Run-flat support assembly for a pneumatic tired wheel and method for use of same

Abstract

A run-flat support assembly for a wheel rim of a pneumatic tired wheel and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tubular support structure is positioned in a tire cavity of the pneumatic tired wheel and coupled to the wheel rim to turn concurrently with an axis of rotation of the wheel rim. A skeletal structure is disposed within the tubular support structure. Circumferentially spaced linkages are displaceably secured to respective mounting races of a body of the skeletal structure. Each of the circumferentially spaced linkages is adapted to plastically fail at a pre-determined moment load in a run-flat condition, thereby pivoting relative to the respective mounting race.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A run-flat support assembly for a wheel rim of a pneumatic tired wheel, the assembly comprising:
 a tubular support structure positioned in a tire cavity of the pneumatic tired wheel, the tubular support structure operable to be coupled to the wheel rim and adapted to turn concurrently with an axis of rotation of the wheel rim;   a skeletal structure disposed within the tubular support structure, the skeletal structure including a body adapted to turn concurrently with the axis of rotation; and   a plurality of circumferentially spaced linkages displaceably secured to respective mounting races of the body, each of the plurality of circumferentially spaced linkages adapted to plastically fail at a pre-determined moment load in a run-flat condition, thereby pivoting relative to the respective mounting races.   
     
     
         2 . The run-flat support assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tubular support structure comprises a polymer housing. 
     
     
         3 . The run-flat support assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of circumferentially spaced linkages are secured to the respective mounting races of the body by a retainer member that is adapted to plastically fail at the pre-determined moment load in the run-flat condition. 
     
     
         4 . The run-flat support assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of circumferentially spaced linkages further comprises an arcuate face, the arcuate face being contoured and sized to be received in the mounting race in pivoting contact in a run-flat condition. 
     
     
         5 . The run-flat support assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of circumferentially spaced linkages comprise an elongated beam having a pair of contact bearing surfaces at opposite ends thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The run-flat support assembly as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the pair of contact bearing surfaces opposingly oscillate between contact pressure with the body and contact pressure with an interior wall of the pneumatic tired wheel in a run-flat condition. 
     
     
         7 . The run-flat support assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the run-flat condition comprises a flat condition selected from a group consisting of under-inflated conditions and deflated conditions. 
     
     
         8 . A run-flat support assembly for a pneumatic tired wheel, the run-flat support assembly comprising:
 a plurality of support segments positioned in a tire cavity of the pneumatic tired wheel, the plurality of support segments being abutted for end-to-end mating engagement to provide a tubular support structure having an interior circumference defined by respective radial surfaces of the plurality of support segments;   a plurality of skeletal structures disposed within the plurality of support segments, each of the plurality of skeletal structures including a body adapted to turn concurrently with the axis of rotation, the plurality of skeletal structures having respective torque flanges that extend through the radial surface of the plurality of support segments to provide a substantially circular body;   a plurality of circumferentially spaced linkages displaceably secured to respective mounting races of the bodies of the skeletal structures, each of the plurality of circumferentially spaced linkages adapted to plastically fail at a pre-determined moment load in a run-flat condition, thereby pivoting relative to the respective mounting races; and   a split wheel rim secured to the torque flanges.   
     
     
         9 . The run-flat support assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the substantially circular body formed by the respective torque flanges further comprises a plurality of mounting holes through the substantially circular body, the plurality of mounting holes being spaced to align with a plurality of standard wheel mounting holes associated with the split rim. 
     
     
         10 . The run-flat support assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the split wheel rim comprises two wheel half-sections. 
     
     
         11 . The run-flat support assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of support segments remain substantially centered with respect to interior walls of the pneumatic tired wheel during the run-flat condition. 
     
     
         12 . The run-flat support assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of support segments comprises a crown member for engaging an inner wall of the pneumatic tired wheel in the run-flat condition. 
     
     
         13 . The run-flat support assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the tubular support structure engages an interior of the pneumatic tired wheel between beads of the pneumatic tired wheel in the run-flat condition. 
     
     
         14 . The run-flat support assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the run-flat condition comprises a flat condition selected from a group consisting of under-inflated conditions and deflated conditions. 
     
     
         15 . A method for supporting a pneumatic tire in a run-flat condition, the method comprising:
 coupling a tubular structure to a wheel rim in a tire cavity of the pneumatic tired wheel, the tubular structure including a skeletal structure disposed therein and adapted to turn concurrently with an axis of rotation of the wheel rim;   in response to a pre-determined moment load in a run-flat condition, pivotally actuating a linkage displaceably secured to a body of the skeletal structure; and   periodically deflecting the interior wall of the pneumatic tire with the linkage as the wheel rim rotates.   
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein pivotally actuating a linkage displaceably secured to a body of the skeletal structure further comprises plastically failing a retainer member coupled the linkage to the body. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising selecting the run-flat condition from a flat condition of a group consisting of under-inflated conditions and deflated conditions.