US4252378A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wheel laminate with syntactic foam core
Assignee: Bridgestone Research LLC
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Filing: 1979-10-04
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Granted: 1981-02-24
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Expires: 1999-10-04
Abstract
Abstract High modulus and high performance composite vehicle wheels are prepared as laminate or sandwich structures having a fiber-reinforced syntactic foam core with disc member reinforcing means contained therein. This wheel is lightweight and for pneumatic tires wherein the syntactic foam is bonded to impact resistant rim and disc-nave sheets such as those made of thin steel. The reinforcing disc member transfers stresses from the vehicle wheel hub to the syntactic foam when, for example, cornering a vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Reuben A. DeBolt
- 👤 Ralph A. Maglio
- 👤 Richard W. Sicka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 01:02
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60B; B60B5/00; B60B5/02; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/80; Y02T10/86; Y10; Y10S; Y10S264/00; Y10S264/06; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/249971; Y10T428/249974; Y10T428/25; Y10T428/252; Y10T428/254
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A light weight vehicle wheel having preformed rigid rim and disc-nave inner and outer shell members joined at the bead rim and separated by and internally bonded to (1) a load bearing fiber reinforced syntactic foam and (2) a rigid reinforced disc member positioned between and contiguous to the internal nave portion of said inner shell and a metal bolt hole reinforcing disc member positioned internally and contiguous and bonded to said disc member and to the internal nave portion of said outer shell, said disc member tapering circumferentially and uniformally into the body of said syntactic foam to a point close to the center of the internal rim portion of said wheel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A light weight vehicle wheel having preformed rigid rim and disc-nave inner and outer shell members joined at the bead rim and separated by and internally bonded to (1) a load bearing fiber reinforced syntactic foam and (2) a rigid reinforced disc member positioned between and contiguous to the internal nave portion of said inner shell and a metal bolt hole reinforcing disc member positioned internally and contiguous and bonded to said disc member and to the internal nave portion of said outer shell, said disc member tapering circumferentially and uniformally into the body of said syntactic foam to a point close to the center of the internal rim portion of said wheel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A light weight wheel according to claim 1 wherein said rim and said disc-nave inner and outer shell members are made of a rigid metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A light weight wheel according to claim 1 where said rim and said disc-nave inner and outer shell members are made of steel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A light weight wheel according to claim 1 wherein said rim and said disc-nave inner and outer shell members are made of a molded rigid fiber reinforced plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A light weight wheel according to claim 1 wherein said foam is an epoxy foam containing glass microballoons and the rigid reinforced disc member is a high fiber reinforced plastic molding compound.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A lightweight wheel according to claim 1 wherein said cut fibers are from about 1/8" to about 1" in length and present in an amount of from about 1% to about 30% by weight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A lightweight wheel according to claim 1 wherein said cut fibers are from about 1/8" to about 1" in length and present in an amount of from about 15% to about 25% by weight.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A lightweight wheel according to claim 1 wherein said cut fibers are from about 1/8" to about 1/4" in length and present in an amount of from about 1% to about 30% by weight.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A lightweight wheel according to claim 1 wherein the microballoons of said syntactic foam are glass and from 1 to 500 micrometers in diameter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A lightweight wheel according to claim 1 wherein the microballoons of said syntactic foam are glass and from 10 to 250 micrometers in diameter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A lightweight wheel according to claim 1 wherein the microballoons of said syntactic foam are present in an amount of from about 5% to about 25% by weight of said foam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A lightweight wheel according to claim 1 wherein the microballoons of said syntactic foam are present in an amount of about 15% by weight of said foam.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-02-24 | 1984-08-25 | 1985-02-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-24 | 1988-08-25 | 1989-02-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-24 | 1992-08-25 | 1993-02-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |