Patent ID: 12202550

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

To aid understanding, this document is organized as follows. First, to help introduce discussion of various embodiments, an exemplary tire containment device is introduced with reference toFIG.1. Second, that introduction leads into a description with reference toFIGS.2-5Dof some exemplary embodiments of the exemplary tire containment device. Third, with reference toFIGS.6-7, the discussion turns to features and embodiments for reducing damage from a blowout using the exemplary tire containment device. Finally, the document discusses further embodiments, exemplary applications and aspects relating to additional safety features of the exemplary tire containment device.

FIG.1depicts an exemplary tire containment device (TCD) employed in an illustrative use-case scenario on a vehicle (e.g., a travel trailer). In a depicted exemplary original equipment manufacturer (OEM) configuration100, a body105of, for example, a travel trailer is provided. The body105may, by way of example and not limitation, be made of fiberglass, wood, metal (e.g., sheeting), plastic, or some combination thereof. The body105may, for example, be mounted (actual connection not shown) to an axle110. The axle110is provided with a hub115to which is mounted a wheel (not shown) with a tire120.

As depicted, the tire120is undergoing a blowout. In a blowout125, tire shrapnel may impact the body105. The tire shrapnel may, by way of example and not limitation, separate completely from the tire120and fly onto the body105, may remain connected to the tire120and be slung against the body105while the trailer is still in motion, or some combination thereof. For example, the blowout125may occur while the trailer is traveling down a road at high speeds (e.g., 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or more miles per hour). Accordingly, the tire shrapnel may, sometimes repeatedly, impact the body105at high speeds. The impact may cause damage (e.g., breaking, tearing, bending) of the body105, or one or more components thereof. The impact may, by way of example and not limitation, damage and/or destroy a fender, wall, underbody, electrical components, trailer slide-out components, or some combination thereof.

In a depicted armored configuration101, the axle110is coupled, by U-bolts130and a leaf spring stack140, to a TCD mounting bracket145. The leaf spring stack140may, for example, include a stack of elastic materials adjusting a mounting position between the TCD mounting bracket145and the axle110. The TCD mounting bracket145is coupled to a TCD shroud150such that the TCD shroud is disposed over the tire120. As shown, the shroud150contains the tire shrapnel caused by the blowout125of the tire120. In some implementations, other mounting modules for coupling the shroud to a vehicle may also be used. For example, the mounting modules may be mounted to the body, directly to the chassis, or other parts of the travel trailer. Accordingly, for example, the TCD may advantageously shield the body105from damage by the blowout125. The TCD may, for example, advantageously eliminate or reduce damage to the trailer body105as a result of the blowout125of the tire120.

FIG.2depicts a front view of an exemplary TCD200mounted on an illustrative travel trailer. As depicted, the TCD200is mounted to the trailer underneath the existing body structure. Accordingly, a user may advantageously retain the existing body styling. The TCD200may, for example, be colored (e.g., painted, coated) and/or styled (e.g., shaped, oriented, positioned) to aesthetically blend in, complement, and/or match the trailer's existing body. As shown, the TCD200has a matching color with an OEM body fender205. In various embodiments, the TCD200may be at least partially concealed as depicted. In some implementations, the TCD200may be substantially completely concealed, for example, by the existing body fender205.

In some implementations, the exemplary TCD200includes a removable front panel210. The front panel210may, for example, be releasably coupled to other parts of the shroud150(FIG.1) by one or more releasable coupling mechanisms215,220. For example, the front panel210may be coupled to the other parts of the shroud150. The front panel210may be coupled to the shroud150by, for example, bolts, screws, cams, hooks, and/or other fasteners. Accordingly, a user may advantageously easily access the tire120such as, by way of example and not limitation, for replacement, repair, and/or maintenance.

In various implementations, the front panel210and the other part(s) of the shroud150may form a substantially continuous containment cavity to contain an upper portion of the tire120. For example, the continuous containment cavity may include only apertures with diameter less than 1 inch. Accordingly, in some examples, when the TCD200is coupled to the axle110by the TCD mounting bracket145, the containment cavity may extend over at least a top and exterior face of an upper portion (e.g., an upper third) of the tire120such that the containment cavity may intercepts shrapnel from the blowout125. For example, the containment cavity may advantageously reduce impact caused by the shrapnel at the body105.

FIG.3depicts a side view of an exemplary TCD200. For example, a front view of the TCD200may be described with reference toFIG.2. In this example, the TCD200includes the TCD mounting bracket145. The TCD mounting bracket145is provided with an axle mount portion305aand a shroud mount portion305b. In this example, the axle mount portion305acouples to the leaf spring stack140. As shown, the axle mount portion305ais coupled over a top of the leaf spring stack140by the U-bolt130. The U-bolt130couples the leaf springs stack140to the axle110. Fasteners310(e.g., nuts and/or washers) are used to secure the axle mount portion305aagainst the leaf spring stack140. For example, the TCD mounting bracket145may be releasably secured to the axle110by the fasteners310.

The shroud mount portion305b, as shown, is attached the axle mount portion305a. In some implementations, the shroud mount portion305bmay be permanently (e.g., welded) coupled to the axle mount portion305a. In some implementations, the shroud mount portion305amay be continuously and/or unitarily formed with the axle mount portion305a. As depicted, the TCD mounting bracket145is provided with multiple bracing elements315(e.g., struts). The bracing elements315may, for example, connect the axle mount portion305ato the shroud mount portion305b. The bracing elements315may, for example, increase bending strength to advantageously maintain a predetermined orientation between the axle mount portion305aand the shroud mount portion305b. In various embodiments, one or more of the bracing elements315may be, for example, unitarily formed with a single material, releasably coupled to (e.g., bolted, screwed, interlockingly assembled), permanently coupled to (e.g., riveted, welded), or some combination thereof, at least one of the axle mount portion305aand the shroud mount portion305b.

The shroud mount portion305bextends, in this example, upwards to receive the shroud of the TCD200. As shown, the shroud mount portion305bis releasably coupled to a back panel320of the shroud with fasteners325. The shroud, in this example, further includes a fender arc330. The fender arc330couples the front panel210on one edge and the back panel320on another edge. Accordingly, the fender arc330, the front panel210, and the back panel320may form a continuous cavity to advantageously contain shrapnel expelled from the blowout125.

In some implementations, the front panel210and/or the back panel320may, for example, provide a tensile load path between two ends of the fender arc330. For example, if shrapnel (e.g., connected to the tire such as a tire ‘gator’—a strip of tire shrapnel attached to the tire and slinging out as the tire spins) strikes an end of the of the fender arc330, a tensile force of the front panel210and/or the back panel320between the two ends may, for example, resist (e.g., prevent) bending out of the fender arc330. Accordingly, the front panel210and/or the back panel320may, by way of example and not limitation, prevent the shrapnel from bending the fender arc330and then damaging the vehicle. In some implementations, the front panel210and the back panel320may, for example, cooperate to prevent bending of an end of the fender arc330at an uncoupled corner. As an illustrative example, if only the back panel320was provided, tire shrapnel may bend the front of an end of the fender arc330, but providing the front panel210and the back panel320may advantageously transfer a load (e.g., by tension, compression, and/or shear) at least partially through the front panel210to an opposite end of the fender arc and/or to other portions of the fender arc330, the back panel320, the front panel210, and/or the vehicle (e.g., the axle).

FIG.4depicts an exemplary TCD200with the front panel210removed. As shown, the back panel320is coupled to the shroud mount portion305busing four fasteners325. The fender arc330, in this example, includes a curved surface along a longitudinal axis. In some implementations, a curvature of the fender arc330may be defined by an inner bounding diameter greater than the diameter of the tire120.

In the lateral axis, in some implementations, the fender arc330may include a width greater than a width of the tire120. In some implementations, the fender arc330may be wider than more than two tires so that the shroud150may contain more than one tire.

In some implementations, the fender arc330includes may be provided with tabs. For example, the tabs may be folded down from the fender arc to form fastening mechanisms to couple the front panel210and the back panel320. As shown, the fender arc330includes coupling mechanisms215,220. As described with reference toFIG.2, for examples, the coupling mechanisms215,220may couple with the front panel210at a front perimeter. In some examples, the fender arc330may include the coupling mechanisms215,220to couple the back panel at a back perimeter. In various implementations, the fender arc330may provide multiple coupling mechanisms at various points at the front perimeter and the back perimeter to provide a secure tensile force against debris from the blowout125.

FIG.5Adepicts a top view of an exemplary TCD200.FIG.5Bdepicts a front view of an exemplary TCD200. As shown, the front panel210includes multiple fastening mechanisms505to provide extra tensile strength for the TCD200against shrapnel from the blowout125.FIG.5Cdepicts a rear view of an exemplary TCD200.

FIG.5Ddepicts a top view of an exemplary fender arc330. Dimensions as shown are for illustrative purpose only. Other dimensions may be possible, in some implementations. The fender arc330, as shown, include tab portions510,515at a front edge and a back edge, respectively, of the fender arc330. The tab portions510,515each include multiple tabs212. For example, the fender arc330may couple, using the tabs212(e.g., folded downward), to the front panel210(e.g., at the multiple fastening mechanisms505as described with reference toFIG.5B). For example, the fender arc330may similarly couple, using the tabs212, to the back panel320.

In some implementations, the front panel210, the back panel320, and the fender arc330may be cut into shape from a 4 ft×8 ft sheet of material (e.g., 1/16″ plate steel). Dimensions are illustrative. Other dimensions, configurations, and/or ratios are contemplated in various embodiments.

FIG.6andFIG.7depict an exemplary TCD200having a blowout tire with a piece of shrapnel605in two illustrative use-case scenarios.FIG.6depicts an exemplary blowout scenario with a tire and a piece of shrapnel. In various examples, the shrapnel605may cause severe damage to the body105due at least in part to amplified linear velocity. For example, as depicted, the tire120(e.g., of a travel trailer) is traveling at a forward linear velocity of Vt. For a given diameter D of the tire120, the rotational speed (e.g., rotations/second) of the tire120may be given by:
R=vt/π·DEquation 1:

After the blowout125, a piece of shrapnel605, still attached to the tire120, extends outwards from the tire120while the tire120is rotating. Accordingly, the shrapnel605may have an increased effective diameter of rotation (Ds) at a point of impact with the body105. The linear velocity of the shrapnel (Vs) into the body105at the point of impact may be defined by:
vs=π·Ds·REquation 2:

The enlarged diameter effectively amplifies the speed of impact of the shrapnel605. For example, if the tire120diameter (D) is 16 inches, and the shrapnel extends 8 inches beyond the diameter of the tire120at the point of impact, then the effective diameter Ds of the shrapnel605is 16+8+8=32. Therefore, in this example:
Ds=2·DEquation 3:

Substituting Equation 3 and Equation 1 into Equation 2 gives:

vs=π·2⁢D·R=π·2⁢D·R⁢vtπ·D=2·R·vtEquation⁢4

If the shrapnel605has a mass m, and the body105completely stops the forward motion of the shrapnel605over a period of time t such that change in velocity (ΔV) is Vs and change in time (Δt) is t, the force applied to the body105by the shrapnel605(and vice versa) may be given by:

F=m·a=m·Δ⁢VΔ⁢t=m·vst=m·2⁢R⁢vtt=m·2⁢vtt⁢vtπ·D=m·2⁢vt2t⁢π⁢DEquation⁢5

Accordingly, if the m of the shrapnel605is ¼ pound (0.007 slug), the trailer is traveling (Vt) at 70 miles per hour (mph) (103 feet per second), and the time of deceleration t is 1 second, then the force (F) may be determined by substituting into Equation 5 using Equation 4:

F=0.007slug·2·103⁢ft/sec21⁢sec·π·1.33⁢ft≈36⁢poundsEquation⁢6

A one-pound piece of shrapnel605in the same scenario would strike with approximately 142 pounds. Accordingly, the shrapnel605may quickly damage and/or destroy the body105. The TCD200may advantageously contain the shrapnel605. As depicted, the shroud150of the TCD200may contain the shrapnel within a smaller diameter Ds1, thereby reducing the effective linear velocity of the shrapnel605. Furthermore, the TCD200may absorb the force of impact (e.g., at a lower effective speed) such as, for example, before the shrapnel605strikes the body105. Accordingly, the TCD200may advantageously prevent and/or reduce damage to the body105due to blowout of the tire120.

FIG.7shows another exemplary blowout scenario with the tire120and the shrapnel605. As shown, the shrapnel605is wrapping around the shroud150to impact the body105. In this example, the TCD200includes the shroud150extending at least ⅓ of the way down an upper portion of the tire120. For example, as shown, the tire120has a diameter D and the shroud150extends downwards to cover at least D/3 from a top surface of the tire120.

As an illustrative example, without the shroud150, a maximum effective diameter of rotation of the shrapnel605is D. With the shroud150installed, the maximum effective diameter of rotation of the shrapnel605is reduced to D1=D−D2. Accordingly, the TCD200may reduce damage to the body105. In some implementations, the shroud150may be configured to cover, by way of example and not limitation, more than ¼ of an upper portion of the tire120. Such implementation may, for example, substantially prevent the shrapnel605to wrap around to impact the body105. In some implementations, the shroud150may be configured, for example, to cover at least ½ of an upper portion of the tire120(e.g., at least on an exterior side of the tire, such as facing outward from the vehicle). Such implementations may, for example, provide enhanced protection from shrapnel.

Although various embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, other embodiments are possible. For example, although an exemplary system has been described with reference to the figures, other implementations may be deployed in other industrial, scientific, medical, commercial, and/or residential applications.

In various embodiments, a TCD may, by way of example and not limitation, be configured for and/or coupled to a travel trailer, recreational vehicle, motor home, utility trailer, boat trailer, automobile, a device supplied with one or more rotating tire susceptible to blowout, or some combination thereof. In various embodiments, by way of example and not limitation, a TCD may be configured to shroud 1, 2, 3, or more tires. In various embodiment, by way of example and not limitation, 1, 2, 4, 6, or more TCDs may be installed on a single trailer. In various embodiments a TCD may be configured to couple to an axle configured as a leaf-spring mounted axle, a torsion axle, a spring-mounted axle, or some combination thereof.

In various embodiments one or more components may be separate components. In various embodiments multiple components may be releasably or permanently assembled, may be unitarily formed, may be made of a single material, or some combination thereof. For example, a mounting bracket may be fabricated (e.g., made of sheet material and assembled or unitarily formed from a single piece of material), cast, or some combination thereof. A shroud may, for example, be fabricated, cast, or some combination thereof. In various embodiments the shroud may, for example, be at least partially formed by cup-drawing of a single piece of material. In various embodiments the components may be provided individually, as an assembly, a kit, or some combination thereof. In various embodiments the shroud may, for example, be permanently coupled to (e.g., integrally formed with, assembled with) the bracket. In various embodiments the shroud and the bracket may be separate components.

In various embodiments at least some portion of the bracket, the shroud, or some combination thereof, may be constructed of steel, aluminum, titanium, other metal, ceramet, fiber-reinforced resin (e.g., carbon fiber, fiberglass), polymer, natural material (e.g., wood), or some combination thereof.

In an illustrative test, a TCD such as depicted inFIGS.1-5Dwas mounted to an axle and ½ lb. of Tannerite-type explosive was detonated within the TCD to simulate a tire explosion. The TCD successfully contained the explosion such that damage above and surrounding the TCD was prevented. Without being bound by a particular theory, the front and back panels, for example, each applied a tensile force across a load path connecting the two ends of the fender arc (e.g., the load path having a distance less than an arc length of the fender, such as, as depicted, in a straight line between the two ends) such that was not bent outwards. In this test, the TCD was built out of 1/16″ steel (mild steel, such as A40). The front panel was secured to the fender arc by 10 mm diameter bolts. The back panel was welded to the fender arc.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, advantageous results may be achieved if the steps of the disclosed techniques were performed in a different sequence, or if components of the disclosed systems were combined in a different manner, or if the components were supplemented with other components. Accordingly, other implementations are contemplated within the scope of the following claims.