Tire sidewall protector shield assembly
AssigneeThe Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
InventorsRichard J. Olsen, George T. Watts, Robert I. Griffiths
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A removable resilient shield is maintained proximate the sidewall of a tire for off-the-road vehicles to protect this critical area of the tire from damage due to contact with external objects such as rocks. The shield is secured to the terminal portion of the rim flange. The radially inner portion of the shield is spaced axially of the rim and at least one radially extending passage is provided for removal of debris from between the shield and the sidewall of a tire mounted on the rim.
Claims15
A tire rim and shield assembly comprising elements of:
- (a) a tire rim having a tire-supporting flange axially spaced from the centerplane of said rim;
- (b) an annular resilient shield fastened to said flange and extending radially outwardly from a position adjacent said flange to a position radially outwardly of said flange;
- (c) spacing means interposed between said shield and said flange such that there is provided at least one radially extending passage between said rim and said shield for removal of material accumulating during operation.
A tire rim and shield assembly comprising elements of
- (a) a tire rim having a tire-supporting flange axially spaced from the centerplane of said rim, said flange including a terminal portion directed generally radially inwardly toward the axis of rotation of said rim, said terminal portion including a plurality of apertures spaced apart about its circumference, said apertures extending through said terminal portion in a direction generally parallel to said axis;
- (b) a plurality of spacers contacting said terminal portion in a direction generally parallel to said axis, said spacers being positioned apart from one another about the circumference of said terminal portion, each of said spacers having an aperture extending therethrough generally parallel to said axis, each of said spacer apertures being in alignment with a corresponding one of said apertures of said flange portion;
- (c) a first annular ring contacting said plurality of spacers in a direction generally parallel to said axis, said first ring having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough generally parallel to said axis, said apertures of said first ring being spaced apart from one another about the circumference of said first ring and being in alignment with said apertures of said terminal portion;
- (d) a second annular ring having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough generally parallel to said axis, said apertures of said second ring being spaced apart about the circumference of said second ring and being in alignment with said apertures of said flange portion, each of said apertures of said second ring being enlarged at its end distal said centerplane;
- (e) an annular resilient shield interposed between said first and second rings, said shield extending radially outwardly of said axis from said first ring;
- and
- (f) removable fastening means passing through said aligned apertures of said elements in a direction generally parallel to said axis;
- there being provided between said terminal portion and first annular ring a plurality of radially extending passages for removal of material accumulating during operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.