US7523773B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-pneumatic wheel
Assignee: Boeing Co
•
Filing: 2005-10-21
•
Granted: 2009-04-28
•
Expires: 2025-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A wheel including an annular hub and a plurality of curved spokes extending radially outward from the hub. Each spoke has an inner base adjacent the hub and an outer tip opposite the base. The wheel further includes an annular rim concentric with the hub and connected to the spokes adjacent their tips.
Inventors
- 👤 Jonathan W. Gabrys
- 👤 Ryan S. Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 02:58
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60B; B60B9/00; B60B9/26; B60B7/00; B60B7/0026; B60B7/0066; B60B7/0086; B60B2900/00; B60B2900/50; B60B2900/513
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A non-pneumatic wheel comprising: a hub; a brake assembly; a plurality of curved spokes extending from said hub, each spoke having an inner base adjacent the hub and an outer tip opposite the base, wherein the spokes are pitched to push air toward the brake assembly and also to obtain desired bending characteristics, the air facilitating cooling of the brake assembly when the spokes rotate around the hub; a rim concentric with said hub and connected to said spokes adjacent their tips; and a non-pneumatic tread on the rim.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A non-pneumatic wheel comprising: a hub; a brake assembly; a plurality of curved spokes extending from said hub, each spoke having an inner base adjacent the hub and an outer tip opposite the base, wherein the spokes are pitched to push air toward the brake assembly and also to obtain desired bending characteristics, the air facilitating cooling of the brake assembly when the spokes rotate around the hub; a rim concentric with said hub and connected to said spokes adjacent their tips; and a non-pneumatic tread on the rim.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A wheel as set forth in claim l wherein the base of each spoke extends generally tangential to said hub.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A wheel as set forth in claim 1 wherein the hub, the rim, and the spokes are unitary.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A wheel as set forth in claim 3 wherein the spokes are welded to the hub and to the rim.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A wheel as set forth in claim 1 wherein the spokes are made of a material selected from a group of materials including a composite and a polymer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A wheel as set forth in claim 1 wherein each spoke has a minimum radius of curvature of between about 2 cm and about 3 cm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A wheel as set forth in claim 1 where each spoke has a maximum radius of curvature of between about 200 cm and about 300 cm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A wheel as set forth in claim 1 wherein each spoke has a width and a thickness and a ratio of said width to said thickness for each spoke is between about 10:1 and about 60:1.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A wheel as set forth in claim 8 wherein the thickness of each spoke varies between its base and its tip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A wheel as set forth in claim 1 wherein each spoke has a varying thickness.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The wheel as set forth in claim 1 wherein each spoke is compressible so as to create bending stresses when compressed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The wheel as set forth in claim 11 wherein the spokes have a spoke-to-rim angle between 0 and 85 degrees.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The wheel as set forth in claim 1 wherein the spokes are pitched at the base.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The wheel as set forth in claim 1 wherein each spoke has opposing sides and the thickness of each spoke varies between said sides.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
111 words
A vehicle comprising: a body; and a non-pneumatic wheel including: an annular hub rotatably connected to said body; a plurality of curved, pitched spokes extending radially outward from said hub, each spoke having an inner base adjacent the hub and an outer tip opposite the base, each spoke being compressible so as to create bending stresses when compressed, the spokes pitched to obtain desired bending characteristics and also to push air toward a brake assembly, the air facilitating cooling of the brake assembly when the spokes rotate around the annular hub; and an annular rim connected to said spokes adjacent their tips; and a non-pneumatic tread coupled to the annular rim.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
111 words
A vehicle comprising: a body; and a non-pneumatic wheel including: an annular hub rotatably connected to said body; a plurality of curved, pitched spokes extending radially outward from said hub, each spoke having an inner base adjacent the hub and an outer tip opposite the base, each spoke being compressible so as to create bending stresses when compressed, the spokes pitched to obtain desired bending characteristics and also to push air toward a brake assembly, the air facilitating cooling of the brake assembly when the spokes rotate around the annular hub; and an annular rim connected to said spokes adjacent their tips; and a non-pneumatic tread coupled to the annular rim.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2012-04-27 | 2012-10-27 | 2013-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2016-04-27 | 2016-10-27 | 2017-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2020-04-27 | 2020-10-27 | 2021-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |