Securing to a pneumatic tire

Abstract

A pneumatic tire assembly includes a pneumatic tire having an inner cavity and an inner surface at least partially defining the inner cavity, a rigid structure for facilitating operation of the tire assembly, and a docking base for securing the rigid structure to the inner surface of the inner cavity. The docking base has been integrally bonded to the inner surface during curing of the pneumatic tire. The docking base has a shape formed by a mold attached to the inner surface of the inner cavity during curing of the pneumatic tire. The mold subsequently is removed thereby resulting in the docking base integrally secured to the inner surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pneumatic tire assembly comprising:
 a pneumatic tire having an inner cavity and an inner surface at least partially defining the inner cavity;   a rigid structure for facilitating operation of the tire assembly, and   a docking base for securing the rigid structure to the inner surface of the inner cavity, the docking base having been integrally bonded to the inner surface during curing of the pneumatic tire, the docking base having a shape formed by a mold attached to the inner surface of the inner cavity during curing of the pneumatic tire, the mold subsequently being removed thereby resulting in the docking base secured to the inner surface.   
     
     
         2 . The pneumatic tire assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the inner surface of the tire cavity maintains pressurized air with the inner cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The pneumatic tire assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the rigid structure is a hydraulic pump for maintaining air in the inner cavity of an air maintenance tire. 
     
     
         4 . The pneumatic tire assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the mold is formed from silicone. 
     
     
         5 . The pneumatic tire assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the rigid structure is an electronic sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The pneumatic tire assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the rigid structure is a balancing weight for the pneumatic tire. 
     
     
         7 . The pneumatic tire assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the rigid structure is an air compressor for maintaining air in the inner cavity of an air maintenance tire. 
     
     
         8 . The pneumatic tire assembly as set forth in  claim 1  further includes a second docking base for securing a second rigid structure to the inner surface of the inner cavity, the second docking base having been integrally bonded to the inner surface during curing of the pneumatic tire, the second docking base having a shape formed by a second mold attached to the inner surface of the inner cavity during curing of the pneumatic tire, the second mold subsequently being removed thereby resulting in the second docking base integrally secured to the inner surface. 
     
     
         9 . The pneumatic tire assembly as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the rigid structure is a hydraulic pump for maintaining air in the inner cavity of an air maintenance tire and the second rigid structure is an air compressor for maintaining air in the inner cavity of the air maintenance tire. 
     
     
         10 . The pneumatic tire assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the docking base includes a lever arm for facilitating operation of the rigid structure during rotation of the pneumatic tire under a load. 
     
     
         11 . A method for securing a device to a pneumatic tire, the method comprising the steps of:
 positioning a mold and green rubber within the mold on an inner surface of an inner cavity of a green tire;   temporarily securing the mold and green rubber to the inner surface;   locating the green tire within a vulcanizing press;   curing the green tire by the vulcanizing press;   removing the cured tire from the vulcanizing press;   removing the mold from the inner surface; and   securing the device to a docking base formed integral to the inner surface by the mold.   
     
     
         12 . The method as set forth in  claim 11  further including the step of filling the mold with green rubber. 
     
     
         13 . The method as set forth in  claim 11  further including the step of applying heat and pressure by a bladder to the mold and surrounding green rubber thereby molding the rubber of the green tire and the green rubber within the mold together with an appropriate shape. 
     
     
         14 . The method as set forth in  claim 11  further including the step of shaping the green rubber of the mold into a lever arm for facilitating operation of the device during rotation of the pneumatic tire under a load. 
     
     
         15 . The method as set forth in  claim 11  further including the steps of:
 temporarily securing a second mold and more green rubber to the inner surface prior to curing the green tire; 
 removing the second mold from the inner surface subsequent to removing the cured tire from the vulcanizing press; and 
 securing a second device to a second docking base formed integral to the inner surface by the second mold. 
 
     
     
         16 . A system for maintaining air pressure within a cavity of a pneumatic tire, the system comprising:
 a structure for facilitating operation of the system, and   a docking base for securing the structure to an inner surface of the cavity, the docking base having been integrated to the inner surface during curing of the pneumatic tire, the docking base having a shape formed by a mold attached to the inner surface of the cavity during curing of the pneumatic tire, the mold subsequently being removed thereby resulting in the docking base integral to the inner surface.   
     
     
         17 . The system as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the docking base is shaped inverse correspondingly to the structure. 
     
     
         18 . The system as set forth in  claim 16  further including a second docking base for a second structure for facilitating operation of the system. 
     
     
         19 . The system as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the structure is a hydraulic pump secured to the pneumatic tire by the docking base. 
     
     
         20 . The system as set forth in  claim 19  the second structure is an air compressor secured to the pneumatic tire by a second docking base.