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).
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Patent number: 12636918Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 19, 2024Date of Patent: May 26, 2026Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
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Patent number: 12508852Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 5, 2024Date of Patent: December 30, 2025Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
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Publication number: 20250135808Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2023Publication date: May 1, 2025Applicant: BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS, LLCInventor: Kevin E. Scheifele
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Publication number: 20240408922Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2024Publication date: December 12, 2024Applicant: BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS, LLCInventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
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Patent number: 12157338Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 1, 2024Date of Patent: December 3, 2024Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
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Patent number: 12103335Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 26, 2020Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventor: Kevin E. Scheifele
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Publication number: 20240317001Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2024Publication date: September 26, 2024Applicant: BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS, LLCInventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
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Patent number: 12097729Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 28, 2020Date of Patent: September 24, 2024Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
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Publication number: 20240253405Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2024Publication date: August 1, 2024Inventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
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Patent number: 12036828Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 28, 2020Date of Patent: July 16, 2024Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
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Patent number: 11951783Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 28, 2020Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
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Patent number: 11518196Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 15, 2016Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventor: Kevin E. Scheifele
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Publication number: 20220297484Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2020Publication date: September 22, 2022Inventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
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Publication number: 20220288979Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2020Publication date: September 15, 2022Inventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
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Publication number: 20220274450Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2020Publication date: September 1, 2022Inventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
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Publication number: 20220274451Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2020Publication date: September 1, 2022Inventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
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Publication number: 20220234391Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2020Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventor: Kevin E. Scheifele
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Patent number: D1015998Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventor: Kevin E. Scheifele
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Patent number: D1022868Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventor: Kevin E. Scheifele
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Patent number: D1050004Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2022Date of Patent: November 5, 2024Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Keith A. Dumigan, Richard S. Parr