Molded tire having different tread material
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsAaron K. Amstutz, Kevin L. Martin, Stephen J. Pierz, David J. Colantoni
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A molded tire may include a support structure having an inner circumferential portion and an outer circumferential portion. The inner circumferential portion may be configured to be associated with a hub. The molded tire may also include a tread portion associated with the outer circumferential portion of the support structure, wherein the tread portion may be formed from a first polyurethane having first material characteristics. The support structure may be formed from a second polyurethane having second material characteristics different than the first material characteristics. The support structure may be chemically bonded to the tread portion.
Claims6
A molded tire comprising:
- a support structure having an inner circumferential portion and an outer circumferential portion, the inner circumferential portion being configured to be associated with a hub;
- a tread portion associated with the outer circumferential portion of the support structure;
- and
- an intermediate portion coupling the tread portion and the outer circumferential portion to one another,
- wherein the tread portion is formed from a first polyurethane having first material characteristics,
- wherein the support structure is formed from a second polyurethane having second material characteristics different than the first material characteristics, and
- wherein the intermediate portion includes a semi-permeable membrane configured to permit chemical bonding between the first polyurethane and the second polyurethane.
A molded tire comprising:
- a support structure having an inner circumferential portion and an outer circumferential portion, the inner circumferential portion being configured to be associated with a hub;
- and
- a tread portion coupled to the outer circumferential portion of the support structure,
- wherein the tread portion is formed from a first polyurethane having first material characteristics,
- wherein the support structure is formed from a second polyurethane having second material characteristics different than the first material characteristics,
- wherein the tire further includes an intermediate portion coupling the tread portion and the outer circumferential portion to one another,
- wherein the intermediate portion is formed from a third polyurethane,
- wherein the third polyurethane is from 50% to 90% stoichiometric prior to curing,
- wherein the tread portion has a Shore hardness ranging from about 60 A to about 60 D, and the support structure has a Shore hardness ranging from about 80 A to about 95 A, and
- wherein the second polyurethane is stiffer than the first polyurethane, and wherein the first polyurethane is more cut-resistant and has a higher coefficient of friction than the second polyurethane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.