Compliant wheel
AssigneeMichelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
InventorsTimothy B. Rhyne, Steven M. Cron, Jean-Pierre Pompier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A compliant wheel includes a compliant band and a plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and inward from the reinforced compliant band for attachment to a hub. The compliant band bends to comply with a contact surface and to envelope obstacles. The web spokes transmit load forces between the compliant band and the hub through tension in the web spokes not connected to the ground contacting portion of the wheel. The outer surface of the compliant band may be formed to include a tread, or a separate tread band may be attached.
Claims19
A compliant wheel, comprising:
- a hub;
- a compliant band disposed radially outward of the hub;
- and,
- a plurality of tensile force transmitting elements extending between the hub and the compliant band and connected thereto, wherein, the tensile force transmitting elements transmit tensile force between the hub and ring, and transmit no substantial force in compression, and a ratio of the nominal radius of the compliant band to the peak to peak radial displacement of the compliant band is equal to or greater than about 1500.
A compliant wheel, comprising:
- a hub;
- a compliant band of elastomeric material disposed radially outward of the hub;
- a reinforcing ply embedded in the band;
- and,
- a plurality of flexible web spokes extending between the compliant band and the hub, wherein the compliant band and the plurality of web spokes are an integrally molded unit formed of a single material and a ratio of the nominal radius of the compliant band to the peak to peak radial displacement of the compliant band is equal to or greater than about 1500.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.