The Goodyear & Tire Rubber Company

Joseph M Forney

Robert P Loser

Arthur Allen Goldstein

Walter W Curtiss, Jr

Jack E Brown, Jr

Christopher E Christie

John R Bauer

Richard M Underwood

A radial-ply pneumatic tire carcass has a reverse curvature, an outwardly concave shape, centered about the tire's equatorial plane. A wedge of elastomeric material is positioned above or below the belt structure of the tire. If positioned above the belt structure, the wedge is used with a carcass cord angle in the range from 65.degree. to 80.degree.. This carcass structure also may be used when the wedge is positioned between the belt structure and carcass. The tire has an aspect ratio less than 75%, but 40% to 65% is preferred. The wedge has a shape on its radially inner side that is similar to a low amplitude cosine function. Particularly when the wedge is above the belt structure (providing both it and the belt structure with a reverse curvature), the belt cord angle is less than a 'critical angle' of about 25.degree.. The invention can provide a radial-ply belted tire which has 'natural shape' in the portion of the radial carcass underlying the belt structure, but the 'natural shape' is for those low cord angles used in the belt structure.

Radial ply pneumatic tire with reverse curvature carcass ply

Apparatus for obtaining tire dynamic characteristics in which a wheel and tire assembly is mounted on a shaft assembly of low mass. The tire tread is engageable with either a rotating or stationary supporting surface. Flexible connecting members having load-applying capabilities for urging the tire tread into loaded engagement with the tire supporting surface are located at each side of the tire and connected to the shaft assembly. The desired loading is measured by load cells on the connecting members. The tire may be vibrated at predetermined frequencies and amplitudes in predetermined directions by exciters and the resulting tire dynamic data selectively measured by one or more accelerometers.

Dynamic tire testing apparatus

A radial ply tire and rim assembly in which the tire has an aspect ratio of less than 70 percent and a bead spacing of no greater than 65 percent of the maximum axial width of the inflated tire. The rim has a pair of axially extending flanges which engage the lower sidewall of the tire and distort the carcass from its natural equilibrium curvature without causing any reversal of curvature of the carcass.

Radial ply pneumatic tire and rim assembly

A safety support for mounting on a rim inside a tire chamber to support the shoulder areas of the tire in a deflated condition. The support has a pair of spaced-apart rings with a diameter less than the diameter of the tread portion of the tire in the inflated condition and greater than the diameter of the tire beads for engaging the tire in the deflated condition. The rings are mounted on a pair of arms extending outwardly from a central disc-like annular supporting member having a radially inner edge in supported engagement with the rim.

Growing community of inventors

Akron, OH, United States of America

Joseph M Forney