Non-pneumatic wheel assembly with removable hub

Abstract

A non-pneumatic wheel assembly is provided. More particularly, a non-pneumatic wheel assembly is provided having a removable hub i.e., a hub that may be separated from the remainder of the wheel assembly. The hub may be reused and other portions of the non-pneumatic wheel assembly replaced as needed. In addition, the hub may be constructed from a different material than used for other portions of the non-pneumatic wheel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A non-pneumatic wheel assembly defining axial and radial directions, comprising:
 an outer annular band providing a load bearing surface;   a plurality of web elements for supporting in tension a load applied to the wheel, said web elements extending axially across and radially inward from said outer annual band;   a plurality of intersections integrally formed by the joining of adjacent pairs of said plurality of web elements along their radially innermost portion, the adjacent pairs of said plurality of web elements circumferentially spaced apart at the attachment to said outer annular band, and   a hub centrally located within said outer annular band and removably connected to said plurality of web elements.   
     
     
         2 . A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of seats, each said seat defined by one of said intersections, each said seat located along a radially outward side of one of said intersections, and   a plurality of pins projecting along the axial direction from said hub, each of said pins removably received onto one of the seats defined by said plurality of intersections.   
     
     
         3 . A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of pins each comprise a connecting end, and wherein the non-pneumatic wheel further comprises a retaining ring removably attached to the connecting ends of said plurality of pins. 
     
     
         4 . A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of web elements define a width along the axial direction, and wherein said plurality of pins extend axially across the entire width of said plurality of web elements. 
     
     
         5 . A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in  claim 2 , wherein each of said plurality of seats is slidable over a respective said pin. 
     
     
         6 . A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of groove pairs, each said groove pair defined by one of said intersections, each said groove pair positioned on opposing sides of a said intersection; and   a plurality of tongues projecting along the axial direction from said hub, said plurality of tongues removably received in complementary fashion into said plurality of groove pairs.   
     
     
         7 . A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in  claim 6 , wherein said plurality of tongues each comprise a connecting end, and wherein the non-pneumatic wheel further comprises a retaining ring removably attached to the connecting ends of said plurality of tongues. 
     
     
         8 . A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in  claim 7 , wherein said plurality of web elements define a width along the axial direction, and wherein said plurality of tongues extend axially across the entire width of said plurality of web elements. 
     
     
         9 . A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of cylinders oriented longitudinally along the axial direction, each cylinder formed integrally with a radially innermost portion of one of said plurality of intersections; and   a plurality of pins projecting along the axial direction from said hub, each of said pins removably received into said plurality of cylinders.   
     
     
         10 . A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in  claim 9 , wherein said plurality of pins each comprise a connecting end, and wherein the non-pneumatic wheel further comprises a retaining ring removably attached to the connecting ends of said plurality of pins. 
     
     
         11 . A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of web elements define a width along the axial direction, and wherein said plurality of pins extend axially across the entire width of said plurality of web elements. 
     
     
         12 . A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in  claim 9 , wherein each of said plurality of cylinders is slidable about a respective said pin. 
     
     
         13 . A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of groove pairs, at least two said groove pairs defined by each of said intersections, each said groove pair positioned on opposing sides of a said intersection; and   a plurality of tongues projecting along the axial direction from said hub, said plurality of tongues removably received in complementary fashion into said plurality of groove pairs.   
     
     
         14 . A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in  claim 13 , wherein said hub further comprises an inner annular band extending between and connected said plurality of tongues and connected to a radially innermost portion of each of said plurality of tongues. 
     
     
         15 . A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in  claim 14 , wherein said plurality of tongues each comprise a connecting end, and wherein the non-pneumatic wheel further comprises a retaining ring removably attached to the connecting ends of said plurality of tongues. 
     
     
         16 . A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in  claim 13 , wherein said plurality of web elements define a width along the axial direction, and wherein said plurality of tongues extend axially across the entire width of said plurality of web elements. 
     
     
         17 . A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said outer annular band further comprises a shear band. 
     
     
         18 . A non-pneumatic wheel assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of web elements extend radially inward at an angle from a radial direction from said outer annual band.