Non-pneumatic wheel assembly with removable hub

• US 9,180,732 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2009
• Issued: 11/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Compagnie générale des établissements Michelin
• Original Assignee: Compagnie générale des établissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Inventors: Endicott, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Kotter, Kip T
• Application Number:
  US13/391,198
• Publication Number:
  US 20120205017A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,265 Days
• Field of Search: 152/1, 152/5, 152/7, 152/11, 152/12, 152/246, 152/270, 152/375, 152/379.3, 301/86, 301/87
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 1/0223 the dominant aspect being the spoke arrangement pattern
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 1/0261 characterised by spoke form
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 1/0276 the spoke being crooked in the middle and having double length
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 1/042 Attaching spokes to hub
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 21/06 characterised by means for attaching spokes , i.e. spoke seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 9/04 in leaf form
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 9/14 with means limiting relative lateral movements between hub and remainder of wheel

Abstract

A non-pneumatic wheel assembly is provided. More particularly, a non-pneumatic wheel assembly is provided having a removable hub i.e., a hub that may be separated from the remainder of the wheel assembly. The hub may be reused and other portions of the non-pneumatic wheel assembly replaced as needed. In addition, the hub may be constructed from a different material than used for other portions of the non-pneumatic wheel.

Claims

1. A non-pneumatic wheel assembly defining axial and radial directions, comprising:

an outer annular band providing a load bearing surface;

a plurality of web elements for supporting in tension a load applied to the wheel, said web elements extending axially across and radially inward from said outer annual band;

a plurality of intersections integrally formed by the joining of adjacent pairs of said plurality of web elements along their radially innermost portion;

a hub centrally located within said outer annular band and removably connected to said plurality of web elements;

a plurality of cylinders of unitary construction oriented longitudinally along the axial direction, each cylinder formed integrally with a radially innermost portion of one of said plurality of intersections; and

a plurality of pins projecting along the axial direction from said hub, each of said pins removably received into said plurality of cylinders.

2. A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of pins each comprise a connecting end, and wherein the non-pneumatic wheel further comprises a retaining ring removably attached to the connecting ends of said plurality of pins.

3. A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in claim 2, wherein said plurality of web elements define a width along the axial direction, and wherein said plurality of pins extend axially across the entire width of said plurality of web elements.

4. A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of cylinders is slidable about a respective said pin.

5. A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in claim 1, wherein said outer annular band further comprises a shear band.