Enclosed Cushion Patents (Class 152/157)
  • Patent number: 11845053
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing solid microcapsules, comprising the following steps a) adding, with stirring, a composition C1 to a polymeric composition C2 comprising at least one aliphatic or aromatic ester or polyester, additionally bearing at least one function selected from the group consisting of acrylate, methacrylate, vinyl ether, N-vinyl ether, epoxy, siloxane, amine, lactone, phosphate and carboxylate functions and mixtures thereof, whereby an emulsion (E1) is obtained comprising droplets of composition C1 dispersed in a composition C2; b) adding, with stirring, the emulsion (E1) to a composition C3 whereby a double emulsion (E2) is obtained comprising droplets dispersed in the composition C3; c) applying shear to the emulsion (E2) whereby a double emulsion (E3) is obtained comprising droplets of controlled size dispersed in the composition C3; and d) polymerizing the composition C2, whereby solid microcapsules dispersed in the composition C3 are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: CALYXIA
    Inventors: Damien Demoulin, Todor Khristov, Jamie Walters, Alicia Sadaoui
  • Patent number: 11780450
    Abstract: A tire management system assigns work to each of a plurality of vehicles and manages a loaded state of a tire mounted on each of the vehicles that perform the assigned work. The tire management system includes: an overload vehicle detection unit configured to detect an overloaded vehicle in which a tire load of the work assigned to each of the vehicles exceeds a predetermined tire load set in the tire itself of the vehicle; and a work contents changing processing unit configured to perform, when the overloaded vehicle is detected, processing of changing work contents of the overloaded vehicle such that the tire load of the overloaded vehicle becomes equal to or less than the predetermined tire load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsugio Sudou
  • Patent number: 11642918
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tire including a sealant layer and a sound-absorbing material layer, and the tire includes a sound-absorbing material layer which is adhered to an inner surface of the tire and a sealant layer which is disposed between the inner surface of the tire and the sound-absorbing material layer and includes a sealant for adhering the sound-absorbing material layer to the inner surface of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Inventors: Byeongho Seo, Dami Jeong, Changhwan Kang, Hakjoo Kim
  • Patent number: 11597235
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for degrading polyurethane foam from mounted polyurethane foam-containing tires, methods for separating a wheel from a mounted polyurethane foam-containing tire, methods for preparing a degradable foam-containing tire, and degradable foam-containing tires. The methods include applying a solution comprising at least one phosphorous oxoacid or an ester thereof to the polyurethane foam inside of a tire, incorporating a degradant comprising at least one phosphorous oxoacid or an ester thereof into the polyurethane foam, or both, and then heating to degrade the foam. Degradation of the foam allows for separation of the wheel from the rubber carcass of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua P. Abell
  • Patent number: 11518200
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire is provided with a noise damper made of a sponge material attached to a radially inner surface of the tread portion. The noise damper has protruding portions protruding from a radially inner surface of a band-shaped base portion. The protruding portions extend from one edge to the other edge of the base portion in the widthwise direction, and arranged at intervals in the tire circumferential direction. In a cross section of the tire parallel with the tire equatorial plane, the radially inner surface of each of the protruding portions includes a flat portion, and the radially inner surface of the base portion includes an arc portion parallel with the inner surface of the tread portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Yukawa, Toshiaki Suzuki, Takuya Sato
  • Patent number: 11479066
    Abstract: A tire and securing element assembly includes a tire inflated at a first pressure and a securing element. The securing element is an inflatable hoop inflated at a second pressure at least 10% greater than the first pressure. The securing element abuts an inner surface of the tire across 30-90% of a tread width. The securing element has a cross sectional area between about 0.4 and 47.0 cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Terence E. Wei, Paul B. Wilson
  • Patent number: 11453254
    Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire, a mounting direction of which is specified with respect to a vehicle, which includes: a tread portion extending in a tire circumferential direction and having an annular shape; a pair of sidewall portions disposed on both sides of the tread portion; and a pair of bead portions disposed inward of the sidewall portions in a tire radial direction; wherein a sound absorbing member is fixed via an adhesive layer to an inner surface of the tread portion along the tire circumferential direction, and a center position in a width direction of the sound absorbing member is disposed on a vehicle outer side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Tatsuro Shinzawa
  • Patent number: 11338265
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of microparticles and solid microcapsules comprising the following steps: a) the addition, with stirring, of composition C?2 in a composition C3, the compositions C?2 and C3 not being miscible with each other, the composition C?2 being either a monophasic composition C2 or an emulsion (E1) comprising drops of a composition C1, comprising at least one active ingredient, dispersed in a polymeric composition C2, the compositions C1 and C2 not being miscible in each other, the viscosity of composition C3 being greater than 10,000 mPa·s at 25° C. at a shear rate of s?1 and being less than 10,000 mPa·s at 25° C. at a shear rate of between 100 s?1 and 100,000 s?1, wherein an emulsion (E2) is obtained b) applying shear to the emulsion (E2), the applied shear rate being less than 1000 s?1, wherein an emulsion (E3) is obtained; and c) the polymerization of the composition C?2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: CALYXIA
    Inventors: Jamie Walters, Damien Demoulin
  • Patent number: 11077724
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes: an annular-shaped tread portion extending in a tire circumferential direction; a pair of sidewall portions disposed on both sides of the tread portion; and a pair of bead portions disposed on an inner side in a tire radial direction of the sidewall portions; and a band-like sound absorbing member being adhered on an inner surface of the tread portion in the tire circumferential direction; wherein the band-like sound absorbing member has a plurality of cuts, and both terminals of the cuts terminate at an inner side of the band-like sound absorbing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Hoshiba
  • Patent number: 11001105
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a carcass layer mounted between a pair of bead portions; a belt layer disposed on an outer circumferential side of the carcass layer; and a band-like sound absorbing member extending in a tire circumferential direction adhered to a region of a tire inner surface corresponding to a tread portion, the band-like sound absorbing member being locally disposed at a position distanced from a central region of the region corresponding to the tread portion, and an outer circumferential surface of the band-like sound absorbing member including cuts extending in the tire circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Inventor: Takashi Hoshiba
  • Patent number: 10792956
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a light-weight tire inner tube comprising a film tube with a wall thickness of 100 to 400 microns, pneumatic tires containing the light-weight tire inner tube, and related methods for manufacturing the light-weight tire inner tube. The film tube is comprised of a film material comprising at least one thermoplastic engineering resin and optionally at least one saturated elastomer, and the film material of the film tube has an oxygen permeability of 8-15 cm3 O2/m2·per day at 25° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventor: David G. Abdallah, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10647168
    Abstract: To be capable of preventing deterioration of uniformity after puncture repair while suppressing running noise. [Solution] A pneumatic tire 1 comprises a noise damper 20 fixed to a tire inner cavity surface of a tread portion 2 and formed of a porous material. The noise damper 20 includes a first part 23 arranged on an outer side in a tire radial direction and fixed to the tire inner cavity surface 16, and a second part 24 arranged on an inner side in the tire radial direction of the first part 23 and exposed in a tire inner cavity 17. A water absorption rate of the first part 23 calculated by a following formula (1) is in a range of from 5% to 25%. Air permeability of the second part 24 measured in accordance with Japanese Industrial Standard JIS-L1096 is in a range of from 1 to 7 cm3/cm2/s. The formula (1) is: water absorption rate (%)=weight change before and after immersion (g)/volume at 50% compression (cm3)×100 ??(1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masako Nakatani, Takahiro Kawachi, Nanaho Kami, Ayuko Yamada, Takuya Horiguchi, Tatsuhiro Tanaka, Keiji Takagi, Subaru Toya
  • Patent number: 10384494
    Abstract: A tire noise reduction device includes a noise absorbing member formed of a porous material, a band member formed of a thermoplastic resin, the band member being formed in an annular shape in a tire circumferential direction for mounting the noise absorbing member on a tire inner surface; a bonding member bent into a concave cross-sectional shape, a band bonding section at a key point where the noise absorbing member, the band member, and the bonding member are bonded by interposing the noise absorbing member between the bonding member and the band member. A band width (WB) (mm) of the band member and length (WY) (mm) of the band bonding section in a band width direction satisfy the following Formula (a) and a yield strength of the band section at the band bonding position in an 80° C. environment is 320 N or greater 0.01<WY/WB<0.75??(a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Naruse
  • Patent number: 10384495
    Abstract: A tire noise reduction device includes a noise absorbing member formed of a porous material, a band member formed of a thermoplastic resin, the band member being an annular shape for mounting the noise absorbing member on a tire inner surface, a bonding member bent into a V-shaped cross section, and a band bonding section at a key point where the noise absorbing member, the band member, and the bonding member are bonded by interposing the noise absorbing member between the bonding member and the band member. The band member has a band width WB satisfying the following formula (a). A band thickness H (mm) of the band bonding section and a thickness h (mm) of the band member have a relationship satisfying the following formula (b). 20 mm?WB?noise absorbing member width (mm)??(a) 0.4?H/h?0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Naruse
  • Patent number: 10226970
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to inhibit deterioration in the external appearance of a sound suppressor, even when used in cold areas. This sound-suppressor-equipped pneumatic tire includes: a pneumatic tire provided with a tread section; and a sponge-like sound suppressor which is affixed to a tire inner cavity-side surface of the tread section, and which extends in the peripheral direction of the tire. In the sound suppressor, a plurality of slits are formed in an exposed surface which faces the tire inner cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Yukawa
  • Patent number: 9937749
    Abstract: Adapter for a rolling assembly having an axis of rotation comprising a tire having two beads, a rim with rim well (13) between two rim seats (12) each with an axially outer end, and width W between axially outer ends of these rim seats. The adapter, coupled between each bead and each rim seat, has two axially outer ends (2) each comprising seat (3) and bearing face (4) in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Body (5) connects outer axial ends (2) and comprises a main reinforcement, face (16) in contact with each seat (12) and with well (13) and positioned radially on the inside. The adapter has a total axial width L between each seat (3), and 60%?W/L?20%. Body (5) comprises immobilizing element (8) to wedge the adapter in the rim well (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: Michel Ahouanto, Luc Bestgen, Jacky Pineau, Arthur Topin
  • Patent number: 9783002
    Abstract: A tire for a handling vehicle, designed to transport heavy loads, over short distances and at low speeds, and a mounted assembly consisting of a tire mounted on a rim. Also, a method for producing such a mounted assembly. A mounted assembly includes a tire mounted on a rim, having a tread designed to come into contact with a ground, two sidewalls extending radially inwards from the ends of the tread, and two beads extending the sidewalls radially inwards and in contact with the rim, an internal cavity containing a filling component consisting of at least one incompressible solid element, and which is a granular filling component consisting of granules at least partly separated from one another by interstices containing at least gas, and the fill rate, which is the ratio between the total volume of the granules, the total of the elementary volumes of the granules, and the volume of the internal cavity, is at least equal to 0.8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignees: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.
    Inventors: Olivier Ferlin, Gérard Bor
  • Patent number: 9586446
    Abstract: A ballistic resilient run-flat tire device, kit and method for manufacturing the same are presented for providing a vehicle a capability of traveling for at least 30 miles at 30 miles per hour, after the device has been compromised as of result of exposure due to ballistic ordinance rifle shots such as 7.62×39 mm and 7.62×54R or air loss from road hazard punctures. The device includes a tire carcass and a polyurethane inner coating inside the tire carcass that defines an inflatable hollow chamber within the ballistic resilient run-flat tire. The tire carcass has an annular tread, sidewalls, and beads. The polyurethane inner coating inside the tire carcass defining a hollow chamber provides additional protection along the sidewalls and tread of the tire carcass. The kit includes the un-interconnected elements of the device. The method includes the steps of curing, discharging, filling, injecting, introducing, mounting, obtaining, and preparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ACCELLA POLYURETHANE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Robert P. Rose, Larry R. Carapellotti, Joseph M. Campo
  • Patent number: 9108373
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire including a resin layer on at least a portion of the tire inside surface, the resin layer being formed from a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer composition in which an elastomer is dispersed in a thermoplastic resin. The pneumatic tire is provided with a fastener including a base material formed from a thermoplastic resin and engaging elements formed on the base material. Additionally, the base material of the fastener is fixed to the resin layer via fusion bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: The Yokohama Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Tanno, Ayako Jyouza
  • Patent number: 8997806
    Abstract: Provided is a tire noise reduction device including an annular noise absorbing member which is made of a porous material, and which is arranged on the inner circumferential surface of a tire. A protective layer made of a thermoplastic elastomer composition obtained by dispersing an elastomer in a thermoplastic resin is arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the annular noise absorbing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Tanno
  • Patent number: 8997805
    Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire in which the adhesion of a noise absorbing member formed of a porous material is improved. A pneumatic tire according to the present invention includes a resin layer, a noise absorbing member and a locking member. The resin layer is formed of any one of a thermoplastic resin and a thermoplastic elastomeric composition obtained by dispersing an elastomer in a thermoplastic resin, and is formed on at least a part of the inner surface of the tire. The noise absorbing member is formed of a porous material, and is disposed on the resin layer. The locking member is formed of a thermoplastic resin, and is bonded to the resin layer through the noise absorbing member by thermal fusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Tanno
  • Patent number: 8978720
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire 1 including a cylindrical annular structure 10; a rubber layer 11 that will become a tread portion, provided along a circumferential direction of the annular structure 10, on an outer side 10so of the annular structure 10; and a carcass portion 12 including fibers covered with rubber, provided on both sides 2S in a direction parallel to a center axis (Y-axis) of a cylindrical structure 2 including the annular structure 10 and the rubber layer 11. In a meridian cross-sectional view of the structure 2, an outer side 11so of the rubber layer 11 and the outer side 10so of the annular structure 10 have the same form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Kodama, Susumu Imamiya
  • Patent number: 8978721
    Abstract: A heat-expandable rubber layer is provided to an inner all of a pneumatic tire when the tire is in an uncured state. The rubber layer is expanded when the tire is in a vulcanized state. Once expanded, the rubber layer is capable of reducing rolling noises of the tire. The rubber layer includes an elastomer composition based on at least an elastomer, e.g., natural rubber or butyl rubber; a reinforcing filler, e.g., silica and/or carbon black; between 10 and 80 phr of a blowing agent, e.g., an azodicarbonamide compound; and between 10 and 50 phr of a hot-melt compound with a melting point between 70° C. and 150° C., e.g., urea. The combination of the blowing agent and the hot-melt compound, at recommended high contents, makes it possible to very greatly reduce an expansion ratio and therefore a thickness of the rubber layer once the pneumatic tire is vulcanized, without affecting noise absorption properties provided by the blowing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Mitsue Tanaka, Salvatore Pagano
  • Patent number: 8915272
    Abstract: Provided are: a noise reduction device with an improved adhesion of a noise absorbing member formed of a porous material and with a reduced processing time; a method of manufacturing the noise reduction device; and a pneumatic tire including the noise reduction device. The noise reduction device of the present invention includes: a noise absorbing member formed of a porous material; a band member for attaching the noise absorbing member to the inner surface of a tire; and locking members formed of a thermoplastic resin. The band member is formed of a thermoplastic resin. The noise absorbing member is disposed between the band member and the locking members. The locking members are bonded to the band member through the noise absorbing member by thermal fusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Tanno
  • Patent number: 8910681
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire including a noise reduction device in a cavity portion thereof. The noise reduction device has a noise absorbing member formed of a porous material; a band member for attaching the noise absorbing member to the inner surface of a tire; and locking members formed of a thermoplastic resin. Preferably, the band member is formed of a thermoplastic resin, and the noise absorbing member is disposed between the band member and the locking members. Also, the locking members are bonded to the band member through the noise absorbing member by thermal fusion, and the constituent material of the band member and the constituent material of the locking members are the same thermoplastic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Tanno
  • Patent number: 8746302
    Abstract: A tire includes a pair of sidewalls in spaced apart relation and extending substantially radially from a respective inner circumferential portion to a respective outer circumferential portion, a tread extending between and connecting outer circumferential portions of the sidewalls, at least a portion of a tire cavity defined by the tread and sidewalls, and a bead portion on the inner circumferential portion of each radially extending sidewall, the bead portion providing an engagement surface for engaging a wheel on which the tire is to be mounted, and a noise reducing foam disposed in at least a portion of the tire cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Anil K. Sachdev, William R. Rodgers, Howard William Cox, Mark W. Verbrugge
  • Patent number: 8733413
    Abstract: A runflat assembly including a plurality of arcuate components interconnectable to fit around a vehicle wheel. Each component includes a rubber body with a steel support member located within the body, which when mounted on a wheel defines a support ring around the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Tyron International Limited
    Inventor: Anthony Mitchell Glazebrook
  • Patent number: 8726956
    Abstract: A heat-expandable rubber layer is provided to an inner all of a pneumatic tire when the tire is in an uncured state. The rubber layer is expanded when the tire is in a vulcanized state. Once expanded, the rubber layer is capable of reducing rolling noises of the tire. The rubber layer includes an elastomer composition based on at least an elastomer, e.g., natural rubber or butyl rubber; a reinforcing filler, e.g., silica and/or carbon black; between 10 and 80 phr of a blowing agent, e.g., an azodicarbonamide compound; and between 10 and 50 phr of a hot-melt compound with a melting point between 70° C. and 150° C., e.g., urea. The combination of the blowing agent and the hot-melt compound, at recommended high contents, makes it possible to very greatly reduce an expansion ratio and therefore a thickness of the rubber layer once the pneumatic tire is vulcanized, without affecting noise absorption properties provided by the blowing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Mitsue Tanaka, Salvatore Pagano
  • Patent number: 8684055
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an explosion-proof security tire for vehicles. The tire includes an outer tire, a split rim, a L-shaped sealing ring, a combined support loop and a valve core. The combined support loop includes a plurality layers of support rings they are sleeved by layer on layer and fixed with the rim. The size of the tire can increased by the combined support loop so as to furthest shorten the distance between the inner wall of the outer tire and the outer wall of the combined support loop at a normal pressure of tire. At the moment that the tire is burst, the combined support loop can support the outer tire quickly and effectively, and control the change of acting radius of the tire in a minimum range so as to ensure the basic performance of the tire and to prevent accidents caused by sudden control loss of running direction and avoid potential security risks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventors: Xiaoyin Wu, Dazhong Wu
  • Patent number: 8679272
    Abstract: A run-flat pneumatic tire assembly includes a pneumatic tire having an elastomeric casing and a tire cavity formed therein. A longitudinally-extending and approximately planar length of strip material is helically arranged within the tire cavity to pre-stress the length of strip material for usage of the pneumatic tire during under-inflated and non-inflated conditions. A method of making a run-flat pneumatic tire assembly is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Edward G. Markow
  • Publication number: 20140020801
    Abstract: Provided is a low noise pneumatic tire in which the noise absorbing member on the inner peripheral surface of the tire is made less likely to be damaged when the pneumatic tire is removed from the rim. The pneumatic tire includes a noise absorbing member of a porous material which is attached to an inner peripheral surface of the tire. In the pneumatic tire, a lubricant is applied to the inner peripheral surface of the noise absorbing member. Alternatively, both end portions, in a tire width direction, of the inner peripheral surface of the noise absorbing member are covered with protective layers harder than the noise absorbing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Atsushi Tanno
  • Patent number: 8561661
    Abstract: A run-flat pneumatic tire assembly includes a pneumatic tire having an elastomeric casing and a tire cavity formed therein. A longitudinally-extending and approximately planar length of strip material is helically arranged within the tire cavity to pre-stress the length of strip material for usage of the pneumatic tire during under-inflated and non-inflated conditions. A method of making a run-flat pneumatic tire assembly is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Edward G. Markow
  • Patent number: 8505677
    Abstract: Provided are: a noise reduction device with an improved adhesion of objects formed of a porous material and with a reduced processing time; a method of manufacturing the noise reduction device; and a pneumatic tire including the noise reduction device. The noise reduction device of the present invention includes: objects formed of a porous material; a band member for attaching the objects to the inner surface of a tire at two positions spaced at substantially equal intervals in the tire circumferential direction; and locking members formed of a thermoplastic resin. The band member is formed of a thermoplastic resin. Each object is disposed at a predetermined position in the tire circumferential direction, between the band member and the corresponding locking members. The locking members are bonded to the band member through the objects by thermal fusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignees: The Yokohama Rubber Co, Ltd., Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Tanno, Yasuji Akiyoshi, Hiroshi Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 8448743
    Abstract: Provided are a tire noise reduction device allowing rapid and reliable puncture-repair of a pneumatic tire provided with an annular sound absorbing member on the inner surface of a tread portion of the tire, and a pneumatic tire provided with the tire noise reduction device. The tire noise reduction device includes: the annular sound absorbing member made of a porous material; and a repair liquid permeable layer stacked on an outer peripheral surface of the sound absorbing member. The repair liquid permeable layer has many continuous pores and has a flow resistance lower than that of the porous material. The tire noise reduction device is mounted on the inner peripheral surface of a tread portion of the pneumatic tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Tanno, Takumi Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 8439097
    Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire and a manufacturing method therefor which allow a reduction in a cavity resonance sound without complicated manufacturing steps. A pneumatic tire of the present invention includes: a pair of bead portions; a carcass layer bridged between the pair of bead portions; and an inner liner layer disposed at a tire inner surface side of the carcass layer, the inner liner layer being made of a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer composition obtained by blending a thermoplastic resin with an elastomer. The inner liner layer has a laminated structure including multiple film layers having different melting points of the thermoplastic resin from each other. The film layer having the lowest melting point of the thermoplastic resin is foamed to form multiple convex portions in the tire inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Futoshi Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 8439091
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire including: a tread portion and a belt layer on an outer periphery of a carcass layer that extends between left and right bead portions and a plurality of circumferential main grooves extending in a tire circumferential direction provided on an outer surface of the tread portion, wherein on a tire cavity side surface of the tread portion, a ridge (Ra) protruding into the tire cavity side in a direction opposite to a tire radial direction is formed that extends in the tire circumferential direction in a position offset from a tire center towards a well side of a mounting rim so as to encompass an entire width of a well and an entire width of a circumferential main groove positioned farthest to a shoulder side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Atsushi Tanno
  • Patent number: 8387670
    Abstract: A tire noise reduction device including at least one sound absorbing member of flexible polyurethane foam to be attached to an inner surface of a tire facing a cavity of the tire. The sound absorbing member includes a first sound absorbing layer placed on a tire inner surface side thereof and a second sound absorbing layer placed on a tire reverse inner surface side thereof, with the second sound absorbing layer being disposed on the first sound absorbing layer. The second sound absorbing layer has a density lower than that of the first sound absorbing layer. The second sound absorbing layer is of a thickness that is greater than or equal to that of the first sound absorbing layer. The second sound absorbing layer extends annularly in the tire circumferential direction, while the first sound absorbing layer includes a plurality of the sound absorbing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Tanno, Hiroyuki Tsujimoto
  • Patent number: 8376006
    Abstract: A tire noise reduction device including a noise absorbing member made from a porous material that is formed into a band, the band being disposed along a tire circumferential direction on an inner surface of a tread portion of a pneumatic tire, wherein the noise absorbing member is wound so as to be laminated with two layers or more on at least a part of the tire circumferential direction to form a circular body, a crossing section where an inside layer and an outside layer of the noise absorbing member interchange is provided in at least one location on a periphery of the circular body, and the ends of the longitudinal direction of the noise absorbing member are disposed inward of the outermost layer of the noise absorbing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Tanno
  • Patent number: 8365782
    Abstract: A tire noise reduction device and a pneumatic tire, in which tire vibration can be reduced while durability is maintained and tire noise is reduced. The tire noise reduction device includes two main sound absorbing members for changing the cross-sectional area of a cavity of a tire in the circumferential direction of the tire and two assistant sound absorbing members disposed between the two main sound absorbing members. Each of the sound absorbing members is formed of a porous material. Each main sound absorbing member includes a first sound absorbing part and a second sound absorbing part, where the second sound absorbing part has a density lower than that of the first sound absorbing part. Each assistant sound absorbing member has a density higher than that of the second sound absorbing part and a thickness less than that of the main sound absorbing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignees: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Tanno, Masayuki Taketani
  • Patent number: 8342289
    Abstract: Provided are: a noise reduction device with an improved adhesion of a noise absorbing member formed of a porous material and with a reduced processing time; a method of manufacturing the noise reduction device; and a pneumatic tire including the noise reduction device. The noise reduction device of the present invention includes: a noise absorbing member formed of a porous material; a band member for attaching the noise absorbing member to the inner surface of a tire; and locking members formed of a thermoplastic resin. The band member is formed of a thermoplastic resin. The noise absorbing member is disposed between the band member and the locking members. The locking members are bonded to the band member through the noise absorbing member by thermal fusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Tanno
  • Patent number: 8281834
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire and rim assembly is provided in the cavity with a noise damper in which a sponge material extending in a circumferential direction of the tire and having a volume V2 of 0.4 to 20% of entire volume V1 of the cavity, wherein the noise damper comprises a fixing surface fixed to a surface which surrounds the tire cavity, and a free surface directed to the tire cavity, a maximum value of thickness from the fixing surface to the free surface is in a range of 5 to 50 mm, including a thick mountain portion and a thin valley portion; and at least one of outer ends of the noise damper in the circumferential direction of the tire is formed into an inclined surface portion comprising a first inclined surface rising from the fixing surface and a second inclined surface extending from the first inclined surface to the free surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Yukawa
  • Patent number: 8276628
    Abstract: Provided is a non-pneumatic tire in which buckling can be prevented without a weight increase, the non-pneumatic tire including a spoke structure. The spoke structure is obtained by circumferentially arranging spokes intermittently at intervals and coupling together annular cylindrical outer member and cylindrical inner. The spoke structure is joined to an inner peripheral side of a tread ring. At least some of a plurality of spaces formed between two spokes adjacent to each other in the tire circumferential direction have an air-containing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoji Hanada, Hideki Seto, Yoshiaki Hashimura, Jun Matsuda, Tsuyoshi Kitazaki, Izumi Kuramochi, Kenichirou Endo
  • Publication number: 20120111463
    Abstract: The invention provides an insert for supporting a pneumatic tire which is intended to support substantially the entire internal face of the pneumatic tire and has a radially internal face intended to sit atop a wheel rim that accepts the pneumatic tire, has at least one cavity designed to be inflated by a valve of the wheel which valve is independent of the insert, via inflation gas conveying means opening onto said radially internal face and into said at least one cavity and discharge means for discharging the gas from this cavity, said at least one cavity and these conveying and discharge means being formed in and/or on the insert, the inflatable cavity being formed by an internal volume within the heart of the insert or alternatively by a concave external surface of the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: HUTCHINSON
    Inventors: Pascal Seradarian, Bruno Pelletier
  • Patent number: 8151930
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire with a noise damper made of a spongelike multi-cellular material is disclosed. The noise damper is divided into small dampers to improve the high-speed durability of the tire. The noise damper is provided with a water-impermeable outer coating to prevent water from infiltrating into the spongelike multi-cellular material during transporting, store keeping and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Yukawa
  • Patent number: 8136560
    Abstract: A tire noise reduction device includes at least one noise absorbing member made of a porous material. The noise absorbing member is attached to the inner surface of the tire tread portion. The noise absorbing member includes multiple continuous grooves arranged side by side in a tire circumferential direction in the outer peripheral surface of the noise absorbing member. Each of the continuous grooves has an areal groove bottom and forms see-through regions in the width direction of the noise absorbing member. A groove edge-to-edge distance between each adjacent two of the continuous grooves in the tire circumferential direction is 2 mm to 40 mm. A largest see-through cross-sectional area of each continuous groove is 20 mm2 to 100 mm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Tanno
  • Patent number: 8033309
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire and a rim includes a noise damper, fixed to a tire inner surface or a rim inner surface with the upper surface facing a tire inner space, and extending in the tire circumferential direction. The noise damper is made of a sponge having a volume ranging from 0.4 to 20% of the volume of the tire inner space. The noise damper is a laterally long and flat, with a maximum thickness ranging from 5 to 45 mm and a width more than the maximum thickness. The upper surface extends along a wavy curve including a hilltop, valley bottoms on each side of the hilltop and slopes extending down to the respective valley bottoms from the hilltop. Each end of the upper surface is terminated at the valley bottoms or the slopes. A thickness from the upper surface to the bottom surface ranges from 1.0 to 15.0 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignees: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., Inoac Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Yukawa, Yuji Sasaki, Atsuhiko Itakura
  • Patent number: 7992605
    Abstract: A tire assembly inserted in a conventional pneumatic tire that allows the driven vehicle to be operated in a normal operating condition as well as in both a low tire pressure and a “run flat” condition. The tire embodies a multifunctional tire support device that permits the tire even when punctured to continue to support the vehicle and never allows the tire to go entirely flat. The support device when installed reinforces the tire tread and its side walls by applying internal pressure against them should they collapse when tire is punctured. The invention embodies a means for supporting the tire with the multifunctional device and provides an additional embodiment that uses the same device with a backup redundant inner tube to provide support to the punctured or ruptured tire and permits it to be operated in a run flat condition. The inner tube is located in the assembly at a distance away from the tread so that any puncture of the tread would not also puncture the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Julian Yee
  • Patent number: 7984736
    Abstract: A cellular tire liner and air chamber system for pneumatic tires comprising a cellular tire liner interposed between the interior surface of a tire and an air chamber with an annular interface that extends from the air chamber to the interior surface of the tire, in the tread area of the tire and disconnects the sidewall portions of the tire liner from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Inventor: Douglas Joseph Shoner
  • Patent number: 7946324
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a run flat device for fitting to a tubeless wheel assembly for a motor vehicle, and to such a wheel assembly incorporating the device. A device of the invention comprises: an annular cover support structure subdivided into at least two ring sectors that are circumferentially juxtaposed; and locking means for locking the beads against the flanges to connect the support structure to the beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Hutchinson
    Inventors: Olivier Heuze, Florence Ratet
  • Patent number: 7918255
    Abstract: A run flat device for use in a wheel assembly comprises a wheel rim made of a plurality of blocks and a tire cover having beads mounted against flanges of the rim. The device includes an annular support structure for mounting around the rim to support the cover, the structure subdivided in at least two ring sectors to form the structure by juxtaposition in the circumferential direction thereof, and means for locking the beads against the flanges to connect the ring sectors to the beads. Each ring sector comprises at least two rigid support elements superposed in the radial direction of the structure and separated in pairs by respective rubber-based resilient layers, the layers adapted to shear based on a lateral force applied to the structure to enable the radially outer support element to be displaced axially relative to the radially inner support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Hutchinson
    Inventors: Olivier Heuze, Florence Ratet