Abstract: A tire includes a pair of axially spaced apart beads. A carcass ply extends between and is secured at axially opposite end portions to a respective one of the beads. A pair of bead fillers is also included. Each of the bead fillers is located radially outward of a respective bead. A flipper partially envelopes the bead and further engages and replaces a part of the bead filler. The flipper further includes a plurality of parallel extending reinforcing members. The flipper has a central portion located radially inward of the bead and a pair of leg portions. Each of the pair of leg portions extends radially outwardly from a bead reference. The radial extent of the leg portions is greater than a flange distance, being the radial extent of a flange of a rim, but less than the radial extent of an apex of the bead filler when the tire is properly mounted on the rim. The carcass ply turnup extends radially to approximately the height of the rim flange.

Abstract: A plasticizing unit is provided for palsticizing material which is subsequently supplied to an injection molding press. The unit includes a screw disposed in a barrel which has an inlet, an outlet, a reservoir zone portion, and a plasticizing zone portion. The plasticizing zone portion of the barrel and the screw each have a continuous helical groove of opposite hand as the other groove and the grooves transfer material therebetween to effect plasticizing of the material. The reservoir zone portion of the barrel receives a shot volume of material which has been plasticized during passage through the helical grooves of the barrel and the screw. A volume displacement member which is axially movably disposed in a bore of the screw is movable within the reservoir zone portion to selectively control the shot volume of plasticized material received in the reservoir zone portion.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a sealant composition for pressurized articles, and in the articles comprising the sealant. The present invention is particularly useful as a sealant for high pressure tires, adapted for pressures higher than 50 psig. The sealant of the present invention comprises a high molecular weight elastomer, a low molecular weight liquid elastomer, and a cross-linking agent. The low molecular weight liquid elastomer is substantially free of iron.

Abstract: A tire molding system includes a mold having a surface defining a cavity for receiving and shaping an uncured tire. The uncured tire is pressed against the surface defining the cavity. Fluid is evacuated from between the uncured tire and the surface defining the cavity. A recess extends from the cavity for forming a marking on the sidewall of the tire. A passage fluidly communicates the recess with the exterior of the mold. The passage includes a first end portion adjacent the recess and a second end portion adjacent the exterior of the mold. The second end portion extends for a distance less than one-half of the total length of the passage. A restrictor is located entirely within the second end portion of the passage for restricting fluid flow through the passage during the evacuation of fluid and before the recess is sealed off from the cavity by the uncured tire when the uncured tire is pressed against the surface defining the cavity.

Abstract: A tire having a mid-circumferential plane and comprising a plurality of circumferentially arranged tread blocks for contacting a road surface. Surfaces define a pair of substantially parallel grooves extending transverse to the mid-circumferential plane of the tire for at least partially defining each of the tread blocks. A channel separates each respective one of the plurality of tread blocks into a pair of tread elements. A first channel in a first tread block is oriented at a first angle relative to the mid-circumferential plane of the tire. The first angle varies from second and third angles at which second and third channels in respective second and third tread blocks adjacent the first tread block are oriented relative to the mid-circumferential plane of the tire.

Abstract: Joining elastomeric sheets includes providing a support surface with a cavity therein. End portions of the elastomeric sheets are overlapped so each end portion spans the cavity. A tool is located on a side of the elastomeric sheets opposite the cavity. A portion of the tool is moved into the cavity to deform the end portions of the elastomeric sheets and to form a joint having less than the combined thickness of the end portions of the elastomeric sheets prior to deformation.

Abstract: An apparatus for building a tire comprises a supply of elastomeric sheet material of a predetermined length and having spaced apart first and second end portions. A plurality of parallel extending reinforcing members are contained in the elastomeric sheet material of which adjacent reinforcing members are spaced apart a substantially equal first distance. An embosser for elastically deforming the first and second end portions of the elastomeric sheet material increases the distance between the adjacent reinforcing members in each of the first and second end portions to a second distance greater than the first distance. A drum is provided to receive the elastomeric sheet material with the first and second end portions overlapped. A mold is provided to bond together the first and second end portions of the elastomeric material in the overlapped portion under heated pressure to form a joint.