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US 9,108,470 B2Granted
Run-flat device
AssigneePolaris Industries Inc.
InventorsMike Tercha, Karen Hauch, Glenn Howland, Todd Petersen, Fidelis Ceranski, Louie Stark, Brian Meliska
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A run-flat device, which is inserted into pneumatic tires to allow mobility in the event of pressure loss in the pneumatic tire, can comprise an inner ring, outer ring, and an interconnected web connecting the two. The run-flat device can support an applied load by working in tension and compression.
Claims9
A run-flat device for use with a pneumatic tire comprising:
- an inner ring having an axis of rotation, the inner ring comprising at least two annular pieces;
- a first coupler for coupling together the at least two annular pieces of the inner ring;
- a deformable outer ring having an inner surface generally facing the inner ring and an outer surface generally facing away from the inner ring, the outer ring comprising at least two annular pieces;
- a second coupler for coupling together the at least two annular pieces of the outer ring;
- a support element comprised of a polymeric material, the support element being coupled to an outer surface of the inner ring and coupled to the inner surface of the outer ring;
- and
- a stop element positioned between the at least two annular pieces of at least the inner ring and spaced apart from the inner surface of the outer ring by a distance, the stop element being configured to limit radial deflection of the inner and outer surfaces of the outer ring towards the inner ring through the distance.
4 more elements
A run-flat device for use with a pneumatic tire comprising:
- an inner ring having an axis of rotation, the inner ring comprising at least two annular pieces;
- a first coupler for coupling together the at least two annular pieces of the inner ring;
- a deformable outer ring comprising at least two annular pieces;
- a second coupler for coupling together the at least two annular pieces of the outer ring;
- a support element positioned between the inner and outer rings;
- and
- a stop element positioned between the at least two annular pieces of at least the inner ring to limit deflection of the outer ring towards the inner ring, the stop element comprising a resilient piece of material positioned between the inner and outer rings and a metal bracket for supporting the resilient piece of material between the inner and outer rings.
4 more elements
A run-flat device for use with a pneumatic tire comprising:
- an inner ring having an axis of rotation, the inner ring comprising at least two annular pieces;
- a first coupler for coupling together the at least two annular pieces of the inner ring;
- a deformable outer ring comprising at least two annular pieces;
- a second coupler for coupling together the at least two annular pieces of the outer ring;
- a support element positioned between the inner and outer rings and comprising a flexible tension element extending between the inner and outer rings, the tension element comprising at least two annular pieces, wherein a substantial amount of load is supported by the tension element working at least partially in tension when the run-flat device is in contact with a ground surface;
- and
- a stop element positioned between the at least two annular pieces of at least the inner ring to limit deflection of the outer ring towards the inner ring, and the stop element being formed by a portion of the tension element which forms a pair of abutting joint surfaces extending transversely to a direction radial to the axis of rotation.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.