U.S. patent application number 16/841590 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-08 for tire repair tool and method of repairing a tire puncture with tire plugs.
The applicant listed for this patent is Bell Sports, Inc.. Invention is credited to Mark J. Matson, Stephen C. Park.
Application Number | 20200316882 16/841590 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004914889 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-08 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200316882 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Stephen C. ; et
al. |
October 8, 2020 |
TIRE REPAIR TOOL AND METHOD OF REPAIRING A TIRE PUNCTURE WITH TIRE
PLUGS
Abstract
A tire repair tool assembly includes a tool body, at least one
tire plug, a plug storage cap, and a hollow tube. The tool body may
have a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the tool
body having a storage compartment within the tool body, the storage
compartment having an opening at the first end. The plug storage
cap may be operably coupled to the first end of the tool body. The
hollow tube may be sized to receive a first end of the at least one
tire plug within the hollow tube, the hollow tube extending from
the second end of the tool body and having a tip distal from the
second end of the tool body. The tire repair assembly may further
include a tool body case having a closed end and an open
compartment within the tool body case.
Inventors: |
Park; Stephen C.; (San Jose,
CA) ; Matson; Mark J.; (Santa Cruz, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bell Sports, Inc. |
Scotts Valley |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004914889 |
Appl. No.: |
16/841590 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15702519 |
Sep 12, 2017 |
10611103 |
|
|
16841590 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29C 73/08 20130101;
B29C 73/06 20130101; B29L 2030/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B29C 73/08 20060101
B29C073/08; B29C 73/06 20060101 B29C073/06 |
Claims
1.-14. (canceled)
15. A tire repair tool assembly comprising: a tool body having a
first end and a second end opposite the first end; at least one
tire plug covered with adhesive; a member extending from the second
end of the tool body and having a tip distal from the second end of
the tool body, the tip configured to receive a first end of the at
least one tire plug therein and defining a sharp point to penetrate
a puncture hole in a tire; and a tool body case comprising a closed
end and an open compartment within the tool body case, the open
compartment sized to receive and enclose the member and the second
end of the tool body within the open compartment while the member
extends from the second end of the tool body, the tool body case
configured to engage the tool body at a location between the first
end of the tool body and the second end of the tool body to
removably retain the second end of the tool body within the tool
body case, wherein the at least one tire plug is disposed within
the tool body case.
16. The tire repair tool assembly of claim 15, wherein the tool
body is rotatably coupled or friction fit to the tool body
case.
17. The tire repair tool assembly of claim 15, wherein the tool
body further comprising a plug storage cap removably coupled to the
first end of the tool body
18. The tire repair tool assembly of claim 15, wherein the tool
body defines a storage compartment within the tool body, the
storage compartment having an opening at the first end of the tool
body.
19. The tire repair tool assembly of claim 18, further comprising a
plug storage cap removably coupled to the first end of the tool
body.
20. The tire repair tool assembly of claim 15, further comprising a
second tire plug sheet coupled to the at least one tire plug so
that the at least one tire plug is between the first tire plug
sheet and the second tire plug sheet.
21. The tire repair tool assembly of claim 15, wherein the closed
end of the tool body case comprises a removable end cap adapted to
open the closed end of the tool body case and expose the sharpened
tip of the member.
22. The tire repair tool assembly of claim 15, wherein the tool
body case further comprises a bracket on a first external sidewall
of the tool body case, the bracket forming a passage between the
bracket and the tool body case, the bracket configured to receive a
strap through the passage to attach the tool body case to a
bicycle.
23. The tire repair tool assembly of claim 22, further comprising a
strap sized to pass through the passage for mounting the tire
repair tool assembly to a bicycle.
24. A tire repair tool assembly comprising: a tool body having a
first end and a second end opposite the first end; at least one
tire plug covered with adhesive; a tube extending from the second
end of the tool body and having a tip distal from the second end of
the tool body, the tip configured to receive a first end of the at
least one tire plug therein and defining a sharp point to penetrate
a puncture hole in a tire; and a tool body case comprising a closed
end and an open compartment within the tool body case, the open
compartment sized to receive and enclose the tube and the second
end of the tool body within the open compartment while the hollow
tube extends from the second end of the tool body, the tool body
case configured to engage the tool body at a location between the
first end of the tool body and the second end of the tool body to
removably retain the second end of the tool body within the tool
body case, wherein the at least one tire plug is disposed within
the tool body case.
25. The tire repair tool assembly of claim 24, wherein the tool
body is rotatably coupled or friction fit to the tool body
case.
26. The tire repair tool assembly of claim 24, wherein the tool
body further comprising a plug storage cap removably coupled to the
first end of the tool body
27. The tire repair tool assembly of claim 24, wherein the tool
body defines a storage compartment within the tool body, the
storage compartment having an opening at the first end of the tool
body.
28. The tire repair tool assembly of claim 27, further comprising a
plug storage cap removably coupled to the first end of the tool
body.
29. The tire repair tool assembly of claim 24, further comprising a
second tire plug sheet coupled to the at least one tire plug so
that the at least one tire plug is between the first tire plug
sheet and the second tire plug sheet.
30. The tire repair tool assembly of claim 24, wherein the closed
end of the tool body case comprises a removable end cap adapted to
open the closed end of the tool body case and expose the sharpened
tip of the tube.
31. The tire repair tool assembly of claim 24, wherein the tool
body case further comprises a bracket on a first external sidewall
of the tool body case, the bracket forming a passage between the
bracket and the tool body case, the bracket configured to receive a
strap through the passage to attach the tool body case to a
bicycle.
32. The tire repair tool assembly of claim 24, further comprising a
strap sized to pass through the passage for mounting the tire
repair tool assembly to a bicycle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/702,519, filed on Sep. 12, 2017, the
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Aspects of this document relate generally to repairing a
puncture to a tubeless tire with tire plugs, and more specifically
to a tire repair tool assembly and methods of repairing a tire
puncture to a tubeless tire using the tire repair tool
assembly.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Tires are essential components of a vehicle, such as a
bicycle or a motor vehicle. Many tires are tubeless. That is, the
tire does not have an inner tube to hold air. When the tire is
punctured, air leaks out from the puncture. Although liquid sealant
pre-deposited in the tire may move around and block air leak from
small punctures, this mechanism does not work for big punctures.
Further, by the time a puncture is noticed from the hissing noise
of air leaking or the difficulties encountered in riding or
driving, the punctures have not been plugged by the pre-deposited
sealant. Moreover, not all tires have liquid sealant pre-deposited
inside the tire. Therefore, tools are needed to plug the puncture
to block the air from further leaking out.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to an aspect of the disclosure, a tire repair tool
assembly comprises a tool body, at least one tire plug, a plug
storage cap, a hollow tube, and a tool body case. The tool body may
have a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the tool
body having a storage compartment within the tool body, the storage
compartment having an opening at the first end. The at least one
tire plug may be coupled to a first tire plug sheet within the
storage compartment. The plug storage cap may be removably coupled
to the first end of the tool body. The hollow tube may be sized to
receive a first end of the at least one tire plug within the hollow
tube. The hollow tube may extend from the second end of the tool
body and have an angled tip distal from the second end of the tool
body. The tool body case may comprise a closed end and an open
compartment within the tool body case. The open compartment may be
sized to receive the hollow tube and the second end of the tool
body within the open compartment, the tool body case configured to
engage the tool body to removably retain the second end of the tool
body within the tool body case.
[0005] Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the
following features. The at least one tire plug may be covered with
adhesive. A second tire plug sheet coupled to the at least one tire
plug so that the at least one tire plug is between the first tire
plug sheet and the second tire plug sheet. The closed end of the
tool body case may comprise a removable end cap adapted to open the
closed end of the tool body case and expose the angled tip of the
hollow tube. The tool body case may comprise a bracket on a first
external sidewall of the tool body case, the bracket forming a
passage between the bracket and the tool body case. A strap may be
sized to pass through the passage for mounting the tire repair tool
assembly to a bicycle. The tool body may be rotatably coupled or
friction fit to the tool body case.
[0006] According to an aspect, a method of repairing a tire
puncture comprises providing a tool body, inserting the first end
of the tire plug into the hollow tube, folding the tire plug,
pushing the tip of the hollow tube and the folded tire plug, and
pulling the hollow tube out of the tire puncture and leaving the
tire plug in the tire puncture. Providing a tool body comprises
providing a tool body having a hollow tube sized to receive a first
end of a tire plug within the hollow tube, the hollow tube
extending from the tool body and having a tip distal from the tool
body. Folding the tire plug at the tip of the hollow tube comprises
folding the tire plug at the tip of the hollow tube such that a
remaining portion of the tire plug extends along an outer surface
of the hollow tube for a length of the remaining portion of the
tire plug. Pushing the tip of the hollow tube and the folded tire
plug comprises pushing the tip of the hollow tube and the folded
tire plug into a tire through the tire puncture until only a
portion of the remaining portion of the tire plug remains outside
of the tire.
[0007] Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the
following features. Inserting the first end of the tire plug into
the hollow tube may comprise inserting two tire plugs into the
hollow tube. The tip may be an angled tip having a first side
longer than a second side of the angled tip, and folding the tire
plug at the tip of the hollow tube comprises folding the tire plug
around the second side of the angled tip so that the first side
extends beyond the folded tire plug. The method of repairing a tire
puncture may further comprise removing the tire plug from a storage
compartment within the tool body prior to inserting the first end
of the tire plug into the hollow tube. The method may further
comprise exposing the tip of the hollow tube from within an open
compartment of a tool body case enclosing the hollow tube prior to
inserting the first end of the tire plug into the hollow tube.
[0008] According to an aspect, a tire repair tool assembly
comprises a tool body, at least one tire plug, a plug storage cap,
and a hollow tube. The tool body may have a first end and a second
end opposite the first end, the tool body having a storage
compartment within the tool body, the storage compartment having an
opening at the first end. The plug storage cap may be operably
coupled to the first end of the tool body. The hollow tube may be
sized to receive a first end of the at least one tire plug within
the hollow tube, the hollow tube extending from the second end of
the tool body and having a tip distal from the second end of the
tool body.
[0009] Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the
following features. The tire repair tool assembly may further
comprise a tool body case. The tool body case may comprise a closed
end and an open compartment within the tool body case, the open
compartment sized to receive the hollow tube and the second end of
the tool body within the open compartment, the tool body case
configured to engage the tool body to removably retain the second
end of the tool body within the tool body case. The closed end of
the tool body case may comprise a removable end cap adapted to open
the closed end of the tool body case and expose the tip of the
hollow tube. The tool body case may comprise a strip disposed along
a second external sidewall of the tool body case. The tool body
case may comprise a bracket on a first external sidewall of the
tool body case, the bracket forming a passage between the bracket
and the tool body case. The tire repair tool assembly may further
comprise a strap sized to pass through the passage for mounting the
tire repair tool assembly to a bicycle. The tip may be an angled
tip having a first side longer than a second side of the angled
tip. The at least one tire plug may be covered with adhesive.
[0010] Aspects and applications of the disclosure presented here
are described below in the drawings and detailed description.
Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and
phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain,
ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the
applicable arts. The inventors are fully aware that they can be
their own lexicographers if desired. The inventors expressly elect,
as their own lexicographers, to use only the plain and ordinary
meaning of terms in the specification and claims unless they
clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly set forth the
"special" definition of that term and explain how it differs from
the plain and ordinary meaning. Absent such clear statements of
intent to apply a "special" definition, it is the inventors' intent
and desire that the simple, plain, and ordinary meaning to the
terms be applied to the interpretation of the specification and
claims.
[0011] The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of
English grammar. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be
further characterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, such
noun, term, or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives,
descriptive terms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal
precepts of English grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives,
descriptive terms, or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns,
terms, or phrases be given their plain, and ordinary English
meaning to those skilled in the applicable arts as set forth
above.
[0012] Further, the inventors are fully informed of the standards
and application of the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112,
6. Thus, the use of the words "function," "means" or "step" in the
Detailed Description or Description of the Drawings or claims is
not intended to somehow indicate a desire to invoke the special
provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, 6, to define the invention. To
the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, 6 are
sought to be invoked to define the inventions, the claims will
specifically and expressly state the exact phrases "means for" or
"step for", and will also recite the word "function" (i.e., will
state "means for performing the function of [insert function]"),
without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material, or
acts in support of the function. Thus, even when the claims recite
a "means for performing the function of . . . " or "step for
performing the function of . . . ," if the claims also recite any
structure, material, or acts in support of that means or step, or
to perform the recited function, it is the clear intention of the
inventors not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, 6.
Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, 6, are
invoked to define the claimed aspects, it is intended that these
aspects not be limited only to the specific structure, material, or
acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in
addition, include any and all structures, material, or acts that
perform the claimed function as described in alternative
embodiments or forms in the disclosure, or that are well-known
present or later-developed, equivalent structures, material, or
acts for performing the claimed function.
[0013] The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages
will be apparent to those artisans of ordinary skill in the art
from the DETAILED DESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the
CLAIMS.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Implementations will hereinafter be described in conjunction
with the appended drawings, where like designations denote like
elements, and:
[0015] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a part of a punctured tire
and a tire repair tool assembly;
[0016] FIG. 1B shows the hollow tube of the tire repair tool
assembly shown in FIG. 1A is partially pushed into the punctured
tire;
[0017] FIG. 1C shows the tire is repaired after the hollow tube of
the tire repair tool assembly shown in FIG. 1A is pulled out of the
tire.
[0018] FIG. 2A is a side view of a tire repair tool assembly with
its tool body case pulled apart from its tool body;
[0019] FIG. 2B is a side perspective view of the tire repair tool
assembly shown in FIG. 2A with its tool body case partially
enclosing its tool body;
[0020] FIG. 3A is a side view of a plug storage cap;
[0021] FIG. 3B is a side perspective view of a tool body and shows
the tool body has a storage compartment, into which the plug
storage cap shown in FIG. 3A can be inserted;
[0022] FIG. 4A is side perspective view of a tool body with the
first end of a plug being inserted into the hollow tube of the tool
body;
[0023] FIG. 4B shows the plug is partially inserted into the hollow
tube of the tool body shown in FIG. 4A with the remaining part of
the plug folded on the hollow tube;
[0024] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the closed end of a tool
body case with the end cap of the tool body case pulled apart from
the tool body case;
[0025] FIG. 5B is a rear view of the tool body case shown in FIG.
5A with the end cap placed on the tool body case;
[0026] FIG. 5C is a rear perspective view of the tool body case
shown in FIG. 5B with a strip of the tool body case pulled apart
from the tool body case;
[0027] FIG. 6A shows a tire repair tool assembly mounted on a
bicycle with a strap of the tire repair tool assembly;
[0028] FIG. 6B is a rear view of the strap shown in FIG. 6A;
[0029] FIG. 6C shows the tool body of the tire repair assembly
shown in FIG. 6A is pulled apart from the tool body case;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method of repairing a tire
puncture.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] While this disclosure includes embodiments in many different
forms, they are shown in the drawings and will herein be described
in detailed particular embodiments with the understanding that the
present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the
principles of the disclosed methods and systems, and is not
intended to limit the broad aspect of the disclosed concepts to the
embodiments illustrated.
[0032] When a tire is punctured, it is never at a convenient
location or time. Often it is at a remote location that is
inconvenient for repairs. Tire repair tools that are small and
light weight are more convenient to permit the tire to be repaired
quickly to get the vehicle back into operation.
[0033] Contemplated as part of this disclosure is a tire repair
tool assembly that is used to effectively and quickly plug a
puncture in a tubeless tire, as well as a method of plugging a
puncture to a tubeless tire. FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate an example of
repairing a puncture, tire puncture, or puncture hole 102 to a tire
104 using a tire repair tool assembly, tire plug tool assembly, or
tool assembly 100. FIG. 1A shows a tire repair tool assembly 100
loaded with a plug or tire plug 328, FIG. 1B shows the hollow tube
208 and the plug 328 are partially inserted into the tire 104 at
the puncture 102, FIG. 1C shows the tire 104 with the plug 328
having filled the puncture 102 and blocking the air from leaking
out of the tire after the hollow tube 208 is pulled out of the tire
104.
[0034] A tire plug tool assembly 100 comprises a tool body 202, at
least one tire plug 328, a plug storage cap 222, and a hollow tube
208 (FIGS. 2A and 2B). The plugs 328 may be stored in the plug
storage cap 222 (FIG. 3A) and the hollow tube 208 extends from the
tool body 202 (FIG. 2A). The tire plug tool assembly 100 may
further comprise a tool body case 216. In the particular embodiment
shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, FIG. 2A shows a tool body 202 pulled out
of the tool body case 216 and FIG. 2B shows the tool body 202
coupled with and partially enclosed by the tool body case 216. The
tool body 202 may be rotatably coupled to the tool body case 216 or
may be coupled with a friction fit or some other connection
mechanism.
[0035] The tool body 202 has a first end 204 and a second end 206
opposite the first end 204. The tool body 202 has a storage
compartment 330 (FIG. 3B) within the tool body 202. The storage
compartment 330 has an opening 332 at the first end 204 of the tool
body 202. A hollow tube 208 may extend from the tool body 202 at
the second end 206.
[0036] The hollow tube 208 is sized to receive a first end 334 of
at least one tire plug 328 (FIG. 4A). The hollow tube 208 has a tip
210 distal from the second end 206 of the tool body 202. The tip
210 may be angled such that the first side 236 is longer than the
second side 238. An angled tip can provide a sharp point to
penetrate a puncture hole in the tire and deliver the plug into the
puncture.
[0037] A plug storage cap 222 may be removably coupled to the first
end 204 of the tool body 202 and be used to store plugs. In the
particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the plug storage
cap 222 may be made of rubber or other flexible material and have
grooves 240 on its circumference so that the body of the cap can be
squeezed and inserted into the storage compartment 330 of the tool
body 202 and then expand and couple with the tool body 202. The
body of the cap also forms a pocket 338 for storing plugs 328. The
plugs 328 may be coupled to a first tire plug sheet 324 within the
storage compartment 330 (FIGS. 2A-3B). A second tire plug sheet 326
may be used in the tire plug tool assembly 100 and also coupled to
the plugs so that the plugs are between the first tire plug sheet
324 and the second tire plug sheet 326. The first and second tire
plug sheets 324 and 326 may be made of plastic, waxed paper, or any
material that reduces the likelihood of the tire plug sticking to
it. The plug sheets, together with the plugs, may be rolled up and
stored in the pocket 338 of the plug storage cap 222 so that the
plugs can be easily accessible.
[0038] A plug 328 may be covered with adhesive. A plug 328 may be a
length of string covered with adhesive. The adhesive may be made of
self-vulcanizing rubber. Before plugging a puncture, a plug may be
loaded into the hollow tube 208 of the tool body 202 by inserting
the first end 334 of the plug 328 into the hollow tube 208 with a
portion of the plug 328 remaining outside of the hollow tube 208
and then folding the remaining portion 336 of the plug 328 on the
hollow tube 208 (FIGS. 4A and 4B). The plug may be folded around
the second side 238 of the angled tip 210 so that the first side
236 of the tip 210 extends beyond the folded tire plug 328 and the
end 212 of the tip 210 is exposed. To plug the puncture 102, the
tip 210 of the hollow tube 208 and the folded plug 328 is pushed
into the tire 104 through the puncture 102 until only a portion of
the plug 328 remains outside of the tire 104 and then the hollow
tube 208 is quickly pulled out of the tire 104, leaving the folded
plug 328 in the puncture 102 (FIGS. 1A-1C). Placing a plug in the
puncture folded increases the size of the plug placed in the
puncture for each repair, which saves time and increases the
effectiveness of the plug and the efficiency of the repair.
[0039] In the embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the tool body case 216
comprises a closed end 220 and an open compartment 214 within the
tool body case 216. The open compartment 214 is be sized to receive
the hollow tube 208 and the second end 206 of the tool body 202
within the open compartment 214. The tool body case 216 is
configured to engage the tool body 202 to removably retain the
second end 206 of the tool body 202 within the tool body case 216.
The closed end 220 of the tool body case 216 comprises an end cap
218. The end cap 218 is removable and adapted to open the closed
end 220 of the tool body case 216 and expose the tip 210 (FIG. 5A).
To save time, a plug or plugs may be preloaded in the hollow tube.
Two or more plugs may be twisted or stuck together before being
preloaded into the hollow tube. The preloaded plug or plugs may
fall out of the hollow tube and onto the inside of the tool body
case 216. To retrieve the fallen plug or plugs, the end cap 218 may
be removed from the tool body case and expose the plug or
plugs.
[0040] The tire repair tool assembly 100 can be stored inside a
bag, pocket, or jersey, or even be mounted on a bicycle or other
objects. For the specific embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the
tool body case 216 further comprises a bracket 224 on a first
external sidewall 228 of the tool body case 216. The bracket 224
forms a passage 226 between the bracket 224 and the tool body case
216. The tire repair tool assembly 100 further comprises a strap
sized to pass through the passage 226 for mounting the tire repair
tool assembly 100 to the bicycle 106 (FIG. 6A-6C) or an object such
as a bar or loop (not shown). The strap 230 includes a first part
232 and a second part 234. The first part 232 and the second part
234 have corresponding hook-n-loop structures or sticky parts so
that the first part 232 and the second part 234 stick to each other
and the strap forms a loop and mounts the tire repair tool assembly
100 to a bicycle 106 or other objects. Mounting the tire repair
tool assembly to a bicycle provides a quickly-accessible repair
tool for a rider. When the tire repair tool assembly 100 is mounted
to a bicycle 106, the tool body 202 can be conveniently removed
from the tool body case 216 and be used to quickly repair the
puncture. With the tire repair tool assembly 100 mounted, the rider
can also avoid losing the tool assembly from riding over tough
terrain. This quickly-accessible configuration of the tire repair
tool assembly, together with preloaded plugs and easily-accessible
spare plugs, save time and provide a tool to quickly and
effectively block air from leaking through the puncture.
[0041] The tool body case 216 may further comprise a strip 502
disposed along a second external sidewall 242 of the tool body case
216 (FIG. 5C). The strip 502 may be made of foam, sponge, or rubber
for increasing the grip of the tire repair tool assembly and
dampening the movement of the tire repair tool assembly 100 during
a ride if the tire repair tool assembly is mounted. The second
external sidewall 242 may be concave to conform to the shape of the
tube 108 of a bicycle 106 (FIGS. 5B and 6A) and further reduce the
movement of the tire repair tool assembly 100 during a ride.
[0042] The tire repair tool assembly 100 can be used to repair any
tubeless tire used in bicycles, unicycles, tricycles, motorcycles,
automobiles, all-terrain vehicles, or any vehicles or mobile
machines. The sizes and types of the plugs and the size of the tire
repair tool assemblies may vary depending on the sizes and types of
tires used on the vehicles or mobile machines.
[0043] Methods of repairing a tire puncture are also provided
herein. FIG. 7 illustrates an additional example of a method of
repairing a tire puncture (700). The method 700 comprises providing
a tool body having a hollow tube (702), where the hollow tube is
sized to receive a first end of a tire plug within the hollow tube,
extends from the tool body, and has a tip distal from the tool
body. The method 700 further comprises inserting the first end of
the tire plug into the hollow tube (704), folding the tire plug at
the tip of the hollow tube such that a remaining portion of the
tire plug extends along the outer surface of the hollow tube for a
length of the remaining portion of the tire plug (706), pushing the
tip of the hollow tube and the folded tire plug into a tire through
the tire puncture until only a portion of the remaining portion of
the tire plug remains outside of the tire (708), and pulling the
hollow tube out of the tire puncture and leaving the tire plug in
the tire puncture (710).
[0044] In some embodiments, inserting the first end of the tire
plug into the hollow tube (704) may further comprise inserting two
tire plugs into the hollow tube. The tip may be an angled tip
having a first side longer than a second side of the angled tip,
and folding the tire plug at the tip of the hollow tube (706) may
further comprise folding the tire plug around the second side of
the angled tip so that the first side extends beyond the folded
tire plug. The method 700 may further comprise removing the tire
plug from a storage compartment within the tool body prior to
inserting the first end of the tire plug into the hollow tube. The
method 700 may further comprise exposing the tip of the hollow tube
from within an open compartment of a tool body case enclosing the
hollow tube prior to inserting the first end of the tire plug into
the hollow tube.
[0045] This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not
limited to the specific components or assembly procedures disclosed
herein. Many additional components and assembly procedures known in
the art consistent with the tire repair tool assemblies, and
methods of repairing a tire puncture will become apparent for use
with implementations of the apparatus and methods in this
disclosure. In places where the description above refers to
particular implementations of tire repair tool assemblies, it
should be readily apparent that a number of modifications may be
made without departing from the spirit thereof and that these
implementations may be applied to other tire repair tool
assemblies. The presently disclosed implementations are, therefore,
to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not
restrictive, the scope of the disclosure being indicated by the
appended claims rather than the foregoing description. All changes
that come within the meaning of and range of equivalency of the
description are intended to be embraced therein. Accordingly, for
example, although particular tire repair tool assemblies and
methods of repairing a tire puncture are disclosed, such apparatus,
methods, and implementing components may comprise any shape, size,
style, type, model, version, class, grade, measurement,
concentration, material, quantity, the like as is known in the art
for such apparatus, methods, and implementing components, and/or
the like consistent with the intended operation of the tire repair
tool assemblies, and methods of repairing a tire puncture may be
used.
[0046] The word "exemplary," "example," or various forms thereof
are used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or
illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary"
or as an "example" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred
or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Furthermore,
examples are provided solely for purposes of clarity and
understanding and are not meant to limit or restrict the disclosed
subject matter or relevant portions of this disclosure in any
manner. It is to be appreciated that a myriad of additional or
alternate examples of varying scope could have been presented, but
have been omitted for purposes of brevity.
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