Patent ID: 8186404

Claim:
A medallion assembly for a pneumatic tire comprising: a protruding portion integrally formed with a sidewall of the tire and extending away from the sidewall of the tire, the protruding portion having an annular tapered outer surface; a fastener having an annular tapered inner surface and an annular outer surface, the annular tapered inner surface engaging the annular tapered outer surface of the protruding portion; and a medallion having an annular inner surface for engaging the annular outer surface of the fastener such that the medallion is secured to the fastener and both the medallion and the fastener are secured to the protruding portion of the sidewall of the tire, the annular tapered outer surface of the protruding portion having a diameter that increases as the protruding portion extends away from the sidewall of the tire, the annular tapered inner surface of the fastener having a diameter that increases as the fastener extends away from the sidewall of the tire, the annular tapered outer surface of the protruding portion and the annular tapered inner surface of the fastener forming an interference fit, the annular outer surface of the fastener comprising a first tapered annular outer surface and a second tapered annular outer surface, and a diameter of the first tapered annular outer surface increasing as the fastener extends away from the sidewall of the tire and a diameter of the second tapered annular outer surface decreasing as the fastener extends away from the sidewall of the tire.