Safety support device for pneumatic tires

• US 3,872,907 A
• Filed: 10/01/1973
• Issued: 03/25/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Joseph M. Forney, Walter W. Curtiss Jr, William J. Hampshire
• Original Assignee: Joseph M. Forney, Walter W. Curtiss Jr, William J. Hampshire
• Inventors: Curtiss, Walter W. Jr., Forney, Joseph M., Hampshire, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoffman, Drayton E.
• Application Number:
  US05/402,444
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 152/158 301/39T
• US Class Current: 152/158
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 17/042 preventing sliding or rotation between support and rim
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 17/045 Rotatable supports relative to the rim
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 17/06 resilient
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 17/10 Internal lubrication
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 2017/068 comprising springs, e.g. helical springs

Abstract

A safety or emergency insert device positioned on a wheel rim inside a tire chamber to support the tire in a deflated condition. The device has an annular support surface beneath the tread adjacent each shoulder of the tire and when used with a belted tire, the support is beneath the axially outer edges of the belt. The device also has a sidewall buffer portion on each side which prevents excessive axial shifting of the sidewall during turns and upon deflation of the tire and a portion for preventing axially inward movement of the tire bead on the rim. In a preferred embodiment, the device has two annular resilient rings mounted on the rim in opposed relationship to each other.

Claims

1. A run flat device for use in conjunction with a pneumatic tire and rim assembly comprising:

A. a pair of annular axially spaced apart members for supporting each axially outer portion of the tread of the tire when the tire is deflated, each of said spaced apart members comprising;

1. an annular side ring portion extending radially outwardly from the base of the wheel rim when the device is mounted thereon, 2. an axially extending resilient hoop portion concentrically spaced between the base of the wheel rim and an axially outer portion of the tire tread, 3. said hoop portion having one axial edge supported by the side ring and the opposite edge unsupported to permit deflection in the radial direction when the hoop portion is subjected to radial loads, and (B) means for retaining said spaced apart members in a fixed position relative to axial direction with respect to the rim.

2. sidewall buffer means extending radially outwardly from the bead retaining means and spaced from the sidewall of the tire, to limit excessive axially inward movement of the tire sidewall upon deflation of the tire, and

3. said hoop portion having one axial edge supported by the side ring and the opposite edge unsupported to permit deflection in the radial direction when the hoop portion is subjected to radial loads, and (B) means for retaining said spaced apart members in a fixed position relative to axial direction with respect to the rim.

4. A run flat device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the annular spaced apart members include means to prevent excessive axial shifting of the tire sidewall upon deflation of the tire.

5. A run flat device as claimed in claim 1 including bead retaining means to prevent excessive axially inward movement of the tire beads off the bead seat portion of the rim.

6. A run flat device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hoop portion has an annular flange extending axially inwardly from a location adjacent each sidewall toward the axial center of the tire.

7. A run flat device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device is used with a split rim and is fastened to the rim by flanges extending radially inwardly between halves of the split rim.

8. A run flat device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device comprises two substantially identical annular members positioned within the tire chamber in opposed relationship to each other.

9. A run flat device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each side ring portion substantially conforms to the cross sectional contour of the inner surface of the adjacent tire bead and sidewall and is spaced in close proximity to said inner surface of the bead and sidewall when the tire is inflated.

10. A run flat device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the side ring of each spaced apart member has a radially outwardly extending substantially C-shaped arcuate portion which curves convexly axially outwardly then merges with the axially inwardly extending flange which comprises the hoop portion.

11. A run flat device as claimed in claim 8 wherein each annular member has a radially outwardly extending portion of substantially S-shaped cross section which curves axially inwardly from a position adjacent the tire bead then curves axially outwardly and merges with an axially outwardly extending flange which comprises the hoop portion.

12. A run flat device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each hoop portion has an outer circumferential surface inclined at an angle with respect to the axis of the wheel and tire and wherein the axial width of one hoop portion differs from the other.

13. A run flat device as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of the hoop portions has a larger outside diameter than the other.

14. A run flat device as claimed in claim 1 including means for reducing the friction between the hoop portion and the tire.

15. A run flat device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the means for reducing the friction is a plurality of annular coaxial low friction bearing rings mounted on the outer periphery of each hoop portion for supporting the tire tread.

16. A run flat device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the means for reducing the friction is a surface on the hoop portion having a low coefficient of friction.

17. A run flat device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the means for reducing the friction is a lubricant which is releasable upon deflation of the tire.

18. A run flat device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each spaced apart tire tread supporting member includes a plurality of webs extending between the side ring portion and the hoop portion.

19. A run flat device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device is used on a one-piece rim and the means for retaining the annular tire tread support members in said fixed position includes a plurality of pivot arms which are swung into an axial position extending between the annular tire tread support members.

20. A run flat device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the annular spaced apart members support the tire axially inwardly of the axially outer edges of the ground contacting surface of the tire trEad.

21. A run flat device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each annular member has a plurality of concentric hoop portions integrally connected by a plurality of side ring portions having a semicircular cross section.

22. A run flat device as claimed in claim 1 used on an axially split rim wherein each spaced apart member has a radially inwardly extending flange which extends in side-by-side relationship with the flange on the opposite spaced apart member, said flanges being secured between the two halves of the split rim to hold the run flat device in a fixed position with respect to the rim.

23. A safety support device for use on a wheel rim having a pneumatic tire thereon, the device comprising:

A. a pair of spaced apart annular side portions, each lying adjacent to the axially inner surface of a tire bead and sidewall;

B. an axially extending intermediate portion joining said side portions and holding them in spaced apart relationship within the tire chamber;

C. each of said side portions having a cross-sectional contour substantially opposite to that of the other side portion;

D. each side portion comprising;

24. A safety support device for use on a wheel rim having a pneumatic tire thereon, the device comprising:

A. a pair of axially spaced apart annular side portions;

B. an axially extending intermediate portion joining said side portions and holding them in spaced apart relationship when mounted on a wheel rim;

C. each of said side portions having a cross-sectional contour substantially opposite to that of the other side portion;

D. each side portion comprising;

25. A safety support device as claimed in claim 24 wherein the curved portion joins with the axially inner edge of the tread support portion.

26. A safety support device as claimed in claim 24 wherein the curved portion joins with the axially outer edge of the tread support portion.