Hollow core pneumatic wheel having contour conforming polyurethane wall
US6102091A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 10, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 15, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 10, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T152/10117
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A urethane wheel including a hard urethane hub formed with a rim facing radially outward, and including stand-off ribs spaced equidistant thereabout. The stand-off ribs having centering notches opening radially outward. A thin wall polyurethane annular bladder with an interior annular stand-off skirt facing radially inward, contacting the centering notches of the stand-off ribs, and cooperating to position the bladder both radially and axially about the rim. The tire body is formed of soft polyurethane which surrounds the rim, encapsulates the bladder creating and integral cavity, and forms a contoured surface. A method of manufacturing the wheel which includes selecting a pressurized annular bladder, locating the bladder both axially and radially about the rim, forming a concentric bridge space having axial communication channels between the rim and bladder, and then pouring liquid urethane in a mold to form the tire.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.