Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150344679 | Appearance Enhancer For Rubber Compositions With Antidegradants - The addition of a polyester resin comprising a copolymer of maleic anhydride or maleic acid and a linear or branched polyol, to a rubber composition provides a black, glossy appearance on the outer, exposed surface. The rubber composition may be formed into a tire sidewall component of a tire. | 12-03-2015 |
20150115562 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATED AIR SUSPENSION PRESSURE DROP - Various systems and methods for automated air suspension pressure drop are disclosed. | 04-30-2015 |
20150107737 | Tire Having Grooves Comprising Sipes And/Or Other Cross-Groove Negative Geometry - Various embodiments of a tire having grooves comprising sipes or other cross-groove negative geometry are disclosed. | 04-23-2015 |
20150075693 | TIRE STRUCTURE FOR EXTERNALLY MOUNTED DEVICE - A method of mounting an object on a tire includes providing a tire having a sidewall, wherein the sidewall includes a mounting portion configured to receive an object. The method further includes mounting the object on the mounting portion of the sidewall, such that the object is visible without extending outwardly beyond the mounting portion. | 03-19-2015 |
20150049088 | Ground Compaction Images - A method is provided for generating a ground compaction image. A pressure sensing panel is placed on a relatively rigid planar supporting surface. The pressure sensing panel is covered with a depth of particulate material. A loaded tire is placed on the particulate material, and a ground compaction image is generated with the pressure sensing panel. A ground compaction display may be created by superimposing the ground compaction image on a physical three-dimensional model of an interface between the particulate material and the loaded tire. | 02-19-2015 |
20150037582 | CONTINUOUS PROCESS FOR COATING STEEL WIRE CORD - Continuous processes for producing a coated steel wire are provided. The processes entail wetting steel wire in an aqueous solution comprising at least 95% water and 0.01 to 5% weight/weight of the carboxylic acid salt of an alkoxy modified silsesquioxane of formula (I), evaporating water from the wet coated steel wire to form a mostly-dry coated steel wire and then heating (one or more steps) the mostly-dry coated steel wire at a temperature of 50-240° C. such that the steel wire reaches a minimum temperature of at least 110° C. in at least one step, thereby forming a dry coated steel wire. The coated steel wire is optionally covered with rubber skim or otherwise embedded into rubber and can be incorporated into various objects including tires, conveyor belts, hoses and the like. The silsesquioxane coating improves adhesion between the steel wire and the rubber skim/other rubber covering. | 02-05-2015 |
20150020943 | Low-Metal Tire - A tire includes a carcass ply and at least one annular structure associated with the carcass ply. The tire further includes a metal-free circumferential belt region comprising a first metal-free belt ply and a second metal-free belt ply. The tire also has a metal-free cap ply disposed radially outward of the first metal-free belt ply and the second metal-free belt ply. The tire also includes a metal-free circumferential tread that contacts a road, and a pair of sidewalls associated with at least one annular structure and the metal-free circumferential tread. | 01-22-2015 |
20150007915 | Tire Cavity Air Flow Features - Provided is a pneumatic tire comprising an annular interior surface having a circumference, and an air flow feature. The annular interior surface is adapted for engagement with a wheel, defines an interior surface circumferential direction along the annular interior surface in the direction of the circumference, defines an interior surface meridinal direction tangent to the annular interior surface and perpendicular to the direction of the circumference, and defines an interior surface normal direction mutually perpendicular to both other directions. The air flow feature is engaged with the annular interior surface, adapted to direct a flow of inflation air into a non-circumferential direction, and comprises an air flow feature surface comprising a portion that extends in the interior surface normal direction and the interior surface meridinal direction, and either extends more than 2 millimeters in the interior surface normal direction, or extends in the interior surface circumferential direction. | 01-08-2015 |
20140311681 | ULTRASONIC TIRE MOUNTING MACHINE - Various embodiments of an ultrasonic tire mounting machine and system are disclosed. | 10-23-2014 |
20140306390 | TIRE ROTATION DEVICE - A tire rotation device includes a mounting member having at least one aperture configured to receive at least one lifting member. The tire rotation device further includes a rotating member configured to receive a tire. | 10-16-2014 |
20140296375 | Silica-Filled Rubber Composition And Method For Making The Same - Disclosed is a method of preparing a rubber composition comprising the steps of (a) blending in at least one preparatory mixing step at least one natural or synthetic rubbery polymer, a silica filler, a silica coupling agent, and at least one vulcanization accelerator; and (b) subsequently blending therewith in a final mixing step a sulfur curative, wherein the final mixing step is void of any vulcanization accelerator. | 10-02-2014 |
20140261949 | TIRE HAVING A SPLIT BODY PLY CONSTRUCTION - Various embodiments of a tire having a split body ply construction are disclosed. | 09-18-2014 |
20140245623 | WHEEL MEASUREMENT APPARATUS - An apparatus is mounted to a vehicle for obtaining a camber angle measurement. The apparatus includes a lower elongated member, a vertical elongated member, and an upper elongated member. The apparatus further includes a lower coupling that connects the lower elongated member to the vertical elongated member. The lower coupling allows the vertical elongated member to rotate about an axis, and prevents the lower elongated member from rotating about its longitudinal axis. The apparatus also includes an upper coupling that connects the vertical elongated member to the upper elongated member. A lower connector is connected to the lower elongated member, and is configured to be connected to a wheel of a vehicle. An upper connector is connected to the upper elongated member, and is configured to be connected to the vehicle. | 09-04-2014 |
20140230987 | TIRE HAVING AN OFFSET BODY PLY CONSTRUCTION - Various embodiments of a tire having an offset body ply construction are disclosed. | 08-21-2014 |
20140209251 | Method Of Preparing A Tire For Mounting - A method of preparing a tire for mounting includes providing a tire having a central axis and at least two bead portions, including a first bead portion and a second bead portion. The method also includes providing a plurality of members and moving the plurality of members outward until each of the plurality of members engages the first bead portion of the tire and causes the first bead portion to deflect outwards at a plurality of locations. The method further includes rotating at least one of the tire and the plurality of members about the central axis of the tire while the plurality of members engages the first bead portion of the tire. | 07-31-2014 |
20140188406 | SCALABLE VEHICLE MODELS FOR INDOOR TIRE TESTING - Tire testing systems and methods are disclosed for indoor simulation testing of tires of a wide range of sizes on a scalable vehicle model (“SVM”). | 07-03-2014 |
20140174624 | Variable Belt Configuration - A pneumatic tire has a belt layer disposed between a carcass ply and a circumferential tread, defining a crown region. The belt layer includes a first section and a second section laterally spanning the crown region. The first section includes a plurality of first reinforcing members constructed of a plurality of first filaments composed of a first material. The second section includes a plurality of second reinforcing members constructed of a plurality of second filaments composed of a second material. The first section is characterized by a first fabric density and a first crown angle. The second section is characterized by a second fabric density and a second crown angle. At least one of the first crown angle, the first material, the first number of first filaments, and the first fabric density is different from the respective second crown angle, second material, second number of filaments, and second fabric density. | 06-26-2014 |
20140174615 | TBR Based Implement Tire - A VF rated radial implement tire is provided utilizing a steel belted radial TBR tire body design which can be utilized in existing TBR cavity molds, and modifying the tire to have a ribbed implement tread pattern. The tire is designed for operation at relatively low inflation pressures with relatively high wall flexibility. Thus an agricultural implement tire is provided having higher load carrying capability than similarly sized conventional bias ply agricultural implement tires. | 06-26-2014 |
20140174614 | Agricultural Radial Implement Tire - A radial ply metric agricultural implement tire is provided having an “IF” load rating in accordance with the standards of the Tire and Rim Association. The tire has two organic cord reinforced radial body plies and two steel reinforced belts. | 06-26-2014 |
20140034200 | TIRE WITH LAMINATE - A tire includes a circumferential tread constructed of a base material. The circumferential tread has a plurality of tread elements, with each of the plurality of tread elements having a top surface and a plurality of side surfaces. The circumferential tread further has a plurality of grooves disposed between the plurality of tread elements. A laminate covers at least some of the plurality of tread elements and at least some of the plurality of grooves. The laminate has greater snow traction than the base material. | 02-06-2014 |
20140034199 | TIRE WITH LAMINATE - A tire includes a circumferential tread constructed of a base material. The circumferential tread has a plurality of bars, each of the plurality of bars having a top surface and a plurality of side surfaces. The circumferential tread further has a plurality of valleys disposed between the plurality of bars. A laminate covers at least some of the plurality of valleys. The laminate has a greater elongation at break than the base material. | 02-06-2014 |
20140005883 | Method Of Analyzing Stopping Distance Performance Efficiency | 01-02-2014 |
20140005320 | RUBBER COMPOSITION SUITABLE FOR USE AS A CAP PLY IN A TIRE | 01-02-2014 |
20130306213 | TIRE HAVING GUM STRIP AND CHAFER - A tire includes a circumferential tread, at least one belt, and a pair of sidewalls, with each sidewall forming an outermost point of a side of the tire. The tire further includes a pair of bead portions and at least one carcass ply extending circumferentially about the tire from one bead portion to the other. The tire also has a chafer having a first portion radially below the bead portion and the carcass ply, and a second portion axially outward from the bead portion and the carcass ply, wherein the sidewall is located radially below the first portion of the chafer and axially outward from the second portion of the chafer. A sidewall gum strip extends radially upward from the second portion of the chafer. The sidewall gum strip is located axially between the carcass ply turn-up end and at least a portion of the chafer. | 11-21-2013 |
20130205884 | DIAGNOSTIC TIRE TEST METHOD - Provided is a method for testing a tire. The method may comprise performing a first stopping distance test on a tire of a first specification at a first inflation pressure and gathering data about the first stopping distance test. The method may further comprise performing a second stopping distance test on a tire of the first specification at a second inflation pressure and gathering data about the second stopping distance test. The method may further comprise performing a first traction test on a tire of the first specification at either the first inflation pressure or the second inflation pressure and gathering data about the first traction test. | 08-15-2013 |
20130105068 | BAND DRUM POP-UP HINGE | 05-02-2013 |
20130081747 | USE OF COLORED INDICIA ON TIRES AS A DESIGNATOR - A method of providing race-specific information to an audience includes mounting a tire onto a vehicle entered in the race, the tire having information-bearing indicia provided on a black outer sidewall of the tire. The method further includes providing race-specific information to the audience by placing the vehicle in a stopped position on the track to expose the black outer sidewall of the tire to the audience, thereby permitting the audience to visibly detect the information-bearing indicia when the vehicle is stopped. The method also includes providing the same race-specific information to the audience by driving the vehicle along the track to expose the black outer sidewall of the tire to the audience thereby permitting the audience to visibly detect the information-bearing indicia on the black outer sidewall of the tire when the vehicle is moving. | 04-04-2013 |
20130008575 | TIRE WITH NOISE-REDUCING TREAD PATTERN - A tire includes a tire carcass and a tread extending circumferentially about the tire carcass. The tread includes a plurality of tread elements disposed in a tread pattern The plurality of tread elements have one of two different pitch lengths and are disposed in a noise-reducing pitch sequence. | 01-10-2013 |
20120222790 | PNEUMATIC TIRE WITH TWO CARCASS PLIES - Various embodiments of a pneumatic tire include a tread portion, a first bead portion and a second bead portion which are axially spaced, a first sidewall portion and a second sidewall portion and a first and second carcass ply. The first carcass ply includes a main portion which extends circumferentially about the tire from the first bead portion to the second bead portion, a first turned-up portion around the first bead portion and a second turned-up portion around the second bead portion such that the first and second turned-up portions each have an end which terminates along the tread portion. The second carcass ply extends circumferentially about the tire along the first sidewall and along the second sidewall. The second carcass ply has a first end and a second end which terminates in the lower portion of the tire. | 09-06-2012 |
20120204633 | TIRE CHIP AND TEAR TEST APPARATUS AND METHOD - A tire testing apparatus that includes a test drum and at least one tire station. The test drum has an outer radial surface and a plurality of sectioned plates having outer radial test surfaces, wherein the plurality of sectioned plates mount on the outer radial surface of the test drum. The tire testing apparatus further includes at least one tire station having a selected tire with a tread, wherein the tread of the selected tire presses against the outer radial test surface of the plurality of sectional plates, and wherein the at least one tire station applies a force against the tread of the selected tire. Further, a tire testing method includes providing a selected tire having a circumferential tread and moving the selected tire against a rotating test drum having a plurality of sectional plates having a test surface. Further, the method includes maintaining contact between the selected tire and the plurality of sectional plates for a selected period of time, moving the selected tire away from the test drum, and evaluating the tread for wear. | 08-16-2012 |
20120186324 | ENGINEERED SURFACES FOR LABORATORY TREAD WEAR TESTING OF TIRES - A method of fabricating a substantially rigid hardened wear surface for a tire tread wear testing apparatus is provided, the method comprising making a cast of a road surface on which tread wear of the tire is to be tested, providing a layer of adhesive mixed with at least one aggregate and configured for hardening to create the substantially rigid hardened wear surface, while the layer of adhesive is unhardened: (a) coating the layer of adhesive onto a road wheel of the tire tread wear testing apparatus, and (b) stamping an impression of the cast into the layer of epoxy adhesive for producing the wear surface adapted for emulating one or more surface roughness characteristics of the road surface. | 07-26-2012 |
20120179392 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MEASURING STRAIN IN TWISTED CORD - A method for measuring strain in a twisted cord is provided. The method includes the step of securing the ends of the twisted cord in respective cord grips in an initial state and taking a first digital image of at least a portion of the twisted cord in the unloaded state. Image data of the first image is analyzed to determine the number of twists per unit length in the first digital image. A load is applied to the twisted cord. A second digital image of at least a portion of the loaded twisted cord is then taken. The image data of the second image is analyzed to determine the number of twists per unit length in the second digital image. A parameter of the tensioned twisted cord is calculated using the number of twists per unit length in first digital image and the number of twists per unit length in the second digital image. | 07-12-2012 |
20120152467 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PREPARING A TIRE FOR MOUNTING - An apparatus is configured to receive a tire having at least two bead portions, including a first bead portion and a second bead portion. The apparatus includes a plurality of members configured to engage the first bead portion of the tire, at least one expander configured to move the plurality of members outward, and a rotating device configured to rotate the plurality of members about an axis of the tire. | 06-21-2012 |
20120152421 | TIRE TREAD HAVING DEVELOPING GROOVES - A tire having a tread comprising two shoulder ribs and at least one main rib, wherein the two shoulder ribs and the at least one main rib form at least two shoulder grooves. The two shoulder grooves each have a plurality of inboard walls and a plurality of outboard walls, each disposed at a substantially constant angle from a base of the shoulder groove to a shoulder rib surface. Further, the plurality of inboard walls includes a first set of walls disposed at a first angle from the base of the shoulder groove to a main rib surface and a second set of walls disposed at a second angle from the base of the shoulder groove to the main rib surface. | 06-21-2012 |
20120072180 | TIRE MOLD DESIGN METHOD TO MINIMIZE UNIQUE ANNULAR MOLD PARTS - A method of designing a tire mold is disclosed, including the steps of designing an initial tire mold that includes a total number of annular mold pitches that each have a circumferential pitch length, wherein each of the total number of annular mold pitches have complementary leading and trailing edges. Further, the method includes the step of determining an initial number of unique annular mold pitch lengths that include an initial number of unique annular mold parts where each unique annular mold pitch length comprises more than one annular mold part, and adjacent annular mold parts have complementary leading and trailing edges. Another step includes replacing at least one of the initial number of unique annular mold pitch lengths with at least two of an actual number of unique annular mold parts to design and produce a final tire mold including an actual number of unique annular mold pitch lengths equal to or less than the initial number of unique annular mold pitch lengths, and the actual number of unique annular mold parts is less than the initial number of unique annular mold parts. An addition step may include rotating at least one of the initial number of unique annular mold parts | 03-22-2012 |
20120067477 | TIRE TREAD HAVING ASYMMETRIC CHAMFERING - A pneumatic tire having an asymmetrically chamfered tread that promotes desired plysteer residual aligning torque and/or plysteer residual cornering force. The tire comprises a tread having a set of first blocks on a first side of an equatorial plane, and a set of second blocks on a second side of the equatorial plane. The first and second blocks are defined at least in part by a top surface, one or more circumferentially extending grooves, and a plurality of laterally extending grooves. The laterally extending grooves define leading edges and trailing edges of the blocks. The boundaries between the leading edges and top surfaces of a plurality of the first blocks, and between the trailing edges and top surfaces of a plurality of the second block, are chamfered. The boundaries between the trailing edges and top surfaces of the first blocks, and between the boundaries between the leading edges and top surfaces of the second blocks, are substantially unchamfered. | 03-22-2012 |
20110266783 | APPARATUS FOR ADDING WEIGHT TO A WORK VEHICLE - An apparatus for adding weight to a work vehicle includes a receptacle and at least one arm projecting from the receptacle. The receptacle and the at least one arm are configured to receive weights. The apparatus for adding weight to a work vehicle also includes at least one connecting point configured to attach the apparatus to a three-point hitch of the work vehicle. | 11-03-2011 |
20110220257 | TIRE INCLUDING CONCAVE RECESSES IN A CIRCUMFERENTIAL TREAD - A tire having an equatorial plane and a circumferential tread is provided. The tread includes at least one recess defined by at least one concave surface having a plurality of sipes formed therein. Optionally, the at least one concave surface can include one or more channel disposed therein. | 09-15-2011 |
20110186202 | TIRE HAVING GUM STRIP AND CHAFER - A tire having a circumferential tread, at least one belt, an inner liner, a pair of sidewalls, at least one carcass ply, and a pair of bead portions. The pair of bead portions each further includes a bead core, a bead filler having an upper end, a chaffer, and a gum strip. The chaffer extends axially outward from the inner liner towards the sidewall and curves radially upward along an axially outer portion of the bead core. The sidewall gum strip extends radially upward from a curved portion of the chaffer, wherein the sidewall gumstrip is located axially between the at least one carcass ply turn-up end and a sidewall. | 08-04-2011 |
20110186201 | TIRE HAVING STAGGERED TURN-UPS - A tire having a circumferential tread, at least one belt, an inner liner, a pair of sidewalls, and at least three carcass plies. The tire includes a pair of bead portions, each including a bead core, a bead filler, a flipper, a chaffer, and a gum strip. The at least three carcass plies extend radially downward, inward of the bead filler, extend around the bead core, and continue upward, outward of the bead filler and terminate in at least three turn-up ends. At least one of the turn-up ends does not contact at least one of the radially downward extending carcass plies, the flipper, or the bead filler in one of the sidewalls, and at least two of the turn-up ends contact at least one of the radially downward extending carcass plies, the flipper, or the bead filler in one of the sidewalls. | 08-04-2011 |
20110146864 | TIRE TREAD HAVING BALANCED STIFFNESS - A tire includes a first rib having a first circumferential shear stiffness, wherein the first rib has a first plurality of lugs. Each of the first plurality of lugs has a first length. The tire further includes a second rib having a second circumferential shear stiffness substantially equal to the first circumferential shear stiffness. The second rib has a second plurality of lugs, each of the second plurality of lugs having a second length different from the first length. Additionally, the first rib has a different number of lugs from the second rib. | 06-23-2011 |
20110119918 | CHUCKS AND USE IN PROCESSING TOROIDAL STRUCTURES - A chuck and a chuck system, and a method for processing a toroidal structure such as a tire carcass. The carcass includes an internal circumference and tapered ends. The chuck system comprises a plurality of chucks wherein each chuck includes a circumferential or substantially circumferential external surface and a plurality of friction reducing members positioned on the external surface. The friction reducing members are positioned to engage the internal circumference of the toroidal structure such as a tire. The method of processing a tire carcass includes positioning the tire carcass on fixed diameter chucks having friction reducing members on the external surface. | 05-26-2011 |
20110113630 | TIRE AND METHOD OF SECURING AN OBJECT THERETO - A method of attaching an object to a tire includes providing a tire and providing a mechanical two-piece fastening system having a first portion and a second portion. The method further includes attaching a first portion of a mechanical two-piece fastening system to the tire and positioning an object to be attached to the tire on one of the first portion and the second portion of the mechanical two-piece fastening system. The method also includes attaching the second portion of the mechanical two-piece fastening system to the first portion of the mechanical two-piece fastening system. | 05-19-2011 |
20110095106 | RECYCLED ELASTOMER AND METHOD - The present disclosure provides a method comprising reducing the size of elastomeric particles in the presence of a liquid, wherein said liquid comprises an antidegradant and optionally a surfactant. Further provided is a method comprising bringing elastomeric particles into contact with a liquid, wherein said liquid comprises an antidegradant and, optionally, a surfactant. Also provided is an elastomeric particle that is created from an original elastomeric piece, where said elastomeric particle has an antidegradant concentration greater than that of the original elastomeric piece. Further provided is a rubber composition comprising the elastomeric particle. Additionally, the disclosure provides a tire containing a rubber composition that comprises the elastomeric particle. | 04-28-2011 |
20100288444 | USE OF COLORED INDICIA ON TIRES AS A DESIGNATOR - A tire or rim for use on a racing vehicle comprising colored indicia disposed on a sidewall of the tire wherein the color marking is configured to be used as a designator. The colored indicia can designate, among other things, 1) left or right side installation of the tire on the racing vehicle, 2) that the tire is constructed of a certain rubber compound, 3) a points leader of a vehicle racing series, and/or 4) a pole position holder of a vehicle racing event. | 11-18-2010 |
20100255134 | ELLIPTICAL TIRE MOLD AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME - A tire mold having a substantially elliptical base surface and a method for making a tire mold are provided. In one embodiment, a user selects a major axis length for the tire mold, then selects a ratio of the major axis length to a minor axis length. The tire mold is then formed with a substantially elliptical base surface defined by the first major axis and the selected ratio. | 10-07-2010 |
20100197847 | SILICA CONTAINING BLACK SIDEWALL COMPOUNDS AND TIRES COMPRISING SAME - Reduced hysteresis silica-containing black sidewall compounds having increased toughness properties are provided, as are methods for preparing the same. Tires comprising the black sidewall compounds prepared according to the present embodiments are also provided. | 08-05-2010 |
20100138200 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DEMONSTRATING STAGGER - In one embodiment a device is provided for visually demonstrating stagger. In this embodiment, the device includes first and second tires coaxially mounted on an axle, wherein the first tire has a smaller diameter than the second tire. The device also includes a member configured to be pushed or pulled by a person. The device may be pushed or pulled on a flat surface, such as a paved road. When the device is pushed or pulled in a forward direction, the first and second tires will rotate at the same rotational speed, but because the second tire has a larger diameter than the first tire, the second tire will travel a greater distance than the first tire during each tire rotation. Thus, the device will move in a curved path. | 06-03-2010 |
20100071820 | Tire and noise reducer - A tire is disclosed comprising a tread portion, two sidewall portions, two bead portions, an internal surface of the tire that forms a tire cavity, and at least three baffles within the tire cavity. The baffles may be made of compressible or non-compressible materials and may further include connecting members, encapsulating liners, or both. Further, a tire kit is disclosed comprising at least three baffles and at least one connecting member that connects the baffles. In addition, a method is disclosed that includes filling a tire with at least three baffles and then assembling the tire on a tire rim to reduce tire noise or to reduce tire force transmissibility. | 03-25-2010 |
20100024960 | BODY PLY AND INSERT ASSEMBLY METHOD - A tire having a tread including first and second reinforcement plies disposed between at least one carcass ply and the tread and at least one of the sidewalls of the tire. A method for making a tire body ply is also described. The method includes delivering a first rubber coating, at least one insert, a body fabric, and a second rubber coating to a bite formed by at least two calendering rollers. The method further includes pressing the first rubber coating, the body fabric, the at least one insert, and the second rubber coating through the bite and then between the at least two calendering rollers to form a tire body ply. In another embodiment, the method includes spacing a first insert from a center of the tire body ply by a first distance and a second insert from the center of the tire body ply by a second distance. | 02-04-2010 |
20100018456 | MACHINE FOR MAKING AN ANTI-STATIC TIRE TREAD - A method of providing an extruded tire tread (T) with anti-static properties. In this method, a pin (10) is coated with an electrically conductive material (M). The coated pin ( | 01-28-2010 |