The Goodyear & Tire Rubber Company

John D Zeleznik

Charles Kenneth Schmalix

Christopher Paul Johenning

John Gregory Stucker

A tubeless inner tire or shield 14 provides for easy assembly of the shield 14 into the outer tire 12 and over the rim 16 as compared to previous designs. The beads 43 in the shield comprise stranded filaments and the bead portion 40,42 of the shield 14 has increased flexibility. The increased flexibility of the bead portion 40,42 eliminates kinking of the shield 14 upon assembly which could prevent the shield 14 from properly sealing against the rim 16. Air passageways 44 between the inner shield 14 and outer tire 12 are provided on the shield 14 near the bead portion 42. The air passageway 44 includes a protrusion 50 extending from the surface of the shield and has an inclined radially inner surface 58. The inner surface 58 is inclined at an angle of 25.degree. to 60.degree. relative to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the inner shield 14. The inclined inner surface 58 of the protrusion 50 facilitates the assembly of the inner tire 14 and the outer tire 12 on a rim 16 by functioning as a ramp.

Growing community of inventors

Hudson, OH, United States of America

John D Zeleznik