US 4,407,348 AGranted

Multi-piece wheel structure

AssigneeCaterpillar Tractor Co.

InventorDavid S. Suckow

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Abstract

A multi-piece wheel structure (16) permits inflation of a tire (10) mounted thereon only when components constituting the wheel structure (16) are locked together. The wheel structure (16) includes an annular rim base (18) having an outer periphery (30) with an indentation (36), an annular restraining flange (22) arranged about the rim base (18) which prevents axial movement of the tire (10) mounted on the rim base (18), a locking ring (24) which is insertable in the indentation (36) between the restraining flange (22) and the rim base (18) and on one axial side of the restraining flange (22), a conduit structure (44,46) which extends through the rim base (18), at least one connection hole (52) in the rim base (18) connecting the conduit structure (44,46) to the indentation (36), and a sealing plug (26) located in the hole (52) in sealing engagement with the rim base (18) and properly assembled locking ring (24). If the locking ring (24) is improperly assembled in the indentation (36) the sealing plug (26) escapes from the connection hole (52), passes into the indentation (36), and permits escape of air from the tire's interior (10a).

Claims9

Dependent claims

A wheel structure (16) for a tire (10) comprising:

an annular rim base (18) disposed about a longitudinal axis (19) and having an inner periphery (28) and an outer periphery (39), said outer periphery (30) including a tire mounting surface (32) which is engageable with both beads of a tire and a locking surface (34), said locking surface (34) bounding a locking indentation (36) and being disposed radially nearer said longitudinal axis (19) than said mounting surface (32);
an annular restraining flange (22) disposed about said rim base (18);
a locking ring (24) which is receivable in said locking indentation (36) and is engageable with said locking surface (34) and said restraining flange (22) to prevent axial movement of said restraining flange (22) in a first direction (B);
first means (44,46) for providing fluid communication between the atmosphere and a tire's interior (10a) when a tire (10) is mounted on said tire mounting surface (32);
second means (52) for providing fluid communication between said first fluid communication means (44,46) and said locking surface (34);
and
means (26) for obstructing fluid communication through said second fluid communication means (52) when said locking ring (24) is engaged with said locking surface (34).

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.