Reusable rim for non-pneumatic tires

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12090802-B2
Application number	US-202318237475-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 24, 2023
Priority date	Jul 27, 2018
Publication date	Sep 17, 2024
Grant date	Sep 17, 2024

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 and a smooth inner surface;
an annular outer ring; and
a connecting structure extending between the annular inner ring and the annular outer ring, the connecting structure defining a plurality of openings;

a rim assembly including:
a first rim component, the first rim component including a cylindrical portion having a smooth outer surface, a rim flange extending radially outwards from a first end of the cylindrical portion, and a lip extending radially inwards from a second end of the cylindrical portion, wherein the first rim component extends through the annular inner ring, and
a locking plate connected to the lip of the first rim component;

a plurality of lateral rim component support structures secured to the locking plate and extending through the plurality of openings of the connecting structure;
a plurality of fasteners securing the plurality of lateral rim component support structures to the rim flange.

2. The non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connecting structure is a webbing.

3. The non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connecting structure includes a plurality of spokes.

4. 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 connecting structure during rotation of the rim assembly.

5. The non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lateral rim component support structures are interchangeable to correspond to the openings defined by the connecting structure.

6. 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 defined by the connecting structure.

7. The non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lateral rim component support structures have different dimensions corresponding to the openings defined by the connecting structure.

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

9. The non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of 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.

10. 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 connecting structure between an annular inner ring and an annular outer ring, wherein the annular inner ring has a smooth inner surface that defines a central opening and an axis of rotation, and wherein the connecting structure defines a plurality of openings;
providing a first rim component, the first rim component including a cylindrical portion having a smooth outer surface, a rim flange extending radially outwards from a first end of the cylindrical portion, and a lip extending radially inwards from a second end of the cylindrical portion;
providing a locking plate;
providing a plurality of lateral rim component support structures;
securing the plurality of lateral rim component support structures to the 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 locking plate at a second side of the non-pneumatic tire.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the connecting structure is a webbing.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the connecting structure includes a plurality of spokes.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of lateral rim component support structures is configured to apply a torque to the connecting structure during rotation of the reusable rim assembly.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the lateral rim component support structures are selected from a group of support structures having different dimensions corresponding to the openings defined by the connecting structure.

15. The method of claim 10 , 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 connecting structure.

16. 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; and
a connecting structure extending between the annular inner ring and the annular outer ring, the connecting structure defining a plurality of openings;

a rim assembly including:
a first rim component, the first rim component including a rim flange extending radially outwards from a first end of the first rim component, and a lip extending radially inwards from a second end of the first rim component, wherein the first rim component extends through the annular inner ring;
a plurality of lateral rim component support structures extending through the plurality of openings of the connecting structure; and
a first plurality of fasteners securing the plurality of lateral rim component support structures to the rim flange.

17. The non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly of claim 16 , wherein the lateral rim component support structures are interchangeable to correspond to the openings defined by the connecting structure.

18. The non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly of claim 16 , wherein the number of lateral rim component support structures is less than the number of openings defined by the connecting structure.

19. The non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly of claim 16 , wherein the lateral rim component support structures have different dimensions corresponding to the openings defined by the connecting structure.

20. The non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly of claim 16 , wherein:
the annular inner ring has a smooth inner surface,
the first rim component has a cylindrical portion with a smooth outer surface, and
the first rim component is configured to fit securely inside the annular inner ring.

Assignees

• Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations Llc

Inventors

• Stark Louis J

Classifications

• B60C7/143

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

• B60B2360/3416

  Carbone fibres · CPC title

• B60B2360/104

  Aluminum · CPC title

• B60B2360/102

  Steel · CPC title

• B60B2320/14

  Assembly devices for divided rims · CPC title