Abstract: The present invention relates to a protector shield for at least one sidewall of a motor vehicle tire, and to a wheel assembly for a motor vehicle incorporating this protector shield. The invention particularly but non exclusively concerns the fire protection against flames and/or said flammable substances, such as oil or Molotov cocktails, as well as a high solvent and/or acid resistance, especially in hostile environments. A protector shield of the invention is in a form of a curved ring designed to be mounted on a wheel rim receiving said tire and, according to the invention, the shield includes a fire protection part which defines an outer convex face of said shield and which comprises a cross-linked rubber composition which particularly exhibits flame retardant and heat resistance properties for imparting to said tire an improved fire protection against flames and/or flammable substances.

Abstract: The Dual Tire Shield of the invention mounts between dual tires and helps to prevent debris from getting into the gap between dual tires and/or damaging the tires when it does so. In some embodiments it can also serve as a runflat for dual tires. Debris can become wedged between the sidewalls of dual tires that face each other, or “inner sidewalls” of such tires. The dual tire shield prevents debris from getting stuck between the inner sidewalls of the dual tires and thereby prevents flats caused by sidewall puncture or bead de-seating due to such debris. The device accomplishes this by: Blocking debris from entering the gap between duals and/or prevent debris from being wedged in the gap; keeping such debris from contact with one or both of the tires even if wedged therebetween; and/or ejecting debris from between the tires. Further, the dual tire shield may be made rigid enough and/or include rigid portions so as to act as a runflat in case a tire goes flat regardless of the reason.

Abstract: This invention describes a system to maintain equal pressure in a pair of dual tires, and also incorporates a valve mechanism that will prevent one dual wheel tire from going flat in the event the other dual wheel tire experiences a rapid air loss. Dual wheels are typically mounted on the vehicle hub with both wheel disc faces in direct contact with each other. To ensure equal pressure in both tires, this invention has air passageways machined into the wheels such that the air passageways meet at the interface between the wheels where the wheel disc faces are in direct contact. These junctions are sealed by a rubber seal or gasket. Both tires can then be inflated or deflated simultaneously through a standard air valve located on either wheel. Where a dual wheel arrangement requires the use of an intermediate piece between the dual wheels, air passageways can connect the two-piece wheels via intermediate air passageways going through the common intermediate piece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protector shield for at least one sidewall of a motor vehicle tire, and to a wheel assembly for a motor vehicle incorporating this protector shield. The invention particularly but non exclusively concerns the fire protection against flames and/or said flammable substances, such as oil or Molotov cocktails, as well as a high solvent and/or acid resistance, especially in hostile environments. A protector shield of the invention is in a form of a curved ring designed to be mounted on a wheel rim receiving said tire and, according to the invention, the shield includes a fire protection part which defines an outer convex face of said shield and which comprises a cross-linked rubber composition which particularly exhibits flame retardant and heat resistance properties for imparting to said tire an improved fire protection against flames and/or flammable substances.

Abstract: The Dual Tire Shield of the invention mounts between dual tires and helps to prevent debris from getting into the gap between dual tires and/or damaging the tires when it does so. In some embodiments it can also serve as a runflat for dual tires. Debris can become wedged between the sidewalls of dual tires that face each other, or “inner sidewalls” of such tires. The dual tire shield prevents debris from getting stuck between the inner sidewalls of the dual tires and thereby prevents flats caused by sidewall puncture or bead de-seating due to such debris. The device accomplishes this by: Blocking debris from entering the gap between duals and/or prevent debris from being wedged in the gap; keeping such debris from contact with one or both of the tires even if wedged therebetween; and/or ejecting debris from between the tires. Further, the dual tire shield may be made rigid enough and/or include rigid portions so as to act as a runflat in case a tire goes flat regardless of the reason.

Abstract: This is an apparatus and system for integration of Central Tire Inflation (CTI) valve functionality directly into a wheel. The CTI valve may be attached to the wheel or integrated into the wheel. In addition, the CTI valve may have a valve body or the valve components can be installed directly into the wheel. An air passageway between the vehicle air source and the CTI valve and/or an air passageway from the CTI valve to the tire cavity can also be employed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protector shield for at least one sidewall of a motor vehicle tire, and to a wheel assembly for a motor vehicle incorporating this protector shield. The invention particularly but non exclusively concerns the fire protection against flames and/or said flammable substances, such as oil or Molotov cocktails, as well as a high solvent and/or acid resistance, especially in hostile environments. A protector shield of the invention is in a form of a curved ring designed to be mounted on a wheel rim receiving said tire and, according to the invention, the shield includes a fire protection part which defines an outer convex face of said shield and which comprises a cross-linked rubber composition which particularly exhibits flame retardant and heat resistance properties for imparting to said tire an improved fire protection against flames and/or flammable substances.

Abstract: A dual wheel assembly for a vehicle having a common hub adapter. The assembly includes an inner wheel having an inner rim; an outer wheel having an outer rim; and a hub portion having a central cylindrical portion disposed between first and second end face portions, wherein the inner rim is mounted to the first end portion, and the outer rim is mounted to the second end face portion. The assembly may further include radially spaced apart holes disposed on the central cylindrical portion, wherein the spaced apart holes have end openings on opposite sides thereof and first and second fasteners extending in opposite directions in an alternating arrangement from the first and second end portions of the hub portion. Each of the first fasteners extends through an end opening of a spaced apart hole and the inner rim, and each of the second fasteners extends through an end opening of a spaced apart hole and the outer rim.

Abstract: This invention describes a system to maintain equal pressure in a pair of dual tires, and also incorporates a valve mechanism that will prevent one dual wheel tire from going flat in the event the other dual wheel tire experiences a rapid air loss. Dual wheels are typically mounted on the vehicle hub with both wheel disc faces in direct contact with each other. To ensure equal pressure in both tires, this invention has air passageways machined into the wheels such that the air passageways meet at the interface between the wheels where the wheel disc faces are in direct contact. These junctions are sealed by a rubber seal or gasket. Both tires can then be inflated or deflated simultaneously through a standard air valve located on either wheel. Where a dual wheel arrangement requires the use of an intermediate piece between the dual wheels, air passageways can connect the two-piece wheels via intermediate air passageways going through the common intermediate piece.

Abstract: A system. The system includes a wheel, and a valve assembly secured to an exterior surface of the wheel. The wheel defines a first air passageway. The valve assembly includes a valve member, and an adapter member connected to the valve member. The adapter member adjoins a vehicle wheel hub if the wheel is connected to the vehicle wheel hub. The valve assembly defines a second air passageway and a third air passageway. A first end of the first air passageway adjoins a first end of the second air passageway. A first end of the third air passageway adjoins an air passageway of the vehicle wheel hub if the wheel is connected to the vehicle wheel hub.

Abstract: The instant invention is a pressure release safety system for a multi-piece wheel rim and tubeless tire combination, teaching designs for automatically relieving/releasing pressure as part of its disassembly. In this invention, fastening elements used to hold together portions of a wheel rim are provided with a blocking device or devices that prevents loosening and/or removal of fastening elements until said blocking device is first moved from a blocking position, where movement of the blocking device from its blocking position directly or indirectly opens or requires the opening of a pressure relief channel or channels—allowing, enabling and effecting depressurization of the sealed pressure vessel. When applied in the context of a tubeless two-piece wheel/tire assembly, the invention advantageously may include a blocking or safety device (typically in the form of a ring) that covers all or a critical portion of the nuts/studs that hold the two piece wheel together.

Abstract: A central tire inflation system. The system includes a central tire inflation valve and a hub bore manifold. The hub bore manifold is connected to and surrounds the central tire inflation valve. The hub bore manifold defines first and second air passageways which are in communication with the central tire inflation valve. The hub bore manifold is configured for removable connection to a hub of a vehicle and is also configured to fit within a central opening of a wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: This nut torque indicator cover includes a cover piece that is joined to an indicator piece. It is fastened to a nut/bolt assembly primarily by pressing it down onto and over the exposed threads of the bolt so that the indicator piece registers with the hex portion of the nut. A snap fit design is incorporated into the nut torque indicator cover such that the cover piece and indicator piece can rotate relative to each other. The cover piece fastens securely to the external threads of the bolt providing protection to the threads, while the indicator piece, secured by the hex flats of the nut, indicates the nut circumferential position, allowing an indication of any torque loss.

Abstract: This invention teaches a method of coating a vehicle wheel to increase wear resistance which, in its preferred embodiment, includes the steps of providing a vehicle wheel and applying a wear resistant coating between/intermediate a primer and a topcoat. The wear resistant coating is applied to at least the tire bead flange of the vehicle wheel but may be applied to any area of the wheel. It is advantageously comprised of a MIL-P-53022B Type II lead and chromate free, corrosion inhibiting epoxy primer with an addition of 3% polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and is formulated in such a manner so as to allow “wet on wet” application over a cured MIL-P-53084 primer. This application method improves adhesion through surface to surface covalent reaction between the polymerization of polyurethane top coat and the polymerization of intermediate epoxy polyamide wear resistant coating.

Abstract: A dual wheel assembly for a vehicle having a common hub adapter. The assembly includes an inner wheel having an inner rim; an outer wheel having an outer rim; and a hub portion having a central cylindrical portion disposed between first and second end face portions, wherein the inner rim is mounted to the first end portion, and the outer rim is mounted to the second end face portion. The assembly may further include radially spaced apart holes disposed on the central cylindrical portion, wherein the spaced apart holes have end openings on opposite sides thereof and first and second fasteners extending in opposite directions in an alternating arrangement from the first and second end portions of the hub portion. Each of the first fasteners extends through an end opening of a spaced apart hole and the inner rim, and each of the second fasteners extends through an end opening of a spaced apart hole and the outer rim.

Abstract: In this invention ballistic resistant materials are integrated into a wheel for protection of the Tire Bead Bundle, protection of hardware, and protection of hub components. The Tire Bead Bundle can be protected by supplementing the existing rim flange with ballistic resistant material and/or by placing such material between the flange and the bead bundle. Further, for protection of hardware (including Manual Inflation or CTI Valves), ballistic resistant material can be incorporated over or on wheel hardware. Finally, ballistic resistant materials can be incorporated over or on the wheel hub diameter to reduce the risk of damage due to ballistic attacks.

Abstract: A system. The system includes a wheel, and a valve assembly secured to an exterior surface of the wheel. The wheel defines a first air passageway. The valve assembly includes a valve member, and an adapter member connected to the valve member. The adapter member adjoins a vehicle wheel hub if the wheel is connected to the vehicle wheel hub. The valve assembly defines a second air passageway and a third air passageway. A first end of the first air passageway adjoins a first end of the second air passageway. A first end of the third air passageway adjoins an air passageway of the vehicle wheel hub if the wheel is connected to the vehicle wheel hub.

Abstract: A central tire inflation system. The system includes a central tire inflation valve and a hub bore manifold. The hub bore manifold is connected to and surrounds the central tire inflation valve. The hub bore manifold defines first and second air passageways which are in communication with the central tire inflation valve. The hub bore manifold is configured for removable connection to a hub of a vehicle and is also configured to fit within a central opening of a wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: This is an apparatus and system for integration of Central Tire Inflation (CTI) valve functionality directly into a wheel. The CTI valve may be attached to the wheel or integrated into the wheel. In addition, the CTI valve may have a valve body or the valve components can be installed directly into the wheel. An air passageway between the vehicle air source and the CTI valve and/or an air passageway from the CTI valve to the tire cavity can also be employed.

Abstract: This CTI Valve manifold of this invention creates a wheel-manifold-CTI Valve combination such that an air passageway coming from the wheel hub through the manifold brings air to the valve, and an airway from the valve through the manifold provides air to the tire cavity, preferably via an air passageway in the wheel. The manifold also allows for the CTI valve to deflate the tire, a typical operational requirement for central tire inflation systems.