Patents by Inventor Matthew J. Forthofer

Matthew J. Forthofer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Pneumatic inner liner for a tire
    Patent number: 6688359
    Abstract: An inner tire used in a dual-chambered tire is provided by an inner tire in which an exterior sidewall of tire provides for two annular rows of overlapping raised facets that extend above the exterior surface of the tire. Each facet defines a right angle with respect to the adjacent sidewall of the tire and provides for an elevated surface having a substantially uniform height with respect to the underlying tire exterior surface. The facets further define a plurality of gaps and passageways that have a constant height and through which pressurized air may flow during the inflation of the outer tire. The air gaps and air passageways defined by the facets have a sufficient depth that the resulting passageways do not collapse when the pressurized inner tire is in engagement with the pressurized outer tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique, S.A.
    Inventors: Gary Lunsford Blalock, Matthew J. Forthofer
  • Pneumatic inner liner for a tire
    Publication number: 20030041941
    Abstract: An inner tire used in a dual-chambered tire is provided by an inner tire in which an exterior sidewall of tire provides for two annular rows of overlapping raised facets that extend above the exterior surface of the tire. Each facet defines a right angle with respect to the adjacent sidewall of the tire and provides for an elevated surface having a substantially uniform height with respect to the underlying tire exterior surface. The facets further define a plurality of gaps and passageways that have a constant height and through which pressurized air may flow during the inflation of the outer tire. The air gaps and air passageways defined by the facets have a sufficient depth that the resulting passageways do not collapse when the pressurized inner tire is in engagement with the pressurized outer tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Gary Lunsford Blalock, Matthew J. Forthofer