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US 7,316,252 B1Granted
Modular tire
OwnerNathaniel Heardinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for serving as a wheel for motor vehicles, where the wheel has its tire tread replaceable when it is worn out via unique rims and molded tire features. An alternate internal structure prevents the tire from “going flat” or “blowing out” when it is punctured or cut. In one variation the tire can be used with existing rims and can be retro-fitted into existing tire by mating the tires with this invention's “Non-Flat Tire” internal element and special rim. A variation of the “Non-Flat Tire” system uses spring-like materials for its tire core that is shaped similar to a tire's inner tube, and functions like an “air-filled” tire, but the absence of the use of air in this unique configuration gives it the “Flat Tire Prevention” effect.
Claims14
A modular tire assembly, comprising:
- a tire casing having a replaceable tire tread, a first side wall and a second side wall, said replaceable tire tread captured by said first side wall and said second side wall, said tire casing defining a tire interior area;
- an inflatable member having a plurality of inflatable inner tube segments disposed within said tire interior area, each inflatable inner tube segment separate from all other inflatable inner tube segments, each inner tube segment inflated and deflated independent from all other said inner tube segments, each inner tube segment having a plurality of internal inflatable air cells which are in a stacked configuration with respect to each other;
- wherein each of said plurality of internal inflatable air cells disposed within each inner tube segment being separate and independent from all other internal inflatable air cells of each inner tube segment, wherein each of said plurality of internal inflatable air cells within each of said plurality of inner tube segments are independently inflatable and deflatable from all other internal inflatable air cells;
- a plurality of air valves, wherein each air valve of said plurality of air valves is assigned to a specific one of said plurality of inflatable inner tube segments, wherein each air valve having a plurality of air tubes, each of said plurality of air tubes in communication with a specific one of said plurality of inflatable air cells for a specific inner tube segment;
- a pair of split rims, each of said pair of split rims having a hub member inserted within an central opening defined by said first side wall, said second side wall and said inflatable member;
- and
- means for connecting said pair of split rims to each other.
4 more elements
A modular tire, comprising:
- a tire casing having a replaceable tire tread, a first side wall and a second side wall;
- means for attaching and detaching said replaceable tire tread to said first side wall and said second side wall to define a tire interior area;
- and
- at least one inflatable inner tube segment disposed within said tire interior area, said at least one inflatable inner tube segment having a plurality or internal stacked inflatable air cells, each of said internal inflatable air cells being separate and independent of all other internal air cells wherein each of said plurality of internal inflatable air cells within each of said at least one inner tube segment are independently inflatable and deflatable from all other internal inflatable air cells;
- at least one air valve, wherein each air valve of said at least one air valve assigned to a specific one of said at least one inflatable inner tube segment, wherein each air valve having a plurality of air tubes, each of said plurality of air tubes in communication with a specific one of said plurality of inflatable air cells for a specific inner tube segment;
- wherein a plurality of said inflatable inner tube segments are disposed within said tire interior area with each inner tube segment provided with said plurality of internal stacked inflatable air cells, each of said internal inflatable air cells within each tube segment are separate and independent from all other internal inflatable air cells within each tube segment.
3 more elements
A modular tire assembly, comprising:
- a tire casing having a first side wall having a first hole pattern disposed along its outer circumference, a second side wall having a second hole pattern disposed along its outer circumference and a replaceable tire tread, said replaceable tire tread including a third hole pattern disposed along a first side for alignment with said first hole pattern and a fourth hole pattern disposed along a second side for alignment with said second hole pattern;
- means for attaching and detaching said replaceable tire tread to said first side wall and said second side wall to define a tire interior area;
- an inflatable member having a plurality of independent inflatable inner tube segments disposed within said tire interior area, each inflatable inner tube segment separate from all other inflatable inner tube segments, each inner tube segment inflated and deflated independent from all other said inner tube segments, each of said plurality of independent inflatable inner tube segments having a plurality of internal inflatable air cells which are in a stacked configuration with respect to each other;
- wherein each of said plurality of internal inflatable air cells disposed within each inner tube segment being separate and independent from all other internal inflatable air cells of each inner tube segment, wherein each of said plurality of internal inflatable air cells within each of said plurality of inner tube segments are independently inflatable and deflatable from all other internal inflatable air cells;
- a plurality of air valves, wherein each air valve of said plurality of air valves is assigned to a specific one of said plurality of inflatable inner tube segments, wherein each air valve having a plurality of air tubes, each of said plurality of air tubes in communication with a specific one of said plurality of inflatable air cells for a specific inner tube segment;
- a pair of split rims, each of said pair of split rims having a hub member inserted within an central opening define by said first side wall, said second side wall and said inflatable member, each of said pair of split rims having a plurality of slots on its hub member, wherein each air valve of said plurality of air valves is captured within an aperture defined by a particular slot on a first of the pair of split rims and a particular slot on a second of the pair of split rims when said pair of split rims are connected together;
- and
- means for connecting said pair of split rims to each other.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.