US3925129A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Tire retreading system
Assignee: LMRC ACQUISITION Co C/O OLIVER RUBBER COMPANY 1200 65TH ST A CORP OF TX
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Filing: 1974-04-19
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Granted: 1975-12-09
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Expires: 1994-04-19
Abstract
Abstract In a tire retreading system the circumference of a tire body is buffed to a predetermined radius after which a strip of uncured cushion gum rubber and a premolded, precured tread strip are mounted on the tire body. Rigid strips are positioned around the periphery of the mounted tread strip along the outer edges thereof, and a predetermined relationship between the exterior diameter of the mounted tread strip and interior diameters of the rigid strips is established to form a seal in the zone between the tire body and the tread strip having the uncured rubber strip contained therein. The assembly thus formed is mounted in a sealed chamber and is subjected to a heated, pressurized fluid whereby the initially uncured rubber strip is cured to bond the tread strip to the tire body. The rigid strips may comprise various materials such as cloth or synthetic belting, cloth or synthetic webbing, metal bands, etc. and may be either of two piece or one piece construction. The predetermined relationship between the exterior diameter of the mounted tread strip and the interior diameters of the rigid strips may be established either by tightening the rigid strips around the periphery of the mounted tread strip along the outer edges thereof and then pressurizing the interior of the tire body, or by temporarily reducing the exterior diameter of the mounted tread strip, positioning the rigid strips around the exterior periphery of the mounted tread strip along the outer edges thereof, and then allowing the mounted tread strip to return to its original size to the extent permitted by the rigid strips.
Inventors
- 👤 James O Blankenship
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:34
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D30/00; B29D30/06; B29D30/52; B29D30/54; B29D30/56; B29D30/58; B29D2030/582; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S156/00; Y10S156/909
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
253 words
A PROCESS FOR RETREADING A TIE WITH A PRPREMOLDED, PRECURED TREAD STRIP INCLIDING THE STEPS OF: ESTABLISHING A THERMALLY RESPONSIVE ADHESIVE LAYER AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF A TIRE BODY; WRAPPING A PREMOLDED, PRECURED TREAD STRIP AROUND THE CIRCUMFERNCE OF THE TIRE BODY OVER THE ADHESIVE LAYER THEREON; REMOVING AIR TRAPPED BETWEEN THE TREAD STRIP AND ADHESIVE LAYER AND THE TIRE BODY AND ADHESIVE LAYER; APPLYING AN INWARDLY DIRECTED FORCE ALONG EACH OUTER EDGE OF THE MOUNTED TREAD STRIP AROUND THE ENTIRE PERIPHERY THEREOF TO GENERATE A LARGER SEALING FORCE ALONG EACH OUTER EDGE OF THE MOUNTED TREAD STRIP AROUND THE ENTIRE PERIPHERY THEREOF THAN INTERMEDIATE OF THE OUTER EDGES OF THE TREAD STRIP FOR FORMING A SEALED ZONE BETWEEN THE TREAD STRIP AND THE TIRE BODY HAVING THE THERMALLY RESPONSIVE LAYER CONTAINED THEREIN, POSITIONING THE TIRE BODY - ADHESIVE LAYER - TREAD STRIP ASSEMBLY IN A CHAMBER HAVING A GENERALLY ANNULAR SHAPE AND A GENERALLY U-SHAPED CROSS-SECTION; FORMING A SEAL BETWEEN THE CHAMBER AND THE SIDE WALLS OF THE TIRE BODY AND THEREBY FORMING A SEALED ZONE SURROUNDING THE ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE TIRE BODY, THE ENTIRE PREMOLDED, PRECURED TREAD STRIP AND THE ADHESIVE LAYER THEREBETWEEN; ADMITTING HEATED, PRESSURIZED FLUID TO THE SEALED ZONE AND THEREBY ACTUATING THE ADHESIVE LAYER TO FORM A BOND BETWEEN THE TIRE BODY AND THE PREMOLDED, PRECURED TREAD STRIP; SAID INWARDLY DIRECTED FORCES PREVENTING THE HEATED AND PRESSURIZED FLUID FROM ENTERING THE ZONE BETWEEN THE TIRE BODY AND THE TREAD STRIP AND THEREBY ASSURING A UNIFORM BOND THEREBETWEEN.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
253 words
A PROCESS FOR RETREADING A TIE WITH A PRPREMOLDED, PRECURED TREAD STRIP INCLIDING THE STEPS OF: ESTABLISHING A THERMALLY RESPONSIVE ADHESIVE LAYER AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF A TIRE BODY; WRAPPING A PREMOLDED, PRECURED TREAD STRIP AROUND THE CIRCUMFERNCE OF THE TIRE BODY OVER THE ADHESIVE LAYER THEREON; REMOVING AIR TRAPPED BETWEEN THE TREAD STRIP AND ADHESIVE LAYER AND THE TIRE BODY AND ADHESIVE LAYER; APPLYING AN INWARDLY DIRECTED FORCE ALONG EACH OUTER EDGE OF THE MOUNTED TREAD STRIP AROUND THE ENTIRE PERIPHERY THEREOF TO GENERATE A LARGER SEALING FORCE ALONG EACH OUTER EDGE OF THE MOUNTED TREAD STRIP AROUND THE ENTIRE PERIPHERY THEREOF THAN INTERMEDIATE OF THE OUTER EDGES OF THE TREAD STRIP FOR FORMING A SEALED ZONE BETWEEN THE TREAD STRIP AND THE TIRE BODY HAVING THE THERMALLY RESPONSIVE LAYER CONTAINED THEREIN, POSITIONING THE TIRE BODY - ADHESIVE LAYER - TREAD STRIP ASSEMBLY IN A CHAMBER HAVING A GENERALLY ANNULAR SHAPE AND A GENERALLY U-SHAPED CROSS-SECTION; FORMING A SEAL BETWEEN THE CHAMBER AND THE SIDE WALLS OF THE TIRE BODY AND THEREBY FORMING A SEALED ZONE SURROUNDING THE ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE TIRE BODY, THE ENTIRE PREMOLDED, PRECURED TREAD STRIP AND THE ADHESIVE LAYER THEREBETWEEN; ADMITTING HEATED, PRESSURIZED FLUID TO THE SEALED ZONE AND THEREBY ACTUATING THE ADHESIVE LAYER TO FORM A BOND BETWEEN THE TIRE BODY AND THE PREMOLDED, PRECURED TREAD STRIP; SAID INWARDLY DIRECTED FORCES PREVENTING THE HEATED AND PRESSURIZED FLUID FROM ENTERING THE ZONE BETWEEN THE TIRE BODY AND THE TREAD STRIP AND THEREBY ASSURING A UNIFORM BOND THEREBETWEEN.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
The retreading process according to claim 1 wherein the step of applying an inwardly directed force along each outer edge of the mounted tread strip is carried out by: positioning substantially rigid strips around the circumference of the mounted tread strip along the outer edges thereof; and establishing a fluid tight relationship between the exterior diameter of the mounted tread strip and the interior diameters of the rigid strips such that the rigid strips form a sealed zone between the tread strip and the tire body having the thermally responsive adhesive layer contained therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
The retreading process according to claim 2 wherein the step of establishing a fluid tight relationship between the exterior diameter of the tread strip and the interior diameters of the rigid strips is carried out by: tightening the rigid strips around the exterior periphery of the tread strip along the outer edges thereof; and subsequently pressurizing the interior of the tire body and thereby establishing the fluid tight relationship between the exterior diameter of the tread strip and the interior diameters of the rigid strips.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
104 words
The retreading process according to claim 2 wherein the step of establishing a fluid tight relationship between the exterior diameter of the tread strip and the interior diameters of the rigid strips is further characterized by: temporarily reducing the exterior diameter of the tread strip; positioning the rigid strips around the exterior periphery of the tread strip along the outer edges thereof; and allowing the tread strip to return to its original size to the extent permitted by the rigid strips and thereby establishing the fluid tight relationship between the exterior diameter of the tread strip and the interior diameters of the rigid strips.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The retreading process according to claim 1 wherein the step of providing heated, pressurized fluid within the sealed zone is further characterized by simultaneously pressurizing the interior of the tire body, said pressure within the tire body exceeding the pressure within the sealed zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The retreading process according to claim 1 further characterized by the prior step of buffing the tire body to provide a circumference having a predetermined radius.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The retreading process according to claim 1 wherein the adhesive layer establishing step is carried out by wrapping the circumference of the tire body with a strip of uncured cushion gum rubber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
288 words
A process for retreading a tire body with a premolded, precured tread strip including the steps of: buffing a tire body to provide a circumference having a predetermined radius; establishing a layer of thermally responsive adhesive material around the circumference of the buffed tire body; wrapping a premolded, precured tread strip around the circumference of the tire body over the adhesive layer thereon; positioning rigid strips around the exterior of the mounted tread strip along the outer edges thereof to generate a larger sealing force along each outer edge of the tread strip around the entire periphery thereof than intermediate of the outer edges of the tread strip; establishing a fluid tight relationship between the exterior diameter of the tread strip and the interior diameters of the rigid strips so that each outer edge of the tread strip is pressed firmly into engagement with the tire body and thereby sealing the zone between the tread strip and the tire Body having the thermally responsive adhesive material contained therein; positioning the tire body - adhesive material - tread strip assembly with the rigid strips mounted thereon in a generally annularly shaped chamber having a generally U-shaped cross-section; forming a seal between the side walls of the tire body and the chamber and thereby forming a sealed zone encompassing the entire circumference of the tire body and the adhesive layer and the tread strip mounted thereon; admitting a heated, pressurized fluid to the sealed zone and thereby actuating the adhesive layer to bond the tread strip to the tire body; said rigid strips functioning to prevent the heated, pressurized fluid from entering the sealed zone between the tire body and the tread strip and thereby assuring a uniform bond therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
288 words
A process for retreading a tire body with a premolded, precured tread strip including the steps of: buffing a tire body to provide a circumference having a predetermined radius; establishing a layer of thermally responsive adhesive material around the circumference of the buffed tire body; wrapping a premolded, precured tread strip around the circumference of the tire body over the adhesive layer thereon; positioning rigid strips around the exterior of the mounted tread strip along the outer edges thereof to generate a larger sealing force along each outer edge of the tread strip around the entire periphery thereof than intermediate of the outer edges of the tread strip; establishing a fluid tight relationship between the exterior diameter of the tread strip and the interior diameters of the rigid strips so that each outer edge of the tread strip is pressed firmly into engagement with the tire body and thereby sealing the zone between the tread strip and the tire Body having the thermally responsive adhesive material contained therein; positioning the tire body - adhesive material - tread strip assembly with the rigid strips mounted thereon in a generally annularly shaped chamber having a generally U-shaped cross-section; forming a seal between the side walls of the tire body and the chamber and thereby forming a sealed zone encompassing the entire circumference of the tire body and the adhesive layer and the tread strip mounted thereon; admitting a heated, pressurized fluid to the sealed zone and thereby actuating the adhesive layer to bond the tread strip to the tire body; said rigid strips functioning to prevent the heated, pressurized fluid from entering the sealed zone between the tire body and the tread strip and thereby assuring a uniform bond therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The retreading process according to claim 8 wherein the adhesive layer establishing step is carried out by wrapping a strip of uncured cushion gum rubber having a predetermined width around the entire circumference of the buffed tire body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The retreading process according to claim 8 further including the step of covering the joint between the ends of the premolded, precured rubber tread strip prior to the step of providing heated, pressurized fluid in the sealed zone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The retreading process according to claim 8 further characterized by pressurizing the interior of the tire body simultaneously with the step of admitting a heated, pressurized fluid to the sealed zone, said pressure within the tire body being greater than the pressure within the sealed zone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
102 words
The retreading process according to claim 8 wherein the step of establishing a fluid tight relationship between the exterior diameter of the tread strip and the interior diameters of the rigid strips is carried out by: tightening the rigid strips around the periphery of the tread strip along the outer edges thereof while the interior of the tire body is unpressurized; and subsequently pressurizing the interior of the tire body to expand the exterior diameter of the tread strip and thereby establish the fluid tight relationship between the outer diameter of the tread strip and the inner diameters of the rigid strips.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
111 words
The retreading process according to claim 8 wherein the step of establishing the fluid tight relationship between the exterior diameter of the tread strip and the interior diameters of the rigid strips is carried out by: temporarily reducing the exterior diameter of the tread strip; positioning the rigid strips around the outer edges of the periphery of the tread strip while the exterior diameter thereof is temporarily reduced; and subsequently allowing the tread strip to return to its original diameter to the extent permitted by the rigid strips and thereby establishing the fluid tight relationship between the exterior diameter of the tread strip and the interior diameters of the rigid strips.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
192 words
An apparatus for retreading a tire body with a premolded, precured tread strip by means of an adhesive layer extending therebetween which comprises: means for applying an inwardly directed force along each outer edge of the mounted tread strip around the entire periphery thereof and thereby sealing the zone between the tread strip and the tire body having the adhesive layer contained therein; chamber means having a generally annular shape and a generally U-shaped cross-section for receiving the tire body - adhesive layer - tread strip assembly with the force applying means mounted thereon; said chamber means including means for cooperation with the side walls of the tire body to form a sealed zone extending entirely around the circumference of the tire body and the tread strip mounted thereon; means for admitting a heated, pressurized fluid to the sealed zone and thereby activating the adhesive layer to bond tread strips to the body; said force applying means preventing the heated, pressurized Fluid from entering the zone between the tread strip and the tire body during the curing process and thereby assuring a uniform bond between the tire body and the tread strip.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
192 words
An apparatus for retreading a tire body with a premolded, precured tread strip by means of an adhesive layer extending therebetween which comprises: means for applying an inwardly directed force along each outer edge of the mounted tread strip around the entire periphery thereof and thereby sealing the zone between the tread strip and the tire body having the adhesive layer contained therein; chamber means having a generally annular shape and a generally U-shaped cross-section for receiving the tire body - adhesive layer - tread strip assembly with the force applying means mounted thereon; said chamber means including means for cooperation with the side walls of the tire body to form a sealed zone extending entirely around the circumference of the tire body and the tread strip mounted thereon; means for admitting a heated, pressurized fluid to the sealed zone and thereby activating the adhesive layer to bond tread strips to the body; said force applying means preventing the heated, pressurized Fluid from entering the zone between the tread strip and the tire body during the curing process and thereby assuring a uniform bond between the tire body and the tread strip.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
75 words
The tire retreading apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the force applying means comprises: rigid strip means extending around the periphery of the mounted tread strip along the outer edges thereof; and means for establishing a fluid tight relationship between the exterior diameter of the mounted tread strip and the interior diameters of the rigid strips and thereby sealing the zone between the tread strip and the tire body having the adhesive layer contained therein.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
66 words
The retreading apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the means for establishing a fluid tight relationship between the exterior diameter of the mounted tread strip and the interior diameters of the rigid strip means comprises: means for tightening the rigid strip means around the periphery of the mounted tread strip along the outer edges thereof; and means for thereafter pressurizing the interior of the tire body.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
69 words
The retreading apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the means for establishing a fluid tight relationship between the exterior diameter of the mounted tread strip and the interior diameters of the rigid strip means includes means for temporarily reducing the exterior diameter of the mounted tread strip, and wherein the interior diameters of the rigid strip means are less than the normal exterior diameter of the mounted tread strip.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The retreading apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the rigid strip means comprise: elongate, flexible members which are substantially non-extendable with respect to length; and fastener means for securing the elongate flexible members around the periphery of the mounted tread strip.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
The tire retreading apparatus according to claim 14 further characterized by: means for pressurizing the interior of the tire body during the curing step with the pressure within the tire body exceeding the pressure within the sealed zone extending around the circumference of the tire body and the premolded, precured tread strip mounted thereon.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
263 words
An apparatus for retreading tires with a premolded, precured tread strip by means of a strip of uncured cushion gum rubber extending between the tire body and the tread strip which comprises: rigid strip means extending around the periphery of the mounted tread strip along the outer edges thereof; means for establishing a fluid tight relationship between the exterior diameter of the mounted tread strip and the interior diameters of the rigid strip means and thereby sealing the zone extending between the tread strip and the tire body having the uncured cushion gum rubber strip contained therein; a multi-part chamber for receiving the tire body - uncured rubber strip - tread strip assembly with the rigid strip means mounted thereon; said chamber including sealing means for cooperation with the side walls of the tire to form a sealed zone extending entirely around the circumference of the tire body and the tread strip mounted thereon; means for directing a heated, pressurized fluid into the sealed zone extending around the circumference of the tire body and the tread strip mounted thereon and thereby curing the previously uncured rubber strip to bond the tread strip to the tire body; said rigid strip means preventing the heated, pressurized fluid from entering the zone between the tread strip and the tire body during the curing process and thereby assuring a uniform bond between the tread strip and the tire body; and means for pressurizing the interior of the tire body during the curing step with the pressure inside the tire body exceeding the pressure inside the sealed chamber.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
263 words
An apparatus for retreading tires with a premolded, precured tread strip by means of a strip of uncured cushion gum rubber extending between the tire body and the tread strip which comprises: rigid strip means extending around the periphery of the mounted tread strip along the outer edges thereof; means for establishing a fluid tight relationship between the exterior diameter of the mounted tread strip and the interior diameters of the rigid strip means and thereby sealing the zone extending between the tread strip and the tire body having the uncured cushion gum rubber strip contained therein; a multi-part chamber for receiving the tire body - uncured rubber strip - tread strip assembly with the rigid strip means mounted thereon; said chamber including sealing means for cooperation with the side walls of the tire to form a sealed zone extending entirely around the circumference of the tire body and the tread strip mounted thereon; means for directing a heated, pressurized fluid into the sealed zone extending around the circumference of the tire body and the tread strip mounted thereon and thereby curing the previously uncured rubber strip to bond the tread strip to the tire body; said rigid strip means preventing the heated, pressurized fluid from entering the zone between the tread strip and the tire body during the curing process and thereby assuring a uniform bond between the tread strip and the tire body; and means for pressurizing the interior of the tire body during the curing step with the pressure inside the tire body exceeding the pressure inside the sealed chamber.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
The retreading apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the means for pressurizing the interior of the tire during the curing step comprises an inner tube contAined within the tire body and a rim receiving the tire body with the inner tube contained therein.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
61 words
The retreading apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the means for establishing a fluid tight relationship between the exterior diameter of the mounted tread strip and the interior diameters of the rigid strip means comprises: means for tightening the rigid strip means around the exterior periphery of the tread strip; and means for subsequently pressurizing the interior of the tire body.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
54 words
The retreading apparatus according to claim 20 further characterized by means for sealing the multi-part chamber with the tire body - uncured rubber strip - tread strip assembly having the rigid strip means mounted thereon contained therein and thereby engaging the sealing means of the chamber with the side walls of the tire body.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
159 words
In a tire retreading apparatus of the type in which a strip of uncured cushion gum rubber and a premolded, precured tread strip are mounted on the circumference of a buffed tire body and the tire body - uncured rubber strip - tread strip assembly is thereafter subjected to heated, pressurized fluid in a sealed chamber to cure the rubber strip and thereby bond the tread strip to the tire body, the improvement comprising: rigid strip means extending around the periphery of the mounted tread strip along the outer edges thereof; and means for establishing a fluid tight relationship between the exterior diameter of the mounted tread strip and the interior diameters of the rigid strip means so that the rigid strip means functions to seal the zone between the tread strip and the tire body having the rubber strip contained therein and thereby assure the formation of a uniform bond between the tire body and the tread strip.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
159 words
In a tire retreading apparatus of the type in which a strip of uncured cushion gum rubber and a premolded, precured tread strip are mounted on the circumference of a buffed tire body and the tire body - uncured rubber strip - tread strip assembly is thereafter subjected to heated, pressurized fluid in a sealed chamber to cure the rubber strip and thereby bond the tread strip to the tire body, the improvement comprising: rigid strip means extending around the periphery of the mounted tread strip along the outer edges thereof; and means for establishing a fluid tight relationship between the exterior diameter of the mounted tread strip and the interior diameters of the rigid strip means so that the rigid strip means functions to seal the zone between the tread strip and the tire body having the rubber strip contained therein and thereby assure the formation of a uniform bond between the tire body and the tread strip.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement according to claim 24 wherein the rigid strip means provides elongate, flexible members which are substantially non-extendable lengthwise thereof.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement according to claim 25 wherein the rigid strip means further includes fastener means for tightening the elongate, flexible members around the periphery of the mounted tread strip.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvement according to claim 24 further characterized by means connecting the elongate, flexible members one to the other to provide an assembly having an overall width substantially equal to that of the tread strip.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-08 | 1979-06-09 | 1979-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-08 | 1983-06-09 | 1983-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-08 | 1987-06-09 | 1987-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |