Patent Publication Number: US-8985171-B2

Title: Connector system and air maintenance tire assembly

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to air maintenance tires and, more specifically, to a connector system for construction of a built-in air maintenance pump assembly in a tire. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Normal air diffusion reduces tire pressure over time. The natural state of tires is under inflated. Accordingly, drivers must repeatedly act to maintain tire pressures or they will see reduced fuel economy, tire life and reduced vehicle braking and handling performance. Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems have been proposed to warn drivers when tire pressure is significantly low. Such systems, however, remain dependant upon the driver taking remedial action when warned to re-inflate a tire to recommended pressure. It is a desirable, therefore, to incorporate an air maintenance feature within a tire that will re-inflate the tire in order to compensate for normal air diffusion over time without the need for driver intervention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the invention, a connector system and tire assembly includes an elongate integral air passageway contained within a flexible tire component of a tire carcass, the air passageway extending between an air inlet cavity and an air outlet cavity in the flexible tire component, and the air passageway extending at least a partial circumferential path around the tire carcass. A connector assembly is seated within at least one of the inlet and outlet cavities, the connector assembly including a hollow dome-shaped nut body, a central chamber within the nut body opening to an outward body side; and a through-channel extending through the nut body operative to conduct air flow communication between the integral air passageway within the flexible tire component and the central chamber of the nut body. 
     In another aspect, the connector system and tire assembly includes a hollow dome-shaped inlet nut within the inlet cavity and a hollow dome-shaped outlet nut within the outlet cavity, wherein the outlet and inlet nuts face in opposite directions within respective cavities. The inlet nut couples to an air inlet device for conducting air external to the tire carcass into the inlet nut central chamber; and the outlet nut outward body side couples to a valve device positioned within the tire cavity, the valve device operative to regulate a flow of air from the outlet dome nut body to the tire cavity. 
     According to further aspect, the connector system and tire assembly provides a removable elongate core strip positioned within the air passageway of the tire carcass flexible component during a pre-cure build of the tire carcass. The core strip is withdrawn post-cure from the air passageway of the tire carcass. The through-channel in the nut bodies of the inlet nut and the outlet nut have a cross-sectional configuration to closely admit a respective opposite free end of the core strip therethrough. The through-channel in the nut bodies may be alternatively located at the crown apex region or in a sidewall location. 
     DEFINITIONS 
     “Aspect ratio” of the tire means the ratio of its section height (SH) to its section width (SW) multiplied by 100 percent for expression as a percentage. 
     “Asymmetric tread” means a tread that has a tread pattern not symmetrical about the center plane or equatorial plane EP of the tire. 
     “Axial” and “axially” means lines or directions that are parallel to the axis of rotation of the tire. 
     “Chafer” is a narrow strip of material placed around the outside of a tire bead to protect the cord plies from wearing and cutting against the rim and distribute the flexing above the rim. 
     “Circumferential” means lines or directions extending along the perimeter of the surface of the annular tread perpendicular to the axial direction. 
     “Equatorial Centerplane (CP)” means the plane perpendicular to the tire&#39;s axis of rotation and passing through the center of the tread. 
     “Footprint” means the contact patch or area of contact of the tire tread with a flat surface at zero speed and under normal load and pressure. 
     “Groove” means an elongated void area in a tire wall that may extend circumferentially or laterally about the tire wall. The “groove width” is equal to its average width over its length. A groove is sized to accommodate an air tube as described. 
     “Inboard side” means the side of the tire nearest the vehicle when the tire is mounted on a wheel and the wheel is mounted on the vehicle. 
     “Lateral” means an axial direction. 
     “Lateral edges” means a line tangent to the axially outermost tread contact patch or footprint as measured under normal load and tire inflation, the lines being parallel to the equatorial centerplane. 
     “Net contact area” means the total area of ground contacting tread elements between the lateral edges around the entire circumference of the tread divided by the gross area of the entire tread between the lateral edges. 
     “Non-directional tread” means a tread that has no preferred direction of forward travel and is not required to be positioned on a vehicle in a specific wheel position or positions to ensure that the tread pattern is aligned with the preferred direction of travel. Conversely, a directional tread pattern has a preferred direction of travel requiring specific wheel positioning. 
     “Outboard side” means the side of the tire farthest away from the vehicle when the tire is mounted on a wheel and the wheel is mounted on the vehicle. 
     “Peristaltic” means operating by means of wave-like contractions that propel contained matter, such as air, along tubular pathways. 
     “Radial” and “radially” means directions radially toward or away from the axis of rotation of the tire. 
     “Rib” means a circumferentially extending strip of rubber on the tread which is defined by at least one circumferential groove and either a second such groove or a lateral edge, the strip being laterally undivided by full-depth grooves. 
     “Sipe” means small slots molded into the tread elements of the tire that subdivide the tread surface and improve traction, sipes are generally narrow in width and close in the tires footprint as opposed to grooves that remain open in the tire&#39;s footprint. 
     “Tread element” or “traction element” means a rib or a block element defined by having a shape adjacent grooves. 
     “Tread Arc Width” means the arc length of the tread as measured between the lateral edges of the tread. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a detail view of the silicone core die. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a basic silicone core extruder and conveyor. 
         FIG. 3  is a detail of a chafer die. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a basic chafer strip extruder and conveyor. 
         FIG. 5  is a dimensioned sectioned view of the silicone core. 
         FIG. 6  is a dimensioned sectioned view of extruded chafer strip. 
         FIGS. 7A through 7C  are detailed views showing the silicone core strip being coated with soft rubber gum strip. 
         FIG. 8  is a detail view of the chafer strip with punched hole locations. 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged perspective view of the silicone core strip being assembled into the chafer strip. 
         FIGS. 10A through 10C  are sectioned views showing the coated silicone core and the chafer strip assembly. 
         FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of a tire build up drum with assembled 180 degree core/chafer strip being applied, with a normal chafer strip placement on opposite end. 
         FIG. 11B  is a perspective view of a tire build up drum with a normal 180 degree chafer strip being placed abutting the 180 degree core/chafer strip. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective front view of a formed green tire showing inlet and outlet locations with the core strip extending from openings and the tire ready for core forming devices. 
         FIG. 13A  is an enlarged sectioned view showing the inlet cavity and the silicone core ready for placement of the inlet core device. 
         FIG. 13B  is an enlarged sectioned view showing the outlet cavity and the silicone core ready for placement of the outlet core device. 
         FIG. 14A  is a top perspective view showing a first embodiment outlet core assembly with screw punch attached. 
         FIG. 14B  is a bottom perspective view showing the outlet core assembly with screw punch removed and the nut attached. 
         FIG. 14C  is a top exploded view of the outlet core assembly showing top/bottom core halves and mounting screw with the screw punch and hold down nut. 
         FIG. 14D  is a bottom exploded view of  FIG. 14C . 
         FIG. 15A  is a top perspective view of a first embodiment inlet core assembly. 
         FIG. 15B  is a top exploded view of the inlet core assembly showing top/bottom core halves and magnetic inserts. 
         FIG. 15C  is a bottom exploded view of  FIG. 15B . 
         FIG. 16A  is a threaded elbow and valve housing assembly. 
         FIG. 16B  is an exploded view of  FIG. 16A  showing the elbow, valve housing and Lee valve. 
         FIG. 17A  shows an alternative embodiment of threaded elbow and one-way valve assembly. 
         FIG. 17B  is an exploded view of  FIG. 17A  showing the elbow valve housing with air passage ways and membrane cover. 
         FIG. 18A  is an enlarged sectioned view showing the inlet bottom core being inserted into the cavity under core strip and the chafer groove re-opened to allow room of the conical end of the inlet core to be fully seated into cavity. 
         FIG. 18B  is an enlarged sectioned view showing the inlet bottom core fully inserted into the cavity and the core strip being trimmed to length. 
         FIG. 18C  is an enlarged sectioned view showing the inlet top core ready for placement into the cavity. 
         FIG. 18D  is an enlarged section view showing the inlet core assembly fully assembled into cavity. 
         FIG. 18E  is an enlarged section view showing the inlet core assembly held in place with thin rubber patches is ready for curing. 
         FIG. 19A  is an enlarged sectioned view showing the outlet bottom core unit being inserted into the cavity under the core strip and the punch forced through the tire wall into the cavity chamber with the chafer groove re-opened to allow room for the conical end of the outlet core bottom unit to be fully seated into cavity. 
         FIG. 19B  is an enlarged sectioned view of the bottom outlet core unit fully seated into the cavity. 
         FIG. 19C  is an enlarged sectioned view from cavity side showing the screw punch fully inserted through the tire wall. 
         FIG. 19D  is an enlarged sectioned view of the screw punch removed from the outlet bottom core half component with the nut attached to thread shaft. 
         FIG. 19E  is an enlarged sectioned view showing the nut fully attached to the outlet bottom core shaft. 
         FIG. 19F  is an enlarged sectioned view of the core strip cut to length at the outlet bottom core strip cavity. 
         FIG. 19G  is an enlarged sectioned view of the outlet top core component placed into the cavity and screwed into place. 
         FIG. 19H  is an enlarged sectioned view showing the outlet core halves and screw fully assembled. 
         FIG. 19I  is an enlarged sectioned view showing the conical end of outlet core assembly covered with a rubber patch. 
         FIG. 20  is a side view of a tire showing the inlet and outlet core locations before curing. 
         FIG. 21A  is a section view taken from  FIG. 20  showing the inlet core location. 
         FIG. 21B  is an enlarged view of the inlet core taken from  FIG. 21A . 
         FIG. 22A  is a section view taken from  FIG. 20  showing the outlet core. 
         FIG. 22B  is an enlarged view of the outlet core taken from  FIG. 22A . 
         FIG. 23  is an enlarged sectioned view showing the inlet core halves being removed after curing. 
         FIG. 24  is an enlarged sectioned view showing the nut removed from the outlet core threaded shaft. 
         FIG. 25  is an exploded view of the outlet core halves disassembled and removed from the sidewall cavity. 
         FIG. 26  is a side elevation showing the silicone core strip removed from the tire sidewall. 
         FIG. 27  is an enlarged sectioned view showing the finished inlet cavity ready for permanent inlet insert placement. 
         FIG. 28A  is an enlarged sectioned view showing the threaded elbow component placed into the outlet cavity. 
         FIG. 28B  is an enlarged sectioned view showing the elbow component fully inserted through the sidewall to the cavity chamber with a leading end placed into conical opening and a rubber plug/patch ready to fill the opening. 
         FIG. 28C  is enlarged sectioned view showing the patched area after 30 minute cure. 
         FIG. 29A  is an enlarged sectioned view from the cavity chamber showing the outlet valve ready to be threaded onto outlet elbow component. 
         FIG. 29B  is an enlarged sectioned view of the outlet valve shown fully seated onto the elbow component to thus complete the first embodiment operation. 
         FIGS. 30A through 30D  are detailed views of a second, alternative, embodiment of the assembly including an inlet dome nut. 
         FIGS. 30E through 30H  are detailed views of the outlet dome nut embodiment. 
         FIGS. 31A through 31C  are detailed views of a second, alternative, embodiment of the inlet filter assembly. 
         FIGS. 32A through 32D  are detailed views of a second embodiment of the outlet dome nut. 
         FIGS. 33A through 33C  are detailed views of a second embodiment outlet valve. 
         FIGS. 34A and 34B  are detailed views of dome nut cap. 
         FIGS. 35A and 35B  are detailed views of a hollow needle component. 
         FIG. 36A  is an enlarged sectioned view of a tire showing the core strip inserted through the inlet dome nut and the dome nut being placed into the formed inlet chafer opening. 
         FIG. 36B  is an enlarged sectioned view showing a void around the inlet dome nut filled with chafer compound and the core strip inserted through the protective cap. 
         FIG. 36C  is an enlarged sectioned view of the protective cap threaded into the inlet dome nut at the inlet location in anticipation of tire curing. 
         FIG. 37A  is an enlarged tire section showing the core strip inserted through the outlet dome nut and pressed into the hollow needle opening. 
         FIG. 37B  is an enlarged sectioned view showing the outlet dome nut and hollow needle assembled and placed into the formed outlet chafer opening and forced though the tire sidewall. 
         FIG. 37C  is an enlarged detail view from the tire cavity showing the hollow needle fully inserted through the green tire sidewall. 
         FIG. 37D  is an enlarged detail view showing the hollow needle removed from the outlet dome nut and the core strip inserted through the protective cap. 
         FIG. 37E  is a detail view showing the protective cap threaded into the outlet dome nut. 
         FIG. 37F  is an enlarged detail view showing the outlet chafer opening fully filled with chafer compound at the outlet location in anticipation of tire curing. 
         FIG. 38  is a side elevation view of the tire after curing, showing the protective caps removed from both the inlet and outlet dome nuts and the silicone core strip being removed from tire sidewall. 
         FIG. 39  is an enlarged detail view showing the filter threaded into the inlet dome nut. 
         FIG. 40  is an enlarged detail view showing the one-way valve threaded into the outlet dome nut. 
         FIG. 41  is a side view of the finished 2nd embodiment tire assembly. 
         FIG. 42A  is a section view taken from  FIG. 41  showing the location of the inlet dome nut with attached filter. 
         FIG. 42B  is an enlarged view of the inlet and filter taken from  FIG. 42A . 
         FIG. 43A  is a section view taken from  FIG. 41  showing the location of the outlet dome nut with attached one-way valve. 
         FIG. 43B  is an enlarged view of the outlet dome nut and one-way valve taken from  FIG. 43A . 
         FIG. 44  is a side view of the finished tire showing air flow from inlet to outlet located in the tire cavity. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 38 ,  41 ,  44 ,  42 A and  42 B, an air maintenance assembly and tire system  10  is shown. The system incorporates air maintenance apparatus with a tire for the purpose of maintaining air pressure within the tire at a desired level without operator intervention. The system  10  includes a tire  12  of generally conventional construction and including a pair of sidewall components  14 ,  16  and a tread  18  enclosing a tire cavity  20 . The sidewalls  14 ,  16  extend from a pair of tire beads  22 ,  24  to the tread  18 . Pursuant to conventional construction, the tire  12  has an apex component  26  disposed radially adjacent each bead and a chafer component  28  surrounding each bead region. The tire  12  mounts to a wheel  36  and is seated on a rim surface  40 . An air maintenance assembly  42 , as will be explained, may be provided within one or both sides of the tie  12  if desired. Each air maintenance assembly  42  is configured to extend between an air entry or inlet cavity  44  and an air exit/outlet cavity  46 . Pursuant to the invention, the air maintenance assembly  42  incorporates a thin tube as a hollow within a flexible tire component such as the chafer  28  during tire construction. The location selected for the hollow tube within the tire is in a tire component residing within a high flex region of the tire sufficient to progressively collapse the peristaltic internal tire tube as the tire rotates, whereby forcing air along the tube from the inlet to the outlet where the air is directed to the tire cavity for pressure maintenance. The AMT assembly  42  thus operates as an internal peristaltic air pump to the tire. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  and  6 , a silicone core strip  58  is formed by means of die  48  having a profiled orifice  50  therethrough. The orifice is elongate and generally lens shaped in section with the extruded strip  58  of like sectional geometry. The lens shape may have a dimension of, by way of example without limitation intent, 2.7 mm length D 2 ×0.5 mm at D 1 . While the preferred composition of the strip  58  is silicone, other materials such as cable or monofilament may be used if desired. The die  48  is affixed to a basic extruder of conventional configuration and deposits a formed core strip  58  on a conveyer belt moved by drive roller  56 . The length of the strip  58  is predetermined as will be appreciated from the explanation following. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a chafer strip  70  is formed by extrusion die  60  affixed to extruder  66  and deposited on roller  68 . The die  60  is formed having along a chafer forming opening  62  along a bottom side and a downward projection finger  64  projecting into the opening  62 .  FIG. 6  shows a sectioned view of the extruded chafer strip. As seen, the strip  70  widens in section from a low width or thinner end region  72  to a stepped wider or thicker region  74  to a wider or thicker opposite region  88 . The die finger  64  forms an incut, arching chafer channel or tube  80  extending the length of the chafer strip, defined by channel sidewalls  82 ,  84  and bottom wall  86 . The channel is open initially as shown at  90 . Representative dimensions as seen in  FIG. 6  are within a range of 25 to 100 mm; L 2 =13+/−10; L 3 =1+/−0.5; H 1 =5+/−4; and H 2 =4.5+/−4; however the chafer strip dimensions may be varied to suit the particular tire sizing needs and the tire construction characteristics desired. In addition, if so desired, the silicone strip  58  may be molded instead of extruded. 
     A flexible tire component, such as a chafer segment, is provided with a groove  80 , as best seen in section from  FIG. 6 , is defined by groove lips  82 ,  84  that angle inwardly from top to bottom to a bottom groove wall  86 . The groove  80 , formed within a axially outward thicker side  88  of the chafer strip is accordingly open at groove opening  90 . The groove  80  formed within the chafer is as a result angles axially outward from the opening  90  to the bottom wall  86  at an acute angle θ preferably within a range of −20 to +20 degrees. As shown in  FIGS. 7A through 7C , the silicone strip  58  can be enveloped within an outer sheath or covering  92  formed of rubber gum or other suitable material. The rubber gum strip  92  is folded over the strip  58  to form an overlap seam  94  to enclose the silicone strip  58  and thus forms therewith a sheathed silicone strip assembly  104 . The strip assembly  104 , as explained following, will be used to form peristaltic tube within a green tire during green tire construction. The general purpose of strip assembly  104  is to form within a green tire component, such as chafer  28 , a core air passageway which, once the strip assembly is removed, forms a peristaltic tube integrally within and enclosed by the tire component. The angled groove  80  is formed within the chafer strip as a slot, with the lips  82 ,  84  in a close opposed relationship. The groove  80  is then opened to receive the strip assembly  104  by an elastic spreading apart of groove lips  82 ,  84 . Thereafter, the assembly  104  is positioned downward into the groove  80  until reaching a position adjacent to the bottom wall  86 . A release of the lips  82 ,  84  causes the lips to elastic resume their close opposed original orientation. The lips  82 ,  84  are then stitched together in a rolling operation wherein a roller (not shown) presses the lips  82 ,  84  into the closed orientation shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8  and become entrapped within the chafer strip by a folding over the chafer strip over the top as seen in  FIG. 10C . The angle θ of the channel  80  with respect to a bottom surface of the chafer strip enables a complete capture of the silicone strip assembly  104  within the tire component, chafer  28 , entirely surrounded by the chafer strip material composition. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  10 A through  10 C and  7 A through  7 C, the channel  80  is destined to become the tube component to a peristaltic pump assembly within the tire chafer  70  and generally extends from chafer strip end  96  to end  98 . The chafer is cut at a given length depending on the pump length that is desired when the tire is cured. Formed within each end of the chafer by a punching operation or cutting operation are enlarged diameter circular holes  100 ,  102 . The holes  100 .  102  are adjacent the ends of the channel  80  and are sized to accommodate receipt of peristaltic pump inlet and outlet devices as will be explained. The lips  82 ,  84  of the chafer channel  80  are pulled apart. The wrapped silicone strip assembly  104  is inserted at direction arrow  110  into the channel  80  as shown in  FIGS. 10A through 10C  until adjacent and contacting the lower wall  86  of the channel  80 . Thereupon, the silicone strip assembly  104  is enclosed by the chafer by a folding over of the chafer lip flap  82  in direction  112 . The channel  80  is thus closed and subsequently stitched in the closed position by a pair of pressure contact rolls (not shown). So enclosed, the assembly  104  will preserve the geometry of the channel  80  from green tire build until after tire cure when the assembly  104  is removed. The silicone strip assembly  104  is dimensioned such that assembly ends  106 ,  108  extend free from the chafer strip  70  and the chafer strip channel  80 , and extend a distance beyond the punched holes  100 ,  102  at opposite ends of the chafer strip. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11A ,  11 B and  12 , a conventional green tire building station is depicted to include a build drum  116  rotational about an axial support  118 . The chafer strip  70  containing silicone strip assembly  104  and an opposite chafer strip  122  that does not incorporate a strip assembly  104  are positioned along opposite sides of the build drum  116  in direction  124  in an initial 180 degree chafer build-up. The chafer strip  70  is thus combined with a normal chafer strip  126  length to complete the circumference. The second strip  126  is applied to the building drum in alignment with and abutting strip  70  as shown in  FIG. 11B  to complete a 360 degree chafer construction on the drum. The opposite side of the drum receives two 180 degree normal strips  122  in abutment to complete the chafer build on that side. It will be noted that the chafer strip  70  contains the silicone strip assembly while the abutting strip  126  does not. However, if desired, both of the chafer strips  70 ,  126  as well as one or both of the strips  122  may be configured to contain a silicone strip assembly  104  to create a 360 degree peristaltic pump tube on one side or both sides of the green tire. For the purpose of explanation, the embodiment shown creates a pumping tube of 180 degree extent in one chafer component only. In  FIG. 11B , it will be noted that chafer strip  126  is configured to complement the construction of strip  70  shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Circular punch holes  100 ,  102  are at opposite ends of the complementary strip  126 . When abutted against the strip  70 , the punch holes  100 ,  102 , create 180 degree opposite cavities  132 ,  134  as seen in  FIGS. 13A and 13B . 
     The free end  106  for the purpose of explanation will hereafter be referred to as the “outlet end portion” of the silicone assembly  104  extending through the outlet cavity  134 ; and the free end  108  the “inlet end portion” of the assembly  104  extending through the circular inlet cavity  132 .  FIG. 12  illustrates the 180 degree extension of the silicone assembly  104  and  FIGS. 13A ,  13 B show the relative location of the assembly  104  to the lower tire bead and apex components.  FIG. 13A  shows the inlet cavity  132  and silicone core assembly  104  ready for placement of a temporary inlet core device and  FIG. 13B  shows the outlet cavity  134  ready for placement of a temporary outlet core device. 
       FIGS. 14A through 14D  show a first embodiment of a pre-cure, temporary outlet core assembly  136  with attached screw punch  138  and replacement nut  140 . The temporary outlet core assembly  136  includes mating bottom half-housing component  142  and a top half-housing component  144  connecting by means of a coupling screw  160 . The bottom half-housing component  142  has a dependent cylindrical screw threaded sleeve  146 ; an upper socket  148  extending downward into the component  142  and communicating with the upward facing opening of sleeve  146 ; and a half-protrusion  150  having an axial half-channel formed to extend across housing  142 . The top-half-housing component  144  has a central through bore  154 , a half-protrusion housing  156  and a half-channel formed to extend side to side across an underside of the housing  144 . United as shown in  FIGS. 14A and 14B , the two half-housing components  142 ,  144  are assembled by screw  160  threading bolt  162  down through the bore  154  and into the sleeve  146 . So assembled, the half-protrusion housings  150  and  156  unite as well as the half-channels  152 ,  158 . In the assembled state, as seen in  FIGS. 14A and 14B , the protrusion housings  150 ,  156  form an outwardly projecting conical tube-coupling protrusion  164  away from the combined housing halves  142 ,  144  and defining an axial air passageway channel  165  having a sectional shape and dimension corresponding with the silicone strip assembly  104  within chafer strip  126  of the tire. 
     The inwardly and outwardly threaded shaft  146  of the temporary outlet core assembly  136  receives and couples with an externally threaded shaft  168  of the screw punch accessory device  138 . As will be explained below, screw punch device  138  will in the course of peristaltic tube assembly formation be replaced with the threaded collar or nut  140  as shown in  FIG. 14B . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 15A through 15C , a metallic first embodiment of a pre-cure, temporary inlet core assembly  170  is shown forming a housing body  174  from which a conical coupling housing protrusion  172  extends. An axial air passageway through-channel  176  extends through the housing body  174  and the protrusion  172  having a sectional shape and dimension corresponding with the shape and dimensions of the silicone strip assembly  104  within the chafer strip  126  of the green tire. The housing body  175  is formed by a combination of half-housing  178 ,  180 , each providing a half-coupling protrusion  182 ,  194 , respectively in which a half-channel  184 ,  196  is formed, respectively. A central assembly socket  186  extends into the internal underside of half-body  178  and receives an upright post  188  from the lower half-body  180  to center and register the two half-bodies together. Three sockets  190  are formed within the lower half-body  180  with each socket receiving a magnetic insert  192 . The magnets  192  operate to secure the metallic half-housings  178 ,  180  together. 
     Referencing  FIGS. 16A and 16B , a threaded elbow and valve housing assembly  198  is shown for use as a permanent outlet core valve assembly. The housing assembly  198  is formed of a suitable material such as a nylon resin. The assembly  198  includes an elbow housing  200  having a conical remote end  202  and a cylindrical valve housing  2004  affixed to an opposite end. A one-way valve, such as a Lee valve, is housed within the valve housing  204 . An axial air passageway  2008  extends through the L-shaped assembly  198  and through the Lee valve seated in-line with the passageway. A Lee valve is a one-way valve which opens at a prescribed air pressure to allow air to pass and is commercially available from The Lee Company, located in Westbrook, Conn., U.S.A. Other valve devices may be employed alternatively, such as a Norgren valve commercially available from Norgren Nev., located in Lot, Belgium, or a Beswick valve commercially available from Beswick Engineering located in Greenland, N.H., U.S.A. 
       FIGS. 17A and 17B  show an alternative embodiment of an elbow connector and one-way post-cure outlet valve assembly  210 . An L-shaped elbow connector housing  212  has a conical forward arm end  214  and an axial passageway  216  that extends through the L-shaped housing  212 . An umbrella-type valve  218  of a type commercially available from MiniValve International located in Oldenzaal, The Netherlands, attaches to a threaded end of housing  212  by means of nut  220 . The valve  218  has a circumferential array of air passages  227  that allow the passing of air from the housing of the valve. The valve  218  includes an umbrella stop member  222  having a frustro-conical depending protrusion  224  that fits and locks within a valve central bore  226  and a flexible circular stop membrane  223 . The protrusion  224  of stop member  222  locks into the axial bore  226 . The flexible membrane  223  is in a closed or down position when air pressure on the membrane is at or greater than a prescribed pressure setting. In the down position, membrane  223  covers the apertures  227  of the valve body and prevents air from passing. The membrane  223  moves to an up or open position when the air pressure outside the membrane falls to a pressure less than the preset pressure setting. In the up or open position, air can flow from the apertures  227  into the tire cavity. 
       FIGS. 18A through 18D  represent sequential views showing the installation of the inlet core assembly embodiment of  FIGS. 15A through 15C  connecting into the green tire silicone strip assembly  104  after green tire build and prior to curing of the green tire. In  FIG. 18A , the bottom half housing component  180  is inserted into the inlet cavity  132  after the cavity  132  has been enlarged into generally a key shape as indicated by the scissor representation. The cutting implement opens the chafer strip groove, still occupied by silicone strip assembly  104 , to accommodate receipt of the conical half-protrusion  194  of half-housing  180 . The tapered end of conical half-protrusion  194  fits into the chafer channel occupied by strip assembly  104  as shown in  FIG. 18B , as the strip assembly  104  is position within the half-channel  196  across the housing  180 . The extra length of inlet end portion  108  is cut and removed, whereby positioning a terminal end of the strip assembly  104  within the housing component  180 . The upper, outer, top half-housing component  178  is thereupon assembled over the housing component  180 , as seen in  FIG. 18D , capturing the strip assembly  104  within the channel formed by upper and lower half-channels  184 ,  196 . The magnets  192  secure the metallic half-housings  178 ,  180  together. Rubber patches  228 ,  230  as seen in  FIG. 18D  are applied over the temporary inlet core assembly  170  to secure the assembly in place for the tire cure cycle. The hollow metallic housings  178 ,  180  are held together by the magnets. It will be appreciated that a non-metallic hollow housing may be employed if desired, such as a hollow housing made of molded plastic, with housing components held together by locking detent techniques known in the plastic casing art. 
       FIGS. 19A through 19I  show sequential assembly of the outlet core assembly embodiment of  FIGS. 14A through 14D  into the green tire outlet cavity  134  and to the outlet end portion  106  of the silicone strip assembly  104 . In  FIG. 19A , the bottom half-component  142  is inserted into the cavity  134  after the circular cavity  134  has been enlarged into a keyhole configuration to accommodate the geometry of the component  142 . The screw punch  138  is pushed through to protrude through tire wall into the tire cavity  20  from the cavity  134  as seen in  FIG. 19C .  FIG. 19B  shows the component  142  fully seated into the cavity  134 , the tapered conical half-protrusion  159  projecting into the chafer channel occupied by strip assembly  104  with the strip assembly  104  residing within half-channel  152 . In  FIGS. 19D and 19E , the screw punch  138  is removed and replaced by the nut  140  attached to the screw thread  146 . In  FIG. 19F , the outlet end portion  106  of silicone core strip  104  is cut to length at the outlet cavity  134  and placement of the outlet top half-housing  144  over the bottom half-housing  142  within cavity  134 . The screw  160  is threaded at  162  into socket  148  to affix both half-housings  142 ,  144  together as shown in  FIGS. 19G and 19H . A rubber patch  234  is affixed over the outlet core assembly  136  in place for tire cure. 
       FIGS. 20 ,  21 A,  21 B,  22 A and  22 B show the tire with the inlet and outlet temporary core assemblies in place before curing. As seen, the silicone core assembly  104  enclosed within a chafer component  28  of the green tire extends 180 degrees between the pre-cure outlet core assembly  136  and the pre-cure inlet core assembly  170 . An enlarged depiction of the inlet core location is shown in  FIG. 21B  from section view  FIG. 21A  and the outlet core location is shown enlarged in  FIG. 22B  from the section view of  FIG. 22A . The silicone core assembly  104  resides enclosed within the chafer channel and thereby preserves the structural integrity of the chafer channel through tire cure. The sectional configuration of the assembly  104 , as seen, is complementary to chafer channel in which it is encased surrounded by chafer composition, and thereby maintains the configuration of the chafer channel throughout tire cure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 23 , the post-cure removal of the half-housings  178 ,  180  from the inlet cavity  132  is shown. The cavity  132  is thus opened including a funnel-shaped cavity portion  233 .  FIGS. 24 and 25  show the nut  140  removed from the outlet core threaded shaft  146  to initiate a post-cure removal of the outlet core assembly  136 . The assembly components  142 ,  144  are removed from the outlet cavity  134 , leaving the cavity  134  including funnel-shaped adjacent cavity portion  237  open. Thereafter, as shown by  FIGS. 26 and 27 , the silicone core strip assembly  104  is removed from the tire chafer channel, whereby the chafer channel left by the vacated core strip assembly  104  becomes an elongate unobstructed 180 degree air passageway  238  from the inlet cavity  132  to the outlet cavity  134 , wholly integrated within the chafer component  28 .  FIG. 27  shows the post-cure insertion of permanent inlet cavity assembly  240  into the inlet cavity  132 . The assembly  240  includes a hollow casing  241  having an internal cavity (not shown) housing a porous air filter (not shown). The installed casing  241  replicates the configuration and shape of the hollow housing  170  described in reference to  FIG. 15A . A conical coupling protrusion  235  extends from the casing  241  and into the funnel cavity  233  off the inlet cavity  132 . The protrusion  235  has an internal air passageway which communicates with the cavity within casing  241 . An air inlet opening  239  is disposed within an outward face of the casing  241  to allow air to enter into the casing  241  and, from there, to the air passageway within protrusion  235 , and then into the integral chafer air passageway  238 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 28A ,  28 B and  28 C, the permanent outlet cavity insert assembly  198  in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 16A and 16B  is inserted post-cure into the outlet cavity  134 . The conical coupling protrusion  202  is seated within the funnel cavity  237  off the outlet cavity  134  while the L-shaped housing  200  seats within the cavity  134 . The threaded coupling end  242  of the assembly  198  depends from the cavity  134  and projects into the tire cavity as shown in  FIGS. 29A and 29B . Air flow along post-cure air passageway  238  toward the outlet assembly  198  is captured within the axial bore  208  and directed within the housing  200  to the threaded end  242 . As seen in  FIG. 28B , a plug  244  formed from rubber or a rubber composite or other suitable material, is inserted into the outlet cavity  134  to enclose the assembly  198  therein. 
     In  FIGS. 29A and 29B , a valve mechanism such as valve assembly  198  ( FIGS. 16A and 16B ), that attaches to the screw threaded end  342  of the post-cure outlet cavity insert assembly  198  from the tire cavity  20  side. The valve assembly  198  opens when the pressure inside the pump tube is greater than the pressure inside the cavity  20  (plus the valve cracking pressure). The L-shaped elbow assembly  198  directs air from the chafer air passageway  338 , through the axial passageway  208  of housing  200 , into the housing  204  of the valve mechanism. The conical seating between end  202  and the conical entryway  237  into passageway  338  ensures that that air from the chafer passageway  338  is effectively routed into the elbow valve assembly  198 . 
       FIGS. 30A through 30D  are views of an alternative, second embodiment of an inlet cavity insert assembly incorporating a dome nut  246 . The dome nut  246  has a rounded domed body  248 , a center cavity  250 , and internal coupling threads  252 . Extending through a side of the dome body  248  is an elongate through-slot  254  dimensioned to accommodate close receipt of the silicone strip assembly  104  therethrough. Through slot  254  can be either on the side for the inlet insert or on the crown for the outlet insert. The through-slot  254  communicates with the internal center cavity  250  of the dome nut  246 . Four spaced apart elongate indentations  256  are placed within an external surface of the domed body  248  to avoid rotation of the nut when screwing either the filter or the valve to the thread. 
       FIGS. 30E through 30H  are views showing a third embodiment of the inlet cavity insert assembly employing an alternative dome nut  270 . The dome nut  270  has a domed body  248 , center cavity  250 , and coupling threads  252 . A pair of gripping flanges  272  extend from opposite sides of the dome body  248 . In the alternative dome nut embodiment, the through-slot  254  is placed at the crown of the nut body as shown. Thus, through slot  254  can be either on the side for the inlet insert or on the crown for the outlet insert. The slot  254  in the  FIGS. 30E through 30H  is likewise dimensioned for close receipt of the silicone strip assembly  104 . 
       FIGS. 31A through 31C  show a filter assembly  258  which couples to the inlet dome nut of  FIGS. 30A through 30D  or the alternative inlet dome nut of  FIGS. 20E through 30H  to complete the alternative post-cure inlet cavity insert assembly. The filter assembly  258  includes a hex nut body  260  having an internal chamber  262  and an externally threaded coupling post  264 . The chamber  262  is sized to seat a porous filter member  266  therein. The body  260  has an opening  261  communicating with the chamber  262  to admit air into the body  260 , through the filter member  266  therein, and out of an axial passage  263  through post  264 . The post  264  threads into the dome nut  246  or  270 . 
       FIGS. 32A through 32D  show an embodiment of an outlet cavity insert assembly dome nut  268  in which the indentations  256  in the dome body are deployed as in the embodiment of inlet dome nut embodiment  FIGS. 30A through 30D  while the crown placement of slot  254  is similar to the inlet dome nut of  FIGS. 30E through 30H . The outlet dome nut  268  has an internal chamber  250 , coupling threads  252  and through-slot  254  sized to admit closely the silicone strip assembly  104 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 33A through 33C , a second embodiment of an outlet valve assembly  272  is shown. The valve assembly  272  is an alternative to the valve assembly  204 . Valve assembly  272  is a one-way ball valve including a hexagonal valve body  274 , a coupling nut  276 , an axial bore  278  extending through the body  274  to an outlet bore  290 , a compression spring  284  seated within body  274 , a threaded stop plug  282  coupled into threads  280  within bore  278 , and a ball valve  286  seated within the housing  274  at the shoulder separating the axial bore  278  with the outlet passage  290 . The housing  274  has an externally threaded coupling neck  288  at a forward end adapted to couple into the outlet dome nut shown in  FIGS. 32A and 32B  in a post-cure assembly procedure. A one-way ball valve of the type shown is commercially available, such as from Beswick Engineering located in Greenland, N.H., U.S.A. The ball valve  286  under bias from spring  284  seats against shoulder  227 . The compression pressure is set by threaded insertion of plug  282  into the axial bore  278 . Air pressure from the tire cavity impinges the ball  286  and forces the ball valve against shoulder  287  so long as the tire cavity pressure is at or exceeds a pressure threshold. When the pressure from the tire cavity falls below the threshold, upstream air pressure from air forced along air passageway  238  pressures on the ball  286 , forcing the ball  286  away from the shoulder  227  and allowing air to flow from passageway  290 , along the bore  278 , out of housing  274 , and into the tire cavity. 
       FIGS. 34A and 34B  show detail views of a dome nut cap  268  for use in the dome nut system. The cap  292  includes an axial through-passageway sized and configured for receipt of an end of silicone strip assembly  104 ; a threaded cylindrical body  296 , and a circular cap head  298 .  FIGS. 35A and 35B  show details of the hollow needle component or punch  300  for the dome nut system embodiment. The punch  300  includes a cylindrical body  402 , a conical punch nose portion  304 , a blind, rearwardly open axial bore  306 , and a coupling shank  308  having external threads  310 . 
       FIGS. 36A through 36B  show in sequence the deployment of the dome nut inlet cavity insert assembly into a pre-cure tire. The silicone strip assembly  104  of the green tire extends through the chafer passageway as previously described with a surplus assembly end portion  108  protruding from the inlet cavity  132 . The inlet dome nut embodiment of  FIG. 30A through 30D  is inverted and press inserted into the cavity  132  after free end portion  108  of the silicone strip assembly  104  is routed through the slot  254  of the dome nut  246  and free of the dome nut cavity  250 . A void around the inlet dome nut  248  is filled with a chafer compound  312 . The cap  292  threads into the inserted and seated dome nut  248  with free end portion  108  projected through the slit  294  of the cap  292  in anticipation of tire cure. 
       FIGS. 37A through 37F  show in sequence the deployment of the dome nut embodiment of the outlet cavity insert assembly into a tire. The outlet free end  106  of the silicone strip assembly  104  is inserted through the crown slit  254  of an inverted outlet dome nut  268  ( FIGS. 32A through 32D ) and routed into the axial bore  306  of the needle component  300 . The component  300  and dome nut  268  are then coupled ( FIG. 37B ) and inserted through the outlet cavity  134  as shown in  FIG. 37C , with the needle conical tip forcing through the inner side of the tire sidewall defining cavity  20 . The needle component  300  projects into the tire cavity  20  as shown. The needle component  300  is removed and replaced with the cap  292 , with the free end  106  of the strip assembly  104  extending through the cap slot as shown in  FIGS. 37D and 37E . From the outward side of the cavity  134 , a plug  314  composed of chafer material is inserted into the cavity  134  to fill the cavity for the cure procedure. 
       FIG. 38  shows a post-cure tire with the protective caps  292  being removed from both the inlet and outlet dome nuts  246 ,  268  respectively. The silicone strip assembly  104  is removed from the tire sidewall inlet cavity  132 , leaving the vacated air passageway  238  enclosed within the chafer tire component  28  and extending between the inlet and outlet cavities  132 ,  134 .  FIG. 39  shows the filter assembly  258  threaded into the inlet dome nut  246 . Air from outside of the tire accordingly follows a path through the filter  266 , the dome nut  246 , and into the air passageway  238 .  FIG. 40  shows the one-way valve assembly  272  previously described threaded onto the outlet dome nut  268  and positioned to reside and project into the tire cavity  20 .  FIG. 41  shows the post-cure second embodiment of the tire assembly with the chafer enclosed air passageway extending 180 degrees between the inlet cavity insert assembly  258  and the outlet cavity insert assembly  272 . 
       FIGS. 42A and 42B  show the location of the inlet dome nut  246  and filter assembly  258  within the chafer  28  at a lower region of sidewall  14 . At such a location, the inlet assembly is located radially above the rim flange  38  so that damage to the assembly from the rim flange is avoided.  FIGS. 43A and 43B  show the location of the outlet dome nut  268  and valve assembly  272  connected and located within the chafer  28  at a lower region of sidewall  14 , radially above rim flange  38 . 
       FIG. 44  shows the air maintenance assembly  42  in the post-cure tire  12  in operation and rolling against the ground surface  316 . The air maintenance assembly  42  represents a peristaltic air pump system in which a compressible air passageway  238  progressively pumps air along the passageway from the inlet to the outlet and there to the tire cavity as required to maintain internal tire cavity pressure at a required level. As will be appreciated from  FIG. 44 , the inlet assembly  258  and the outlet assembly  272  are positioned generally 180 degrees apart, separated by the internal chafer air passageway  238 . The tire rotates in a direction of rotation indicated, causing a footprint to be formed against the ground surface  316 . A compressive force  318  is directed into the tire from the footprint and acts to flatten a segment of the air passageway  238  opposite the footprint as shown at  320 . Flattening of the segment of the passageway  238  forces air from the segment along internal passageway  238  in the direction  322 , toward the outlet assembly  272 . 
     As the tire continues to rotate in the direction indicated along the ground surface  316 , the air passageway  238  within the chafer component will be sequentially flattened or squeezed opposite the tire footprint segment by segment in direction  322  opposite to the direction of tire rotation. The sequential flattening of the air passageway  238  segment by segment causes evacuated air from the flattened segments to be pumped to the outlet assembly  272 . When the air flow pressure is sufficient against the outlet valving mechanism, whether embodied as the ball valve ( FIGS. 33A ,  33 B,  33 C), the membrane valve ( FIGS. 17A ,  17 B), the Lee valve ( FIGS. 16A ,  16 B) or other known substitute valving mechanisms, the valve will open and allow air to flow through the outlet assembly  272  to the tire cavity  20 . Air exiting the outlet assembly  272  is routed to the tire cavity  20  and serves to re-inflate the tire to a desired pressure level. 
     With the tire rotating in direction  322 , flattened tube segments are sequentially refilled by air flowing into the filtered inlet assembly  258  along the passageway  238 . The inflow of air from the inlet assembly  258  continues until the outlet assembly  272  passes the tire footprint. When the tire rotates further, the inlet assembly  258  will eventually pass the tire footprint against ground surface  316 , and airflow resumes to the outlet assembly  272  along the passageway 
     The above-described cycle is then repeated for each tire revolution, half of each rotation resulting in pumped air going to the tire cavity and half of the rotation the pumped air is directed back out the inlet assembly filter. It will be appreciated that while the direction of rotation is indicated, the subject tire assembly and its peristaltic pump assembly  42  will function in like manner in a (clockwise) reverse direction of rotation. The peristaltic pump is accordingly bi-directional and equally functional with the tire assembly moving in a forward or a reverse direction of rotation. 
     The location of the peristaltic pump, air maintenance assembly  42  will be understood from  FIGS. 42A ,  42 B,  43 A,  43 B and  44 . In the chafer component, the air passageway  238  is in a high flex region of the tire which causes a requisite flattening pressure from the tire rolling against ground surface  316  to be applied to passageway  238 . The air maintenance passageway  238  is integrated into and enclosed by the chafer tire component to prevent air leakage that would otherwise degradate the operational efficiency of the pump. Other tire components having high-flex regions may alternatively employed for location of the air maintenance assembly  42  if so desired. For example, without intent to delimit such alternative components and locations, the assembly  42  may be incorporated at a more radially outward location in the tire sidewall  14 . The passageway  238  would, in similar manner to that described previously, be deployed within a sidewall ply component during green tire build. 
     Pursuant to the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a method of constructing a tire having an associate air maintenance pumping assembly results. The method includes: constructing an elongate strip core  58 ; encasing the strip core  58  into a containment within an uncured flexible tire component (preferably but not necessarily chafer strip  70 ), the strip core extending between an air inlet cavity or cavity  132  and an air outlet cavity or cavity  134  in the flexible tire component; building on a tire building drum  116  a green tire carcass from tire components including the flexible tire component and encased strip core; curing the green tire carcass into a cured finished tire  10  including the flexible tire component  170  containing the strip core  58 ; removing the encased strip core  58  from the cured flexible tire component to leave within the flexible tire component a substantially unobstructed air passageway  238 ; and inserting a post-cure air inlet assembly  240  or  258  or  272  into the air inlet cavity  132  and a post-cure air inlet assembly  198  or  210  into the air outlet cavity  134 . 
     It will further be appreciated in the preferred method that the strip core  58  (or  104  as encased by rubber gum strip  92 ) is longitudinally removed by a free end from the cured flexible tire component, chafer strip  70 , generally tangential to the tire carcass, by means of drawing on the free end  108  of the strip core and extending the air outlet assembly  198 ,  210  inward through a tire sidewall by means of utilization of punch  138  into communication with the tire cavity  20 . 
     The preferred method further includes inserting a pre-cure temporary air inlet assembly  170  into the air inlet cavity  132  prior to curing the green tire carcass; and inserting a temporary air outlet assembly  136  into the air outlet cavity  134  prior to curing the green tire carcass; and removing the temporary air inlet assembly  170  and the temporary air outlet assembly  136  after curing the green tire carcass, to be replaced by the permanent post-cure inlet assembly ( 240  or  258  or  272 ) and post-cure permanent outlet assembly. The temporary inserts at the inlet and outlet positions serve to keep the cavities  132 ,  134  open during tire cure for eventual post-cure insertion of the permanent inlet and outlet cavity assemblies. 
     The method also includes encasing the strip core into a containment within the uncured flexible tire component by forming, preferably by an extrusion, a channel or tube  80  into the uncured flexible tire component (chafer strip  70 ) defined by channel sidewalls  82 ,  84  and a channel bottom wall  86 ; inserting the strip core  104  into the channel; and collapsing a flexible channel sidewall or flap  114  to enclose the sidewall  82  over the strip core  104 . The uncured flexible tire component is preferably a tire chafer component but other alternative tire components may be substituted so long as the tire components exhibit sufficiently high flexure during tire rotation to progressively collapse the air passageway  238  in a rolling tire footprint. 
     It will further be appreciated that the temporary cavity insert assemblies at the inlet and outlet cavities  132 ,  134  provide a connector system that is flexible and multi-purpose. In the air maintenance tire and connector system thus provided, the elongate integral air passageway formed by the silicone strip assembly  104  at the pre-cure tire build stage, and by the vacated air passageway  238  post-removal of the assembly  104  in a post-cure procedure. The connector assembly represented by the connectors in  FIGS. 14A through 14D  (outlet core assembly  136 ) and in  FIGS. 15A through 15C  (inlet core assembly  170 ) each include a hollow body having a central chamber, a protruding coupling funnel housing end extending from the hollow body to couple into the air passageway, and a through-channel extending through the funnel housing end to the central chamber. The connector assembly further provides, in the outlet core assembly  136 , a dependant coupling post  146  extending from the hollow body. The coupling post  146  an axial length sufficient to project inward from the cavity  134  through a tire wall thickness to the tire central cavity  20 . The axial air conducting through-bore extends through the coupling post  146  from the hollow housing central cavity  148  to a remote end of the coupling post positioned within the tire central cavity  20 . The remote end of the coupling post  146  is operative for sequential alternative attachment to: the punch device  138  for penetrating through the tire wall thickness to the tire central cavity  20  in post-tire build, pre-tire cure procedure in which the assembly  136  is inserted into its cavity  134 ; a capping nut  140  attaching to the remote end of the coupling post  146  operative to enclose the axial post through-bore throughout the tire curing procedure; and a valve device attaching post-curing of the tire to the remote end of the coupling post, the valve device such as at numeral  204  operative to regulate air flow between the hollow housing into the tire cavity. 
     The connector system described and shown in the dome nut embodiment of  FIGS. 30A through 30G ,  31 A through  31 C,  32 A through  32 D and  33  through  44  (inclusive) includes a hollow dome-shaped nut body  246 ,  268 ,  270  having a central chamber  250  within the nut body opening to an outward body side; and a through-channel  254  extending through the nut body operative to conduct air flow communication between the integral air passageway  238  within the chafer  28  (or other flexible tire component selected) and the central chamber  250  of the nut body. A hollow dome-shaped inlet nut  246 ,  270  is seated within the inlet cavity  132  and a hollow dome-shaped outlet nut  268  within the outlet cavity  134 , with the outlet and inlet nuts oriented within respective cavities to face in opposite directions. The inlet nut  268  or  270  couples to air inlet filter device  258  (an air inlet device) for conducting air external to the tire carcass into the inlet nut central chamber  250 ; and the outlet nut  268  couples to outlet valve assembly  272  (a valve device) positioned within the tire cavity  20 . The valve device  272  is operative to regulate a flow of air from the outlet dome nut body  248  to the tire cavity  20 . 
     It will further be noted that the connector and tire assembly utilizes and includes the removable elongate silicone strip assembly  104  to form the air passageway  238  during a pre-cure build of the tire carcass as described. As explained, the strip assembly is withdrawn post-cure from the air passageway  238  of the tire carcass. The through-channel  254  in the nut bodies of the inlet nut and the outlet nut have a cross-sectional configuration to closely admit a respective opposite free end  106 ,  108  of the core strip therethrough. The through-channel  254  in the nut bodies may be alternatively located at the crown apex region or in a sidewall location. 
     The chafer component strip  70 , as will be appreciated from  FIGS. 6 through 11  inclusive, represents a flexible tire component strip forming a portion of the tire carcass  12 . The tire component strip in the form of chafer strip  70  provides the channel  90  within an upper surface defined by opposed strip lip portions  82 ,  84  and a channel bottom wall  86 ; the air passageway  238  formed within the flexible chafer tire component  70  extending between the air inlet cavity  132  and the air outlet  134  cavity in at least a partial circumferential, and preferably a 180 degree, path around the tire carcass  12 . The elongate passageway-shaping strip assembly  104  occupies and forms the air passageway  238  of the flexible chafer tire component  70  during green tire build and tire cure. The passageway-shaping, silicone strip assembly  104  is operative to form and maintain the air passageway  238  to a desired cross-sectional configuration which replicates the cross-sectional configuration of the silicone strip assembly  104 . 
     The passageway-shaping, silicone strip assembly  104  is removable from the air passageway  238  in a post-cure procedure. The free end portions  106 .  108  are accessible at the air inlet and air outlet cavities, respectively, whereby the silicone strip assembly  104  may be removed by an axial withdrawal force application to the free end portion  106  or  108  of the silicone strip assembly  104 . 
     It will be noted in  FIGS. 5 and 10A  through  10 C, that the passageway-shaping strip assembly  104  has a generally elliptical cross-sectional configuration and is configured having a silicone core  58  encased by a sheath  92  composed of a release material such as a rubber composition. The flexible chafer tire component  70  increases side-to side (the axial direction in the tire carcass  12 ) in sectional thickness from the radially outward region  72  to the radially inward region  88 . The channel  90  which becomes air passageway  238  resides within the radially inward, thicker region  88 . The channel  90  is formed to extend into region  88 , angling radially inward toward the radially outward region  72  as seen in  FIGS. 10A through 10C  at an angle θ within a preferred range −20 to +20 degrees. 
     With reference to  FIG. 26 , the preferred method of extracting the elongate strip assembly  104  from the air passageway defined by the assembly  104  occurs in a post-cure procedure. The assembly  104  is extracted longitudinally from occupancy within the flexible tire component (chafer  28 ), whereby defining the air passageway in  238  within the chafer component by the space previously occupied by the elongate strip assembly  104 . The elongate strip free end portion  108  is accessible at the air inlet cavity  132  and the free end portion  106  at the air outlet cavity  134 . The elongate strip assembly  104  is moved and extracted tangentially end to end relative to the tire carcass from the air inlet cavity  132  by a withdrawal force applied to the elongate strip free end  108 . Alternatively, the assembly  104  may be extracted from the outlet opening  134  by means of free end  106 . Application of the withdrawal force may be in the form of a tensile force applied to the free end portion  108  of the elongate strip assembly  104  alone or in conjunction with other extraction techniques. For example, without restriction intended, an extraction pneumatic system may be deployed to push the assembly  104  from the chafer channel. As will be understood, a pneumatic system (not shown) of known type may consist of an air blow gun on to which a nozzle is attached. The nozzle may be configured to thread into the outlet dome nut  268  ( FIGS. 32A through 32D ) cured into the outlet cavity  134 . The gun delivers a volume of pressurized air into the passageway  238 , forcing the silicone strip assembly  104  tangential to the tire carcass and out the inlet cavity  132 . A lubricant such as a mixture of water and detergent may be injected along the silicone strip assembly to assist in achieving its extraction. Once the silicone strip  104  is withdrawn, an air inlet device as explained is inserted into the air inlet cavity  132  and an air outlet device into the air outlet cavity  134  in air flow communication with opposite ends of the defined air passageway  238 . 
     Variations in the present invention are possible in light of the description of it provided herein. While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the subject invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the subject invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that changes can be made in the particular embodiments described which will be within the full intended scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.