Wedged, overlapping hook tire joint

A joint assembly for connecting together the end of a first tire section with the end of a second tire section, the assembly comprising:

• a first hook-shaped member having a first arm extending from the end of the first tire section and a first hook-head extending from said first arm;
• a second hook-shaped member having a second arm extending from the end of the second tire section and a second hook-head extending from said second arm;
• wherein said first and second hook-shaped member are adapted to be positioned in an overlapping arrangement with said first hook-head abutting said second arm and the end of the second tire section, said second hook-head abutting said first arm and the end of the first tire section, and said first and second hook-shaped members forming a gap between said first and second hook-heads and said first and second arms;
• an insert member shaped to fit into said gap formed between said first and second hook-heads and said first and second arms;
• securing means for securing said first and second hook-shaped members together in the overlapping arrangement;
• alignment means for aligning the first and second tire sections upon positioning said first and second hook-shaped members int he overlapping arrangement, said alignment means comprising a first and a second alignment dowel;
• wherein each of the first and second tire sections is provided with a rolling surface and a thrust surface and said alignment means aligns said rolling surface of the first tire section with said rolling surface of the second tire section and said thrust surface of the first tire section with said thrust surface of the second tire section;
• wherein the end of the firs tire section is provided with a first channel;
• wherein said second hook-head is provided with a second channel;
• wherein said first and second channels are arranged to form a first elongated aperture upon said second hook-head being positioned to abut the end of the first tire section;
• wherein the end of the second tire section if provided with a third channel;
• wherein said first hook-head is provided with a fourth channel;
• wherein said third and fourth channels are arranged to form a second elongated aperture upon said first hook-head being positioned to abut the end of the second tire section;
• and
• wherein said first alignment dowel is shaped to fit in said first elongated aperture and said second alignment dowel is shaped to fit in said second elongated aperture.

A tire joint assembly for joining together a first tire section and a second tire section of a rotary combustor tire, the tire joint assembly comprising:

• a first member extending from the first tire section and adapted to abut the second tire section;
• a second member extending from the second tire section and adapted to abut the first tire section at the same time that said first member abuts the second tire section, said second member further being shaped to form a gap between said first and second members upon said first and second members abutting the second and first tire sections, respectively;
• an insert member for fitting into said gap formed between said first and second members;
• and
• securing means for securing said first and second members upon said first and second members abutting the second and first tire sections, respectively.

A tire joint assembly

• for joining together a first tire section and a second tire section of a rotary combustor tire, the tire joint assembly comprising:
• a first member extending from the first tire section and adapted to abut the second tire section;
• a second member extending from the second tire section and adapted to abut the first tire section at the same time that said first member abuts the second tire section, said second member further being shaped to form a gap between said first and second members upon said first and second abutting the second and first tire sections, respectively;
• an insert member for fitting into said gap formed between said first and second members;
• securing means for securing said first and second members upon said first and second member abutting the second and first tire sections, respectively;
• and
• alignment means for aligning the first and second tire sections upon said first and second members abutting the second and first tire sections, respectively;
• wherein the first tire section has an end face provided with a first channel;
• wherein said second tire section has an end face provided with a second channel;
• wherein the second tire section has an end face provided with a third channel;
• wherein said first member has an end face provided with a fourth channel;
• wherein upon said first member abutting the second tire section, said third and fourth channels abut to form a first elongated aperture;
• wherein upon said second member abutting the first tire section, said first and second channels abut to form a second elongated aperture;
• and
• wherein said alignment means comprises first and second alignment dowels shaped to fit into said first and second elongated apertures, respectively.