Valves for tubeless tires

Claim 2

A snap-in tire valve comprising: a. a rigid tubular insert adapted to be provided with a valve, the insert being formed in a lower section of the outer surface thereof with outward rib means; and b. a housing including a rubber base having an axial bore receiving the lower section of the insert, the base having an enlargement adjacent the lower end thereof, the enlargement formed with a peripheral groove thereabout adapted to engage sealingly the valve hole opening of a tire rim, the housing including a retaining member of metal or the like molded into the rubber base and circumposing the bore, at least the portions of the retaining member closest to the bore being capable of stiffly yielding outwardly during installation of the insert into the bore, the bore of the housing having peripheral groove means interfitting with the rib means of the insert; whereby the retaining member forces the closing of the bore about the insert to produce a tight seal and blocks the removal of the insert.

Claim 3

A valve as described in claim 1 wherein the retaining member is a tubular louvred member embedded in the rubber base around the surface of the axial bore, the louvres being inwardly and downwardly extending with respect to the bore so that on insertion of the insert the louvres may expand to allow the insert to pass but will resiliently grip the rib means on the insert to prevent its being pulled out of the housing.

Claim 4

A snap-in tire valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the member is a helical spring.

Claim 5

A snap-in tire valve as claimed in claim 3 wherein the lower turns of the helical spring are of lesser diameter than the upper portions.

Claim 6

A snap-in tire valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ribs and grooves have sawtooth profiles including opposed substantially radial surfaces, the radial surfaces on the housing facing downward and the radial surfaces on the insert facing upward.

Claim 7

A snap-in tire valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tubular insert is plastic.

Claim 8

A snap-in tire valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the retaining member is metal.

Claim 9

A snap-in tire valve aS described in claim 1 wherein the tubular insert is shaped so that its outer surface is substantially continuous with the outward surface of the housing.

Claim 10

A snap-in tire valve comprising: a. a rigid plastic tubular insert containing valve means, the insert being formed in a lower section of the outer surface thereof with outward annular rib means having upwardly facing generally radial surfaces; and b. a housing including a rubber base having an axial bore snugly receiving the lower section of the insert, the base having an outward enlargement adjacent the lower end thereof, the enlargement formed with a peripheral groove thereabout adapted to engage sealingly the valve hole opening of a tire rim, the housing including a helical spring of metal into the rubber base and circumposing the bore in the area of the lower section of the tubular insert, being capable of stiffly yielding outwardly during installation of the insert into the bore, the bore of the housing having peripheral groove means interfitting with the rib means of the insert; whereby the spring forces the closing of the bore about the insert to produce a tight seal and blocks the removal of the insert.

Claim 11

A snap-in tire valve comprising: a. a rigid plastic tubular insert containing valve means, the insert being formed in a lower section of the outer surface thereof with outward annular rib means having upwardly facing generally radial surfaces; and b. a housing including a rubber base having an axial bore snugly receiving the lower section of the insert, the base having an outward enlargement adjacent the lower end thereof, the enlargement formed with a peripheral groove thereabout adapted to engage sealingly the valve hole opening of a tire rim, the housing including a helical spring of metal into the rubber base and circumposing the bore in the area of the lower section of the tubular insert, being capable of stiffly yielding outwardly during installation of the insert into the bore, the bore of the housing having peripheral groove means interfitting with the rib means of the insert; whereby the spring forces the closing of the bore about the insert to produce a tight seal and blocks the removal of the insert.

Claim 12

A snap-in tire valve as claimed in claim 9 wherein the lower turns of the helical spring are of lesser diameter than the upper portions.

Claim 13

A snap-in tire valve as described in claim 9 wherein the tubular insert is shaped so that its outer surface is substantially continuous with the outer surface of the housing.

Claim 14

A valve for tubeless tires mounted on a rim and comprising a rubber base having an axial bore and a peripheral rim-hole-engaging groove, a metal helical spring bonded in the rubber base and surrounding the axial bore, and a hard plastic tubular valve insert extending into the axial bore and having its periphery sealingly engaged in compressive engagement by the rubber surrounding the bore, urged partly by the natural resilience of the rubber and partly by the inward compression of the spring.

Claim 15

A valve for tubeless tires mounted on a rim and comprising a rubber base having an axial bore and a peripheral rim-hole-engaging groove, a metal helical spring bonded in the rubber base and surrounding the axial bore, and a hard plastic tubular valve insert extending into the axial bore and having its periphery sealingly engaged in compressive engagement by the rubber surrounding the bore, urged partly by the natural resilience of the rubber and partly by the inward compression of the spring.

Claim 16

A snap-in tire valve for an automobile tire mounted on a rim and adapted to snap into a tire valve opening in such a rim, the valve comprisng a rubber snap-in tire valve housing having a central opening, the housing having molded thereinto a helical spring surrounding the opening, and a rigid plastic tube-like valve-containing insert having an irregular outer surface impaling the housing through the opening, the housing portions surrounding the insert engaging it in leakproof fit, urged by the resilience of the rubber and spring, the insert being partly held against axial displacement of the housing by the irregular character of the outer surface.

Claim 17

A snap-in tire valve for an automobile tire mounted on a rim and adapted to snap into a tire valve opening in such a rim, the valve comprisng a rubber snap-in tire valve housing having a central opening, the housing having molded thereinto a helical spring surrounding the opening, and a rigid plastic tube-like valve-containing insert having an irregular outer surface impaling the housing through the opening, the housing portions surrounding the insert engaging it in leakproof fit, urged by the resilience of the rubber and spring, the insert being partly held against axial displacement of the housing by the irregular character of the outer surface.