TIRE FLOAT AND METHOD FOR FORMING SAME
First Claim
2. The marine float of claim 1 wherein said expanded cured polymeric foam secures itself to the interior of said tire body and said side wall panels, thereby forming an integral body with said shell.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for converting used tire bodies into marine floats for use as moorings, buoys and the like. The tire body is provided with side panels of plywood, plastic or other material to fit over the sidewall openings on either side of the tire and thereby form an enclosed shell. Thereafter, urethane, polystyrene or other expandable plastic foam material is injected through an opening in one of the panels and expands to fill the entirety of the core cavity formed by the shell which functions as a mold. The foam material expands, forms a fused mass and secures itself to the interior of the tire and sidewall panels forming an integral shell and core, the curing of the foam being effected or accelerated by the application of heat if necessary. The injection hole may then be covered over, if desired, by fiberglass cloth to which an epoxy resin catalyst is applied to form a seal. Finally, the exterior of the shell is coated with epoxy paint or other sealant to provide a waterproof covering. Bolts or other fasteners are provided through the sides of the tire float for securing it to structures which are to be buoyantly supported thereby.
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Citations
4 Claims
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2. The marine float of claim 1 wherein said expanded cured polymeric foam secures itself to the interior of said tire body and said side wall panels, thereby forming an integral body with said shell.
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3. A method for converting a used tire into a marine float comprising the steps of:
- a. fitting a pair of panels over the respective side wall openings of said tire to form a toroidal shell enclosing a hollow core cavity;
b. adding to said core cavity through an opening in said shell an expandable, foamable polymeric material; and
c. curing said expandable, foamable material to form a rigid, fused polymeric mass which substantially completely fills said cavity, said shell functioning as a mold while said foam material cures therein.
- a. fitting a pair of panels over the respective side wall openings of said tire to form a toroidal shell enclosing a hollow core cavity;
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4. The method of claim 3 wherein said fused polymeric mass tightly secures itself to the interior of said tire body and said side wall panels, thereby forming an integral body with said shell.
Specification