With Plungers Patents (Class 152/292)
  • Patent number: 6981535
    Abstract: An elastic wheel includes a disk (1) having a base rim (2), a rim (3) for supporting a tire (10), and an annular elastic rubber body (4) arranged between the outer peripheral surface of the base rim (2) and the inner peripheral surface of the rim (3). A gap is formed between the elastic rubber body (4) and the outer peripheral surface of the base rim (2) or the inner peripheral surface of the rim (3). The elastic rubber body (4) with the gap has a spring constant that shifts from a smaller value to a larger value as the input load increases, so that it absorbs vibration under small input conditions while being prevented from undergoing substantial deformation under large input conditions. The elastic wheel ensures riding comfortablesess performance and provides improved vibrationproof performance and soundproof performance, regardless of whether the input load is small or large, without sacrificing durability and safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignees: Bridgestone Corporation, Topy Industries, Limited
    Inventors: Hirohumi Kikuchi, Katsumi Tashiro, Masanori Murase, Keiichiro Mizuno