US6564842B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Lightened safety support for tire
Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA Switzerland
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Filing: 2001-12-07
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Granted: 2003-05-20
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Expires: 2021-12-07
Abstract
Abstract The invention concerns a light safety support (1) for a tire comprising a base (2), a top (3) and an annular linking body (4) with a continuous support element around the circumference and a circumferential median plane, wherein the support element includes a plurality of partitions (13), (23) extending axially on either side of the circumferential median plane that are adapted in their central part relative to their lateral end parts to reinforce the support buckling strength under a radial load.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Abinal
- 👤 Sebastien Drap
- 👤 Jean-Jacques Drieux
- 👤 Francois Hottebart
- 👤 Adam Jara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:11
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60C; B60C17/00; B60C17/04; B60C17/06; B60C17/061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
A run flat safety support intended to be mounted on a wheel rim inside a tire equipping a vehicle for supporting the tire tread in case of loss of inflation pressure, comprising: a generally cylindrical base intended to fit around the rim; a generally cylindrical crown intended to come in contact with the interior of the tire tread in the event of the loss of inflation pressure, and leaving a clearance from the tire tread interior at nominal pressure; an annular body connecting the base and the crown, the annular body including a circumferentially continuous support member having a circumferential median plane P; and the support member including a plurality of partitions extending axially on both sides of the circumferential median plane and distributed about the circumference of the support member, and connecting members extending generally circumferentially and joining the two laterally adjacent ends of circumferentially adjacent partitions, the connecting members being successively arranged alternately on both sides of the partitions, and wherein the ratio between the thickness of the partitions in their central part H to the thickness in the lateral ends thereof h is greater than 1.1, in order to reinforce the buckling resistance under a radial load of the annular body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
A run flat safety support intended to be mounted on a wheel rim inside a tire equipping a vehicle for supporting the tire tread in case of loss of inflation pressure, comprising: a generally cylindrical base intended to fit around the rim; a generally cylindrical crown intended to come in contact with the interior of the tire tread in the event of the loss of inflation pressure, and leaving a clearance from the tire tread interior at nominal pressure; an annular body connecting the base and the crown, the annular body including a circumferentially continuous support member having a circumferential median plane P; and the support member including a plurality of partitions extending axially on both sides of the circumferential median plane and distributed about the circumference of the support member, and connecting members extending generally circumferentially and joining the two laterally adjacent ends of circumferentially adjacent partitions, the connecting members being successively arranged alternately on both sides of the partitions, and wherein the ratio between the thickness of the partitions in their central part H to the thickness in the lateral ends thereof h is greater than 1.1, in order to reinforce the buckling resistance under a radial load of the annular body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The support according to claim 1 , wherein said ratio is greater than 1.5.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The support according to claim 1 , wherein the partitions include, from one lateral end to the other, at least one reversal of direction of their curvature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
197 words
A run flat safety support intended to be mounted on a wheel rim inside a tire equipping a vehicle for supporting the tire tread in case of loss of inflation pressure, comprising: a generally cylindrical base intended to fit around the rim; a generally cylindrical crown intended to come in contact with the interior of the tire tread in the event of the loss of inflation pressure, and leaving a clearance from the tire tread interior at nominal pressure; an annular body connecting the base and the crown, the annular body including a circumferentially continuous support member having a circumferential median plane P; and the support member including a plurality of partitions extending axially on both sides of the circumferential median plane and distributed about the circumference of the support member, and connecting members extending generally circumferentially and joining the two laterally adjacent ends of circumferentially adjacent partitions, the connecting members being successively arranged alternately on both sides of the partitions, and wherein the partitions include, from one lateral end to the other, at least one reversal of direction of their curvature, in order to reinforce the buckling resistance under a radial load of the annular body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
197 words
A run flat safety support intended to be mounted on a wheel rim inside a tire equipping a vehicle for supporting the tire tread in case of loss of inflation pressure, comprising: a generally cylindrical base intended to fit around the rim; a generally cylindrical crown intended to come in contact with the interior of the tire tread in the event of the loss of inflation pressure, and leaving a clearance from the tire tread interior at nominal pressure; an annular body connecting the base and the crown, the annular body including a circumferentially continuous support member having a circumferential median plane P; and the support member including a plurality of partitions extending axially on both sides of the circumferential median plane and distributed about the circumference of the support member, and connecting members extending generally circumferentially and joining the two laterally adjacent ends of circumferentially adjacent partitions, the connecting members being successively arranged alternately on both sides of the partitions, and wherein the partitions include, from one lateral end to the other, at least one reversal of direction of their curvature, in order to reinforce the buckling resistance under a radial load of the annular body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The support according to claim 1 or 4 , wherein the partitions include a central part extending generally axially between two lateral end parts, the lateral end parts joining the connecting members by forming an angle γ with the circumferential direction ranging between 20 and 40 degrees.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The support according to claim 1 or 4 , wherein the partitions include, from one lateral end to the other, at least three reversals of direction of their curvature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The support according to claim 1 or 4 , wherein the partitions include, in their central zone, two parts appreciably extending generally axially and being circumferentially offset from each other, and a third connecting part interconnecting the two parts of generally axial orientation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The support according to claim 7 , in which the mean orientation variation α between the third connecting part and the two parts of generally axial orientation is greater than 20 degrees.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The support according to claim 1 or 4 , wherein, on one axial side of the support member, each connecting member is in contact with at least one axial wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The support according to claim 1 or 4 , wherein, on both sides of the support member, each connecting member is in contact with at least one axial wall.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The support according to claim 9 , wherein each connecting member forms, with the axial wall backing it and the lateral ends of the two adjacent partitions, a star-shaped assembly with three branches.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The support according to claim 10 , wherein each connecting member forms, with the axial wall backing it and the lateral ends of the two adjacent partitions, a star-shaped assembly with three branches.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The support according to claim 9 , wherein the axial width of each axial wall is less than or equal to half the axial width of the two adjacent partitions of the support member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The support according to claim 10 , wherein the axial width of each axial wall is less than or equal to half the axial width of the two adjacent partitions of said support member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The support according to claim 1 or 4 , wherein the support member further includes a generally cylindrical web coaxial with the support and located at a radially intermediate position of the support member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The support according to claim 15 , wherein the cylindrical web is located substantially at mid-height of the support member.
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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) | 2006-05-19 | 2006-11-18 | 2007-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-05-19 | 2010-11-18 | 2011-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-05-19 | 2014-11-18 | 2015-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |