Patents by Inventor Benjamin E. Rimai
Benjamin E. Rimai has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 12752574Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes a ring, a circumferential tread disposed about the ring, and a plurality of support structures extending downwards from the ring. An end of each support structure includes an axially extending member, and each support structure includes a reinforcement layer extending along a length of the support structure and wrapping around the axially extending member.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2022Date of Patent: October 6, 2026Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventors: Sharon E. Reinhardt, Adam K. Nesbitt, Benjamin E. Rimai, Anthony B. Duncan
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Patent number: 12679142Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes a lower ring having a first diameter, an upper ring having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, and a plurality of closed geometric shapes connected to the lower ring. The non-pneumatic tire further includes a plurality of spokes extending from each closed geometric shape to the upper ring. Each of the plurality of spokes includes a first linear segment connected to one of the plurality of closed geometric shapes and extending in a first direction, and a second linear segment connected to the upper ring and extending in a second direction different from the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2021Date of Patent: July 14, 2026Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LI.CInventor: Benjamin E. Rimai
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Publication number: 20260131599Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire that includes an inner support ring positioned within and coaxial to an outer support ring with a support structure connecting the rings to one another. The support structure includes a plurality of spokes that are secured to the inner support ring and the outer support ring. A flexure member having a filleted perimeter surface is used to attach an end of the spokes to the outer support ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2023Publication date: May 14, 2026Inventors: Andrew V. Haidet, Benjamin E. Rimai, Bradley S. Plotner, Zachary G. Lorenz
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Patent number: 12623489Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes a lower ring having a first diameter and an upper ring having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The upper ring is substantially coaxial with the lower ring. Support structure connects the lower ring to the upper ring. A circumferential tread is attached to the upper ring. The circumferential tread includes a tread layer and a tread band. The tread band includes a filament assembly that includes a plurality of individual filaments having a non-circular cross section. The filaments are configured and arranged such that the filaments have a packing density of at least 92% within the filament assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2021Date of Patent: May 12, 2026Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventor: Benjamin E. Rimai
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Patent number: 12611893Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes an inner ring having an axis of rotation and an outer ring coaxial with the inner ring. The non-pneumatic tire further includes support structure extending from the inner ring to the outer ring and a circumferential tread extending about the outer ring. The circumferential tread includes a band layer constructed of a single material and a tread rubber layer directly attached to the band layer. The band layer has a first face and a second face opposite the first face, and a first axial edge and a second axial edge, the first and second axial edges spacing the first face from the second face. At least one of the first edge and the second edge has a geometry that provides the band layer with a nonrectangular cross section.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2021Date of Patent: April 28, 2026Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventors: Benjamin E. Rimai, Bradley S. Plotner, Jared J. Griebel, Brandon P. Nelson
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Patent number: 12605966Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes a lower ring having a first diameter and an upper ring having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The upper ring is substantially coaxial with the lower ring. Support structure connects the lower ring to the upper ring. At least one of the lower ring, the upper ring, and the support structure includes a fiber metal laminate having at least one metal foil layer and at least one fiber and resin combination layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2021Date of Patent: April 21, 2026Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventors: Jared J. Griebel, Benjamin E. Rimai, Bradley S. Plotner, Brandon P. Nelson
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Publication number: 20250353329Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes a lower ring having a first diameter and an upper ring having a second diameter. The upper ring is substantially coaxial with the lower ring. A support structure connects the lower ring to the upper ring. The support structure is made up of a plurality of spokes. The support structure is arranged and configured so that adjacent spokes of the plurality of spokes contact one another upon the occurrence of a high impact event.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2023Publication date: November 20, 2025Inventors: Benjamin E. Rimai, Prashant Kumar
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Publication number: 20250353328Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes a lower ring having a first diameter and an upper ring having a second diameter. The upper ring is substantially coaxial with the lower ring. A support structure connects the lower ring to the upper ring. The support structure is made up of a plurality of spokes. The support structure is arranged and configured so that adjacent spokes of the plurality of spokes contact one another upon the occurrence of a high impact event.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2023Publication date: November 20, 2025Inventors: Benjamin E. Rimai, Bradley S. Plotner, Prashant Kumar, Kristiaan Hector
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Patent number: 12466216Abstract: A non-pneumatic and method of making a non-pneumatic tire. The non-pneumatic tire includes a lower ring having a first diameter and an upper ring having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The upper ring is substantially coaxial with the lower ring. A support structure extends between the lower ring and the upper ring. The support structure includes a first face and a second face opposite the first face, a first axial edge and a second axial edge. The first and second axial edges space the first face from the second face. At least one of the first edge and the second edge may have a geometry that provides the support structure with a nonrectangular cross section. At least one of the first face and the second face may have a surface roughness of less than 25 microns. The support structure may be free from orthogonal axial edges.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2021Date of Patent: November 11, 2025Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventors: Benjamin E. Rimai, Bradley S. Plotner, Brandon P. Nelson, Timothy M. Lusk, Andrew V. Haidet
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Patent number: 12459297Abstract: A method of making a non-pneumatic tire includes providing an inner ring of elastomeric material and an outer ring of elastomeric material, and arranging the inner ring and the outer ring such that the inner ring is substantially coaxial with the outer ring. The method further includes providing a plurality of sheets of reinforced elastomeric material and forming the plurality of sheets into a plurality of U-shaped sheets. The method also includes arranging the plurality of U-shaped sheets between the inner ring and the outer ring, and curing the inner ring, the outer ring, and the plurality of U-shaped sheets.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2020Date of Patent: November 4, 2025Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LCCInventor: Benjamin E. Rimai
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Patent number: 12275282Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of loops extending between the inner ring and the outer ring. The plurality of loops including at least a first loop and a second loop, wherein the first loop and the second loop are each in direct contact with both the inner ring and the outer ring. The first loop has a single reinforcement layer disposed therein, and includes a first extent that extends between the inner ring and the outer ring and a second extent that extends between the inner ring and the outer ring. The second loop has a single reinforcement layer disposed therein, and includes a third extent that extends between the inner ring and the outer ring and a fourth extent that extends between the inner ring and the outer ring. The second extent is in direct contact with the third extent.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2020Date of Patent: April 15, 2025Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventors: Benjamin E. Rimai, Nicholas J. Harp, Christopher W. Burton, Andrew V. Haidet, Brandon P. Nelson, Timothy M. Lusk
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Patent number: 12220953Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes an inner ring having an axis of rotation and an outer ring coaxial with the inner ring. The non-pneumatic tire further includes support structure extending from the inner ring to the outer ring and a circumferential tread extending about the outer ring. The circumferential tread includes a shear element. The shear element includes a lower shim layer of solid material, an upper shim layer of solid material, and an elastic layer disposed between the lower shim layer and the upper shim layer. The elastic layer has a higher elasticity than the lower shim layer and the upper shim layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2020Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventors: Nihar N. Raje, Bradley S. Plotner, Benjamin E. Rimai
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Publication number: 20240399793Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes an inner ring of metal material, an outer ring of metal material, a plurality of bent metal spokes, and a first overmolded polymeric foot formed over a first end of each bent metal spoke. Each first overmolded polymeric foot is attached to the inner ring by one of brazing, welding, casting, or adhering with an adhesive; The non-pneumatic tire further includes a second overmolded polymeric foot at a second end of each bent metal spoke. Each second overmolded polymeric foot is attached to the outer ring by one of brazing, welding, casting, or adhering with an adhesive.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2024Publication date: December 5, 2024Inventors: Benjamin E. Rimai, Anthony B. Duncan
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Publication number: 20240343067Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes a ring, a circumferential tread disposed about the ring, and a plurality of support structures extending downwards from the ring. An end of each support structure includes an axially extending member, and each support structure includes a reinforcement layer extending along a length of the support structure and wrapping around the axially extending member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2022Publication date: October 17, 2024Inventors: Sharon E. Reinhardt, Adam K. Nesbitt, Benjamin E. Rimai, Anthony B. Duncan
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Publication number: 20240326365Abstract: A method of making a tire tread includes providing a sheet of material and forming the sheet of material into a cylinder, such that a first edge of the sheet of material contacts a second edge of the sheet of material. The method also includes welding the first edge to the second edge to form a welded joint of a seamed cylinder, and providing tread rubber about the seamed cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2021Publication date: October 3, 2024Inventors: Jared J. Griebel, Benjamin E. Rimai, Bradley S. Plotner, Brandon P. Nelson
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Publication number: 20240253397Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire and method of forming a non-pneumatic tire. The non-pneumatic tire includes a lower ring having a first diameter and an upper ring having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The upper ring is substantially coaxial with the lower ring. A plurality of spokes extend between and interconnect the lower ring and the upper ring. The plurality of spokes have a tension stiffness of greater than or equal to 11 and less than or equal to 150 N/mm°, and a compression stiffness of greater than or equal to 11 and less than or equal to 100 N/mm°.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2022Publication date: August 1, 2024Inventors: Benjamin E. Rimai, Bradley S. Plotner, Prashant Kumar
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Patent number: 12043070Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of bent metal spokes. The non-pneumatic tire further includes a first overmolded foot at a first end of each bent metal spoke. Each first overmolded foot is attached to the inner ring. The non-pneumatic tire also includes a second overmolded foot at a second end of each bent metal spoke. Each first overmolded foot is attached to the outer ring.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventors: Benjamin E. Rimai, Anthony B. Duncan
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Publication number: 20240100882Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes a lower ring having a first diameter and an upper ring having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The upper ring is substantially coaxial with the lower ring. Support structure connects the lower ring to the upper ring. A circumferential tread is attached to the upper ring. The circumferential tread includes a tread layer and a tread band. The tread band includes a filament assembly that includes a plurality of individual filaments having a non-circular cross section. The filaments are configured and arranged such that the filaments have a packing density of at least 92% within the filament assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2021Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventor: Benjamin E. Rimai
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Publication number: 20240025208Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes a lower ring having a first diameter and an upper ring having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The upper ring is substantially coaxial with the lower ring. Support structure connects the lower ring to the upper ring. At least one of the lower ring, the upper ring, and the support structure includes a fiber metal laminate having at least one metal foil layer and at least one fiber and resin combination layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2021Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: Jared J. Griebel, Benjamin E. Rimai, Bradley S. Plotner, Brandon P. Nelson
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Publication number: 20230415517Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes a lower ring having a first diameter, an upper ring having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, and a plurality of closed geometric shapes connected to the lower ring. The non-pneumatic tire further includes a plurality of spokes extending from each closed geometric shape to the upper ring. Each of the plurality of spokes includes a first linear segment connected to one of the plurality of closed geometric shapes and extending in a first direction, and a second linear segment connected to the upper ring and extending in a second direction different from the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2021Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventor: Benjamin E. Rimai