Note : Les revendications sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS
FOLLOWS:
1. A balancing media for balancing a tire comprising a solid particulate
material spherical in shape having a mesh size in the range of 10-50.
2. The balancing media of claim 1 wherein the solid particulate material is
selected from the group consisting of glass, ceramics, alumina, corderite,
porcelain, titanates, and mixtures thereof.
3. The balancing media of claims 1 or 2 wherein the solid particulate
material has a density in the range of 2-5 gr/cm3.
4. The balancing media of claim 1 wherein the solid particulate material
comprises glass beads of lead-free soda lime glass.
5. The balancing media of claim 4 wherein the glass beads have a density
in the range of 2-3 gr/cm3.
6. The balancing media of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, further comprising metallic
micro-spheres having a density greater than the solid particulate material and
a
size smaller than the solid particulate material.
7. A balancing media for balancing a tire that can be poured into a valve
stem of the tire comprising balancing beads selected from the group consisting
of glass, ceramics, alumina, corderite, porcelain, titanates, and mixtures
thereof.
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8. The balancing media of claim 7 wherein the balancing beads are of a
substantially rounded shape.
9. The balancing media of claim 7 wherein the balancing beads are
substantially spherical in shape.
10. The balancing media of claims 7, 8 or 9 wherein the balancing beads
have a mesh size in the range of 10-50.
11. The balancing media of claims 7, 8, 9 or 10, wherein the balancing beads
have a density in the range of 2-5 gr/cm3.
12. The balancing media of claims 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11, further comprising
metallic micro-spheres having a density greater than the balancing beads and a
size smaller than the balancing beads.
13. The balancing media of claims 6 or 12 wherein the metallic micro-
spheres are formed of atomized metallic particles.
14. The balancing media of claims 6, 12 or 13 wherein the metallic micro-
spheres are selected from the group consisting of bronze, brass, zinc, tin,
copper, stainless steel, nickel, silver, and alloys thereof.
15. The balancing media of claims 6, 12, 13 or 14, wherein the metallic
micro-spheres have a density in the range of 5-9 gr/cm3.
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16. The balancing media of claims 6, 12, 13, 14 or 15, wherein the metallic
micro-spheres have a mesh size in the range of 80-325.
17. The balancing media of any one of the above claims further comprising
a partitioning agent.
18. The balancing media of claim 17 wherein the partitioning agent is a
monoclinic non-reactive crystalline mineral.
19. The balancing media of claim 17 wherein the partitioning agent is mica.
20. The balancing media of claim 17 wherein the partitioning agent is
silicone.
21. The balancing media of claim 17 wherein the partitioning agent is
Teflon R.
22. The balancing media of claim 17 wherein the partitioning agent is
vermiculite.
23. The balancing media of claim 22 wherein the partitioning agent has a
density in the range of 2-3 gr/cm3.
24. The balancing media of claims 22 or 23 wherein the partitioning agent
has a mesh size in the range of 20-325.
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25. The balancing media of any one of the above claims further comprising
a desiccant.
26. The balancing media of claim 25 wherein the desiccant is silica gel.
27. The balancing media of claim 26 wherein the desiccant has a mesh size in
the range of 20-40.
28. A mixture for balancing a tire comprising: a first portion in a range of
15% to 30% by weight of the mixture of first beads of atomized metallic
particles having a specific gravity in the range 5-9 gr/cm3 and a mesh size in
the range of 80-325; and a second portion in a range of 70% to 85% by weight
of the mixture of second beads selected from the group consisting of glass,
ceramics, alumina, corderite, porcelain, and titanates having a specific
gravity
in the range of 2-5 gr/cm3 and a mesh size in the range of 10-50.
29. A mixture for balancing a tire comprising: a first portion in a range of
10% to 30% by weight of the mixture of first beads of atomized metallic
particles having a specific gravity in the range 5-9 gr/cm3 and a mesh size in
the range of 80-325; and a second portion in a range of 60% to 80% by weight
of the mixture of second beads selected from the group consisting of glass,
ceramics, alumina, corderite, porcelain and titanates having a specific
gravity in
the range of 2-5 gr/cm3 and a mesh size in the range of 10-50; and having a
third portion in the range of 5% to 15% by weight of the mixture of a
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partitioning and lubricating particulate material having a specific gravity in
the
range of 2-3 gr/cm3 and a mesh size in the range of 20-325.
30. A mixture for balancing a tire comprising: a first portion in a range of
10% to 30% by weight of the mixture of first beads of atomized metallic
particles having a specific gravity in the range 5-9 gr/cm3 and a mesh size in
the range of 80-325; and a second portion in a range of 60% to 80% by weight
of the mixture of second beads selected from the group consisting of glass,
alumina, corderite, porcelain, and titanates having a specific gravity of 2-5
gr/cm3 and a mesh size in the range of 10-50; and having a third portion in
the
range of 5% to 15% by weight of the mixture of a partitioning and lubricating
particulate material having a specific gravity in the range of 2-3 gr/cm3 and
a
mesh size in the range of 20-325; and having a fourth portion in the range of
1% to 5% by weight of the mixture of a desiccating particulate matter of a
mesh
size in the range of 20-40.
31. A mixture for balancing a tire comprising: a first portion in a range of
15% to 30% by weight of the mixture of first beads of atomized metallic micro-
spheres having a specific gravity in the range 5-9 gr/cm3 and a mesh size in
the range of 80-325; and a second portion in a range of 70% to 85% of the
mixture of second beads of glass having a specific gravity of 2-5 gr/cm3 and a
mesh size in the range of 10-50.
32. A mixture for balancing a tire comprising: a first portion in a range of
10% to 30% by weight of the mixture of first beads of atomized metallic micro-
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spheres having a specific gravity in the range 5-9 gr/cm3 and a mesh size in
the range of 80-325; and a second portion in a range of 60% to 80% by weight
of the mixture of second beads of glass having a specific gravity of 2-5
gr/cm3
and a mesh size in the range of 10-50; and having a third portion in the range
of 5% to 15% by weight of the mixture of vermiculite having a specific gravity
in the range of 2-3 gr/cm3 and a mesh size in the range of 20-325.
33. A mixture for balancing a tire comprising: a first portion in a range of
10% to 30% by weight of the mixture of first beads of atomized metallic micro-
spheres having a specific gravity in the range 5-9 gr/cm3 and a mesh size in
the range of 80-325; and a second portion in a range of 60% to 80% by weight
of the mixture of second beads of glass having a specific gravity of 2-5
gr/cm3
and a mesh size in the range of 10-50; and having a third portion in the range
of 5% to 15% by weight of the mixture of vermiculite having a specific gravity
in the range of 2-3 gr/cm3 and a mesh size in the range of 20-325; and having
a fourth portion in the range of 1% to 5% by weight of the mixture of silica
gel
of a mesh size in the range of 20-40.
34. A mixture for balancing a truck tire comprising, by weight: atomized
metallic micro-spheres in the range from 15% to 20% of the mixture having a
specific gravity in the range of 5-9 gr/cm3 and having a mesh size in the
range
of 80-325; glass spheres in the range of 65% to 75% of the mixture having a
specific gravity of 2-5 gr/cm3 and a mesh size in the range of 10-50;
vermiculite in the range of 7% to 12% of the mixture and having a mesh size of
20-325 and a specific gravity of 2-3 gr/cm3; and silica gel in the range of 2%
to
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4% of the mixture having a mesh size in the range of 20-40.
35. A mixture for balancing a truck tire comprising, by weight: 17%
atomized metal selected from the group consisting of brass, bronze and zinc
having a specific gravity in the range of 5-9 gr/cm3 and having a mesh size in
the range of 80-325, 70%; glass beads of lead-free soda lime glass having a
specific gravity in the range of 2-5 gr/cm3 and having a mesh size in the
range
of 10-50; 10% vermiculite having a specific gravity in the range of 2-3 gr/cm3
and having a mesh size in the range of 20-325; and 3% silica gel having a mesh
size in the range of 20-40.
36. A mixture for balancing an automobile tire comprising: atomized
metallic micro-spheres in the range of 20% to 30% of the mixture by weight
having a specific gravity in the range of 5-9 gr/cm3 and having a mesh size in
the range of 80-325; glass beads in the range of 60% to 70% having a specific
gravity in the range of 2-5 gr/cm3 and having a mesh size in the range of
10-50; vermiculite in the range of 5% to 12% having a specific gravity in the
range of 2-3 gr/cm3 and having a mesh size in the range of 20-325; and silica
gel in the range of 1% to 3% having a mesh size in the range of 20-40.
37. A mixture for balancing an automobile tire comprising by weight: 24%
of atomized metallic micro-spheres selected from the group consisting of
brass,
bronze and zinc having a specific gravity in the range of 5-9 gr/cm3 and
having a mesh size in the range of 80-325; 65% of glass beads of lead-free
soda
lime glass having a specific gravity of 2-5 gr/cm3 and a mesh size in the
range
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of 10-50; 9% of vermiculite having a specific gravity in the range of 2-3
gr/cm3
and having a mesh size in the range of 20-325; and 2% of silica gel having a
mesh size in the range of 20-40.
38. A method for balancing a tire rim assembly during rotation comprising
the steps of:
providing a tire rim assembly having a hollow tire casing surrounding
the space about the rim defining an interior space and having a point of
imbalance when the interior of the tire is pressurized with air;
adding a balancing media comprising solid spherically shaped
particulate material into the interior of the tire casing before or during
pressurization with air, the balancing media having a size of about 10-50
mesh;
and
rotating the tire rim assembly to distribute the balancing media within
the tire casing to offset the point of imbalance.
39. A method for continuous self balancing of a tire rim assembly during
rotation comprising the steps of:
providing a tire rim assembly having a hollow tire casing surrounding
the space about the rim defining an interior space and having a point of
imbalance when the interior of the tire is pressurized with air;
adding a balancing media comprising solid spherically shaped
particulate material into the interior of the tire casing before or during
pressurization with air, the balancing media having a size of about 10-50
mesh;
rotating the tire rim assembly to distribute the balancing media within
the tire casing; and
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continuously self-balancing the tire rim assembly by rotating the
pressurized tire rim assembly and distributing the balancing media within the
tire casing so that a thicker portion of the balancing media lies opposite the
point of imbalance.
40. The method according to claims 38 or 39 wherein the solid particulate
material has a density of about 2-5 gr/cm3.
41. The method according to claims 38, 39 or 40, wherein the solid
particulate material is selected from the group consisting of glass, ceramics,
alumina, corderite, porcelain, titanates, and mixtures thereof.
42. The method according to claims 38, 39 or 40 wherein the solid
particulate material comprises glass beads.
43. The method according to any one of claims 38 to 42 wherein the
balancing media further comprises metallic micro-spheres having a density
greater than the solid particulate material and a size smaller than the solid
particulate material.
44. A method for balancing a tire rim assembly during rotation comprising,
the steps of:
providing a tire rim assembly having a hollow tire casing surrounding
the space about the rim defining an interior space and having a point of
imbalance when the interior of the tire is pressurized with air;
adding a balancing media comprising balancing beads selected from the
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group consisting of glass, ceramics, alumina, corderite, porcelain, titanates,
and
mixtures thereof, into the interior of the tire casing before or during
pressurization with air; and
rotating the tire rim assembly to distribute the balancing media within
the tire casing to offset the point of imbalance.
45. A method for continuous self balancing of a tire rim assembly during
rotation comprising, the steps of:
providing a tire rim assembly having a hollow tire casing surrounding
the space about the rim defining an interior space and having a point of
imbalance when the interior of the tire is pressurized with air;
adding a balancing media comprising balancing beads selected from the
group consisting of glass, ceramics, alumina, corderite, porcelain, titanates,
and
mixtures thereof, into the interior of the tire casing before or during
pressurization with air;
rotating the tire rim assembly to distribute the balancing media within
the tire casing; and
continuously self-balancing the tire rim assembly by rotating the
pressurized tire rim assembly and distributing the balancing media within the
tire casing so that a thicker portion of the balancing media lies opposite the
point of imbalance.
46. The method according to claims 44 or 45 wherein the balancing beads
are of a substantially rounded shape.
47. The method according to claims 44 or 45 wherein the balancing beads
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are substantially spherical in shape.
48. The method according to claims 44, 45, 46 or 47 wherein the balancing
beads have a mesh size in the range of 10-50.
49. The method according to claims 44, 45, 46, 47 or 48, wherein the
balancing beads have a density in the range of 2-5 gr/cm3.
50. The method according to any one of claims 44 to 49 wherein the
balancing media further comprises metallic micro-spheres having a density
greater than the balancing beads and a size smaller than the balancing beads.
51. The method according to claims 43 or 50 wherein the metallic micro-
spheres are formed of atomized metallic particles.
52. The method according to claims 43 or 50 wherein the metallic micro-
spheres are selected from the group consisting of bronze, brass, zinc, tin,
copper, stainless steel, nickel, silver, and alloys thereof.
53. The method according to claims 43, 50, 51 or 52, wherein the metallic
micro-spheres have a density in the range of 5-9 gr/cm3.
54. The method according to claims 43, 50, 51, 52 or 53, wherein the metallic
micro-spheres have a mesh size in the range of 80-325.
55. The method according to any one of claims 38 to 54 wherein the
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balancing media further comprises a partitioning agent.
56. The method according to claim 55 wherein the partitioning agent is a
monoclinic non-reactive crystalline mineral.
57. The method according to claim 55 wherein the partitioning agent is
mica.
58. The method according to claim 55 wherein the partitioning agent is
silicone.
59. The method according to claim 55 wherein the partitioning agent is
Teflon®.
60. The method according to claim 55 wherein the partitioning agent is
vermiculite.
61. The method according to claim 60 wherein the partitioning agent has a
density in the range of 2-3 gr/cm3.
62. The method according to claims 60 or 61 wherein the partitioning agent
has a mesh size in the range of 20-325.
63. The method according to any one of claims 38 to 62 wherein the
balancing media further comprises a desiccant.
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64. The method according to claim 63 wherein the desiccant is silica gel.
65. The method according to claim 64 wherein the desiccant has a mesh size
in the range of 20-40.
66. The method according to any one of claims 38 to 65 wherein the
balancing media is added during pressurization of the tire rim assembly.
67. The method according to any one of claims 38 to 65 wherein the
balancing media is added during the assembly of the tire and the rim.
68. A method for balancing a tire rim assembly comprising the steps of:
providing a tire rim assembly having a hollow tire casing surrounding a
space about the rim, said space to be filled and pressurized with air;
pouring a mixture into the interior of the tire casing, said mixture
comprising a first weight portion of first beads atomized metallic micro-
spheres having a first density and a first size and a second weight portion of
second beads of glass having a second density and a second size wherein said
first weight portion is less than said second weight portion, said first
density is
greater than said second density and said first size is smaller than said
second
size; and
rotating the tire rim assembly to distribute the material within the tire
casing to offset forces of imbalance.
69. The method of claim 68 in which the first portion is in a range of 10% to
30% by weight, the second portion is in a range of 60% to 80% by weight and
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where the mixture includes a third portion in the range of 5% to 15% by weight
of a mixture of vermiculite having a specific gravity in the range of 2-3
gr/cm3
and a mesh size in the range of 20-325
70. The method of claim 68 in which the first is in a range of 10% to 30% by
weight, the second portion in a range of 60% to 80% by weight and where the
mixture includes a third portion in the range of 5% and 15% by weight of the
mixture of vermiculite having a specific gravity in the range of 2-3 gr/cm3
and
a mesh size in the range of 20-325 and a fourth portion in the range of 1% to
5% by weight of the mixture of silica gel of a mesh size in the range of 20-
40.
71. The method of claim 68 in which the tire casing is a truck tire where the
atomized metallic micro-spheres are in the range from 15% to 20% by weight
of the mixture, the glass beads are in the range of 65% to 75% of the mixture,
and where the mixture also includes vermiculite in the range of 7% to 12% by
weight of the mixture and silica get in the range of 2% to 4% by weight of the
mixture.
72. The method of claim 68 in which the tire casing is a truck tire where the
atomized metallic micro-spheres comprise 17% by weight and are composed of
metal selected from the group consisting of brass, bonze and zinc, the glass
beads comprise 70% by weight of lead-free soda lime glass, and further
characterized in that the mixture contains 10% by weight of vermiculite and 3%
by weight of silica gel.
73. The method of claim 68 in which the tire casing is an automobile tire and
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the atomized metallic micro-spheres are in the range of 20% to 30% of the
mixture by weight, the glass beads are in the range of 60% to 70% by weight
and the mixture also contains vermiculite in the range of 5% to 12% by weight
and silica gel in the range of 1% to 3% by weight.
74. The method of claim 68 in which the tire casing is an automobile tire and
the atomized metallic micro-spheres comprise 24% by weight and are
composed of metal selected from the group consisting of brass, bronze and
zinc, the glass beads comprise 65% by weight of lead-free soda lime glass and
further characterized in that the mixture contains 9% by weight vermiculite
and 2% by weight silica gel.
75. A method for balancing a tire rim assembly comprising the steps of:
providing a tire rim assembly having a hollow tire casing surrounding a
space about the rim, said space to be filled and pressurized with air;
pouring a mixture into the interior of the tire casing, said mixture
comprising a first portion in the range of 15% to 30% by weight of the mixture
of first beads of atomized metallic micro-spheres having a specific gravity in
the range of 5-9 gr/cm3 and a mesh size in the range of 80-325; and a second
portion in a range of 70% to 85% by weight of the mixture of second beads of
glass having a specific gravity of 2-5 gr/cm3 and a mesh size in the range of
10-50; and
rotating the tire rim assembly to distribute the material with the tire
casing to offset forces of imbalance.
76. A system for maintaining a rotating tire rim assembly in balance
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comprising:
a tire rim assembly having a hollow tire casing surrounding a space
about the rim and having a point of imbalance when said space is pressurized
with air; and
a balancing media located in the interior of the tire casing, wherein the
balancing media is a solid spherically shaped particulate material, the
balancing
media having a size of about 10-50 mesh, so that when the tire rim assembly is
rotated the balancing media is distributed within the tire casing so that a
thicker portion of the balancing media lies opposite the point of imbalance.
77. The system according to claim 76 wherein the solid particulate material
has a density of about 2-5 gr/cm3.
78. The system according to claims 76 or 77, wherein the solid particulate
material is selected from the group consisting of glass, ceramics, alumina,
corderite, porcelain, titanates, and mixtures thereof.
79. The system according to claims 76 or 77 wherein the solid particulate
material comprises glass beads.
80. The system according to any one of claims 76 to 79 wherein the
balancing media further comprising metallic micro-spheres having a density
greater than the solid particulate material and a size smaller than the solid
particulate material.
81. A system for maintaining a rotating tire rim assembly in balance
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comprising:
a tire rim assembly having a hollow tire casing surrounding a space
about the rim and having a point of imbalance when said space is pressurized
with air; and
a balancing media located in the interior of the tire casing, wherein the
balancing media comprises balancing beads selected from the group consisting
of glass, ceramics, alumina, corderite, porcelain, titanates, and mixtures
thereof,
so that when the tire rim assembly is rotated the balancing media is
distributed
within the tire casing so that a thicker portion of the balancing media lies
opposite the point of imbalance.
82. The system according to claim 81 wherein the balancing beads are of a
substantially rounded shape.
83. The system according to claim 81 wherein the balancing beads are
substantially spherical in shape.
84. The system according to claims 81, 82 or 83 wherein the balancing beads
have a mesh size in the range of 10-50.
85. The system according to claims 81, 82, 83 or 84, wherein the balancing
beads have a density in the range of 2-5 gr/cm3.
86. The system according to any one of claims 81 to 85 wherein the
balancing media further comprises metallic micro-spheres having a density
greater than the balancing beads and a size smaller than the balancing beads.
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87. The system according to claims 80 or 86 wherein the metallic micro-
spheres are formed of atomized metallic particles.
88. The system according to claims 80 or 86 wherein the metallic micro-
spheres are selected from the group consisting of bronze, brass, zinc, tin,
copper, stainless steel, nickel, silver, and alloys thereof.
89. The system according to claims 80, 86, 87 or 88, wherein the metallic
micro-spheres have a density in the range of 5-9 gr/cm3.
90. The system according to claims 80, 86, 87, 88 or 89, wherein the metallic
micro-spheres have a mesh size in the range of 80-325.
91. The system according to any one of claims 76 to 90 wherein the
balancing media further comprises a partitioning agent.
92. The system according to claim 91 wherein the partitioning agent is a
monoclinic non-reactive crystalline mineral.
93. The system according to claim 91 wherein the partitioning agent is mica.
94. The system according to claim 91 wherein the partitioning agent is
silicone.
95. The system according to claim 91 wherein the partitioning agent is
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Teflon®.
96. The system according to claim 91 wherein the partitioning agent is
vermiculite.
97. The system according to claim 96 wherein the partitioning agent has a
density in the range of 2-3 gr/cm3.
98. The system according to claims 96 or 97 wherein the partitioning agent
has a mesh size in the range of 20-325.
99. The system according to any one of claims 76 to 98 wherein the
balancing media further comprises a desiccant.
100. The system according to claim 99 wherein the desiccant is silica gel.
101. The system according to claim 100 wherein the desiccant has a mesh size
in the range of 20-40.