US7174936B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solid suspended work machine tire
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
•
Filing: 2004-06-09
•
Granted: 2007-02-13
•
Expires: 2024-06-09
Abstract
Abstract A work machine tire includes an annular body of elastomeric material that includes a middle radial region. A plurality of unpressurized cavities are defined by the middle radial region and are distributed in a pattern that includes a first radial band of cavities and a second radial band of cavities. Each cavity of the first radial band of cavities is oriented at a positive angle with respect to a radius therethrough, and each cavity of the second radial band of cavities is oriented at a negative angle with respect to a radius therethrough. A material volume of the middle radial region is more than one and a half times greater than the combined void volume of the plurality of cavities.
Inventors
- 👤 Dan J. Becker
- 👤 Sunil I. Mathew
- 👤 Eugene Y. Grinberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:47
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60C; B60C7/00; B60C7/10; B60C7/107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A work machine tire, comprising: an annular body of elastomeric material that includes a radial middle region having a material volume and defining a plurality of unpressurized cavities with a combined void volume, and being distributed in a pattern that includes a first radial band of cavities and a second radial band of cavities; each cavity of said first radial band of cavities being oriented at a positive angle with respect to a radius line extending from a tire axis of rotation through the respective cavity; each cavity of said second radial band of cavities being oriented at a negative angle with respect to a radius line extending from the time of axis of rotation through the respective cavity; and said material volume being more than one and a half times greater than said combined void volume.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A work machine tire, comprising: an annular body of elastomeric material that includes a radial middle region having a material volume and defining a plurality of unpressurized cavities with a combined void volume, and being distributed in a pattern that includes a first radial band of cavities and a second radial band of cavities; each cavity of said first radial band of cavities being oriented at a positive angle with respect to a radius line extending from a tire axis of rotation through the respective cavity; each cavity of said second radial band of cavities being oriented at a negative angle with respect to a radius line extending from the time of axis of rotation through the respective cavity; and said material volume being more than one and a half times greater than said combined void volume.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The work machine tire of claim 1 having an average deflection rate that is about 0.3 inches per 1000 pounds at least up to a load of 4000 pounds.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The work machine tire of claim 1 wherein said unpressurized cavities each have an axis of symmetry parallel to a tire axis of rotation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The work machine tire of claim 1 wherein said unpressurized cavities have a uniform shape and volume.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The work machine tire of claim 4 wherein each of said radial bands has twenty cavities.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The work machine tire of claim 1 wherein a total number of unpressurized cavities is less than fifty.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The work machine tire of claim 1 wherein said unpressurized cavities each have a cross-sectional shape with a perimeter that includes a pair of straight segments separated by a pair of curved segments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The work machine tire of claim 1 including at least one barrier separating said unpressurized cavities from space surrounding the tire.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The work machine tire of claim 1 wherein said first radial band of cavities includes an inboard band of cavities and an outboard band of cavities that are out of phase with respect to said inboard band of cavities about a tire axis of rotation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The work machine tire of claim 1 wherein said unpressurized cavities extend a majority of a width of said radial middle region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The work machine tire of claim 1 wherein said material volume is about twice said combined void volume.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The work machine tire of claim 1 wherein said annular body includes a cavity-free radial outer region adjacent said middle region that includes an exposed off-road tread pattern.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The work machine tire of claim 12 wherein said off-road tread pattern has a tread depth that is at least one inch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The work machine tire of claim 12 wherein said annular body includes a cavity-free radial inner region adjacent said middle region.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The work machine tire of claim 12 wherein a total number of unpressurized cavities is less than fifty.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The work machine tire of claim 15 wherein said unpressurized cavities each have a cross-sectional shape with a perimeter that includes a pair of straight segments separated by a pair of curved segments.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The work machine tire of claim 16 wherein said unpressurized cavities have a uniform shape and volume.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The work machine tire of claim 17 wherein each of said radial bands has twenty cavities.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The work machine tire of claim 18 wherein said material volume is about twice said combined void volume.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The work machine tire of claim 19 having an average deflection rate that is less than 0.3 inches per 1000 pounds at least up to a load of 4000 pounds.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
126 words
A tire comprising: an annular body of elastomeric material that includes a radial middle region defining a plurality of unpressurized cavities that are distributed in a pattern that includes a first radial band of cavities and a second radial band of cavities; each cavity of the first radial band of cavities being oriented at a positive angle with respect to a radius line extended from a tire axis of rotation through the respective cavity; each cavity of the second radial band of cavities being oriented at a negative angle with respect to a radius line from the tire axis of rotation through the respective cavity; each of said plurality of cavities being defined by first and second arches connected by first and second deflectable wall portions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
126 words
A tire comprising: an annular body of elastomeric material that includes a radial middle region defining a plurality of unpressurized cavities that are distributed in a pattern that includes a first radial band of cavities and a second radial band of cavities; each cavity of the first radial band of cavities being oriented at a positive angle with respect to a radius line extended from a tire axis of rotation through the respective cavity; each cavity of the second radial band of cavities being oriented at a negative angle with respect to a radius line from the tire axis of rotation through the respective cavity; each of said plurality of cavities being defined by first and second arches connected by first and second deflectable wall portions.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
The tire claim 21 wherein said plurality of cavities are sized and arranged such that a radial load causes said first and second wall portions to deflect towards one another in an area adjacent said load.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tire of claim 1 wherein the unpressurized cavity open through a side wall of the tire.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tire of claim 1 wherein the positive angle and the negitive angle have different magnitudes.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tire of claime 21 wherein the unpressurized cavities open through a side wall of the tire.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tire of claim 21 wherein the positive angle and the negitive angle have different magnitudes negitive.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2010-02-12 | 2010-08-14 | 2011-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-02-12 | 2014-08-14 | 2015-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-02-12 | 2018-08-14 | 2019-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |