Interlocking Tread Attachment for Bicycle Tyres
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching snow chains or snow tires to vehicles are cumbersome, costly, and reduce the service life of tires due to wear and tear, while also causing discomfort and conflicts with braking systems, especially for bicycles, and existing tread replacement methods inhibit natural tire movement and deformation.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising elongated members fastened along the circumference of a tire with mutually interlocking means, such as zippers or Velcro, allows for easy attachment and removal of a flexible, elastic riding surface or tread that maintains tire elasticity and does not depend on air pressure for retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If snow chains are attached to the tyre, then grip on snow and ice is improved, but the service life of the tyre is reduced due to wear and load concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the tyre into modular components: a permanent casing and a removable tread element. The tread element can be replaced independently, allowing wear to be concentrated on the disposable tread rather than the entire tyre, thus extending the service life of the permanent casing while maintaining grip performance through interchangeable treads designed for specific conditions like snow and ice.
2Reliability
If snow tyres are mounted for winter conditions, then grip on snow and ice is improved, but the replacement operation is cumbersome and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The tyre system is segmented into a permanent casing and a removable tread element that can be quickly detached and replaced. This allows users to swap between different tread types (e.g., summer, winter, off-road) without replacing the entire tyre, significantly reducing the time and effort required for seasonal or condition-based changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The tread element is designed with dynamic attachment mechanisms (such as zippers, clips, or interlocking systems) that allow for quick installation and removal. This dynamic design enables rapid replacement operations, transforming a previously cumbersome process into a simple, user-friendly task that can be completed in minutes rather than hours.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a removable riding surface is fastened within a recess, then tread replacement is enabled, but the riding surface tends to unfasten due to natural distortion and stretching during use
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system incorporates curved or rounded features that accommodate the natural deformation and stretching of the tyre during use. The recess and riding surface interfaces are designed with curvature that allows the tyre to expand and contract without creating stress concentrations that would cause the fastening to fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening mechanism is designed to change its physical parameters (such as engagement force, geometry, or material properties) in response to the tyre's operational state. For example, the attachment features may become more engaged during inflation or tightening as the tyre expands, ensuring reliable retention despite natural distortion and stretching during normal use.
4Adaptability or versatility
If attachment mechanisms are used under the tread, then tread replacement is enabled, but the fastening directly inhibits natural movements and stretching of the tyre
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanisms are strategically positioned in specific locations on the tyre (such as the bead area or sidewall regions) rather than distributed uniformly under the entire tread. This localized placement allows the majority of the tyre structure to move and deform naturally during operation, while still providing secure attachment points for tread replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary component (such as a bead band, retention strip, or intermediate layer) that mediates between the tread element and the tyre casing. This intermediary allows the tread to be securely attached for replacement purposes while permitting natural tyre movements and stretching to occur without direct constraint from the fastening system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides a user-friendly, durable, and efficient method for attaching alternative treads without reducing tire characteristics, allowing for normal stretching and deformation, and can be easily switched for different road conditions without interfering with vehicle systems.
Implementation Method 1
The system comprises at least one elongated member configured to be fastened along the circumference of a side of the tyre, and in that the element and the member are provided with mutually interlocking means for engagement with each other when the element is attached to the tyre
Implementation Method 2
The element is preferably flexible, and may also be elastic both in longitudinal direction and crosswise, allowing the element to be wrapped around the tyre in both said directions
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
System for attaching a tread formed as an elongated element (15) to a tyre (11), such as a bicycle tyre. The system comprises at two elongated attachment members (16) configured to be fastened along the circumference of a side of the tyre (11). The element (15) and the members (16) are provided with mutually interlocking means (18) for engagement with each other when the element (15) is attached to the tyre (11). The mutual interlocking means (18) may be a zipper, or a hook-and-loop system, or a dual-lock system.