US5115852A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Closed-torus tire and method for manufacturing same
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-05-01
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Granted: 1992-05-26
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Expires: 2009-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A mold member for use in manufacturing a closed-torus tire comprises an annular inflatable resilient member having a substantially cylindrical inner wall and a corrugated outer wall opposed thereto. At the beginning of a tire manufacturing process, the mold member is expanded from its corrugated shape into a perfect toroid. A layer of rubber is first wrapped around the toroid and then a filament or cord is wound about the rubber. Upon the completion of the winding operation, additional rubber material is molded in a toroidal shape about the filament or cord so that the cord is fully embedded in rubber. Simultaneously with the molding operation, the additional rubber material is cast to a central wheel member. After vulcanization, the mold member is deflated from the expanded toroidal shape to the original corrugated form and the mold member is retained in the tire as a run-flat component, the corrugations forming a bumpy riding surface to inform a driver that a flat has occurred.
Inventors
- 👤 John Z. De Lorean
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:14
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60C; B60C17/00; B60C17/01; B29; B29D; B29D30/00; B29D30/06; B29D30/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for manufacturing a tire, comprising the steps of: providing an internal mold member made of a resilient material with a memory, said mold member having a predetermined annular shape; expanding said mold member from said predetermined annular shape into a toroidal shape; forming a closed torus external tire member about the expanded mold member; maintaining said mold member in the expanded toroidal shape during molding of said tire member; upon formation of said tire member, contracting said mold member from said toroidal shape so that said mold member essentially resumes said annular shape; and retaining said mold member inside said tire member so that said mold member becomes a portion of the tire.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for manufacturing a tire, comprising the steps of: providing an internal mold member made of a resilient material with a memory, said mold member having a predetermined annular shape; expanding said mold member from said predetermined annular shape into a toroidal shape; forming a closed torus external tire member about the expanded mold member; maintaining said mold member in the expanded toroidal shape during molding of said tire member; upon formation of said tire member, contracting said mold member from said toroidal shape so that said mold member essentially resumes said annular shape; and retaining said mold member inside said tire member so that said mold member becomes a portion of the tire.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of heating said mold member prior to said step of expanding.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said step of expanding includes the step of pressurizing said mold member with a fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as set forth in claim 3, further comprising the step of reheating said mold member upon formation of said tire member and prior to said step of contracting.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein said step of contracting includes the step of withdrawing fluid from said mold member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said step of contracting further includes the step of pressurizing a space located between said mold member and said tire member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said step of reheating said mold member includes the step of applying microwave energy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said mold member is made of a material incorporating metallic particles and wherein said step of reheating includes the step of heating by induction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said step of forming includes the steps of wrapping a layer of rubber about said mold member upon expansion thereof into said toroidal shape and subsequently winding a filament or cord about the wrapped layer of rubber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said step of forming further includes the step of molding a rubber material in a toroidal form about the wound filament or cord, the wrapped layer of rubber and said mold member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 10 wherein said step of forming further includes the step of vulcanizing the molded rubber material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as set forth in claim 10 wherein said step of forming further includes the step of casting said rubber material integrally to a central wheel member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said mold member is made of synthetic resin material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said synthetic resin material is polyethylene.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said step of heating includes the step of injecting a heated fluid into said mold member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said step of heating includes the step of applying microwave energy.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said mold member is made of a material incorporating metallic particles and wherein said step of heating includes the step of heating by induction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of expanding includes the step of pressurizing said mold member with a gas or a liquid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of contracting includes the step of applying suction to an annular chamber defined by said mold member in said expanded toroidal shape.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of contracting includes the step of pressurizing a space located between said mold member and said tire member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of heating said mold member upon formation of said tire member and prior to said step of contracting.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 21 wherein said step of heating said mold member includes the step of applying microwave energy.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as set forth in claim 21 wherein said mold member is made of a material incorporating metallic particles and wherein said step of heating includes the step of heating by induction.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of forming includes the steps of wrapping a layer of rubber about said mold member upon expansion thereof into said toroidal shape and subsequently winding a filament or cord about the wrapped layer of rubber.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as set forth in claim 24 wherein said step of forming further includes the step of molding a rubber material in a toroidal form about the wound filament or cord, the wrapped layer of rubber and said mold member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 25 wherein said step of forming further includes the step of vulcanizing the molded rubber material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as set forth in claim 25 wherein said step of forming further includes the step of casting said rubber material integrally to a central wheel member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mold member is made of synthetic resin material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as set forth in claim 28 wherein said synthetic resin material is polyethylene.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mold member has a substantially cylindrical inner wall and a corrugated opposed outer wall.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as set forth in claim 30 wherein said mold member has a radial width dimension varying in a circumferential direction between a maximum value and a minimum value.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as set forth in claim 31 wherein said radial width dimension varies with a predetermined angular periodicity between said maximum value and said minimum value.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
71 words
A tire comprising: a substantially hollow run-flat member expandable from a predetermined annular configuration to a predetermined toroidal configuration, said run-flat member being made of a synthetic resin with a memory so that said run-flat member resumes said annular configuration upon collapse from said toroidal configuration; a closed-torus outer tire member substantially surrounding said run-flat member; and means for attaching said outer tire member at an axle of an automotive vehicle.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
71 words
A tire comprising: a substantially hollow run-flat member expandable from a predetermined annular configuration to a predetermined toroidal configuration, said run-flat member being made of a synthetic resin with a memory so that said run-flat member resumes said annular configuration upon collapse from said toroidal configuration; a closed-torus outer tire member substantially surrounding said run-flat member; and means for attaching said outer tire member at an axle of an automotive vehicle.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tire as set forth in claim 33 wherein said run-flat member has a substantially cylindrical inner wall and a corrugated opposed outer wall.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tire as set forth in claim 34 wherein said run-flat member has a radial width dimension which varies between a maximum value and a minimum value.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tire as set forth in claim 35 wherein said radial width dimension varies with a predetermined angular periodicity between said maximum value and said minimum value.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tire as set forth in claim 36 wherein said outer tire member includes a wound elongate tensile element.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tire as set forth in claim 37 wherein said tensile element is as least partially embedded in a rubber material.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tire as set forth in claim 36 wherein said means for attaching includes a wheel member, said outer tire member being fastened to said wheel member.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tire as set forth in claim 39 wherein said outer tire member is integrally cast to said wheel member.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
15 words
A tire as set forth in claim 33 wherein said synthetic resin material is polyethylene.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
28 words
A tire as set forth in claim 33 wherein said run-flat member has a radial width dimension varying along a circumferential direction to form a bumpy riding surface.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tire as set forth in claim 33 wherein said outer tire member includes a wound elongate tensile element.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tire as set forth in claim 43 wherein said tensile element is at least partially embedded in a rubber material.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tire as set forth in claim 33 wherein said means for attaching includes a wheel member, said outer tire member being fastened to said wheel member.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tire as set forth in claim 45 wherein said outer tire member is integrally cast to said wheel member.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
83 words
A closed substantially toroidal run-flat inner tire member in the form of a substantially hollow member expandable from a predetermined annular configuration to a predetermined toroidal configuration, said hollow member being made of a synthetic resin with a memory so that said hollow member resumes said annular configuration upon collapse from said toroidal configuration, said tire member having a substantially cylindrical inner wall with a substantially uniform radius and an opposed outer wall of varying radial disposition to form a bumpy riding surface.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
83 words
A closed substantially toroidal run-flat inner tire member in the form of a substantially hollow member expandable from a predetermined annular configuration to a predetermined toroidal configuration, said hollow member being made of a synthetic resin with a memory so that said hollow member resumes said annular configuration upon collapse from said toroidal configuration, said tire member having a substantially cylindrical inner wall with a substantially uniform radius and an opposed outer wall of varying radial disposition to form a bumpy riding surface.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
23 words
A tire member as set forth in claim 47 wherein said radial width dimension varies between a maximum value and a minimum value.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
28 words
A tire member as set forth in claim 48 wherein said radial width dimension varies with a predetermined angular periodicity between said maximum value and said minimum value.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
16 words
A tire member as set forth in claim 47 wherein said synthetic resin material is polyethylene.
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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) | 1995-05-26 | 1995-11-25 | 1996-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-05-26 | 1999-11-25 | 2000-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-05-26 | 2003-11-25 | 2004-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |