Resilient tires and wheels – Tires – resilient – Cushion
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-19
2001-06-26
Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)
Resilient tires and wheels
Tires, resilient
Cushion
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250355
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a wheel and tire structure which includes one or more resilient toroidal support components which are self-supporting toroidal frameworks of connected torsion elements: by attachment to a central hub structure as a complete wheel; or with connecting elements as a tire support structure.
Wheel structures with radial spring elements are generally referred to as “spring-wheels” in the United States classification system, being defined therein under class/subclass 152/1 as a wheel “for land vehicles whereby the vehicle is resiliently supported on the roadway by means within the wheel structure other than a resilient tire.” Therefore, the present invention has elements that are covered generally by class 152, resilient tires and wheels, and may be considered under the subclasses 1-13 covering spring wheels and subclasses 516-520 covering “run-flat” devices. Among the patents covered under subclasses 1-13 is the Supporting Wheel, U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,853, which uses “S” shaped springs as the radial elements which support the central hub of the wheel. That device does not involve the use of radial elements which are toroidal, nor does it contemplate a role as a tire insert or as incorporated in the body or carcass of a tire.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a wheel and tire structure including one or more resilient toroidal support components which are self-supporting toroidal frameworks of connected torsion elements. A plurality of such toroidal support components are connected in an array to form a wheel with a central hub, or a tire support structure. In a preferred embodiment the toroidal support components may be arranged in a generally radial orientation in the formation of the toroidal shape of the wheel and tire structure. The wheel and tire structure may be used as an insert in a tire, incorporated directly in the structure of the tire body or carcass, or connected to a central hub structure for receiving an axle to form a complete wheel structure.
Although the present invention may provide a non-pneumatic wheel and tire structure, it may also be used in conjunction with pneumatic, fluid filled, or other cushion components.
An object of the invention is to provide non-pneumatic support for a wheel, as part of a non-pneumatic tire or as part of the wheel itself. Such a wheel and tire structure may be assisted with other pneumatic, fluidic, or mechanical means within the toroidal tube of the wheel and tire structure.
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patent: 1710215 (1929-04-01), Horvath
patent: 5115852 (1992-05-01), De Lorean
patent: 5312165 (1994-05-01), Spletter
patent: 5353853 (1994-10-01), Hansson
patent: 5383715 (1995-01-01), Homma
Morano S. Joseph
Nguyen Long Bao
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