Abstract: The present inventions includes methods and apparatus for preparing a portion of a tire for repair, the methods having steps that include forming an edge along an opening within the tire, the edge extending between an interior and an exterior surface of the tire and including one or more tire reinforcement endings, the edge being formed to include an alternating arrangement of tire reinforcement endings. Particular embodiments of the present invention includes methods of preparing a portion of a tire for repair, the method having steps that include forming an edge within an opening of a tire, said edge extending between an interior and exterior tire surface and including one or more reinforcement endings of the tire; and, applying a wrap about the edge to substantially cover the one or more tire reinforcement endings.

Abstract: A tire patch for repairing an associated vehicle tire includes a patch body configured to overlay a portion of the associated vehicle tire, and a plurality of reinforcements received at least partially within the patch body, each reinforcement of the plurality having a first ending and a second ending, wherein the plurality of reinforcements are arranged to provide a staggered arrangement of the first endings.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a tire having depth indicators arranged along an interior tire surface and methods of removing material from an interior tire surface. Particular embodiments of the present invention include a tire having a pair of beads spaced axially along a rotational axis of the tire; an inner exposed surface extending between each pair of beads and annularly about the rotational axis of the tire, the inner exposed surface being spaced from an exterior surface of the tire by a thickness of the tire, the inner surface including a depth indicator having a feature, where the feature of the depth indicator corresponds to an inward distance extending from the inner exposed surface into a thickness of elastomeric material, the elastomeric material extending between the inner exposed surface and a reinforcement embedded within the tire thickness. Particular embodiments include a bladder for forming the tire.

Abstract: The present inventions includes methods and apparatus for preparing a portion of a tire for repair, the methods having steps that include forming an edge along an opening within the tire, the edge extending between an interior and an exterior surface of the tire and including one or more tire reinforcement endings, the edge being formed to include an alternating arrangement of tire reinforcement endings. Particular embodiments of the present invention includes methods of preparing a portion of a tire for repair, the method having steps that include forming an edge within an opening of a tire, said edge extending between an interior and exterior tire surface and including one or more reinforcement endings of the tire; and, applying a wrap about the edge to substantially cover the one or more tire reinforcement endings.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for repairing a damaged area of tire include a tire patch, a patch body having a length extending longitudinally, a width extending laterally, and a thickness vertically within the patch; and, a plurality of reinforcements extending in a lengthwise direction of the patch, the plurality of reinforcements being arranged in a spaced-apart, side-by-side arrangement, where at least a portion of the plurality of reinforcements are arranged to laterally alternate between two or more elevations respective of the patch thickness. Methods of applying the patch include attaching the tire patch to a portion of the tire to cover the damaged area of the tire, wherein the arrangement reinforcements alternating along the path is positioned in close relation to the damaged area of the tire.

Abstract: A tire patch for repairing an associated vehicle tire includes a patch body configured to overlay a portion of the associated vehicle tire, and a plurality of reinforcements received at least partially within the patch body, each reinforcement of the plurality having a first ending and a second ending, wherein the plurality of reinforcements are arranged to provide a staggered arrangement of the first endings.