US 12,459,297 B2
Non-pneumatic tire having reinforced support structure and method of making same
Benjamin E. Rimai, Copley, OH (US)
Assigned to Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LCC, Nashville, TN (US)
Appl. No. 17/783,350
Filed by Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC, Nashville, TN (US)
PCT Filed Dec. 3, 2020, PCT No. PCT/US2020/063022
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jun. 8, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/137993, PCT Pub. Date Jul. 8, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/954,731, filed on Dec. 30, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0009098 A1, Jan. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. B60C 7/14 (2006.01); B60C 7/10 (2006.01); B60C 7/22 (2006.01)
CPC B60C 7/146 (2021.08) [B60C 7/107 (2021.08); B60C 7/143 (2013.01); B60C 7/22 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A non-pneumatic tire comprising:
an inner ring having a first diameter;
an outer ring having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, the outer ring being substantially coaxial with the inner ring;
support structure extending between the inner ring and the outer ring, the support structure including a plurality of U-shaped components extending laterally from a first side of the non-pneumatic tire to a second side of the non-pneumatic tire,
wherein each of the plurality of U-shaped components defines an opening that is visible from the first side of the non-pneumatic tire,
wherein each of the plurality of U-shaped components is in direct contact with both the inner ring and the outer ring,
wherein the plurality of U-shaped components includes at least a first U-shaped component and a second U-shaped component, the first U-shaped component being in direct contact with the second U-shaped component; and
a plurality of fillets disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, the plurality of fillets including at least a first fillet and a second fillet,
wherein the first fillet is in direct contact with the inner ring, the first U-shaped component, and the second U-shaped component, and
wherein the second fillet is in direct contact with the outer ring, the first U-shaped component, and the second U-shaped component.