Method of retreading a tire

Abstract

A tread for bonding to a tire carcass to form a retreaded tire having a length, a width, a top side and a bottom side. The tread also includes a central portion and a pair of wing portions extending laterally from the central portions. The top sides of each wing portion include one or more discontinuities having a longitudinal component and configured to resist deflection when subjected to a force from the bottom side and to deflect downwardly when subjected to a force from the top side. In particular embodiments, the one or more discontinuities are arranged within each wing portion are arranged within a thickened portion of each wing portion.

1 . A tread for bonding to a tire carcass to form a retreaded tire comprising:
 a length extending in a longitudinal direction;   a width extending in a lateral direction;   a top side having a portion for engaging the ground;   a bottom side for bonding to the tire carcass;   a central portion having a bottom side forming a portion of the bottom side of the tread and a top side forming a portion of the top side of the tread, wherein the central portion top and bottom sides define a central thickness; and   a pair of opposed wing portions extending laterally from the edges of the central portion along the length of the tread, each wing portion having a bottom side forming a portion of the bottom side of the tread and a top side forming a portion of the top side of the tread, wherein the wing portion top side and the wing portion bottom side define a wing thickness, each wing portion including one or more thickened portions each including a discontinuity having a longitudinal component formed in the top side of the wing portions and extending depthwise into the at least one thickened portions, the wing portions being configured to resist deflection when subjected to a force from the bottom side and to deflect when subjected to a force from the top side.   
     
     
         2 . The tread of  claim 1 , wherein the discontinuity is continuous along the length of the tread. 
     
     
         3 . The tread of  claim 1 , wherein the wing thickness is less than the central thickness. 
     
     
         4 . The tread of  claim 1 , wherein the wing thickness is variable. 
     
     
         5 . The tread of  claim 4 , wherein the wing thickness decreases from the central portion to the edge of the tread. 
     
     
         6 . The tread of  claim 5 , wherein the wings portions have a convex profile in cross section. 
     
     
         7 . The tread of  claim 3 , wherein the wing portions have a concave profile in cross section. 
     
     
         8 . The tread of  claim 2 , wherein the discontinuity is teardrop-shaped in lateral cross-section. 
     
     
         9 . The tread of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more thickened portions comprise a plurality of thickened portions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the tread. 
     
     
         10 . The tread of  claim 1 , wherein top sides of the wings include a plurality of discontinuities substantially perpendicular to the bottom side of the tread. 
     
     
         11 . The tread of  claim 1 , wherein the top sides of the wings include a plurality of discontinuities substantially parallel to the bottom side of the tread. 
     
     
         12 . The tread of  claim 1 , wherein the discontinuity includes a lateral portion. 
     
     
         13 . The tread of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one discontinuity is a molded feature of the tread. 
     
     
         14 . The tread of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one discontinuity is formed in the tread after the tread has been unmolded. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The tread of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the tread is precured with the wings deflected downwardly for engaging a bonding surface of the tire carcass.   
     
     
         17 . The tread of  claim 16 , wherein the top side of the wing portions include a reinforcing member extending laterally from the central portion to the edge of the tread. 
     
     
         18 . The tread of  claim 17 , wherein the reinforcing member includes a series of lateral discontinuities. 
     
     
         19 . A method for retreading a tire, the method comprising:
 providing a tire carcass having a prepared bonding surface;   providing a tread including:
 a length extending in a longitudinal direction, 
 a width extending in a lateral direction, 
 a top side having a portion for engaging the ground, 
 a bottom side for bonding to the tire carcass, 
 a central portion having a bottom side forming a portion of the bottom side of the tread and a top side forming a portion of the top side of the tread, wherein the central portion top and bottom sides define a central thickness, and 
 a pair of opposed wing portions extending laterally from the edges of the central portion along the length of the tread, each wing portion having a bottom side forming a portion of the bottom side of the tread and a top side forming a portion of the top side of the tread, wherein the wing portion top side and the wing portion bottom side define a wing thickness, each wing portion including one or more thickened portions each including a discontinuity having a longitudinal component formed in the top side of the wing portions and extending depthwise into the at least one thickened portion; 
   roughening the bottom side of the tread, wherein the pair of opposed wing portions do not substantially deflect;   contacting the bottom side of the tread with the prepared bonding surface, and bonding the tread to the tire carcass.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the contacting step further including deflecting the wing portions to contact the tire carcass prior to the bonding step. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more thickened portions comprise a plurality of thickened portions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the tread.