Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin

Michelin Recherche Et Technique S.a.

David Chan Wah Lung

Chinglin Pan

Michael D Petrovich

Michael Widmyer

John E Hommerson

Jeremy Mehlem

Metodi L Ikonomov

Adib T Chebli

Exemplary embodiments of the subject invention comprise methods and apparatus for mounting a tread ring onto a tire carcass. Such methods include providing a tire tread ring having opposing side edges, arranging the tread ring in an initial ring arrangement in communication with a pressure source, and expanding the tread ring radially outward from the initial ring arrangement to an expanded arrangement. The pressure source is in communication with an outer side of the tread ring, the tread ring being expanded by applying vacuum pressure along the outer side of the tread ring supplied by the pressure source. Such methods also include inserting a tire carcass within a central opening of the tread ring while in the expanded arrangement, contracting the tread ring into an installed arrangement about an outer surface of the tire carcass, and, releasing the vacuum along the outer side of the tread ring.

Methods and apparatus for installing a tread ring upon a tire carcass

Exemplary embodiments of the subject invention comprise methods and apparatus for mounting a tread ring onto a tire carcass. Such methods may include the step of providing a tire tread ring having opposing side edges; arranging the tread ring in an initial ring arrangement in communication with a pressure source, the pressure source being in communication with an outer side of the tread ring; expanding the tread ring radially outward from the initial ring arrangement to an expanded arrangement, the tread ring being expanded by applying vacuum pressure along the outer side of the tread ring supplied by the pressure source; inserting a tire carcass within a central opening of the tread ring while in the expanded arrangement; contracting the tread ring into an installed arrangement about an outer surface of the tire carcass; and, releasing the vacuum along the outer side of the tread ring.

The subject invention includes methods and apparatus for joining treads. Such methods include the step of providing a first tread portion and a second tread portion for forming a joined tread, each tread portion comprising a section of tire tread extending lengthwise from a terminal end. Additional steps include providing a first fixture configured to retain the first tread portion and a second fixture configured to retain the second tread portion and securing the first tread portion into the first fixture and securing the second tread portion into the second fixture, each of the first and second fixtures being arranged within the first and second fixtures such that the terminal end of each tread portion is in communication with a joining side of each fixture. The methods further include directing the terminal ends towards each other and into forceful engagement with an elastomeric joining material arranged between the terminal ends.

Methods and apparatus for joining treads

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Greenville, SC, United States of America

David Chan Wah Lung