The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 19, 1993
Filed:
Apr. 15, 1991
Paul Stephens, Halesowen, GB;
Thomas Holmes, Coldfield, GB;
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Limited, Hyogo, JP;
Abstract
The invention is directed to a tire for mounting on the wheel rim of a vehicle. The tire comprises a pair of bead portions each reinforced by a bead hoop, at least one bead portion of the tire having an additional retention zone positioned axially inwards of and integral with the main bead portion, the retention zone having an axially inner tip or toe substantially inwards of the main bead portion and the construction of the bead portion and the additional retention zone between the bead hoop and tip providing substantial resistance to compressive forces therebetween. The portion between the bead hoop and the tip can include reinforcement and can comprise an elastomeric material having a hardness of 80 to 95 degrees I. R. H. The tip is formed from an elastomeric material having a set property at 70.degree. C. of greater than 40% so that when the tip is fitted to a wheel rim having sharp teeth in the region contacted by the tip, the material of the tip engages the teeth. The tip may be provided by means of a strip of material positioned at the axially and radially innermost point of the tire toe. The tire can also comprise a chafer layer extending around the outer periphery of the bead in which case the strip of material providing the tip is positioned on the outside of the chafer.