Abstract: A system for curing a portion of a tire assembly includes: an axially placement shaft; a first actuator; a first retainer plate; a core on the axially placement shaft; a plurality of first inserts each axially and radially engaging a radially outer surface of the core with first ends of the first inserts axially engaging the first retainer plate; a plurality of second inserts each axially and radially engaging the radially outer surface of the core with first ends of the second inserts axially engaging the first retainer plate, each second insert disposed circumferentially between two of the plurality of first inserts; a second retainer plate; and a second actuator.

Abstract: A system for curing a portion of a tire assembly includes: an axially placement shaft; a first actuator; a first retainer plate; a core on the axially placement shaft; a plurality of first inserts each axially and radially engaging a radially outer surface of the core with first ends of the first inserts axially engaging the first retainer plate; a plurality of second inserts each axially and radially engaging the radially outer surface of the core with first ends of the second inserts axially engaging the first retainer plate, each second insert disposed circumferentially between two of the plurality of first inserts; a second retainer plate; and a second actuator.

Abstract: A system cures and manufactures a partially-cured tire assembly. The system includes an annular hub member slid into a corresponding annular, radially inner surface, a plurality of elongate spacer members for maintaining corresponding uniform cavity dimensions by fastening the spacer members to the hub member with flap members thereby enclosing a radially outermost surface of each of the spacer members, a first annular curing platen for axially securing the hub member and spacer members relative to each other, a second annular curing platen for axially securing the hub member and spacer members relative to each other; and a plurality of elongate inserts.

Abstract: The tire building drum includes a rotatable drum having a center section and a first and second shoulder section. The center section is radially expandable, and the center section has a first and second shoulder, wherein the first and second shoulders are sloped. The method of building a tire includes the steps of applying an inner liner and a layer of ply to the drum and then a bead, locking the bead into position, applying an apex to each of the sloped shoulders, turning up the ply over the bead and the apex, and then applying a down ply over the ply ending.

Abstract: A method of building a tire carcass is disclosed. The method of building the tire carcass includes the steps of applying one or more tire building components onto a drum forming a cylindrically shaped tire carcass. A first and second bead is placed onto a respective bead pocket. Then the carcass is inflated under low pressure into engagement with a belt and tread package while the bead pockets are moved axially inward. The beads are continued to move axially inward to the axial width of the widest breaker position. Then the outer lateral ends of the cylindrically shaped tire carcass are turned up about a respective first and second bead.

Abstract: A system manufactures a tire assembly. The system includes a core having a cylindrical hub and radially protruding extensions projecting radially outward from the hub, a plurality of internal arcuate members for positioning a reinforcing layer of the tire assembly about the core, the internal arcuate members being disposed in spaces between the extensions of the core, a first side plate for securing the internal arcuate members in place relative to the core, and a second side plate for securing the core and internal arcuate members to each other.

Abstract: A method of building a tire carcass is disclosed. The method of building the tire carcass includes the steps of applying one or more tire building components onto a drum forming a cylindrically shaped tire carcass. Placing a first and second bead onto the tire building components on the drum so that the tire carcass ends of the tire carcass extend laterally between the beads. Radially expanding a first and second bead lock mechanism into engagement with a respective first and second bead. Inflating the carcass under low pressure into engagement with a belt and tread package while moving the beads axially inward. Moving the beads axially inward to the axial width of the widest breaker position; Turning up the outer lateral ends of the cylindrically shaped tire carcass about a respective first and second bead.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a first side plate having a first annular base, axially protruding first claw members projecting axially outward from the first annular base, axially protruding first hub mounts projecting axially outward from the first annular base, and axially protruding first spring mounts projecting axially outward from the first annular base; a hub member attached to the first side plate; and a tire assembly laid over the hub member such that spokes of the tire assembly are radially adjacent corresponding first claw members of the first side plate, a plurality of friction members and the first claw members sandwiching each of the spokes.

Abstract: An expandable bladder for shaping a pneumatic tire to be mounted inside a tire curing mold, the expandable bladder having a toroidal configuration and having a pair of opposing annular beads, wherein the bladder has an expansion section that is formed from a plurality of waves.

Abstract: A method of molding a green tire having a first and second bead area is described herein, wherein the method includes the steps of: inserting a tire clamping device inside a tire bladder and then inserting the tire clamping device and the bladder into the green tire, aligning the outer surfaces of the tire clamping device into engagement with a respective bead area of the tire so that each tire bead area is clamped between a respective upper and a lower mold ring and the tire clamping device during cure. A tire clamping device includes an inner portion, and a plurality of segments connected to the inner portion, wherein the tire clamping device has a closed position wherein the plurality of segments together forms a first and second ring for engagement with the bead areas of the tire so clamp the bead areas between the clamping device and the mold rings during cure.

Abstract: A method of molding a green tire having a first and second bead area is described herein, wherein the method includes the steps of: inserting a tire clamping device inside a tire bladder and then inserting the tire clamping device and the bladder into the green tire, aligning the outer surfaces of the tire clamping device into engagement with a respective bead area of the tire so that each tire bead area is clamped between a respective upper and a lower mold ring and the tire clamping device during cure. A tire clamping device includes an inner portion, and a plurality of segments connected to the inner portion, wherein the tire clamping device has a closed position wherein the plurality of segments together forms a first and second ring for engagement with the bead areas of the tire so clamp the bead areas between the clamping device and the mold rings during cure.

Abstract: An expandable bladder for shaping a pneumatic tire to be mounted inside a tire curing mold, the expandable bladder having a toroidal configuration and having a pair of opposing annular beads, wherein the bladder has an expansion section that is formed from a plurality of waves.

Abstract: A method of building a tire having no ply turnup is described. The method includes the steps of applying an inner liner and chafer onto a tire building drum; radially expanding the center portion of the drum and applying a first column bead, applying a layer of ply followed by a second column bead, turning up the chafer and then inflating the carcass under low pressure below 150 mbars, applying the tread, applying the sidewall. A method of molding a green tire having a first and second bead area is described herein, wherein the method includes the steps of: inserting a tire clamping device inside a tire bladder and then inserting the tire clamping device and the bladder into the green tire, aligning the outer surfaces of the tire clamping device are in engagement with a respective bead area of the tire so that each tire bead area is clamped between a respective upper and lower mold ring and the tire clamping device during cure.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a first rim piece for engaging a rotatable axle; and a second rim piece for engaging the rotatable axle. The first rim piece has axially extending curved friction plates for engaging a first side of a spoke structure of a tire. Axially outer ends of the friction plates engage axially extending lugs of the second rim piece to form a single split wheel assembly.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a first side plate having a first annular base, axially protruding first claw members projecting axially outward from the first annular base, axially protruding first hub mounts projecting axially outward from the first annular base, and axially protruding first spring mounts projecting axially outward from the first annular base; a hub member attached to the first side plate; and a tire assembly laid over the hub member such that spokes of the tire assembly are radially adjacent corresponding first claw members of the first side plate, a plurality of friction members and the first claw members sandwiching each of the spokes.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a first side plate having a first annular base, axially protruding first claw members projecting axially outward from the first annular base, axially protruding first hub mounts projecting axially outward from the first annular base, and axially protruding first spring mounts projecting axially outward from the first annular base; a hub member attached to the first side plate; and a tire assembly laid over the hub member such that spokes of the tire assembly are radially adjacent corresponding first claw members of the first side plate, a plurality of friction members and the first claw members sandwiching each of the spokes.

Abstract: A system manufactures a tire assembly. The system includes a core having a cylindrical hub and radially protruding extensions projecting radially outward from the hub, a plurality of internal arcuate members for positioning a reinforcing layer of the tire assembly about the core, the internal arcuate members being disposed in spaces between the extensions of the core, a first side plate for securing the internal arcuate members in place relative to the core, and a second side plate for securing the core and internal arcuate members to each other.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a first rim piece for engaging a rotatable axle; and a second rim piece for engaging the rotatable axle. The first rim piece has axially extending curved friction plates for engaging a first side of a spoke structure of a tire. Axially outer ends of the friction plates engage axially extending lugs of the second rim piece to form a single split wheel assembly.

Abstract: A system manufactures a tire assembly. The system includes a core having a cylindrical hub and radially protruding extensions projecting radially outward from the hub, a plurality of internal arcuate members for positioning a reinforcing layer of the tire assembly about the core, the internal arcuate members being disposed in spaces between the extensions of the core, a first side plate for securing the internal arcuate members in place relative to the core, and a second side plate for securing the core and internal arcuate members to each other.

Abstract: A tire building drum is described that includes an inboard section, a center section and an outboard section. The inboard section has a rotating spindle and a sliding shaft, and the sliding shaft is slidable within the spindle. The inboard section further includes a radially expandable bead lock device mounted on the spindle. The center section has an internal hub mounted on the sliding shaft and further comprises a plurality of tiles that are radially expandable. The outboard section of the drum is mounted on a distal end of the sliding shaft, and further includes a radially expandable bead lock device. The center section and the outboard section are each axially movable by sliding of the sliding shaft.