SEMI-PNEUMATIC TIRE
A semi-pneumatic tire including an annular outer portion having a surface engaging crown portion, a first shoulder portion and a second shoulder portion; an annular base portion spaced radially inward from the outer portion; and first and second sidewalls, laterally spaced, connecting the outer portion and base portion forming a closed chamber. The width of the crown portion is less than the width of the base portion.
1 . A tire, comprising:
an annular outer portion having a surface engaging crown portion, a first shoulder portion and a second shoulder portion;
an annular base portion spaced radially inward from the outer portion; and
first and second sidewalls, laterally spaced, connecting the outer portion and the base portion forming a closed chamber;
wherein the base portion has a rim portion that has a generally planar cross-section; and
wherein the axial width of the crown portion is less than the axial width of the base portion.
2 . The tire of claim 1 , wherein the planar cross-section of the closed chamber is generally oval shaped.
3 . The tire of claim 1 , wherein the base portion comprises a rim surface portion, axially spaced annular rim seats, and axially spaced annular rim grooves.
4 . The tire of claim 1 , wherein the shoulder portions each have a large radius of curvature.
5 . The tire of claim 4 , wherein the radius of curvature of the shoulder portions range from about 36 degrees to about 44 with respect to a centerline across the cross-section of the tire parallel to the rim surface portion.
6 . The tire of claim 2 , wherein the shoulder portions each have a large radius of curvature.
7 . The tire of claim 6 , wherein the radius of curvature of the shoulder portions range from about 36 degrees to about 44 with respect to a centerline across the cross-section of the tire parallel to the rim surface portion.
8 . The tire of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the crown portion has a flat planar cross-section that is substantially parallel to the planar cross-section of the rim portion; and
wherein the axial width of the crown portion is less than the axial width of the rim portion.
9 . The tire of claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of the crown portion has a flat planar cross-section that is substantially parallel to the planar cross-section of the rim portion; and
wherein the axial width of the crown portion is less than the axial width of the rim portion.
10 . The tire of claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the crown portion has a flat planar cross-section that is substantially parallel to the planar cross-section of the rim portion; and
wherein the axial width of the crown portion is less than the axial width of the rim portion.
11 . The tire of claim 1 , wherein the axial width of the crown portion is 2 inches or less.
12 . The tire of claim 1 , wherein the axial width of the base portion is in the range from about 1 inch to about 5 inches.
13 . The tire of claim 1 , wherein the axial width of the tire at the widest portion is in the range from about 4 to about 8 inches.
14 . The tire of claim 1 , wherein the height of the tire in cross section from a rim surface portion to a crown surface portion is in the range of about 3.1 to about 5.1 inches.
15 . The tire of claim 11 , wherein at least 20% of the exterior surface of the crown portion in cross-section is flat.
16 . The tire of claim 8 , wherein at least 20% of the exterior surface of the crown portion in cross-section is flat.