IP Library Granted Patent US 7,918,240
Granted Patent B2
US 7,918,240 · App. 12/355,588 · Granted Apr 5, 2011

Systems for preventing overinflation of inner tubes

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,918,240
App. No.
12/355,588
Granted
Apr 5, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for preventing overinflation of an inner tube is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system may include a wheel; and a tube-bursting region of the wheel, wherein the tube-bursting region is configured to facilitate bursting of an associated inner tube when the associated inner tube is pressurized above a predetermined maximum pressure. A tire system also is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system may include a wheel; and a tube-bursting region of the wheel, wherein the tube-bursting region is configured to facilitate bursting of an associated inner tube when the associated inner tube is pressurized above a predetermined maximum pressure. A children's ride-on vehicle also is disclosed. In some embodiments, the vehicle may include a wheel; and a tube-bursting region of the wheel, wherein the tube-bursting region is configured to facilitate bursting of an associated inner tube when the associated inner tube is pressurized above a predetermined maximum pressure.

Claims (46)

1. A system for preventing overinflation of an inner tube, the system comprising:

a wheel including a rim;

a tube-bursting region of the wheel, wherein the tube-bursting region includes a passage that extends through the rim and is configured to facilitate bursting of an associated inner tube when the associated inner tube is pressurized above a predetermined maximum pressure; and

a plug that is positioned at least partially within the passage and is configured to be moved relative to the passage by the associated inner tube when the associated inner tube is pressurized above a predetermined plug-release pressure.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined plug-release pressure is less than the predetermined maximum pressure.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined plug-release pressure is equal to the predetermined maximum pressure.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the rim includes an inner circumference and an outer circumference, the passage extends between the inner and outer circumferences and is defined by at least one passage side disposed between the inner and outer circumferences.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the passage has a shape of a truncated cone.

6. A system for preventing overinflation of an inner tube, the system comprising:

a wheel including a rim; and

a tube-bursting region of the wheel, wherein the tube-bursting region includes a passage that extends through the rim and is configured to facilitate bursting of an associated inner tube when the associated inner tube is pressurized above a predetermined maximum pressure;

wherein the system is free from a cover that a user selectively extends over the passage.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the tube-bursting region includes a projection configured to facilitate bursting of the associated inner tube when the associated inner tube is pressurized above the predetermined maximum pressure.

8. A system for preventing overinflation of an inner tube, the system comprising:

a wheel; and

a tube-bursting region of the wheel, wherein the tube-bursting region includes a projection configured to facilitate bursting of an associated inner tube when the associated inner tube is pressurized above a predetermined maximum pressure;

wherein the wheel includes a rim, the tube-bursting region further includes a recess on the rim, and the projection is positioned at least partially within the recess.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the system is free from a cover that a user selectively extends over the recess.

10. A tire system, comprising:

a wheel including a rim;

a tire coupled to the rim;

an inner tube, at least a portion of the inner tube disposed between the rim and the tire, wherein the wheel includes a tube-bursting region that includes a passage that extends through the rim and is configured to facilitate bursting of the inner tube when the inner tube is pressurized above a predetermined maximum pressure; and

a plug that is positioned at least partially within the passage and is configured to be moved relative to the passage by the inner tube when the inner tube is pressurized above a predetermined plug-release pressure.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the predetermined plug-release pressure is less than the predetermined maximum pressure.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the predetermined plug-release pressure is equal to the predetermined maximum pressure.

13. A tire system, comprising:

a wheel including a rim;

a tire coupled to the rim; and

an inner tube, at least a portion of the inner tube disposed between the rim and the tire:

wherein the wheel includes a tube-bursting region configured to facilitate bursting of the inner tube when the inner tube is pressurized above a predetermined maximum pressure;

wherein the tube-bursting region includes a recess on the rim, and a projection that is positioned at least partially within the recess and is configured to facilitate bursting of the inner tube when the inner tube is pressurized above the predetermined maximum pressure.

14. The system of claim 1 in combination with a children's ride-on vehicle, wherein the children's ride-on vehicle comprises:

a body having at least one seat sized for a child; and

a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the body, wherein at least one wheel of the plurality of wheels is the wheel that includes the tube-bursting region.

15. The system of claim 6 in combination with a children's ride-on vehicle, wherein the children's ride-on vehicle comprises:

a body having at least one seat sized for a child; and

a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the body, wherein at least one wheel of the plurality of wheels is the wheel that includes the tube-bursting region.

16. The system of claim 8 in combination with a children's ride-on vehicle, wherein the children's ride-on vehicle comprises:

a body having at least one seat sized for a child; and

a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the body, wherein at least one wheel of the plurality of wheels is the wheel that includes the tube-bursting region.

17. The system of claim 10 in combination with a children's ride-on vehicle, wherein the children's ride-on vehicle comprises:

a body having at least one seat sized for a child; and

a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the body, wherein at least one wheel of the plurality of wheels is the wheel that includes the tube-bursting region.

18. The system of claim 13 in combination with a children's ride-on vehicle, wherein the children's ride-on vehicle comprises:

a body having at least one seat sized for a child; and

a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the body, wherein at least one wheel of the plurality of wheels is the wheel that includes the tube-bursting region.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS Recorded Oct 10, 2023
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: MATTEL, INC.
Reel/Frame 065266/0778 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 16, 2022
From: MATTEL, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 061451/0850 →
RELEASE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS Recorded Sep 16, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
To: MATTEL, INC.
Reel/Frame 061462/0537 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2017
From: MATTEL, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT FOR SECURED CREDITORS
Reel/Frame 044941/0241 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 4, 2009
From: ASBACH, RONALD M.; HOWELL, WILLIAM R.
To: MATTEL, INC.
Reel/Frame 022631/0760 →