Patent ID: 7118643
Filing Date: 2006-10-10
Classification: B60C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of making a tire with a skin covering at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the tire comprising the steps of: (a) providing a partially cured base tire; (b) providing a partially cured skin including a predetermined percentage by weight of crushed reinforcing fiber comprised of a mono-filament aramid fiber material; (c) printing a decorative pattern onto an entire exposed surface of the partially cured skin; (d) installing the partially cured base tire and the partially cured skin in a tire mold with the skin engaging and covering an entire outer surface of the base tire and with the skin facing an inner surface of the mold, the decorative pattern being positioned at a predetermined location; (e) applying heat and pressure to the base tire to press the skin and the base tire against the inner surface of the mold; (f) maintaining the heat and pressure for a predetermined time period to vulcanize and bond together the base tire and the skin, thereby forming the tire, the decorative pattern being visible on at least a portion of an external peripheral surface of the tire; and (g) applying one of a transparent and translucent protective coating over the external peripheral surface of the tire.