Patent US4699432A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4699432A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual material safety wheel
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1985-11-04
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Granted: 1987-10-13
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Expires: 2005-11-04
Abstract
Abstract A safety wheel has on the surface thereof a tread design comprised of a relatively hard material which defines interstitial spaces, which spaces are filled with a relatively soft material. The overall surface of the resulting safety wheel is substantially smooth, while the softer material filling the interstitial spaces absorbs unevenness in a surface traversed by the wheel. In embodiments where the interstitial spaces are generally circular in nature, a suction force is created by interaction between the surface traversed, the soft material filling the interstitial spaces, and the hard material immediately defining the interstitial spaces. This suction force provides greater traction for the wheel on the traversed surface, thereby enhancing the safety of the wheel. Other non-circular interstitial space shapes are disclosed. The broader features of this invention (i.e. use of two materials having different densities to form a tread design of hard material defining interstitial spaces filled with softer material) are applicable to virtually to any type of tire or wheel. Particular embodiments for roller skate or skateboard wheels are illustrated, while embodiments for automobile or bicycle tires are also possible within the scope of this invention.
Inventors
- 👤 Reuben B. Klamer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:28
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63C; A63C17/00; A63C17/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A wheel comprising a circular wheel integrally formed with a tread design on the surface thereof, said tread design being formed by a relatively hard material and defining interstitial spaces, where said interstitial spaces are filled with a relatively soft material integrally bonded to the relatively hard material and wherein said interstitial spaces are filled with said relatively soft material so that the surface thereof is slightly cup-shaped, thereby defining a plurality of suction cups for providing said wheel with traction on surfaces traversed by the wheel, especially smooth surfaces such as finished concrete.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A wheel comprising a circular wheel integrally formed with a tread design on the surface thereof, said tread design being formed by a relatively hard material and defining interstitial spaces, where said interstitial spaces are filled with a relatively soft material integrally bonded to the relatively hard material and wherein said interstitial spaces are filled with said relatively soft material so that the surface thereof is slightly cup-shaped, thereby defining a plurality of suction cups for providing said wheel with traction on surfaces traversed by the wheel, especially smooth surfaces such as finished concrete.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A wheel as in claim 1 wherein said relatively hard material comprises polyvinylidene chloride and has a higher density than said relatively soft material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A wheel as in claim 1 wherein said relatively soft material comprises polyurethane and has a lower density then said relatively hard material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A wheel as in claim 1 wherein said relatively hard material comprises polyamide and has a higher density than said relatively soft material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
A wheel as in claim 1 wherein said interstitial spaces are circular-shaped.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A wheel as in claim 5 wherein said interstitial spaces are formed on said wheel surface in alternating rows of one and two spaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A wheel as in claim 5 wherein said interstitial spaces are formed on said wheel surface in aligned rows of two spaces each.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A wheel as in claim 7 wherein at least one of said rows of spaces is positioned around said wheel surface every 45° thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A wheel as in claim 7 wherein the diameter of each of said circular-shaped spaces falls within a range of 15% to 30% of the width of said wheel surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A wheel as in claim 5 wherein said interstitial spaces are formed on said wheel surface in staggered rows of two spaces each.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A wheel as in claim 1 wherein said interstitial spaces are tiger paw-shaped.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A wheel as in claim 1 wherein said interstitial spaces form a continuous chain of arrowheads with the tip portions thereof truncated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A wheel as in claim 1 wherein said interstitial spaces are rectangular-shaped with the length of the longer sides of the rectangles being equal to the width of said wheel surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A wheel as in claim 1 wherein said wheel is adapted to fit on a roller skate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
108 words
A safety wheel made by the process of: providing two materials having different densities; and performing dual nozzle injection molding of said two materials so that the denser of the two forms a wheel having a substantially smooth surface with a tread design thereon defining interstitial spaces, and so that the less dense of the two fills said interstitial spaces; wherein said less dense material cushions unevenness in a surface traversed by said wheel: and where said interstitial spaces cooperate with said less dense material to induce suction cup action with respect to the traversed surface so as to provide traction for said wheel on a traversed surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
108 words
A safety wheel made by the process of: providing two materials having different densities; and performing dual nozzle injection molding of said two materials so that the denser of the two forms a wheel having a substantially smooth surface with a tread design thereon defining interstitial spaces, and so that the less dense of the two fills said interstitial spaces; wherein said less dense material cushions unevenness in a surface traversed by said wheel: and where said interstitial spaces cooperate with said less dense material to induce suction cup action with respect to the traversed surface so as to provide traction for said wheel on a traversed surface.
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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) | 1990-10-12 | 1991-04-13 | 1991-10-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-10-12 | 1995-04-13 | 1995-10-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-10-12 | 1999-04-13 | 1999-10-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |