| Tire with exo-belt skin -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Tire with exo-belt skinUSPTO Application #: 20070000589Title: Tire with exo-belt skin Abstract: A tire assembly for insertion into a tire mold including a partially cured base tire and a partially cured skin. The partially cured base tire includes a plurality of spaced tread members. The skin includes a predetermined percentage of reinforcing fiber comprised of a crushed mono-filament aramid fiber material and the skin includes a predetermined printed pattern. The partially cured skin is at least slightly larger than the partially cured base tire and surrounds and engages an entire outer periphery of the partially cured base tire. The partially cured skin surrounds and engages an entire tread surface of the tread members. The partially cured base tire and the partially cured skin are insertable into the tire mold. The predetermined pattern is visible on an external peripheral surface of the tire assembly. (end of abstract) Agent: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld L.L.P. - Philadelphia, PA, US Inventors: Yann Mellet, Josh Deetz USPTO Applicaton #: 20070000589 - Class: 152209400 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Resilient Tires And Wheels, Tires, Resilient, Anti-skid Devices, Tread, Containing Randomly Dispersed Short Fibers Or Anti-skid Granules The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070000589. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/253,837, filed Sep. 24, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/325,523, filed Sep. 28, 2001, the entire subject matters of which are hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to tire enhancement and, more particularly, to a tire having an exo-belt cover or skin incorporated into at least a portion of the peripheral surface thereof. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0003] Briefly stated, in one embodiment, the present invention comprises a method of making a tire with a skin covering at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the tire. The method comprises the steps of: providing a partially cured tire; providing a partially cured skin; installing the partially cured tire and the partially cured skin in a tire mold with the skin engaging and covering at least a portion of an outer surface of the tire and with the skin facing an inner surface of the mold; applying heat and pressure to the tire to press the skin and the tire against the inner surface of the mold; and maintaining the heat and pressure for a predetermined time period to vulcanize and bond together the tire and the skin. [0004] The present invention further comprises a tire assembly. The tire assembly includes a partially cured tire formed of a first predetermined rubber composition. A partially cured skin is formed of a second predetermined rubber composition. The second predetermined rubber composition is substantially the same as the first predetermined rubber composition. The partially cured skin is at least slightly larger than the partially cured tire and surrounds and engages at least a portion of the outer periphery of the partially cured tire. The partially cured tire and the partially cured skin are cured together as a single unit to bond the skin to the tire to form the tire assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0005] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. [0006] In the drawings: [0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cover or skin for a tire in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0008] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a bicycle tire showing the skin of FIG. 1 applied thereto; [0009] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of a skin for a tire in accordance with a first alternative embodiment of the present invention; [0010] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of a partially cured standard bicycle tire; [0011] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a partially cured bicycle tire illustrating the initial stage of application of the skin of FIG. 3; and [0012] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a rim-mounted bicycle tire with the skin applied thereto. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0013] The present invention relates to a base tire or tire 2 having an exo-belt skin or skin 1 which is applied to the external surface thereof, as described more fully herein below. In the present embodiment, a standard or specialty bicycle tire 2 is shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 to illustrate the invention. It should be understood, however, that the skin 1 could be applied to other types of tires including other types of bicycle tires, motorcycle tires, automobile tires or any other circumferential type of tire, if desired. It is the primary intention of the skin 1, to enhance the visual interest or appeal of the tire 2 and to improve wear and performance, however, other advantages of having the skin 1 on a tire 2 will hereinafter become apparent. [0014] As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the base (partially cured) tire or tire 2 (shown in radial cross-section) has a circumferential ply or base 4 with an outer circumferential surface 6, a pair of spaced apart annular side walls 8 at the distal ends of the base 4, a pair of rim engaging annular beads 9 on the distal ends of the side walls 8, and a tread pattern extending along the outer circumferential surface 6. The tread pattern of the present embodiment includes a plurality of spaced tread members 10, each of which extend radially outwardly from the outer circumferential surface 6 of the base 4. The specific tread pattern for a particular tire will vary depending upon the style and type of tire and some tires may not include a tread pattern at all. In addition, the number of plies of the tire 2 may vary to include multiple plies such as 3 ply, 4 ply, 5 ply, 6 ply, etc., in some applications. Bicycle tires of the type illustrated by FIG. 5 are typically formed utilizing a rubber mixture containing about 75% by weight of natural rubber and about 25% by weight of synthetic rubber. However, the percentages of the natural rubber and synthetic rubber of the mixture may vary in particular applications. In addition, in the case of some bicycle tires, reinforcing fibers may be added to the rubber mixture to improve performance. Typically, when such reinforcing fibers are added to the mixture, the mixture is referred to as a "3D compound". The reinforcing fibers may comprise any suitable fiber, preferably mono-filament fiber, such as Kevlar.RTM., which may be crushed and mixed into the rubber mixture. Kevlar.RTM. is an aromatic polyamide or aramid mono-filament fiber, as is know by one having ordinary skill in the art. Typically, such 3D compounds include approximately 3% by weight of the reinforcing fibers. However, the percentage of reinforcing fibers in the 3D compound may be less than or greater than 3% for particular applications. [0015] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, 5 and 6, the present invention comprises a skin 1, which is adapted to be permanently installed upon or applied to at least a portion of the outer periphery of a base tire 2. In the preferred embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 3, the skin 1 is generally comprised of an elongated belt or strip which is substantially the same length as the circumferential dimension of the outer circumferential surface 6 of the tire 2. However, the skin 1 could have a length which is greater than or less than the circumference of the outer circumferential surface 6 of the tire 2. The length will be determined by the aesthetic and performance characteristics one wishes to impart to the tire 2 through the use of the skin 1. For example, the skin 1 of the preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, wherein the skin 1 is a belt or strip, enhances aesthetic and visual as well as the performance characteristics of the tire 2 around the entire circumference of the tire 2. In an alternative embodiment, best shown in FIG. 1, the skin 1 is a continuous loop which enhances both the aesthetic and performance characteristics of the entire tire 2. It is also contemplated that the skin 1 may be for covering only a segment of the tire 2 to achieve desired characteristics for the tire 2. [0016] The skin 1 of the preferred embodiment preferably has a width that encompasses the entire width of the tread pattern and each side wall 8 of the tire 2 extending from one bead 9 to the other bead 9. In other words, it is preferred that the entire exposed outer peripheral surface of the tire 2 be covered by the skin 1. It is contemplated, however, that the width of the skin 1 may be less than that of the preferred embodiment. For example, the skin 1 could be configured to overlie and cover at least a portion of only one of the side walls 8 of the tire 2 or just the tread members 10 and outer circumferential surface 6 of the tire 2 (and not the side walls 8). Again, the width of the skin 1 will depend on the visual and performance characteristics one would like to impart to the tire 2. Since one of the functions of the skin 1 is decorative, the width of the skin 1 and the portions of the tire 2 on which the skin 1 is applied will be determined by the visual effect to be created. The decorative function of the skin 1 will be discussed more fully below. [0017] Additional factors to be considered in determining the length and width of the skin 1 are the added weight and cost of the skin 1. Inasmuch as rotational weight, particularly at the outer circumference of a tire, dramatically increases the amount of work required to increase the rotational speed of the tire, minimizing the rotational weight is important to overall tire performance. Accordingly, the skin 1 must be carefully tailored to balance between the added tire weight and the aesthetic and performance purposes and visual effect sought to be achieved. Whereas in the preferred embodiment, the skin 1 is intended to enhance the aesthetic characteristics of the tire 2 around the entire outer periphery of the tire 2, one may desire that the visual aesthetic characteristics be more locally limited on the outer circumferential surface 6 and tread members 10 of the tire 2. [0018] As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 the skin 1 preferably has visual characteristics that extend throughout at least some portion of the skin 1. More preferably, the visual characteristics could extend throughout the entire surface of the skin 1. Preferably, the skin 1 extends from the base 4 to embrace the entire outer periphery of the tire 2 including the outer circumferential surface 6 and the entire surface of each of the tread members 10. The skin 1 preferably extends the entire length of the tread members 10, including the end portion, so as to completely cover the entire periphery of each tread member 10 once the skin 1 has been applied to the tire 2. [0019] Preferably, the skin 1 which, before being applied to the base tire 2 is in a green or partially cured state, is made of a composite rubber mixture, preferably a blend of about 25% synthetic rubber, such as styrene-butadiene rubber and about 75% natural rubber. Preferably, the composition of the skin 1 is the same as or similar to the composition of the base tire 2 to which the skin 1 is applied. In this manner, bonding between the skin 1 and the base tire 2 is enhanced. Additionally, a combination of rubber and a polymeric material could be used. Other materials known to those skilled in the art could be used, if desired. In the preferred embodiment, reinforcing fibers are added to the skin 1 to enhance performance. Preferably, the reinforcing fibers are of the mono-filament type, such as Kevlar.RTM. and are crushed and mixed into the rubber mixture. The reinforcing fibers, preferably the aromatic polyamide mono-filament fibers, could comprise between 1-12% by weight of the rubber mixture but preferably comprise about 8% of the mixture. The material(s) elected must provide both durability and light weight to the skin 1 and be such that the skin 1 will bond to the tires during production. Preferably the skin 1 is limited in thickness to that which is sufficient to permit effective transfer and retention of the desired image onto the desired portion of the outer periphery of the tire 2 and provide the desired performance characteristics. However, it is also contemplated that the skin 1 be constructed of a substantial thickness so as to help protect the tire 2 from wear and abrasions. Continue reading... Full patent description for Tire with exo-belt skin Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Tire with exo-belt skin patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Tire with exo-belt skin or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Run-flat assembly comprising a foam insert and improved airtight membranes Next Patent Application: Pneumatic tire Industry Class: Resilient tires and wheels ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Tire with exo-belt skin patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 1.15084 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Accenture , Agouron Pharmaceuticals , Amgen , AT&T , Bausch & Lomb , Callaway Golf |
||
