Patents by Inventor Timothy B. Rhyne
Timothy B. Rhyne 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: 11312177Abstract: A shear band that may be used e.g., in a non-pneumatic tire having interlaced reinforcing elements positioned within a shear layer of elastomeric material. A variety of configurations may be used to create the interlaced positioning of the reinforcing elements including e.g., a horizontal diamond or vertical diamond configuration.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2018Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELINInventors: Steve Cron, Timothy B. Rhyne
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Publication number: 20200164691Abstract: A tire constructed with a plurality of reinforcement belts is provided. At least one of the reinforcement belts extends along the axial width of the tire summit and is constructed according to an equilibrium curve that is flat throughout the summit. The reinforcement belts include cable reinforcements that are substantially parallel to the equatorial plane. Substantial reductions in the tension experienced by the cables can be achieved to provide, as a result, improvements in e.g., tread wear.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2020Publication date: May 28, 2020Inventors: William Bennett Clayton, Daniel McEachern Hicks, Timothy B. Rhyne
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Patent number: 10562353Abstract: A tire constructed with a plurality of reinforcement belts is provided. At least one of the reinforcement belts extends along the axial width of the tire summit and is constructed according to an equilibrium curve that is flat throughout the summit. The reinforcement belts include cable reinforcements that are substantially parallel to the equatorial plane. Substantial reductions in the tension experienced by the cables can be achieved to provide, as a result, improvements in e.g., tread wear.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements MichelinInventors: William Bennett Clayton, Daniel McEachern Hicks, Timothy B. Rhyne
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Publication number: 20190054767Abstract: A shear band that may be used e.g., in a non-pneumatic tire is provided. The shear band uses interlaced reinforcing elements positioned within a shear layer of elastomeric material. A variety of configurations may be used to create the interlaced positioning of the reinforcing elements including e.g., a horizontal diamond or vertical diamond configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2018Publication date: February 21, 2019Inventors: Steve Cron, Timothy B. Rhyne
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Patent number: 10105989Abstract: A shear band that may be used e.g., in a non-pneumatic tire is provided. The shear band uses interlaced reinforcing elements positioned within a shear layer of elastomeric material. A variety of configurations may be used to create the interlaced positioning of the reinforcing elements including e.g., a horizontal diamond or vertical diamond configuration.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERAL DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELINInventors: Steve Cron, Timothy B. Rhyne
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Publication number: 20170246909Abstract: A tire having uniform inflation growth is provided. The tire includes a body ply that is displaced from the conventional equilibrium curve along the bead, sidewall, and shoulder portions of the tire in a manner that provides more uniform inflation growth from bead portion to bead portion. Such construction reduces load sensitivity, reduces or eliminates the tire break-in period, and/or decreases the propensity for cracking—particularly along a groove bottom of the tread in the shoulder.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2014Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Bill Clayton, Daniel McEachern Hicks, Timothy B. Rhyne
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Patent number: 9493045Abstract: A method is provided for reinforcement of a multiple layer shear band as may be used in a non-pneumatic tire. More particularly, a method of improving the performance characteristics (such as e.g., increasing the bending stiffness) of a shear band without increasing its thickness or to reducing the thickness of a shear band while maintaining its performance characteristics and to shear bands constructed according to such method is provided as well as shear bands constructed according to such method.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2015Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignees: MICHELIN RECHERCHE et TECHNIQUE S.A., COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELINInventors: Steve Cron, Timothy B. Rhyne
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Publication number: 20150122385Abstract: A method is provided for reinforcement of a multiple layer shear band as may be used in a non-pneumatic tire. More particularly, a method of improving the performance characteristics (such as e.g., increasing the bending stiffness) of a shear band without increasing its thickness or to reducing the thickness of a shear band while maintaining its performance characteristics and to shear bands constructed according to such method is provided as well as shear bands constructed according to such method.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2015Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Steve Cron, Timothy B. Rhyne
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Patent number: 8960248Abstract: A method is provided for reinforcement of a multiple layer shear band as may be used in a non-pneumatic tire More particularly, an iterative method of improving the performance characteristics (such as e g, increasing the bending stiffness) of a shear band without increasing its thickness or of reducing the thickness of a shear band while maintaining its performance characteristics is presented Shear bands constructed according to this method are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2009Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignees: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A., Compagnie Generale des Etablissements MichelinInventors: Steve M. Cron, Timothy B. Rhyne
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Publication number: 20150013867Abstract: A tire constructed with a plurality of reinforcement belts is provided. At least one of the reinforcement belts extends along the axial width of the tire summit and is constructed according to an equilibrium curve that is flat throughout the summit. The reinforcement belts include cable reinforcements that are substantially parallel to the equatorial plane. Substantial reductions in the tension experienced by the cables can be achieved to provide, as a result, improvements in e.g., tread wear.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2012Publication date: January 15, 2015Applicant: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELINInventors: William Bennett Clayton, Daniel McEachern Hicks, Timothy B. Rhyne
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Publication number: 20140326374Abstract: A shear band that may be used e.g., in a non-pneumatic tire is provided. The shear band uses interlaced reinforcing elements positioned within a shear layer of elastomeric material. A variety of configurations may be used to create the interlaced positioning of the reinforcing elements including e.g., a horizontal diamond or vertical diamond configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicants: COMPAGNIE GENERAL DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.Inventors: Steve Cron, Timothy B. Rhyne
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Patent number: 8679382Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus are disclosed for correcting one or more uniformity characteristics in a tire and particularly to correction in a low profile tire or a tire having a projection along the sidewall. The uniformity characteristic may be a radial force variation, conicity, or both. Correction is accomplished by stretching portions of the tire architecture to create permanent deformation.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Clarence Hair, Timothy B. Rhyne, Patrice Estor
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Publication number: 20130327459Abstract: A tire having a reinforcement structure with improved resistance to a hinge effect is provided. More particularly, a tire is provided with a reinforcement structure that is positioned in the crown portion of the tire. The reinforcement structure has a circumferential extension modulus of about 5 GPa or greater and an axial plane shear modulus of about 10 MPa or greater. Exemplary embodiments of a tire with the reinforcement structure are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2011Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: COMPAGNIE CENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELINInventors: Timothy B. Rhyne, William Bennett Clayton, Antonio Delfino, Daniel McEachern Hicks
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Publication number: 20110221086Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus are disclosed for correcting one or more uniformity characteristics in a tire and particularly to correction in a low profile tire or a tire having a projection along the sidewall. The uniformity characteristic may be a radial force variation, conicity, or both. Correction is accomplished by stretching portions of the tire architecture to create permanent deformation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2008Publication date: September 15, 2011Inventors: Clarence Hair, Timothy B. Rhyne, Patrice Estor
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Patent number: 7650919Abstract: A structurally supported tire includes a ground contacting tread portion, a reinforced annular band disposed radially inward of the tread portion, and a plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and radially inward from the reinforced annular band and anchored in a wheel or hub. The reinforced annular band comprises an elastomeric shear layer, at least a first membrane adhered to the radially inward extent of the elastomeric shear layer and at least a second membrane adhered to the radially outward extent of the elastomeric shear layer. Each of the membranes has a longitudinal tensile modulus sufficiently greater than the shear modulus of the shear layer, and a longitudinal compression modulus of a second membrane is at least equal to the longitudinal tensile modulus of a first membrane so that when under load the ground contacting portion of the tire deforms to a flat contact region through shear strain in the shear layer while maintaining constant the length of the membranes.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2007Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Michelin Recherche of Technique S.A.Inventors: Timothy B. Rhyne, Ronald H. Thompson, Steven M. Cron, Kenneth W. Demino
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Patent number: 7418988Abstract: A structurally supported tire includes an outer annular band, and a plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and radially inward from the annular band and anchored in a wheel or hub. The annular band may further comprise a shear layer, at least a first membrane adhered to the radially inward extent of the shear layer, and at least a second membrane adhered to the radially outward extent of the shear layer. A preferred web spoke has a cutaway section transverse to the annular band. The cutaway section has a profile formed by straight line segments joined by a blending radius. The profile of the cutaway comprises a height and a maximum depth greater than five percent of the height and less than thirty percent of the maximum width. The profile has an angle alpha formed by a line tangent to the profile relative to the horizontal at least equal to ten degrees at the radially outermost and radially innermost extent of said profile.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2005Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Steven M. Cron, Jean-Pierre Pompier, Timothy B. Rhyne, Ronald Hobart Thompson, Kenneth W. Demino
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Patent number: 7201194Abstract: A structurally supported tire includes a ground contacting tread portion, a reinforced annular band disposed radially inward of the tread portion, and a plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and radially inward from the reinforced annular band and anchored in a wheel or hub. The reinforced annular band comprises an elastomeric shear layer, at least a first membrane adhered to the radially inward extent of the elastomeric shear layer and at least a second membrane adhered to the radially outward extent of the elastomeric shear layer.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2004Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Timothy B. Rhyne, Ronald H. Thompson, Steven M. Cron, Kenneth W. DeMino
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Patent number: 7066225Abstract: The invention is a runflat insert comprising an outer contacting portion for contacting the interior surface of the tire during deflated operation; a reinforced annular band disposed radially inward of the outer contacting portion comprising an elastomeric shear layer, a membrane adhered to the radially inward extent of the elastomeric shear layer and a second membrane adhered to the radially outward extent of the elastomeric shear layer; a sidewall portion extending radially inward from the contacting portion for connecting the annular band to a base member fitted around the wheel rim for securing the insert to the rim; and a carcass layer adhered to the annular band and extending radially inward from the annular band and anchored in the base member. The elastomeric shear comprises a dienic composition that includes a metal salt of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and a peroxide curative agent.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2004Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Timothy B. Rhyne, Steven M. Cron, Kenneth W. Demino, Michael D. Grah
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Patent number: 7044180Abstract: A run-flat insert 200 for enabling a vehicle to run for limited duration on a deflated tire 20, is mounted in an assembly comprising a pneumatic tire 20 and a wheel rim 10, and said insert is mounted inside the tire and secured to the wheel rim. The insert 200 has improved characteristics in load carrying, vehicle handling, mass, and shock transmission. Such a run-flat insert 200 comprises an outer, reinforced annular band 220 that is coupled with a sidewall portion 230 having little resistance to compressive loads, and the sidewall portion 230 tell mates in a base member 240 fitted around the wheel rim 10 for securing the insert 200 to the rim 10.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2004Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Timothy B. Rhyne, Kenneth W. Demino, Steven M. Cron
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Patent number: 7013939Abstract: A compliant wheel includes a compliant band and a plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and inward from the reinforced compliant band for attachment to a hub. The compliant band bends to comply with a contact surface and to envelope obstacles. The web spokes transmit load forces between the compliant band and the hub through tension in the web spokes not connected to the ground contacting portion of the wheel. The outer surface of the compliant band may be formed to include a tread, or a separate tread band may be attached.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2003Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Timothy B. Rhyne, Steven M. Cron, Jean-Pierre Pompier