AU649630B2 - Resilient tyre - Google Patents

Description

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (Original) FOR OFFICE USE Application Number: PJ7039 Lodged: 24/10/89 Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority: Related Art: Class Int. Class p 0049 6 4 0TO0BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT p 0 0 4926 24'0^ Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: Altrack Limited 97 Outram Street, West Perth, in the State of Western Australia.

Commonwealth of Australia Actual Inventor: Address for Service:- #441I Al A Al Wray Associates Primary Industry House 239 Adelaide Terrace Perth Western Australia 6000.

Complete Specification for the invention entitled: "RESILIENT TYRE" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 1 2 THIS INVENTION relates to a ground engaging means for vehicles and is particularly suitable for work vehicles such as earth working machines, agricultural machines, military vehicles and vehicles used in rough terrain.

In one form the invention resides in a ground engaging means for a vehicle comprising a plurality of ground engaging elements mounted on a base, said ground engaging elements being disposed around the periphery of the wheel and neighbouring elements being in inter-engaging relationship, at least one of the elements being provided with an outwardly extending portion providing a tread for the ground engaging means, said at least one element being further provided with a pair of wings one to each side of the outwardly engaging portion, each wing engaging in a corresponding recess in the immediately adjacent element.

Preferably, alternate elements are provided with said outwardly extending portions.

Preferably, said elements have outer faces which merge to provide a running surface.

Preferably, each element is hollow.

Preferably, each hollow element is open at its ends.

In another form the invention resides in a resilient tyre comprising a plurality of segments characterised in that neighbouring segments are in inter-engaging relationship, at least some of the segments being provided with an outwardly extending portion providing a tread element, each of said at least some of the segments being provided with a tread element is further provided with a pair of wings one to each side of the tread element, each wing engaging in a corresponding recess in the immediately adjacent segment.

;1A 3 Preferably, alternate segments are provided with said tread elements.

Preferably, said segments have outer faces which merge to provide a running surface for the tyre.

Preferably, each segment is hollow.

Preferably, each hollow segment is open at its ends.

In another form the invention resides in a segment constructed as set forth hereinbefore.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of one specific embodiment thereof which is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic fragmentary perspective view of a resilient tyre according to the embodiment, the tyre being constructed from inter-engaging segments; L 4 Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a further form of segment employed in the construction of the tyre.

The embodiment shown in the drawings is directed to a tyre for use on work vehicles such as military vehicles and vehicles used in rough terrain.

The tyre comprises a plurality of alternate segments 11 and 13 which provide ground engaging elements for a wheel on which the tyre is fitted. The wheel is assembled by bolting or otherwise fixing the segments onto a rim (not shown) having a peripheral band to provide a base for supporting the segments. The segments 11 and 13 extend across the rim in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the wheel.

The segments 11 each comprise a hollow body 15 constructed to resiliently deform under load. The hollow body 15 has an inner face 17, an outer face 19 and two side faces 21, all of which extend between end faces 23. The hollow body 15 defines a cavity 25 which extends through the body between the end faces 23.

The inner face 17 is adapted for engagement with the rim of the wheel and is of curved configuration for such purpose.

The outer face 19 is provided with an outwardly extending portion 27 which functions as a ground engaging lug and so provides a tread for the tyre. A wing 29 is provided on each side face 21 adjacent the outer face 19, the outermost surface of the wing being defined by the adjacent portion of the outer face 19 as shown in the drawings.

Referring to Figure 3, each alternate segment 13 comprises a hollow body 30 constructed for resilient deformation under load. The hollow body 13 has an inner face 31, an outer face 33, and two side faces 35, all of which extend between end faces 37. The hollow body 30 defines a cavity 39 which extends between the end faces 37.

The inner face 31 is adapted for engagement against the i rim of the wheel and is curved for such purpose.

Each side wall 35 is configured to define a recess 41 which receives a wing 29 of a segment 11 in the manner i 1 0 shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

Ii When the segments 11 and 13 are fitted alternately around the rim to provide a tyre for the wheel (as shown in Figure the side faces 21 of segments 11 abut the side faces 35 of segments 13 to provide lateral support for each other. Additionally, neighbouring segments 11 and 13 inter-engage by virtue of one wing of segment 11 being snugly received in the corresponding recesi 41 of segment 13.

i The segments 11 and 13 are removably mounted onto the rim in this embodiment by way of fixing bolts which extend through mounting apertures (not shown) in the rim and corresponding mounting apertures (not shown) which are formed in the body and which open into the cavities 25 and 39. A clamping plate (not shown) is positioned within each hollow body and the innermost part of the body is ij clamped between the clamping plate and the rim by way of bolts extending through said mounting apertures to secure the body in position on the rim.

As previously mentioned the segments when mounted on the wheel provide a resilient tyre for the wheel. The tyre can resiliently flex so as to offer some resistance to I 6 shock and is not susceptible to puncturing as it is not pneumatic. The outer surface 19 of the segments 11 merge with the outer surface 33 of the segments 13 to provide a continuous running surface around the outer periphery of the tyre. When the whcl is running on hard ground conditions, it may be that only the lugs 27 come in contact with the ground. On the other hand, in soft ground conditions, the lugs 27 may penetrate the ground to provide enhanced traction. In such instances, the outer faces 33 of the segments 13 may contact the ground and provide a load supporting function.

I The wings 29 serve to transmit load from the segments 11 to the segments 13. This is particularly the case where the vehicle is operating in conditions in which only the i lugs 27 contact the ground.

The segments 11 and 13 are of a profile which allows the segments to be produced by an extrusion process.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the invention i is not limited to the scope of the embodiment described.

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Claims (13)

1. A ground engaging meane for a vehicle comprising a plurality of ground engaging elements mounted on a base, said ground engaging elements being disposed around the periphery of the wheel and neighbouring elements being in inter-engaging relationship, at least one of the elements being provided with an outwardly extending portion providing a tread for the ground engaging means, said at least one element being further provided with a pair of wings one to each side of the outwardly engaging portion, each wing engaging in a corresponding recess in the immediately adjacent element.

2. A ground engaging means according to claim 1 wherein alternate elements are provided with said outwardly extending portions.

3. A ground engaging means according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said elements have outer facEs which merge to provide a running surface.

4. A ground engaging means according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each element is hollow. V

5. A ground engaging means according to claim 4 wherein each hollow element is open at its ends. Ii

6. A resilient tyre comprising a plurality of segments characterised in that neighbouring segments are in inter- engaging relationship, at least some of the segments being provided with an outwardly extending portion providing a tread element, each of said at least some of the segments being provided with a tread element is further provided with a pair of wings one to each side of the tread, element, 8 each wing engaging in a corresponding recess in the immediately adjacent segment.

7. A resilient tyre according to claim 6 wherein alternate segments are provided with said tread elements.

8. A resilient tyre according to claim 6 or 7 wherein said segments have outer faces which merge to .rovide a 'unning surface for the tyre.

9. A resilient tyre according to claim 6, 7 or 8 wherein each segment is hollow.

A resilient tyre according to claim 9 wherein each hollow segment is open at its ends.

11. A segment constructed as set forth in any one of claims 6 to

12. A ground engaging means substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A resilient tyre substantially as herein described i with reference to the accompanying drawings. i DATED this fifth day of April, 1994 SALTRACK LIMITED SApplicant WRAY ASSOCIATES Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for Applicant 4 4 i