US 11,926,114 B2
Method and apparatus for forming a non-pneumatic tire carcass
David C. Lung, Simpsonville, SC (US); Michael Widmyer, Moore, SC (US); and Eric Rivers, Greenville, SC (US)
Assigned to Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Clermont-Ferrand (FR)
Appl. No. 16/765,814
Filed by COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSMENTS MICHELIN, Clermont-Ferrand (FR)
PCT Filed Nov. 21, 2017, PCT No. PCT/US2017/062892
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date May 20, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/103728, PCT Pub. Date May 31, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2020/0376789 A1, Dec. 3, 2020
Int. Cl. B21D 53/26 (2006.01); B29C 43/02 (2006.01); B29C 65/00 (2006.01); B29C 65/48 (2006.01); B29C 65/54 (2006.01); B29C 70/68 (2006.01); B29D 30/02 (2006.01); B32B 37/10 (2006.01); B32B 37/12 (2006.01); B32B 38/18 (2006.01); B60B 31/00 (2006.01); B60C 7/18 (2006.01); B60C 7/24 (2006.01); B29C 43/18 (2006.01); B29C 43/36 (2006.01); B29C 65/02 (2006.01); B29L 30/00 (2006.01); B32B 38/00 (2006.01); B60C 7/14 (2006.01)
CPC B29D 30/02 (2013.01) [B29C 43/027 (2013.01); B29C 65/4805 (2013.01); B29C 66/545 (2013.01); B29C 66/61 (2013.01); B29C 66/74 (2013.01); B29C 66/742 (2013.01); B29C 70/682 (2013.01); B32B 37/1018 (2013.01); B32B 38/1858 (2013.01); B60B 31/005 (2013.01); B60C 7/18 (2013.01); B60C 7/24 (2013.01); B29C 2043/189 (2013.01); B29C 2043/3644 (2013.01); B29C 2043/3649 (2013.01); B29C 65/02 (2013.01); B29C 2791/006 (2013.01); B29L 2030/004 (2013.01); B32B 2038/0076 (2013.01); B60C 7/146 (2021.08)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of forming a non-pneumatic tire carcass comprising an inner hub, an outer band, and a plurality of spokes extending between the inner hub and the outer band, the inner hub and outer band each being annular, the inner hub being arranged radially inward of the outer band, each of the inner hub and the outer band having a width extending in an axial direction and defined by opposing lateral sides, the method comprising:
arranging the inner hub, the plurality of spokes, and the outer band to form a curing assembly arranged in a first arrangement within a forming apparatus, where the inner hub is arranged concentrically within a radially inner annular side of the outer band and the plurality of spokes are arranged between the outer band and the inner hub;
forcing the plurality of spokes in opposite radial directions from the first arrangement and to a second arrangement, where each spoke of the plurality of spokes is forced in a curing position against the inner hub and towards the outer band in a curing arrangement; and,
curing the plurality of spokes to each of the inner hub and outer band.