Non-pneumatic tire

• US 9,266,388 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2013
• Issued: 02/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mtd Products Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mtd Products Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schaedler, Axel, Cmich, Ryan, Pausche, Brad, Eavenson, Jimmy N. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Hau
• Application Number:
  US14/034,608
• Publication Number:
  US 20140083581A1
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 152/213.A, 152/242, 152/328, 152/329, 152/246, 152/17, 152/11, 152/5, 152/1, 152/80
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2900/351 versatility, e.g. usable for different purposes or different arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 9/02 using springs resiliently mounted bicycle rimswheels comprising resilient spokes B60B9/26
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 9/26 comprising resilient spokes
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/22 Agricultural vehicles

Abstract

A non-pneumatic tire with at least one annular band having an inner ring and a deformable outer ring, a plurality of generally flexible web-spokes connecting the inner ring to the outer ring and a ground contacting tread cap affixed to the annular band.

Claims

1. A non-pneumatic tire comprising:

a deflection limiter;

a first annular band having a first inner face;

a second annular band having a second inner face opposing said first inner face, wherein said deflection limiter is sandwiched between said first inner face and said opposing second inner face, wherein said annular bands have an inner ring and a deformable outer ring;

a plurality of generally flexible web-spokes connecting said inner ring to said outer ring; and

a ground contacting tread cap affixed to said annular bands, wherein said first and second annular bands further comprise;

a first fastening means circumferentially spaced around said inner ring on said inner face of said first and second annular bands;

a second fastening means circumferentially spaced around said inner ring on said inner face of said first and second annular bands and between said first fastening means, wherein said first fastening means on said first annular band interact with said second fastening means on said second annular band, and wherein said first fastening means on said second annular band interact with said second fastening means on said first annular band to connect said inner rings of said first and second annular bands together;

a third fastening means circumferentially spaced around said outer ring on said inner face of said first and second annular bands; and

a fourth fastening means circumferentially spaced around said outer ring on said inner face of said first and second annular bands and between said third fastening means, and wherein said third fastening means on said first annular band interact with said fourth fastening means on said second annular band and wherein said first fastening means on said second annular band interact with said second fastening means on said first annular band to connect said outer rings of said first and second annular bands together.

2. The non-pneumatic tire of claim 1, wherein said first and second annular bands further comprise;

a plurality of first friction attachment means in a surface of said outer ring, wherein said first friction attachments means extend in an axial direction toward an outer face of said first and second annular bands; and

wherein said tread cap having an interior surface further comprises;

a plurality of second friction attachment means on said interior surface, wherein said second friction attachments means are configured to engage said first friction attachment means on said first and second annular bands, thereby affixing said tread cap to said first and second annular bands.

3. The non-pneumatic tire of claim 1, wherein said inner ring, outer ring, and web-spokes of said annular band are made of polypropylene or reinforced nylon.

4. The non-pneumatic tire of claim 1, wherein said tread cap is made of polyurethane or polyethylene.

5. The non-pneumatic tire of claim 1, wherein said web-spokes have a generalized shape selected from the group consisting of “

C”

, “

Z”

, “

S”

, a sideways “

A”

, a sideways “

M”

, a sideways “

W”

, a sideways wishbone, and combinations thereof.

6. The non-pneumatic tire of claim 5, wherein said web-spokes have a sideways wishbone shape.

7. The non-pneumatic tire of claim 6, wherein said web-spokes have a double wishbone shape.

8. The non-pneumatic tire of claim 6, wherein said web-spokes have a stiff wishbone shape approximating a sidewise “

A”

.

9. The non-pneumatic tire of claim 1, further comprising central hub for attaching said non-pneumatic tire to a machine axle or hub.

10. The non-pneumatic tire of claim 1, wherein said non-pneumatic tire is used on a machine selected from the group consisting of tractors, utility vehicles, walk-behind lawn mowers, riding lawn mowers, tillers, cultivators, snow throwers, chipper shredders, chipper shredder vacuums, gas-powered portable DC generators, power sprayers, and power washers.

11. A non-pneumatic tire comprising:

a deflection limiter;

a first annular band having a first inner face;

a second annular band having a second inner face opposing said first inner face, wherein said deflection limiter is sandwiched between said first inner face and said opposing second inner face, wherein said annular bands include an inner ring and a deformable outer ring;

a plurality of generally flexible web-spokes connecting said inner ring to said outer ring; and

a ground contacting tread cap affixed to said annular band.