US4057091A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pneumatic tire
Assignee: Bridgestone Firestone Inc
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Filing: 1976-04-07
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Granted: 1977-11-08
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Expires: 1996-04-07
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure related to a pneumatic tire which is collapsible in its uninflated shape. This disclosure relates to a pneumatic tire and the rim combination of the pneumatic tire and a rim wherein the bead areas of the tire are capable of rotating in their mounted, uninflated shape to attain a different configuration in their mounted, inflated shape. The tire may have the characteristic wherein the sidewalls are capable of being folded axially inwardly toward each other when the tire is mounted on the rim and uninflated. In the uninflated and folded shape the tire and the combination of the tire and rim of this disclosure conserve space and weight over a standard tire and tire and rim combination. This uninflated, folded feature is designed primarily to be used as a spare tire replacement in automobiles.
Inventors
- 👤 James Dennis Gardner
- 👤 Robert William Glasscock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 02:16
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60C; B60C15/00; B60C15/02; B60C15/024; B60C3/00; B60C3/08; B60C5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
In combination a pneumatic tire and rim wherein the rim is comprised of an annular drop center area bounded axially outwardly on either side by annular rim base sections which are in turn bounded axially outwardly by annular rim flanges, said tire is comprised of an annular road-engaging tread, sidewalls connecting the lateral edges of said tread to bead areas which contain annular bead bundles, said tire in a first position when mounted on said rim and uninflated having its bead areas and lower sidewall areas extending axially inwardly from each rim flange in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said rim and said sidewalls folded upon themselves to form annular re-entrant walls, said tire in a second position when mounted on said rim and inflated having its bead areas and lower sidewall areas substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said rim, said first position utilized when said tire is stored and said second position utilized when said tire is operational, said change in position resulting from a rotation of said bead areas about the center of said bead bundles upon inflation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
In combination a pneumatic tire and rim wherein the rim is comprised of an annular drop center area bounded axially outwardly on either side by annular rim base sections which are in turn bounded axially outwardly by annular rim flanges, said tire is comprised of an annular road-engaging tread, sidewalls connecting the lateral edges of said tread to bead areas which contain annular bead bundles, said tire in a first position when mounted on said rim and uninflated having its bead areas and lower sidewall areas extending axially inwardly from each rim flange in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said rim and said sidewalls folded upon themselves to form annular re-entrant walls, said tire in a second position when mounted on said rim and inflated having its bead areas and lower sidewall areas substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said rim, said first position utilized when said tire is stored and said second position utilized when said tire is operational, said change in position resulting from a rotation of said bead areas about the center of said bead bundles upon inflation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said bead areas and said lower sidewall areas substantially rest upon said rim base sections when said tire is in said first position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein each said bead area has a toe section and a heel section, both said sections being located axially outwardly of their respective bead bundles when said tire is in said first position, said toe sections being located axially inwardly and said heel sections being located axially outwardly of their respective bead bundles when said tire is in said second position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said bead areas contain an annular ridge and an annular flat portion to facilitate the inflation of said tire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said bead areas exert a substantial pressure axially outwardly on said rim flanges when said tire is in said first position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said tire contains a tread ply located axially inwardly of said tread between said tread and the body reinforcing fabric.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
In the combination of claim 1, said bead bundles are comprised of an aramid type fiber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
In the combination of claim 1, said bead bundles are comprised of metal wires having a cable bead type construction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
191 words
In combination a pneumatic tire and rim wherein the rim is comprised of an annular drop center area bounded axially outwardly on either side by annular rim base sections which are in turn bounded axially outwardly by annular rim flanges, said tire is comprised of an annular road-engaging tread, sidewalls connecting the lateral edges of said tread to bead areas which contain annular bead bundles and a heel and a toe section, said tire in a first position when mounted on said rim and uninflated wherein said heel and toe sections are located axially outwardly of their respective bead bundles and said sidewalls are folded upon themselves to form annular re-entrant walls, said tire in a second position when mounted on said rim and inflated wherein said toe sections are located axially inwardly of their respective bead bundles and said heel sections are located axially outwardly of their respective bead bundles, said first position utilized when said tire is stored and said second position utilized when said tire is operational, said change in position resulting from a rotation of said bead areas about the center of said bead bundles upon inflation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
191 words
In combination a pneumatic tire and rim wherein the rim is comprised of an annular drop center area bounded axially outwardly on either side by annular rim base sections which are in turn bounded axially outwardly by annular rim flanges, said tire is comprised of an annular road-engaging tread, sidewalls connecting the lateral edges of said tread to bead areas which contain annular bead bundles and a heel and a toe section, said tire in a first position when mounted on said rim and uninflated wherein said heel and toe sections are located axially outwardly of their respective bead bundles and said sidewalls are folded upon themselves to form annular re-entrant walls, said tire in a second position when mounted on said rim and inflated wherein said toe sections are located axially inwardly of their respective bead bundles and said heel sections are located axially outwardly of their respective bead bundles, said first position utilized when said tire is stored and said second position utilized when said tire is operational, said change in position resulting from a rotation of said bead areas about the center of said bead bundles upon inflation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3297073A
Cited
US3540510A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-11-07 | 1981-05-09 | 1981-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-11-07 | 1985-05-09 | 1985-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-11-07 | 1989-05-09 | 1989-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |