Abstract: A tire sealant composition for use in pneumatic tires is provided. The tire sealant composition primarily serves to seal the tire around the wheel rim and particularly in the tread area of the tire against punctures. The composition includes a naturally derived viscous carrier fluid and at least one fibrous material, polymeric material or combination of both, wherein the composition remains fluid in use. The naturally derived viscous carrier fluid is preferably desugared molasses (less than 30% by weight sucrose) and is able to sustain a temperature of ?30° F. (?34.4° C. and below) without freezing. The tire sealant composition is fire-retardant, non-toxic, non-corrosive and non-abrasive and is environmentally friendly.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention include a wheel having a uniformity and stabilizing system. The wheel generally includes a tube well extending axially along a rotational axis of the wheel between axial ends of the wheel, a flange extending from each axial end of the wheel, and a spider portion extending radially inward from an inner side of the tube well. Particular embodiments of the wheel include an annular stabilizing ring formed within the wheel and being generally substantially filled with a flowable weight material to form an approximately constant mass around the stabilizing ring. In other embodiments, the invention comprises a tire having an integrated uniformity and stabilizing system. The tire generally includes a central portion having a tread extending laterally between axial ends and a pair of sidewalls each extending radially inward from one of the axial ends of the central portion.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention include methods and compositions for improved correction of force imbalances, force variations, and/or dampening of vibrations in a tire-wheel assembly. In particular embodiments, the composition includes a plurality of particles for positioning within a pressurization chamber of the tire-wheel assembly, wherein said particles include a void. Further embodiments provide a void containing a tire balancing material or a viscoelastic material. The particle may also be formed of viscoelastic material. Methods of the present invention include the steps of: providing a tire-wheel assembly; providing a plurality of particles having a void; and placing said plurality of particles into a pressurization chamber within said tire-wheel assembly.

Abstract: A uniformity and stabilizing system comprising a stabilizing ring used in conjunction with a balanced tire wheel assembly wherein the stabilizing ring destroys, absorbs, and dampens vibrations including those caused by non-uniformities in the tire. The stabilizing ring comprises either a solid ring or a cartridge having at least one interior chamber, the interior chamber filled with a flowable media. The stabilizing ring may be used in combination with balance weights.

Abstract: The present invention comprises apparatus and methods for improved correction of force variations and/or frequencies of a tire-wheel assembly. In particular embodiments, the invention comprises a system for improved correction of force variations and/or dampening of vibrations in a pneumatic tire-wheel assembly, which includes: a pneumatic tire-wheel assembly; and a plurality of dampening particles positioned within the tire-wheel assembly, wherein said particles are formed of at least one energy dampening viscoelastic material.

Abstract: A weight comprising a cartridge having at least one interior chamber, the interior chamber at least partially filled with a flowable balance media, and wherein the cartridge is longitudinally arcuate, at least when attached to a wheel, about an angle of up to 180 degrees or less. The weight provides a balanced tire in the new or just balanced condition and helps retain the balance under changes in at least one operational characteristic of the tire/wheel assembly.

Abstract: A tire sealant composition for use in pneumatic tires is provided. The tire sealant composition primarily serves to seal the tire around the wheel rim and particularly in the tread area of the tire against punctures. The composition includes a naturally derived viscous carrier fluid and at least one fibrous material, polymeric material or combination of both, wherein the composition remains fluid in use. The naturally derived viscous carrier fluid is preferably desugared molasses (less than 30% by weight sucrose) and is able to sustain a temperature of ?30° F. (?34.4° C. and below) without freezing. The tire sealant composition is fire-retardant, non-toxic, non-corrosive and non-abrasive and is environmentally friendly.

Abstract: A weight comprising a cartridge having at least one interior chamber, the interior chamber at least partially filled with a flowable balance media, and wherein the cartridge is attached to the wheel in a position oblique to the radial centerline of a tire/wheel assembly. The weights provide a balanced tire in the new or just balanced condition and helps retain the balance under changes in at least one operational characteristic of the tire/wheel assembly.

Abstract: A composition or particle mixture (20) for equalizing radial and lateral forces at the tire/road footprint of a pneumatic tire (11) due to tire/wheel assembly imbalance, non-uniformity of the tire, temporary disturbances in the road surface, or other vibrational effects of the unsprung mass of a vehicle whereby the particle mixture (20) is inserted into the interior of the tire (11). The composition is a dry solid particle mixture (20) wherein the particles are freely flowable and non-tacky at elevated tire temperatures, the particle mixture (20) is essentially devoid of liquid material, and the particle mixture (20) comprises two or more sets of particles wherein each set consists essentially of particles of a predetermined size or size range. The particle mixture (20) exhibits a multimodal particle size distribution.

Abstract: A balance weight comprising a cartridge having at least one interior chamber, the interior chamber at least partially filled with a flowable balance media, and wherein the cartridge is longitudinally arcuate, at least when attached to a wheel, about an angle of up to 180 degrees or less. The balance weight provides a balanced tire in the new or just balanced condition and helps retain the balance under changes in at least one operational characteristic of the tire/wheel assembly.

Abstract: A composition or particle mixture (20) for equalizing radial and lateral forces at the tire/road footprint of a pneumatic tire (11) due to tire/wheel assembly imbalance, non-uniformity of the tire, temporary disturbances in the road surface, or other vibrational effects of the unsprung mass of a vehicle whereby the particle mixture (20) is inserted into the interior of the tire (11). The composition is a dry solid particle mixture (20) wherein the particles are freely flowable and non-tacky at elevated tire temperatures, the particle mixture (20) is essentially devoid of liquid material, and the particle mixture (20) comprises two or more sets of particles wherein each set consists essentially of particles of a predetermined size or size range. The particle mixture (20) exhibits a multimodal particle size distribution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for allowing visual access to the interior of a tire wheel assembly under dynamic conditions. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wheel rim having a window or access area such that the interior of a tire mounted on the wheel rim may be viewed under dynamic conditions such as those provided by a dynamometer test machine. A method is also presented in which a camera and strobe light are used with the wheel rim having at least one window to record the reaction of flowable materials inserted into the pressure chamber of a tire wheel assembly at the tire footprint under loaded dynamic conditions. An alternate embodiment includes the camera and the light attached to the wheel.

Abstract: An improved injector apparatus for introducing flowable force compensating material into a tire/wheel assembly for the purpose of equalizing radial and lateral force variations of the tire/wheel assembly when in use on a vehicle. The injector apparatus generally comprises a container having a cylindrical side wall, an inlet end cap and an outlet end cap, which together enclose a chamber for flowable force compensating material, and a flexible hose having a quick disconnect coupling at its discharge end for conveying a mixture of pressurized air and flowable force compensating material from the chamber to the interior of a tire/wheel assembly. The outlet end cap comprises at least one channel groove, which helps direct the flowable force compensating material toward an outlet fitting in a manner preventing the flowable force compensating material from getting trapped in the cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheel rim having at least one window such that the interior of a tire mounted on the wheel rim may be viewed under dynamic conditions such as those provided by a dynamometer test machine. A method is also presented in which a camera and strobe light are used with the wheel rim having at least one window to record the reaction of flowable materials inserted into the pressure chamber of a tire wheel assembly at the tire footprint under loaded dynamic conditions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for introducing a compensating material into a tire/wheel assembly by providing at least one self-contained batch of a compensating material having a predetermined amount of such material and being selectively transferable into a tire. The at least one batch of material remains substantially self-contained for shipping and handling. The at lest one batch is then transferred into the tire, and the tire is thereafter mounted onto a vehicle for operation or otherwise rotated wherein the at least one self-contained batch of material disperses the material within the tire upon rotation. The invention is also directed to a system for introducing a compensating material into a tire/wheel assembly, wherein a predetermined amount of a compensating material in a self-contained batch which remains substantially self-contained during handling, is introduced into a tire prior to assembly with a wheel, and thereafter disperses within the tire during rotation of the tire/wheel assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing a pulverulent material into a tire of a wheel assembly, through the valve stem thereof, without a large amount of operator time, effort, or intervention. The apparatus includes two main types of components--the mainframe component and one or more workstation components. Each workstation component serves as a location from which an operator of the apparatus introduces the pulverulent material into a tire and the mainframe component includes the a container for confining a predetermined amount of the pulverulent material and includes the other components required to dispense the pulverulent material into the container from a hopper or the like, and to evacuate the pulverulent material from the container and distribute the same out to a workstation through a suitable conduit where the pulverulent material is introduced into a tire. A method of introducing pulverulent material into a tire is also described.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a portable and easy to use end-line filter designed to be utilized between a source of compressed air such as a pneumatic hose with an air chuck on its terminal end, and the inlet valve of an inflatable such as a pneumatic tire, to remove moisture from the compressed air before the compressed air enters the inflatable. The invention may also be utilized between the end of a pneumatic hose and a compressed air powered tool. A porous filter media is utilized which has pores that allow the passage of air but do not allow the passage of water or moisture. As the filter becomes saturated, the pores progressively close and eventually block the passage of air. In this manner, the filter automatically indicates the need for a replacement filter element.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for introducing pulverulent material into a tire for the purpose of balancing a tire and an associated wheel assembly. A quantity of polymeric pulverulent material sufficient to balance a tire and an associated wheel assembly is charged to a cylindrical chamber and confined therein. Pressurized air is passed through the chamber in such manner as to form cyclonic air currents in the chamber. The cyclonic air currents can be obtained by configuring the air inlet and the air outlet for the chamber so that their respective axes are not aligned. A mixture of air and pulverulent material is withdrawn from the chamber and passed to a tire which is being balanced.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for introducing pulverulent material into a tire through a tire valve stem is performed by confining a predetermined amount of pulverulent material in a cylindrical chamber having axially spaced and radially offset inlets and outlets, subjecting the confined pulverulent material to pressurized air which is transformed into a cyclonic air current within the chamber by the radially offset inlet and outlet, and introducing admixed air/pulverulent material from the chamber into a tire through its associated tire valve stem.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a tire for defects by applying to an interior surface of a tire a coating of material which accentuates defects when influenced by predetermined electromagnetic wavelengths, and applying the predetermined electromagnetic wavelengths to an exterior surface of the coated tire whereby coating material which has migrated through a defect in the tire to the exterior is accentuated and thereby readily detected. Preferably the coating material fluoresces or brightens when subjected to ultraviolet light. The tire is preferably placed upon a hub, internally pressurized, and rotated incident to the inspecting operation. The coating material is also preferably a liquid admixture composed of the ultraviolet light accentuating material and a detergent, the tire is also dipped and rotated in a tank containing the liquid admixture, and the latter cleans the tire exterior incident to further inspection, recapping and subsequent sidewall painting.