Patent classifications
B60C7/08
Wheel assembly including flexible inboard seal and related methods
A wheel assembly may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle, and an outer rim surrounding the inner rim. The wheel assembly may also include gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim and permitting relative movement therebetween. The wheel assembly may also include a rigid inboard cover ring coupled to an inboard side of the outer rim and extending radially inward toward the inner rim. A flexible inboard seal may be coupled between the rigid inboard cover ring and the inner rim.
Tire with shaped tread
A method of making a tire includes placing substantially circular sheets of polymeric material on top of each other until a tire is built to a predetermined width. A predetermined tread shape is formed along a circumference of the substantially circular sheets of polymeric material.
Tire with shaped tread
A method of making a tire includes placing substantially circular sheets of polymeric material on top of each other until a tire is built to a predetermined width. A predetermined tread shape is formed along a circumference of the substantially circular sheets of polymeric material.
Non-pneumatic tire with individual tire modules
A non-pneumatic tire having a plurality of individual modules is mounted on a wheel having with a plurality of depressed module mounting slots to form a wheel and tire assembly. Each module has a body with an opening in the middle that separates the upper region from the lower region. The lower region has an attachment hole for attaching the module to the mounting slot. The lower region of the module and the mounting slot are shaped accordingly to fit each other. The module has two arms, each having an interlocking face disposed at their ends. A full set of interconnected modules forms a complete annular tire. The wheel includes a plurality of depressed mounting slots with a wheel attachment hole disposed around the rim where the modules can be mounted. The rim includes flanges that bound the mounting slot on both sides preventing the modules from sliding sideways.
Non-pneumatic tire with individual tire modules
A non-pneumatic tire having a plurality of individual modules is mounted on a wheel having with a plurality of depressed module mounting slots to form a wheel and tire assembly. Each module has a body with an opening in the middle that separates the upper region from the lower region. The lower region has an attachment hole for attaching the module to the mounting slot. The lower region of the module and the mounting slot are shaped accordingly to fit each other. The module has two arms, each having an interlocking face disposed at their ends. A full set of interconnected modules forms a complete annular tire. The wheel includes a plurality of depressed mounting slots with a wheel attachment hole disposed around the rim where the modules can be mounted. The rim includes flanges that bound the mounting slot on both sides preventing the modules from sliding sideways.
Method of manufacturing a non-pneumatic support structure
A system manufactures a tire assembly. The system includes a core having a cylindrical hub and radially protruding extensions projecting radially outward from the hub, a plurality of internal arcuate members for positioning a reinforcing layer of the about the core, the internal arcuate members each being wrapped with a reinforcement layer, the internal arcuate members being disposed in spaces circumferentially between the extensions of the core, a first side plate for securing the internal arcuate members in place relative to the core; and a second side plate for securing the core and internal arcuate members to each other.
Method of manufacturing a non-pneumatic support structure
A system manufactures a tire assembly. The system includes a core having a cylindrical hub and radially protruding extensions projecting radially outward from the hub, a plurality of internal arcuate members for positioning a reinforcing layer of the about the core, the internal arcuate members each being wrapped with a reinforcement layer, the internal arcuate members being disposed in spaces circumferentially between the extensions of the core, a first side plate for securing the internal arcuate members in place relative to the core; and a second side plate for securing the core and internal arcuate members to each other.
Wheel assembly including lateral stops and related methods
A wheel assembly to be coupled to a hub of a vehicle may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle and an outer rim surrounding the hub. The wheel assembly may also include gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim to provide a gas suspension for relative movement between the inner rim and the outer rim. The wheel assembly may also include a disk coupled to the inner rim. The wheel assembly may also include inboard lateral stops carried by an inboard interior surface of the outer rim, and outboard lateral stops carried by an outboard interior surface of the outer rim so that the inboard lateral stops and the outboard lateral stops cooperate to limit relative lateral movement of the disk and the outer rim.
Wheel assembly including outer rim coupled ring defining a mechanical stop and related methods
A wheel assembly to be coupled to a hub of a vehicle may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle and an outer rim surrounding the hub. The wheel assembly may also include gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim to provide a gas suspension for relative movement between the inner rim and the outer rim. The wheel assembly may also include an outer ring coupled to the outer rim and defining a closeable gap with adjacent interior portions of the inner rim to define a mechanical stop to limit relative movement of the inner rim and outer rim.
NON-PNEUMATIC LOOPER TIRE
A non-pneumatic tire is described herein having a spoke loop structure forming an annular ring, and further including a ground contacting tread portion and a shear band. The spoke loop structure has a plurality of flexible loops extending inward from the shear band, wherein each loop is formed from a strip of elastomeric material, and wherein each loop is connected to a wheel. The wheel has at least two circumferential partition, wherein each spoke loop is received in a compartment formed between two adjacent partition, wherein the compartment prevents axial movement of the spoke loop.