Back to results
US 6,936,132 B2Granted
Patch plug
AssigneeManitoba Ltd.
InventorMike Topolnitsky
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A patch plug is provided that has a coating continuous over both the patch and plug portions, providing a strong and continuous seal to prevent seal failure and water and air introduction. The patch and plug portions may be formed separately, each with a coating element, and fused together in a press which bonds the coatings of the patch and plug portions together to form a single, continuous coating. Means known in the art, for example rubber cement, can also be employed to further ensure a firm seal between the patch plug and the tire. Methods of manufacturing and using the patch plug are also taught herein.
Claims4
A method of manufacturing a patch plug for use in repairing a tire, the tire having a hole with walls, the patch plug comprising:
- a patch member having a generally flat surface for placement against a surface of the tire;
- a plug member connected to the patch member at a location on the generally flat surface, the plug member and the patch member being of unitary cured structure, the plug member having a generally elongate structure for Insertion within the hole in the tire, the plug member having an exterior surface;
- and
- a chemical gum coating to enable bonding of the patch plug to both the surface of the tire and the walls of the hole using a rubber cement, the coating being continuous across the generally flat surface of the patch member and the exterior surface of the plug member;
- the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) forming the patch member as a stack of layers, the layers Including at least one chemical gum coating layer and at least one rubber layer wherein said at least one chemical gum coating layer includes an aperture within which the plug member is positioned for communication with the at least one rubber layer;
- (b) forming the plug member as an elongate rubber member with a chemical gum coating layer about the rubber member such that the rubber member and patch member may be subsequently held in communication.
- (c) placing the plug member within the aperture in the coating layer or coating layers of the patch member such that the plug member contacts the at least one rubber layer of the patch member and the coating layer of the plug member contacts said at least one coating layer of the patch member;
- (d) subjecting the patch and plug members then in contact to heat and pressure such that the coating layer or coating layers of the patch member and the coating layer on the plug member bond together, while the plug member and patch member form a unitary cured structure, resulting in the chemical gum coating being continuous across the generally flat surface of the patch member and the exterior surface of the plug member.
6 more elements
A method of manufacturing a patch plug for use in repairing a tire, the tire having a hole with walls, the patch plug comprising;
- a patch member having a generally flat surface for placement against a surface of the tire;
- a plug member connected to the patch member at a location on the generally flat surface, the plug member and the patch member being of unitary cured structure, the plug member having a generally elongate structure for insertion within the hole in the tire, the plug member having an exterior surface;
- and
- a chemical gum coating to enable bonding of the patch plug to both the surface of the tire and the walls of the hole using a rubber cement, the coating being continuous across the generally flat surface of the patch member and tile exterior surface of the plug member;
- the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) forming the patch member as a stack of layers, the layers including at least one chemical gum coating layer and at least one rubber layer wherein said at least one chemical gum coating layer includes an aperture within which the plug member is positioned for communication with the at least one rubber layer;
- (b) forming the plug member as an elongate rubber member with a chemical gum coating layer about the rubber member such that the rubber member and patch member may be subsequently held in communication;
- (C) placing the plug member within the aperture in the coating layer or coating layers of the patch member such that the plug member contacts the at least one rubber layer of the patch member and the coating layer of the plug member contacts said at least one coating layer of the patch member;
- (d) subjecting the patch and plug members then in contact to heat and pressure such that the coating layer or coating layers of the patch member and the coating layer on the plug member bond together, while the patch member and the plug member formed a unitary cured structure, resulting in the chemical gum coating being continuous across the generally flat surface of the patch member and the exterior surface of the plug member;
- (a) subsequently applying a rubber cement to the chemical gum coating layers of the patch member and the plug member prior to insertion Into the hole in the tire.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.