Abstract Because of the lack of access to the interior of tube-tires, internal patches must be applied through the rupture or puncture in such a tube-tire. For proper preparation of the internal patch area, a buffer having a shaft connected to a pivoted buffing head with an elastomer coated spring plate that also includes an abrasive surface on the outer elastomer surface can be folded about its pivot so it can be inserted through the rupture and then opened so that the plate is normal to the shaft, whereby the rotation of the shaft, while the shaft is simultaneously pulled outwardly, brings the abrasive surface into contact with the interior patch area about the rupture to abrade and clean the patch area preparatory to applying the patch.
An internal buffing tool for tube-type tires comprising: an elongated shaft having a hub at one end thereof; an elastomer coated plate having a pivot housing centrally disposed thereon and projecting from one side thereof, said coated plate having an internal flat spring steel member fixedly connected to said pivot housing with elastomer layers bonded to its opposite sides; a pivot connection between said pivot housing and said hub operable to allow said coated plate to be aligned parallel with said elongated shaft and rotated therewith when said coated plate is positioned normal to said shaft; and an abrasive surface bonded to said elastomer coated plate on the side with the projecting pivot housing whereby the tool can be inserted into a tube-tire through a puncture and said coated plate oriented normal to said shaft as it is rotated and pulled outwardly to abrade the internal surface areas of the tube-tire surrounding the puncture as the coated plate flexes to the internal contour of said area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
An internal buffing tool for tube-type tires comprising: an elongated shaft having a hub at one end thereof; an elastomer coated plate having a pivot housing centrally disposed thereon and projecting from one side thereof, said coated plate having an internal flat spring steel member fixedly connected to said pivot housing with elastomer layers bonded to its opposite sides; a pivot connection between said pivot housing and said hub operable to allow said coated plate to be aligned parallel with said elongated shaft and rotated therewith when said coated plate is positioned normal to said shaft; and an abrasive surface bonded to said elastomer coated plate on the side with the projecting pivot housing whereby the tool can be inserted into a tube-tire through a puncture and said coated plate oriented normal to said shaft as it is rotated and pulled outwardly to abrade the internal surface areas of the tube-tire surrounding the puncture as the coated plate flexes to the internal contour of said area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The internal buffing tool defined in claim 1 wherein the elastomer coated plate is rectangular.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The internal buffing tool defined in claim 1 wherein the elastomer coated plate is circular.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The internal buffing tool defined in claim 1 wherein the pivot connection includes a spring means therein operable to urge the elastomer coated plate into general parallel alignment with the elongated shaft to facilitate insertion and removal of the tool through a puncture in a tube tire.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of preparing the internal surface of a tube-tire surrounding a puncture for acceptance of a patch to be applied through the puncture comprising the steps of: inserting a buffing tool with an elongated shaft having a flexible plate element foldably attached to its inserted end, said plate element having an abrasive surface; rotating said plate element with it normal to said shaft by rotating said shaft while simultaneously pulling said shaft outwardly to bring said abrasive surface into contact with the internal surface surrounding the puncture; and subsequently removing said buffing tool through said puncture.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of preparing the internal surface of a tube-tire surrounding a puncture for acceptance of a patch to be applied through the puncture comprising the steps of: inserting a buffing tool with an elongated shaft having a flexible plate element foldably attached to its inserted end, said plate element having an abrasive surface; rotating said plate element with it normal to said shaft by rotating said shaft while simultaneously pulling said shaft outwardly to bring said abrasive surface into contact with the internal surface surrounding the puncture; and subsequently removing said buffing tool through said puncture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method defined in claim 5 wherein the shaft is pulled outwardly with sufficient force to cause the flexible plate to conform with the contours of the internal surface Area surrounding the puncture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method defined in claim 6 including the step of moving the rotating shaft in the opening of the puncture to insure all the internal surface immediate thereto is buffed.