Reusable rim for non-pneumatic tires
AssigneeBridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
InventorLouis J. Stark
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims20
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;
- a webbing extending between the annular inner ring and the annular outer ring, the webbing defining a plurality of openings;
- a rim assembly including:
- a first rim component, the first rim component including a first rim flange and a first lip, wherein the first rim component extends partially through a first side of the annular inner ring, and
- a second rim component including a second rim flange and a second lip, wherein the second rim component extends partially through a second side of the annular inner ring;
- a plurality of lateral rim component support structures extending through the plurality of openings of the webbing;
- 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.
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 support structure between an annular inner ring and an annular outer ring, wherein the annular inner ring defines a central opening, and wherein the support structure defines a plurality of openings;
- providing a first rim component, the first rim component including a first rim flange and a first lip;
- providing a second rim component, the second rim component including a second rim flange and a second lip;
- providing a plurality of lateral rim component support structures;
- securing the plurality of lateral rim component support structures to the first 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 second rim flange at a second side of the non-pneumatic tire with a second plurality of fasteners;
- and
- securing a centrally located mounting plate to the first and second rim components.
A rim assembly for a non-pneumatic tire, the rim assembly comprising:
- at least two rim components including:
- a first rim component, the first rim component including a first rim flange and a first lip, and
- a second rim component, the second rim component including a second rim flange and a second lip;
- a plurality of lateral rim component support structures configured to extend through a plurality of openings of a tire support structure;
- a first plurality of fasteners securing the plurality of lateral rim component support structures to the first rim flange;
- a second plurality of fasteners securing the plurality of lateral rim component support structures to the second rim flange;
- a locking plate;
- and
- a third plurality of fasteners,
- wherein the locking plate and the third plurality of fasteners together connect the first lip to the second lip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.