US3780784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Expandable tire retainer assembly
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1972-06-07
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1992-06-07
Abstract
Abstract A retainer assembly for use with expandable tires wherein a pair of circular metallic bands having a plurality of tabs extending radially outward therefrom are positioned around the wheel rims such that the tabs are located nearly adjacent the tire beads. A hollow spreader bar is positioned between the bands at each tab location and a headed stud is passed through the tab inwardly into the spreader bar to maintain the tabs in spread condition which, in turn, holds the tire beads against the tapers or flanges of the wheel rim during the mounting process and would also operate to retain the tire on the wheel if and when an emergency ''''run-flat'''' condition existed.
Inventors
- 👤 C Spier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:01
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60B; B60B21/00; B60B21/12; B60C; B60C15/00; B60C15/02; B60C15/028; B60C3/00; B60C3/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A retainer assembly for use in mounting and retaining an expandable pneumatic tire in combination with a pair of complementary wheel halves each having a tapered rim portion thereon, said retainer assembly comprising a plurality of rigid spreader bars for positioning between the beads of the expandable tire, a pair of circular bands extending around the wheel halves near the tire beads, a plurality of tabs extending radially outward from the outer edge of said bands, said tabs being fixedly attached at corresponding opposite circumferential positions on each of said bands, and means at each of said tabs for holding said spreader bars in parallel rElationship to one another and perpendicular to the tire beads, thereby holding the tire beads against the tapers of the wheel rim during the mounting process and operating to retain the tire on the wheel during adverse run-flat conditions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A retainer assembly for use in mounting and retaining an expandable pneumatic tire in combination with a pair of complementary wheel halves each having a tapered rim portion thereon, said retainer assembly comprising a plurality of rigid spreader bars for positioning between the beads of the expandable tire, a pair of circular bands extending around the wheel halves near the tire beads, a plurality of tabs extending radially outward from the outer edge of said bands, said tabs being fixedly attached at corresponding opposite circumferential positions on each of said bands, and means at each of said tabs for holding said spreader bars in parallel rElationship to one another and perpendicular to the tire beads, thereby holding the tire beads against the tapers of the wheel rim during the mounting process and operating to retain the tire on the wheel during adverse run-flat conditions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The retainer assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said circular bands are dimensioned to have an internal diameter slightly larger than the nominal diameter of the wheel such that said bands fit snugly on the wheel while having sufficient clearance to allow assembly of wheel elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
87 words
The retainer assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the means for holding the spreader bars in position between the tire beads includes a plurality of studs each having a shank and head portion, circular openings in each of said tabs, the shank portion of each of said studs passing inwardly through the opening in each of said tabs and engaging the ends of said spreader bars, and the head portion of each of said studs being disposed between said tabs and the inside of the tire beads.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB555754A
Cited
US3018809A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |