Patent ID: 6374887
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: B60C

Abstract:
A vehicle tire comprising(a) a tire body of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber and an elastomer; said tire body including (1) a circumferentially extending crown portion having an external face and an internal face; (2) circumferentially extending first and second sidewalls joining said crown portion; said first and second sidewalls terminating in circumferentially extending first and second beads, respectively; said first and second beads being adapted to be received in a vehicle wheel rim; and (3) a plurality of circumferentially spaced stiffening ribs; each said rib interconnecting said crown portion and said first and second sidewalls; and (b) a plurality of circumferentially spaced arcuate leaf springs each having opposite first and second ends resiliently embedded into respective said first and second beads; said leaf springs supporting said ribs at rib surfaces forming part of said internal face of said crown portion.