Abstract: A method for increasing effective skid depth on a retreaded tire is provided along with a retreaded tire assembly. A kit for increasing effective skid depth of a retreaded tire is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and apparatus for spreading beads in a tire. Particular embodiments of such methods include securing at least a portion of a first bead of the tire and positioning a tire spreader within the central opening of the tire, the tire spreader having a bead engaging portion for engaging a portion of a second bead generally opposite the secured portion of the first bead. Such methods may further include automatically translating the bead engaging portion of the tire spreader generally in an axial direction of the tire to displace the engaged portion of the second bead a desired distance to increase the distance between the opposing beads to form a widened interior cavity opening.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying a repair patch to a damaged portion of a tire, the steps of the method including removably positioning the patch in a repair position overlapping the damaged portion, pulling a tab to remove a protective sheet to uncover at least a portion of the bonding surface while the patch is in contact with the tire, and pressing the uncovered bonding surface into contact with the tire.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for controlling the abrasion of a tire surface. Particular embodiments provide an abrading tool for abrading a surface of a tire, the tool comprising means for rotating an abrading wheel, an abrading wheel rotatably attached to the means for rotating, and a depth guide secured to the means for rotating, wherein the depth guide includes a pair of freely rotatable, spaced apart guide wheels. Further embodiments include a depth guide configured for use with an abrading tool which includes a abrading wheel and a means for rotating the abrading wheel, the depth guide comprising a mounting member securable to the means for rotating and a pair of freely rotatable, spaced apart guide wheels rotatably attached to the mounting member. Particular embodiments further include a method for preparing a portion of a tire for repair.

Abstract: A method for preparing a portion of a tire for repair includes the steps of providing a template having a pair of guide edges, securing the template to an interior surface of the tire, providing a tool for forming a discontinuity in the interior surface of the tire, forming a discontinuity in the interior surface of the tire, with the tool, along the guide edges of the template, and removing the template from the tire.

Abstract: A method for increasing effective skid depth on a retreaded tire is provided along with a retreaded tire assembly. A kit for increasing effective skid depth of a retreaded tire is also provided.

Abstract: A method for preparing a retreaded tire is provided in which a bottom tread surface is configured to introduce microroughness and macroroughness thereon for adhesion with a tire carcass during a retread process. A tire tread having a tread bottom surface so configured is also provided.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and apparatus for preparing a tire surface for receiving a tire patch. Such methods include selecting a desired depth marking template for use in forming one or more depth marking apertures within a tire surface and within a desired tire patch application area, each of the one or more depth marking apertures having a desired depth corresponding to a desired depth of the patch receiving area, the template having one or more openings extending through a thickness of the template corresponding to the one or more marking apertures to be formed. The methods further include forming one or more depth marking apertures within the tread by inserting a material removal member of a power tool into each of the one or more openings in the template, the power tool removing tire material to the desired depth for each aperture.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and apparatus for spreading beads in a tire. Particular embodiments of such methods include securing at least a portion of a first bead of the tire and positioning a tire spreader within the central opening of the tire, the tire spreader having a bead engaging portion for engaging a portion of a second bead generally opposite the secured portion of the first bead. Such methods may further include automatically translating the bead engaging portion of the tire spreader generally in an axial direction of the tire to displace the engaged portion of the second bead a desired distance to increase the distance between the opposing beads to form a widened interior cavity opening.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for controlling the abrasion of a tire surface. Particular embodiments provide an abrading tool for abrading a surface of a tire, the tool comprising means for rotating an abrading wheel, an abrading wheel rotatably attached to the means for rotating, and a depth guide secured to the means for rotating, wherein the depth guide includes a pair of freely rotatable, spaced apart guide wheels. Further embodiments include a depth guide configured for use with an abrading tool which includes a abrading wheel and a means for rotating the abrading wheel, the depth guide comprising a mounting member securable to the means for rotating and a pair of freely rotatable, spaced apart guide wheels rotatably attached to the mounting member. Particular embodiments further include a method for preparing a portion of a tire for repair.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and apparatus for spreading beads in a tire. Particular embodiments of such methods include positioning a tire adjacent an automated material abrading tool, the tire having: a central opening bounded radially by an inner bead diameter; an interior tire cavity extending radially outward from the inner bead diameter; and an interior tire cavity opening extending between opposing an annular beads of the tire, the cavity being positioned between the central cavity and the interior tire cavity. Such methods may also include securing at least a portion of the first bead of the tire and positioning a tire spreader within the central opening of the tire, the tire spreader having a bead engaging portion for engaging a portion of the second bead generally opposite the secured portion of the first bead.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for controlling the abrasion of a tire surface. Particular embodiments provide an abrading tool for abrading a surface of a tire, the tool comprising means for rotating an abrading wheel, an abrading wheel rotatably attached to the means for rotating, and a depth guide secured to the means for rotating, wherein the depth guide includes a pair of freely rotatable, spaced apart guide wheels. Further embodiments include a depth guide configured for use with an abrading tool which includes a abrading wheel and a means for rotating the abrading wheel, the depth guide comprising a mounting member securable to the means for rotating and a pair of freely rotatable, spaced apart guide wheels rotatably attached to the mounting member. Particular embodiments further include a method for preparing a portion of a tire for repair.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and apparatus for spreading beads in a tire. Particular embodiments of such methods include positioning a tire adjacent an automated material abrading tool, the tire having: a central opening bounded radially by an inner bead diameter; an interior tire cavity extending radially outward from the inner bead diameter; and an interior tire cavity opening extending between opposing an annular beads of the tire, the cavity being positioned between the central cavity and the interior tire cavity. Such methods may also include securing at least a portion of the first bead of the tire and positioning a tire spreader within the central opening of the tire, the tire spreader having a bead engaging portion for engaging a portion of the second bead generally opposite the secured portion of the first bead.

Abstract: A repair patch for repairing radial tires that reduces the size of a bulge as typically appears in the sidewall of a repaired radial tire. The patch includes a ply package having a first reinforcement ply and a second reinforcement ply superimposed on the first reinforcement ply. The first reinforcement ply package comprises a tissue of first reinforcement cords that are arranged in a radial direction while the second reinforcement play comprises a tissue of second reinforcement cords that are arranged essentially in a 0 degrees direction. The patch of particular embodiments may further include a top cushion gum layer and a bottom cushion gum layer, wherein the ply package is interposed between the top and bottom cushion gum layers. Also included are methods for using the repair patch to repair radial tires.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for controlling the abrasion of a tire surface. Particular embodiments provide an abrading tool for abrading a surface of a tire, the tool comprising means for rotating an abrading wheel, an abrading wheel rotatably attached to the means for rotating, and a depth guide secured to the means for rotating, wherein the depth guide includes a pair of freely rotatable, spaced apart guide wheels. Further embodiments include a depth guide configured for use with an abrading tool which includes a abrading wheel and a means for rotating the abrading wheel, the depth guide comprising a mounting member securable to the means for rotating and a pair of freely rotatable, spaced apart guide wheels rotatably attached to the mounting member. Particular embodiments further include a method for preparing a portion of a tire for repair.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and apparatus for preparing a tire surface for receiving a tire patch. Such methods include selecting a desired depth marking template for use in forming one or more depth marking apertures within a tire surface and within a desired tire patch application area, each of the one or more depth marking apertures having a desired depth corresponding to a desired depth of the patch receiving area, the template having one or more openings extending through a thickness of the template corresponding to the one or more marking apertures to be formed. The methods further include forming one or more depth marking apertures within the tread by inserting a material removal member of a power tool into each of the one or more openings in the template, the power tool removing tire material to the desired depth for each aperture.

Abstract: A method for preparing a portion of a tire for repair includes the steps of providing a template having a pair of guide edges, securing the template to an interior surface of the tire, providing a tool for forming a discontinuity in the interior surface of the tire, forming a discontinuity in the interior surface of the tire, with the tool, along the guide edges of the template, and removing the template from the tire.

Abstract: A repair patch for repairing radial tires that reduces the size of a bulge as typically appears in the sidewall of a repaired radial tire. The patch includes a ply package having a first reinforcement ply and a second reinforcement ply superimposed on the first reinforcement ply. The first reinforcement ply package comprises a tissue of first reinforcement cords that are arranged in a radial direction while the second reinforcement play comprises a tissue of second reinforcement cords that are arranged essentially in a 0 degrees direction. The patch of particular embodiments may further include a top cushion gum layer and a bottom cushion gum layer, wherein the ply package is interposed between the top and bottom cushion gum layers. Also included are methods for using the repair patch to repair radial tires.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying a repair patch to a damaged portion of a tire, the steps of the method including removably positioning the patch in a repair position overlapping the damaged portion, pulling a tab to remove a protective sheet to uncover at least a portion of the bonding surface while the patch is in contact with the tire, and pressing the uncovered bonding surface into contact with the tire.