Resilient tires and wheels – Spring wheels – Deformable ground engaging part
Patent
1990-07-23
1992-08-18
Stormer, Russell D.
Resilient tires and wheels
Spring wheels
Deformable ground engaging part
152 11, 152324, B60C 710
Patent
active
051390663
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a tire construction and in particular to a tire construction which is non-pneumatic.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are various proposals for construction of tires which are non-pneumatic so as to avoid the problem of puncturing and which provide acceptable cushioning and performance characteristics.
Where the proposals are concerned with solid tires constructed predominantly from elastomeric material, a difficulty arises in dissipating heat generated in the tires, and resultant accumulation of heat may lead to degradation of the tire material.
Other proposals overcome or avoid the problem of heat accumulation by providing cavities in the body of the tire. The cavities not only reduce the overall mass of the tire so as to reduce the extent of heat generated but also enhance heat dissipation. In certain proposals, the cavities are so arranged as to result in the formation of a load carrying and supporting structure within the tire between its inner and outer peripheries. Such a structure within the tire is arranged to have load bearing capabilities while also being capable of deformation to provide cushioning. Several such proposals are disclosed in European Patent Application Nos. 0159880 and 0245789 and each comprises a structure in the form of circumferentially spaced apart ribs interconnected by a central web which is generally planar and extends circumferentially around the rotational axis of the tire. With this structure, each section of the central web between neibouring ribs has a longitudinal extent aligned with the direction of rotation of the tire and consequently may be vulnerable to collapsing when the tire is subjected to lateral forces, particularly during cornering.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide a novel and useful tire construction which improves the stability of the tire.
In one form the invention resides in a tire construction comprising an annular body of resilient construction having a radially outer peripheral portion, a radially inner peripheral portion, a circumferential web extending between and connected to the radially inner and outer portions, and two sets of circumferentially spaced apart ribs one set to each side of the circumferential web, each rib extending between and connected to the radially inner and outer portions and being connected to the web, characterised in that the circumferential web comprises consecutive web sections extending in alternate directions.
Preferably, said consecutive sections of the web define a zig-zag formation.
Preferably, the ribs of one set are circumferentially offset from the ribs of the other set.
Preferably, the ribs are connected to the web at the ends of said web sections. Where the consecutive web sections define a zig-zag formation as aforesaid, the ribs are connected to the web at the junctions between consecutive straight sections of the zig-zag formation.
Preferably each rib is configured so as to be somewhat angular in profile to define a zone at which the rib can resiliently flex. Preferably, each web section is also configured so as to be somewhat angular in profile to define a zone at which the web section can resiliently flex.
Conveniently, the arrangement of the web and circumferentially spaced ribs to each side of the web is produced by providing two sets of passageways in the tire one corresponding to each side of the tire, the passageways of each set opening onto their corresponding side of the tire and extending across the tire towards the other side to terminate inwardly of said other side, the two sets of passageways being circumferentially offset in relation to each other such that each passageway of one set extends into the region between neighbouring passageways of the other set.
In another form the invention resides in a tire construction comprising an annular body of resilient construction having a radially outer peripheral portion, a radially inner peripheral portion and an intermediate portion between the radially outer and i
REFERENCES:
patent: 1414252 (1922-04-01), Brubaker
patent: 1552081 (1925-09-01), Rett
patent: 1597381 (1926-08-01), Lambert
patent: 2603267 (1952-07-01), Simpson
patent: 2620845 (1952-12-01), Lord
patent: 3311149 (1967-03-01), Mathiesen
Altrack Limited
Stormer Russell D.
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