Reusable rim for non-pneumatic tires

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11772423-B2
Application number	US-201917260765-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 15, 2019
Priority date	Jul 27, 2018
Publication date	Oct 3, 2023
Grant date	Oct 3, 2023

Abstract

A rim assembly for a non-pneumatic tire has at least two rim components including: a first rim component having a first rim flange and a first lip, and a second rim component having a second rim flange and a second lip. The rim assembly further includes a plurality of lateral rim component support structures configured to extend through a plurality of openings of a tire support structure. The rim assembly also includes a first plurality of fasteners securing the plurality of lateral rim component support structures to the first rim flange, and a second plurality of fasteners securing the plurality of lateral rim component support structures to the second rim flange.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly, comprising:
a non-pneumatic tire including:
an annular inner ring having an axis of rotation;
an annular outer ring;
a webbing extending between the annular inner ring and the annular outer ring, the webbing defining a plurality of openings;

a rim assembly including:
a first rim component, the first rim component including a first rim flange and a first lip, wherein the first rim component extends partially through a first side of the annular inner ring, and
a second rim component including a second rim flange and a second lip, wherein the second rim component extends partially through a second side of the annular inner ring;

a plurality of lateral rim component support structures extending through the plurality of openings of the webbing;
a first plurality of fasteners securing the plurality of lateral rim component support structures to the first rim flange; and
a second plurality of fasteners securing the plurality of lateral rim component support structures to the second rim flange.

2. The non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a centrally located mounting plate secured to the first and second rim.

3. The non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a mounting plate secured to the first and second rim components the mounting plate being offset from center.

4. The non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality (Original) of lateral rim component support structures is configured to support a load transmitted through the webbing in tension.

5. The non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lateral rim component support structures is configured to apply a torque to the webbing during rotation of the rim assembly.

6. The non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lateral rim component support structures are interchangeable to correspond to the openings in the webbing.

7. The non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly of claim 1 , wherein the number of lateral rim component support structures is less than the number of openings in the webbing.

8. The non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lateral rim component support structures have dimensions corresponding to the openings of the webbing.

9. The non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first rim component and the second rim component are configured to fit securely inside the annular inner ring.

10. The non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first rim component and the second rim component are constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, powder coated steel, carbon fiber composite, and aluminum.

11. A method of assembling a non-pneumatic tire and reusable rim assembly, the method comprising:
providing a non-pneumatic tire, the non-pneumatic tire including a support structure between an annular inner ring and an annular outer ring, wherein the annular inner ring defines a central opening, and wherein the support structure defines a plurality of openings;
providing a first rim component, the first rim component including a first rim flange and a first lip;
providing a second rim component, the second rim component including a second rim flange and a second lip;
providing a plurality of lateral rim component support structures;
securing the plurality of lateral rim component support structures to the first rim flange with a first plurality of fasteners;
inserting the plurality of lateral rim component support structures through the plurality of openings at a first side of the non-pneumatic tire;
securing the plurality of lateral rim component support structures to the second rim flange at a second side of the non-pneumatic tire with a second plurality of fasteners; and
securing a centrally located mounting plate to the first and second rim components.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first rim component is inserted into the central opening of the non-pneumatic tire from a first side of the annular inner ring, and the second rim component is inserted into the central opening of the non-pneumatic tire from a second side of the annular inner ring.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of lateral rim component support structures is configured to apply a torque to the support structure during rotation of the reusable rim assembly.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the lateral rim component support structures have dimensions corresponding to the openings defined by the support structure.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the step of providing a plurality of lateral rim component support structures includes selecting a number of lateral rim component support structures that is less than the number of openings defined by the support structure.

16. A rim assembly for a non-pneumatic tire, the rim assembly comprising:
at least two rim components including:
a first rim component, the first rim component including a first rim flange and a first lip, and
a second rim component, the second rim component including a second rim flange and a second lip;

a plurality of lateral rim component support structures configured to extend through a plurality of openings of a tire support structure;
a first plurality of fasteners securing the plurality of lateral rim component support structures to the first rim flange;
a second plurality of fasteners securing the plurality of lateral rim component support structures to the second rim flange;
a locking plate; and
a third plurality of fasteners,
wherein the locking plate and the third plurality of fasteners together connect the first lip to the second lip.

17. The rim assembly of claim 16 , wherein the first rim component and second rim component are configured to extend partially through a tire.

18. The rim assembly of claim 16 , wherein the lateral rim component support structures are constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, powder coated steel, carbon fiber composite, and aluminum.

19. The rim assembly of claim 16 , wherein the lateral rim component support structures are interchangeable.

20. The rim assembly of claim 16 , wherein the locking plate abuts both the first lip and the second lip.

Assignees

• Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations Llc

Inventors

• Stark Louis J

Classifications

• B60C7/24 Primary

  characterised by means for securing tyres on rim or wheel body · CPC title

• B60B25/006

  Rims split symmetrically · CPC title

• B60B25/045

  on both sides · CPC title

• B60B25/20

  Arrangement of screws, bolts, or shouldered pins · CPC title

• B60C7/143

  having a lateral extension disposed in a plane parallel to the wheel axis · CPC title