Non-pneumatic tire having an elastomeric hoop
OwnerRoger Fleminginventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A non-pneumatic tire having an elastomeric portion encompassing the tread and a radially inward foam portion. In the elastomeric portion, certain physical characteristics of the elastomeric portion differ between the tread surface and the radially inward region. An increase in the Shore A hardness provides the tire structure with an elastomeric hoop which imparts improved rolling resistance to the tire, without compromising wet/dry traction. Likewise, the weight and compliance of the tire may be adjusted in the foam portion without adverse effects on the rolling resistance. The non-pneumatic tire may be formed from a multi-shot process in a spin cast procedure.
Claims11
A non-pneumatic tire for attachment to an associated wheel rim comprising:
- a first annular portion including a tread surface;
- a second annular portion disposed radially inwardly of said first annular portion, said second annular portion being formed of a second foamed material;
- and
- wherein said first annular portion includes an outer annular region formed of a first elastomeric material encompassing said tread surface and an inner annular region formed of a second elastomeric material immediately adjacent thereto, said outer annular region having a Shore A hardness less than a Shore A hardness of said inner annular region.
A non-pneumatic tire for attachment to an associated rim comprising:
- a first annular portion including a tread surface, said first annular portion including an outer annular region formed of a first elastomeric material encompassing said tread surface and an inner annular region formed of a second elastomeric material, said outer annular region exhibiting a Shore A hardness of 45-65 and said inner annular region exhibiting a Shore A hardness of 60-80;
- a second annular portion disposed radially inwardly of said first annular portion, said second annular portion being formed of foamed material and exhibiting a Shore O value of 35-55;
- and
- wherein said first annular portion has a density of 55-65 lb/ft3.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.