Abstract: Annular tire overlay (11) for drawing onto the rolling surface of tires (40), which has a tread (17) on its outside and a gripping surface (15) on its inside, which tire overlay (11) is so designed that contact between the rolling surface of the tire (40) and the surfacing of the road is prevented by the tire overlay (11) when the tire overlay has been drawn onto a tire. The said tire overlay (11) is provided with a flange (21) which stops the tire overlay (11) from shifting in the axial direction of the wheel. Advantageously, the tire overlay is additionally stiffened by a flange (21) of planar form to keep the contact area on the surface below small.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of retreading a tire and a retread tire (10) made by this method. The method comprises the steps of providing a tread layer (40) having a tread side (44) and a sole side (46) wherein the surface of the sole side (46) includes a plurality of tread elements (48) such as sipes and/or grooves or other void. Each tread element (48) has a first edge (64) and a second edge (66) at the surface of the sole side (46) of the tread layer (40). At least one of the first edge (64) and second edge (66) is formed to have a break edge (84) such as a rounded edge or a chamfered edge of 0.4 mm or more. The break edge (84) removes the sharp corner and provides increased endurance for the retreaded tire (10).

Abstract: A tire with a changing tread pattern is formed by first forming a tire having a tread, the tread having at least one circumferential or lateral groove. Formed separately is a wearable filler, the wearable filler having a configuration corresponding to at least a portion of the circumferential or lateral groove formed in the tire. After both the tire and the wearable filler have been cured, the wearable filler is located in the radially outer portion of the circumferential or lateral groove or a portion of the circumferential or lateral groove, and secured within the grooves so as to create a groove void radially inward of the wearable filler, the void being exposed upon wear of the tire tread.

Abstract: A tire with a changing tread pattern is formed by first forming a tire having a tread, the tread having at least one circumferential or lateral groove. A wearable filler, having a configuration corresponding to at least a portion of the circumferential or lateral groove formed in the tire, is located in the radially outer portion of the circumferential or lateral groove or a portion of the circumferential or lateral groove, and secured within the grooves so as to create a groove void radially inward of the wearable filler, the void being exposed upon wear of the tire tread.

Abstract: A two-piece tire assembly has a removable tread belt 12 for installing about the circumference of a tire carcass 14. The tread belt has a pair of lateral ends each axially extending beyond the inflated unloaded carcass 14 at the circumferential surface by a distance of at least 4% of the width as measured at the tread belt 12 and carcass 14 interface. The carcass 14 has an abrasion resistant rubber layer 82A at the tread belt interface. The tread belt 12 also has the abrasion resistance tread compound 82B at the carcass 14 interface.

Abstract: An improved method of shipping, storing, and changing very large tires having a removable tread belt mounted to a tire carcass which are typically used on very large vehicles such as earthmovers. By compressing both the tread belts and the tire carcasses, they can be shipped separately so that less shipping and storage space is required. Tire changing only requires changing the tire tread without removing the wheel or carcass from the very large vehicle making it economically feasible to store and change tread designs to accommodate a variety of very large tire/vehicle operating conditions.

Abstract: An improved track belt tire is constructed of a removable tread belt assembly mounted to a tire carcass with an embedded carcass ply having ply turnup ends about the bead wires. First, second, third, and fourth apex elements are disposed about each of the bead wires. The first of the apex elements is located adjacent and radially outward from each of the bead wires. The second of the apex elements is located between the overlying sides of the turnup ply. The third of the apex elements is disposed against the axially inwardly facing sides of the turnup ends of the carcass ply and the fourth of the apex elements is located against outwardly facing sides of the ply turnup ends of the carcass ply to encase the end portions of the ply turnup ends between the second and fourth apex elements.

Abstract: An improved support track assembly for both protecting and improving the flotation and mobility of the resilient wheels of a vehicle is disclosed herein that comprises both a manually operable retention assembly for fastening the track into an endless belt around the vehicle wheel, and a track storage reel that conveniently positions the track under the wheel and in alignment therewith prior to installation. The improved support track is formed from a plurality of track members that are pivotally interconnected by means of connector pins, and the retention assembly is formed from a retaining pin having a first end that is transversely insertable into a track member in a connector-pin capturing position, and a second pin formed from a resilient loop of spring steel. When the retaining pin is inserted into a pin-capturing position, the terminus of the loop is resiliently biased in a latching position.

Abstract: The annular tread belt body is assembled of uncured resilient material having reinforcing cords and is then mounted on a precured tire casing. The read belt body is assembled with a predetermined configuration at a radially inner surface and the precured tire casing has a matching predetermined configuration on the radially outer surface for mounting of the tread belt in a centered position on the tire casing. The tread belt body and precured tire casing are enclosed in a segmental mold where the tread belt is cured. After removal from the mold, the tread belt is separated from the tire casing. The tread belt is then mounted on the radially outer surface of a tire having reinforcing cords positioned in a generally radial direction relative to the axis of the tire.

Abstract: The track belt assembly of the present invention comprises a plurality of shoes spaced about the periphery of a load-supporting structure. A reinforcing belt structure is disposed on the side of the shoe opposite the ground-engaging side thereof. Each shoe is secured at its lateral ends to the belt reinforcing structure by two separate anchor plates disposed on the side of the belt opposite that which is adjacent the shoes.

Abstract: A detachable, resilient shield is maintained in contact with the sidewalls of a tire for off-the-road vehicles to protect this critical area of the tire from damage due to contact with external objects such as rocks. The tire includes a removable tread or a lug traction band. The shield is manufactured separately from the tire. The shield includes criss-crossed reinforcements which extend at oppositely directed angles greater than zero but less than ninety degrees relative to the circumferential direction of the tire.

Abstract: A vehicle tire with tractive elements for positive engagement with the ground surface is disclosed. The tire carcass has a tread including raised features. Means for positively linking tractive elements positioned radially outwardly of the tread to the raised features of the tread are provided in the form of a flexible but substantially inextensible belt positioned radially outwardly of the tread, and retainer elements positioned radially inwardly of the belt, the tractive elements being positioned radially outwardly of the belt and being releasably attached to the retainer elements for clamping the belt tightly therebetween. Inflation pressure within the carcass expands its crown region to maintain the belt in a taut condition. The retainer elements are sectionally constructed to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the tire.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire is made by applying a restricting member circumferentially around a cylindrical radial tire carcass. Shaping pressure inflates the carcass to a toroidal shape having a section height less than a predetermined section height so that the carcass can be enclosed by a mold for vulcanization. After vulcanization, normal inflation pressure is sufficient to further expand the restricting member and carcass to a shape having a section height greater than the predetermined section height so that the carcass may be pressed into gripping engagement with a replaceable tread belt.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire for a motor vehicle has a removable tread fastened to the casing by annular projections on one locked in annular grooves in the other when the tire is inflated. The tread is supported by a breaker structure underlying the tread in the crown portion of the casing. The breaker has an annular strip of metallic fabric and an annular tape of metallic fabric on each side of the strip and between the annular strip and underlying carcass. There is a free annular central zone between the tapes astride the center plane of the tire.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a carcass portion and a readily replaceable tread portion. The tread portion is provided with a zero ply steer belting and built-up edges. The carcass is of an elliptical cross-section. The interface between the carcass and tread is of a high radius of curvature, all of which when taken together, provides for an effective combination and practical replaceable tread tire.

Abstract: An improved fastener assembly includes an externally threaded member or bolt having a thread convolution with a relatively long trailing flank surface and a relatively short leading flank surface. An internally threaded member or nut also has a thread convolution with a relatively long trailing flank surface and a relatively short leading flank surface. The nut is grooved to provide an expandable section. When the nut and bolt are tightened, the relatively long trailing flank surfaces of the thread convolutions cause the grooved portion of the nut to expand to completely fill a hole. The opposite end of the nut is contracted to clamp against a thread convolution on the bolt. In one embodiment of the invention, a relatively short leading flank surface of the bolt extends at an acute angle to the relatively short leading flank surface of the nut to provide clearance between the internal and external thread convolutions.

Abstract: A removable tread installed as an annular belt about the circumference of a tire carcass. The inner surface of the removable tread belt and the outer surface of the tire carcass have an interengaging pattern to interlock the two. The removable tread belt has a plurality of axially oriented metal bars and an inextensible circumferential belt radially outwardly from the bars. The cross-section of the bars is substantially T-shaped, and the bars are provided with enlarged portions at each end. The ends of the bars extend outwardly to a point at least equal to the widest portion of the tire carcass sidewall. The bars and the inextensible belt are encapsulated in a matrix of rubber, which has a tread pattern on its outer circumferential surface.

Abstract: Replaceable tread or track belts on tube tire carcasses can be changed in the field and elsewhere by venting the pressure within the tube tire carcass, subsequently creating a partial vacuum within the tire carcass sufficient to cause it to commence collapsing, and then, while maintaining the vacuum constant in the carcass, physically depressing the periphery thereof at circumferentially spaced intervals to convert the outer circular surface of the carcass to a polygonal configuration that allows the circular belts to be conveniently changed.

Abstract: a replaceable tire tread belt has outer and inner peripheral surfaces and a pair of opposite side surfaces. The inner peripheral surface has a plurality of projections for interlocking engagement with a tire carcass, and the outer peripheral surface is axially divided into a smooth portion extending about the circumference and providing an extended service life, and a grooved portion extending about the circumference and defining the remaining portion of the outer peripheral surface and providing traction.