ATC Invents Flat-Free Tire

BOULDER CITY, Nev.--American Tire Corp. says it is finalizing testing of a flat-free automobile tire that can carry a 1,000-pound load without any air pressure. Air is normally used, however.

According to the company, the tire design eliminates tread separations, a major cause of blowouts. Reportedly a driver will no longer be limited to a short distance ride on a spare tire with this new technology. The tire can handle more than 2,000 pounds of load without air, and the tire’s performance can be enhanced by using 5 to 7 PSI of air.

The technology being tested has been in development for the past five years, and it is the brainchild of ATC’s Richard A. Steinke, president and chief executive officer. “The tire has been undergoing lab testing for several weeks now and has passed critical stages with flying colors,” said Steinke. The next step for the company is to mount tires on a vehicle for road testing. ATC’s James G. Moore, a former engineer at The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., said the technology was developed after several years of studying the problems associated with tread problems and flat tires.

Moore said ATC has developed a mechanical design mechanism, which provides for design and testing of a tire before it is manufactured. The tire can be tested with both horizontal and vertical loads and with or without air. He said the testing procedure is accurate.

ATC recently introduced its line of AirRiders flat-free bicycle tires.

For more information, contact www.amerityre.com.