Wheel and tire assembly

• US 9,821,601 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2016
• Issued: 11/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lindsay Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lindsay Corporation
• Inventors: Korus, Thomas J., Pfrenger, Jochen
• Primary Examiner(s): Kotter, Kip T
• Application Number:
  US15/075,964
• Publication Number:
  US 20160200143A1
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/09 Watering arrangements making use of movable installations on wheels or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/092 movable around a pivot centre
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 15/025 with non-cylindrical shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 25/002 Rims split in circumferential direction
• 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 2900/212 Damage
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2900/541 Servicing
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 3/04 with a single disc body not integral with rim , i.e. disc body and rim being manufactured independently and then permanently attached to each other in a second step, e.g. by welding
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/0311 Patterns comprising tread lugs arranged parallel or oblique to the axis of rotation
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 17/041 characterised by coupling or locking means between rim and support
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 152/10 Tires, resilient

Abstract

A wheel assembly including a rigid wheel and a flexible tire. The rigid wheel includes a radially outer rim wall, a plurality of mounting elements, and a plurality of inflatable spacers between the mounting elements. The flexible tire may be mounted on the mounting elements of the rigid wheel such that portions of the flexible tire between the mounting elements are separated from the outer rim wall by spaces between the mounting elements and are configured to flex inwardly when subject to ground engaging pressure. The inflatable spacers limit the amount of inward flex of the inwardly flexible portions of the flexible tire.

Claims

1. A wheel assembly comprising:

a rigid wheel including an outer rim wall having a plurality of spaced apart mounting elements extending radially outwardly from the outer rim wall;

a flexible tire mounted on the mounting elements such that the flexible tire is supported by the mounting elements and is separated from the outer rim wall by a plurality of spaces, portions of the flexible tire located between the mounting elements being configured to flex inwardly when subjected to ground engaging pressure; and

a plurality of inflatable spacers, each inflatable spacer being positioned between the flexible tire and the outer rim wall annularly intermediate a respective pair of the mounting elements and configured to limit an amount of inward flex of the flexible tire depending on an amount of air in the inflatable spacers.

2. The wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the inflatable spacers are configured to increase in size when air pressure in the inflatable spacers is increased so as to allow the flexible tire to flex inward a smaller amount and decrease in size when air pressure in the inflatable spacers is decreased so as to allow the flexible tire to flex inward a greater amount.

3. The wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the inflatable spacers are configured to become harder when air pressure in the inflatable spacers is increased so as to allow the flexible tire to flex inward a smaller amount and become less hard when air pressure in the inflatable spacers is decreased so as to allow the flexible tire to flex inward a greater amount.

4. The wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the inflatable spacers each are individually adjustable.

5. The wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible tire includes a plurality of traction lugs extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the flexible tire.

6. The wheel assembly of claim 5, wherein the traction lugs are spaced circumferentially around the flexible tire and aligned with the spacers such that the traction lugs move inwardly with the portions of the flexible tire configured to flex inwardly.

7. The wheel assembly of claim 5, wherein the traction lugs extend between opposite edges of the flexible tire.

8. The wheel assembly of claim 5, wherein the mounting elements, inflatable spacers, and traction lugs are equal in number.

9. The wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible tire is a single, solid piece of material of unitary construction.

10. A wheel assembly comprising:

a rigid wheel including an outer rim wall having a plurality of spaced apart mounting elements extending radially outwardly from the outer rim wall;

a flexible tire mounted on the mounting elements such that the flexible tire is supported by the mounting elements and is separated from the outer rim wall by a plurality of spaces, portions of the flexible tire located between the mounting elements being configured to flex inwardly when subjected to ground engaging pressure; and

an inflatable spacer having a plurality of inflatable sections, each inflatable section being positioned between the flexible tire and the outer rim wall annularly intermediate a respective pair of the mounting elements and configured to limit an amount of inward flex of the flexible tire depending on an amount of air in the inflatable spacers.

11. The wheel assembly of claim 10, wherein the inflatable sections are configured to increase in size when air pressure in the inflatable sections is increased so as to allow the flexible tire to flex inward a smaller amount and decrease in size when air pressure in the inflatable sections is decreased so as to allow the flexible tire to flex inward a greater amount.

12. The wheel assembly of claim 10, wherein the inflatable sections are configured to become harder when air pressure in the inflatable sections is increased so as to allow the flexible tire to flex inward a smaller amount and become less hard when air pressure in the inflatable sections is decreased so as to allow the flexible tire to flex inward a greater amount.

13. The wheel assembly of claim 10, wherein the flexible tire includes a plurality of traction lugs extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the flexible tire.

14. The wheel assembly of claim 13, wherein the traction lugs are spaced circumferentially around the flexible tire and aligned with the spacers such that the traction lugs move inwardly with the portions of the flexible tire configured to flex inwardly.

15. The wheel assembly of claim 13, wherein the mounting elements, inflatable sections, and traction lugs are equal in number.

16. A wheel assembly comprising:

a rigid wheel including an outer rim wall having a plurality of spaced apart mounting elements extending radially outwardly from the outer rim wall;

a flexible tire having an outer surface and a plurality of traction lugs extending radially from the outer surface, the flexible tire being mounted on the mounting elements such that the flexible tire is supported by the mounting elements and is separated from the outer rim wall by a plurality of spaces, portions of the flexible tire located between the mounting elements being configured to flex inwardly when subjected to ground engaging pressure; and

a plurality of inflatable spacers, each inflatable spacer being positioned between the flexible tire and the outer rim wall annularly intermediate a respective pair of the mounting elements and configured to;

limit an amount of inward flex of the flexible tire depending on an amount of air in the inflatable spacers;

become harder when air pressure in the inflatable spacers is increased so as to allow the flexible tire to flex inward a smaller amount; and

become less hard when air pressure in the inflatable spacers is decreased so as to allow the flexible tire to flex inward a greater amount, the inflatable spacers each being individually adjustable and each being aligned with the traction lugs so that the traction lugs move inward with the inwardly flexible portions of the flexible tire.