US3877504A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rim constructions
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1973-10-01
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1993-10-01
Abstract
Abstract A rim for a pneumatic tire carcass has a pair of rim portions which are securable together to form such rim. One rim portion is integral with a wheel hub and includes a plurality of pockets or guide openings formed therein. The other rim portion includes guide members which correspond to these pockets and which are positionable therein to position the rim portions relative to each other. Apparatus for separating the rim portions with the tire carcass mounted on them is disclosed, as is apparatus for pulling the tire carcass off a rim portion after the other rim portion has been separated therefrom. In another embodiment, a pair of rim portions are assembled by positioning posts fixed on one rim portion into angled slots defined by the other rim portion, and rotating one rim portion relative to the other, the posts being drawn into the slots during such rotation to draw the rim portions together. In yet another embodiment, the tire carcass is supplied with an inner peripheral stiffener, which is seatable in a groove formed by a pair of fixed-together rimmed portions to center the tire carcass thereon. Also, another embodiment includes an annular plate and rim portions mounted in spaced relationship on either side thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E Grawey
- 👤 Robert W Untz
- 👤 Keith E Koch
- 👤 Charles F Gebhardt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:38
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60C; B60C15/00; B60C15/02; B60B; B60B25/00; B60B25/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A rim assembly for a pneumatic tire carcass comprising: a first annular rim portion defining at least one guide pocket; a second annular rim portion; a guide member fixed to the second rim portion and positionable in the guide pocket to position the first and second rim portions relative to each other as they are brought together; removable means for fixing the so positioned first and second rim portions together, said rim portions when so fixed together forming a rim for said pneumatic tire carcass; and means for separating the first and second rim portions upon removal of the means for fixing the so positioned first and second rim portions together comprising a plurality of force pads fixed to the first rim portion, and a plurality of corresponding bolts threadably associated with the second rim portion and positioned so that upon rotation thereof of one direction, said bolts contact respective force pads and urge the first and second rim portions apart.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A rim assembly for a pneumatic tire carcass comprising: a first annular rim portion defining at least one guide pocket; a second annular rim portion; a guide member fixed to the second rim portion and positionable in the guide pocket to position the first and second rim portions relative to each other as they are brought together; removable means for fixing the so positioned first and second rim portions together, said rim portions when so fixed together forming a rim for said pneumatic tire carcass; and means for separating the first and second rim portions upon removal of the means for fixing the so positioned first and second rim portions together comprising a plurality of force pads fixed to the first rim portion, and a plurality of corresponding bolts threadably associated with the second rim portion and positioned so that upon rotation thereof of one direction, said bolts contact respective force pads and urge the first and second rim portions apart.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
267 words
A rim assembly for a pneumatic tire carcass comprising: a first annular rim portion defining at least one guide poCket; a second annular rim portion; a guide member fixed to the second rim portion and positionable in the guide pocket to position the first and second rim portions relative to each other as they are brought together; and removable means for fixing the so positioned first and second rim portions together, said rim portions when so fixed together forming a rim for said pneumatic tire carcass, wherein the first rim portion defines a second pocket, and further comprising a second guide member fixed to the second rim portion and positionable in the second pocket to position, along with the first-mentioned guide pocket and first-mentioned guide member, the first and second rim portions relative to each other as they are brought together, wherein the first and second guide pockets are defined adjacent and inwardly of the outer periphery of the first rim portion substantially 180* apart, and the first and second guide members are fixed to the second rim portion adjacent and inwardly of the outer periphery of the second rim portion, and means for separating the first and second rim portions upon removal of the means for fixing the so positioned first and second rim portions together comprising a plurality of force pads fixed to the first rim portion, and a plurality of corresponding bolts threadably associated with the second rim portion and positioned so that upon rotation thereon in one direction, said bolts contact respective force pads and urge the first and second rim portions apart.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
267 words
A rim assembly for a pneumatic tire carcass comprising: a first annular rim portion defining at least one guide poCket; a second annular rim portion; a guide member fixed to the second rim portion and positionable in the guide pocket to position the first and second rim portions relative to each other as they are brought together; and removable means for fixing the so positioned first and second rim portions together, said rim portions when so fixed together forming a rim for said pneumatic tire carcass, wherein the first rim portion defines a second pocket, and further comprising a second guide member fixed to the second rim portion and positionable in the second pocket to position, along with the first-mentioned guide pocket and first-mentioned guide member, the first and second rim portions relative to each other as they are brought together, wherein the first and second guide pockets are defined adjacent and inwardly of the outer periphery of the first rim portion substantially 180* apart, and the first and second guide members are fixed to the second rim portion adjacent and inwardly of the outer periphery of the second rim portion, and means for separating the first and second rim portions upon removal of the means for fixing the so positioned first and second rim portions together comprising a plurality of force pads fixed to the first rim portion, and a plurality of corresponding bolts threadably associated with the second rim portion and positioned so that upon rotation thereon in one direction, said bolts contact respective force pads and urge the first and second rim portions apart.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The rim assembly of claim 2 wherein the plurality of force pads comprise a pair of force pads fixed to the first rim assembly adjacent each guide pocket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The rim assembly of claim 3 wherein the first and second rim portions define outer conically-shaped surfaces having decreasing taper inward of the outer edges of the rim, and on which the tire carcass is seatable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
120 words
The assembly of claim 4 and means for removing a portion of a seatable tire carcass from the first rim portion after separation of the first and second rim portions, with the tire carcass remaining on the first rim portion, comprising a bar one end of which extends into one of the pockets and which is connectable to the tire carcass therein, the other end extending outwardly of the pocket to adjacent the pair of force pads associated with that pocket, and means connected to the force pads and the end of the bar adjacent the force pads for selectively applying force to the tire carcass through the bar, to pull the tire carcass portion from the first rim portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
The rim assembly of claim 5 wherein the means connected to the force pads and the end of the bar adjacent the force pads comprise a block fixed to the end of the bar adjacent the force pads, and a pair of puller bolts threadably connected through the block and corresponding to the pair of force pads, and positioned so that upon rotation of the puller bolts in one direction, said puller bolts contact respective force pads and pull the tire carcass portion from the first rim portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
176 words
A rim assembly for a pneumatic tire carcass comprising: a first annular rim portion defining at least one guide pocket; a second annular rim portion; a guide member fixed to the second rim portion and positionable in the guide pocket to position the first and second rim portions relative to each other as they are brought together; and removable means for fixing the so positioned first and second rim portions together, said rim portions when so fixed together forming a rim for said pneumatic tire carcass, and means for removing a portion of a seated tire carcass from the first rim portion after separation of the first and second rim portions, with the tire carcass remaining on the first rim portion, comprising a bar one end of which is connectable to the tire carcass, the other end extending therefrom, and means associated with the extending end of the bar and first rim portion for selectively applying force to the bar and tire carcass through the bar to pull the tire Portion from the first rim portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
176 words
A rim assembly for a pneumatic tire carcass comprising: a first annular rim portion defining at least one guide pocket; a second annular rim portion; a guide member fixed to the second rim portion and positionable in the guide pocket to position the first and second rim portions relative to each other as they are brought together; and removable means for fixing the so positioned first and second rim portions together, said rim portions when so fixed together forming a rim for said pneumatic tire carcass, and means for removing a portion of a seated tire carcass from the first rim portion after separation of the first and second rim portions, with the tire carcass remaining on the first rim portion, comprising a bar one end of which is connectable to the tire carcass, the other end extending therefrom, and means associated with the extending end of the bar and first rim portion for selectively applying force to the bar and tire carcass through the bar to pull the tire Portion from the first rim portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
85 words
The rim assembly of claim 7 wherein the means associated with the extending end of the bar and the first rim portion comprise a block fixed to the extending end of the bar, puller bolt means threadably connected through the block, and force-receiving means associated with the first rim portion so that upon rotation of the puller bolt means in one direction relative to the block, the puller bolt means contact the force-receiving means and pull the tire carcass portion from the first rim portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |