Mechanical fastener for polyurethane wheels
AssigneeStellana U.S. Inc.
InventorGregory Michael Krantz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Wheels including one or more retention elements for affixing a polyurethane tire to a hub of the wheel are disclosed. The polyurethane tires of the wheels disclosed are manufactured separate from the hub and affixed to the hub via the retention elements thereby enabling additional manufacturing processes for the polyurethane tires and reuse of the hub portion of the wheels. Such manufacturing processes also allow for more complex polyurethane tire design and combinations of polymers to produce composite wheels allowing for increased comfort and durability. The wheels are particular suitability for use with industrial vehicles, such as lift trucks.
Claims38
A wheel for supporting an industrial vehicle, comprising:
- a tire at least partially formed of polyurethane, the tire having an inner diameter and an outer diameter;
- and
- a hub, including:
- an annular portion having an outer diameter about equal to the inner diameter of the tire;
- and
- a retention element configured to releasably attach to the hub thereby releasably retaining the tire about the annular portion of the hub.
A wheel configured to support a lift truck, comprising:
- a tire at least partially formed of polyurethane and configured to support at least about 1000 pounds, the tire having an inner diameter and an outer diameter;
- a hub including:
- an annular portion having an outer diameter about equal to the inner diameter of the tire;
- and
- means for releasably mounting the tire to the hub when the tire is received about an outer surface of the hub;
- and
- a surface on the tire corresponding to a surface on the hub, wherein the corresponding surfaces of the tire and the hub are configured to oppose relative motion between the tire and the hub when the wheel is in use in conjunction with the lift truck.
A method for manufacturing a wheel, comprising:
- molding a tire at least partially formed of polyurethane, the tire having an outer diameter and an inner diameter;
- providing a hub including:
- an annular portion having an outer diameter about equal to the inner diameter of the tire;
- and
- mounting the tire about the annular portion of the hub, wherein the act of mounting the tire to the hub is performed after the act of molding the tire.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.