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US 11,958,322 B2Granted
Non-pneumatic tire having reinforced support structure
AssigneeBridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
InventorAdam K. Nesbitt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A non-pneumatic tire includes an inner ring having an axis of rotation and an outer ring coaxial with the inner ring. The non-pneumatic tire further includes support structure extending from the inner ring to the outer ring. The support structure is constructed of a thermoplastic material and having reinforcement cords embedded therein. The non-pneumatic tire also includes a circumferential tread extending about the outer ring.
Claims14
A non-pneumatic tire comprising:
- an inner ring having an axis of rotation;
- an outer ring coaxial with the inner ring;
- a plurality of lugs disposed on the outer ring, the plurality of lugs being constructed of a polymeric material, wherein the plurality of lugs lack reinforcement cords;
- support structure extending from the inner ring to the outer ring, the support structure being constructed of a thermoplastic material and having reinforcement cords embedded therein,
- wherein the support structure includes a plurality of non-linear components connected to each other with an adhesive, and
- wherein a first end of a first non-linear component is connected to a first lug and a second end of the first non-linear component is connected to a second lug adjacent to the first lug;
- and
- a circumferential tread extending about the outer ring.
5 more elements
A method of making a non-pneumatic tire, the method comprising:
- providing an inner ring having a first diameter;
- providing an outer ring having a second diameter greater than the first diameter;
- forming a plurality of lugs on the outer ring;
- providing at least one thermoplastic sheet having reinforcement cords disposed therein;
- forming a plurality of non-linear components from the at least one thermoplastic sheet;
- connecting the plurality of non-linear components to the outer ring and to the plurality of lugs to form a support structure;
- and
- connecting the support structure to the inner ring.
5 more elements
A method of making a non-pneumatic tire, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of reinforcement cords;
- coating the plurality of reinforcement cords with a thermoplastic material, thereby forming a reinforced thermoplastic sheet;
- cutting the reinforced thermoplastic sheet;
- forming a plurality of non-linear components from the cut reinforced thermoplastic sheet;
- arranging the plurality of non-linear components into an annular shape;
- providing an inner ring having a first diameter;
- providing an outer ring having a second diameter greater than the first diameter;
- forming a plurality of lugs on the outer ring;
- attaching the plurality of non-linear components to the inner ring;
- and
- attaching the plurality of non-linear components to the outer ring and to the plurality of lugs.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.