James L Endicott

US Patent:

6374888, Apr 23, 2002

Filed:

May 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/462230

Inventors:

James Milo Endicott - Greenville SC
Jeffrey Scott Craddock - Simpsonville SC

Assignee:

Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A. - Grange-Paccot

International Classification:

B60C 1506

US Classification:

152517, 152541, 156111, 156123, 156132, 156135

Abstract:

The run-flat tire ( ) of this invention includes spaced apart bead areas ( ) having a unique design to include first ( ) and second ( ) bead fillers adjacent a bead core ( ). The second bead filler ( ) is bounded by the first bead filler ( ) and bead core ( ). The method for manufacturing the tire to eliminate voids at the bead core ( ) of the cured tire is also provided. The bead fillers are made to be resilient so that the tire can be easily mounted on a rim, particularly improving the ability to mount a run-flat tire ( ) on a rim ( ). The bead core ( ) and fillers ( ) are designed for helping to sustain the run-flat tire ( ) on the rim ( ) with a loss of inflation pressure and to improve the running performance of the tire.

US Patent:

6779574, Aug 24, 2004

Filed:

Nov 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/995340

Inventors:

Robert Vanstory Teeple - Simpsonville SC
James Endicott - Greenville SC
Jean-Luc Bouvier - Greer SC
Pierre Fraisse - Greer SC
Jean-Claude Faure - Mozac, FR

Assignee:

Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A. - Grange-Paccot

International Classification:

B60C 1500

US Classification:

152539, 152547, 152552, 152554

Abstract:

A tire with radial carcass reinforcement having beads with a heel portion on an axially inner side and a toe portion on an axially outer side includes two carcass reinforcement plies for tension in higher sidewall tires. The bead includes at least one bead wire coated with a rubber mix, a wedge formed of a rubber mix disposed axially outward of the at least one bead wire, and at least one rubber filler located axially and radially outward of the bead wire and wedge. The wedge is defined by two sides extending at an acute angle axially from an apex A located beneath the section of the at least one bead wire, the rubber mix forming the wedge having a Shore A hardness of at least 65 and greater than the Shore A hardness of the at least one rubber filler. According to one embodiment, a carcass reinforcement includes two plies, a first radial reinforcement ply wound on the at least one bead wire to form a first upturn, as viewed in meridian section, the reinforcement ply is wound about said bead wire passing from the heel to the toe of said at least one bead, the first upturn engaging the radially outer side the wedge and, a second radial reinforcement ply wound on said at least one bead wire, wherein, when viewed in meridian section, the second reinforcement ply is disposed in parallel to the first radial reinforcement ply in a sidewall area of the tire and is wound about said bead wire passing from the heel to the toe of said at least one bead with a second upturn extending into engagement with the radial inner side of the wedge.

US Patent:

20110209807, Sep 1, 2011

Filed:

Nov 21, 2008

Appl. No.:

13/127608

Inventors:

Brian D. Wilson - Greer SC, US
Mark Creasap - Spartanburg SC, US
Robert Gaut - Easley SC, US
James Endicott - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A. - Granges-Paccot

International Classification:

B29C 33/02
B29C 35/02
B29C 43/02
B60C 5/00

US Classification:

152450, 425470, 264319

Abstract:

Particular embodiments of the invention include methods and apparatus for molding and/or curing an article. Particular embodiments of such methods include positioning a mold core centrally within mold outer portion to form an annular mold cavity between the mold outer portion and the mold core, the core including an outer ring having an outer surface for engaging the annular article, the outer ring being formed of a material capable of expanding and contracting with changes in temperature. Such methods also include beating the mold outer ring, cooling the core outer ring subsequent to the step of heating, whereby the core outer ring contracts relative to the article and removing the article from the core outer ring.

US Patent:

20120205017, Aug 16, 2012

Filed:

Aug 28, 2009

Appl. No.:

13/391198

Inventors:

James Endicott - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

Michelin Recherche Et Technique S.A. - Granges-Paccot

International Classification:

B60B 9/04

US Classification:

152 1

Abstract:

A non-pneumatic wheel assembly is provided. More particularly, a non-pneumatic wheel assembly is provided having a removable hub i.e., a hub that may be separated from the remainder of the wheel assembly. The hub may be reused and other portions of the non-pneumatic wheel assembly replaced as needed. In addition, the hub may be constructed from a different material than used for other portions of the non-pneumatic wheel.

US Patent:

20120228791, Sep 13, 2012

Filed:

Nov 30, 2009

Appl. No.:

13/510713

Inventors:

Marck Creasap - Spartanburg SC, US
James Endicott - Greenville SC, US
Robert Gaut - Easley SC, US
Brian Wilson - Greer SC, US

Assignee:

MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A. - Granges-Paccot
COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN - Clermont-Ferrand

International Classification:

B29C 31/00

US Classification:

264 404

Abstract:

A method for precisely controlling the volume of a product such as a tire tread or tire that is placed into a mold is provided. This method includes providing a tread or tire that is built upon a portable mold core by laying a series of layers on the portable mold core. The outer diameter of the lire tread or lire is initially built to be purposely smaller than the interior surfaced of the mold in order to prevent any interference from occurring between the mold and the tire tread once the tire tread and core are placed within the mold and the mold is closed. The weight of the tire tread or tire is measured to see if the volume of the tire tread or tire is within acceptable parameters to fit within the mold. If not, additional material is added to the tire or tire tread.

US Patent:

20130071582, Mar 21, 2013

Filed:

Sep 20, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/237166

Inventors:

Michael Edward DOTSON - Greenville SC, US
James Endicott - Greenville SC, US
Patrick A. Petri - Greer SC, US
Kirkland W. Vogt - Simpsonville SC, US

International Classification:

B32B 1/08
B29C 65/70

US Classification:

428 341, 264262, 264103

Abstract:

An annular reinforcement structure is provided having a first reinforcement band and a second reinforcement band in a spaced-apart, concentric relationship, and a cast-in-place core material positioned between the first and second reinforcement bands and bonded thereto.

US Patent:

58681906, Feb 9, 1999

Filed:

Jun 10, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/872579

Inventors:

Walter Lee Willard - Greenville SC
James Milo Endicott - Greenville SC
Jeffrey Scott Craddock - Simpsonville SC

Assignee:

Michelin Recherche et Technique, S.A.

International Classification:

B60C 1500
B60C 1504
B60C 1506
B60C 1700

US Classification:

152517

Abstract:

The run-flat tire has a tread for contacting a ground surface and a belt package with belt plies interior to the tread for support of the tread. A plurality of radially reinforced carcass layers are positioned interior to the belt plies and include at least one carcass layer that extends between spaced apart annular beads. The tire has a pair of sidewalls each extending radially inward from shoulders at lateral edges of the belt package to the annular beads. The sidewalls have a plurality of sidewall stiffening members to support the tire during a loss of inflation pressure. The carcass layers are disposed with the sidewall stiffening members to help support the run-flat tire with a loss of inflation pressure. The spaced apart beads have a unique design including bead cores placed at a predetermined diameter with respect to a rim diameter, dual bead fillers above the bead cores, a heel corner spaced at a radial gap distance from a rim flange and rim interface components having a seat interface distance below the bead core for mounting the run-flat tire on a conventional rim and for sustaining the run-flat tire on the conventional rim with a loss of inflation pressure within the run-flat tire.

US Patent:

59682949, Oct 19, 1999

Filed:

Jun 24, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/103693

Inventors:

Walter Lee Willard - Greenville SC
James Milo Endicott - Greenville SC
Jeffrey Scott Craddock - Simpsonville SC

Assignee:

Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.

International Classification:

B60C 1300
B60C 1500
B60C 1506
B60C 1700

US Classification:

152517

Abstract:

The run-flat tire has a tread for contacting a ground surface and a belt package with belt plies interior to the tread for support of the tread. A plurality of radially reinforced carcass layers are positioned interior to the belt plies and include at least one carcass layer that extends between spaced apart annular beads. The tire has a pair of sidewalls each extending radially inward from shoulders at lateral edges of the belt package to the annular beads. The sidewalls have a plurality of sidewall stiffening members to support the tire during a loss of inflation pressure. The carcass layers are disposed with the sidewall stiffening members to help support the run-flat tire with a loss of inflation pressure. The spaced apart beads have a unique design including bead cores placed at a predetermined diameter with respect to a rim diameter, dual bead fillers above the bead cores, a heel corner spaced at a radial gap distance from a rim flange and rim interface components having a seat interface distance below the bead core for mounting the run-flat tire on a conventional rim and for sustaining the run-flat tire on the conventional rim with a loss of inflation pressure within the run-flat tire.