Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC

Zachary G Lorenz

Steven J Jenkins

Jason J Para

Louis J Stark

Benjamin D Knospe

A non-pneumatic tire includes a lower ring having a first diameter and an upper ring having a second diameter. The upper ring is substantially coaxial with the lower ring. A support structure connects the lower ring to the upper ring. The support structure is made up of a plurality of spokes. The support structure is arranged and configured so that adjacent spokes of the plurality of spokes contact one another upon the occurrence of a high impact event.

Mounting arrangement of self-supporting spoke structure for non-pneumatic tire

Mold assemblies used for curing non-pneumatic tires include a mold section and curing shoe assemblies supported on the mold section. The curing shoe assemblies include a first actuation member supported on the mold section in radially-offset alignment with a mold axis. A second actuation member is supported for axial displacement relative to the first actuation member. First and second curing shoes are spaced laterally from the first and second actuation members. The first and second curing shoes are operatively connected to the first and second actuation members such that movement of the first and second actuation members toward one another displaces the first and second curing shoes laterally away from one another. In some cases, movement of the first and second actuation members away from one another displaces the first and second curing shoes laterally toward one another. Methods of manufacturing a non-pneumatic tire are also included.

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

Mold assemblies used for curing non-pneumatic tires include a mold section and curing shoe assemblies supported on the mold section. The curing shoe assemblies include an actuation cup supported on the mold section in radially-offset alignment with a mold axis. First and second curing shoes are spaced laterally from the actuation cup and are operatively connected thereto by actuation members. Fluid pressure generates movement of the actuation members away from one another, which displaces the first and second curing shoes laterally away from one another. Methods of manufacturing a non-pneumatic tire are also included.

Mold assemblies for curing non-pneumatic tires include first and second mold sections that are axially displaceable relative to one another. Lateral-pressure members are supported on the first mold section. The first lateral pressure members include a first pressure member wall with first and second edge surface portions. A first curing shoe cooperatively engages the first edge surface portion of the first lateral-pressure member and an associated less-than-fully-cured non-pneumatic tire. A second curing shoe abuttingly engages the second edge surface portion of the first lateral-pressure member and the associated less-than-fully-cured nonpneumatic tire. Methods of manufacturing non-pneumatic tires are also included.

Mold assemblies used for curing non-pneumatic tires include a mold base having a mold axis. An assembly rod has a rod axis is supported on the mold base in radially-offset alignment with the mold axis. A first rocker arm is supported on the assembly rod with a first curing shoe supported on the first rocker arm. A second rocker arm is supported on the assembly rod and a second curing shoe is supported on the second rocker arm. Methods of manufacturing a non-pneumatic tire are also included.

A non-pneumatic tire includes a plurality of axially adjacent wheel portions. Each wheel portion has an inner ring, an outer ring, and a flexible, interconnected web extending between the inner ring and the outer ring. The flexible, interconnected web includes a plurality of web sectors disposed circumferentially about the tire to form a generally annular web. Each of the plurality of web sectors is hingedly connected to a pair of oppositely adjacent web sectors.

Non-pneumatic tire with multi-piece web

A method of manufacturing a tire tread includes extruding a rubber strip and conveying the rubber strip through an opening of a roller die. The opening is defined by an upper die and a lower die, wherein the upper die and lower die contact the rubber strip and define a cross-section of the rubber strip as the rubber strip is conveyed through the opening. The method also includes adjusting a distance between the upper die and the lower die as the rubber strip is conveyed through the opening. The method further includes applying the rubber strip from the roller die onto a receptacle that rotates about a receptacle axis. The method also includes translating the roller die in a first direction parallel to the receptacle axis while applying the rubber strip, thereby forming a spiral of the rubber strip about the receptacle.

Tire with variable ribbon size tread and system and method for making same

A bidirectional stitching wheel may be able to conform to peaks and valleys of green rubber while building a tire. The bidirectional stitching wheel may include an inner ring including a stitcher rotation axis. The inner ring may be rotatable in a first stitcher rotational direction about the stitcher rotation axis. The inner ring may also be rotatable in a second stitcher rotational direction about the stitcher rotation axis. A flexible outer ring may be radially spaced from the inner ring. A flexible intermediate layer may be disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring. The flexible intermediate layer may be substantially equally deformable during rotation of the inner ring in both the first stitcher rotational direction and the second stitcher rotational direction.

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Nashville, TN, United States of America

Zachary G Lorenz