Wheel and tire assembly

• US 9,090,121 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2012
• Issued: 07/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lindsay Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lindsey Corporation
• Inventors: Korus, Thomas J., Pfrenger, Jochen
• Primary Examiner(s): BELLINGER, JASON R
• Application Number:
  US13/455,635
• Publication Number:
  US 20130284860A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 152/5, 152/7, 152/40, 152 43- 46, 152/379.3, 152/396, 152/399, 152/402
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/092 movable around a pivot centre
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 15/00 Wheels or wheel attachments designed for increasing traction vehicle tires B60C; non-skid devices temporarily attachable to resilient tires or resiliently-tired wheels B60C
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 15/025 with non-cylindrical shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 15/04 with resiliently-mounted spade lugs
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 25/02 Segmented rims, e.g. with segments arranged in sections; Connecting equipment, e.g. hinges; Insertable flange rings therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2900/112 Costs
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2900/113 Production or maintenance time
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2900/321 Lifetime
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2900/325 Reliability
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 9/10 of rubber or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/03 Tread patterns
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 7/00 Non-inflatable or solid tyres B60C1/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 7/08 built-up from a plurality of arcuate parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 7/24 characterised by means for securing tyres on rim or wheel body

Abstract

A wheel assembly includes a rigid wheel with a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially outermost mounting elements and a flexible tire mounted on the wheel. The tire engages the mounting elements such that portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements are separated radially from the wheel by a space, the portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements being configured to flex inwardly toward the wheel when subject to ground engaging pressure.

Claims

1. A wheel assembly comprising:

a rigid wheel including a plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting elements extending radially outwardly from the wheel; and

an airless flexible tire mounted on the wheel and engaging the mounting elements such that portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements are separated radially from the wheel by a space, the portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements being configured to flex inwardly toward the wheel when subject to ground engaging pressure, the tire including a plurality of traction lugs extending radially outwardly from an outer side of the tire, the traction lugs being spaced circumferentially around the tire between the mounting elements such that the traction lugs move inwardly with the portions of the tire configured to flex inwardly when subject to ground engaging pressure.

2. The wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the traction lugs are the same size as each other.

3. The wheel assembly of claim 1, the mounting elements presenting an elongated shape and being positioned transversely on the wheel.

4. The wheel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of spacers, each spacer positioned between consecutive mounting elements and configured to limit the amount of inward flex of the tire.

5. The wheel as set forth in claim 1, an outer side of the tire presenting a truncated cone shape.

6. The wheel assembly of claim 1, the tire being cylindrical in shape and presenting a transversely flat outer side.

7. The wheel assembly of claim 1, the tire being cylindrical in shape and presenting a transversely concave outer side.

8. The wheel assembly of claim 1, the tire being a single, solid piece of material of unitary construction.

9. A wheel assembly comprising:

a rigid wheel including a plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting elements extending radially outwardly from the wheel;

an airless flexible tire mounted on the wheel and engaging the mounting elements such that portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements are separated radially from the wheel by a space, the portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements being configured to flex inwardly toward the wheel when subject to ground engaging pressure, the tire including a plurality of traction lugs and a plurality of spacers, the traction lugs extending radially outwardly from an outer side of the tire and being spaced circumferentially around the tire between the mounting elements such that the traction lugs move inwardly with the portions of the tire configured to flex inwardly when subject to ground engaging pressure, each spacer being positioned between the mounting elements and configured to limit the amount of inward flex of the tire, each traction lug being radially aligned with one of the spacers.

10. The wheel assembly of claim 9, wherein the tire includes twelve traction lugs.

11. The wheel assembly of claim 9, wherein the traction lugs are spaced halfway between adjacent mounting elements when the tire is mounted on the wheel.

12. The wheel assembly of claim 9, wherein the traction lugs each form a tapered rectangular side profile.

13. The wheel assembly of claim 9, wherein the spacers each form a substantially triangular side profile.

14. The wheel assembly of claim 9, wherein the tire includes at least three spacers between adjacent mounting elements.

15. The wheel assembly of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of end caps positioned on opposite sides of each mounting element, each end cap including a pair of flanges configured to prevent lateral movement of the tire.

16. The wheel assembly of claim 15, wherein the end caps are secured to the mounting elements via a nut and bolt fastener.