US3650865A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of inflating tires with foamable material
Assignee: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co
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Filing: 1969-12-15
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Granted: 1972-03-21
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Expires: 1989-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A method for producing a tire inflated with foamable material such as synthetic rubber. A number of preformed strips of unfoamed material are annularly layered within a tire, the first layer being against the inside crown of the tire. Any joints between successive layers are arcuately staggered. The layers of unfoamed material are compacted or compressed against each other and the tire, forming a laminated, foamable, annular insert within the tire cavity. A predetermined amount of unfoamed material is uniformly placed within the tire to give a desired tire pressure, when the material is foamed.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph S Hawkes
- 👤 David L Turk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:09
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D30/00; B29D30/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the annular layers are relatively thin compared to the depth (D) of the tire cavity such that a number of layers are required.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the material is foamable synthetic rubber.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of inflating a tire with foamable elastomeric material, comprising the steps of: a. layering at least one preformed strip of unfoamed, foamable elastomeric material in abutting annular relation within the cavity of a previously cured tire, forming therein a laminated, annular insert which, when foamed, expands within the tire and produces a predetermined desired tire pressure; b. mounting the tire with the unfoamed material therein on a rim; and c. heating the tire, mounted on the rim, to a temperature in the range of from 200* to 350* F. to foam and cure the material layered therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the layers of unfoamed material are in spiralling relation about the axis of the cured tire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 4, wherein any joints between successive layers of unfoamed material are in arcuate spaced relation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the cross-sectional area of the insert is substantially uniform throughout its arcuate length.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the thickness of each strip is relatively thin in comparison to the depth (D) of the tire cavity, such that a number of layers are required to form the insert.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8, wherein each strip is from about one-fourth to about 1 inch thick.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 4, which includes the step of compacting tHe layers of unfoamed material radially against each other and the inner crown of the tire prior to mounting the tire on the rim.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the step of compacting includes mounting an inner tube adjacent one of the layered strips of unfoamed material, and inflating the inner tube to compressively engage said layer and exert an outwardly directed radial force thereagainst.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the step of layering includes placing the first strip of unfoamed material against the inner crown of the tire. 13 The method of claim 12, which includes swabbing the inner crown of the tire with an adhesive prior to placing the first strip of unfoamed material thereagainst.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the elastomeric material is natural rubber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the unfoamed material is synthetic rubber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the synthetic rubber is ethylene-propylene terpolymer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the synthetic rubber is polyisoprene.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the synthetic rubber is silicone polymer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the synthetic rubber is polybutadiene.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the step of heating includes contacting the tire with air heated to a temperature of about 280* F.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 4, which includes placing an annular space filler adjacent the rim to partially fill the tire cavity and compressively engage the material when it is cured.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the space filler is an inner tube at least partially filled with fluid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the space filler is a rigid annulus for maintaining the cured insert in its compressed configuration.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
200 words
A method of inflating a tire to a predetermined pressure with foamable elastomeric material, comprising the steps of: a. taking a previously molded and cured tire and applying an adhesive on the inner crown of the tire; b. layering a preformed strip of unfoamed synthetic rubber in annular relation against the inner crown of the tire; c. successively layering similar strips of unfoamed synthetic rubber in annular relation concentric with the layer adjacent the inner crown of the tire, to build up a laminated, annular insert within the cavity of the tire; d. compacting the layered strips of unfoamed synthetic rubber against each other and the inner crown of the tire, after a predetermined amount of said rubber has been placed within the tire; e. mounting the tire and compacted unfoamed synthetic rubber on a wheel rim; and f. heating the tire, mounted on the rim, to a temperature in the range of from 200* to 350* F. to foam and cure the synthetic rubber disposed in the cavity formed between the tire and wheel rim, the pressure exerted by the foamed rubber against the tire being in corresponding relation to the amount of unfoamed rubber placed within the tire.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 24, wherein planes including the inner crown and layer closest thereto, are concentric and do not intersect.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 24, wherein planes including the inner crown and layer closest thereto, intersect.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 24, wherein each strip of unfoamed synthetic rubber is relatively thin compared to the depth (D) of the tire cavity, such that a number of layers are required to form the insert.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 27, wherein any joints between successive layers of rubber are in arcuate staggered relation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-21 | 1975-09-20 | 1976-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-21 | 1979-09-20 | 1980-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-21 | 1983-09-20 | 1984-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |