US7143797B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Airless tire
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2005-01-04
•
Granted: 2006-12-05
•
Expires: 2025-01-04
Abstract
Abstract This invention pertains to a tire which supports load by means of compressing the tire's elastomeric structure and requires no internal inflation pressure. The preferred embodiments utilize circumferential ribs or radially oriented ribs of elastomer to support the load.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick Forbes Vannan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:44
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60C; B60C7/00; B60C7/10; B60C7/14; B60C7/146; B60C7/102; B60C7/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T152/00; Y10T152/10; Y10T152/10279; Y10T152/10378
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A tire comprising an elastomeric structure having an inner elastomeric band and an outer elastomeric band, and a plurality of radially oriented ribs extending between the inner elastomeric band and the outer elastomeric band; the ribs being curved to have a concave side and a convex side, and arranged so that adjacent ribs are paired such that the concave sides of adjacent ribs face each other and the convex sides of adjacent ribs face each other; whereby, when the tire is under load adjacent curved ribs will contact and buttress each other on their convex sides, and when the tire is not under load the ribs will be spaced apart.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A tire comprising an elastomeric structure having an inner elastomeric band and an outer elastomeric band, and a plurality of radially oriented ribs extending between the inner elastomeric band and the outer elastomeric band; the ribs being curved to have a concave side and a convex side, and arranged so that adjacent ribs are paired such that the concave sides of adjacent ribs face each other and the convex sides of adjacent ribs face each other; whereby, when the tire is under load adjacent curved ribs will contact and buttress each other on their convex sides, and when the tire is not under load the ribs will be spaced apart.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The tire of claim 1 , wherein the ribs are elastomeric.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tire of claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric structure is reinforced with one of a textile and a metallic material, or a combination of textile and metallic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tire of claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric structure comprises polyurethane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The tire of claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric structure is latex or rubber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tire of claim 1 , wherein the hardness of the elastomers is different at different radial distances from the center of the wheel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
A tire having a structural support system comprising: an inner elastomeric circumferential band; an outer elastomeric circumferential band; at least three elastomeric radially extending circumferential ribs attached to the inner and outer bands and being axially spaced apart such that at least two hollow annular chambers are formed; wherein each of the inner elastomeric circumferential band, the outer elastomeric circumferential band, and the elastomeric radially extending circumferential ribs each has a different hardness.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
A tire having a structural support system comprising: an inner elastomeric circumferential band; an outer elastomeric circumferential band; at least three elastomeric radially extending circumferential ribs attached to the inner and outer bands and being axially spaced apart such that at least two hollow annular chambers are formed; wherein each of the inner elastomeric circumferential band, the outer elastomeric circumferential band, and the elastomeric radially extending circumferential ribs each has a different hardness.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tire as set forth in claim 7 further comprising: the elastomeric radially extending circumferential ribs each comprise two different hardnesses.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tire of claim 7 , wherein the elastomeric structure is reinforced with one of a textile and a metallic material, or a combination of textile and metallic material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tire of claim 7 , wherein the elastomeric structure comprises polyurethane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The tire of claim 7 , wherein the elastomeric structure is latex or rubber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tire of claim 7 , wherein the hardness of the elastomers is different at different radial distances from the center of rotation of the wheel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
A tire structure comprising: an inner elastomeric circumferential band comprising a first material; an outer elastomeric circumferential band comprising a second material; a central circumferential elastic portion disposed between the inner and outer elastomeric bands and comprising a third material; a pair of toroidal components disposed in the inner elastomeric band and the central circumferential elastomeric band and spaced apart to form two annular chambers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
65 words
A tire structure comprising: an inner elastomeric circumferential band comprising a first material; an outer elastomeric circumferential band comprising a second material; a central circumferential elastic portion disposed between the inner and outer elastomeric bands and comprising a third material; a pair of toroidal components disposed in the inner elastomeric band and the central circumferential elastomeric band and spaced apart to form two annular chambers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The tire structure of claim 13 further comprising: a wheel rim; the inner elastomeric circumferential band being molded around the wheel rim; the toroidal components are attached to the wheel rim.
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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) | 2009-12-04 | 2010-06-05 | 2010-12-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-12-04 | 2014-06-05 | 2014-12-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-12-04 | 2018-06-05 | 2018-12-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |