Patents Assigned to Michelin & Cie
  • Patent number: 6610261
    Abstract: A reinforcing aluminum-based filler which can be used for reinforcing diene rubber compositions intended for the manufacture of tires, comprising an aluminum (oxide-)hydroxide corresponding, with the exception of any impurities and the water of hydration, to the general formula (a and b being real numbers): Al(OH)aOb, with 0<a≦3 and b=(3-a)/2,  (I) the specific BET surface area of which is between 30 and 400 m2/g, the average particle size (by mass) dw of which is between 20 and 400 nm and the disagglomeration rate, &agr;, of which, measured via an ultrasound disagglomeration test at 100% power of a 600-watt ultrasonic probe, is greater than 5×10−3 &mgr;m−1/s is provided. A rubber composition suitable for the manufacture of tires comprising said aluminum-based filler as reinforcing filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Compagnie Générale des Etablissements Michelin - Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: Emmanuel Custodero, Laure Simonot, Jean-Claude Tardivat
  • Patent number: 6554038
    Abstract: A tire having a radial carcass reinforcement of low H/S ratio, at least one bead provided with an axially outer protuberance, the maximum axial width of which is greater than the space taken up by the rim, characterized in that the protuberance is provided with incisions of a width other than zero, of a depth of at most 5 mm and arranged circumferentially parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Compagnie Générale des Etablissements Michelin - Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: Pierre Chandezon, Jean-Jacques Drieux, Olivier Muhlhoff
  • Patent number: 6554036
    Abstract: An assembly of a rim and a closed toroidal tire. The tire includes a tire casing and a ring, defining a tight chamber. The ring provides a mounting base on the rim and forms a sleeve designed to rest on said rim in mounting position. The ring includes a protuberance having a locking surface, intended to be engaged in a complementary groove arranged on the rim in order to oppose any relative movement between tire and rim axially in at least one direction. The ring has such a degree of flexibility that a pressure reduction of the chamber causes a displacement of said protuberance toward a larger radius. The tire can, for example, be fitted on the rim, and then the vacuum can be eliminated so that the protuberance will be engaged in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Compagnie Générale des Etablissments Michelin & Cie
    Inventor: Michel Deal
  • Patent number: 6543500
    Abstract: A safety insert is designed to be mounted in an assembly including a tire and a rim of a vehicle, so that on bearing of the tire against the insert, the insert will generate multiple vibrating signals of the rotation frequency of the tire. In one embodiment, the vibrating signals are generated by a variation of at least one of the outer radius and radial stiffness as a function of azimuth &agr;, which presents at least four maxima distributed in at least twice two different values M1 and M2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Compagnie Générale des Etablissements Michelin & Cie
    Inventor: Arnaud Dufournier
  • Patent number: 6536496
    Abstract: A tire having a radial carcass reinforcement, which is surmounted by a crown reinforcement including at least two plies of reinforcement elements, which are crossed from one ply to the next, the two plies being of unequal axial widths, characterized in that each edge of the ply which is axially least wide is separated from the axially widest ply by a profiled element P of rubber mix, the profiled element P itself being separated from the liner C of the least wide ply by an edging rubber G, the profiled element P, the edging rubber G and the liner C having respectively moduli of elasticity at 10% elongation MP, MG, MC such that MC≧MG>MP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Compagnie Générale des Etablissements Michelin & Cie
    Inventor: Lucien Bondu
  • Patent number: 6523591
    Abstract: A tire to be mounted on a rim of axial width L, with flanges with rounded rim hooks, having a tread joined to two beads (3) by two sidewalls (2) and at least one carcass reinforcement (1) formed of at least one ply of reinforcement elements, characterized in that each bead (3) is without a bead wire, the carcass reinforcement (1) having in each bead (3) a meridian profile which is curved axially and radially from the outside to the inside to form an axially inner edge located in an angle a open axially and radially towards the inside, one of the edges of which is parallel to the axis of rotation, the carcass reinforcement (1) being reinforced in each bead (3) at least radially to the outside and axially to the inside by at least one first continuous additional layer (6), of meridian profile substantially parallel to the meridian profile of the carcass reinforcement (1) in the bead (3) and including at least one first section composed of at least one ply (61, 62, 63) of inextensible reinforcement elements form
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: Jean Billieres, Pierre Durif
  • Patent number: 6499522
    Abstract: A tire having a radial carcass reinforcement, a crown reinforcement including at least two working crown plies of inextensible reinforcement elements, crossed from one ply to the other ply, forming angles of between 10° and 45° with the circumferential direction, and an additional, axially continuous, ply formed of continuous, inextensible and substantially radial metallic reinforcement elements made of steel, the additional ply being placed radially between the working plies, and having an axial width which is at least 1.1 times the axial width of the widest working crown ply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Compagnie Générale des Etablissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventor: Guy Cluzel
  • Patent number: 6491077
    Abstract: A tire with a form ratio H/S between 0.3 and 0.8 has a carcass reinforcement (1) which is covered radially by a quasi-cylindrical crown reinforcement (3) and which is tangential at T to a holding circle C. The common tangent at T to the circle C and to the meridian profile of the carcass (1) makes an angle &agr; of between +20° and −80° with respect to a line parallel to the rotation axis and passing through the tangency point T. In its portion located between the tangency point T and the point E of greatest axial width, the carcass reinforcement (1) is provided with a reinforcement armature (6) of circumferentially non-extensible elements. Viewed in meridian cross-section and when the tire is fitted and inflated to the recommended pressure, the carcass (1) has a meridian profile consisting of four circular arcs configured to improve the endurance of the tire while improving its rolling resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale Des Establissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: José Merino Lopez, Pascal Auxerre
  • Patent number: 6491078
    Abstract: A tire for heavy loads and having beads intended to be mounted on flat rim seats or rim seats which are inclined at 5°, including at least one radial carcass ply formed of inextensible reinforcement elements and anchored in each bead to a bead wire to form an upturn, the end of which is located at a radial distance HRNC from the base of the bead. Each bead is reinforced by at least two additional reinforcement armatures, at least one first armature formed of at least one ply of radial textile reinforcement elements which is located axially to the outside of a second armature formed of at least one ply of inextensible elements forming an angle &agr; with the circumferential direction such that 0°≦&agr;≦45°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Establissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventor: Patrick Corsi
  • Patent number: 6484772
    Abstract: A tread for a tire, the tread being provided with a plurality of cutouts, defined by walls perpendicular to or oblique to the rolling surface of the tread, in which the two main walls of at least one cutout located in the part of the tread affected by the loading on the ground of the tire during travel are connected by at least one rubber connecting element and in that the total connection surface SE of the connecting element(s) is at most 80% of the surface defined by the geometric contour L of minimum length and surrounding said total connection surface SE. A method for producing a cutout provided with at least one connecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Compagnie Générale des Establissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: Bertrand Garnier De Labareyre, Jose Merino Lopez
  • Patent number: 6474382
    Abstract: A tire having a radial carcass reinforcement and a crown reinforcement composed of at least two crown plies and of inextensible reinforcing elements, preferably wire, crossed from one ply to the next by forming an angle with the circumferential direction that can range between 5° and 45°, and radially outside a tread, characterized in that said tread, composed of rubber compounds of different colors, is axially formed by at least three longitudinal parts, two lateral parts of rubber compound of a first color and, axially between said two parts, at least one rubber compound part of a second color other than black, each axial end A—visible outside—of the colored part with the second color being away from the end—situated on the same side relative to the equatorial plane of the tire—of the axially narrowest ply by a distance at least equal to 30 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Compagnie Generales des Establissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventor: François Finck
  • Patent number: 6470554
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for mounting a MacPherson strut suspension radius rod, comprising steps which consist in: inserting the elements forming the control rod beneath a mounting head having at least a tilting degree of liberty; bringing the control rod top end alongside a portion of the mounting head; compressing the spring by the relative movement of the mounting head with respect a locking member engaged in its prestressed spring, when the mounting head portion comes to a stop and when the shock-absorber rod moves beyond the upper spring retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Establissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: Francis Aubarede, Antoine Ducloux
  • Patent number: 6470939
    Abstract: A tire with a radial carcass reinforcement of maximum axial width S0, including a crown reinforcement formed of at least two working crown plies of inextensible reinforcement elements, crossed from one ply to the other, forming angles of between 10° and 45° with the circumferential direction, the plies having axial widths greater than the width of an additional ply of inextensible, substantially radial, metallic reinforcement elements. The additional ply is arranged radially between the working plies, the working plies being, on either side of the equatorial plane and in the immediate axial extension of the additional ply, coupled over an axial distance at least equal to 3.5% of the width S0, then being decoupled by profiled members of rubber mix at least over the remainder of the width common to the two working plies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Campagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin - Michelin & Cie
    Inventor: Guy Cluzel
  • Patent number: 6467783
    Abstract: A motor vehicle fitted with a system for controlling the camber (&thgr;) of the wheels of the vehicle on a bend, including, for each wheel of at least one front axle and/or rear axle of the vehicle, a suspension having a pair of suspension upper and lower arms, articulated at their outboard ends to a hub carrier and attached at their inboard ends to the body of the vehicle. The lower and upper arms of each pair are articulated at their respective inboard ends to a pivot transfer lever which is, in turn, mounted on the body by an articulation, the axis of rotation of which is contained in a longitudinal and vertical plane of the vehicle, the pivot transfer lever being capable of pivoting in such a way as to incline the wheels on the appropriate side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des et Establissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: Michel Blondelet, Gregore Gogu, Olivier Piffard, Loïc Serra, Davy Vernier
  • Patent number: 6467518
    Abstract: A toric membrane of reinforced rubber, used as a support for the tread of a tubeless tire and forming with the tire P and its mounting rim a rolling assembly, characterized in that, when inflated to a pressure p0 greater than the pressure p1 of the cavity of the tire, it has in the inflated state a crown radius RM less than the loaded radius RE of the tire when used at its recommended pressure, the membrane being reinforced in its crown by a crown reinforcement and a hooping reinforcement composed of circumferentially oriented cords or cables, and in its sidewalls by at least one reinforcement ply, wound around an annular reinforcement element having a breaking load slightly greater than that of the hooping reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Compagnie General des Establissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: Alain Clouet, Renaud Rivaton
  • Patent number: 6463975
    Abstract: A tire, at least one radial carcass reinforcement of which is anchored within each bead B to two bead wires and to form an upturn, characterized in that, viewed in meridian section, an additional reinforcement armature, formed of at least one ply of circumferential reinforcement elements, is placed, at least axially to the inside, along the carcass reinforcement in the region of the bead B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventor: Pascal Auxerre
  • Patent number: 6465544
    Abstract: Rubber composition intended for the manufacture of tire casings which have improved hysteretic properties and scorch safety, based on at least one elastomer and silica by way of reinforcing filler enclosing a reinforcing additive consisting of the mixture and/or the product of in situ reaction of at least one functionalized polyorganosiloxane compound containing, per molecule, at least one functional siloxy unit capable of bonding chemically and/or physically to the surface hydroxyl sites of the silica particles and at least one functionalized organosilane compound containing, per molecule, at least one functional group capable of bonding chemically and/or physically to the polyorganosiloxane and/or the hydroxyl sites of the silica particles and at least one other functional group capable of bonding chemically and/or physically to the polymer chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: Yves Bomal, Olivier Durel
  • Patent number: 6460589
    Abstract: A tire, at least one radial carcass reinforcement of which is anchored within each bean B to a bead wire to form an upturn, characterized in that, viewed in meridian section, the carcass reinforcement has a meridian profile, in the region of the point of inflection J between the convex part and the concave part, which is reinforced axially to the inside by an additional reinforcement armature composed of at least one ply formed of circumferential metal elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventor: Pascal Auxerre
  • Patent number: 6460590
    Abstract: A tire having a radial carcass reinforcement covered radially on the outside by a crown reinforcement consisting of two working plies of reinforcement elements crossed over and making angles of between 10° and 45° with respect to the circumferential direction, the carcass reinforcement in its portion underneath the crown reinforcement being formed of cut reinforcement elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventor: Noël Morel
  • Patent number: 6460587
    Abstract: A tire having a crown, two sidewalls and two beads, a carcass reinforcement anchored in the two beads and a crown reinforcement, the crown reinforcement including radially, from inside outward, a working block with at least one ply of parallel cords of circular orientation and a protective block with at least one ply of parallel cords of elongation at rupture greater than that of the cords of the ply of circumferential orientation of the working block, characterized in that said ply of parallel cords of circumferential orientation is the radially outermost ply of said working block and in that the parallel cords of said ply of said protective block have a circumferential orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Compagnie Générale des Etablissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventor: Yves Herbelleau