AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE PUMPING TUBE COVER STRIP

摘要

An air maintenance tire assembly is provided in which an elongate groove is located within a first sidewall of a tire. The groove forms an elongate channel within the first sidewall and an elongate groove access passage extends from the elongate channel to an access opening located at an outward surface of the first sidewall. An air pumping tube inserts through the groove access passage and is positioned within the groove channel. A cover strip attaches to the first sidewall to enclose the access opening of the groove access passage. The cover strip is positioned along the first sidewall at a higher distance from the bead region of the first sidewall than the groove channel to avoid contact with a wheel rim flange when the tire is mounted to a wheel rim.

主权项

1. An air maintenance tire assembly comprising:
a tire having a tire cavity, first and second sidewalls extending respectively from lower sidewall ends connected to first and second tire bead regions to higher sidewall ends connected to a tire tread region; an elongate groove located within the first sidewall of the tire; the groove comprising an elongate channel within the first sidewall and an elongate groove access passage extending at an incline from the elongate channel to an access opening located at an outward surface of the first sidewall; a tube positioned within the groove elongate channel; a cover strip attached to the first sidewall and enclosing the access opening of the groove access passage, wherein the cover strip and the access opening are positioned at the outward surface of the first sidewall at a higher radial location on the first sidewall than the groove elongate channel location within the first sidewall.