UNIFORMITY AND STABILIZING SYSTEM FOR A TIRE/WHEEL ASSEMBLY

• US 20070126279A1
• Filed: 01/23/2007
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Fogal
• Original Assignee: Robert Fogal
• Inventors: Fogal, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,712,840 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 301/5.220
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 21/00 Rims non-metallic B60B5/00; of high resiliency B60B9/00; capable of carrying more than one tyre B60B11/04; multiple rims on a single wheel body B60B11/06; of multi-part type B60B25/00; metal tyres B60C
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 21/12 Appurtenances, e.g. lining bands
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/324 the rotating body being a vehicle wheel F16F15/36 takes precedence; tyre parts or constructions not otherwise provided for B60C19/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/366 using fluid or powder means, i.e. non-discrete material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2122 with fluid balancing means

Abstract

A uniformity and stabilizing system comprising a stabilizing ring used in conjunction with a balanced tire wheel assembly wherein the stabilizing ring destroys, absorbs, and dampens vibrations including those caused by non-uniformities in the tire. The stabilizing ring comprises either a solid ring or a cartridge having at least one interior chamber, the interior chamber filled with a flowable media. The stabilizing ring may be used in combination with balance weights.

Claims

1. A uniformity and stabilizing system for a tire/wheel assembly comprising:

a wheel;

a tire mounted on the wheel; and

at least one annular stabilizing ring made of a weight material, the stabilizing ring having an approximately constant mass around its arcuate circumference, and being affixed to a non-pressurized side of the wheel such that the stabilizing ring and the wheel are coaxial.

2. The uniformity and stabilizing system of claim 1, wherein the stabilizing ring in an endless ring.

3. The uniformity and stabilizing system of claim 1, wherein the stabilizing ring is monolithic.

4. The uniformity and stabilizing system of claim 1, wherein the stabilizing ring has a first end positioned adjacent a second end when the stabilizing ring is affixed to the wheel.

5. The uniformity and stabilizing system of claim 1, wherein the stabilizing ring comprises two or more sections that form a ring when affixed to the wheel.

6. The uniformity and stabilizing system of claim 1, wherein the stabilizing ring is affixed to the wheel at a rim flange or on a non-pressurized side of a tubewell.

7. The uniformity and stabilizing system of claim 1, further comprising:

an adhesive for attaching the stabilizing ring to the wheel.

8. The uniformity and stabilizing system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one clip for attaching the stabilizing ring to the wheel.

9. The uniformity and stabilizing system of claim 1, wherein the stabilizing ring is a ceramic material, a glass material, a polymeric material, or a metallic material.

10. The uniformity and stabilizing system of claim 1, further comprising:

a balance weight comprising;

a cartridge comprising an interior chamber partially filled with a flowable media; and

a means for attaching the cartridge to a non-pressurized side of a tubewell of the wheel or a rim flange of the wheel.

11. A uniformity and stabilizing system for a tire/wheel assembly comprising:

a wheel rim;

a tire mounted on the wheel rim; and

at least one stabilizing ring comprising an annular cartridge comprising an interior chamber filled with a weight material, the stabilizing ring having an approximately constant mass around its circumference, and being affixed to a non-pressurized side of the wheel such that the stabilizing ring and the wheel are coaxial.

12. The uniformity and stabilizing system of claim 11, wherein the stabilizing ring has a first end positioned next to a second end when the stabilizing ring is affixed to the wheel.

13. The uniformity and stabilizing system of claim 11, wherein the cartridge comprises two or more inner chambers, each completely filled with the weight material.

14. The uniformity and stabilizing system of claim 11, further comprising:

an adhesive for attaching the stabilizing ring to the wheel.

15. The uniformity and stabilizing system of claim 11, wherein the weight material comprises a ceramic material, a glass material, a polymeric material, or a metallic material.

16. The uniformity and stabilizing system of claim 11, wherein the weight material comprises a powder.

17. The uniformity and stabilizing system of claim 11, further comprising:

a balance weight comprising;

a cartridge comprising an interior chamber partially filled with a flowable media; and

a means for attaching the cartridge to a non-pressurized side of a tubewell of the wheel or a rim flange of the wheel.

18. A method of stabilizing a tire/wheel assembly comprising the steps of:

providing a tire/wheel assembly;

providing at least one stabilizing ring comprising an approximately constant mass around its circumference, wherein the total mass of the stabilizing ring is directly proportional to the measured radial force value of the tire/wheel assembly; and

attaching the stabilizing ring to a non-pressurized side of a tubewell of the wheel or a rim flange of the wheel.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of attaching the stabilizing ring to a non-pressurized side of the tubewell of the tire/wheel assembly or a rim flange of the tire/wheel assembly is accomplished using an adhesive.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the stabilizing ring provided further comprises one or more clips, and the step of attaching the stabilizing ring to a non-pressurized side of the tubewell of the tire/wheel assembly or a rim flange of the tire/wheel assembly is accomplished using the one or more clips.