US 12,240,269 B1
Load wheel with heat dissipating hub
Joseph J. Peterson, Warren, PA (US); and Kyle Robert Knotowicz, Jamestown, NY (US)
Assigned to SUPERIOR TIRE & RUBBER CORP., Warren, PA (US)
Filed by Superior Tire & Rubber Corporation, Warren, PA (US)
Filed on Jun. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/361,954.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/047,472, filed on Jul. 2, 2020.
Int. Cl. B60B 33/00 (2006.01); B60B 27/00 (2006.01); B60B 27/02 (2006.01); B60C 7/00 (2006.01); B60C 7/24 (2006.01); B60C 7/12 (2006.01)
CPC B60B 33/0028 (2013.01) [B60B 27/0005 (2013.01); B60B 27/02 (2013.01); B60B 33/0039 (2013.01); B60C 7/24 (2013.01); B60C 2007/005 (2013.01); B60C 7/12 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A load wheel for a material handling vehicle, comprising:
(a) a cylindrical hub having an axis, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, an outer surface, an inner surface, a central core defining an opening within the hub extending coaxially with the hub axis from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, and a plurality of passageways open at either end for exposure to the environment positioned between the outer surface and the inner surface and extending in an axial direction between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and wherein the hub has a heat factor ratio of 0.7 or less, wherein the cylindrical hub has a diameter from about 3 inches to 12 inches and a width from 1.5 inches to 10 inches, wherein the hub is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloys, magnesium and magnesium alloys;
(b) a solid, non-pneumatic tire bonded to the outer surface of the hub, wherein the outer surface of the cylindrical hub is free from projections designed to mechanically engage the tire; and
(c) a set of bearings press fit into bearing bores in the inner surface of the hub, wherein the bearings comprise a center opening for receiving an axle of a vehicle.