Patents by Inventor Kevin E. Scheifele

Kevin E. Scheifele 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).

  • Patent number: 12636918
    Abstract: An electronics assembly is provided for use with a tire. The assembly includes a plurality of printed circuit boards, each of which includes an electronic device configured to sense a condition of the tire. Attachment pegs are provided to attach the printed circuit boards together in stacked positions that are spaced apart by the attachment pegs. Each attachment peg has a lower end portion configured to attach to any one of the printed circuit boards. Each attachment peg further has an upper end portion configured to attach to any other one of the printed circuit boards. This enables the printed circuit boards to be attached interchangeably between the stacked positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2026
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
  • Patent number: 12508852
    Abstract: A tire electronics assembly includes a base and a plurality of modules. The base is mechanically attached to the tire and includes an electronic device. The base also includes a plurality of mechanical attachment elements arranged side-by-side in a row. Each module includes an electronic device and a mechanical attachment element. Each mechanical attachment element on a module is configured to releasably mechanically attach to any one of the mechanical attachment elements on the base. In this configuration, the modules are interchangeably mechanically attachable to the base in side-by side positions in row. The base further includes a plurality of electrical contacts arranged side-by-side in a row. Each module has an electrical contact that is configured to releasably electrically connect with any one of the electrical contacts on the base, whereby the modules are interchangeably electrically connectable with the base in side-by-side positions in a row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2025
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
  • Publication number: 20250135808
    Abstract: In one aspect, a tire assembly is provided, the tire assembly comprising: a tire having a tread, two shoulders, two sidewalls, and two bead portions, wherein the sidewalls are oriented radially between the respective shoulders and the respective bead portions, wherein each of the sidewalls are cantilevered in shape, with each respective shoulder projecting axially outward from the entirety of its respective sidewall, a flexible sidewall support structure oriented axially outward of and in contact with each sidewall and its respective bead portion, wherein the flexible sidewall support structure has an annular shape, wherein the flexible sidewall support structure is external to and separate from the tire, and a flexible panel oriented axially outward of an in contact with each of the tire and the flexible sidewall support structure in the region of each shoulder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin E. Scheifele
  • Publication number: 20240408922
    Abstract: An electronics assembly is provided for use with a tire. The assembly includes a plurality of printed circuit boards, each of which includes an electronic device configured to sense a condition of the tire. Attachment pegs are provided to attach the printed circuit boards together in stacked positions that are spaced apart by the attachment pegs. Each attachment peg has a lower end portion configured to attach to any one of the printed circuit boards. Each attachment peg further has an upper end portion configured to attach to any other one of the printed circuit boards. This enables the printed circuit boards to be attached interchangeably between the stacked positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
  • Patent number: 12157338
    Abstract: A tire electronics assembly includes a base and a plurality of modules. The base is mechanically attached to the tire and includes an electronic device. A plurality of mechanical attachment elements are arranged on the base in a circular array. Each module includes an electronic device and a mechanical attachment element. Each mechanical attachment element on a module is configured to releasably mechanically attach to any one of the mechanical attachment elements on the base. In this configuration, the modules are interchangeably mechanically attachable to the base in the circular array. The base further includes a plurality of electrical terminals arranged in a circular array. Each module has an electrical terminal that is configured to releasably electrically connect with any one of the electrical terminals on the base, whereby the modules are interchangeably electrically connectable with the base in the circular array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
  • Patent number: 12103335
    Abstract: A modular non-pneumatic tire includes a first annular tire module and a second annular tire module coaxial with the first annular tire module. The first annular tire module includes a first inner ring, a first outer ring coaxial with the first inner ring, first support structure extending between the first inner ring and the first outer ring, and a first circumferential tread extending about the first outer ring. The second annular tire module includes a second inner ring, a second outer ring coaxial with the second inner ring, second support structure extending between the second inner ring and the second outer ring, and a second circumferential tread extending about the second outer ring. The first and second circumferential treads are asymmetrical. The first circumferential tread has a first orientation and the second circumferential tread has a second orientation that is different from the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin E. Scheifele
  • Publication number: 20240317001
    Abstract: A tire electronics assembly includes a base and a plurality of modules. The base is mechanically attached to the tire and includes an electronic device. The base also includes a plurality of mechanical attachment elements arranged side-by-side in a row. Each module includes an electronic device and a mechanical attachment element. Each mechanical attachment element on a module is configured to releasably mechanically attach to any one of the mechanical attachment elements on the base. In this configuration, the modules are interchangeably mechanically attachable to the base in side-by side positions in row. The base further includes a plurality of electrical contacts arranged side-by-side in a row. Each module has an electrical contact that is configured to releasably electrically connect with any one of the electrical contacts on the base, whereby the modules are interchangeably electrically connectable with the base in side-by-side positions in a row.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
  • Patent number: 12097729
    Abstract: An electronics assembly is provided for use with a tire. The assembly includes a plurality of printed circuit boards, each of which includes an electronic device configured to sense a condition of the tire. Attachment pegs are provided to attach the printed circuit boards together in stacked positions that are spaced apart by the attachment pegs. Each attachment peg has a lower end portion configured to attach to any one of the printed circuit boards. Each attachment peg further has an upper end portion configured to attach to any other one of the printed circuit boards. This enables the printed circuit boards to be attached interchangeably between the stacked positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
  • Publication number: 20240253405
    Abstract: A tire electronics assembly includes a base and a plurality of modules. The base is mechanically attached to the tire and includes an electronic device. A plurality of mechanical attachment elements are arranged on the base in a circular array. Each module includes an electronic device and a mechanical attachment element. Each mechanical attachment element on a module is configured to releasably mechanically attach to any one of the mechanical attachment elements on the base. In this configuration, the modules are interchangeably mechanically attachable to the base in the circular array. The base further includes a plurality of electrical terminals arranged in a circular array. Each module has an electrical terminal that is configured to releasably electrically connect with any one of the electrical terminals on the base, whereby the modules are interchangeably electrically connectable with the base in the circular array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
  • Patent number: 12036828
    Abstract: A tire electronics assembly includes a base and a plurality of modules. The base is mechanically attached to the tire and includes an electronic device. The base also includes a plurality of mechanical attachment elements arranged side-by-side in a row. Each module includes an electronic device and a mechanical attachment element. Each mechanical attachment element on a module is configured to releasably mechanically attach to any one of the mechanical attachment elements on the base. In this configuration, the modules are interchangeably mechanically attachable to the base in side-by side positions in row. The base further includes a plurality of electrical contacts arranged side-by-side in a row. Each module has an electrical contact that is configured to releasably electrically connect with any one of the electrical contacts on the base, whereby the modules are interchangeably electrically connectable with the base in side-by-side positions in a row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
  • Patent number: 11951783
    Abstract: A tire electronics assembly includes a base and a plurality of modules. The base is mechanically attached to the tire and includes an electronic device. A plurality of mechanical attachment elements are arranged on the base in a circular array. Each module includes an electronic device and a mechanical attachment element. Each mechanical attachment element on a module is configured to releasably mechanically attach to any one of the mechanical attachment elements on the base. In this configuration, the modules are interchangeably mechanically attachable to the base in the circular array. The base further includes a plurality of electrical terminals arranged in a circular array. Each module has an electrical terminal that is configured to releasably electrically connect with any one of the electrical terminals on the base, whereby the modules are interchangeably electrically connectable with the base in the circular array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
  • Patent number: 11518196
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to tire tread blocks each having a sipe and cut-out portions that reveal a three dimensional sipe pattern on interior walls of the tread block. More particularly, the sipe defines the interior walls of the tread block and divides the tread block into first and second portions. The sipe further defines the sipe pattern on the interior walls of the tread block, on the first and second portions. The cut-out portions are located on the first and second portions, and expose the sipe patterns on the second and first portions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin E. Scheifele
  • Publication number: 20220297484
    Abstract: An electronics assembly includes a base and a plurality of modules. The base is configured for mechanical attachment to a tire. The base includes an electronic device, and also includes a mechanical attachment element. Each module includes an electronic device, a lower mechanical attachment element, and an upper mechanical attachment element. The lower mechanical attachment element on each one of the modules is configured for attachment to the upper mechanical attachment element on any other one of the modules. In this configuration, the modules are interchangeably mechanically attachable to each other in a stacked arrangement. Each lower mechanical attachment element is also configured for attachment to the mechanical attachment element on the base. The modules are thus mechanically attachable to the base interchangeably with each other, which enables any one of the modules to be installed as the lowermost module in the stacked arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
  • Publication number: 20220288979
    Abstract: A tire electronics assembly includes a base and a plurality of modules. The base is mechanically attached to the tire and includes an electronic device. The base also includes a plurality of mechanical attachment elements arranged side-by-side in a row. Each module includes an electronic device and a mechanical attachment element. Each mechanical attachment element on a module is configured to releasably mechanically attach to any one of the mechanical attachment elements on the base. In this configuration, the modules are interchangeably mechanically attachable to the base in side-by side positions in row. The base further includes a plurality of electrical contacts arranged side-by-side in a row. Each module has an electrical contact that is configured to releasably electrically connect with any one of the electrical contacts on the base, whereby the modules are interchangeably electrically connectable with the base in side-by-side positions in a row.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
  • Publication number: 20220274450
    Abstract: An electronics assembly is provided for use with a tire. The assembly includes a plurality of printed circuit boards, each of which includes an electronic device configured to sense a condition of the tire. Attachment pegs are provided to attach the printed circuit boards together in stacked positions that are spaced apart by the attachment pegs. Each attachment peg has a lower end portion configured to attach to any one of the printed circuit boards. Each attachment peg further has an upper end portion configured to attach to any other one of the printed circuit boards. This enables the printed circuit boards to be attached interchangeably between the stacked positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
  • Publication number: 20220274451
    Abstract: A tire electronics assembly includes a base and a plurality of modules. The base is mechanically attached to the tire and includes an electronic device. A plurality of mechanical attachment elements are arranged on the base in a circular array. Each module includes an electronic device and a mechanical attachment element. Each mechanical attachment element on a module is configured to releasably mechanically attach to any one of the mechanical attachment elements on the base. In this configuration, the modules are interchangeably mechanically attachable to the base in the circular array. The base further includes a plurality of electrical terminals arranged in a circular array. Each module has an electrical terminal that is configured to releasably electrically connect with any one of the electrical terminals on the base, whereby the modules are interchangeably electrically connectable with the base in the circular array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
  • Publication number: 20220234391
    Abstract: A modular non-pneumatic tire includes a first annular tire module and a second annular tire module coaxial with the first annular tire module. The first annular tire module includes a first inner ring, a first outer ring coaxial with the first inner ring, first support structure extending between the first inner ring and the first outer ring, and a first circumferential tread extending about the first outer ring. The second annular tire module includes a second inner ring, a second outer ring coaxial with the second inner ring, second support structure extending between the second inner ring and the second outer ring, and a second circumferential tread extending about the second outer ring. The first and second circumferential treads are asymmetrical. The first circumferential tread has a first orientation and the second circumferential tread has a second orientation that is different from the first orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventor: Kevin E. Scheifele
  • Patent number: D1015998
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin E. Scheifele
  • Patent number: D1022868
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin E. Scheifele
  • Patent number: D1050004
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Keith A. Dumigan, Richard S. Parr