Adjustable inner tube
An adjustable inner tube for a pneumatic tire includes a valve and a continuous tube. The continuous tube includes a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment covers a portion of the second segment and the second segment may slide relative to the first segment to alter the circumference of the tube.
1. An adjustable inner tube for a pneumatic tire, comprising:
a valve; and
an elastomer tube cured into a continuous annular shape enclosing a continuous annular chamber, the tube comprising:
a first sleeve segment;
a second telescoping segment coupled to the first sleeve segment at an intersection; and
a bead forming a collar around the tube at the intersection of the first sleeve segment and the second telescoping segment, the bead having a higher rigidity than the first sleeve segment and the second telescoping segment to facilitate folding the second telescoping segment into the first sleeve segment;
wherein the second telescoping segment is configured to fold into the first sleeve segment to adjust the circumference of the tube to one of a plurality of desired lengths while the first sleeve segment and the second telescoping segment maintain a continuous coupling at the intersection;
wherein the second telescoping segment is configured to slide relative to the first sleeve segment to alter the circumference of the continuous annular tube in response to inflation; and
wherein the second telescoping segment has a smaller diameter relative to a diameter of the first sleeve segment when the second telescoping segment is not folded into the first sleeve segment.
2. The adjustable inner tube of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of markings on the second telescoping segment, wherein each of the markings corresponds to a measurement associated with the adjustable inner tube when inflated.
3. The adjustable inner tube of claim 2 , further comprising an indicator on the first sleeve segment, wherein aligning the indicator with a marking of the plurality of markings indicates the measurement associated with the adjustable inner tube when inflated.
4. The adjustable inner tube of claim 2 , wherein the measurement is the circumference of the adjustable inner tube.
5. The adjustable inner tube of claim 2 , wherein the measurement is the diameter of the adjustable inner tube when inflated.
6. The adjustable inner tube of claim 1 , wherein sliding the second telescoping segment relative to the first sleeve segment comprises sliding the second telescoping segment into or out of the first segment.
7. A method for installing an adjustable inner tube, the method comprising:
determining a circumference of a tire for which the adjustable inner tube is to be installed, the adjustable inner tube comprising:
a valve; and
an elastomer tube cured into a continuous annular shape enclosing a continuous annular chamber, the tube comprising:
a first sleeve segment;
a second telescoping segment coupled to the first sleeve segment at an intersection; and
a bead forming a collar around the tube at the intersection of the first sleeve segment and the second telescoping segment, the bead having a higher rigidity than the first sleeve segment and the second telescoping segment to facilitate folding the second telescoping segment into the first sleeve segment;
wherein the second telescoping segment is configured to fold into the first sleeve segment to adjust the circumference of the tube to one of a plurality of desired lengths while the first sleeve segment and the second telescoping segment maintain a continuous coupling at the intersection;
wherein the second telescoping segment is configured to slide relative to the first sleeve segment to alter the circumference of the continuous annular tube in response to inflation; and
wherein the second telescoping segment has a smaller diameter relative to a diameter of the first sleeve segment when the second telescoping segment is not folded into the first sleeve segment;
adjusting the circumference of the adjustable inner tube, wherein adjusting the circumference of the adjustable inner tube comprises:
folding the second telescoping segment of the adjustable inner tube into the first sleeve segment of the adjustable inner tube; and
aligning an edge of the first sleeve segment with a marking on the second telescoping segment, the marking indicating a circumference of the adjustable inner tube; and
inflating the adjustable inner tube.