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 and a smooth inner surface;
- an annular outer ring;
- and
- a connecting structure extending between the annular inner ring and the annular outer ring, the connecting structure defining a plurality of openings;
- a rim assembly including:
- a first rim component, the first rim component including a cylindrical portion having a smooth outer surface, a rim flange extending radially outwards from a first end of the cylindrical portion, and a lip extending radially inwards from a second end of the cylindrical portion, wherein the first rim component extends through the annular inner ring, and
- a locking plate connected to the lip of the first rim component;
- a plurality of lateral rim component support structures secured to the locking plate and extending through the plurality of openings of the connecting structure;
- a plurality of fasteners securing the plurality of lateral rim component support structures to the 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 connecting structure between an annular inner ring and an annular outer ring, wherein the annular inner ring has a smooth inner surface that defines a central opening and an axis of rotation, and wherein the connecting structure defines a plurality of openings;
- providing a first rim component, the first rim component including a cylindrical portion having a smooth outer surface, a rim flange extending radially outwards from a first end of the cylindrical portion, and a lip extending radially inwards from a second end of the cylindrical portion;
- providing a locking plate;
- providing a plurality of lateral rim component support structures;
- securing the plurality of lateral rim component support structures to the 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 locking plate at a second side of the non-pneumatic tire.
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;
- and
- a connecting structure extending between the annular inner ring and the annular outer ring, the connecting structure defining a plurality of openings;
- a rim assembly including:
- a first rim component, the first rim component including a rim flange extending radially outwards from a first end of the first rim component, and a lip extending radially inwards from a second end of the first rim component, wherein the first rim component extends through the annular inner ring;
- a plurality of lateral rim component support structures extending through the plurality of openings of the connecting structure;
- and
- a first plurality of fasteners securing the plurality of lateral rim component support structures to the rim flange.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.