Abstract:
A Segmented Tire Apparatus for improving the reliability and performance of irrigation systems. The Segmented Tire Apparatus includes a plurality of arcuate tire segments coupleable end to end to form a circular tire. Each of the arcuate tire segments has a plurality of treads which may be radial, transverse, or semi-transverse. Additionally the apparatus may be filled with a closed cell foam to provide stability and rigidity while inhibiting water from collecting on the inside of the tire.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part on U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/038,082 filed on Mar. 1, 2011, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     GOVERNMENT SUPPORT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates to irrigation system towers and tires and more particularly pertains to a new Segmented Tire Apparatus for improving the reliability and performance of irrigation systems. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0007]    The use of irrigation system towers and tires is known in the prior art. More specifically, irrigation system towers and tires heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
         [0008]    Illustrative examples of such prior art include: U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,785 issued on Sep. 10, 1991 to Bockerman; U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,001 issued on Sep. 19, 1995 to Kumm, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,452 issued on Sep. 22, 1998 to Hawthorne et al. 
         [0009]    In these respects, the Segmented Tire Apparatus according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of improving the reliability and performance of irrigation systems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of irrigation system towers and tires now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new Segmented Tire Apparatus construction wherein the same can be utilized for improving the reliability and performance of irrigation systems. 
         [0011]    To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a plurality of arcuate tire segments coupleable end to end to form a circular tire. Each of the arcuate tire segments has a plurality of treads which may be radial, transverse, or semi-transverse. 
         [0012]    Additionally the apparatus may be filled with a closed cell foam to provide stability and rigidity while inhibiting water from collecting on the inside of the tire. 
         [0013]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0014]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0015]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0016]    One significant advantage of the present invention is its ability to resist going flat while in service due to its integrated molded polymeric structure. 
         [0017]    Another significant advantage of the present invention comes from the radial tread which provides traction and inhibits sliding when the wheel is positioned on a hill. 
         [0018]    Still another significant advantage of the present invention is its capability to be foam filled to limit the amount of water, dirt, mud or other debris which can enter the tire if the outside wall should become cracked. 
         [0019]    Even still another significant advantage comes from the more closely spaced semi-transverse lugs which provide more efficient energy transfer from the wheel to the ground and thereby making more efficient use of available horsepower to drive the wheels. 
         [0020]    Yet another significant advantage of the present invention is its ability to implement renewable polymers into its manufacture, including but not limited to Polylactic Acid (PLA) also known as “Corn Plastic” and Polyethelene based upon sugarcane also known as “Green Polyethylene”. Use of these renewable polymers may be implemented as a blend with traditional petrochemical based polymers. 
         [0021]    Further advantages of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    The invention will be better understood and objects of the invention will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a schematic front view of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a schematic cross-sectioned view of an embodiment of a tire segment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a schematic front view of a coupling flange and friction plate of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a schematic front pattern diagram of illustrative alignment patterns of the coupling flanges of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a schematic side pattern diagram of the alignment stub and cavity of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 6  thereof, a new Segmented Tire Apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
         [0030]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 6 , the Segmented Tire Apparatus  10  generally comprises a pair of substantially semi-circular tire segments  20  which can be coupled together and mounted to a rim. 
         [0031]    In a preferred embodiment, each one of the semi-circular tire segments  20  further may also include an integral body which forms beads  22 , an inner wall portion  24 , sidewalls  26 , 27 , and treads  30 . The beads  22  abut grooved portions of the rim to facilitate positioning and securing of the pair of tire segments  20  to the rim. The treads  30  provide traction for the segmented tire apparatus  10  on the ground. The side walls  26 , 27  operationally couple the beads  22  and the treads  30 . 
         [0032]    In a further preferred embodiment, each one of the pair of semi-circular tire segments  20  may include a pair of coupling flanges  40 . Each one of the pair of coupling flanges  40  is positioned on an associated end of the semi-circular tire segment  20 . The coupling flanges  40  each may include a plurality of apertures  42  which extend through the coupling flange  40 . Each one of the plurality of apertures  42  is aligned with an associated aperture  42  of a coupling flange  40  of the other semi-circular tire segment  20  when the semi-circular tire segments  20  are mounted on the rim. Additionally, the coupling flanges  40  are selectively secured together using a plurality of fastening means (not shown). 
         [0033]    In at least one additional embodiment, each one of the plurality of fastening means further may also include a bolt, a washer, a lock washer and a nut. The bolt may be inserted through an associated pairing of the apertures  40  through coupling flanges  40  of the first and second semi-circular tire segments  20 . The washer is positionable over a threaded portion of the bolt when the bolt is installed and the washer preferably abuts a surface of the coupling flange  40 . Similarly, the lock washer is positioned over the threaded portion of the bolt after the washer and abuts a surface of the washer. The nut threadably engages the bolt after the lock washer and selectively securing the bolt. The first and second semi-circular tire segments  20  apply a compressive force onto the rim when the coupling flanges  40  are tightly coupled. 
         [0034]    Preferably, each one of the pair of semi-circular tire segments  20  is made of a polymeric material. By way of example and not for purposes of limitation, one acceptable and preferred polymeric material is polyethylene. 
         [0035]    In at least one embodiment, each one of the semi-circular tire segments  20  is made of a polymeric material incorporating at least a portion of renewable polymers into its manufacture, such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) or “Green Polyethylene”. 
         [0036]    In a further preferred embodiment, the apparatus also includes at least one friction plate  70 , which is positioned between two tire segments  20  such that a first surface of the friction plate  70  abuts a first coupling flange  40  of a first one of the tire segments  20  and a second surface of the friction plate  70  abuts a second coupling flange  40  of a second one of the tire segments  20 . The friction plate  70  may be coupled to the rim. This helps to provide more rigid coupling of the tire  10  to the rim than the friction fit available from utilizing the coupling flanges  40  alone. 
         [0037]    The friction plate  70  may be coupled to the rim by a variety of methods including aperture/bolt pairs, rivets, welding, or other similar methods. More preferably, the friction plate  70  includes a threaded stud portion  72  which may be positioned through a valve stem hole in the rim. The threaded stud portion  72  may be welded onto the body of the friction plate  70 , a threaded insert into the body of the friction plate  70  or integrally formed into the friction plate  70 . The threaded stud portion  72  may be secured to the rim with a nut. 
         [0038]    In even still a further embodiment, each one of the pair of semi-circular tire segments  20  may include a radial tread  32 , which extends along an outer circumference. The radial tread  32  is positioned substantially along a cross-sectional centerline of the tread portion  30  of the semi-circular tire segment  20 . The radial tread  32  is particularly important when the wheel is deployed on uneven surfaces, such as a hillside, where there is a natural propensity to slide perpendicular to the direction of tire rotation. 
         [0039]    In a preferred embodiment, each one of the pair of semi-circular tire segments  20  also includes a transverse tread  34  positioned at substantially a 90 degree position of the arc formed by the semi-circular tire segment  20 . The transverse tread  34  is substantially perpendicular to the radial tread  32 . 
         [0040]    In a further embodiment, each one of the pair coupling flanges  40  for each one of the pair of semi-circular tire segments  20  also form a transverse tread positioned substantially at either a 0 or 180 degree position of the arc formed by the semi-circular tire segment  20 . When the pair of semi-circular tire segments  20  is mounted to the rim by the coupling flanges  40 s, the transverse treads formed by the coupling flanges are approximately twice as wide as the semi-transverse treads  34  positioned between 0 and 180 degrees. 
         [0041]    In even still a further embodiment, each tire segment includes a first set of semi-transverse treads and a second set of semi-transverse forming semi-transverse tread pairs with the leading edge of each one of the second set of semi-transverse treads being substantially aligned with a trailing edge of one of the first set of semi-transverse treads. Preferably, the semi-transverse tread pairs are in a spaced array with semi-transverse tread pairs being spaced every 18 degrees plus or minus 8 degrees around the circumference of the apparatus. More preferably, the semi-transverse tread pairs are spaced every 18 degrees plus or minus 3 degrees. 
         [0042]    In yet a further embodiment, each one of the semi-circular tire segments  20  has a substantially hollow integral body. The hollow integral body may be filled with a polymeric material during manufacturing, may be filed with a polymeric material in the field or may be left hollow. The polymeric material adds rigidity and stability to the tire segments  20 . Additionally, in the event that a tire segment  20  is cracked or otherwise damages causing a breach into the interior space, the polymeric material limits the amount of water, mud, dirt, and debris which can enter the interior space. It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, that a cracked tire, which is allowed to fill with water, and then freeze, will be subject to extensive damage from the expanding water as it freezes. Often this necessitates replacing the tire. The use of the polymeric material helps to eliminate this further extensive damage, even if a tire or tire segment is cracked. Examples of suitable polymeric materials include, but are not limited to closed cell spray urethane and polystyrene. 
         [0043]    Additionally, in the most preferred embodiment the integral body is substantially UV resistant. 
         [0044]    In a further preferred embodiment, the present invention includes two semi-circular tire segments. The first semi-circular tire segment includes a first coupling flange and a second coupling flange. Similarly, the second coupling flange includes a third coupling flange and a fourth coupling flange. Each of the coupling flanges have a plurality of apertures to facilitate securing each of the semicircular tire segments to each other and thereby creating a compressive force onto the rim. The plurality of apertures on the first coupling flange and the plurality of apertures on the fourth coupling flange are deployed in a first alignment pattern such that the apertures for the first coupling flange substantially align with the apertures for the fourth coupling flange. Similarly, the plurality of apertures on the second coupling flange and the plurality of apertures on the third coupling flange are deployed in a second alignment pattern such that the apertures for the second coupling flange substantially align with the apertures for the third coupling flange. The first alignment pattern is different that the second alignment pattern. Thus the tire segments may be coupled together in only one orientation. This assures that the treads are all oriented in the same way. 
         [0045]    In another embodiment, the present invention includes two semi-circular tire segments. The first semi-circular tire segment includes a first coupling flange and a second coupling flange. Similarly, the second semi-circular tire segment includes a third coupling flange and a fourth coupling flange. The first coupling flange includes a plurality of alignment studs extending outwardly from a mating surface of the first coupling flange. The second coupling flange includes a plurality of alignment cavities extending inwardly from a mating surface of the second coupling flange. Similarly the third coupling flange includes a plurality of alignment studs extending outwardly from a mating surface of the third coupling flange; and the fourth coupling flange includes a plurality of alignment cavities extending inwardly from a mating surface of the second coupling flange. When properly positioned, the alignment studs of the first coupling flange are substantially aligned with the alignment cavities of the fourth coupling flange and the alignment studs of the third coupling flange are substantially aligned with the alignment cavities of the second coupling flange. Thus the tire segments may be coupled together in only one orientation. This assures that the treads are all oriented in the same way. 
         [0046]    With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0047]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.