Pneumatic tire with variable thickness band element
AssigneeBridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC
InventorsCharles D. Spragg, Stephen M. Vossberg, James M. Kirby, Edward G. Markow
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A run flat pneumatic tire has a thin annular band embedded in the crown portion of the tire. The band is formed of a multilayer composite formed of wound layers of a material such as fiberglass and/or graphite impregnated with a resin. The band has a radial cross-sectional thickness with a neutral axis extending through the center in an axial direction. The radial thickness of the band decreases from an axial midpoint toward outer ends of the band to provide greater thickness in the center of the band to reduce interlaminar shear fatigue.
Claims13
A pneumatic tire including an elastomeric casing with a tread formed in a crown portion thereof and sidewalls extending from the crown portion to generally annular beads adapted to normally seat themselves in an airtight secured relationship with a wheel;
- an annular band embedded in the crown portion having an axial width and a radial cross-sectional thickness with a neutral axis extending generally through the center of the band in an axial direction, said band being a composite member formed of a plurality of wound layers of an elongated strip of fibers impregnated with a resin matrix material and having inner and outer annular generally axially extending surfaces terminating in a pair of outer ends, wherein the radial thickness of the band continuously decreases from an axial midpoint of the band to said outer ends.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.