SEMI-HOLLOW PNEUMATIC TIRE FOR AGRICULTURAL MACHINES, IN PARTICULAR FOR SOWING MACHINES

• US 20140305561A1
• Filed: 04/10/2014
• Published: 10/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Otico
• Original Assignee: Otico
• Inventors: PHELY, Olivier, Piou, Denis
• Granted Patent: US 10,179,480 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 152/209.12
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/066 Devices for covering drills or furrows
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/0311 Patterns comprising tread lugs arranged parallel or oblique to the axis of rotation
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/11 in which the raised area of the pattern consists only of isolated elements, e.g. blocks B60C11/12, B60C11/13 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 13/003 characterised by sidewall curvature
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 2200/08 for agricultural vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 3/02 Closed, e.g. toroidal, tyres
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 7/12 using enclosed chambers, e.g. gas-filled
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 7/24 characterised by means for securing tyres on rim or wheel body

Abstract

The semi-hollow pneumatic tire (10) has an axis of revolution and comprises a sole (20) capable of being mounted on the periphery of a rotary support (12), a tread (24) opposite the sole (20), and two sidewalls (26) each connecting the sole and the tread so as to form together a cover (28) which defines an uninflated chamber (30) inside the pneumatic tire. The tread (24) has a concave profile according to a plane passing through the axis of revolution, and the pneumatic tire comprises two annular ridges (34) which extend, respectively, the two sidewalls (26) in the outer radial direction and which are connected to two opposite ends (32) of the tread (24), the two annular ridges (34) defining, respectively, two principal directions (D) which intersect at an acute angle so that, when the pneumatic tire comes into contact with soil, by being subjected to a vertical load, the two annular ridges (34) move closer together locally in such a manner as to exert a pinching effect on the soil, causing an increase in the concavity of the tread (24) and an increase in the angle (A). Application especially to agricultural sowing machines.

Claims

1. A semi-hollow pneumatic tire for an agricultural machine, having an axis of revolution and comprising a sole capable of being mounted on the periphery of a rotary support, a tread opposite the sole, and two sidewalls each connecting the sole and the tread so as to form together a cover which defines an uninflated chamber inside the pneumatic tire, wherein the tread has a concave profile according to a plane passing through the axis of revolution, and wherein the pneumatic tire comprises two annular ridges which extend, respectively, the two sidewalls in the outer radial direction and which are connected to two opposite ends of the tread, the two annular ridges defining, respectively, two principal directions which intersect at an acute angle so that, when the pneumatic tire comes into contact with soil, by being subjected to a vertical load, the two annular ridges move closer together locally in such a manner as to exert a pinching effect on the soil, causing an increase in the concavity of the tread and an increase in the angle.

2. The semi-hollow pneumatic tire as claimed in claim 1, wherein each sidewall and the annular ridge that extends it are capable of pivoting jointly and locally under the effect of the vertical load about a pivot point situated in a connection region between the sidewall and the sole.

3. The semi-hollow pneumatic tire as claimed in claim 1, wherein each sidewall and the annular ridge that extends it have a profile of generally convex shape according to a plane passing through the axis of revolution.

4. The semi-hollow pneumatic tire as claimed in claim 1, wherein each sidewall has a generally S-shaped profile, according to a plane passing through the axis of revolution, the S-shaped profile having a convex outer portion, which is extended by an annular ridge, and a concave inner portion, which is connected to the sole.

5. The semi-hollow pneumatic tire as claimed in claim 1, wherein each annular ridge has a thickness which decreases gradually starting from a connection region with the tread to an end edge of the annular ridge, where it has a minimal thickness.

6. The semi-hollow pneumatic tire as claimed in claim 1, wherein each sidewall has a substantially constant thickness.

7. The semi-hollow pneumatic tire as claimed in claim 1, wherein each annular ridge has a smooth and continuous end edge.

8. The semi-hollow pneumatic tire as claimed in claim 7, wherein each annular ridge comprises indentations.

9. The semi-hollow pneumatic tire as claimed in claim 8, wherein the indentations are produced in the form of teeth or of notches of substantially trapezoidal shape.

10. The semi-hollow pneumatic tire as claimed in claim 8, wherein the indentations are produced in the form of spikes having substantially the shape of cylindrical section.

11. The semi-hollow pneumatic tire as claimed in claim 8, wherein the indentations of each annular ridge are aligned in directions parallel to the axis of revolution.

12. The semi-hollow pneumatic tire as claimed in claim 8, wherein the indentations of each annular ridge are offset in directions parallel to the axis of revolution.

13. The semi-hollow pneumatic tire as claimed in claim 1, wherein each sole has a profile of concave shape according to a plane passing through the axis of revolution and is provided with a retaining bead which projects in the inner radial direction.

14. The semi-hollow pneumatic tire as claimed in claim 1, wherein each sole has a profile of planar shape according to a plane passing through the axis of revolution, in order to define a cylindrical sleeve.

15. The semi-hollow pneumatic tire as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pneumatic tire is formed from an elastomer material, in particular from a rubber.

16. The semi-hollow pneumatic tire as claimed in claim 15, wherein the elastomer material has a hardness of between 50 and 70 Shore.