Abstract:
An interlocking, compressible spoke wheel system having a ring of paired spokes. The locking of left and right spokes into pairs provides improved tire displacement under loads. The left and right half wheels formed by sets of left spokes and right spokes. enable a novel mounting system for the wheel rim or tire to attach to the spoke system.

Description:
CONTINUATION DATA 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/074,394 titled “Interlocking Compressible, Paired Spoke Wheel System”, filed on Mar. 29, 2011, whose inventor was Drew J. Dutton, which claims benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/318,816 titled “Interlocking Compressible, Paired Spoke Wheel System”, filed on Mar. 30, 2010, whose inventor was Drew J. Dutton, and which are both hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as though fully and completely set forth herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to vehicle wheel and tire technology and, more particularly, to improved wheel and tire systems for non-pneumatic tires and pneumatic, low profile tires. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Most vehicles utilize wheels and tires to control the motion of the vehicle and absorb and transmit the forces associated with the vehicle&#39;s mobility. The typical wheel and tire system comprises a solid circular structure, the wheel, mounted to an axle of the vehicle. A tire, typically made of rubber, is mounted on the wheel structure at the point called the rim of the wheel. The tire is generally held in place on the wheel by a combination of the tire&#39;s inner structural support members, comprising partly of the tire bead and cord, and air pressure. Sufficient air pressure is required to maintain the proper shape of the tire and maintain sufficient friction between the tire and the rim to prevent separation of the two. The loss of air can lead to catastrophic failure of the wheel and tire structure, resulting in injury and property damage. 
         [0006]    Several attempts have been made to reduce or eliminate this risk associated with air filled, or pneumatic tires. Several alternative solutions exist. The most common, partial solution is provided by what are called Run-Flat Tires. These tires provide additional structural elements within the tire to prevent catastrophic failure in the event of loss of air pressure. Currently, these have limitations such as speed and distance traveled after the event of air loss. Some companies have developed non-pneumatic tire and wheel combinations that utilize flexible structures such as plastic honeycomb shapes to replace the compliance, or ride softening provided by pneumatic tires. However, these solutions have several disadvantages in certain applications. The tire component of this solution is typically bonded to the compressible portion of the system. This limits the ability to replace worn tire tread as easily as it is with today&#39;s wheel and pneumatic tire structure. In addition, the dynamic compression of these solutions may not support the desired handling response and low rolling resistance. Lastly, few of these designs have shown significant weight savings, a key factor in reducing fuel and other operating costs of a vehicle. Lastly, the class of Large Load Hauling Trucks such as the Caterpillar 797 must have minimal down time and eliminating the risk of down time due to flat tires has significant value for industry. 
         [0007]    To proliferate the use of non-pneumatic tires, a solution is required that meets or exceeds current wheel and tire performance and weight characteristics without significant additional costs. In addition, current high performance wheel and tire combinations provide performance at the cost of ride comfort. The ideal solution would also improve handling performance while improving ride comfort. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    Various embodiments of an interlocking and compressible spoke pair based wheel and tire solution are presented here. In one embodiment, the spoke system provides support for a non-pneumatic tire. This tire provides a mating structure to the paired spoke system. In a second embodiment, the paired spoke system provides support for a more standard wheel rim solution. This wheel rim provides a mating structure for the spoke system. In both example embodiments, the spoke system includes a configuration to mate pairs of spokes to each other and a central hub mounting structure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a side diagram of one embodiment of a pair of curved, compressible radial spokes ( 100  and  110 ) which include a bottom, lateral plate ( 120  and  130 ) and locking slot ( 140  and  150 ); 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side diagram of one embodiment of a pair of curved, compressible radial spokes ( 100  and  110 ) which shows the alignment of the bottom, lateral plates ( 120  and  130 ) and locking slots ( 140  and  150 ) to lock the two spokes into a pair; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side diagrams of one embodiment of a locked pair of curved, compressible radial spokes ( 100  and  110 ) which include a bottom, lateral plates ( 120  and  130 ) and locking slots ( 140  and  150 ) mounted into slots ( 240  and  250 ) of center set of circular hub plates ( 200  and  210 ); 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a front facing diagram of one embodiment of a pair of curved, compressible radial spokes ( 100  and  110 ) which are mounted to a center set of hub plates ( 200  and  210 ) with standard wheel mounting holes ( 220 ) showing an optional alignment screw ( 230 ); 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a diagram of one embodiment of a left and right half wheel assembly separated in the axial direction. Each half contains evenly spaced curved, compressible radial spokes which mate or lock with its pair on the alternate half; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a diagram of one embodiment of a wheel formed by left and right half wheels constructed of locked pairs of curved, compressible radial spokes; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 7   a ,  7   b  and  7   c  are three diagrams of one embodiment of a tire ( 300 ) with wheel attachment structure ( 310 ).  FIG. 7   c  is a close-up view of the portion of  FIG. 6   b  showing the retention slot ( 320 ) where the spoke lateral plates ( 120  and  130 ) mount; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  show one embodiment of a complete wheel and tire assembly.  FIG. 8   b  shows a close-up, cut away view of the spoke locking structures on the bottom plate of the spokes inserted into the mating tire retention slots ( 320 ); 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a front facing diagram of one embodiment of a wheel configuration that show the required gap necessary to allow radial compression. The gap may only be present over the compressible section of the spokes; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  shows a diagram of an alternative embodiment utilizing locked pairs of curved, compressible radial spokes mounted on a central wheel structure containing a rim ( 600 ) and spoke retention slots ( 610 ) and spoke retention rings ( 510  and  520 ). A single spoke pair is visible to highlight the paired nature; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  shows an exploded diagram of an alternative embodiment of a non-pneumatic tire utilizing locked pairs of curved, compressible radial spokes mounted on a central wheel structure containing a rim ( 600 ) and spoke retention slots ( 610 ) and spoke retention rings ( 510  and  520 ). The diagram also depicts a pair of Tire Retention Rings with Debris Shield ( 520  and  530 ); 
           [0020]      FIG. 12   a  shows the non-exploded view of the embodiment in  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12   b  shows a cross sectional view of  FIG. 12   a  to show the parts fit together; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 13   a  and  13   b  are two front facing diagrams (solid and wire, respectively) of an alternate embodiment of wheel and tire configuration which includes supporting rim structure ( 400 ) containing lateral plate retention structure ( 410 ); and 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  shows the close-up cut away view of the wheel and low profile pneumatic tire ( 700 ) in  FIG. 12   a  which shows the spoke lateral plate retention structure on the rim ( 410 ), instead of the tire as in  FIG. 8   b . The diagram also shows the spoke lateral plates within in the rim retention slot ( 440 ). 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  shows a spoke constructed as a single piece, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0024]    While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. It is noted that the word “may” is used throughout this application in a permissive sense (i.e., having the potential to, being able to), not a mandatory sense (i.e., must). 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    Embodiments of the invention relate to a tire apparatus as described herein.  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  illustrate a single pair of compressible radial spokes ( 100  and  110 ) that can be locked together in the radial direction by mating interlocking members. As illustrated, the lateral plate ( 120  and  130 ) may be mated with the locking slot ( 140  and  150 ) on the alternate spoke.  FIG. 3  shows this pair of spokes mated and mounted into a pair of hub plates ( 200  and  210 ).  FIG. 4  shows the same structure in a frontal view. The compressible spokes provide a replacement or partial replacement for the air in pneumatic tires. One embodiment of the invention uses interlocking pairs. This structure provides the ability for the left compressible spoke and the right compressible spoke to provide better control of the tire displacement than single compressible spokes by creating a locking lateral plate structure ( FIG. 2 :  120 ,  130 ,  140  and  150 ). In addition, the tire members, e.g., the lateral plates ( 120  and  130 ), can in one embodiment, provide a mounting mechanism to the tire or rim structure shown in detail in  FIG. 8   b ,  FIG. 12   b  and  FIG. 14 . 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the right and left spokes each comprise a hub member, illustrated as a radial retention tab ( 180  and  190 ), to improve retention of the spoke in half hub plates ( 200  and  210 ). In  FIG. 1 , each spoke also may contain at least one spring, e.g., curved or other shaped segments or compressible sections ( 160  and  170 ) which provide the specific compression characteristics required for a specific embodiment of this invention. In certain embodiments, the spoke may contain multiple, or a plurality of springs, which provide the specific compression characteristics required for a specific embodiment of this invention. The shape may or may not be similar from left to right members in a spoke pair. Further, each spoke includes a tire member, illustrated as a lateral plate ( 120  and  130 ) and a pairing member, illustrated as a plate locking slot ( 140  and  150 ). Once the Right Lateral Plate ( 120 ) slides into the Left Plate Locking Slot ( 150 ) and the Left Lateral Plate ( 130 ) slides into the Right Plate Locking Slot ( 120 ), the spoke pair static and dynamic displacement are fixed together at the area of the tire or rim mounting structure (described in more detail later). 
         [0027]    In  FIG. 5 , the left and right half wheel structures are shown. The left half wheel is constructed of multiple left spokes ( 110 ) spaced apart and mounted onto the left hub plate ( 210 ) in the radial direction. The right half wheel is constructed of multiple right spokes ( 100 ) spaced apart and mounted onto the right hub plate ( 200 ) in the radial direction. The spacing of the spokes may or may not be equal to avoid resonant noise generation. Again retention tabs ( 180  and  190 ) may be present. The outer ring of each half wheel comprises the spoke lateral plates (Left  130  and Right  120 , respectively). The resulting structure fits together somewhat like the fingers of left and right hands. 
         [0028]    By sliding the left and right halves of the wheel structure together as shown in  FIG. 6 , a more recognizable wheel structure is formed. This wheel contains locked pairs of compressible radial spokes. For these spokes to be compressible in the radial direction, gaps are preferably provided between the spokes over the radial section that is permitted to compress.  FIG. 9  shows a spoke gap ( 105 ) extending from the outermost radial portion of the wheel structure inward toward the center of rotation. This gap size and length can be adjusted to limit and manage the compression of the wheel structure. 
         [0029]      FIG. 7   a ,  FIG. 7   b  and  FIG. 7   c  illustrate one embodiment of a mating non-pneumatic tire which comprises an outer tire tread area ( 340 ) and an inner wheel attachment structure ( 310 ). The wheel attachment structure comprises multiple spoke lateral plate retention slots ( 320 ). In addition, the tire structure may contain an outer set of left and right side rings ( 330 ) to protect the spokes. These rings may also contribute to lateral tire to wheel retention as well as spreading lateral forces among multiple spoke pairs. This retention ring may be integrated into the tire or debris shield or be a separate structure. 
         [0030]      FIG. 8   a  shows the complete wheel and non-pneumatic tire assembly. This is formed by sliding the left half wheel show in  FIG. 5   a  into the tire attachment structure. In the embodiment shown, this comprises sliding each of the left spoke lateral plates ( 130 ) into the spoke lateral plate tire retention slots ( 320 ). Additionally, the right half wheel has its right spoke lateral plates ( 120 ) slid or pressed into the tire retention slots ( 320 ). Once this process is complete, the outer structure of the wheel, including the lateral plates ( 120  and  130 ) are fit into the mating structures of the tire, including the tire&#39;s plate retention slot ( 320 ) show in  FIG. 8   b  and the spoke protection rings ( 330 ). 
         [0031]      FIG. 9  shows a close up of the gap that may be necessary to allow radial compressible spokes to move inward toward the center of the wheel structure. 
         [0032]      FIG. 10  shows an alternative embodiment of a non-pneumatic tire and wheel system showing only two of the spokes (one pair) mounted on a more conventional center wheel structure. This diagram is meant to highlight the paired nature of the spokes as well as to highlight one embodiment of the slot or tab structure used to mount the spoke to the center wheel structure. 
         [0033]      FIG. 11  shows an exploded view of this alternate embodiment of a non-pneumatic tire and wheel system. In this embodiment, rather than the radial compressible spokes mounting to a hub plate, they mount to a slot retention system ( 610 ) located on a wheel rim ( 600 ). Similarly to the embodiment presented above, this embodiment utilizes locked pairs of spokes that are inserted into the tire retention slot ( 320 ). In this embodiment, a pair of tire retention rings ( 520  and  530 ) may be implemented to provide clearance for spoke insertion prior to inserting these rings into the tire structure. This ring may be integrated with a debris shield as shown in this diagram. In addition, a left rim retention ring ( 510 ) holds the spokes into the retention slots ( 610 ) of the center wheel rim ( 600 ) from the left side. A complimentary structure, the right rim retention ring ( 500 ) mounts to the center wheel rim ( 600 ) on the right side and retains the right spoke set into the wheel rim ( 600 ) and retention slots ( 610 ). 
         [0034]      FIGS. 12   a  and  12   b  show the same alternate embodiment as in  FIG. 11 , but not exploded.  FIG. 12   a  shows the side view showing the standard looking wheel with the addition of the right rim retention ring ( 500 ) and bolts ( 540 ).  FIG. 12   b  shows the same parts as in  FIG. 11 , but in a cross sectional view of the non-pneumatic wheel and tire structure. 
         [0035]      FIG. 13   a ,  FIG. 13   b  and  FIG. 14  illustrate an alternate embodiment.  FIG. 13   a  and  FIG. 13   b  show a system including a wheel rim ( 400 ) which mates to the spoke pair system using a similar retention mechanism ( 410 ) to the non-pneumatic tire. This embodiment enables the use of either standard pneumatic tires or any tire specifically designed to mount on a mating rim structure. By use of a wheel rim ( 400 ) structure, the requirement for the spoke pairs to be narrow and fill the entire ring of the wheel structure is reduced or eliminated. This embodiment retains the advantages described above of paired spokes which lock together to improve their compressibility characteristics. In addition, this system may make use of the same lateral plate system which retains the rim (in the previous example, tire) through the use of rim retention slots ( 440 ) shown in close up form in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0036]    The wheel and rim configuration can provide improved ride quality with the use of low-profile tires or it can provide additional compressibility for harsh wheel and tire environments like off-road vehicles encounter. 
         [0037]      FIG. 15  shows a spoke constructed as a single piece, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         [0038]    Although the embodiments above have been described in considerable detail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.