Patent Description:
Non-pneumatic tires can be made of a series of spokes attached to a hub on one end and a shear beam on the other. The tread of the tire is located on the outer surface of the shear band. The plurality of spokes can be V shaped with two legs, two feet, and a nose located generally in the middle. One of the feet is attached to the inner surface of the shear band, and the other is attached to the outer radial surface of the hub. Any number of spokes can be provided around the circumference of the non-pneumatic tire and they will flex as they experience forces generated during rotation and driving. Through the application of force, the spokes may experience cracking which may require replacement or repair of the spoke.

During construction of the foot of the spoke, a tool radius was required at the heel portion of the foot which was at the foot to shear beam junction. This radius provided an opportunity for failure at this location of the spoke. The shape of the heel portion also caused an excessive amount of adhesive to flow along the heel portion of the foot in the radial direction. The excessive adhesive at this location caused a stress concentration that allowed for early failure of the spoke.

A spoke for a non-pneumatic tire is known from <CIT>.

The use of identical or similar reference numerals in different figures denotes identical or similar features.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield still a third embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations.

The present invention provides for a spoke <NUM> of a non-pneumatic tire <NUM> that includes a reinforcement layer <NUM> provided to strengthen an attachment area of the spoke <NUM> to improve its fatigue life. The reinforcement layer <NUM> can be located on a concave surface <NUM> and an adhesion deflector <NUM> of a foot <NUM> of the spoke <NUM>. The reinforcement layer <NUM> may extend along some, but not all, of a leg or panel <NUM> of the spoke <NUM>. The placement of the reinforcement layer <NUM> at this location of the spoke <NUM> reinforces the area of failure that may occur through fatigue of the spoke <NUM> to extend the life of the spoke <NUM> in normal operations. The location of the reinforcement layer <NUM> in the spoke <NUM> does not significantly impact rolling resistance, and reinforces the heel area of the foot <NUM> that may be the first portion of the spoke <NUM> to experience cracking after exceeding the expected life of the spoke <NUM> during use.

<FIG> shows a non-pneumatic tire <NUM>. The non-pneumatic tire <NUM> has an axis <NUM> at its center about which it rotates, and a radial direction <NUM> extends from the axis <NUM>. Tread <NUM> is located on the outer exterior of a shear band <NUM> and extends all the way around the non-pneumatic tire <NUM> in the circumferential direction <NUM>. The shear band <NUM> is located inward in the radial direction <NUM> from the tread <NUM> and likewise extends <NUM> degrees around the axis <NUM> in the circumferential direction <NUM>. A series of spokes <NUM> engage the shear band <NUM> and extend inward in the radial direction <NUM> from the shear band <NUM> to a hub <NUM> of the non-pneumatic tire <NUM>. The spokes <NUM> can be adhered to the hub <NUM> by adhesives, such as glue, in order to attach the spokes <NUM> to the hub <NUM>. Any number of spokes <NUM> can be present, and their cross-sectional shape can be different from that shown. In some instances, between <NUM>-<NUM> spokes <NUM> are present in the non-pneumatic tire <NUM>. In some instances, <NUM> spokes <NUM> are present in the non-pneumatic tire <NUM>. The hub <NUM> is located inward from the spokes <NUM> in the radial direction <NUM> and can be mounted onto a wheel of the vehicle. The spokes <NUM> at the top of the non-pneumatic tire <NUM> are in tension, and the spokes <NUM> at the bottom are in compression as the non-pneumatic tire <NUM> rests on the ground and as the non-pneumatic tire <NUM> turns in normal operation of the vehicle.

One embodiment of the spoke <NUM> is shown in <FIG> which is a side view of one of the spokes <NUM> and portions of the hub <NUM> and shear band <NUM>. The spoke <NUM> is made of multiple components attached to one another, and these components can be made of rubber and other materials. The spoke <NUM> assumes a V-shaped configuration and extends all the way from the hub <NUM> to the shear band <NUM> in the radial direction <NUM>. The spoke <NUM> includes a pair of legs, which are referred to herein as a first panel <NUM> and a second panel <NUM>. The panels <NUM> and <NUM> may engage or not engage one another, and in some embodiments the panels <NUM> and <NUM> may be a single continuous piece in which different sections of this continuous piece are designated as a first panel <NUM> and second panel <NUM>, or can be separate pieces as in <FIG>. First and second feet <NUM>, <NUM> are at the ends of the panels <NUM>, <NUM>. A nose <NUM> is located at the central body of the spoke <NUM> and has a generally triangular shaped cross-section. The spoke <NUM> can be assembled by taking uncured, multiple components and assembling them together and then subsequently curing them through heat and pressure so that the components are attached to one another. Each one of these components can include different materials or can have the same materials in different amounts or in the same amount. Rubber, fiberglass, urethane, polyurethane and other materials may be present in the components used to assemble the spoke <NUM>.

The components of the spoke <NUM> include a first panel <NUM> and a second panel <NUM> that make up the legs of the spoke <NUM>. The first panel <NUM> has the first foot <NUM> located on one end that engages the first panel <NUM> and extends farther in the radial direction <NUM> than the terminal end of the first panel <NUM>. The second panel <NUM> has a second foot <NUM> on one end that engages the second panel <NUM> and extends farther inward in the radial direction <NUM> than the terminal end of the second panel <NUM>. The nose <NUM> is present on one side of the spoke <NUM> in the circumferential direction <NUM> and engages the first and second panels <NUM>, <NUM>. To reinforce the spoke <NUM> at its center section, an extended nose reinforcement <NUM> is provided and engages both the first and second panels <NUM>, <NUM>. The extended nose reinforcement <NUM> is on opposite sides of the panels <NUM>, <NUM> in the circumferential direction <NUM> from the nose <NUM>. The extended nose reinforcement <NUM> engages the body <NUM> as well as the panels <NUM>, <NUM>, but in other embodiments the extended nose reinforcement <NUM> does not engage the body <NUM>. The extended nose reinforcement <NUM> extends along some of the length of panels <NUM>, <NUM> but ends short of engaging the feet <NUM>, <NUM>. The extended nose reinforcement <NUM> need not be present in other embodiments, but if present functions to increase the strength of the spoke <NUM> near the nose <NUM>. It is to be understood that the shape and size of the spoke <NUM> can be varied in accordance with different exemplary embodiments, and that a variety of spoke <NUM> configurations are possible.

The first foot <NUM> can be variously shaped in accordance with different exemplary embodiments. In the embodiment presented in <FIG>, the first foot <NUM> has an adhesive surface <NUM> that engages the inner radial surface of the shear band <NUM> and may be attached thereto though the use of adhesive <NUM>. A first foot first concave surface <NUM> is present on a leading terminal end <NUM> of the first foot <NUM>. The first foot first concave surface <NUM> may extend all the way to the first panel <NUM> or could stop short of the surface of the first foot <NUM> that engages the first panel <NUM>. The shape of the surface <NUM> may provide strength and endurance to the foot <NUM> at this area. The leading terminal end <NUM> also features an adhesion deflector <NUM> from which the first foot first concave surface <NUM> may extend. Alternate embodiments exist in which the adhesion deflector <NUM> is spaced from the first foot first concave surface <NUM> such that the first foot first concave surface <NUM> does not extend from the adhesion deflector <NUM> but instead other features of the foot <NUM> are between the first foot first concave surface <NUM> and the adhesion deflector <NUM>.

The adhesive <NUM> in addition to being on the adhesive surface <NUM> also engages the adhesion deflector <NUM> to cause the adhesion deflector <NUM> to likewise be attached to the shear band <NUM>. The first foot <NUM> can be arranged so that the adhesion deflector <NUM> is integrally formed with the rest of the first foot <NUM> and is not a separate piece. As such, the adhesive surface <NUM> and the surface of the adhesive deflector <NUM> that engages the shear band <NUM> can form a single uninterrupted surface. The adhesion deflector <NUM> eliminates the presence of a tool radius that would otherwise be present at the terminal end <NUM> at this location and relocates the excess adhesive <NUM> away in the circumferential direction <NUM> from a high stress zone. During assembly, adhesive <NUM> that is used to attach the first foot <NUM> to the shear band <NUM> can be squeezed out from between these elements to show the two beads illustrated in <FIG>.

The adhesive deflector <NUM> extends the surface of the first foot <NUM> that engages the shear band <NUM>, and the presence of the adhesive deflector <NUM> eliminates the tool radius that would otherwise be present at the heel area of the foot <NUM>. Elimination of the tool radius eliminates adhesive from being located along the face of the heel and forming a stress concentration that can cause cracking. The extent of the adhesive deflector <NUM> in the circumferential direction <NUM> moves the bead of the adhesive <NUM> beyond the high stress region to prevent cracking as previously discussed.

The first foot <NUM> has the leading terminal end <NUM> and an oppositely disposed tailing terminal end <NUM> in the circumferential direction <NUM>. A first foot second concave surface <NUM> is located at the tailing terminal end <NUM> and can extend from the first panel <NUM> or may be spaced from the first panel <NUM>. The first foot second concave surface <NUM> is spaced from the shear band <NUM> as shown in <FIG> in which a convex surface of the tailing terminal end <NUM> engages the shear band <NUM>. The radius of curvature of the first foot second concave surface <NUM> can be different than the radius of curvature of the first foot first concave surface <NUM>. The two concave surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> may extend different lengths in the radial direction <NUM> such that the first foot first concave surface <NUM> extends a shorter length in the radial direction <NUM> than does the first foot second concave surface <NUM>. The adhesive <NUM> does not contact the first foot second concave surface <NUM>. The first foot <NUM> engages the first panel <NUM> along an engagement surface that extends from the leading terminal end <NUM> to the tailing terminal end <NUM>. Additionally, the adhesive surface <NUM> and the adhesion deflector <NUM> extend from the leading terminal end <NUM> to the tailing terminal end <NUM>.

As previously discussed, the incorporation of the adhesive deflector <NUM> moves the adhesive <NUM> away from the high stress zone to prevent cracking. However, upon being moved away the new weak point in the foot <NUM> is the rubber making up the foot <NUM>, and in particular the rubber at the first foot first concave surface <NUM>. With the presence of the adhesive deflector <NUM>, the first foot <NUM> will experience cracking first at the first foot first concave surface <NUM>. As such, there should be provided a way to strengthen this area of the first foot <NUM> to prevent, minimize, or delay this cracking.

In order to strengthen the first foot <NUM> at the leading terminal end <NUM>, and in particular at the first foot first concave surface <NUM>, a first reinforcement layer <NUM> is incorporated into the spoke <NUM>. The first reinforcement layer <NUM> engages the adhesion deflector <NUM>, the first foot first concave surface <NUM>, and the first panel <NUM>. The first reinforcement layer <NUM> stops short of the nose <NUM> and is free from engagement with the nose <NUM>, the second panel <NUM>, and the second foot <NUM>. Further, as positioned in the spoke <NUM>, the first reinforcement layer <NUM> is free from engagement with the adhesive <NUM> and is also free from engagement with the shear band <NUM>. The first reinforcement layer <NUM> does not extend to the adhesive surface <NUM> or to the surface of the adhesive deflector <NUM> that engages the shear band <NUM>. The first reinforcement layer <NUM> can engage and cover the majority of the leading terminal end <NUM> and does not engage or cover any portion of the tailing terminal end <NUM>. The first reinforcement layer <NUM> strengthens the first foot <NUM> and reduces cracking at the locations it covers and extends the working life of the spoke <NUM>. In other embodiments, the first reinforcement layer <NUM> extends around the adhesive deflector <NUM> tip so that it is located between the adhesive deflector <NUM> and the shear band <NUM>. In this configuration the first reinforcement layer <NUM> may engage the adhesive surface <NUM> and the shear band <NUM>, and the first reinforcement layer <NUM> can extend along some of the length of the adhesive surface <NUM> but not along the entire adhesive surface <NUM>.

The second foot <NUM> can be arranged in the same manner as the first foot <NUM> or can be arranged in a different shape in other embodiments. In the <FIG> embodiment, the second foot <NUM> is shaped generally in the same manner as the first foot <NUM>. The second foot <NUM> has an adhesive surface <NUM> that is concave in shape, as opposed to the convex shaped adhesive surface <NUM>, that engages the convex shaped outer radial end of the hub <NUM>. Adhesive <NUM> can be used to attach the adhesive surface <NUM> to the hub <NUM>. A leading terminal end <NUM> of the second foot <NUM> faces the same way in the circumferential direction <NUM> as does the leading terminal end <NUM>. The leading terminal end <NUM> includes a second foot first concave surface <NUM> and a second adhesion deflector <NUM>. The second adhesion deflector <NUM> again functions to space the adhesive <NUM> from a high stress area of the second foot <NUM>, and the adhesive <NUM> can secure both the adhesive surface <NUM> and the bottom of the second adhesion deflector <NUM> to the hub <NUM>.

The second foot first concave surface <NUM> can extend from the second adhesion deflector <NUM> and can terminate at the end of the leading terminal end <NUM> or may be spaced from the end of the leading terminal end <NUM>. The size, arrangement, and features of the leading terminal end <NUM> can be the same as those of the leading terminal end <NUM>. The second foot <NUM> has a tailing terminal end <NUM> located opposite to the leading terminal end <NUM> in the circumferential direction <NUM> and that faces the same way in the circumferential direction <NUM> as does the tailing terminal end <NUM>. A second foot second concave surface <NUM> is located at the tailing terminal end <NUM> and may extend all the way to and engage the second panel <NUM> or could stop short of and not engage the second panel <NUM>. The radius of curvature of the second foot second concave surface <NUM> can be different than the radius of curvature of the second foot first concave surface <NUM>. The second foot second concave surface <NUM> may extend all the way to the hub <NUM> or may stop short of the hub <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The two concave surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> may extend different lengths in the radial direction <NUM> such that the second foot first concave surface <NUM> extends a shorter length in the radial direction <NUM> than does the second foot second concave surface <NUM>. There is no reinforcement layer present at the leading terminal end <NUM> or at the second panel <NUM>. In other embodiments, this situation can be reversed in which there is a reinforcement layer <NUM> at the second foot <NUM> at the hub <NUM>, but no reinforcement layer <NUM> at the first foot <NUM> that engages the shear band <NUM>.

The spoke <NUM> will become deformed during normal operation of the tire <NUM> but can maintain a generally V shape at all points in operation. In this regard, the panels <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged in a generally V shape with the feet <NUM>, <NUM> at either ends. In use, the spoke <NUM> will deform so that the panels <NUM>, <NUM> move closer to and farther from one another at the tire <NUM> rotates and the spoke <NUM> is moved between tension and compression. The adhesives <NUM>, <NUM> maintain the feet <NUM>, <NUM> in engagement with the hub <NUM> and shear band <NUM>. The reinforcement layer <NUM> strengthens the first foot <NUM> during the life of the spoke <NUM> so that cracking at the leading terminal end <NUM> is reduced or eliminated, or is delayed so that the spoke <NUM> will be in use for a longer amount of time without experiencing this wear that would otherwise be the case in which the reinforcement layer <NUM> is absent.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken through the tread <NUM>, shear band <NUM> and hub <NUM>, and showing the front view of the spoke <NUM>. The tread <NUM> can be made of various materials and lays on top of the shear band <NUM> in the radial direction <NUM>. The tread <NUM> can include any architecture such as grooves, sipes, blocks, or ribs. The shear band <NUM> has a series of reinforcements that extend the entire length of the shear band <NUM> in the circumferential direction <NUM> and may also include other material such as rubber that encases these reinforcements. The hub <NUM> may be made of metal or other materials. The spoke <NUM> and all of the variously described features of the spoke <NUM> can extend in the axial direction <NUM> the same amount as the extension of the shear band <NUM>, tread <NUM>, and hub <NUM> in the axial direction <NUM>. When the spoke <NUM> is attached via the adhesives <NUM>, <NUM>, some of the adhesives <NUM>, <NUM> can be pushed outboards in the axial direction <NUM> so that the adhesives <NUM>, <NUM> are in fact farther outboard in the axial direction <NUM> than the shear band <NUM>, tread <NUM> or hub <NUM>. As such, it is to be understood that the reinforcement layer <NUM> extends the same distance in the axial direction <NUM> as do the panels <NUM>, <NUM>, the feet <NUM>, <NUM>, the first foot first concave surface <NUM>, the adhesive deflector <NUM>, and the nose <NUM>.

<FIG> is a front view of the reinforcement layer <NUM> before it is incorporated into the spoke <NUM>. The reinforcement layer <NUM> could be made of one material or different materials in accordance with different embodiments. In the embodiment shown, the reinforcement layer <NUM> is made of rubber with cords <NUM>, <NUM> of nylon or polyester embedded within this rubber. The cords <NUM>, <NUM> may engage one another or can be spaced from one another. The cords <NUM>, <NUM> may be embedded within rubber of the reinforcement layer <NUM>, so that none of the cords <NUM>, <NUM> are present on the exterior surface of the rubber making up the reinforcement layer <NUM>. The rubber of the reinforcement layer <NUM> may make up all of the exterior surfaces of the reinforcement layer <NUM>, and the cords <NUM>, <NUM> are shown in dashed lines and are not visible from the outside of the reinforcement layer <NUM>. The cords <NUM>, <NUM> can be made of nylon or polyester such that all of the cords <NUM>, <NUM> are made of the same material, or so that some of the cords <NUM>, <NUM> are made of nylon while the remaining cords <NUM> are made of polyester. For example, all of the cords <NUM> may be made of nylon, while all of the cords <NUM> are made of polyester. The cords <NUM>, <NUM> function to strengthen the reinforcement layer <NUM> and may be present in any number in other embodiments and may be absent in yet other embodiments of the spoke <NUM>. The reinforcement layer <NUM> may thus be a textile product in some embodiments.

The cords <NUM> are distinguished from the cords <NUM> in that the cords <NUM> are set at a different angle to cords <NUM>. In this regard, all of the cords <NUM> are parallel to one another and are spaced from one another and out engagement with one another, and all of the cords <NUM> are parallel to one another and are spaced from and free from engagement with one another. A radial direction <NUM> is noted in <FIG> and this radial direction <NUM> would correspond to the radial direction <NUM> as shown for instance in <FIG> such that the top edge of the reinforcement layer <NUM> in <FIG> would be proximate the shear band <NUM>, and the bottom edge of the reinforcement layer <NUM> in <FIG> would be at the first panel <NUM>. The axial direction <NUM> is a horizontal line in <FIG> and corresponds to the axial direction <NUM> of the tire <NUM> in that the reinforcement layer <NUM> would be positioned into the tire <NUM> so that the axial direction <NUM> illustrated would overlay the axial direction <NUM> as in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, using the radial direction <NUM> as a starting point, the first set of cords <NUM> are oriented at an angle <NUM> to the radial direction <NUM> that is positive <NUM> degrees, which is a clockwise rotation of the cord <NUM> from the vertical radial direction <NUM>. It is also known in trigonometry to measure an angle from the X axis, and in this regard a second angle <NUM> is noted in <FIG> which is again a positive <NUM> degrees with the cord <NUM> rotated counterclockwise from the X axis/axial direction <NUM>. All of the cords <NUM> can have the same angle <NUM>.

The cord <NUM> is oriented at an angle <NUM> to the radial direction <NUM> which is shown as being rotated from the radial direction <NUM> in the counterclockwise direction <NUM> degrees. Since the angle <NUM> is counterclockwise from the radial direction <NUM> it is designated as a negative angle so that the angle <NUM> is negative <NUM> degrees. Another angle <NUM> is also shown with respect to the same cord <NUM>, but this additional angle <NUM> is measured from the horizontal line that is the axial direction <NUM> and is rotated clockwise from the horizontal line/axial direction <NUM> and is designated as a negative angle that is a negative <NUM> degrees. All of the cords <NUM> can have an angle <NUM> that is negative <NUM> degrees.

The resulting structure of cords <NUM>, <NUM> with their respective angles <NUM>, <NUM> result in a structure in which the first set of cords <NUM> and second set of cords <NUM> are oriented at an angle of <NUM> degrees to one another. The cords <NUM>, <NUM> cross over one another and may engage one another at these crossing points, or the cords <NUM>, <NUM> could be completely out of engagement with one another. When not in engagement, the cords <NUM> could be at one location in the thickness direction in the reinforcement layer <NUM>, and the cords <NUM> at a different location in the thickness direction in the reinforcement layer <NUM>. The thickness direction of the reinforcement layer <NUM> may correspond to the circumferential direction <NUM> of the tire <NUM> when the reinforcement layer <NUM> is placed into the tire <NUM>. As the angle <NUM> is positive <NUM> degrees, and the angle <NUM> is negative <NUM> degrees the addition of the two angles <NUM>, <NUM> results in a <NUM> degree difference between the two. By having cords <NUM>, <NUM> oriented at an angle relative to one another, the strength of the reinforcement layer <NUM> is increased, and this increase in strength could be in compression and/or tension. Although shown and described as being oriented at positive and negative <NUM> degrees, the angles <NUM>, <NUM> could have different magnitudes in other embodiments. For example, the angles <NUM>, <NUM> could be <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, from <NUM>-<NUM>, from <NUM>-<NUM>, from <NUM>-<NUM>, or up to <NUM> degrees in accordance with various embodiments in which one of the angles <NUM> is positive in direction and the other angle <NUM> is negative in direction. Also, alternative embodiments exist in which the angles <NUM> and <NUM> are zero degrees so that all of the cords <NUM>, <NUM> are parallel to the radial direction. Although shown as having cords <NUM>, <NUM> it is to be understood that the reinforcement layer <NUM> need not have cords <NUM>, <NUM> in other embodiments.

<FIG> is a view taken along line <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG> which shows the reinforcement layer <NUM> of <FIG> placed into the spoke12. Due to the curvatures of the first foot first concave surface <NUM> and the terminal end <NUM> of the first foot <NUM>, the reinforcement layer <NUM> will likewise be curved in the circumferential direction <NUM>. Because of this curvature, the angles <NUM>, <NUM> will not be positive and negative <NUM> degrees to the radial direction <NUM> at all locations of the placed reinforcement layer <NUM>. Instead, the angles <NUM>, <NUM> could have different magnitudes, but the same magnitudes and different directions to one another at the same location in the radial direction <NUM>. This will be true with respect to the reinforcement layer <NUM> located on the first foot first concave surface <NUM>. The portion of the reinforcement layer <NUM> located on the first panel <NUM> will include angles <NUM>, <NUM> that are +/- <NUM> degrees as shown previously in <FIG> in which the cords <NUM>, <NUM> because the cords <NUM>, <NUM> are not distorted via circumferential curvature at the first panel <NUM>. As such, the angles <NUM>, <NUM> can be oriented differently at different locations of the reinforcement layer <NUM> depending upon the location in the radial direction <NUM>. As used in the claims, when the angles <NUM>, <NUM> are described as having a particular magnitude or direction, this can be measured with respect to the reinforcement layer <NUM> as removed from the spoke <NUM> and placed flat as shown in <FIG>, or can be measured with respect to the portion of the reinforcement layer <NUM> that is located on the panel <NUM>. The use of cords <NUM>, <NUM> that have angles of <NUM>, <NUM> that are +<NUM> degrees and -<NUM> degrees within the rubber of the reinforced layer <NUM> enables the foot <NUM> to endure the compressive strains experienced in this part of the tire <NUM> while also reinforcing the foot <NUM> when it is under tension. In this manner, the reinforcement layer <NUM> prevents, minimizes, or delays cracking of the first foot first concave surface <NUM> and potentially other portions of the first foot <NUM>.

<FIG> is an alternate embodiment of the spoke <NUM> similar to that disclosed in <FIG>. However, the extended nose reinforcement <NUM> is longer than that in <FIG> and extends along the panels <NUM>, <NUM> all the way to the feet <NUM>, <NUM> and engages the feet <NUM>, <NUM>. However, the extended nose reinforcement <NUM> does not extend completely along the entire panels <NUM>, <NUM> such that the first foot <NUM> engages both the first panel <NUM> and the extended nose reinforcement <NUM>, and so that the second foot <NUM> engages both the second panel <NUM> and the extended nose reinforcement <NUM>. Placement of the extended nose reinforcement <NUM> to a position onto the feet <NUM>, <NUM> moves the ends of the extended nose reinforcement <NUM> away from a high stress zone near the nose <NUM> so cracking will be reduced, eliminated, or delayed at the ends of the extended nose reinforcement <NUM>. The first reinforcement layer <NUM> is configured differently than in the <FIG> embodiment. The first reinforcement layer <NUM> covers and engages the entire first foot first concave surface <NUM> and the terminal end <NUM> and also extends to and engages the first panel <NUM>. The first reinforcement layer <NUM> also engages the adhesive deflector <NUM> and the adhesive <NUM>. The first reinforcement layer <NUM> wraps around the terminal end of the adhesive deflector <NUM> and extends along the adhesive deflector <NUM> so as to be located between the adhesive deflector <NUM> and the shear band <NUM>. The first reinforcement layer <NUM> thus makes up a portion of or otherwise engages the adhesive surface <NUM>. The first reinforcement layer <NUM> may be arranged with the cords <NUM>, <NUM> as previously discussed. The spoke <NUM> also includes a second reinforcement layer <NUM> at the second foot <NUM> to strengthen the second foot <NUM> at this location to prevent, reduce, or delay cracking at this location. The second reinforcement layer <NUM> engages the adhesive <NUM>, second adhesive deflector <NUM>, and the entire second foot first concave surface <NUM>. The second reinforcement layer <NUM> wraps around the terminal end of the second adhesive deflector <NUM> and engages the hub <NUM> and is located between the hub <NUM> and the second adhesive deflector <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another embodiment of the tire <NUM> and spoke <NUM> in which the extended nose reinforcement <NUM> is longer than that shown in <FIG> so that it extends along the feet <NUM>, <NUM> to be close to the leading terminal end <NUM> and the leading terminal end <NUM> but still stopping short of these leading ends <NUM>, <NUM> and not coincident with the end of the first and second panels <NUM>, <NUM>. The extended nose reinforcement <NUM> extends along greater than <NUM>% of the lengths of the feet <NUM>, <NUM> along their respective first and second panels <NUM>, <NUM>. Extension of the extended nose reinforcement <NUM> reduces, eliminates or delays cracking at the ends of the nose reinforcements <NUM> because they are spaced away from high stress areas close to the nose <NUM>. The first reinforcement layer <NUM> engages the first panel <NUM>, is free from engagement with the extended nose reinforcement <NUM>, engages the entire leading terminal end <NUM>, engages the adhesive <NUM>, and has a length and side that engages the shear band <NUM>. The first reinforcement layer <NUM> is not located between the adhesive deflector <NUM> and the shear band <NUM>, and the adhesive deflector <NUM> is completely covered by the first reinforcement layer <NUM> so as to be between the first reinforcement layer <NUM> and the shear band <NUM>. The second reinforcement layer <NUM> engages the second panel <NUM>, the entire leading terminal end <NUM>, the adhesive <NUM>, and has a length that extends across and engages the hub <NUM>. The second reinforcement layer <NUM> is free from engagement with the extended nose reinforcement <NUM>. The second reinforcement layer <NUM> is not located between the second adhesive deflector <NUM> and the hub <NUM>. The two reinforcement layers <NUM>, <NUM> can be arranged with the cords <NUM>, <NUM> as previously discussed and both function to strengthen the feet <NUM>, <NUM> to prevent, minimize or delay cracking or other failure through use of the spoke <NUM>.

The spoke <NUM> can be constructed by first forming the various elements that make up the spoke such as the panels <NUM>, <NUM>, feet <NUM>, <NUM>, extended nose reinforcement <NUM> and reinforcement layers <NUM>, <NUM>. This can be done by forming the elements from rubber with additives if desired as sheets. Nylon or polyester cords can be placed down onto these sheets if desired for the formation of elements such as the panels <NUM>, <NUM> or reinforcement layers <NUM>, <NUM> and an additional sheet of rubber can be placed onto these cords to compete the assembly of the element. Extrusion or any other suitable method of formation of the elements are possible. The formed elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> include uncured or green rubber that can has a degree of tackiness that allows them to be stuck to one another in the uncured state. The spoke <NUM> can thus be assembled with the elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> sticking onto one another in a shape that resembles the final shape of the spoke <NUM>. Next, the uncured partially assembled spoke <NUM> can be put into a mold in which heat and pressure is applied for a sufficient amount of time to cure the various elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> and form the final shape of the spoke <NUM> and cause these elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> to be permanently attached to one another. The cured spoke <NUM> can be attached to the hub <NUM> and shear band <NUM> with the adhesives <NUM>, <NUM> at a point in time after the curing of the spoke <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A spoke (<NUM>) for a non-pneumatic tire (<NUM>), comprising:
a nose (<NUM>);
a first panel (<NUM>) that engages the nose and that extends from the nose;
a second panel (<NUM>) that engages the nose and that extends from the nose;
a first foot (<NUM>) carried by the first panel; wherein the first foot has a first foot second concave surface (<NUM>) that is located on a tailing terminal end of the first foot in the circumferential direction;
a second foot (<NUM>) carried by the second panel; and a reinforcement layer (<NUM>); characterised in that the first foot has a first foot first concave surface (<NUM>), and in that the first foot has an adhesion deflector (<NUM>), wherein the adhesion deflector and the first foot first concave surface are both located at a leading terminal end of the first foot in a circumferential direction, wherein the adhesion deflector extends in the circumferential direction such that the adhesion deflector is farther from the first foot second concave surface in the circumferential direction than is the first foot first concave surface to the first foot second concave surface in the circumferential direction, wherein the tailing terminal end of the first foot has a convex surface (<NUM>), wherein the reinforcement layer
engages the first foot first concave surface, wherein the reinforcement layer engages the adhesion deflector.