Replacement tread and method

Claim 1

A replacement tread for installation on a prepared pneumatic tire casing, such tire casing when in a maximum expanded condition having a maximum diameter and a maximum cross section, said replacement tread comprising, in combination, an endless, flexible, premolded and vulcanized central tread portion having a relaxed diameter less than such maximum diameter of such tire casing and having a pair of opposed and depending vulcanized integral shoulder wings extending downwardly from said central tread portion, each of said shoulder wings having a bottom edge which defines a circle spaced downwardly on the shoulder of such tire casing with respect to the tread portion of such tire casing, said central tread portion and said shoulder wings when in the relaxed condition having a cross-sectional dimension less than the corresponding maximum cross-sectional dimension of such tire casing, said replacement tread being stretched when installed on such tire casing, whereby the entire contacting surface of said replacement tread is placed under tension, said shoulder wings biasing said bottom edges inwardly against such tire casing to effect a seal with such tire casing, said replacement tread having its entire underside in contacting relationship with the adjacent surface of such tire casing.