I got a response back from John at Tire Cradle within 8 hrs of sending my query. I sent him what I wrote above and my questions, I am impressed with his replies:
Question - Wouldn't a piece of carpet do the same thing?
Peter,
No the carpet would insulate if it was a good pile cut remnant but the
tire will still have a flat contact patch. I tried carpet with layers of
insulation; also tried Styrofoam, plywood, conveyor belting and none
worked. Tried old wrestling mats too: no go.
Besides insulation, you have to insure that the contact patch is never
'flat' or even thought the tire cools properly pressure can cause flat
spotting. The radius from center wheel to 12 o'clock or 6 is the same
on the TireCradle; that is, the contact patch is not flat. You should see
the pads after being parked on them for a few days or months, they are
concave in the exact shape of the tire.
>Can you explain to me why your product is better than
>a piece of carpet?
Well, hopefully the above helped a little. I assume you looked at the site and noticed the P/P changes and harmonics that indicate flat spots and their severity. The test that was turned in as part of the laborious patent process is un-edited. Notice the P/P on the tire that was on the TireCradle and the unprotected tire; huge difference.
Carpeted tires usually show about a 7-10 lb P/P difference; much better than nothing but no where near the .2lb with the product. Unprotected the P/P went from 16.0 to 32.2 in four days.
Thank you for intelligent questions, if you chose to discuss any points
feel free to call on the toll free (877) 227-9090. One last point, we
have sold about 2200 sets and two have been returned. One customer objected to the logo on the pad and the other was cut up; hmm, sent them back to VA where they are manufactured and was told it was from a knife. Sent the man a new set with a warning to keep boys with knives away: that's the total returns in three years.
These are guaranteed for life - really.
Regards,
John Potocki (floor sweeper, owner, patent holder & car nut) - formerly
20 years in cardiac physiology.