Abstract: A motor vehicle tire is disclosed with a pair of post-cure run-flat inserts, each of the pair of post-cure run-flat inserts is disposed within a tire cavity between a shoulder region and a respective upper sidewall region of the tire. The tire further includes a cylindrical sidewall defining an interior cylindrical cavity, each of the cylindrical sidewall and the interior cylindrical cavity extending 360 degrees about a rotational axis of the tire, the cylindrical sidewall having an exterior surface contacting a radially inner surface of an inner liner between the shoulder region and the respective upper sidewall region during a normal inflation condition of the tire.

Abstract: A run-flat tire having a tread, an inner liner disposed beneath the tread, a body ply, and a pair of sidewalls axially spaced apart from one another is disclosed. The run-flat tire further includes a pair of sidewall-reinforcing portions each disposed in respective sidewall regions and each having a fabric barrier; a first sidewall-reinforcing insert between the fabric barrier and the inner liner; and a second sidewall-reinforcing insert disposed between the fabric barrier and the body ply. The fabric barrier extends not more than an entire length of the sidewall-reinforcing portion.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having an increased resistance to punctures. The pneumatic tire may have at least one puncture resistant ply constructed from a fiber reinforcement oriented circumferentially around the tire and providing circumferential reinforcement. The pneumatic tire may incorporate at least one puncture resistant ply in place of at least one belt to provide both circumferential reinforcement and puncture resistance for the pneumatic tire.

Abstract: An inner tube for a pneumatic tire having an increased resistance to punctures. The inner tube may have at least one puncture resistant ply made from a fiber reinforcement oriented around the outer circumference of the inner tube. The inner tube may provide increased resistance to punctures in the tread portion of the tire.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having an increased resistance to punctures. The pneumatic tire may have at least one puncture resistant ply constructed from a fiber reinforcement oriented circumferentially around the tire and providing circumferential reinforcement. The fiber reinforcement may be spirally wound around the carcass of the tire, wherein adjacent edges of the fiber reinforcement may overlap to form a continuous puncture resistant ply across the axial width of a crown portion of the tire. The pneumatic tire may incorporate at least one puncture resistant ply in place of at least one belt to provide both circumferential reinforcement and puncture resistance for the pneumatic tire.

Abstract: A method of applying a laminate to a tire includes pre-treating a portion of the tire and placing the laminate on at least the pre-treated portion of the tire. The method further includes placing an electrical heating element on top of the laminate and placing a pressure element over the electrical heating element and the laminate. The method also includes applying heat and pressure to the laminate using the electrical heating element and the pressure element to permanently adhere the laminate to the tire.

Abstract: A motor vehicle tire is disclosed with a pair of post-cure run-flat inserts, each of the pair of post-cure run-flat inserts is disposed within a tire cavity between a shoulder region and a respective upper sidewall region of the tire. The tire further includes a cylindrical sidewall defining an interior cylindrical cavity, each of the cylindrical sidewall and the interior cylindrical cavity extending 360 degrees about a rotational axis of the tire, the cylindrical sidewall having an exterior surface contacting a radially inner surface of an inner liner between the shoulder region and the respective upper sidewall region during a normal inflation condition of the tire.

Abstract: A run-flat tire and method of manufacturing is disclosed with a pair of post-cure sidewall-stabilizing run-flat inserts. Each of the pair of post-cure sidewall-stabilizing run-flat inserts extends circumferentially about a rotational axis of a tire; includes a first terminating end, and a second terminating end, opposite the first terminating end; and is disposed on a radially inner surface of a sidewall of a tire such that the first terminating end terminates above the bead core and the second terminating end terminates along at least one of the sidewall and a respective adjacent shoulder.

Abstract: A tire includes a body ply extending from a first bead region to a second bead region and a conductive ply disposed radially above the body ply. The tire further includes a gum strip having a top end in contact with the conductive ply and a bottom end located in the first bead region.

Abstract: A run-flat tire having a tread, an inner liner disposed beneath the tread, a body ply, and a pair of sidewalls axially spaced apart from one another is disclosed. The run-flat tire further includes a pair of sidewall-reinforcing portions each disposed in respective sidewall regions and each having a fabric barrier; a first sidewall-reinforcing insert between the fabric barrier and the inner liner; and a second sidewall-reinforcing insert disposed between the fabric barrier and the body ply. The fabric barrier extends not more than an entire length of the sidewall-reinforcing portion.

Abstract: A method of applying a laminate to a tire includes pre-treating a portion of the tire and placing the laminate on at least the pre-treated portion of the tire. The method further includes placing an electrical heating element on top of the laminate and placing a pressure element over the electrical heating element and the laminate. The method also includes applying heat and pressure to the laminate using the electrical heating element and the pressure element to permanently adhere the laminate to the tire.

Abstract: This invention relates to screening of spoken audio data so as to detect threat words or phrases. The method is particularly useful for protecting children or vulnerable adults from unsuitable content and/or suspicious or threatening contact with others via a communication medium. The method is applicable to screening speech transmitted over a computer network such as the internet and provides screening of access to stored content, e.g. audio or multimedia data files, as well as real time speech such as live broadcasts or communication via voice over IP or similar communication protocols. The method allows an administrator, e.g. a parent, to identify groups of threat words or phrases to be monitored, to set user access levels and to determine appropriate responses when threat words or phrases are detected.

Abstract: This invention relates to screening of spoken audio data so as to detect threat words or phrases. The method is particularly useful for protecting children or vulnerable adults from unsuitable content and/or suspicious or threatening contact with others via a communication medium. The method is applicable to screening speech transmitted over a computer network such as the internet and provides screening of access to stored content, e.g. audio or multimedia data files, as well as real time speech such as live broadcasts or communication via voice over IP or similar communication protocols. The method allows an administrator, e.g. a parent, to identify groups of threat words or phrases to be monitored, to set user access levels and to determine appropriate responses when threat words or phrases are detected.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a tread portion having a pair of lateral tread edges, a pair of bead portions, a pair of sidewalls that each extend radially from one of the lateral tread edges of the tread portion to one of the bead portions, an inner liner, and a pair of sidewall inserts. Each of the sidewall inserts is disposed between one of the sidewalls and the inner liner. Each of the sidewall inserts includes a top portion and a bottom portion that are each made of high modulus, low hysteresis run-flat stock. Each of the sidewall inserts also includes a center portion made of sidewall stock disposed between the top and bottom portions.

Abstract: A runflat tire is provided that may be used in applications currently requiring a large aspect ratio tire. The runflat tire of the invention may be substituted in these applications while providing desirable ride characteristics. The runflat tire includes a sidewall with a radial portion and a cantilever portion. The cantilever portion may be fabricated by extending a sidewall insert in the axially inward direction or by extending the bead filler in the axially outward direction. In other embodiments, the cantilever sidewall portion is formed by a combination of the sidewall insert and the bead filler. The resulting runflat tire has desired durability in the uninflated operating condition while having desired ride characteristics in the inflated condition. The sidewall structure allows the tire to be used in applications presently requiring a tire with a high aspect ratio.

Abstract: The invention provides a tire and a method for analyzing the temperature exposure to the tire. The tire and the method allow an investigator to determine the maximum temperature the tire experienced during its operation. This information offers a potential cause for the tire failure by allowing the investigator to determine a maximum temperature experienced by an area of the tire by reviewing a non-reversible, temperature-indicating label positioned at a location in the tire. The information may be used to identify a potential cause of a tire failure after the failure has occurred. The information may also be used to identify a damaged tire before the tire fails.

Abstract: A green tire holding device (10) including a frame (12), a rod (14) extending horizontally from the frame (12), and a bladder (16) mounted on the rod (14). The bladder (16) is inflatable to an inflated shape so that it contacts a substantial portion of an inner circumference of a green tire (T) to support the green tire during a pre-curing wait cycle. The green tire holding device (10) can comprise a plurality of rods (14), a plurality of bladders (16), and/or a plurality of bladders (16) on each rod (14). The bladders (16) can be inflated at substantially the same time and/or certain bladders (16) can be deflated independently of other bladders (16). In a tire manufacturing method, the loaded green tire storage device (10) is transported to a doping/curing area with the bladders (16) deflated. At the doping/curing area, the tires (T) are removed from the rods (14), doped, and re-hung on the rods (14).

Abstract: A laminate contains a composite, comprising a high melting point thermoplastic such as polyphenylene or epoxy and high modulus fibers such as carbon or graphite, which is encapsulated with a resin. A primer adheres the encapsulated composite to a rubber material such as a tire tread. Alternatively, an undertread layer adheres the tire tread to the primed encapsulated composite. The laminate can be used as a run flat belt in a tire.

Abstract: The invention provides a tire and a method for analyzing the temperature exposure to the tire. The tire and the method allow an investigator to determine the maximum temperature the tire experienced during its operation. This information offers a potential cause for the tire failure by allowing the investigator to determine a maximum temperature experienced by an area of the tire by reviewing a non-reversible, temperature-indicating label positioned at a location in the tire. The information may be used to identify a potential cause of a tire failure after the failure has occurred. The information may also be used to identify a damaged tire before the tire fails.