Abstract: The present invention comprises apparatus and methods for testing a tire on a wheel. Particular embodiments of such methods include providing a tire testing surface upon which the tire is to operate and a tire having a radially outer annular side including a road-engaging surface. The methods further include engaging forcefully a radially outer annular side of the tire with the tire testing surface to create a footprint constituting an area of contact between the tire and the tire testing surface, the footprint having a width extending in an axial direction of the tire. The tire is then rotated while engaged with the tire testing surface according to the prior step and a particulate is discharged from a particulate discharge outlet of a particular discharging device, the outlet having a length extending at least substantially across the width of the footprint.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for testing tire performance using a laterally-contoured road wheel. Accordingly, particular embodiments of the machine include a wheel configured to rotate, the wheel having a tire operating surface configured to engage a tire during operation, the outer tire operating surface arranged along an annular side of the wheel and having a width extending laterally relative a circumferential direction of the wheel along a contoured path. The machine may further include a drive source configured to rotate the wheel and a tire mount configured to rotatably maintain a tire. The present invention also includes methods of forming a laterally-contoured tire operating surface for a road wheel.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the invention include a method of forming a tire operating surface for a road wheel. Such methods include: providing a longitudinally convex bonding surface for receiving a textured tire operating surface; applying adhesive material of a pre-determined thickness along the longitudinally convex bonding surface to form a coated bonding surface comprising a longitudinally convex layer of adhesive material arranged along the bonding surface; and, arranging a single layer of aggregate material along a retention surface. The methods also include placing a width of the longitudinally convex layer of adhesive material of the coated bonding surface into engagement with the single layer of aggregate and rotating the coated bonding surface in a lengthwise direction relative the retention surface until a length of the convex layer of adhesive material has engaged the single layer of aggregate.

Abstract: The present invention comprises apparatus and methods for testing a tire on a wheel. Particular embodiments of such methods include providing a tire testing surface upon which the tire is to operate and a tire having a radially outer annular side including a road-engaging surface. The methods further include engaging forcefully a radially outer annular side of the tire with the tire testing surface to create a footprint constituting an area of contact between the tire and the tire testing surface, the footprint having a width extending in an axial direction of the tire. The tire is then rotated while engaged with the tire testing surface according to the prior step and a particulate is discharged from a particulate discharge outlet of a particular discharging device, the outlet having a length extending at least substantially across the width of the footprint.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the invention include a method of forming a tire operating surface for a road wheel. Such methods include: providing a longitudinally convex bonding surface for receiving a textured tire operating surface; applying adhesive material of a pre-determined thickness along the longitudinally convex bonding surface to form a coated bonding surface comprising a longitudinally convex layer of adhesive material arranged along the bonding surface; and, arranging a single layer of aggregate material along a retention surface. The methods also include placing a width of the longitudinally convex layer of adhesive material of the coated bonding surface into engagement with the single layer of aggregate and rotating the coated bonding surface in a lengthwise direction relative the retention surface until a length of the convex layer of adhesive material has engaged the single layer of aggregate.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for testing tire performance using a laterally-contoured road wheel. Accordingly, particular embodiments of the machine include a wheel configured to rotate, the wheel having a tire operating surface configured to engage a tire during operation, the outer tire operating surface arranged along an annular side of the wheel and having a width extending laterally relative a circumferential direction of the wheel along a contoured path. The machine may further include a drive source configured to rotate the wheel and a tire mount configured to rotatably maintain a tire. The present invention also includes methods of forming a laterally-contoured tire operating surface for a road wheel.