System and method for protecting a support structure of a non-pneumatic tire

A system for assembling a circumferential tread and a non-pneumatic tire structure having an upper ring, a lower ring, and support structure extending between the upper ring and the lower ring, the system comprising:

• a curing envelope dimensioned to receive a non-pneumatic tire structure and a circumferential tread;
• a first disk configured to be secured to a first side of the non-pneumatic tire structure;
• a second disk configured to be secured to a second side of the non-pneumatic tire structure;
• a first fastener configured to secure a first side of the curing envelope to the non-pneumatic tire structure, and
• a second fastener configured to secure a second side of the curing envelope to the non-pneumatic tire structure.

A method of making a non-pneumatic tire, the method comprising:

• providing a non-pneumatic tire structure;
• providing a first disk and a second disk;
• securing the first disk to a first side of the non-pneumatic tire structure;
• securing the second disk to a second side of the non-pneumatic tire structure;
• providing an elastomeric tread circumferentially about a top of the non-pneumatic tire structure;
• securing a curing envelope about the elastomeric tread, including the steps of securing a first end of the curing envelope to the first side of the non-pneumatic tire structure and securing a second end of the curing envelope to the second side of the non-pneumatic tire structure;
• and
• applying heat within the curing envelope.