Patents Assigned to Maine Rubber International
  • Patent number: 6142203
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a resilient wheel for solid pneumatic tires in which a resilient rubber or rubber-like material is bonded and cured to a wheel hub. A rigid outer support band, such as a steel band, is then bonded to the resilient material, thereby making a larger diameter wheel having the resilient material layer bonded between the inner hub and the outer support band. A replaceable tread is formed by bonding a tread compound to an inner rigid support band, such as a steel band. The replaceable tread may be fitted to the resilient wheel by a friction fit between the two steel support bands or by a bolt-on construction. When the tread has been worn down after use, the tread layer may be removed and a new one substituted therefor, thereby obviating the need to scrap the entire wheel. The resilient wheel portion may therefore be used on a repeating basis, replacing the tread layer portion as necessary. A preferred embodiment comprises a steel banded solid tire in which a 360.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Maine Rubber International
    Inventor: Calvin F. Bickford