Kit for removing vehicle tyre from rim and / or mounting vehicle tyre on rim

Abstract

The present invention relates to a kit for removing a vehicle tire from a rim and / or mounting a vehicle tire on a rim, comprising at least one tire rod and at least one slider part defining a seat adapted to fit over a sidewall or edge of the rim and comprising a base and a leg, a leg extends from the base and defines a seat therebetween, the leg adapted to secure a tire rim in a fixed position above a rim sidewall or edge.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention generally relates to the field of vehicles, such as bicycle or motorcycle accessories, and more specifically to the field of bicycle tire rod systems for removing and installing bicycle tires or their inner tubes. Background Technology

[0002] Bicycle tire levers are typically manufactured in the same way: two or three plastic pieces, each about 4.5 inches long and 0.6 inches by 0.3 inches, with a removal hook at one end for prying under the tire bead and a notch at the other end for locking under the spokes.

[0003] A recent change is that bicycle tires are now often designed to hold air without an inner tube. To achieve this, these "tubeless" tires are thicker, stiffer, and fit more tightly to the bicycle rim. This makes installing bicycle tires increasingly difficult. The tightness of the seal may require considerable strength to install and can potentially damage or break the plastic tire stem.

[0004] In some cases, installing bicycle tires requires two strong people working together. Additionally, users typically add about 2 to 4 ounces of liquid tire sealant to the tire during installation, which can result in a messy spill if the tire bead accidentally detaches from the rim during the process.

[0005] Even tires that require inner tubes can sometimes be too tight, making installation extremely difficult. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the main objective of this invention is to provide a completely innovative tire rod system that can be conventionally used to remove tires and innovatively makes it easier to mount tires onto wheels, regardless of the tightness of the tire to the rim, wheel size, or rim construction.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a tire rod system for vehicles such as bicycles or motorcycles, which can mount tires to a particularly tight tire / rim combination with lower force.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is a tire rod and a slider that can be easily assembled together for easy transport and storage.

[0009] The present invention includes the kit as described in claim 1.

[0010] The dependent technical solutions relate to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0011] These and other advantages will be better understood by those skilled in the art through the following description and the accompanying drawings, which are given as non-limiting examples, in which:

[0012] - Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the present invention;

[0013] - Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a portion of a bicycle wheel using a component of the present invention;

[0014] - Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the bicycle wheel shown.

[0015] - Figures 5 to 10 These are, respectively, a perspective view, a side view, a top view, an end view, and a bottom view of the present invention;

[0016] - Figure 11 and Figure 12 yes Figure 7 The cross-sectional view of the present invention shown in the figure;

[0017] - Figures 13 to 28 The steps of a method for mounting a bicycle tire on a rim according to the present invention are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The present invention relates to a kit 1 for removing a vehicle tire from a rim W and / or mounting a vehicle tire, such as a bicycle or motorcycle tire T, on a rim W. The kit 1 includes at least one tire rod 2 and at least one sliding component 3.

[0019] Advantageously, kit 1 includes at least two tire rods 2, all or part of which share components / features with each other.

[0020] Preferably, kit 1 includes at least two sliding parts 3, wherein all or some parts / features are shared with each other.

[0021] In the following text, we will mention a slider component and a tire rod, but the same reasoning can be applied to all or part of the slider component and tire rod of the kit.

[0022] The sliding member 3 defines a seat SE suitable for mounting on the sidewall or edge of the vehicle rim W, and includes a base 4, preferably plate-shaped, and a leg 5, preferably plate-shaped, extending from one end of the base 4 and defining the seat SE together with it.

[0023] Of course, the slider component 3 may also include a connecting portion 6 from the leg 5 to the base 4, such that components 4, 5, and 6 substantially define the U-shaped portion of the slider component 3, with the leg 5 extending from the base 4 and the connecting portion 6 inserted in the middle. In this respect, the main extending plane of the base 4 may be parallel to the main extending plane of the leg 5, or the base 4 and the leg 5 may be slightly inclined relative to each other (e.g., from 0° to 10°).

[0024] According to the non-limiting embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the extension of the leg 5 (i.e., the distance between the corresponding free end 5a and the connecting portion 6) is less than the extension of the base 4 (i.e., the distance between the corresponding free end 4a and the connecting portion 6) (between half and two-thirds). Of course, the same elements 4 and 5 can have the same extension, or the extension of the leg 5 can be greater than that of the base 4.

[0025] Leg 5 is adapted to fix the tire bead TB2 to a fixed position on the inside or above the rim sidewall or edge W1.

[0026] In this respect, the free end 5a of the leg 5 may be L-shaped, or may include a protruding portion 5b that defines an inner shoulder 5c facing the inner surface of the seat SE or the connecting portion 6.

[0027] Base 4 can have suitable dimensions, for example:

[0028] - Length, i.e., the distance between the free end 4a and the connecting portion 6, for example, approximately 20 mm as shown in the figure, but the range can be from 8 mm to 30 mm; and / or

[0029] - Width, i.e., the distance between the two flanks or side edges, for example, approximately 20 mm as shown in the figure, but the range can be from 8 mm to 40 mm; and / or

[0030] -Thickness, which is the distance between the outer surface of the valve seat SE and the inner surface of the seat SE, for example, about 5 mm as shown in the figure, but the range can be from about 1 mm to 7 mm.

[0031] The length of the base 4 is preferably constant over its entire extension, that is, over the entire extension of the free end 4a.

[0032] The width of the base 4 is preferably constant over its entire extension, that is, over its entire extension of the flanks or side edges.

[0033] Leg 5 can have a suitable size, for example:

[0034] - Length, i.e., the distance between the free end 5a and the connecting portion 6, is approximately 15 mm as shown in the figure, but can range from 7 mm to 20 mm; and / or

[0035] - Width, i.e., the distance between the two flanks or side edges, for example, approximately 20 mm as shown in the figure, but the range can be from 8 mm to 40 mm; and / or

[0036] -Thickness, which is the distance between the outer surface of the valve seat SE and the inner surface of the seat SE, for example, about 4 mm as shown in the figure, but the range can be from about 1 mm to 7 mm.

[0037] The length of leg 5 is preferably constant over its entire extension, that is, over the entire extension of free end 5a.

[0038] The width of leg 5 is preferably constant over its entire extension, that is, over its entire extension of flanks or side edges.

[0039] Sliding component 3 is preferably embedded or made as a single piece.

[0040] In this respect, the sliding component 3 can be made of any suitable material, such as injection-molded nylon or acetal plastic, or metals such as aluminum or steel.

[0041] Preferably, the tire rod 2 and the sliding component 3 have interconnecting devices 7a, 7b for removably connecting to each other, such as snapping them together, but allowing for easy disassembly for use.

[0042] Furthermore, the sliding member 3 may have a handle or flange portion 8 extending from the base 4 away from the leg 5, that is, extending from the surface 4b of the base 4 away from the leg 5 and located outside the seat SE.

[0043] The handle portion 8 ensures that the grip portion of the slider component 3 is suitable for enabling the user to push or control the slider component 3 to slide or move along the sidewall or edge W1 of the wheel rim.

[0044] Referring to the non-limiting embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the handle or flange portion 8 is plate-shaped and has a main extension plane that is substantially inclined or orthogonal to the main extension plane of the base 4.

[0045] In addition, the handle portion 8 may have three free edges, namely, a main edge 8a away from the base 4, and two side edges 8b and 8c, which lie in planes that are substantially parallel to each other and are parallel or inclined relative to an axis orthogonal to the main extension plane of the base 4.

[0046] The handle portion 8 has two main surfaces 8d and 8e, which are parallel to each other and located in the main extension plane of the handle portion 8.

[0047] Advantageously, the tire rod 2 defines at least one opening or groove OP, preferably a through opening, through which the sliding handle portion 8 can be inserted to store the kit 1.

[0048] The opening or slot OP can have a main extension direction that is substantially corresponding to or parallel to the main extension direction of the tire rod 2.

[0049] Referring to the non-limiting embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the tire rod 2 defines two through openings or slots OP that can be aligned with each other along the main extension direction of the tire rod 2, such that the handle portions 8 of the two sliding members 3 can each be inserted into the corresponding through opening OP, thereby enabling the two sliding members 3 to be connected to at least one tire rod 2 simultaneously.

[0050] The handle portion 8 can have a suitable size, for example:

[0051] - Length, i.e., the distance between the main edge 8a and the base 4, for example, 116 mm as shown, but ranging from 70 mm to 300 mm; and / or

[0052] - Width, i.e., the distance between the two side edges 8b and 8c, for example, 22 mm as shown in the figure, but the range can be from 12 mm to 30 mm; and / or

[0053] -Thickness, i.e., the distance between the main surfaces 8d and 8e, for example, between 2 mm and 10 mm.

[0054] If the tire rod 2 and the sliding component 3 have interconnecting devices 7a and 7b, the interconnecting devices 7a and 7b can be provided, for example, at the sliding handle portion 8 and the tire rod opening or groove OP.

[0055] In this respect, the interconnecting devices 7a, 7b may include at least one protrusion 7a and at least one hollow region 7b, the at least one protrusion 7a extending from the sliding handle portion 8, or from one or both of its main surfaces 8d, 8e, and the at least one hollow region 7b formed in the inner surface of the tire rod 2 defining the tire rod opening OP, the protrusion engaging with one or more hollow regions, for example by snap-fit ​​or by dimensional adjustment.

[0056] Alternatively, the interconnecting devices 7a, 7b may include at least one recessed area 7a and at least one lug 7b, wherein at least one recessed area 7a is formed in the sliding handle portion 8 (preferably at one or both of its main surfaces 8d, 8e), and at least one lug 7b extends from the inner surface of the tire bar 2 defining the tire bar opening OP, and the lug may engage with the recessed area, for example by snap-fit ​​or by sizing.

[0057] Referring to the non-limiting embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, the interconnecting devices 7a, 7b include at least two or three recessed areas and / or protrusions 7a formed on one main surface 8d of the sliding handle portion 8, and at least two or three recessed areas and / or protrusions 7a formed on the other main surface 8e of the sliding handle portion 8.

[0058] In this case, the recessed areas and / or protrusions 7a are substantially parallel to each other, and the distance between each recessed area and protrusion 7a and the base 4 is greater than or less than that of the other recessed area and protrusion 7a.

[0059] Referring to the non-limiting embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the tire rod 2 includes at least two lugs or hollow regions 7b extending from the inner surface of the tire rod 2, and a corresponding segment extending from a surface extending along the main direction of the through opening OP, such that one lug or hollow region 7b engages or is more precisely adapted to engage a recessed region and / or protrusion 7a on one main surface 8d of the slider handle portion 8, while the other lug or hollow region 7b engages a recessed region and / or protrusion 7a on another main surface 8e of the slider handle portion 8.

[0060] Of course, the required amount of snap-fit ​​can be finely adjusted by increasing the height of the recessed area and / or protrusion 7a on one side and the height of the lug or hollow area 7b on the other side.

[0061] The tire rod 2 is preferably embedded or made as a single piece.

[0062] In this respect, the tire rod 2 can be made of any suitable material, such as injection-molded nylon or acetal plastic, or metals such as aluminum or steel.

[0063] As for the tire stem 2, it may have a first end 2a and a second end 2b, the first end 2a being curved or bent and suitable for engaging the tire bead.

[0064] The second end 2b may, for example, define a hook portion adapted to hook onto the wheel spokes during tire removal.

[0065] The tire rod 2 may be plate-shaped, having an intermediate main section 2c extending along a main plane (length and width) that separates a first curved or bent end 2a (on one side of the tire rod 2) and a second hook end 2b (on the other side of the tire rod 2).

[0066] Referring to the non-limiting embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the second hook end 2b is inclined relative to the main plane of the main section 2c, for example, between 30° and 90°.

[0067] The main section 2c may have a constant thickness throughout its length, or even a constant thickness at one or more reduced portions 2d, for example, in the area defining one or more through openings OP. In this respect, the reduced portions 2d may ensure or provide a suitable receiving area for the sliding component 3, or more precisely, the corresponding base 4, for storing the kit 1 or the sliding component 3 with the tire rod 2.

[0068] Referring to the non-limiting embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the main section 2c defines two thickness reduction portions 2d, each for a corresponding sliding component 3, for example, one near the second end 2b and the other located in the middle portion of the main section 2c.

[0069] Furthermore, if two tire rods 2 are provided, they may also have one or more raised portions 9 on one surface or side of the main section 2c and one or more recesses 10 on the other surface or side of the main section 2c, so that one or more raised portions 9 of one tire rod 2 can be tightly fitted into one or more recesses 10 of the other tire rod 2, so as to more firmly bond the two tire rods 2 together.

[0070] More specifically, if two tire rods 2 are arranged with reference to the non-limiting embodiment shown in the figure, one is placed on top of the other such that the surface (upper or lower) of the main section 2c contacts or abuts the other surface (lower or upper) of the main section, thereby setting each through opening OP in one tire rod 2 to be substantially aligned with the through opening OP of the other tire rod 2.

[0071] Subsequently, the sliding component 3 can be connected to the tire rod 2 via interconnecting devices 7a, 7b (if provided), for example by inserting the handle or flange portion 8 into two aligned through openings OP.

[0072] Therefore, advantageously, the kit in the store display decoration or arrangement includes at least one tire rod 2 connected to at least one sliding component 3, such as two tire rods 2 connected to each other, and two sliding components 3 both connected to the two tire rods 2.

[0073] Of course, when using kit 1, the corresponding parts 2 and 3 should be disassembled or disconnected first.

[0074] The subject of this invention is also a method for mounting a vehicle (e.g., bicycle or motorcycle) tire onto a rim, the method using the kit 1 described above for obtaining a vehicle tire TW.

[0075] In this regard, the method includes the following steps:

[0076] - Arrangement Kit 1;

[0077] - Insert the first tire bead (sidewall) TB1 of tire T into the annular or tubular channel C defined by the edges W1 and W2 of rim W;

[0078] - For example, manually install a portion of the second tire bead TB2 of tire T in channel C such that another portion of the second tire bead TB2 NTP (e.g., between 50% and 10%) is outside channel C and close to the first edge W1 of rim W and away from the second edge W2 of rim W;

[0079] -At least one sliding component 3 is mounted on the first edge W1 at the first end of the unmounted portion NTP of the second tire bead TB2. Figure 13 To prevent the second tire bead TB2 from extending out of the rim channel C, the sliding seat SE is fitted onto the rim edge W1, and the protruding part 5b (if provided) engages with the rim edge W1.

[0080] - Insert at a certain distance from the sliding component 3 between the rim edge W1 and the corresponding part NTP of the uninstalled second tire bead TB. Figure 15 ) Tire rod 2 (this step can also be completed after the installation of sliding component 3), and shift or move tire rod 2, for example, by lifting it up or down. Figure 16 ) Tire rod 2, so as to force the corresponding section of the uninstalled part of the second tire bead TB2 NTP to cross the rim edge W1 and enter the rim passage C;

[0081] -Move the sliding component 3 along the rim edge W1 toward the tire rod 2 ( Figure 17 Optionally, it continues until it reaches the tire rod 2, thereby forcing the uninstalled portion of the second tire bead between the sliding component 3 and the tire rod 2 into the rim passage C;

[0082] -Remove( Figure 18 Tire rod 2;

[0083] - Reinsert the tire rod 2 between the rim edge W1 and the corresponding portion of the uninstalled second tire bead TB2, maintaining a given distance from the sliding component 3, and shift or move the tire rod 2, for example, by lifting it up or down. Figure 19 The tire rod 2 is used to push another section of the second tire bead TB2 across the rim edge W1 and into the rim channel C, and then the sliding member 3 is moved along the rim edge W1 toward the tire rod 2, thereby forcing the sliding member 3 and the uninstalled portion of the tire rod 2 into the rim channel C; and

[0084] - Repeat the above steps ( Figure 20-27 Continue until all second tire lips TB2 have been inserted into the rim passage C.

[0085] Understandably, during the implementation of this method, the number of NTPs that are not installed will change (decrease).

[0086] If kit 1 includes two sliding parts 3, the second sliding part 3 is installed onto the rim edge W1 before or after the first installation step of the first sliding part 3 is completed, and before other steps of the method. Figure 14 Furthermore, compared to the tire rod 2, the second sliding member 3 is further away from the first sliding member, and the second sliding member 3 is installed at the second end of the uninstalled portion of the second tire bead TB2, preferably such that the only portion of the second tire bead TB2 that is still to be installed is located between the two sliding members 3.

[0087] Needless to say, the tire bead TB1, TB2 and the rim edges W1, W2 are basically tubular or annular.

[0088] Of course, the second sliding component 3 can remain in a basically fixed position throughout the entire installation method.

[0089] It should be understood that the installation method is an iterative but simple process that does not require a lot of effort at any time.

[0090] In fact, the first sliding component 3 acts as a "third hand" to secure the tire bead TB2 to the mounting portion of the edge W1, and the second sliding component 3 also performs a similar function.

[0091] For tire removal, as is common in the prior art, one or two tire levers are used. A particularly tight tire / rim combination may require two tire levers, while a less tight combination may only require one.

[0092] It is now understood that the contents disclosed herein include preferred embodiments of entirely innovative kits for removing vehicle tires (such as bicycle or motorcycle tires) from rims and / or mounting vehicle tires onto rims.

[0093] This kit is particularly useful for removing and installing bicycle tires.

[0094] However, the present invention is also readily adaptable to removing any tire mounted on a wheel, such as a motorcycle tire.

[0095] The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, but equivalent variations may be devised without departing from the scope provided by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A kit for removing a vehicle tire (T) from a rim (W) and / or mounting a vehicle tire (T) onto a rim (W), the kit comprising at least one tire rod (2) and at least one sliding member (3), the at least one sliding member (3) defining a seat (SE) adapted for mounting on a sidewall or edge of the rim (W), and comprising a base (4) and a leg (5) extending from the base (4) and defining the seat (SE) therebetween, the leg (5) being adapted to secure the tire rim in a fixed position on the sidewall or edge of the rim.

2. The kit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one tire rod (2) and at least one sliding component (3) have interconnecting means (7a, 7b) for removably connecting to each other.

3. The kit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The sliding component has a handle or flange portion (8) extending from the surface of the base (4) away from the leg (5), the handle portion (8) ensuring that the grip portion of the sliding component (3) is adapted to allow the user to push or control the sliding component (3) to slide or move along the rim sidewall or edge (W1).

4. The kit according to claim 3, characterized in that, The at least one tire rod (2) defines at least one opening or slot (OP) adapted to receive the flange portion (8) of the sliding component (3) for storing the kit.

5. The kit according to claim 4, characterized in that, The at least one tire rod (2) and the at least one sliding member (3) have interconnecting devices (7a, 7b) for removable connection to each other, wherein the interconnecting devices (7a, 7b) are disposed at the flange portion (8) and the tire rod opening (OP).

6. The kit according to claim 5, characterized in that, The interconnecting devices each include at least one protrusion or recessed area (7a) extending from or formed in the handle portion (8), and at least one hollow area or lug (7b) formed in or extending from the wall defining the opening (OP) of the tire rod (2).

7. The kit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The at least one tire rod (2) has a first end (2a) and a second end (2b), the first end being curved or bent and adapted to engage the tire bead.

8. The kit according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second end (2b) of the at least one tire rod (2) defines a hook portion adapted to hook onto the spokes during tire removal.

9. The kit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The free end (5a) of the leg (5) is L-shaped or includes a protrusion (5b) that defines an inner shoulder (5c) facing the seat (SE) or the inner surface of the connection portion (6) between the base (4) and the leg (5).

10. The kit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The main section (2c) of the tire rod (2) has one or more thickness-reduced portions (2d) that provide a receiving area for the base (4) of the sliding component (3) for storing the kit.

11. The kit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, It includes at least two sliding components (3).

12. The kit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Includes at least two tire rods (2).

13. The kit according to claim 12, characterized in that, The at least two tire rods (2) have one or more raised portions (9) on one surface or side of a corresponding main section (2c) and one or more recesses (10) on the other surface or side of the main section (2c), such that a raised portion (9) of one tire rod (2) can be tightly fitted into a corresponding recess (10) of the other tire rod (2) to bond the two tire rods (2) together.

14. A method for mounting a tire onto a rim to obtain a wheel with a tire, comprising the steps of: - Arrange the kit according to any one of the preceding claims; - Insert the first tire bead (TB1) of the tire (T) into the channel (C) defined by the edges (W1, W2) of the rim (W); - Install a portion of the second tire bead (TB2) of the tire (T) into the channel (C); - At least one sliding component (3) is mounted on the first edge (W1) of the rim (W) at the first end of the unmounted portion (NTP) of the second tire bead (TB2) to prevent the second tire bead (TB2) from extending out of the rim channel (C), and the seat (SE) is fitted onto the first edge (W1) of the rim. - Insert the at least one tire rod (2) at a distance from the at least one sliding member (3) between the first edge (W1) of the rim and the corresponding portion (NTP) of the uninstalled second tire bead (TB), and move the at least one tire rod (2) until the corresponding section of the second tire bead (TB2) is forced to cross the first edge (W1) and enter the rim channel (C); - Move the at least one sliding member (3) along the first edge (W1) of the rim toward the at least one tire rod (2), thereby forcing the uninstalled portion of the second tire bead between the sliding member (2) and the tire rod (3) into the rim channel (C); - Remove at least one of the tire rods (2); - Reinsert the at least one tire rod (2) at a certain distance from the at least one sliding component (3) between the first edge (W1) of the rim and the corresponding part of the uninstalled second tire bead (TB2), and move the at least one tire rod (2) to push the second tire bead (TB2) over the first edge (W1) of the rim and into the rim channel (C); - Move the at least one sliding member (3) along the first edge (W1) of the rim (W1) toward the at least one tire rod (2), thereby forcing the uninstalled portion of the second tire bead between the sliding member (3) and the tire rod (2) into the rim channel (C); and - Repeat the above steps until all the second tire lips (TB2) have been inserted into the rim channel (C).

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The kit includes at least two sliders (3), wherein, before or after the first installation step of the at least one first slider component (3) and before other steps of the method, a second slider component (3) is installed on the first edge (W1) of the rim, the second slider component (3) being further away from the first slider component (3) than the tire rod (2), and the second slider component (3) is installed at the second end of the uninstalled portion of the second tire bead (TB2) such that the only remaining portion of the second tire bead (TB2) to be installed is between the two slider components (3).

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