Abstract: A self-sealing pneumatic tire having at least one cohesive sandwich radially inward of the pneumatic tire is provided. The at least cohesive sandwich may include a cohesive material under pressure, facilitating a recovery capacity upon being pierced by a sharp object, whereby the molecules of the cohesive material cohesively reattach, self-sealing any passageway or space created by the sharp object. The self-sealing pneumatic tire may also provide a loculated-diamond-section layer located radially inward of the outer cohesive sandwich, further supporting the self-sealing pneumatic tire. The external rubber tread are disposed along the circumference of the tire in some embodiments can be separate from the surface of the tire yet secured in place by attachments. Once fully utilized, this external rubber tread can be replaced by a new version without having to replace the entire tire.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the invention comprises a composition for reducing weight imbalances, force variations, and/or vibrations in a tire-wheel assembly, the composition comprising a first plurality of particulate for positioning within the tire-wheel assembly, where each particle in the first plurality of particulate is characterized as having low energy absorption capabilities, and a second plurality of particulate for positioning within the tire-wheel assembly, where each particle in the second plurality of particulate is characterized as having elevated energy absorption capabilities. Additional embodiments of the invention comprise a method for reducing force imbalances, force variations, and/or vibrations in a tire-wheel assembly, which includes the steps of providing a tire-wheel assembly and placing into a pressurization chamber of said tire-wheel assembly a composition as contemplated in any embodiment or combination of embodiments suggested herein.

Abstract: Regions on an outer side, in a radial direction, of maximum width positions of outer surfaces of sidewall portions of a pneumatic tire have indications formed as protrusion portions protruding from the outer surface of a corresponding one of the side wall portions by 0.8 mm or more and depicting an alphanumeric, a pattern, or a symbol, the number of indications being N, an angle ? between one end and another end of each of the indications in the circumferential direction about a tire axis satisfies 30°???150°, the indications are arranged in the sidewall portions at an interval of (360°/N)±20°, and the indications in one of the sidewall portions on one side and the indications in the other one of the sidewall portions are positioned shifted from each other in the circumferential direction, with a shift angle about the tire axis between the indications being in a range of (180°/N)±20°.

Abstract: A self-sealing pneumatic tire having at least one cohesive sandwich radially inward of the pneumatic tire is provided. The at least cohesive sandwich may include a cohesive material under pressure, facilitating a recovery capacity upon being pierced by a sharp object, whereby the molecules of the cohesive material cohesively reattach, self-sealing any passageway or space created by the sharp object. The self-sealing pneumatic tire may also provide a loculated-diamond-section layer located radially inward of the outer cohesive sandwich, further supporting the self-sealing pneumatic tire. The external rubber tread are disposed along the circumference of the tire in some embodiments can be separate from the surface of the tire yet secured in place by attachments. Once fully utilized, this external rubber tread can be replaced by a new version without having to replace the entire tire.

Abstract: This invention concerns a damper used to reduce the running noise of track wheels. It can absorb wheel vibration, reduce oscillation amplitude and reduce the noise radiation of the wheel. The damper has a damping connector and a damping ring which has an open section; the end of the open section has an angled plane; the damping connector has a pipe-shaped object with two locating objects at the both ends; the locating object has a bar which can get into the pipe-shaped object and a wedge-shaped object which matches the angled plane of the end of the open section; inside the pipe-shaped object is a spring which can push out the two locating objects; each locating object has a locating hole which allows a bar to get through from the pipe-shaped object.

Abstract: A method for balancing a wheel comprises at least the steps of extruding a profile of an uncured and/or non-vulcanized viscoelastic polymer comprising at least one filler having a total density of more than 0.9 kg/dm3, cutting a section from an extruded profile of said polymer, wherein the length of the section correlates with the required mass for balancing, applying the balancing weight to the rim of the wheel, and curing of the balancing weight at the wheel.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire that is provided with a first fastener of a separatable pair of mechanical fasteners on a tire inner surface, wherein, even in cases where a desired object is engaged/fixed using only one fastener, the object does not rotate having the fastener as a central axis when the tire is in use. A first fastener of the pair of mechanical fasteners is provided on a tire inner surface, and the mechanical fasteners are provided with a rotation preventing mechanism for preventing the fasteners from mutually rotating when the pair of mechanical fasteners are engaged.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire including a separatable pair of mechanical fasteners wherein a first fastener of the pair of mechanical fasteners is provided on a tire inner surface. In this pneumatic tire, the obtained engagement force of the pair of mechanical fasteners is great and is essentially free of variations (positional variation within the tire and variation from tire to tire); the engagement force deteriorates/declines minimally over time due to extreme usage conditions including repetitive deformation and compaction over an extended period of time caused by tire rotation at high speeds in a state of relatively elevated temperatures; and the desired engagement force can be maintained over an extended period of time.

Abstract: Road-going assembly consisting of a vehicle comprising a front axle and a rear axle, and of a set of tires which are mounted on their mounting rim in order to be fitted to the front axle and the rear axle of this vehicle, the tires of the rear axle having grooves the mean depths of which are at least equal to 3 mm and at most equal to 5 mm, the tires of the front axle having grooves the mean depths of which are greater than 5 mm, this road-going assembly having, at least in the case of the rear axle, static setups (camber, toe-in) of close to zero, that is to say a camber of each wheel-tire assembly on the said axle of between ?0.8 degrees and +0.8 degrees and a toe-in at each wheel of between ?0.15 degrees and +0.15 degrees, the static setups of the tires of one and the same axle being equal in terms of absolute value and symmetric with respect to a plane perpendicular to the road surface.

Abstract: A balancer for a wheel and tyre assembly includes one or more tubes 101 containing a movable mass 104. The tube or tubes is/are mounted to a resiliently deformable support 102 with an outer dimension that substantially matches an inner dimension of the tyre. the support being arranged to position and support the or each tube within the tyre. The/or each tube may be annular. The support may be formed from a plastics mesh 102.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic vehicle tire of a radial construction having a gas-tight inner layer, wherein on the side of the gas-tight inner layer that in the vulcanized and mounted pneumatic vehicle tire is directed towards the wheel rim there is at least one patch containing one or more liquid rubbers and one or more solid rubbers.

Abstract: A method of preparing a tire inner surface includes providing an uncured tire having an inner surface, placing a strip of multi-axially stretchable blend film on a circumferential surface of the inner surface, wherein one end of the overlapped splice joined by a pressure-sensitive adhesive for easy removal of the strip from the inner surface, applying a release agent coating to the annular, circumferential film strip and the inner surface of the uncured tire, shaping and curing the uncured tire with the release coating on the annular circumferential film strip and inner surface in a suitable mold at an elevated temperature, removing the cured tire from the mold and allowing the cured tire to cool, and removing the annular circumferential film strip with its release coating by use of a film strip to provide a circumferential release coating-free tire inner surface of the cured tire for adhering balance pads, puncture sealants, and noise reduction foams.

Abstract: A self-balancing pneumatic tire is provided having a built-in balancing gel system. In one embodiment, the tire, before cure, includes a green pneumatic tire assembly having an uncured tread defining an outermost layer; a first barrier layer; a second barrier layer situated adjacent the first barrier layer and intermediate the first barrier layer and the tread; and first and second gel precursors. The gel precursors are non-flowable prior to cure but flowable after cure. The gel precursors are respectively contained within spaced-apart first and second circumferential regions defined by confronting, non-contacting surfaces of the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer, each circumferential region further situated proximate opposing sidewalls of the tire and having a width of about 5 percent to about 25 percent of a final tread width obtained upon curing of the uncured tire assembly. In one example, the first and/or second barrier layers can be discontinuous.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire includes a carcass, opposing bead portions, a carcass reinforcing ply extending between the bead portions, and opposing bead cores situated within respective opposing bead portions. An annular hollow tube member is situated within a bead portion, the tube member containing within a tube internal passageway a viscous fluid and a plurality of spherical balls within the viscous fluid. The spherical balls are dimensioned and sized to freely move circumferentially about the tube passageway. The balancing bodies operationally reposition within the tube passageway to cancel imbalance effects within a running wheel assembly including the tire. The tube member may be located in a tire apex member or form a tire bead core within the tire bead portion with carcass reinforcing ply endings surrounding the tube member.

Abstract: The invention relates to automobile tires or tire assemblies or parts thereof suitable for being balanced by introduction therein of a thixrotropic balancing gel, wherein surfaces of the tire or tire assembly or part thereof which are intended to be in contact with the balancing gel are provided with a surface nanostructure with an average surface roughness in the range of 1-1000 nm. The surface nanostructure will enable the thixotropic balancing gel to move to the location, where it balances the tire, significantly quicker than if the surface in question did not have the surface nanostructure.

Abstract: Balance pads for balancing pneumatic tires having DVA innerliners, and methods for balancing such pneumatic tires, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a balance pad is provided for balancing a pneumatic tire having a DVA innerliner. The balance pad includes an outer layer having a dynamically vulcanized alloy, which comprises an engineering resin as a continuous phase and at least a partially vulcanized rubber as a dispersed phase. The balance pad further includes an inner layer having a rubber or plastic compound that is bonded to the outer layer. The outer layer is capable of being bonded to an inner surface of a tire innerliner, which includes a dynamically vulcanized alloy having an engineering resin as a continuous phase and at least a partially vulcanized rubber as a dispersed phase.

Abstract: A self-balancing pneumatic tire is provided having a built-in balancing gel system. In one embodiment, the tire, before cure, includes a green pneumatic tire assembly having an uncured tread defining an outermost layer; a first barrier layer; a second barrier layer situated adjacent the first barrier layer and intermediate the first barrier layer and the tread; and first and second gel precursors. The gel precursors are non-flowable prior to cure but flowable after cure. The gel precursors are respectively contained within spaced-apart first and second circumferential regions defined by confronting, non-contacting surfaces of the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer, each circumferential region further situated proximate opposing sidewalls of the tire and having a width of about 5 percent to about 25 percent of a final tread width obtained upon curing of the uncured tire assembly. In one example, the first and/or second barrier layers can be discontinuous.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire includes a carcass, opposing bead portions, a carcass reinforcing ply extending between the bead portions, and opposing bead cores situated within respective opposing bead portions. An annular hollow tube member is situated within a bead portion, the tube member containing within a tube internal passageway a viscous fluid and a plurality of spherical balls within the viscous fluid. The spherical balls are dimensioned and sized to freely move circumferentially about the tube passageway. The balancing bodies operationally reposition within the tube passageway to cancel imbalance effects within a running wheel assembly including the tire. The tube member may be located in a tire apex member or form a tire bead core within the tire bead portion with carcass reinforcing ply endings surrounding the tube member.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire including a separatable pair of mechanical fasteners wherein a first fastener of the pair of mechanical fasteners is provided on a tire inner surface. In this pneumatic tire, the obtained engagement force of the pair of mechanical fasteners is great and is essentially free of variations (positional variation within the tire and variation from tire to tire); the engagement force deteriorates/declines minimally over time due to extreme usage conditions including repetitive deformation and compaction over an extended period of time caused by tire rotation at high speeds in a state of relatively elevated temperatures; and the desired engagement force can be maintained over an extended period of time.

Abstract: Visco-elastic tyre balancing compositions comprising 1) 85 to 97% by weight of a glycol ether component comprising one or more ethylene/propylene glycol copolymer ethers of the general formula (I) or the general (II) or mixtures thereof R—O{[CH(CH3)CH2—O—]m[CH2—CH2—O—]n}H (I) R1—(O—{[CH(CH3)CH2—O—]m[CH2—CH2—O—]n}H)2 (II) wherein R is hydrogen or an alkyl group of 2-8 carbon atoms; R1 is an alkylene moiety of 2-8 carbon atoms in which the two substituents are not carried on the same carbon atom; m is the mole percentage of propylene glycol in the ethylene/propylene glycol copolymer moiety or moieties; and n is the mole percentage of ethylene glycol in the ethylene/propylene glycol copolymer moiety or moieties, wherein the ratio n:m is in the range from 35:65 to 80:20; each glycol copolymer compound having a number average molecular weight in the range of 2000-10000; and 2) 3 to 15% by weight of a fumed silica gel former; said balancing compositions being visco-elastic 1500 Pa and 5000 Pa at 22° C.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire and a rim includes a noise damper, fixed to a tire inner surface or a rim inner surface with the upper surface facing a tire inner space, and extending in the tire circumferential direction. The noise damper is made of a sponge having a volume ranging from 0.4 to 20% of the volume of the tire inner space. The noise damper is a laterally long and flat, with a maximum thickness ranging from 5 to 45 mm and a width more than the maximum thickness. The upper surface extends along a wavy curve including a hilltop, valley bottoms on each side of the hilltop and slopes extending down to the respective valley bottoms from the hilltop. Each end of the upper surface is terminated at the valley bottoms or the slopes. A thickness from the upper surface to the bottom surface ranges from 1.0 to 15.0 mm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low noise pneumatic tire in which a plurality of noise absorbing members of a porous material are attached to the tire inner peripheral surface with intervals in the tire circumferential direction. The number of the noise absorbing members is from 5 to 50. The total length obtained by integrating the lengths of the noise absorbing members in the tire circumferential direction is not less than 75% of the tire maximum inner peripheral length. The distance between each adjacent two of the noise absorbing members is equal to or more than the maximum thickness of the noise absorbing members at the end portions thereof in the tire circumferential direction, while being not more than 15% of the tire maximum inner peripheral length.

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: 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 tire noise reducing system comprises a wheel rim, a pneumatic tire and a noise damper disposed in the tire cavity and made from a spongy material whose total volume is in a range of from 0.4 to 20% of a volume of the tire cavity. The maximum thickness of the damper between the base end surface and the top end surface is in a range of from 1.0 to 4.5 cm. The width of the base end surface is more than the maximum thickness. The width of the damper is not increased in the direction from the base end surface to the top end surface, and each of side faces defined as extending from the edges of the base end surface to the edges of the top end surface is at least partially provided with an aslant portion inclined at an angle theta of from 30 to 75 degrees with respect to the base end surface. The damper is preferably fixed to the inside of a tread portion of the tire.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of dispensing a vehicle ballasting weight for balancing a portion of a vehicle. The method comprises dispensing a vehicle ballasting weight material comprising a flexible polymeric matrix material filled with a high density particulate material, and severing an incremental length of the vehicle ballasting weight material from an initial length of the weight material, where the incremental length can correspond exactly to a desired mass for the vehicle ballasting weight.

Abstract: An improved apparatus, system and method of balancing a tire for a vehicle is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a new tire for a vehicle is provided wherein the tire incorporates a plurality of removable portions and/or attachments that may be removed from their position on the external portion of the tire to properly balance the tire about the wheel assembly. Further, a system and method is provided that may be employed to properly balance the tire without the necessity of adding metal or other type weights to the wheel and tire assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatic tire enabling to even a weight balance thereof in a tire circumferential direction in realizing reduction of cavity resonance noise by using an annular object having cross-sectional areas which vary depending on locations in the tire circumferential direction. The pneumatic tire of the present invention is one in which an annular object having cross-sectional areas which vary depending on locations in the tire circumferential direction is mounted on an inner surface of a tread portion. In the pneumatic tire, the annular object is formed by partially applying compression forming to a porous material member having a density of 5 to 70 kg/m3 and having an uniform cross-sectional shape in the tire circumferential direction.

Abstract: An improved apparatus, system and method of balancing a tire for a vehicle is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a new tire for a vehicle is provided wherein the tire incorporates a plurality of removable portions and/or attachments that may be removed from their position on the external portion of the tire to properly balance the tire about the wheel assembly. Further, a system and method is provided that may be employed to properly balance the tire without the necessity of adding metal or other type weights to the wheel and tire assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to automobile tyres or tyre assemblies or parts thereof suitable for being balanced by introduction therein of a thixrotropic balancing gel, wherein surfaces of the tyre or tyre assembly or part thereof which are intended to be in contact with the balancing gel are provided with a surface nanostructure with an average surface roughness in the range of 1-1000 nm. The surface nanostructure will enable the thixotropic balancing gel to move to the location, where it balances the tyre, significantly quicker than if the surface in question did not have the surface nanostructure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a machine for balancing a pneumatic tire/wheel assembly and the balanced pneumatic tire. The pneumatic tire comprises an axis of rotation, a belt structure, an innerliner disposed radially inward of the belt structure, and two annular beads for securing the tire to a wheel. The tire includes an annular spacer structure and a thixotropic gel. The annular spacer structure is attached to the innerliner and is disposed radially inward of the belt structure. The annular spacer structure defines two interior circumferential grooves between axially outer sides of the annular spacer structure and portions of the innerliner extending radially inward toward the corresponding beads of the tire. The thixotropic gel is disposed within the circumferential grooves thereby defining two circumferential gel rings.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a main body including a tread portion, a pair of sidewall portions, a pair of bead portions each having a bead core therein, a carcass extending between the bead portions through the sidewall portions and the tread portion, a light spot in the tire circumferential direction and an opposite spot of the light spot, and a noise damper made of a spongy material having a specific gravity in the range of from 0.005 to 0.060 and attached to an inner surface of the tread portion, the noise damper extending in the tire circumferential direction so as to form a gap part between ends thereof, and a center of the gap part is placed within an angle of 60 degrees from the opposite spot in the tire circumferential direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for balancing a tire during a retreading operation includes measuring the radial runout the buffed tire casing and applying the gum layer and tread strip to compensate for variances in runout. The gum layer is applied so that an overlap or smear is formed at the relative low portion of the casing. The tread strip is applied with the joint at the same low portion in cases where the low portion has a relatively large variance, or at another location if the variance is small or other low portions exist. In addition, the thickness of the gum layer and tread strip may be controlled for further compensation of the runout variance.

Abstract: A method is provided for protecting a virgin surface of a tire innerliner from contamination by a release agent during curing. A pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA)-coated thermoformable film is pressed onto an exposed virgin surface of a green tire innerliner to adhere the PSA to the virgin surface and thereby form a protected green innerliner. The PSA is based on a rubber that is compatible with the rubber of the tire innerliner. The protected green innerliner is then exposed to the release agent, and cured. By virtue of the PSA, the film stays reliably in position. The thermoformable film is then removed to reveal the cured virgin surface substantially free of the release agent.

Abstract: A self-balancing wheel assembly includes a rim, a tire mounted to the rim and defining an inflatable chamber between the rim and the tire, and a valve mounted to the rim for inflating and deflating the tire. The valve includes a housing having a channel therein extending between an outer surface of the housing and the chamber. The valve includes a stopper movable within the channel between an open and a closed position for allowing and blocking fluid flow through the channel, the stopper being narrower in width than the channel. The assembly further includes balancing media in the chamber, the balancing media comprising solid particles sized sufficiently large to inhibit passage of the solid particles past the stopper. The assembly can be used in wheels having integral TPMS modules, and having aluminum valve stems connected to the modules and short, nickel plated valve cores mounted in the stems.

Abstract: A non-toxic, non-flammable, non-corrosive, bio-gradable tire ballast disclosed herein that comprises an aqueous composition containing 40% to 70% glycerin (w/v) with a relatively low freezing point (minus 38 degrees F.). The composition weighs 9.5 to 11 pounds per gallon and has a low freezing point (below, minus 38 degrees F.) At the temperatures minus 38 degrees F. or above, the composition flows easily into the valve stem using a liquid ballast pump, also referred to as a calcium pump. A suitable anti-corrosive chemical may be added to the composition to prevent rust inside the tire. In the preferred embodiment, the tire is filled approximately 40% to 75% full with the composition.

Abstract: A balance material is applied to the inner surface of a tire at one or more selected locations to offset an imbalance of the tire. The balance material is fluently applied to the inner surface at a first viscosity, whereafter the balance material transforms to exhibit a second viscosity that is higher than the first viscosity and remains affixed to the inner surface of the tire at the point of application. A method of balancing a tire comprises determining the location and amount of balance material needed to correct an imbalance of the tire, applying the balance material at a first viscosity, and transforming the balance material to have a second viscosity sufficient to maintain the balance material at the desired location.

Abstract: A bond of a rubbery component to a virgin surface of a tire's cured innerliner which virgin surface has never been contaminated by the remnants of a release agent left after buffing with a wire brush and solvent-cleaning the cured innerliner, is unexpectedly stronger than a bond of the component to the contaminated but “cleaned surface”, cleaned as indicated. As an alternative, buffing with a wire brush results in a textured surface that impairs adhesion of a balance pad. Therefore, a pneumatic tire is provided with a virgin surface protected against contamination by a release agent at the curing temperature of the tire; protection is provided by a self-supporting barrier film of sulfur non-vulcanizable, expandable, thermoformable synthetic resinous material; and, a method is provided for maintaining a virgin cured surface within all or part of either the exterior or interior of a pneumatic tire's rubber carcass which is conventionally cured.

Abstract: A method for controlling uniformity in tire manufacturing includes the steps of measuring the radial runout of an uncured tire carcass, modeling the radial force variation contribution of the carcass from the radial runout measurement, measuring the thickness of the tire tread, modeling the mass imbalance of the tread from the tread thickness measurement, forming a green tire by loading the tread onto the carcass at an angle whereby the radial force variation contribution of the carcass is opposed to the tread mass imbalance determined from the tread mass imbalance model, and placing the green tire in a curing press at an angle which minimizes the radial force variation or mass imbalance of the green tire.

Abstract: A tire comprising a tread portion and a pair of sidewalls is provided wherein the sidewalls are connected to the tread portion by shoulder regions, wherein the tire further include one or more strips of rubber affixed to the inner surface of a green tire. The strip may be annular and may be located near the toe of the bead. The strip is made from a rubber composition having a specific gravity greater than 2. The strip may be ground away as desired in order to balance the tire without the need for weights.

Abstract: An annular antenna and transponder are affixed to a tire using the transponder as a counterweight to offset tire imbalance. The annular antenna is attached to an inner tire surface and is coupled electrically to a transponder device and is fixed relative to a housing in which the transponder device is packaged. The mass of the transponder housing is used specifically to counterbalance tire imbalance by first ascertaining the position at which a counterbalance would prove to be beneficial and then affixing the annular assembly to the tire so as to position the mass of the transponder housing at the optimal location for counterbalancing benefit.

Abstract: A laboratory test for general tire durability can produce results comparable to the GM-ATE road test. A passenger tire is mounted in a test machine and run at approximately 50 mph (80 kph), at maximum rated inflation pressure, with at least 100% maximum rated radial load, with approximately 25% of the test duration being performed with lateral force comprised of approximately equal portions of right and left steering, the remainder of the test being performed without lateral force (straight portions). A test segment comprises repeating a loading cycle a plurality of times until approximately 5000 miles have accumulated, and multiple test segments are performed until 16,000 miles have been accumulated. The test is paused and the tire is visually inspected several times during the test segments, including at the end of the test.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the sealing of inflatable articles, in particular tyres, comprising a container containing a sealant and an extraction unit releasably connected and preferably screwed to the container, the extraction unit having at least one inlet line connectable to a source of gas pressure and at least one outlet line capable of being coupled to the article to be sealed, wherein ends of the lines which project into the container are sealed in a fluid tight manner relative to the inner space of the container by a closure arrangement which can be removed and in particular blown off by means of gas pressure.

Abstract: A device for attenuating noise generated in a rolling tire and wheel assembly includes strips arranged as a circumferential ring in the tire/wheel cavity. The strips are spaced circumferentially to provide a profile of ridges and gaps in the ring. The rings may be placed on the interior surface of the tire or the wheel or both. Preferably, two rings are formed, and the gaps of the rings are in staggered relationship about the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A self-seal tire according to the present invention has a puncture sealing layer located all over a tire inner wall surface from one shoulder portion to the other shoulder portion of a pneumatic tire. The puncture sealing layer comprises at least one band-shape seal layer, which includes a band-shape sponge layer and a bonding layer, the band-shape sponge layer being impregnated with an adhesive so that it is exposed on a tier wall surface side face of the band-shape sponge layer and spaced apart from a tire counter wall surface side face thereof, and the bonding layer being made of adhesive and provided on the tire wall surface side face. The band-shape seal layer is bonded through the bonding layer on the tire inner wall surface with the band-shape seal layer being wound in a circumferential direction of the tire.

Abstract: A balancing weight for a vehicle tire consisting of a bar (1) comprising several balance weights (2, 3) which may be separated from one another. The bar (1) is made of a lead and tin alloy having 55 to 70% of lead and 30 to 45% of tin. Each balance weight (2, 3) is linked to its neighbors by a rod (4). It comprises a device for being fixed on a wheel.

Abstract: A wheel structure for vehicles, capable of reducing a columnar resonance sound occurring in a wheel during a travel of a vehicle. A cross-sectional shape of a closed space defined by a wheel and a tire is varied in the circumferential direction so that a columnar resonance frequency in the closed space varies with a rotation of a wheel unit.

Abstract: A tire noise reducing system includes a pneumatic tire, a wheel rim and a noise damper disposed in a cavity formed between the rim and tire the noise damper is made of a porous material having a specific gravity of from 0.005 to 0.06 and secured on a surface facing the cavity, the volume S2 of the noise damper is in a range of from 0.4 to 20.0% of the volume S1 of the cavity. Preferably, the noise damper is provided with an uneven surface or an outer layer for less sound reflection, and the shape index E of the noise damper is more than 1, and the ratio T/W of the thickness T to the width W of the damper is not less than 1.

Abstract: Methods for improving vehicle steering performance and robustness of that performance include control of non-uniformities in the vehicle's tires, wheels and tire/wheel assemblies as a way to overcome the tendency of the steering systems in certain vehicle types to undergo “steering performance loss.” While minimizing lateral force variations (e.g., couple imbalance), a controlled amount of radial and/or tangential force variation is induced in one or more tire/wheel assemblies by means of mass non-uniformity, dimensional non-uniformity, and/or stiffness non-uniformity. For dimensional non-uniformity, the preferred method is to impart a controlled amount of dimensional non-uniformity (preferably radial runout) to the tire and/or the wheel in at least one of the tire/wheel assemblies, followed by statically and dynamically balancing all of the vehicle's tire/wheel assemblies.