Deformable Ground Engaging Part Patents (Class 152/5)
  • Patent number: 12145400
    Abstract: A wheel includes a supporting frame, with a central portion having a center around which the wheel can turn, and a plurality of radial portions extending from the central portion angularly displaced with each other. A housing seat is delimited between two adjacent radial portions. A movable element is radially displaceable between a first working position located at a maximum distance with respect to the center, and a second working position located at a minimum distance with respect to the center of the central portion. The radial portions and the movable element have respective distal sections, with respect to the center, curved with a curvature radius corresponding to the curvature radius of the wheel and being flush with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Inventor: Andrea Belli
  • Patent number: 11858301
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire defining axial, radial and circumferential directions, the non-pneumatic tire comprising an annular shear band (106) including an annular shear layer (252) comprising an elastomeric material, and a plurality of discrete, annular reinforcing elements positioned within the shear layer (252) along a plurality of axially-extending rows (254A, 254B, 254C, 254D, 254E) within a radial plane of the tire, the reinforcing elements having circular cross-sections along the radial plane of the tire, wherein along each row the reinforcing elements alternate between reinforcing elements (250D1) having a first diameter and reinforcing elements (250D2) having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: Timothy Brett Rhyne, Steven M. Cron, Antonio Delfino, Ryan Michael Gaylo
  • Patent number: 11731458
    Abstract: Described herein is a resilient tyre (1) designed to be used on industrial and construction machinery, said resilient tyre (1) comprising a plurality of circular layers of elastic material set on top of one another in the radial direction, said layers forming, proceeding from the centre of the resilient tyre (1) towards the periphery, an inner portion referred to as base (2), an outer portion referred to as tread (3), and two lateral surfaces (4, 4?) with height (Q). The resilient tyre (1) comprises a plurality of cushioning holes (7) made in both of the lateral surfaces (4, 4?) of the resilient tyre (1), said cushioning holes (7) substantially having a wing-like shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventors: Mario Sgreccia, Stefano Lobene, Gianluca Meloro, Gianni Agametti, Gianluca Abbati
  • Patent number: 11697259
    Abstract: The present invention provides an annular beam of monolithic construction of one homogeneous material and a related efficient, low-cost non-pneumatic tire. Specific geometric design, combined with nonlinear elastomer physical properties, enable the suppression of all reinforcing belts, continuous fibers, or other strengthening layers in the annular beam. The annular beam consists of at least two bands that are continuous in the circumferential direction and connected by a web geometry. The non-pneumatic tire consists of the annular beam, a ground contacting portion, a central wheel, and a plurality of web spokes that connect the wheel and beam. When the tire is loaded to a design load against a flat surface over a design contact length, a contact area of essentially uniform pressure is produced, while the load is transmitted from the beam to the hub via tension in the web spokes. The tire can be economically manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventor: Ronald Hobart Thompson
  • Patent number: 11654717
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire (100) having a pair of opposing annular support structures (102, 104) that extend circumferentially around the tire. Each support structure (102, 104) includes a radially-inner joint (120), a radially-outer joint (122), and a pair of support legs (132, 134) connected with a central joint portion (148). An annular band connects with the support structures (102, 104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ESTABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: Steven M. Cron, Damon Christenbury
  • Patent number: 11642916
    Abstract: Non-pneumatic wheel (1) with an annular reinforcing structure (10) produced from at least one elastomer compound, arranged radially on the inside of a tread (7), the structure (10) having a plurality of reinforcing strips (12, 14) arranged in layers, the strips (12, 14) of each of the layers being arranged in juxtaposition in a substantially circumferential direction, the strips being coated with an elastomer composition (13), the structure (10) made of at least three layers of strips (12, 14), wherein the strips are formed of a laminate of at least two composite layers, each composite layer has fibres coated in a polymer matrix, the fibres making an angle ? with the circumferential direction, the difference in values of the said angles from one layer to the next being approximately 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: Jośe Merino Lopez, Christopher Careme, Jacky Pineau, Timothy Brett Rhyne
  • Patent number: 11400672
    Abstract: The present invention provides an annular beam of monolithic construction of one homogeneous material and a related efficient, low-cost non-pneumatic tire. Specific geometric design, combined with nonlinear elastomer physical properties, enable the suppression of all reinforcing belts, continuous fibers, or other strengthening layers in the annular beam. The annular beam consists of at least two bands that are continuous in the circumferential direction and connected by a web geometry. The non-pneumatic tire consists of the annular beam, a ground contacting portion, a central wheel, and a plurality of web spokes that connect the wheel and beam. When the tire is loaded to a design load against a flat surface over a design contact length, a contact area of essentially uniform pressure is produced, while the load is transmitted from the beam to the hub via tension in the web spokes. The tire can be economically manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventor: Ronald H. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10987968
    Abstract: A wheel and tire assembly for a mobile vehicle in accordance with the present invention includes an inner central rim, a flexible ring mounted on the inner central rim, and a spoke structure extending between the inner central rim and the flexible ring. The spoke structure defines a plurality of cavities and alternating radially extending openings disposed concentrically about the inner central rim and allowing the flexible ring to deflect under load. The spoke structure further defines a plurality of triangular openings disposed at the flexible ring and between the cavities and the inlet openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Ceyhan Celik, Steven Amos Edwards
  • Patent number: 10286725
    Abstract: A wheel and tire assembly for a mobile vehicle in accordance with the present invention includes an inner central rim, a flexible ring mounted on the inner central rim, and a spoke structure extending between the inner central rim and the flexible ring. The spoke structure defines a plurality of cavities and alternating radially extending openings disposed concentrically about the inner central rim and allowing the flexible ring to deflect under load. The spoke structure further defines a plurality of triangular openings disposed at the flexible ring and between the cavities and the inlet openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Ceyhan Celik, Steven Amos Edwards
  • Patent number: 9539856
    Abstract: The wheel is all-metal, and is suitable for use on the moon. The wheel includes tread-plates mounted on leaf-springs, which deflect to permit suspension movement. The leaf-springs are flexible, light, and thin, yet are made strong enough to cope with heavy traction forces by the provision of hoop-cables, which link all the tread-plates together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Ontario Drive & Gear Limited
    Inventor: Peter Derek Visscher
  • Publication number: 20150136285
    Abstract: A non-inflatable vehicle tyre comprising a rubber carcass moulded to fit and be secured to a wheel rim with a series of equally spaced passages extending transversely through the carcass to provide resilient supporting ribs between the passages and having a road engaging tread moulded to the carcass over a band of flexible steel cord reinforcing in which the band comprises a plurality of superimposed plies of coated hard steel cord and in which minor passages are provided through the ribs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: PROSPECT SA INVENTMENTS 121 LIMITED
    Inventor: Pieter Johannes Labuschagne
  • Patent number: 9004120
    Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a rim, a rib surrounding and radially spaced apart from the rim, and a resilient member that engages the rib. The resilient member is tied to the rim, such that the rim is resiliently held in relation to the round rib at least in part by tension in the resilient member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Brian A. Russell
  • Publication number: 20140326374
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicants: COMPAGNIE GENERAL DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.
    Inventors: Steve Cron, Timothy B. Rhyne
  • Publication number: 20140251516
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rimless vehicle wheel comprising a hub and a plurality of cantilevered blades spaced around the hub. Each blade has an inner root extending from the hub, an outer tip, and first and second major blade surfaces extending between the root and tip. Each blade has a stiffness allowing independent flexure, along at least part of its length, between a first unloaded blade configuration and any number of second loaded blade configurations. The depth of at least one blade from front to back in the meridian plane measured proximate the blade tip is greater than the same measurement proximate the blade root. The blades are adapted to flex in the circumferential plane of the wheel. Multi-part sleeves are adhered to the blade tips so as to provide a sacrificial wearing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: ALBERT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Pamela Burns
  • Patent number: 8813797
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to shear band of a tire that has means for inducing buckling when the tire is subjected to high deformations, and, more specifically, to a tire that has a shear band with at least one membrane that has a reinforcement having predetermined configurations for controlling the buckling behavior of the reinforcement when the membrane is subjected to compressive stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Rescherche et Techniques S.A.
    Inventors: Scott Powell Anderson, Ronald Hobart Thompson
  • Publication number: 20140083581
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire with at least one annular band having an inner ring and a deformable outer ring, a plurality of generally flexible web-spokes connecting the inner ring to the outer ring and a ground contacting tread cap affixed to the annular band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: MTD Products Inc.
    Inventors: Axel Schaedler, Ryan Cmich, Brad Pausche, Jimmy N. Eavenson, SR.
  • Publication number: 20140060715
    Abstract: A wheel connectable to a vehicle comprises a stationary member comprising an axis, a rotary member rotatable about the axis, and at least one support member positioned between the stationary member and the rotary member thereby providing a normally fixed distance therebetween. The support member is adapted to retain the distance when stressed up to a threshold value and to recoverably alter the distance when stressed over the threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: SOFT WHEEL LTD.
    Inventors: Ronny Winshtein, Amichay Haim Gross
  • Patent number: 8662122
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes a plurality of springs. Each spring comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion. Each spring is interwoven with at least one other spring thereby forming a toroidal structure extending about an entire circumference of the non-pneumatic tire. The toroidal structure is at least partially coated with an elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: James Alfred Benzing, II
  • Patent number: 8578607
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of designing spokes of a non-pneumatic tire which randomly arranges spokes around a circumference to optimize noise dispersion. The method of designing spokes of a non-pneumatic tire includes placing a plurality of spokes (2) holding and supporting a tread (1) to be radially installed around a circumference of the tire on a circular spoke support (3) under the tread (1) to be in contact with the ground, wherein the spokes (2) are arranged at three angles on the circular spoke support (3) around the circumference of the tire, the three angles being divided into a small angle (a), a medium angle (b) and a large angle (c), and the spokes (2) are arranged at irregular angles under a condition that a ratio (q) of the large angle (c) to the small angle (a) is greater than a ratio (p) of the medium angle (b) to the small angle (a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hankook Tire Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong Hun Kim
  • Publication number: 20130284861
    Abstract: A wheel assembly is disclosed, the wheel assembly including a rigid wheel including a radially outer rim wall presenting a polygonal shape with a plurality of outermost vertices connecting a plurality of planar faces, and a flexible tire mounted on the outer rim wall. The tire is supported by the vertices of the rim wall and is separated from the rim faces by a space, portions of the tire located between the vertices being configured to flex inwardly when subject to ground engaging pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: LINDSAY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas J. Korus, Jochen Pfrenger
  • Publication number: 20130284328
    Abstract: A wheel assembly is disclosed, the wheel assembly including a rigid wheel and an airless tire mounted on the wheel. A portion of the tire is separated radially from the wheel by a space and is configured to flex inwardly toward the wheel when subject to ground engaging pressure. A spacer is interposed between the wheel and the portion of the tire separated radially from the wheel by a space and is configured to limit the inward flexing of the tire. The spacer may be permanently affixed to the wheel assembly or may be removably attached to the wheel assembly. The spacer may be adjustable between a first size and a second size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: LINDSAY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas J. Korus, Jochen Pfrenger
  • Publication number: 20130233458
    Abstract: Non-pneumatic resilient wheel (10), that is supported structurally and defines three perpendicular directions, circumferential (X), axial (Y) and radial (Z), this wheel comprising at least: a hub (11); an annular band referred to as a shear band (13) comprising at least one inner circumferential membrane (14) and one outer circumferential membrane (16) that are oriented in the circumferential direction X; and a plurality of support elements (12) that connect the hub (11) to the inner circumferential membrane (14), the wheel furthermore comprising: a flexible, circumferential contact membrane (21) oriented in the circumferential direction (X); a plurality of connecting elements (22) providing a connecting link between the circumferential contact membrane (21) and the annular shear band (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Meraldi, Antonio Delfino
  • Patent number: 8517068
    Abstract: Non-pneumatic resilient wheel (10), that is supported structurally and defines three perpendicular directions, circumferential (X), axial (Y) and radial (Z), this wheel comprising: a hub (11); an annular band referred to as a shear band (13) comprising at least one inner circumferential membrane (14) and one outer circumferential membrane (16) that are oriented in the circumferential direction X; and a plurality of support elements (12) that connect the hub (11) to the inner circumferential membrane (14)U. The two membranes (14, 16) are connected to one another by means of a series, that extends in the circumferential direction (X), of cylinders (15) referred to as connection cylinders, said connection cylinders (15) being non-touching in the circumferential direction X and having their generatrix oriented in the axial direction Y. The connection cylinders (15) are composite cylinders comprising fibers embedded in a resin matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignees: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Delfino, Jean-Paul Meraldi, François Pozo
  • Publication number: 20130167991
    Abstract: A wheel includes a central hub and a flexible rim. A drive band configuration including a plurality of flexible bands extends as spokes from the central hub to the rim. The hub and band configuration cause the rim to flex toward and away from the hub as the wheel moves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventor: Patrick Timothy Donohue
  • Publication number: 20120291932
    Abstract: The present invention is about an oval or asymmetric wheel design for luggage bags. The wheel is in an ellipsoidal configuration. Suspension, cushion, or elastic devices are installed in the oval wheels. These devices, when compressed by the weight of the luggage bag, store energy. When the luggage bag is shifted in the subsequent phase of the motion by the traveler, the energy in the devices is released from the cushion, and pushes the luggage toward the intended direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: James Pan
  • Patent number: 8141606
    Abstract: A tire includes a plurality of helical springs. Each helical spring includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion. Each helical spring is interlaced with at least one other helical spring thereby forming a laced toroidal structure extending about an entire circumference of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: James Alfred Benzing, II, James Christopher Kish, Vivake Manohar Asnani
  • Patent number: 8127809
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel assembly and a method of making the wheel assembly. In one embodiment, a wheel assembly may include a rim, a hoop member, and a resilient member. The hoop member may be disposed around the rim and spaced apart from the rim. The resilient member may be disposed around the hoop member, and portions of the resilient member may protrude through openings in the hoop member toward the rim. A tying member may tie each protruding portion to the rim, and the tying members may remain in tension while the wheel assembly is unloaded. In other embodiments, the wheel assembly may also include a second hoop member, or a traction layer, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Brian A. Russell
  • Patent number: 8091596
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic wheel assembly (10) which has an outer rim assembly (26), an inner vehicle hub connection member (11), a compartment located between the outer rim assembly (26) and the inner hub connection member (11) which has a plurality of spring elements (21, 22) wherein at least some of the spring elements (21, 22) are attached to the outer rim assembly (26) and/or the inner hub connection member (11) characterised in that the spring elements (21, 22) are oriented in opposed or counteracting orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Big Tyre Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Bruce Louden
  • Patent number: 8061398
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire comprising side cavities that are staggered with respect to laterally opposing side cavities, and laterally extending tread grooves that are either in substantial radial alignment with the cavities or substantially offset relative to the cavities. The tread grooves have at least one wall that is angled with respect to the radial direction, i.e., the direction relative to the tire's axis of rotation. The wall may be an open angle having an angle of 5° to 65° relative to the radial direction. Also provided are processes for making such tires and to off-the-road (OTR) vehicles employing such tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Chemtura Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Palinkas, Ian Laskowitz, George H. Nybakken
  • Patent number: 8056593
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire comprising side cavities that are staggered with respect to laterally opposing side cavities, and laterally extending tread grooves that are in substantial radial alignment with the cavities. In another embodiment, the invention is to a tire comprising side ribs that are staggered with respect to laterally opposing side ribs, and laterally extending tread grooves that are substantially offset relative to the side ribs. Also provided are processes for making such tires and to off-the-road (OTR) vehicles employing such tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Chemtura Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Palinkas, Ian Laskowitz, George Nybakken
  • Publication number: 20110024008
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire for supporting a load by working in tension. The tire can comprise a generally annular inner ring, a generally annular outer ring, and a web having a plurality of web elements. The tire can further comprise a layer or layers fabric material acting as a bonding agent to bond tire components together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Ali Manesh, Michael John Tercha, Brian Meliska, Fidelis Ceranski, Glenn Howland, Louie Stark, Karen Hauch, Todd Petersen
  • Publication number: 20100018621
    Abstract: An improved shear band for use in non-pneumatic tires, pneumatic tires, and other technologies is provided. The shear band is constructed as a composite of layers that are combined in a specific manner. Each layer is constructed from one or more materials having certain selected physical properties. The layers are combined a specific manner to create a composite having physical properties and performance characteristics desirably outperforming that of the individual materials forming the layers. When used in tire construction, improvements in rolling resistance can also be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Ronald Hobart Thompsom
  • Patent number: 7650919
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche of Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Rhyne, Ronald H. Thompson, Steven M. Cron, Kenneth W. Demino
  • Publication number: 20090294000
    Abstract: The invention described herein provides a non-pneumatic deformable structure having a variable stiffness spoke assembly that provides a method of adjusting the vertical stiffness. The structure comprises an outer annular band having a predetermined stiffness, a set of spoke elements having an outer end and an inner end, where the outer end is connected to the outer band, with the spoke element extending inward and having its inner end connected to a hub, the hub being configured to attach the structure to a vehicle axle or other apparatus capable of rotation about an axis. Each of the spoke elements has a curvilinear length greater than the length of a straight line segment extending from a point of connection of the outer end of the spoke element with the outer annular band to a point of connection of the inner end of the spoke element to the hub. The outer end of said spoke element is tangent to the straight line segment, and the inner end of said spoke element is tangent to the straight line segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventor: Steven M. Cron
  • Patent number: 7418988
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Steven M. Cron, Jean-Pierre Pompier, Timothy B. Rhyne, Ronald Hobart Thompson, Kenneth W. Demino
  • Patent number: 7201194
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Rhyne, Ronald H. Thompson, Steven M. Cron, Kenneth W. DeMino
  • Patent number: 7096902
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing and at least one running roller operatively connected to the housing. The roller has a hub, a running ring, a wall connecting the running ring and the hub. The wall has two side surfaces and a curved cross-section between the running ring and the hub. The roller has at least one reinforcing rib extending at least from one of the two side surfaces of the wall and being in contact with neither the hub nor the running ring in a non-loaded state of the running roller. The roller forms an elastic caster with a nave and a bearing race. The nave and the bearing race are connected to another by an S or Z-shaped curved wall. Ribs are provided for reinforcing the wall or the nave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Bott, Roland Illig, Heinrich Komesker
  • Patent number: 7013939
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Rhyne, Steven M. Cron, Jean-Pierre Pompier
  • Patent number: 6871162
    Abstract: A simple method of handling thermomechanical coupling for temperature computation in a rolling tire. First, the sensitivity of the tire elastic response to changes in material stiffness is characterized using the “deformation index”. Then, using a commercial finite element program and an appropriate user subroutine, heat generation is expressed as a function of the local temperature using a simple algebraic expression involving the temperature dependent material properties and the deformation indices. Temperatures are computed using the finite element program with the coupling information contained in the user subroutine. The result is a non-iterative method for a fully-coupled thermomechanical analysis of a tire. The effects of compound changes on tire temperature distribution can also be estimated using the deformation index. The method applies to the energy loss and temperature calculations under both steady-state and transient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Shingo Futamura, Arthur Allen Goldstein
  • Patent number: 6719027
    Abstract: A solid tire includes an annular tire body having opposite left and right side faces and a ground contacting face interconnecting the left and right side faces. Each of the left and right side faces is formed with a plurality of axially extending blind bores. Each of the blind bores has an open end, a closed end opposite to the open end, a reduced section extending inwardly from the open end, and an enlarged section extending from the reduced section to the closed end. The enlarged section of each of the blind bores reduces gradually in cross-section toward the reduced section and the closed end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Chih-Hsing Chen
  • Publication number: 20040007301
    Abstract: A multi-layer tire for a baby stroller comprises an EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Copolymer) foam tire inner tube and a rubber layer incorporated with a wheel hub. The wheel hub comprises a recess along the edge for the EVA foam tire inner tube to grab and secure thereat, whereas the EVA foam tire inner tube is formed with a pair of grooves at respective sides and wrapped by the rubber layer which comprises a pair of ribs at respective sides engaging with the grooves of the EVA foam tire inner tube to hold the rubber layer and the EVA foam tire inner tube securely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventor: Yu-Li Chang
  • Publication number: 20030201043
    Abstract: The present invention is a non-pneumatic tire comprising a rim and one or more elastomeric materials bonded to the rim or to one another. The tire has an equatorial plane, an annular tread, and an annular elastomeric body having first and second spaced lateral sides equidistant from the equatorial plane and extending between the tread and the rim. The tire body has a plurality of equally spaced arches forming at least a first series of openings extending from the first side to the second side. The first openings having a height at least one-half the height of the tire side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Anthony Dennis Adams, Ronald James Dill
  • Patent number: 6321859
    Abstract: A roller is designed for adaptation into a blasthole drill and is specifically designed for use in conjunction with a rotary carriage to allow the carriage to move up and down a blasthole drill mast as needed. The roller is made of a substantially non-deformable material combined with a deformable material. Under light loads, the deformable material contacts and supports the load to provide enhanced operation of the roller. Under heavy loads, the deformable material advantageously deforms to a point which allows the substantially non-deformable material and deformable material to contact and cooperatively support the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Harnischfeger Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Boyd
  • Patent number: 6279630
    Abstract: A new class of non-pneumatic tires is proposed, comprising an exterior torus and an interior torus and in the space between them a waveform undulating ribbon like structure having a constant wavelength and the undulating direction being perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the tire, an example of this class of non-pneumatic tires being where the undulations are in the form of a succesion of semicircular modules alternating one after another in the space between the two toruses;the new class of non-pneumatic tires has a superior capability for fatigue and load compared with the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Horst Otto Herbert IMS
  • Patent number: 6170544
    Abstract: A deformable structure for a vehicle, designed to roll on an axis of rotation, including an annular internal element centered on the axis, an annular external element, flexible and appreciably inextensible, forming a tread radially arranged externally relative to the internal element, a plurality of spokes arranged substantially radially between the internal element and the external annular element, each spoke being capable of opposing a radial compressive stress, beyond a given threshold, an appreciably constant force, the external element having a circumferential length such that the spokes are preloaded in radial compression, and in which provision is made for stabilizing the relative positions of the internal element and external element, characterized in that the spokes are formed and arranged between the internal and external elements, in such a way that their flexibility in a meridian plane is well below their flexibility in a circumferential plane, and in that the of stabilization limits the amplitude
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin - Michelin & Cie
    Inventor: François Hottebart
  • Patent number: 5580074
    Abstract: A platform or cart with a multitude of generally spherical rollers arrayed across most of the bottom of the cart so as to provide low resistance passage over soft or sandy surfaces. The rollers revolve about axles that are carried in flanges on the underside of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventor: Peter Moreno
  • Patent number: 5538057
    Abstract: A pair of roller skis 300 each constituted by attaching elastic wheels 302 to a boot-placing plate 301 in the front thereof and at the back thereof. The elastic wheels 302 each comprises a wheel supporting means having a circular rim part on the outer periphery and a tire part mounted on the circular rim part of the wheel supporting means and being elastically deformable in the direction perpendicular to the running direction of the wheel. Each elastic wheel 302 enables the running direction thereof to be simply changed with the wheel shaft kept in the same direction, and utilization of the features permits a skier to operate the roller skis with a feeling similar to that afforded by conventional snow skis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Homma Science Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Homma, Susumu Homma, Hiroshi Sato, Hisao Hiroi
  • Patent number: 5460213
    Abstract: Pural non-pneumatic (NPTs) are unitarily fitted, side-by-side, on a wheel rim, forming a multiple NPT (MNPT) to carry a load by sharing the load between the side-by-side NPTs. By "unitarily" is meant that the NPTs are fitted to the rim as a whole, without cutting or sectioning. With this construction, a MNPT is provided with characteristics which are surprisingly better than those attributable to a single NPT having the same or a different outer hoop diameter but the same mass of resin as the plural NPTs. The NPTs may be formed as rings, then by heat-distending them, unitarily post-fitted to the surface of an adhesively prepped wheel rim, for operation at relatively low torque; alternatively, and more preferably the NPTs are cast or otherwise thermoformed, as for example by injection molding, onto the wheel rim and self-adhesively autogenously secured, so as to provide the plural NPTs integrally bonded to the wheel rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Uniroyal Goodrich Licensing Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott R. Pajtas
  • Patent number: 5388623
    Abstract: A pair of roller skis 300 each constituted by attaching elastic wheels 302 to a boot-placing plate 301 in the front thereof and at the back thereof. The elastic wheels 302 each comprises a wheel supporting means having a circular rim part on the outer periphery and a tire part mounted on the circular rim part of the wheel supporting means and being elastically deformable in the direction perpendicular to the running direction of the wheel. Each elastic wheel 302 enables the running direction thereof to be simply changed with the wheel shaft kept in the same direction, and utilization of the features permits a skier to operate the roller skis with a feeling similar to that afforded by conventional snow skis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Homma Science Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Homma, Susumu Homma, Hiroshi Sato, Hisao Hiroi
  • Patent number: 5353853
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic supporting wheel includes a central part and a wheel-rim which is supported by the central part. The wheel-rim has an outer wheel-rim part which is intended to roll against an underlying surface, and an inner wheel-rim part which is located radially inwards of the outer wheel-rim part. At least the inner of the two wheel-rim parts is constructed from a plurality of curved, elongated elements which consist of a resilient material and which are spaced in the circumferential direction of the wheel. When seen in a section taken diametrically through the wheel, each of these elements presents parts which are curved in opposite directions. For the purpose of taking-up forces which act substantially radially between the wheel center and the region of the wheel in contact with the underlying surface when the wheel is subjected to load, the elements are elastically yielding in the radial direction of the wheel during increased bending of the elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: HE Hansson Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Hans-Erik Hansson