Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for applying a peripheral circumferential tread to the carcass of a pneumatic tire, said method comprising: providing an elongate elastomeric tread strip having a substantially flat back and a contoured tread face with at least two longitudinally extending ribs and an intervening valley on the opposite side thereof, laying the flat back of one end portion of at least one such tread strip against and generally tangent to the peripheral outer surface of the carcass, and rotating the carcass about its axis to wrap the tread strip therearound, while pressingly engaging the contoured tread face of the strip with a rotating, rapidly vibrating, continuous contoured surface having a contour which is a solid of revolution and which at least substantially matches the at least two longitudinally extending ribs and intervening valley of the tread strip as by having longitudinally spaced apart rib engaging portions and an intervening, enlarged diameter valley engaging portion to cause the same to uniformly contact the carcass throughout the width of the tread strip.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for applying a peripheral circumferential tread to the carcass of a pneumatic tire, said method comprising: providing an elongate elastomeric tread strip having a substantially flat back and a contoured tread face with at least two longitudinally extending ribs and an intervening valley on the opposite side thereof, laying the flat back of one end portion of at least one such tread strip against and generally tangent to the peripheral outer surface of the carcass, and rotating the carcass about its axis to wrap the tread strip therearound, while pressingly engaging the contoured tread face of the strip with a rotating, rapidly vibrating, continuous contoured surface having a contour which is a solid of revolution and which at least substantially matches the at least two longitudinally extending ribs and intervening valley of the tread strip as by having longitudinally spaced apart rib engaging portions and an intervening, enlarged diameter valley engaging portion to cause the same to uniformly contact the carcass throughout the width of the tread strip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
206 words
Apparatus for applying to a tire carcass a circumferential tread formed from at least one elongate elastomeric tread strip having a substantially flat back on one side thereof and a contoured tread face with at least two longitudinally extending ribs and an intervening valley on the opposite side thereof, said apparatus comprising: means for supporting a carcass for rotation about its axis, rotatable tread strip engaging means having a continuous surface thereon having longitudinally spaced apart rib engaging portions and an intervening, enlarged diameter valley engaging portion adapted to pressingly engage the at least two longitudinally extending ribs and intervening valley of a contoured tread face of a tread strip, mounting means for said engaging means and being adapted to so position the engaging means relative to said carcass supporting means as to guide the tread strip with its back laying against and extending substantially tangent to the periphery of the carcass to aid in uniformly contacting the carcass with the back of the tread strip as the carcass is being rotated to stitch the tread strip therearound, and means operatively associated with said tread strip engaging means for imparting vibration thereto to aid in uniformly stitching the tread strip to the carcass during rotation thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
206 words
Apparatus for applying to a tire carcass a circumferential tread formed from at least one elongate elastomeric tread strip having a substantially flat back on one side thereof and a contoured tread face with at least two longitudinally extending ribs and an intervening valley on the opposite side thereof, said apparatus comprising: means for supporting a carcass for rotation about its axis, rotatable tread strip engaging means having a continuous surface thereon having longitudinally spaced apart rib engaging portions and an intervening, enlarged diameter valley engaging portion adapted to pressingly engage the at least two longitudinally extending ribs and intervening valley of a contoured tread face of a tread strip, mounting means for said engaging means and being adapted to so position the engaging means relative to said carcass supporting means as to guide the tread strip with its back laying against and extending substantially tangent to the periphery of the carcass to aid in uniformly contacting the carcass with the back of the tread strip as the carcass is being rotated to stitch the tread strip therearound, and means operatively associated with said tread strip engaging means for imparting vibration thereto to aid in uniformly stitching the tread strip to the carcass during rotation thereof.