A tire comprising a tread portion and a pair of sidewalls is provided wherein the sidewalls are connected to the tread portion by shoulder regions, wherein the tire further include one or more strips of rubber affixed to the inner surface of a green tire. The strip may be annular and may be located near the toe of the bead. The strip is made from a rubber composition having a specific gravity greater than 2. The strip may be ground away as desired in order to balance the tire without the need for weights.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the tire of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a close-up view of the bead area of the tire of FIG. 1.
Claims
1. A tire comprising a tread portion and a pair of sidewalls wherein the sidewalls are connected to the tread portion by shoulder regions, one or more reinforcing belts which laterally extend under the tread, and a carcass which includes one or more layers of ply which extend from a first bead to a second bead, and further including one or more strips of rubber affixed to the inner surface of the tire.
2. The tire of claim 1 wherein the strip is annular.
3. The tire of claim 1 wherein the strip is located near the toe of the bead.
4. The tire of claim 1 wherein the strip has a specific gravity greater than 2.
5. A method of correcting dynamic tire imbalance comprising: making a green tire, applying one or more strips having a specific gravity greater than 4 to the green tire, vulcanizing the tire in a mold.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the strip is annular.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the tire is dynamically tested for imbalance, and then the strip is ground away in one or more areas needed to balance the tire.
Patent Application
20070144640
