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AssigneeCompagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin
InventorsPatrick F. KING, Christopher MAST, John DUTY, Kevin C. MILES, Ronald Hobart THOMPSON
Estimating the term…
The invention relates to a method for forming a nonpneumatic tire that is constructed from a thermoplastic elastomer which is pre-tensioned during the process of its formation. The Pretention is provided by a thermal means that is naturally available in the forming process. This creates an efficient process of manufacturing by creating pretention without the complexity of adding pretention from mechanical means. The method for forming the non-pneumatic tire includes inserting a tread portion (101) and an annular beam (102) having circumferential reinforcement into a mold, the mold supporting the tread pattern only on an outer radial extent of the tread pattern, inserting a rim (104) extending radially inward from the annular beam (102), and forming an annular support (103) comprised of a thermoplastic elastomer extending radially inward from the annular beam (102)). The thermoplastic elastomer is allowed to harden and the tire is removed from the mold.
A method for forming a non-pneumatic tire, the method comprising:
A method for forming a non-pneumatic tire, the method comprising:
A method for forming a non-pneumatic tire, the method comprising:
The method of 16, wherein an injection gate is at a radially inward extent of the annular support.
The method of 16, wherein an injection gate is at a radially inward extent of the rim.
The method of 16, wherein an injection gate is at a radially inward extent of the rim and an injection gate is at a radially inward extent of the annular support.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.