US6779572B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Run flat tire support and colorant therefor
Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
•
Filing: 2001-09-06
•
Granted: 2004-08-24
•
Expires: 2021-09-06
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a unitary run flat tire (RFT) reinforcement that is formed into a relatively rigid shape. The reinforcement is insertable into a mold for an RFT support and can maintain the needed structural rigidity for such insertion. Further, the invention provides an RFT support that is molded and includes the RFT reinforcement. The invention also provides a wheel assembly including a tire, a rim, and an RFT support between the rim and the tire, where the support includes the RFT reinforcement. The RFT support can have a colored indicator formed or subsequently applied thereto to indicate one or more attributes of the support.
Inventors
- 👤 Rick L. Tabor
- 👤 Patricio Jimenez, Jr.
- 👤 Wayne R. Wilkomm
- 👤 Ralph D. Priester, Jr.
- 👤 Marty C. Cornell
- 👤 Chris P. Christenson
- 👤 Kimberly F. Bennett
- 👤 Peder E. Danielsen
- 👤 Jeffery D. Zawisza
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:07
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60C; B60C15/00; B60C15/02; B60C15/0236; B29; B29C; B29C39/00; B29C39/02; B29C39/028; B29C39/10; B29C41/00; B29C41/02; B29C41/04; B29C41/042; B29C41/045; B29C45/00; B29C45/0005; B29C48/00; B29C48/15; B29C48/151; B29C48/152; B29C48/153; B29C53/00; B29C53/56; B29C53/58; B29C53/60; B60C17/00; B60C17/04; B60C17/06; B60C17/061; B29C2793/00; B29C2793/009; B29C31/00; B29C31/04; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C48/03; B29C48/05; B29C48/06; B29C48/07; B29C48/08; B29C48/12; B29C48/154; B29C48/25; B29C48/30; B29C48/32; B29C48/335; B29C53/62; B29C53/80; B29C53/8008; B29C53/805; B29C53/8058; B29C53/8066; B29C53/8075; B29C67/00; B29C67/24; B29C67/246; B29K; B29K2025/00; B29K2063/00; B29K2075/00; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/0005; B29K2105/0032; B29K2105/04; B29K2105/06; B29K2105/08; B29K2267/00; B29K2309/00; B29K2309/08; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0018; B29K2995/002; B29L; B29L2009/00; B29L2030/00; B60C2017/063; B60C2017/068; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T152/00; Y10T152/10; Y10T152/10036; Y10T152/10054; Y10T152/10495; Y10T152/10738; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24058; Y10T428/24074; Y10T428/24091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of manufacturing a run flat tire (RFT) support, comprising: a) flowing a moldable material into an RFT support mold having a preformed RFT support reinforcement to form the RFT support; and b) visually identifying at least one attribute of the RFT support by adding a preselected colorant at least a portion of the RFT support.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of manufacturing a run flat tire (RFT) support, comprising: a) flowing a moldable material into an RFT support mold having a preformed RFT support reinforcement to form the RFT support; and b) visually identifying at least one attribute of the RFT support by adding a preselected colorant at least a portion of the RFT support.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the RFT reinforcement having one effective layer and flowing the moldable material through at least a portion of the reinforcement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the preselected colorant is added to at least a portion of the RFT support during a molding process.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the preselected colorant is added to at least a portion of the RFT support during a reaction injection molding (RIM) process.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the preselected colorant is substantially uniform across at least one portion of the RFT support.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the preselected colorant comprises forming one or more indicia that are perpendicular, parallel, or at one or more angles to a central axis of the RFT support.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the preselected colorant is added to at least a portion of the RFT support after the moldable material is hardened.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the preselected colorant comprises forming one or more indicia that are perpendicular, parallel or at one or more angles to a central axis of the RFT support.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the preselected colorant is part of the moldable material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the preselected colorant is substantially uniformly mixed with the moldable material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the preselected colorant is a stable or inert material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the preselected colorant is a dye.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the preselected colorant is applied to the RFT support.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the preselected colorant is coupled to at least one surface of the RFT support.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein the preselected colorant is coupled to the outer periphery, inner periphery or side wall of the RFT support.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the RET support is substantially covered with the preselected colorant.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein the preselected colorant is a barrier for a gaseous component or liquid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the preselected colorant comprises a plurality of visual indicia to indicate greater than one attribute of the RFT support.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the preselected colorant is more than one color.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the preselected colorant identifies usage or wear.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the preselected colorant is applied to the RFT support after or before a molding process.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein the preselected colorant is applied to the RFT support after molding.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the preselected colorant is applied to the RFT support by gravure, roll, spin, flow, brush, electrostatic, dip, spray, immersion, powder coat, coat, paint, or a combination thereof.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of installing a run flat tire (RFT) support on a wheel rim, comprising: a) selecting a wheel rim; b) selecting an RFT support suitable to the wheel rim based on a colored indicator formed on the RFT support, the colored indicator indicating at least one attribute of the RFT support, and the RFT support having a preformed RFT reinforcement molded therein; and c) installing the RFT support on the wheel rim.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of installing a run flat tire (RFT) support on a wheel rim, comprising: a) selecting a wheel rim; b) selecting an RFT support suitable to the wheel rim based on a colored indicator formed on the RFT support, the colored indicator indicating at least one attribute of the RFT support, and the RFT support having a preformed RFT reinforcement molded therein; and c) installing the RFT support on the wheel rim.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the RFT reinforcement comprises one effective layer and has a rigidity sufficient to deform about 20% or less when dropped from about two meters high to a hard surface when an axis of the reinforcement is substantially perpendicular to gravity.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of installing a run flat tire (RFT) support on a wheel rim, comprising: a) selecting a wheel rim; b) selecting an RFT support suitable to the wheel rim based on a colored indicator formed on the RFT support, the colored indicator indicating at least one attribute of the RFT support, and the RFT support having a preformed RFT reinforcement molded therein; c) selecting a tire suitable to the wheel rim; and d) disposing the RFT support at least partially between an interior surface of the tire and an outer periphery of the wheel rim.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of installing a run flat tire (RFT) support on a wheel rim, comprising: a) selecting a wheel rim; b) selecting an RFT support suitable to the wheel rim based on a colored indicator formed on the RFT support, the colored indicator indicating at least one attribute of the RFT support, and the RFT support having a preformed RFT reinforcement molded therein; c) selecting a tire suitable to the wheel rim; and d) disposing the RFT support at least partially between an interior surface of the tire and an outer periphery of the wheel rim.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein the colored indicator indicates an attribute of the RFT support that is suitable to the tire or a combination of the tire and wheel rim.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein the colored indicator is coupled to at least one surface of the RFT support.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the RFT support is substantially covered with the colored indicator.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein the colored indicator comprises a plurality of visual indicia to indicate greater than one attribute of the RFT support.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of installing a run flat tire (RFT) support on a wheel rim, comprising: a) selecting a wheel rim; b) selecting an RFT support suitable to the wheel rim based on a colored indicator formed on the RFT support, the colored indicator indicating at least on attribute of the RFT support; and c) installing the RFT support on the wheel rim; the RFT support comprising at least one RFT reinforcement that comprises one effective layer and has a rigidity sufficient to deform about 20% or less when dropped from about two meters high to a hard surface when an axis of the reinforcement is substantially perpendicular to gravity.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of installing a run flat tire (RFT) support on a wheel rim, comprising: a) selecting a wheel rim; b) selecting an RFT support suitable to the wheel rim based on a colored indicator formed on the RFT support, the colored indicator indicating at least on attribute of the RFT support; and c) installing the RFT support on the wheel rim; the RFT support comprising at least one RFT reinforcement that comprises one effective layer and has a rigidity sufficient to deform about 20% or less when dropped from about two meters high to a hard surface when an axis of the reinforcement is substantially perpendicular to gravity.
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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) | 2007-08-24 | 2008-02-23 | 2008-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-08-24 | 2012-02-23 | 2012-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-08-24 | 2016-02-23 | 2016-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |