GB2303591A

GB2303591A - Tyre for radio controlled model cars

Info

Publication number: GB2303591A
Application number: GB9515384A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Martin Weatherley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-07-27
Filing date: 1995-07-27
Publication date: 1997-02-26
Also published as: GB9515384D0

Abstract

A tyre for a radio controlled model car where the tread surface is braced by strengthening ribs 4 which run across the width of the tyre and brace the tyre's profile. The ribs run in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the wheels run and help to maintain the tyre's shape even when under load on the track from cornering, braking and centrifugal forces and the like. The ribs enable the use of a tread bearing surface 3 which is thinner than usually possible and as a result any tyre using this system would have a larger and more constant tyre to track surface contact area than is usually achieved. This results in superior grip and greatly reduced wear rates. The space (7, Fig 2) within the tyre may be filled with a cellular foam insert.

Description

TYRE FOR RADIO CONTROLLED MODEL CARS This invention relates to tyres, specifically lhesc used on radio controlled model racing cars.

Generally tyres used on model cars are rubber or svnthetic rubber mouldings. They are stretched over the wheel which is usual moulded from a rigid plastic and then glued at the

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Because the tyres are used in racing they must produce a good level of grip if they are to be competitive. This means that the rubber used must be quite soft. I Usually they have no intemal fabric or steel bracing (as is normal on the tyre of a full sized car). Therefore the tyres can be quite floppy and tend to stretch and distort during use, due to coinering, braking, and especially centrifugal forces. The current t,Te designs, with their unstable profiles, have a small contact area between the tyre and the track surface. This small area results in reduced grip and a high pressure at the contact patch which leads to increased tyre wear.

According to the present invention, there is provided a system of integrally moulded ribs and a carefully shaped profile and section that helps the tyre to maintain its shape whilst in use. This results in an increased and more constant contact area between the tyre and the track surface.

As a result of this large and stable contact area grip is good and wear rate is greatly reduced.

When required it is possible to use very soft rubber compounds which can give even more grip.

A specific example of the invention will be dcscribed bclow with refercnce to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure 1 shows a cross section of the tyre where the section plane is through the centre of the tyre in an axis parallel with the tyre side wall.

Figure 2 shows a cross section of the tyre where the section plane is through a diameter line and is at 90 degrees to the section plane of figure 1.

The tyre is a single moulded component t3Ppically made of a rubber or synthetic rubber compound. It has a relatively thick bead 1 which fits into a mating recess at the outer edges of the wheel. Continuing around the section in figure 2, the bead leads into the side wall 2 and onto the tread bearing surface of the tyre 3. This tread bearing surface is relatively thin but is braced by reinforcing ribs running across the tyres width 4. The tread bearing surface of the tyre has on it the tread pattern which in this case is a multiplicity of truncated conical spikes 5.

Sometimes the enclosed space created between the tyre and the wheel 7 is filled with foam.

This takes the form of a separate and donut shaped cellular foam insert which is placed inside the tyre before it is assembled onto the wheel.

Claims

1 A tyre for a radio controlled model car, where the tread bearing surface of the tyre is reinforced by a multiplicity of strengthening ribs which run across the width of the tyre.

2 A tyre as in Claim 1 where the tread bearing surfaceisrelatively thin.

3 A tyre as in Claim 1 where the side walls are soft or thin

4 A tyre as in Claim 1 & 2 where very soft rubber or synthetic rubber compounds are used.

5 A tyre as is Claim 1 provided with a variety of tread patterns.

6 A tyre as in Claim 1 provided in a variety of sizes especially widths 7 A tyre substantially as describcd herein, with reference to figures 1 & 2 of the accompanying drawings.