Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC

Sharon E Reinhardt

Robert W Asper

Adam Karl Nesbitt

Andrew V Haidet

Douglas B Costlow

Kevin E Scheifele

Keith A Dumigan

Hans R Dorfi

Dennis W Snyder

William H Durivage

Andrew Vincent Haidet

Douglas Bryan Costlow

A nonpneumatic tire assembly includes an outer hoop, a plurality of loops extending inward from the outer hoop, and a hub having a plurality of members. Each of the plurality of members is connected to one of the plurality of loops.

Tire with spoke loops

Mold assemblies include a mold section having a mold axis. The mold assembly includes a curing bladder assembly supported on the mold section in radially-offset relation to the mold axis. The curing bladder assembly includes a bladder wall that defines a bladder chamber. The bladder wall includes first and second end wall portions as well as first and second edge wall portions extending longitudinally between the first and second end wall portions. In some cases, the bladder wall further includes first and second side wall portions extending longitudinally between the first and second end wall portions and laterally between the first and second edge wall portions. Methods of manufacturing non-pneumatic tires that includes mold assemblies are also included.

Curing mold assemblies for non-pneumatic tires as well as methods of manufacture

A method of mounting a tire on a vehicle includes providing a tire having a first side, a second side, and a circumferential tread disposed about the tire. The first side defines a first forward rotation direction that is a rotation of the tire in a counterclockwise direction when the tire is mounted on a vehicle in a first orientation and viewed from the first side. The second side defines a second forward rotation direction of the tire that is a rotation of the tire in the counterclockwise direction when the tire is mounted on the vehicle in a second orientation opposite the first orientation and viewed from the first side. The circumferential tread includes a plurality of tread elements. At least one of the tread elements includes a sipe arrangement that causes the tire to exhibit a first tire performance when the tire is mounted on the vehicle in the first orientation and rotated in the first forward rotation direction. The sipe arrangement causes the tire to exhibit a second tire performance that is different from the first tire performance when the tire is mounted on the vehicle in the second orientation and rotated in the second forward rotation direction. The method further includes mounting the tire on the vehicle in the first orientation for driving the vehicle in a first set of conditions, and mounting the tire on the vehicle in the second orientation for driving the vehicle in a second set of conditions.

Tire with bi-directional performance

A wheel includes a hub and a rim portion surrounding the hub. An outer surface of the rim portion defines a circumference of the wheel. The outer surface of the rim portion has a plurality of bead locks that are spaced from one another.

Wheel with bead locks

A nonpneumatic tire includes a tread portion, an upper ring, and a plurality of spokes extending radially downward from the upper ring. Each spoke is configured to carry a load while in tension and while in compression. The upper ring and the plurality of spokes are part of a unitary component constructed of a single material. Each spoke terminates at a lower end having a spoke mount with an opening configured to engage a corresponding hub mount. Each spoke is under substantially no tension when the tread portion is not in contact with a ground surface and when each spoke mount is disengaged from its corresponding hub mount. Each spoke is under tension when the tread portion is not in contact with the ground surface and when each spoke mount is engaged with its corresponding hub mount.

Tire with tensioned spokes

A tire having a central axis and a radius further includes a circumferential tread having a convex cross-section. The convex cross-section is defined by a radius that is less than a maximum radius of the tire. A pair of sidewalls extends from opposite sides of the circumferential tread. Each of the pair of sidewalls has a concave cross-section that is defined by a radius that is greater than a maximum radius of the convex cross-section of the circumferential tread.

Tire with concave sidewalls

A nonpneumatic tire includes a tread portion, an upper ring, and a plurality of spokes extending radially downward from the upper ring. Each spoke terminates at a lower end having a spoke mount configured to engage a corresponding hub mount. Each spoke is under substantially no tension when the tread portion is not in contact with a ground surface and when each spoke mount is disengaged from its corresponding hub mount. Each spoke is under tension when the tread portion is not in contact with the ground surface and when each spoke mount is engaged with its corresponding hub mount.

A nonpneumatic tire includes an upper ring and a plurality of spokes extending from the upper ring. At least one reinforcement embedded in each spoke, wherein each reinforcement is constructed of a material that shrinks in length by 0.1% to 10% when subjected to a temperature between 38&#xb0; C. to 260&#xb0; C. and a pressure between 0.10 mPa to 0.70 mPa.

A tire includes an inner hoop, an outer hoop, and a plurality of spokes extending from the inner hoop to the outer hoop. Each of the spokes includes a y-shaped base, including a radially extending stem, a first concave branch, and a second concave branch. The spokes further include a convex member extending from the first concave branch to the second concave branch.

Tire with arched spokes

A tire includes at least one body defining a plurality of body ply layers, and a toroidal element located between the body ply layers. The toroidal element includes inner and outer regions formed by the body ply layers, and a central region formed by an inner rubber component located between the body ply layers. At least a portion of the central region is more elastic than the inner and outer regions. The toroidal element includes a first sidewall portion extending along at least a portion of the first sidewall region of the tire, and a second sidewall portion extending along at least a portion of the second sidewall region of the tire. The toroidal element is pre-stressed such that the first sidewall portion of the toroidal element exerts a first axially outward force, and such that the second sidewall portion of the toroidal element exerts a second axially outward force.

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Fairlawn, OH, United States of America

Sharon E Reinhardt