RUN-FLAT DEVICE

• US 20110146872A1
• Filed: 11/17/2010
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Resilient Technologies LLC (Polaris Inc.)
• Inventors: Tercha, Mike, Stak, Louie, Howland, Glenn, Hauch, Karen, Ceranski, Fidelis, Petersen, Todd, Meliska, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 9,108,470 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 152/520
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 17/04 utilising additional non-inflatable supports which become load-supporting in emergency
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 17/041 characterised by coupling or locking means between rim and support
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 17/043 made-up of an annular metallic shell
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 17/06 resilient
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 17/061 comprising lateral openings
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 7/08 built-up from a plurality of arcuate parts

Abstract

A run-flat device, which is inserted into pneumatic tires to allow mobility in the event of pressure loss in the pneumatic tire, can comprise an inner ring, outer ring, and an interconnected web connecting the two. The run-flat device can support an applied load by working in tension and compression.

Claims

1. A run-flat device for use with a pneumatic tire comprising:

an inner ring having an axis of rotation, the inner ring comprising at least two annular pieces;

a deformable outer ring comprising at least two annular pieces;

a support element positioned between the inner and outer pieces; and

a stop element positioned between an interface between the at least two annular pieces and the inner ring to limit deflection of the outer ring towards the inner ring.

2. A run-flat device according to claim 1, wherein the stop element comprises a resilient piece of material positioned between the inner and outer ring.

3. A run-flat device according to claim 2, wherein the stop element comprises a metal bracket that supports the resilient piece of material between the inner and outer ring.

4. A run-flat device according to claim 3, wherein the stop element is removable from the run-flat device.

5. A run-flat device according to claim 1, the support element comprises a flexible tension element extending between the inner and outer ring and comprising at least two annular pieces, wherein a substantial amount of load is supported by the tension element working in at least in part tension when the run-flat device is in direct contact with the ground.

6. The run-flat device according to claim 5, the stop element is formed by a portion of the tension element that forms a pair of abutting joint surfaces that extend traverse to a direction radial to the axis of rotation of the tire.

7. A run-flat device for use with a pneumatic tire comprising:

an inner ring having an axis of rotation, the inner ring comprising at least two annular pieces;

a deformable outer ring comprising at least two annular pieces with at least one opening or channel extending there through;

a flexible interconnected web extending between the inner and outer ring and comprising at least two annular pieces; and

a locking mechanism comprising at least one member co-molded with one of the at least two annular pieces of the flexible interconnected web and extending from the flexible interconnected web through the at least one of openings or channel in one of the at least two annular pieces of the outer ring.

8. A run-flat device according to claim 7, further comprising an outer member positioned outside one of the at least two annular pieces outer ring and co-molded with at least one of the at least two annular pieces of the flexible interconnected web and locking mechanism.

9. A method of forming a run-flat device comprising:

positioning at least a portion of a deformable outer ring comprising at least one opening or channel into a mold;

adding material to the mold to form at least a portion of a flexible interconnected web; and

allowing the material used to form at least a portion of the flexible interconnected web to flow into the at least one opening or channel to form at least a portion of the deformable outer ring.

10. A run-flat device for use with a pneumatic tire, comprising:

an inner ring having an axis of rotation, the inner ring comprising at least two annular pieces;

a deformable outer ring comprising at least a first annular piece and a second annular piece;

a flexible interconnected web extending between the inner and outer ring and comprising at least two annular pieces; and

an apparatus positioned between an interface between the first annular piece and the second annular piece of the outer ring, the apparatus comprising a first bushing extending from the first annular piece and a second bushing extending from the second annular piece and surrounding the first and second bushings to connect the first and second annular pieces together.

11. A run-flat device for use with a pneumatic tire, comprising:

an inner ring having an axis of rotation, the inner ring comprising at least two annular pieces;

a deformable outer ring comprising at least a first annular piece and a second annular piece;

a flexible interconnected web extending between the inner and outer ring and comprising at least two annular pieces; and

an apparatus positioned between an interface between the first annular piece and the second annular piece of the outer ring, the apparatus comprising interlocking members extending between the first and second annular pieces of the outer ring.

12. A run-flat device according to claim 11, further comprising at least one pin extending between the interlocking members.

13. A run-flat device according to claim 11, further comprising a plurality of pins extending between the interlocking members.

14. A run-flat device for use with a pneumatic tire comprising

an inner ring having an axis of rotation;

a deformable outer ring comprising a plurality of openings or channels; and

a flexible interconnected web extending between the inner and outer ring and comprising at least two annular pieces;

wherein the outer ring comprises an injection molded material with at least one reinforcing material.

15. A run-flat device according to claim 14, wherein the reinforcing material comprises glass.

16. A run-flat device according to claim 14, wherein the reinforcing material comprises carbon fiber.