Tires with Segmented Tire Bodies, Embedded Mounting Elements and Partially Embedded Cleats
Assignee1434882 Alberta Ltd.
InventorsDerek Hird, Jose M. Vechina, Eric E. Bittner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Segmented tires employ segments featuring cooperating recesses and protrusions at opposing sides thereof for mating of the segments with one another in the assembled tire body. Cleated tires with embedded cleats of greater rigidity than the tire body material provide improved traction in muddy or other slippery conditions while the compressible tire body smooths out the ride harshness of the tire. Mounting elements are also embedded within the segments of the tire body for secure mounting and reliable retention of the segments.
Claims29
A composite tire comprising:
- a resiliently radially-compressible tire body having an outer circumference spanning circumferentially around a central rotational axis on which said tire body is rotatable, said tire body being assembled from a plurality of tire segments each spanning a respective partial circumferential distance around said central rotational axis;
- wherein each segment comprises mounting elements embedded within the tire body for use in securing coupling said tire body to a compatible rim.
The composite tire of 2 wherein the mounting plates comprise holes therein through which respective fasteners extend inwardly toward and through an inner circumference of the tire body that opposed the outer-circumference thereof.
8-10. (canceled)
(canceled)
16-51. (canceled)
A segmented tire comprising:
- a resiliently radially-compressible non-pneumatic tire body having an outer circumference spanning circumferentially around a central rotational axis on which said tire body is rotatable, said tire body comprising a plurality of tire segments each spanning a respective partial circumferential distance around said central rotational axis;
- each segment comprises a first side facing a first circumferential direction around the rotational axis of the tire body and a second side facing an opposing second direction around the rotational axis, the first side having a recessed area therein and the second side having a protruding area thereon sized and shaped for mating with the recessed area in the first side of an adjacent one of the plurality of tire segments.
(canceled)
57-61. (canceled)
A cleated composite tire comprising:
- a resiliently radially-compressible tire body having an outer circumference spanning circumferentially around a central rotational axis on which said tire body is rotatable;
- and
- a plurality of cleats of greater rigidity than the tire body, each cleat being partially embedded within the tire body and projecting outwardly from the outer circumference of the tire body to a terminal end of the cleat that lies radially outward from the outer circumference of the tire body, the terminal ends of the cleats being circumferentially spaced apart from one another around the outer circumference of the tire body.
63-76. (canceled)
80-88. (canceled)
91-94. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.