System and method for making a band and tread assembly for a non-pneumatic tire

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12552118-B2
Application number	US-202218716741-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 14, 2022
Priority date	Dec 31, 2021
Publication date	Feb 17, 2026
Grant date	Feb 17, 2026

Abstract

A system for assembling a circumferential tread and a band for a non-pneumatic tire includes a curing wrap dimensioned to receive a band for a non-pneumatic tire and a circumferential tread. The curing wrap includes a valve. The system also includes a fastener configured to secure a first side of the curing wrap to the circumferential tread and to secure a second side of the curing wrap to the first side of the curing wrap.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method of making a band and tread assembly for a non-pneumatic tire, the method comprising:
providing a band; providing an elastomeric tread circumferentially about a top surface of the band; providing a flexible wrap having a valve extending therefrom, the flexible wrap having a first end and a second end; placing the flexible wrap about an inner circumference of the band and an outer circumference of the elastomeric tread such that the first end overlaps the second end; securing the flexible wrap about the band and the elastomeric tread; and applying heat within the flexible wrap.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the flexible wrap is placed about the band and the elastomeric tread such that the first end overlaps the second end above the elastomeric tread.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the securing of the flexible wrap about the band and the elastomeric tread includes securing the flexible wrap with a strap.

4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the securing of the flexible wrap about the band and the elastomeric tread includes securing the flexible wrap with an arc band.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the flexible wrap is placed about the band and the elastomeric tread such that the first end overlaps the second end below the band.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the flexible wrap is placed about the band and the elastomeric tread such that the valve extends below the band.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the flexible wrap is placed about the band and the elastomeric tread such that the valve extends above the elastomeric tread.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying pressure within the flexible wrap.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the flexible wrap is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of butyl rubber, other rubber compounds, neoprene, polytene, and latex.

10 . A system for assembling a circumferential tread and a band for a non-pneumatic tire, the system comprising:
a curing wrap dimensioned to receive a band for a non-pneumatic tire and a circumferential tread such that the curing wrap contacts a lower surface of the band and an upper surface of the circumferential tread, the curing wrap including a valve; and a fastener configured to secure a first side of the curing wrap to the circumferential tread and to secure a second side of the curing wrap to the first side of the curing wrap.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the fastener is a strap.

12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the curing wrap is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of butyl rubber, other rubber compounds, neoprene, polytene, and latex.

13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the first side of the curing wrap overlaps the second side of the curing wrap.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the first side of the curing wrap overlaps the second side of the curing wrap by a distance of 2-3 inches.

15 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the fastener is an arc band.

16 . A method of making a non-pneumatic tire, the method comprising:
providing an upper band; providing an elastomeric tread circumferentially about a top surface of the upper band; securing a curing wrap about the elastomeric tread and the upper band; applying heat within the curing wrap to form an upper band and tread assembly; providing a support structure connected to a lower band; and affixing the upper band and tread assembly to the support structure.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising applying pressure within the curing wrap.

18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the affixing of the upper band and tread assembly to the support structure includes affixing the upper band to the support structure with an adhesive.

19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the curing wrap is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of butyl rubber, other rubber compounds, neoprene, polytene, and latex.

20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the securing of the curing wrap about the elastomeric tread and the upper band includes securing the curing wrap with a strap.

Assignees

• Bridgestone Bandag Llc

Inventors

• Terrill Wade L
• Schlapkohl Merle R
• Tomtschik Alexander G
• Zeck Chad M
• Westaway Terry A

Classifications

• B29D30/52

  Unvulcanised treads, e.g. on used tyres; Retreading (apparatus for forming {treads by extrusion B29C48/00; apparatus for} vulcanising treads B29C35/02; apparatus characterised by the means for holding wheels or parts thereof B60B30/00) · CPC title

• B29D30/02 Primary

  Solid tyres {; Moulds therefor} · CPC title

• B60C7/143

  having a lateral extension disposed in a plane parallel to the wheel axis · CPC title

• B60C7/10

  characterised by means for increasing resiliency · CPC title

• B60C7/107 Primary

  comprising lateral openings · CPC title