Run-flat vehicle tire
AssigneeW. R. Grace & Co.
InventorWilliam C. Ross
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An insert to provide a run-flat capability to pneumatic vehicle tires comprises a flexible, compressible, porous ring comprised of a plurality of successively-wound, circumferential layers of an elastomeric binder-coated filamentary material, the coated filaments having voids therebetween and being bonded to one another by the binder. The insert has desirable properties including lightweight, flexibility, and good load-distributing properties which make it a practical and useful component of any run-flat insert design for pneumatic tires. In preferred embodiments, the insert is spaced and supported from the tire by a member which minimizes the overall weight added to the tire. It is also further desirable to provide the insert with means to reduce its expansion radially upon rotation of the tire.
Claims35
A run-flat tire assembly comprising (a) a pneumatic vehicle tire;
- (b) a supporting rim for said tire;
- (c) a flexible compressible ring located within said tire comprised of a plurality of successively wound circumferential layers of elastomer coated filamentary material, said filamentary material having void spaces therebetween and being bonded together at point of contact thereof;
- and (d) a spacer-support member comprising a tube located between said rim and said ring and acting to space said ring from said rim and to support it when said tire is operating in a run-flat conditions, said tube having been expanded in volume after insertion in said tire by introduction thereto of a fluid material which subsequently is caused to harden into a solidified mass after introduction into said tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.