Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin

Michelin Recherche Et Technique S.a.

Michael Collins Chandler

Michael Widmyer

Cesar Enrique Zarak

E Bruce Colby

Metodi Lubenov Ikonomov

Dimitri Tsihlas

Adib Tony Chebli

Metodi L Ikonomov

Chinglin Pan

Bruce Carney

The invention includes methods for forming a retreaded tire and treads there for. Particular embodiments of such methods include providing a tire carcass configured to receive a tire tread along an annular tread-receiving area and a pre-formed tread comprising a tread body and a submerged void arranged along a bottom side of the tread and extending into the tread thickness to a top end located below the top side of the tread, the submerged void having a length and an opening arranged along the bottom side when the tread is in an uninstalled configuration, where the opening of the submerged void extends in a direction of the submerged groove length along an alternating, non-linear path. Further steps include assembling a retreaded tire by arranging the tire tread atop a bonding layer arranged between the tire tread and the tire carcass and comprising uncured bonding material.

Retreaded tire treads having improved submerged voids and methods for forming the same

A tread support device () for a retread process is provided that has a first support roller () that rotates about a first support roller axis. A second support roller () is present that rotates about a second support roller axis. A third support roller () is also included that rotates about a third support roller axis. The first support roller (), the second support roller (), and the third support roller () all support a tread (). Also in the tread support device (), the first support roller axis, the second support roller axis, and the third support roller axis are arranged with respect to one another so as to be located on a circumference of a circle ().

Tread support device in retread finishing

The present invention concerns methods and apparatus for spreading beads in a tire. Particular embodiments of such methods include securing at least a portion of a first bead of the tire and positioning a tire spreader within the central opening of the tire, the tire spreader having a bead engaging portion for engaging a portion of a second bead generally opposite the secured portion of the first bead. Such methods may further include automatically translating the bead engaging portion of the tire spreader generally in an axial direction of the tire to displace the engaged portion of the second bead a desired distance to increase the distance between the opposing beads to form a widened interior cavity opening.

Tire spreader for tire repair

The present invention concerns methods and apparatus for spreading beads in a tire. Particular embodiments of such methods include positioning a tire adjacent an automated material abrading tool, the tire having: a central opening bounded radially by an inner bead diameter; an interior tire cavity extending radially outward from the inner bead diameter; and an interior tire cavity opening extending between opposing an annular beads of the tire, the cavity being positioned between the central cavity and the interior tire cavity. Such methods may also include securing at least a portion of the first bead of the tire and positioning a tire spreader within the central opening of the tire, the tire spreader having a bead engaging portion for engaging a portion of the second bead generally opposite the secured portion of the first bead.

Growing community of inventors

Greenville, SC, United States of America

Michael Collins Chandler