GB2079685A

GB2079685A - A tyre

Info

Publication number: GB2079685A
Application number: GB8022167A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: FELTEN NEW ZEALAND Ltd
Current assignee: FELTEN NEW ZEALAND Ltd
Priority date: 1980-07-07
Filing date: 1980-07-07
Publication date: 1982-01-27

Abstract

A tyre, for example for a rotary mower, comprises a plurality of spacing members 15 circumferentially spaced around the mouth formed between the side walls 3, 4 of the tyre, preferably the members 15 extending from one side wall 3 to abut the other side wall 4 when the tyre is mounted on a rim, and being integral with stiffening elements 17 which extend from the side wall 3 to terminate short of the wall 4. The tyre may be mounted on a rim 13 having flanges 11, 12 received in rebates 9, 10 in the walls 3, 4. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to a tyre and/or wheel and tyre in combination This invention relates to a tyre and/orwheel and a tyre in combination.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tyre and/or a wheel and tyre in combination which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Accordingly in one aspect the invention consists in a tyre comprising an annular channel member formed of resilient material, the mouth of said channel opening towards the centre of the said annular channel member, and a plurality of spacing members between the arms of said annular channel member, said spacing members being spaced around said annular channel member.

In a further aspect the invention consists in a wheel and tyre in combination, said wheel having a pair of peripheral rims thereon forming a channel into which parts of a tyre according to the preceding paragraph may be positioned.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the in vention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descrip tion herein are purely illustrative and are not in tended to be in any sense limiting.

One preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying draw ings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a part of a tyre according to the invention and part of a wheel rim.

Figure2 is a cross-sectional view on "A-A" in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a tyre according to the invention.

In the preferred form of the invention the tyre and wheel and tyre in combination are provided as follows.

The tyre 1 is formed from reslient material such as rubber, synthetic rubber, TPR or a similar material in particular of the types commonly used to form tyres.

The tyre comprises a substantially C-shaped annular channel member2, the "C" being substantially rec tangular in outline having arms 3 and 4 and a base 5 on which a tread 6 is formed. The arms 3 and 4 preferably have inwardly extending extensions 7 and 8 in which rebates 9 and 10 are formed into which rims 11 and 12 of a wheel 13 may be positioned. Thus, the mouth 14 of the channel formed by the C-shaped annulus 2 is inwardly facing towards its own centre. In or adjacent the mouth 14 of the channel are provided a plurality of spacing members 15 which preferably extend from one arm such as arm 3 of the channel. The depth of each spacing member is preferably substantially equal to the depth of the extensions 7 and 8.The length of each spacing member is preferably such that when a tyre 1 is in position on a wheel 13 the free end 16 of the spacing member 15 abuts the other arm 4 of the channel. By way of example a tyre having an internal radius of about 9cm and external radius of about 14cm may have, for example, sixteen spacing members 15 each about 3mm thick. The spacing elements are therefore about 15cm apart in such a construction. The tyre 1 is preferably a zero pressure tyre but the invention could be used with other forms of tyre.

The tyre may be formed by core moulding techniques using an insert in a mould for a solid tyre.

The tyre 1 also includes a plurality of stiffening elements in the channel member 2 and the stiffening elements may comprise a panel or plate 17 engaged with the base 5 and arm 3. The panel or plate 17 preferably also engages the inner surface of the spacing member 15 and is preferably formed integrally with the spacing member 15. However, the panel or plate 17 does not extend to the arm 4 but stops short to leave a gap 18 thus enabling the tyre to be broken from the mould during manufacture thereof. However, the panel or plate 17 extends to cover most of the cross section of the channel. There is preferably a panel or plate 17 formed integrally with each spacing element 15 and each panel or plate is preferably equal in thickness to the thickness of the spacing element 15.The panel or plate 17 is shown in engagement with the base 5 but alternatively a gap may be left to reduce any tendency to bumping during use of the tyre.

In use, the tyre is fitted on a wheel 13 so that parts of at least the extensions 7 and 8 extend into the channel formed on the wheel 13 between the rims 11 and 12.

The tyre has been designed for example to provide a rotary mowing machine tyre but could be used to provide othertyres as required.

Thus, it can be seen that a tyre and a wheel and tyre combination are provided which in at least the preferred form of the invention has some advantages. In particular, the tyre of the invention is cushioned and flexible, that is to say, has some softness and pliability when compared to a solid tyre but retains some advantages of a solid tyre. In particular, the effect of tyre roll-off under side loads is substantially reduced if not obviated by means of the spacing members provided across the mouth of the tyre. The effect of roll-off is further reduced by the stiffening elements which both stiffen the tyre and also substantially prevent the spacing member from riding over the opposite inward extension or bead of the tyre.

1. Atyrecomprising an annular channel member formed of resiliant material, the mouth of said channel opening towards the centre of the said annular channel member, and a plurality of spacing members between the arms of said annular channel member, said spacing members being spaced around said annular channel member.

2. Atyre as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spacing members are positioned at or adjacent the mouth of said channel.

3. A tyre as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said spacing members extend from one arm of said channel.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to a tyre and/or wheel and tyre in combination This invention relates to a tyre and/orwheel and a tyre in combination. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tyre and/or a wheel and tyre in combination which will at least provide the public with a useful choice. Accordingly in one aspect the invention consists in a tyre comprising an annular channel member formed of resilient material, the mouth of said channel opening towards the centre of the said annular channel member, and a plurality of spacing members between the arms of said annular channel member, said spacing members being spaced around said annular channel member. In a further aspect the invention consists in a wheel and tyre in combination, said wheel having a pair of peripheral rims thereon forming a channel into which parts of a tyre according to the preceding paragraph may be positioned. To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the in vention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descrip tion herein are purely illustrative and are not in tended to be in any sense limiting. One preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying draw ings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a part of a tyre according to the invention and part of a wheel rim. Figure2 is a cross-sectional view on "A-A" in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a tyre according to the invention. In the preferred form of the invention the tyre and wheel and tyre in combination are provided as follows. The tyre 1 is formed from reslient material such as rubber, synthetic rubber, TPR or a similar material in particular of the types commonly used to form tyres. The tyre comprises a substantially C-shaped annular channel member2, the "C" being substantially rec tangular in outline having arms 3 and 4 and a base 5 on which a tread 6 is formed. The arms 3 and 4 preferably have inwardly extending extensions 7 and 8 in which rebates 9 and 10 are formed into which rims 11 and 12 of a wheel 13 may be positioned. Thus, the mouth 14 of the channel formed by the C-shaped annulus 2 is inwardly facing towards its own centre. In or adjacent the mouth 14 of the channel are provided a plurality of spacing members 15 which preferably extend from one arm such as arm 3 of the channel. The depth of each spacing member is preferably substantially equal to the depth of the extensions 7 and 8.The length of each spacing member is preferably such that when a tyre 1 is in position on a wheel 13 the free end 16 of the spacing member 15 abuts the other arm 4 of the channel. By way of example a tyre having an internal radius of about 9cm and external radius of about 14cm may have, for example, sixteen spacing members 15 each about 3mm thick. The spacing elements are therefore about 15cm apart in such a construction. The tyre 1 is preferably a zero pressure tyre but the invention could be used with other forms of tyre. The tyre may be formed by core moulding techniques using an insert in a mould for a solid tyre. The tyre 1 also includes a plurality of stiffening elements in the channel member 2 and the stiffening elements may comprise a panel or plate 17 engaged with the base 5 and arm 3. The panel or plate 17 preferably also engages the inner surface of the spacing member 15 and is preferably formed integrally with the spacing member 15. However, the panel or plate 17 does not extend to the arm 4 but stops short to leave a gap 18 thus enabling the tyre to be broken from the mould during manufacture thereof. However, the panel or plate 17 extends to cover most of the cross section of the channel. There is preferably a panel or plate 17 formed integrally with each spacing element 15 and each panel or plate is preferably equal in thickness to the thickness of the spacing element 15.The panel or plate 17 is shown in engagement with the base 5 but alternatively a gap may be left to reduce any tendency to bumping during use of the tyre. In use, the tyre is fitted on a wheel 13 so that parts of at least the extensions 7 and 8 extend into the channel formed on the wheel 13 between the rims 11 and 12. The tyre has been designed for example to provide a rotary mowing machine tyre but could be used to provide othertyres as required. Thus, it can be seen that a tyre and a wheel and tyre combination are provided which in at least the preferred form of the invention has some advantages. In particular, the tyre of the invention is cushioned and flexible, that is to say, has some softness and pliability when compared to a solid tyre but retains some advantages of a solid tyre. In particular, the effect of tyre roll-off under side loads is substantially reduced if not obviated by means of the spacing members provided across the mouth of the tyre. The effect of roll-off is further reduced by the stiffening elements which both stiffen the tyre and also substantially prevent the spacing member from riding over the opposite inward extension or bead of the tyre. CLAIMS

4. A tyre as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said channel is substantially square "C" shaped in cross section and said spacing members extend inwardly from the ends of one arm of said "C".

5. A tyre as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a plurality of stiffening elements are provided in said channel.

6. A tyre as claimed in claim 5 wherein said stiffening elements are provided engaged with one sidewall and the base of said channel.

7. A tyre as claimed in claim 6 wherein each said stiffening element is continuous with a said spacing element.

8. A tyre as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein each spacing element has a width about one fifth of the distance between a pair of adjacent spacing elements.

9. A tyre substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A wheel and tyre in combination, said wheel having a pair of peripheral rims thereon forming a channel into which parts of a tyre according to any one of the preceding claims may be positioned.

11. A wheel and tyre in combination substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.