Brad Ragan, Inc.

Harold E Christman

A hoop tread, radial carcass flotation tire is constructed in accordance with a method and through the use of apparatus which impart controlled carcass flexing characteristics while accommodating axle drive of the tire. The method includes constructing a tire carcass with radially directed cords in sidewall portions and with circumferentially directed cords in a tread face portion. The apparatus comprises a mandrel assembled by mounting a plurality of segments about an axle and used to support plies of material during carcass construction. The tire is capable of 'floating' over loose or easily damaged supporting surfaces including growing crops in agricultural fields without injury or damage to the supporting surface.

Method of and apparatus for making flotation tire and tire product

An elongate elastomeric tread strip having a contoured tread face of at least two ribs and an intervening valley is applied to a peripheral tread supporting surface of a pneumatic tire carcass by laying the flat back of one end portion of at least one such strip against and generally tangent to the tread supporting surface of the carcass, and rotating the carcass to wrap the tread strip therearound while stitching the strip to the carcass by pressingly engaging the contoured face of the tread strip with a contoured roller defining a moving contoured surface whose contour at least substantially matches that of the tread strip. The method and apparatus also provide for subjecting the tread strip to a rapidly vibrating force to aid further in causing the strip to uniformly contact the tire carcass throughout the width of the tread strip being applied to the carcass.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Cruz, CA, United States of America

Harold E Christman