Run-Flat Support Assembly For A Pneumatic Tired Wheel and Method For Use of Same
AssigneeDynamic Runflats, Inc.
InventorWilliam W. Gardetto
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A run-flat support assembly for a wheel rim of a pneumatic tired wheel and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tubular support structure is positioned in a tire cavity of the pneumatic tired wheel and coupled to the wheel rim to turn concurrently with an axis of rotation of the wheel rim. A skeletal structure is disposed within the tubular support structure. Circumferentially spaced linkages are displaceably secured to respective mounting races of a body of the skeletal structure. Each of the circumferentially spaced linkages is adapted to plastically fail at a pre-determined moment load in a run-flat condition, thereby pivoting relative to the respective mounting race.
Claims17
A run-flat support assembly for a wheel rim of a pneumatic tired wheel, the assembly comprising:
- a tubular support structure positioned in a tire cavity of the pneumatic tired wheel, the tubular support structure operable to be coupled to the wheel rim and adapted to turn concurrently with an axis of rotation of the wheel rim;
- a skeletal structure disposed within the tubular support structure, the skeletal structure including a body adapted to turn concurrently with the axis of rotation;
- and
- a plurality of circumferentially spaced linkages displaceably secured to respective mounting races of the body, each of the plurality of circumferentially spaced linkages adapted to plastically fail at a pre-determined moment load in a run-flat condition, thereby pivoting relative to the respective mounting races.
A run-flat support assembly for a pneumatic tired wheel, the run-flat support assembly comprising:
- a plurality of support segments positioned in a tire cavity of the pneumatic tired wheel, the plurality of support segments being abutted for end-to-end mating engagement to provide a tubular support structure having an interior circumference defined by respective radial surfaces of the plurality of support segments;
- a plurality of skeletal structures disposed within the plurality of support segments, each of the plurality of skeletal structures including a body adapted to turn concurrently with the axis of rotation, the plurality of skeletal structures having respective torque flanges that extend through the radial surface of the plurality of support segments to provide a substantially circular body;
- a plurality of circumferentially spaced linkages displaceably secured to respective mounting races of the bodies of the skeletal structures, each of the plurality of circumferentially spaced linkages adapted to plastically fail at a pre-determined moment load in a run-flat condition, thereby pivoting relative to the respective mounting races;
- and
- a split wheel rim secured to the torque flanges.
A method for supporting a pneumatic tire in a run-flat condition, the method comprising:
- coupling a tubular structure to a wheel rim in a tire cavity of the pneumatic tired wheel, the tubular structure including a skeletal structure disposed therein and adapted to turn concurrently with an axis of rotation of the wheel rim;
- in response to a pre-determined moment load in a run-flat condition, pivotally actuating a linkage displaceably secured to a body of the skeletal structure;
- and
- periodically deflecting the interior wall of the pneumatic tire with the linkage as the wheel rim rotates.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.