US 2008/0073017 A1Published application

Run-flat system comprising a foam support ring mounted to a rim by securing strips

AssigneeMichelin Recherche et Technique S.A.

InventorsMartial Fayol, Stephanie Mahinc, Philippe Tramond

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Abstract

A wheel includes a rim including seats configured to accept the beads of a tire. The tire is intended to be used with a cellular rubber support ring of substantially toroidal shape which allows for running in the deflated state. The rim has a groove, intended to accept the support ring. Each edge of the groove includes a protrusion, wherein the protrusions face axially toward one another. Circumferentially spaced strips are connected to the radially inner surface of the support ring. The ends of each strip include axially spaced spring leaves arranged to engage respective ones of the protrusions for restraining the support ring against radially outward movement under the action of centrifugal force.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A wheel comprising a rim and a cellular foam support ring disposed thereon, the rim including seats configured to receive the beads of a tire and the support ring arranged to support a deflated tire;

the rim further including a circumferential groove open in a radial outward direction in which a sole portion of the support ring is disposed, the groove comprising axially spaced edges which include respective protrusions projecting generally axially toward one another and located radially outwardly of a bottom of the groove, the support ring carrying a connecting structure for connecting the support ring to the rim;
the connecting structure including latches engageable with respective protrusions such that a portion of each latch engages a radially inwardly facing surface of a respective protrusion to restrain the support ring against radial outward movement.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.