With Channel Cover Patents (Class 152/381.5)
  • Patent number: 11046111
    Abstract: An auxiliary air chamber member includes: a lower surface arranged on the outer circumferential surface side of a well section; an upper surface arranged outward from the lower surface; an auxiliary air chamber formed between the upper surface and the lower surface; a pair of edges that join the lower surface and the upper surface on both sides in the width direction and that engage with the well section; and a plurality of joining sections that partially join the upper surface and the lower surface as a result of being sunk into the interior of the auxiliary air chamber from the upper surface and the lower surface between one edge and the other edge along the wheel width direction Y. The joining points of the individual joining sections are arranged on the strong axis of the cross-sectional main axis of the auxiliary air chamber member in an axial right section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Youichi Kamiyama, Katsushi Ishii, Jung-Un Park
  • Patent number: 10850558
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing tire noise may include a rim with a tire mounted thereto in a wheel; a resonance tube provided along an external circumferential surface of the rim, and configured such that a first edge portion thereof in a width direction is provided with a first flange locked to a first side wall of the rim and a second edge portion thereof in the width direction is provided with a second flange; a strap provided along the external circumferential surface of the rim to surround the second flange of the resonance tube such that the resonance tube is brought into contact with the external circumferential surface of the rim; and a protruding portion configured to protrude from the external circumferential surface of the rim to prevent the resonance tube and the strap from being moved in the width direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventor: Sang Min Shin
  • Patent number: 10759236
    Abstract: A wheel for an air maintenance tire system is provided. The air maintenance tire system includes at least one pump and a regulator. The wheel includes a body that is formed with an axially-extending wall, a pair of flanges, and a pair of bead mounting areas. Each bead mounting area is disposed axially inwardly proximate a respective one of the flanges. The axially-extending wall is formed with an AMT mounting channel. The AMT mounting channel extends circumferentially about the wheel approximately mid-way between the flanges and is defined by a first adjacent wall, a second adjacent wall, and a base. Mounting surfaces are formed in or adjacent the AMT mounting channel, so that the at least one pump is mounted in the AMT mounting channel radially inwardly of the bead mounting areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Durr, Cheng-Hsiung Lin, Christopher Paul Hunt, Arun Kumar Byatarayanapura Gopala, Christian Alfonso Lombardi
  • Patent number: 10583697
    Abstract: A wheel resonator, which is provided by integrating a first member having a first welding surface with a second member having a second welding surface and includes a volume chamber and a communicating tube. The volume chamber has a flat shape and is configured to extend along an outer surface of a vehicle wheel when the wheel resonator is attached to the vehicle wheel. The first welding surface and the second welding surface are welded to each other, and are provided on a single welding plane. The welding plane extends in a circumferential direction and a width direction of the vehicle wheel when the wheel resonator is attached to the vehicle wheel, is a plane on which the volume chamber is divided into two volume portions, and is a plane on which the communicating tube is divided into two communication portions. The communicating tube extends along the welding plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: TIGERS POLYMER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takatsugu Miura, Shogo Kuroda, Toshinobu Doi, Tetsuji Miyazaki, Michio Kijima
  • Patent number: 10131184
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a resonator device includes a first chamber including a first leg portion extending in a longitudinal direction and a first shoulder extending in a transverse direction, and a second chamber positioned next to the first chamber at least partially along the longitudinal direction. The second chamber may include a second shoulder portion positioned next to the first leg portion and a second leg portion positioned next to the first shoulder portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies,LLC
    Inventors: James Mohan, Christopher Pierce, David Scott Rohweder
  • Patent number: 8978725
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel rim structure is provided with a rim, a cap and a tape. The rim includes a first annular side portion, a second annular side portion and an annular bridge portion extending between the first and second annular side portions. The bridge portion has at least one opening. The cap includes a base plate and a projection. The base plate overlies an outer rim surface of the annular bridge portion. The projection extends from the base plate into the at least one opening. The tape is attached to the outer rim surface of the annular bridge portion and overlying the base plate of the cap. The tape is dimensioned to cover an interface between a peripheral edge of the base plate of the cap and the outer rim surface of the annular bridge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuki Koshiyama, Hiroshi Fujita, Takashi Yaegashi
  • Patent number: 8925603
    Abstract: The wheel (1) comprises a rim (2) and a hub (3) between which a plurality of spokes (4) are connected. The rim has a radially recessed, cylindrical outer surface (2a-2d) with a channel-shaped cross-section and is provided with a plurality of drilled seats (6) each intended for the attachment of a respective nipple (5) for the connection of a spoke (4). Annular sealing members (13) are provided between each nipple (5) and the corresponding drilled seat (6) of the rim (2). The wheel (1) further comprises a circumferential, band-like seal (14) which is made of resilient material, is fitted on the rim (2), and extends over the recessed cylindrical surface of the rim (2) in a circumferentially stretched condition so as sealingly to cover all of the drilled seats (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Gianetti Ruote S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Ulisse Gittani, Gabriele Perris Magnetto
  • Patent number: 8333437
    Abstract: A tire-wheel assembly and disassembly method is disclosed wherein relative shifting of a tire and a wheel when braking and/or cornering can be suppressed without negatively affecting tire replacement workability. Specifically, a tire-wheel assembly has a wheel constructed from an electrically conductive material and a tire assembled on an outer peripheral side of the wheel, wherein an electrically conductive layer is formed on at least a part of a wheel contact surface of the tire, and an electrically debonding adhesive comprising an ionic liquid is interposed between the electrically conductive layer of the tire and the wheel. When disassembling this tire-wheel assembly, the tire is removed from the wheel after voltage is applied between the wheel and the electrically conductive layer of the tire and electricity is passed through the electrically debonding adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Matsuda, Keisuke Chino
  • Patent number: 8291949
    Abstract: A spoke wheel including an assembly of spokes and corresponding nipples for connecting a wheel hub and a rim to each other, wherein the nipples are held axially in corresponding seats of the rim by an axial locking assembly including a belt closed in a ring on the rim behind the nipples so as to hold them in the respective seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Alpina Raggi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Guido Cappellotto, Fabio Alberio
  • Patent number: 8196628
    Abstract: A system for dissipating sound shock waves within a vehicle tire includes a wheel upon which a tire is mounted to create an internal air chamber defined by the wheel and the tire. A flow-resistant barrier is coupled to the wheel or the tire and defines an air cavity within the internal air chamber. The barrier comprises a material that provides an acoustical resistance to sound shock waves passing therethrough. The air cavity defined by the barrier has a volume such that air within the cavity offers relatively small impedance to the passage of shock waves through the barrier and into the air cavity. The barrier also can produce frictional heat when displaced by a shock wave, thereby converting energy of the shock wave to heat to reduce noise associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Tire Acoustics, LLC
    Inventor: Sanford Elliot Fowler-Hawkins
  • Patent number: 8181685
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel includes: a disk and a rim having a well portion and fixed to the disk for supporting a tire for the vehicle; and an additional air chamber member secured to an outer circumferential surface of the well portion in a tire air chamber defined between the rim and the tire. The additional air chamber includes a communication pipe with a communication through hole therein for communication between the additional air chamber and the tire air chamber. The additional air chamber has a peak in a radial direction of the vehicle wheel. A radius D2 of rotation of the vehicle wheel at the tip of the communication through hole is equal to or greater than a radius D1 of rotation of the vehicle at the peak of the additional air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youichi Kamiyama, Katsushi Ishii, Hisamitsu Takagi
  • Patent number: 8082962
    Abstract: A sealing ring for a vehicle wheel having a tubeless tire with two tire beads that are embodied on the radially inward side thereof. The tubeless tire is mounted on the radially outer side of the multipart rim by the tire beads. The vehicle wheel further comprising a sealing ring which seals the tire radially inward towards the ring, is positioned on the radially outer side of the rim, extends in a peripheral direction along the circumference of the rim and runs between the two tire beads in an axial direction. The sealing ring is configured with a central ring member which is provided with a cylindrical inner surface that is to rest on the outer surface of the rim while being embodied with one respective concentric flexible annular leg which is located on both axial sides of the central ring member and extends diagonally and radially outward in an axial direction from the central ring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Darren Kidney
  • Patent number: 7740035
    Abstract: A system for dissipating sound shock waves within a vehicle tire includes a wheel upon which a tire is mounted to create an internal air chamber defined by the wheel and the tire. A flow-resistant barrier is coupled to the wheel or the tire and defines an air cavity within the internal air chamber. The barrier comprises a material that provides an acoustical resistance to sound shock waves passing therethrough. The air cavity defined by the barrier has a volume such that air within the cavity offers relatively small impedance to the passage of shock waves through the barrier and into the air cavity. The barrier also can produce frictional heat when displaced by a shock wave, thereby converting energy of the shock wave to heat to reduce noise associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Tire Acoustics, LLC
    Inventor: Sanford Elliot Fowler-Hawkins
  • Patent number: 7690410
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel in which an additional air chamber member in a tire air chamber is fixed on an outer circumferential surface of a well portion, includes: a first vertical wall surface rising outward in a radial direction from the outer circumferential surface of the well portion and extending in a circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface; and a second vertical wall surface formed in the well portion facing the first vertical wall surface. The additional air chamber member has an additional air chamber and a communication hole formed therein. The communication hole provides communication between the additional air chamber and the tire air chamber. The additional air chamber member is fitted between the first and second vertical wall surfaces. Side end portions of the additional air chamber member in a width direction of the vehicle wheel are secured between the first and second vertical wall surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youichi Kamiyama, Mikio Kashiwai, Hisamitsu Takagi
  • Patent number: 7487811
    Abstract: A rim of a spoke wheel for tubeless tires including a sealing device (12, 25, 27, 36, 44, 46, 48) arranged in the region of a rim bed (2) in a well (11) of the rim (1) and the rim (1) comprising on both sides of a rim center plane (10) a relief (13) with sealing areas, the relief (13) being provided with two constrictions forming the sealing areas (14, 14?) and the sealing device (12, 25, 27, 36, 44, 46, 48) being configured substantially complementary in shape and size to the relief (13) and is arranged therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: KTM Sportmotorcycle AG
    Inventor: Clemens Schelhaas
  • Patent number: 7475713
    Abstract: A tire/wheel assembly comprising a wheel having a rim, a pneumatic tire mounted on the rim of the wheel and a noise reduction interior member disposed in the cavity of the pneumatic tire. The noise reduction interior member includes left and right elastic rings fitted to the rim and an annular body attached between the elastic rings. The annular body is configured such that an annular cavity portion surrounded by the noise reduction interior member and the pneumatic tire has a cross-sectional area that varies in a circumferential direction of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Naito, Atsushi Tanno
  • Patent number: 7445034
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel includes a wheel rim, a lining strap, and a tire. Thus, each of the edges of the lining strap is clamped in the clamping space of the respective clamping hook of the wheel rim and closely retained by the respective clamping hook of the wheel rim and the respective sidewall of the opening, and the protruding lips of the tire are movable freely on the smooth face of the lining strap, so that when the tire is subjected to an external force, the lining strap will not driven by the tire to prevent a gap from forming between the lining strap and the tire and to prevent the air contained in the tire from leaking from the mounting holes of the wheel rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Inventor: Yu-Shan Huang
  • Patent number: 7347240
    Abstract: A runflat tire system comprising a pneumatic tire, a wheel rim and a support ring disposed in a tire cavity is disclosed, wherein the wheel rim comprises a pair of axially spaced bead seats, and a support-ring seat between the bead seats; the support ring has an inner circumferential surface fitting to the above-mentioned support-ring seat, and an outer circumferential surface contacting with the inside of a tread portion of the tire mounted on the wheel rim when the tire is deflated; and one of or alternatively each of the support-ring seat and the inner circumferential surface is provided with an ordered uneven surface which can reduce a friction in the axial direction between the inner circumferential surface and the support-ring seat, while maintaining or increasing the friction in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7201197
    Abstract: A tire/wheel assembly includes a wheel having a rim, a pneumatic tire fitted to the rim of the wheel and a run-flat support member, the pneumatic tire having a tread surface and a hollow space, the tread surface having circumferential grooves extending in a circumferential direction of the tire, the run-flat support member being disposed in the hollow space of the pneumatic tire and having an annular shell and elastic rings, the annular shell comprising a support surface formed radially outward having a convexly curved surface portion with an annular apical line or face and two leg portions formed radially inward, the elastic rings supporting the two leg portions on the rim. The apical line or apical face of the convexly curved surface portion is offset in a direction of a center axis of rotation of the wheel so as not to be located in a position corresponding to the circumferential grooves when viewed from a radial direction of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Kuramori, Atsushi Tanno, Masatoshi Kuwajima, Mitsuo Ikeda, Tsuyoshi Uehara
  • Patent number: 7152643
    Abstract: A purpose of the present invention is to provide a rim wheel and a tire rim assembly which are capable of effectively reducing cavity resonance of a tire, and accordingly, enhancing quietness and riding comfort. A plurality of cap members 20 is arranged on an outer circumferential surface of a rim 16 in a circumferential direction thereof, diaphragms are disposed inwardly of each cap member 20, and a plurality of sub-air chambers 32 is formed between the rim 16 and the cap members 20 in a rim circumferential direction. The tire main air chamber 18 is connected to the sub-air chambers 32 through communicating holes 24 formed on the cap members 20. The sub-air chambers 32 and the communicating holes 24 constitute a Helmholtz resonance noise absorber that can absorb vibration with specified frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morinaga, Hidetoshi Yokota
  • Patent number: 7040365
    Abstract: An assembly (10) for location around a wheel rim (32) includes an annular support band (12) being formed of a relatively inextensible material. The support band (12) is split at at least one circumferential location to define a pair of opposed ends (16, 18). Adjustment bolt (24) is operably connected to the opposed ends (16, 18) for enabling adjustment of the diameter of the support band (12), and feet (14) depend from the radially inner face (34) of the support band (12). The feet (14) are formed from a relatively non-compressible material and, in use, are seated upon the wheel rim (32) to maintain the support band (12) in a spaced apart relationship with the wheel rim (32). The assembly may be adapted for use as a runflat assembly or as a beadlock assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Tyron Automotive Group Limited
    Inventor: Richard David Lüst
  • Publication number: 20040250935
    Abstract: A purpose of the present invention is to provide a rim wheel and a tire rim assembly which are capable of effectively reducing cavity resonance of a tire, and accordingly, enhancing quietness and riding comfort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morinaga, Hidetoshi Yokota
  • Patent number: 6705368
    Abstract: An emergency support member is provided for a vehicle wheel and tire assembly having a pneumatic tire that is mounted on a wheel rim. The support member is embodied as a dished annular member within the tire, and has an emergency support surface for supporting the tire in the event of damage thereto. The annular member extends axially from the center of the rim and symmetrically over a portion of the width thereof. The annular member has a curved contour, with the two axially outer wall regions being supported upon the wheel rim via annular support elements. The dished annular member is embodied as a split ring that is not closed over its periphery, and is provided with a closure device for closing off the slit. The closure device includes two flanges that extend essentially radially inwardly relative to the rim. The closure device also includes at least one locking clamp for connecting the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Continental Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Glinz, Silvia Kuhlmann, Andreas Dieckmann
  • Patent number: 6698481
    Abstract: The removable wheel well obstructor serves as a stable platform for supporting the beads of a flat tire, thereby resulting in a controlled run-flat tire capability. The obstructor is used for obstructing the interior of an annular wheel well of a wheel rim, wherein the wheel well has a predetermined radial depth. The obstructor includes a two-piece annular band of inextensible material of a predetermined axial width, a thickness which is substantially less than the depth of the wheel well and is adapted to circumferentially surround the wheel well, and is provided with an opening through its circumference. A plurality of snap-on frusto-cone shaped shims of a predetermined height are radially and inwardly attached to and spaced around the circumference of the band and are adapted to be received into the wheel well depth. A plurality of height adjusters are respectively attachable to the plurality of snap-on shims for further accommodating a plurality of different radial depths of wheel well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: RunflatAmerica Corporation
    Inventor: Paulo Marin
  • Publication number: 20030084977
    Abstract: Equipment for the identification and maintenance of tyres and wheels with tyres, including a machine (10, 11, 12) for tyre maintenance work and comprising a tyre identification or recognition device (1) having a display device (1) for the displaying of information in the form of numbers and letters regarding an identified tyre (P).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: Tullio Gonzaga
  • Patent number: 6516849
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel, comprising a rim, a disc, a tire defining with the rim a circumferential cavity C, and at least one resonator suitable for attenuating a natural resonant frequency of said cavity, said wheel also comprising a safety support, for supporting the tread of this tire from the inside in the event of loss of inflation pressure, said support providing at least one of the walls of said resonator. The invention also provides for the safety support comprising resonators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Julien Flament, Denis Jubert
  • Patent number: 6516845
    Abstract: A tire assembly (200) having runflat capability comprises a tire (202) mounted to a rim (203) to provide a tire cavity (204) defined by a carcass circumferential inner surface (246), two sidewall inner surfaces (248A,248B) and the rim. The tire assembly (200) is characterized by having a platform (206) disposed circumferentially around the rim within the tire cavity and one or more hoops (208A-208C) disposed within the tire cavity (204) between the platform (206) and the carcass circumferential inner surface (246) so that under normal inflation the one or more hoops do not contact either the carcass circumferential inner surface (246) or the sidewall inner surfaces (248A,248B), but below a first runflat inflation pressure, the one or more hoops (208A-208C) contact and support the carcass circumferential inner surface (246).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Gia Van Nguyen, Jean Luc Dheur
  • Patent number: 6428115
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel rim includes a rim body with annular left and right tire retaining walls, an annular spoke mounting wall, and a tire retaining cavity. The tire retaining walls are spaced apart from each other. Each of the tire retaining walls has a radial inner edge proximate to a central axis of the rim body, and a radial out edge distal to the central axis. The spoke mounting wall interconnects the radial inner edges of the tire retaining walls, and is formed with a set of spoke mounting holes. The tire retaining cavity is formed between the tire retaining walls, and is configured to have two opposite lateral cavity parts and an intermediate cavity part between the lateral cavity parts. The lateral cavity parts are deeper than the intermediate cavity part with respect to the radial out edges of the tire retaining walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Chao-Ying Chen
  • Patent number: 6390563
    Abstract: A wheel rim (1) with a circumferential surface (4) has a tire that can be mounted thereon. A sound-absorbing material (6) rests on the wheel rim (1) and is arranged underneath a surface-forming structure (8) extends transversely over the entire width of the sound-absorbing material. A recessed receptacle (5) for the sound-absorbing material (6) is formed in the circumferential surface (4). The upper side (8a) of the surface-forming structure (8) coincides with the predetermined course (7) of the circumferential surface (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Haverkamp, Michael Koenig
  • Publication number: 20010032692
    Abstract: A tire assembly (200) having runflat capability comprises a tire (202) mounted to a rim (203) to provide a tire cavity (204) defined by a carcass circumferential inner surface (246), two sidewall inner surfaces (248A,248B) and the rim. The tire assembly (200) is characterized by having a platform (206) disposed circumferentially around the rim within the tire cavity and one or more hoops (208A-208C) disposed within the tire cavity (204) between the platform (206) and the carcass circumferential inner surface (246) so that under normal inflation the one or more hoops do not contact either the carcass circumferential inner surface (246) or the sidewall inner surfaces (248A,248B), but below a first runflat inflation pressure, the one or more hoops (208A-208C) contact and support the carcass circumferential inner surface (246).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Gia Van Nguyen, Jean Luc Dheur
  • Patent number: 6237662
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tubeless bicycle tire and rim. The rim is formed with opposing recesses configured to engage corresponding beads formed on the tire. With the beads engaged in the recesses, the tire and rim seal for form an air tight, sealed chamber such that no inner tube is necessary. The rim is formed with a single aperture having a valve installed therein. Preferably, the valve is formed with a ring which extends into the air tight, sealed chamber. In the event of a flat tire, the tire may be removed from the rim. The valve may also be removed by grasping the ring and pulling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: Paul R. Thomasberg