US7201194B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-pneumatic tire
Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA Switzerland
•
Filing: 2004-02-20
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Granted: 2007-04-10
•
Expires: 2024-02-20
Abstract
Abstract A structurally supported tire includes a ground contacting tread portion, a reinforced annular band disposed radially inward of the tread portion, and a plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and radially inward from the reinforced annular band and anchored in a wheel or hub. The reinforced annular band comprises an elastomeric shear layer, at least a first membrane adhered to the radially inward extent of the elastomeric shear layer and at least a second membrane adhered to the radially outward extent of the elastomeric shear layer. Each of the membranes has a longitudinal tensile modulus sufficiently greater than the shear modulus of the shear layer so that when under load the ground contacting portion of the tire deforms to a flat contact region through shear strain in the shear layer while maintaining constant the length of the membranes, the web spokes transmitting load forces between the annular band and the hub through tension in the web spokes not connected to the ground contacting portion of the tire.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy B. Rhyne
- 👤 Ronald H. Thompson
- 👤 Steven M. Cron
- 👤 Kenneth W. DeMino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:25
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60C; B60C7/00; B60C7/10; B60C7/14; B60C7/16; B60C7/18; B60B; B60B9/00; B60B9/02; B60B9/04; B60B9/26; B60C7/22; B60C9/00; B60C9/18; B60C9/20; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T152/00; Y10T152/10; Y10T152/10135; Y10T152/10171; Y10T152/1018
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A structurally supported tire, comprising: a reinforced annular band comprising an elastomeric shear layer, at least a first membrane adhered to a radially inward extent of the elastomeric shear layer and at least a second membrane adhered to a radially outward extent of the elastomeric shear layer, wherein each of the membranes has a longitudinal tensile modulus greater than a shear modulus of the shear layer and wherein a ratio of the longitudinal tensile modulus of one or more of the membranes to the shear modulus of the shear layer is at least about 100:1; a plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and radially inward from the reinforced annular band; and means for interconnecting the plurality of web spokes with a wheel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A structurally supported tire, comprising: a reinforced annular band comprising an elastomeric shear layer, at least a first membrane adhered to a radially inward extent of the elastomeric shear layer and at least a second membrane adhered to a radially outward extent of the elastomeric shear layer, wherein each of the membranes has a longitudinal tensile modulus greater than a shear modulus of the shear layer and wherein a ratio of the longitudinal tensile modulus of one or more of the membranes to the shear modulus of the shear layer is at least about 100:1; a plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and radially inward from the reinforced annular band; and means for interconnecting the plurality of web spokes with a wheel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tire according to claim 1 , further comprising a tread portion disposed on a radially outer extent of the reinforced annular band.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The tire according to claim 1 , wherein said means for interconnecting the plurality of web spokes with a wheel comprises a mounting band mutually interconnecting the radially inner ends of the web spokes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The tire according to claim 1 , wherein said means for interconnecting the plurality of web spokes with a wheel comprises an enlarged end portion on each of said web spokes adapted to fit in an engaging slot in a wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tire according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of web spokes further comprises a radially outer band mutually interconnecting radially outer ends of the web spokes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tire according to claim 1 , wherein each web spoke is oriented parallel to the axial direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tire according to claim 1 , wherein each web spoke is oriented oblique to the axial direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The tire according to claim 7 , wherein mutually adjacent web spokes are oriented at opposite oblique angles to the axial direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tire according to claim 1 , wherein mutually adjacent web spokes are oriented at opposite oblique angles to the radial direction forming a zig-zag in the equatorial plane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tire according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of web spokes are oriented in crossed pairs forming a repeating X-pattern in the equatorial plane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tire according to claim 1 , wherein the web spokes have a curvature in the equatorial plane to facilitate bending when under compression in the radial direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The tire according to claim 1 , wherein a first plurality of web spokes is oriented parallel to the axial direction and a second plurality of web spokes is oriented perpendicular to the axial direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tire according to claim 1 , wherein each web spoke has a thickness tat is not more than about 5% of a radius of the tire.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The tire according to claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the longitudinal tensile modulus of the one or more of the membranes to the shear modulus of the shear layer is at least about 1000:1.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
The tire according to claim 1 , wherein a product of the shear modulus of elasticity of the shear layer times a radial thickness of the shear layer is approximately equal to a product of a tire ground contact pressure times a radial position of the outermost extent of the second membrane.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tire according to claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric shear layer has a shear modulus of elasticity of about 3 MPa to about 20 MPa.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
The tire according to claim 1 , wherein each of the at least first and second membranes comprise layers of essentially inextensible cord reinforcements embedded in an elastomeric coating layer having a shear modulus of elasticity at least equal to the shear modulus of elasticity of the shear layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The tire according to claim 17 , wherein the cord reinforcements of the first and second membranes form an angle with the tire circumferential direction of between about 10° and 45°.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The tire according to claim 1 , wherein the second membrane has an arcuate transverse profile having a transverse radius of curvature less than a transverse radius of curvature of a radially outermost surface of the tread portion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The tire according to claim 1 wherein the second membrane is undulated having an amplitude of undulation in the radial direction and a wavelength of undulation in the axial direction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The tire according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second membranes are formed of one of a homogeneous material, a fiber reinforced matrix, and a layer having discrete reinforcing elements.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
139 words
A structurally supported wheel-tire, comprising: a reinforced annular band comprising an elastomeric shear layer, at least a first membrane adhered to a radially inward extent of the elastomeric shear layer and at least a second membrane adhered to a radially outward extent of the elastomeric shear layer, wherein each of the membranes has a longitudinal tensile modulus greater than the shear modulus of the shear layer and wherein a ratio of the longitudinal tensile modulus of one or more of the membranes to the shear modulus of the shear layer is at least about 100:1; a tread adhered to a radially outer extent of the reinforced annular band; a plurality of web spokes extending substantially transversely across and radially inward from the reinforced annular band; and a wheel radially inward of the plurality of web spokes and interconnected therewith.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
139 words
A structurally supported wheel-tire, comprising: a reinforced annular band comprising an elastomeric shear layer, at least a first membrane adhered to a radially inward extent of the elastomeric shear layer and at least a second membrane adhered to a radially outward extent of the elastomeric shear layer, wherein each of the membranes has a longitudinal tensile modulus greater than the shear modulus of the shear layer and wherein a ratio of the longitudinal tensile modulus of one or more of the membranes to the shear modulus of the shear layer is at least about 100:1; a tread adhered to a radially outer extent of the reinforced annular band; a plurality of web spokes extending substantially transversely across and radially inward from the reinforced annular band; and a wheel radially inward of the plurality of web spokes and interconnected therewith.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The wheel-fire according to claim 22 , wherein the wheel and the plurality of web spokes are an integrally molded unit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The wheel-die according to claim 22 , wherein each of the plurality of web spokes is mechanically interconnected to the wheel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The wheel-tire according to claim 22 , wherein the plurality of web spokes are interconnected by a mounting band which is adhered to the wheel.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
124 words
A structurally supported tire, comprising: a reinforced annular band comprising an elastomeric shear layer, at least a first reinforcement membrane adhered to a radially inward extent of the elastomeric shear layer and at least a second reinforcement membrane adhered to a radially outward extent of the elastomeric shear layer, wherein each of the membranes has a longitudinal tensile modulus greater than a shear modulus of the shear layer and wherein a ratio of the longitudinal tensile modulus of one or more of the membranes to the shear modulus of the shear layer is at least about 100:1; and a plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and radially inward from the reinforced annular band and interconnecting with a surface of the reinforced annular band.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
124 words
A structurally supported tire, comprising: a reinforced annular band comprising an elastomeric shear layer, at least a first reinforcement membrane adhered to a radially inward extent of the elastomeric shear layer and at least a second reinforcement membrane adhered to a radially outward extent of the elastomeric shear layer, wherein each of the membranes has a longitudinal tensile modulus greater than a shear modulus of the shear layer and wherein a ratio of the longitudinal tensile modulus of one or more of the membranes to the shear modulus of the shear layer is at least about 100:1; and a plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and radially inward from the reinforced annular band and interconnecting with a surface of the reinforced annular band.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tire according to claim 26 , further comprising: a mounting band mutually interconnecting the radially inner ends of the web spokes for mounting on a wheel.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
39 words
The tire according to claim 26 , further comprising: an enlarged end portion on each of the web spokes adapted to fit in an engaging slot in the wheel for interconnecting the plurality of web spokes with a wheel.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
41 words
The tire according to claim 26 , wherein the plurality of web spokes further comprises a radially outer band mutually interconnecting radially outer ends of the web spokes to interconnect the web spokes with the surface of the reinforced annular band.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
The tire according to claim 26 , wherein the ratio of the longitudinal tensile modulus of one or more of the membranes to the shear modulus of the shear layer is at least about 1000:1.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
52 words
The tire according to claim 26 , wherein a product of the shear modulus of elasticity of the shear layer times a radial thickness of the shear layer is approximately equal to a product of a tire ground contact pressure times a radial position of the outermost extent of the second membrane.
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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) | 2010-04-09 | 2010-10-09 | 2011-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-04-09 | 2014-10-09 | 2015-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-04-09 | 2018-10-09 | 2019-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |