in some sealant agents the separation of the polymeric suspension from emulation resulting in premature curing of the sealant.
Furthermore, due to the limitation of the need to remove the valve mechanism from the valve stem, the method of insertion of sealant agent cannot be done with gas pressure present in the tire. Finally, the device requires more raw materials to manufacture, at more cost, and suffers more gas pressure loss in use due to the separation storage of sealant (
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Patent U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,650 “Tire repair device and method” discloses a repair device and method comprising a canister having an internal cavity, an input connecting valve, an output connecting valve, an input hose for transfer of air from inflated tire, and an output hose for purposes of transmission of liquids to pneumatic device such as a flat tire. The device serves as a path linking an inflated donor tire through a canister to a deflated tire. A sealing agent is stored in the internal cavity of the canister for injection into a designated tire. When linked correctly high air pressure from an inflated tire propels the tire sealant agent into a designated tire (at ambient atmospheric air pressure), thus providing puncture repair and the preventing of future leaks. However, the device must be connected and disconnected in a sequence of predetermined steps, demanding a high degree of technical understanding. If the procedure is not carried out correctly in the right order, a critical error will occur where the donor tire will undergo a great loss of air pressure and will not be in a drivable condition anymore. Secondly, the process of inserting Sealant material into the valve while the valve core is present will normally cause a blockage of the valve core and stem. On a practical level, this device demands that the valve core must be removed prior to insertion of sealant agent, and then reinstalled prior to inflating the flat tire. This is time consuming and requires greater technical skill in order to complete the insertion of sealant slime and inflation of tire, and will not allow a secure simultaneous filling with sealant agent and gas pressure. A third drawback that is built inherently into the design is that it requires a separate container (
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As mentioned above, the use of figure item 30 as a gas-pressure transition part, 10 for sealant storage, and 20 as a fluid transmission means consumption of air pressure from the inflated tire while inflating the flat tire. Thereby endangering the ability of the donor tire to be driven upon (if indeed a donor tire is being used). This is of great importance in an environment of limited access to pressurized air sources such as on a lonely desert highway.
Finally, connection of hose 20 to valve 22 must be made before connection of hose 30 to valve 32. Otherwise, the fluid of canister 10 will flow out the hose 20 before it is connected and if not stopped in time will rapidly release air pressure from 42 inflated tire and will add yet another deflated tire to the situation to be solved.
In this document, we describe a novel approach for producing devices and methods for insertion of tire sealants (meanly from the Sealant Slime family) that results in a device that is low cost, portable, user-friendly, fool proof, that provides the ability to, reliably and securely, inject Sealants, in a simple, clean, eco-friendly manner into pneumatic devices and inflate the tire contemporaneously.
An object of the present invention is to provide a device for inflating and sealing an inflatable object comprising: an air-tight tube having a first end and a second end; at least one hermetic connector operatively connectable to the valve of the inflatable object, reversibly coupled to either the first end, the second end or both the ends of the air-tight tube; a source of pressure connected to either the first end, second end or the at least one hermetic connector; where the air-tight tube serves both as storage means and transfer means for a sealing agent adapted to seal the inflatable object and preventing loss of gas pressure, sealant and waste of materials; further where the device further comprises a substantially constant cross section path flow and an inner diameter of at least one end of the tube having about the inner diameter of the valve of the inflatable object, thereby allowing transfer of the sealant agent in a largely laminar flow, and aiding fibers and other solid and semi-solid materials in the sealant agent to align in the direction of the flow and pass securely throw the valve mechanism without clogging; further where the inflatable object may be inflated and sealed without removal of the valve mechanism of the inflatable object; and further where the inflatable object then may be charged with pressurized gas and sealant agent contemporaneously.
A further an objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the airtight tube serves as both storage means and transfer means for the sealing agent, preventing loss of gas pressure and waste of materials.
A further an objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the sealing agent is Sealant Slime agent.
A further an objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the cross section varies gradually, with the inner diameter of at least one end of the tube having approximately the inner diameter of the inflatable object's valve.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the device is adapted to transfer the sealing agent in the absence of the valve mechanism of the inflatable object.
A further an objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the tube is coiled into a helical coil suitable for wrapping around an object such as a bicycle frame part.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the device further comprises a self-clamping mechanism.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where at least one end or the second end of the device is provided with the hermetic connector while the other end is closed, whereby the sealing agent may be transferred into the tire by means of applying mechanical pressure to the tube.
Another objective of the present invention, where the sealant agent further contains elements selected from the group consisting of: multiple fibers; bentonite clay; mica fibers of glass; cellulose fibers; polyurethane; ground rubber; oil; anti-freeze; polymeric material; calcium chloride; wheat flour; latex compound; wool; nylon; rayon; wollastonite; other flat plate-like particles; and combinations thereof adapted to fill and seal punctures in inflatable objects.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the flow tube enables alignment of the elements in the direction of the laminar flow thereby avoiding the elements to be stuck, tangled or clogged in the hermetic connector and the inflatable object's valve mechanism.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device further providing a canister of compressed gas adapted to charge the inflatable object with the compressed gas by means of the device, and where the compressed gas can be in liquid gas form.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the hermetic connectors comprise non-return valves, thereby maintaining a hermetically sealed cavity for the sealant agent when the device is transported, thereby allowing the device to be portable and leak-proof.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the hermetic connectors are adapted to simultaneously open valves on the inflatable object and open the non-return valves, whereby the source of pressure and the sealant agent are in fluidly communication with the inflatable object.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the source of pressure is selected from a group consisting of: a pressurized object, a vehicle spare tire, a mechanical pump, a hand pump, a foot pump, a cartridge of compressed gas, mechanical force, human physical force, a squeezing device, and any combination thereof.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the device is coated or made of sealant-repellant materials.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the flow inside of the device is characterized by Reynolds number below the critical value of approximately 2040.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the hermetic connector comprises a one way valve that characterized by a shortened or headless depressing pin adapted to eliminate any passage of the sealant agent into the source of pressure caused by back pressure from the inflatable object.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the hermetic connector opens the valve's pin of the inflatable object between about 2.3 and about 3.5 mm.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the hermetic connector opens the valve's pin the maximum length enabled by the manufacture of the valve.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where at least part of the tube is transparent.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the tube is UV resistant.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the tube is further surrounded by a wire mesh preventing the tube from expanding under high pressure.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the hermetic connector is characterized by a one-way valve comprising a spring, the spring further characterized to avoid opening of the one-way valve when pressure from the source of pressure is below 24 psi, when the source of pressure is a car tire, which needs to stay in driving condition.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the device can be a “one-shot” disposable tube, and where the tube comprises a “non-one way” hermetic valve connector.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the device can be a wide flow tube adapted to provide large quantities of the sealant agent.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the device can be a gradual flow tube device adapted to supply sealant agent in a more compact configuration.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the device further comprises a pressure-limiting element for linking between hermetic connector and the source of pressure thereby limiting the pressure and lowering critical forces affecting the sealant agent.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the device is used to inflate tubeless tires also in the absence of the sealant agent.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the device is used to setup tubeless tires also in the absence of the sealant agent
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the sealant agent is kept inside the device due to the interconnection of the one first end and the one second end by mans of the at least one hermetic connector.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the sealing agent has been treated with means for reducing reaction of the sealing agent with the inflatable object's valve mechanism, means such as oil.
A method of inflating and sealing inflatable objects comprising the step of: acquiring the device of the present invention full of sealant agent; connecting one first end of said device to a source of pressure; connecting one second end of said device to the inflatable object; activating said source of pressure; where said step of activating said source of pressure further comprises a step of transferring the sealant agent in a largely laminar flow manner, due to a substantially constant cross section path flow of the sealing agent and an inner diameter of at least one end of the device having about the inner diameter of the valve of the inflatable object; further where the step of activating the source of pressure further comprises a step of charging the inflatable object with pressured air and the sealant agent contemporaneously; and further where the step of connecting one second end of the device to the inflatable object do not comprise a step of removing the valve mechanism of the inflatable object; thereby inflating and sealing the inflatable object contemporaneously.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method where the step of connecting one end of the device to a source of pressure and the step of connecting the other end of the device into the inflatable object are interchangeable.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method where the one first end and the one second end are interchangeable between the source of pressure and the inflatable.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method where the sealing agent is from the Sealant Slime family/category.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method where the step of transferring the sealant agent can be done in the absence of the valve mechanism of the inflatable objects.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method where the flow tube enables alignment of the elements in the direction of the laminar flow thereby avoiding the elements to be stuck, tangled or clogged in the hermetic connector and the inflatable object's valve.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method where the step of providing the device of the present invention further comprises a step of providing the device of claim 1 that is coated or made of sealant-repellant materials.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method where the step of connecting the device to the inflatable object further comprises a step of opening the valve's pin of the inflatable object between about 2.3 and about 3.5 mm. by means of the hermetic connector.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method where the step of providing the device of the present invention further comprises a step of providing the device of the present invention that at least part of the tube is transparent.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method where the step of providing the device of the present invention further comprises a step of providing the device of the present invention that comprises the tube, which is UV resistant.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method where the hermetic connector avoids activation of the device when the pressure from the source of pressure is under 24 psi, specifically when the source of pressure is a spare tire.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method where the device can be a “one-shot” disposable tube.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method where the tube comprises a hermetic valve connector.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method where the device can be a gradual flow tube device adapted to supply sealant agent in a more compact configuration.
An object of the present invention is to provide a device for inflating and sealing a pneumatic tire comprising: an air-tight tube 601 having a first end 601a and a second end 601b; at least one one-way hermetic connector 6000 operatively connectable to the valve of the pneumatic tire 1, reversibly coupled to either the first end 601a, the second end 601b or both the ends of the air-tight tube 601 (6000a and 6000b); a source of pressure (e.g.1101) connected to the at least one hermetic connector 6000; where the air-tight tube 601 contains sealant agent adapted to seal the pneumatic tire; further where the cross section of the air-tight tube 601 is substantially constant cross section path flow and an inner diameter of at least one end of the tube having about the inner diameter of the valve of the pneumatic tire so as to allow fibers and other materials in the sealant agent to align in the direction of the flow due to a largely laminar flow of the sealant along flow path under pressure of less than 150 psi; the at least one hermetic connector having a depression pin 615 configured to depress the valve's pin 3 of the pneumatic tire a distance of about 2.3 to about 3.5 mm when the hermetic connector is engaged with the valve's pin 3 and the source of pressure (e.g.1101) is released, thereby the pneumatic tire is chargeable by air from the source (e.g.1101) and sealant agent from the tube contemporaneously without removal of the valve mechanism 3 of the pneumatic tire and maintaining the laminar flow.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device where the airtight tube serves as both storage means and transfer means for the sealing agent, preventing loss of gas pressure and waste of materials.
An object of the present invention is to provide a device for inflation and sealing of a pneumatic tire comprising: a transfer tube; connection means at both ends of the transfer tube adapted to connect to standard pneumatic tire valves and to a source of pressure; and a volume of sealing agent; where the transfer tube serves both as sole storage means and transfer path for the sealing agent, thereby minimizing overall volume in device so as to minimize loss of air pressure from a pressure source and waste of materials.
An object of the present invention is to provide a fool-proof device for inflation and sealing of a pneumatic tire comprising: a transfer tube; connection means at both ends of the transfer tube adapted to connect to standard pneumatic tire valves and to a source of pressure; and a volume of sealing agent; where the both ends are adapted to be connected to either the pneumatic tire or the source of pressure.
An object of the present invention is to provide a delivery device of sealant agent into a pneumatic tire comprising: a tube having one close end and one open end; a hermetic connector on the internal part of the one open end of the tube; where the hermetic connector adapted to fit into the valve of the pneumatic tire by means of female thread configuration.
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for delivering sealant agent into a pneumatic tire comprising the step of: acquiring delivery device comprising: a tube having one close end and one open end; a hermetic connector on the internal part of the one open end of the tube; screwing the device into the valve of the pneumatic tire; applying pressure to the device; thereby delivering the sealing agent into the pneumatic tire.
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for injection of sealant into pneumatic tires having some degree of pressure present in the tires, comprising steps of: connecting a tube having largely constant cross section allowing for largely laminar flow through the tube to a source of pressure, where the valve mechanism of the tires need not to be removed or adjusted.
“Flow Tube” hereinafter refers to a flexible tube structure used as a cartridge and as a pathway which holds a near constant cross section flow area, with the inner diameter of at least one end of the tube having approximately the inner diameter of a pneumatic inflation valve.
“Sealant Slime” in this document refers to these liquid sealants that generally stay inactive until interaction of sealant with a puncture in a pneumatic tire under pressure. These sealants generally provide a durable and long-lasting solution for preventing punctures. These sealants are commonly known in public by the generically name “slime”, which comes from the trademark company and product name “Slime™”. These sealing agents are to be inserted in small quantities into pneumatic tires and inner tubes prior to getting a flat. In this situation, these sealing agents are used as preventative means only. This is due to a difficulty in insertion of these sealants into pneumatic tires threw the valve limiting its use. This group of sealing agents is designed to polymerize upon interaction with a leak in a pressurized pneumatic tire. When The Sealant Slime solidifies the chain reaction will not solidify the entire liquid, but only the portion needed to patch up the puncture and by this allow for multiple tire repairs from a single injection of Sealant Slime into a pneumatic tire. This gives this sealant category the advantage of being able to seal automatically a number of flats over a time span of a few months.
Sealant Slime products in present technology are designed to polymerize through energy accumulation when shearing forces reach a critical level such as when escaping a leaking pressurized tire, or in recent Sealant Slime technology they can rely upon separation of suspension from emulation in order to solidify. Many sealant slime products have fibers concealed in the sealant to aid patch up large holes in the tire.
The definition ‘Sealant Slime’ is detailed here to aid in understanding and differentiating between sealants according to their properties.
Various Sealant Slime products are manufactured with eco-friendly and biodegradable components. The combination of these together with the patent under consideration provides an ideal solution to the problem discussed.
Although ‘Sealant Slime’ has been carefully defined here, it is unavoidable that in future some new products will reach the market that may be defined as ‘Sealant Slime” by their manufactures but may incorporate chemical technology that will allow the sealant to pass securely threw the tire valve mechanism without need of valve mechanism manipulation. In these cases the new Sealants souled be should be defined differently. Any new sealant technology that may be able to pass securely through the valve core will still enjoy many benefits when used in conjunction with the design approach detailed in this document.
“Sealing foam” hereinafter refers to expanding foam, which generally polymerizes immediately upon injection upon leaving the holding canister. This group of sealants is commonly used for emergency car tire repairs, and to some limited extent has been adopted in the cycling field.
“Hermetic Connector” in this document refers to connectors that are gas tight when connected to a valve stem. These Hermetic connectors establish a safe, gas-tight seal, allowing fluid communication between two volumes, such as between a tire to be inflated and a source of pressured air. Use of such connectors prevents leaking that occurs in other common methods of sealant transfer.
“Charge” hereinafter refers to the action of delivering materials, either compressed air or sealant agent, into the inflatable object.
The term “Setting up” refers herein to supplying sufficient gas pressure and gas flow rates required for adhering tubeless tire walls to the sidewalls of a tire rim.
The term “about” refers herein as ±25% of the described amount.
The present invention is a portable device for transferring puncture-sealing liquids (such as Sealant Slime) into pneumatic objects such as bicycle tires, capable of contemporaneously both inflating the object and providing it with self-sealing properties. In the case of a pneumatic tires allowing the tire to seal instantly or after one or more rotations of the wheel. Furthermore the device and method described in this document produces the most efficient means known today in fixing flats in pneumatic tires. The invention provides a method for insertion of sealing agents into pneumatic tires without the necessity for removing the air pressure from the system, and more significantly without the need for removing the valve core from the valve stem.
This reduces the number of steps needed to complete a repair of a puncture in pneumatic tires. Furthermore the steps needed are simpler and require much less technical skill than ever before in preventing punctures or permanently repairing existing ones. The device and its embodiment are designed to be as foolproof as possible, by being either constructed in a way that will only permit for a certain way of connection, or by being constructed in a way that will make connection order and direction of device irrelevant. The device and method in this document allow for dual function, one of Sealant Slime insertion and the second of inflating the pneumatic tire with sufficient gas pressure for use. The device achieves its technological ability by combining components from the following: “Flow Tube”, hermetic valve connector, unique one-way valves, seals, and liquid sealant agents.
All devices in the invention comprise of at least a Flow Tube, and at least one hermetic valve connector. These components will be described in detail in the following descriptions of the different embodiments.
By applying air pressure (or any type of gas or mechanical pressure) through the end of the Flow Tube, which is not connected to the tire, Sealant Slime, which is stored in the Flow Tube, will flow into the pneumatic tire via the tire valve stem. If desired the tire can then be inflated. This is largely possible, due to the novel ability of this invention, to insert securely Sealant Slime through the pneumatic tire valve stem while valve is still in place allowing the gas pressure to accumulate in tire, and not escape the moment the device is disconnected from the valve stem.
The device is normally fitted with hermetic connectors at either end, but in some instances valve connectors will be fitted only on one side. The Sealant Slime can be propelled, and the pneumatic tire inflated by gas, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or compressed air from hand-pumps, electrical-pumps, canisters, and other unique sources such as donor car tires or gas-compressed bottles of soft drinks fitted with a valves and pressure release mechanisms.
The Flow Tube with the carefully designed hermetic valve connectors provides a near constant cross section flow area throughout the whole insertion path of the Sealant Slime. This will keep a more linear flow characteristic that will lower the shear tendency of the sealing agent by reducing the amount of energy it absorbs. Lesser shear will reduce to minimum any premature polymerization, which will cause clogging the valve or device and eliminate the completion of the sealant injection into the pneumatic tire. Keeping the near constant flow area cross-section and avoiding sharp edges will reduce to a minimum the occurrence in certain Sealant Slimes of separation of polymers from the suspension in the flow path way, thus preventing the premature polymerization that will clog the device or valve.
Another reason for improved flow characteristics and the reduced clogging tendency at the valve core pathways and junctions due to the tendency of the fibers and other solid particles contained in Sealant Slime to align with direction of flow. Fibers in this way tend to flow while the longer fiber wall will be facing in perpendicular to the direction of flow, hence resulting in much less probability for fibers to get entangled with the fluid path junctions in valves and hermetic connectors.
If, due to various technical reasons, such as a requirement of large holding capacity of Sealant Slime in the device (e.g. one suitable for a car tire) it will not always practical or pretibial to hold a near constant cross section flow area throughout the entire flow-path. In these cases, the Flow Tube can be slowly graduated in order to achieve the same desired effect.
When future developments of Sealants will produce a sealant that can easily pass through the valve mechanism then wider Flow Tubes can be a good option, as they will shorten the overall length of the Flow Tube, making the device more compact.
A further critical improvement presented with this invention is a higher efficiency in delivering the gas pressure from the pressure source to the pneumatic tire and greater saving in overall product materials in comparison to any prior art products and patents. Until now all products and patents for inserting sealing agents under pressure would use a separate cartridge for holding the sealing agent, and a second part to function as a hermetic flow-path link between cartridge and tire, or from cartridge to gas pressure source, or frequently for both.
This invention provides improvements which are achieved by utilizing the same cavity for both purposes - storage and flow pathway. Hence the device is constructed so the sealing agent cartridge acts also as the flow-path between a pressure source and a deflated tire. Using this structural design will save on product materials, which adds to its environmental friendly attributes due to the cutting down on build materials. The second advantage that will be obvious to one skilled in the art, the longer the flow-path and the larger the total volume of the device, the more pressure loss that the donor pressure source will suffer. In some cases this is very critical such if the pressure source is a donor car tire that must be continued to be used for further driving.
In one embodiment, the device is shaped as a long tube-like structure containing a sealing agent such as Sealant Slime, with various terminating connectors and shapes as will be described below. Some embodiments, the tube-like, may be coiled into a spiral hose with at least two openings, one at either end of the tube. Multiple openings at each end are also possible, and will provide a more versatile insertion and gas source connection possibilities.
Once connections are established on each end of the Flow Tube, a hermetically sealed configuration is established. Once the configuration is established, a propelling force from the pressure source will transfer Sealing Slime into the tire through the valve, while the valve-core is still in place.
The flexible Flow Tube of the present invention can be partially or totally transparent. This enables the user to monitor the status of the sealant inside the tube.
One possible operational downside of the prior art can happen when operating a similar device with a mechanical pump. During the back-strike action of the pump, if the tire valve pin is pressed open, a pathway and presence of backpressure can force unwanted sealant into the pump components.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the valve on the Hermetic Connector is constructed with a shortened or missing valve pin thus not permitting the opening of the nonreturnable valve from said pump mechanism, hence avoiding said operational downside.
A last benefit that can be gained from this invention targets a problem bicycle tubeless tires have when needing to set them up a tubeless tire. Setting up a tubeless tire is required mainly in two cases. The first, the more obvious one, is when one has bought a new tubeless tire. Then normally the procedure of setting up the tire takes place at the store by the mechanic. This is meanly because of the need of sufficient gas pressure, continues gas flow, and sufficient gas flow rate in order to get the tire wall to stick to the wheel rims. This Is achieved by using an electrical pump which has the ability to supply sufficient air pressure, air flow, and continues flow that are required for the set-up of the tubeless tire.
The second case when a cyclist will need the ability to set up a tubeless tire is when the cyclist holds a relatively extreme riding style such as Trial cycling where in many cases due to low air pressure and the harsh forces acting on the tubeless tire the tire can get detached from the wheel rims. To solve the problem the rider has to walk by foot to the nearest accessible electrical pump in order to set the tubeless tire once again. Alternatively, the second option for the stuck cyclist is to convert his deflated tubeless tire into a tire with an inner tube. Both solutions are not convenient and are generally time consuming.
With the invention and its embodiments described here, cyclists now have a third option, using the Flow Tube as a transfer line between a vehicle downer tire and the deflated tubeless tire. When using the Flow Tube to connect from a vehicle spare tire to a bicycle tire then one can achieve the required gas pressure, gas flow rate, and continues gas flow required to make the tubeless tire walls stick to the tire rims. This is a great advantage for those riding in the city; where there are many vehicle owners to be found that are willing to donate some air from their spare tire and aid in rescuing a stuck cyclist. In this new way, the repair is completed within a matter of seconds. It is important to note that the air loss from the downer tire is relatively small due to the large differences in volume between the downer tire and the tire to be inflated. One can expect a loss of one psi from a standard car tire to a standard bicycle tire. In cases where the bicycle is fitted with fat tires then one can expect a 1.5 psi pressure drop in the downer tire.
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Referring now to FIG.8 showing a coiled flow tube 601, having on one end 601a a hermetic connector 6000a and on a second end 601b a second hermetic connector 6000b, before linking it from one side to a hand pump 801 and to the other a bicycle tire 802, in a disconnected position. It is evident in details A and B that valves 610 and 613 are in a closed position, preventing the sealant contained in the device from escaping to the environment prematurely.
Referring now to FIG.9 showing a coiled flow tube device connected from one side to a hand pump 801 and from the other to a bicycle tire 802 throw a valve 1, in a connected position, while the pump 801 is in a backstroke position. It is evident in details A and B that pin-less valve 610 in the male side 611 of the hermetic connector is kept in shut position due to the spring 612 until high pressure is introduced threw the male valve connector 811 from the pump 801 or any other source of gas pressure. The female valve connector is connected to bicycle valve 617. Due to the uniquely designed pin 615 the valve core 3 is pressed open, simultaneously with the device valve 613.
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It is within provision of the invention that the flow tube of the invention be composed of material designed to withstand pressures of at least 180 psi.
It is within provision of the device to use a one-way valve within connectors at one or both ends of the flow-tube that is designed to mate with “Presta” and “Schrader”, “Dunlop” or any other type valve.
It is provision of the device that the invention can be configured in such way that it will function correctly as along as the pressure received is from a source containing more than (>) 24 psi. This is important in cases the source of the pressured air is the spare tire of the car.
The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of the invention have been presented for the purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the above description in any form, but rather to the contrary, the figs and embodiments come to show the diversity of the invention and it different possible embodiments.
It is provision of the device that the tube containing the sealant and all the parts of the hermetic connector are made of or coated with repellant materials. One excellent example of coating can be Ultra-Ever Dry™. Other materials that the device can be constructed from are Silicone or Low Density Polyethylene which naturally hold non-stick properties.
It is provision of the device that the tube can have a straight or coiled configuration. The coiled configuration provides a better way to storage the device, as shown previously in
It is provision of the device that the uniquely designed depressing pin 615 which is structured in length (between 2.2-3.5 mm) is configured to press and open a pneumatic tire valve pin more than any regular inflator. The further opening of said valve pin enables better linear flow of the sealant, avoiding early polymerization and causing the valve to be stuck. The principal design will aim at achieving the maximum opening of the valve possible.
It is a provision of the device that the fact that the sealant reservoir and the tube are the one and the same is extremely advantageous, friendly to the environment and provides the present invention with a technical advantage compared with similar prior art.
Most of the embodiments of this invention are made of reusable, lightweight, replaceable, recyclable, refillable, serviceable components which will guarantee long-lasting products, cost-efficiency, and provide the all-round eco-friendly solution for bicycle rides and other pneumatic tire users around the world are yearning for. In most embodiments, there is no need to throwaway device after a single use, just refill the device repeatedly for a safe sealant incretion.
This invention comes as a direct opposition to the planned obsolete approach, which has badly infected all of our industries and as a result has taken a great toll on our environment. No need for wasteful pressurized cans, or tire reapers that only last a few hours of use.
The reference numbers in the claims are not a part of the claims, but rather used for facilitating the reading thereof. These reference numbers should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any form.
In the preceding detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. However, those skilled in the art will understand that such embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. Furthermore just as every particular reference may embody particular methods, systems, yet not require such, ultimately such teaching is meant for all expressions notwithstanding the use of particular embodiments. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention.
Any term that has been defined above and used in the claims, should be interpreted according to this definition.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/IL2015/050322 | 3/26/2015 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61972085 | Mar 2014 | US |