Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090158573 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY OF A TIRE CURING MOLD - Apparatus and method for assembly and disassembly in axial and radial directions mold segments forming a toroidally shaped mold. The apparatus includes mold gripping apparatus operatively engaging and disengaging the mold; and mold transport apparatus for operatively moving the mold gripping apparatus and engaged mold between a mold assembly and disassembly station and a tire curing station. The mold gripping apparatus engages and unlocks an upper mold sidewall segment and mold loading apparatus engages and unlocks a lower mold sidewall segment. Tread segment closing apparatus is provided for operatively opening and closing the tread segments of the mold in a radial direction. | 06-25-2009 |
20090158575 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING, DISASSEMBLING AND STORING A TIRE BUILDING CORE - Apparatus and method for disassembling, assembling and using a toroidally shaped segmented core configured to carry a tire during a curing process includes: a transport mechanism operatively moving the segmented core between a plurality of stations in a tire curing line; one or more segment removal devices for removing a plurality of core segments individually from a cured tire and from around a core central axis and placing the core segments individually in respective spaced apart storage locations; and one or more core segment assembly devices for removing the core segments individually from the storage locations and placing the core segments individually in respective core locations to form an assembled segmented core. The apparatus and method operatively sequences to place and remove differently structured core segments individually into and from the assembled core configuration. | 06-25-2009 |
20090159181 | LOADING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY OF A TIRE CURING MOLD - Loading apparatus and method for positioning a green tire and core assembly into a toroidally shaped mold includes a stand assembly having a support surface operatively receiving a first mold sidewall forming segment thereon, the surface having a central opening. A spindle engagement assembly projects upwardly through the support surface central opening and includes a coupling mechanism at a forward end operatively mating with a first spindle end of a tire building core. The coupling mechanism operatively suspends a sidewall of a green tire on the tire building core a distance above a first mold sidewall forming segment positioned on the stand support surface. The spindle engagement assembly moves axially between a raised position and a lowered position and, in the lowered position operatively places the sidewall surface of the green tire on the first mold sidewall forming segment. | 06-25-2009 |
20090159183 | TIRE BUILDING CORE MANIPULATOR APPARATUS AND METHOD - A tire building core manipulating apparatus for a segmented tire building core is provided, the core including a plurality of core segments extending generally radially from a central axis. The manipulating apparatus includes a support frame; a core latching mechanism mounted to the support frame for operatively engaging a mating mechanism on the core whereby suspending the tire building core in a preferred axial orientation and raises and lowers the core to engage one or more stations in a tire curing line. A transport mechanism relocates the support frame with the tire building core in the preferred axial orientation between a plurality of stations in the tire curing line | 06-25-2009 |
20090159184 | TIRE BUILDING CORE ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY STATION AND METHOD - A station apparatus method within a tire curing line is provided for assembling and disassembling a toroidally shaped core configured to carry a cured tire. The core includes a plurality of core segments assembling to form a core body and extending generally radially from a central core axis within a core central axial passage. The core further includes first and second locking spindle sections connecting to opposite sides of the core body. The station apparatus includes: a base; a station locking mechanism mounted to the base and operative to lock to the lower core locking mechanism; a transport device operative to lock to the first spindle section and to lower the core in substantially a vertical core axis orientation into locked engagement with the station locking mechanism; a core segment manipulating mechanism operative to move respective core segments radially inward between a radially outward position to a radially inward segment removal position; and a tire unloading mechanism operative to support a cured tire during radial movement of the core segments inward. | 06-25-2009 |
20090159185 | TIRE BUILDING CORE SEGMENT MANIPULATOR APPARATUS AND METHOD - A core segment manipulating apparatus and method is provided for relocating core segments forming a toroidally shaped core body configured to carry a cured tire. The apparatus includes multiple core key segment engaging mechanisms and core second segment engagement mechanisms arranged in a spaced apart circular array adjacent to respective key segments and second segments of the core body. The key segment and second segment engaging mechanisms operate to individually move respective key segments and second segments from a radially outward core body position to a radially inward segment removal position. The key segment and second segment engaging mechanisms transfer a respective segment to a segment removal device at the segment removal position and return radially outward to a segment-receiving location. | 06-25-2009 |
20090159207 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DISASSEMBLING A TIRE BUILDING CORE - Apparatus and method for disassembling a toroidally shaped core is provided. The core is configured to carry a cured tire and includes multiple core segments extending generally radially from a central axis. The apparatus includes a base; one or more segment positioning devices connected for movement relative to the base and operative to move one or more core segments from an assembled core position next to an adjacent core segment around the central axis to a radially inward position; and one or more segment removal devices operatively connected for engaging the one core segment at the radially inward position and removing the one segment from the radially inward position to a remote position external to the core. The segment removal device operatively moves in three axes of motion to relocate the one segment from the remote position to a storage position and deposit the core segment at the storage station in a retrieval-ready orientation. All of the core segments may be moved sequentially in like manner by the segment removal device in order to disassemble the core. | 06-25-2009 |
20090160096 | TIRE UNLOADING APPARATUS AND METHOD IN A CURING LINE - A tire unloading apparatus for separating a cured tire from a toroidally shaped segmented core body configured to carry the cured tire includes a plurality of tire engaging paddle mechanisms positioned in a spaced apart circular array defining a cured tire receiving central opening, the cured tire mounted to a core body. The paddle mechanisms operatively move between a radially outward tire release position and a radially inward tire gripping position. The tire unloading apparatus further includes a core segment manipulating apparatus operative to move individual core segments from a radially outward tire supporting core body position to a radially inward segment removal position. A plurality of segment support arms forming a circular array below the tire receiving opening are in an operative location to support respective core body segments. | 06-25-2009 |
20090160098 | TIRE BUILDING AND CURE STATION COUPLING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A tire building and cure station coupling apparatus and method for molding a green tire into a finished tire having a tread pattern. The green tire is constructed on a toroidally shaped core formed by a plurality of core segments each having an outer surface portion which together define a toroidal outer surface surrounding a central axis. The core is adapted to hold a green tire on said toroidal outer surface. A first spindle section is configured to be placed on a first side of the core along the central axis and a second spindle section is configured to be placed on a second side of the core along the central axis and opposite to the first side. At least one electrically operated heating element is coupled with each said core segment and at least one spindle connector is configured to mechanically couple the first and second spindle sections with said plurality of core segments located therebetween and electrically connect with the electrically operated heating elements for supplying electrical power thereto during a tire curing operation. One or more curing line docking stations are provided, each having docking apparatus for mechanically coupling with a spindle end of a spindle sections for a docking time interval, the docking apparatus including a docking connector configured to mechanically and electrically couple with the spindle connector for supplying electrical power to the electrically operated heating elements for at least a portion of the docking time interval. | 06-25-2009 |
20090162180 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REORIENTING A TIRE AND CORE ASSEMBLY IN A TIRE MANUFACTURING LINE - Apparatus and method for reorienting a toroidally shaped core configured to carry a green tire. The core includes a central axis defined through first and second oppositely facing tapered recesses respectively including first and second locking mechanisms. The apparatus includes a core support structure including a base and a reorientation member connected for movement relative to said base and a core coupling member. The core coupling member connects for movement with the reorientation member and includes a core locking mechanism that couples with the core coupling member and locks the core coupling member to the core. A drive system couples with the reorientation member and operatively moves the reorientation member so as to change the orientation of the central axis from a first orientation to a second, different orientation transverse to the first orientation. | 06-25-2009 |
20090173199 | APPARATUS FOR CUTTING ELASTOMERIC MATERIALS - A method and apparatus is provided for cutting an elastomeric laminate that may include a layer of reinforcement cords, into a desired length without cutting through the cords. The method includes the step of cutting through the gum portion of the elastomeric composite material at a desired skive angle, and then opening up the skived cut. Next, the cord reinforcement layer is cut without severing the reinforcement cords. An elastomeric composite strip cut to the desired length is produced and has cut ends. One of the cut ends has the gum portion cut at a desired skive angle adjacent an overhang portion of the reinforcement layer. The opposite end of the elastomeric composite segment also has a skived portion to mate with the skived portion of the first cut end, and a gap in the cord ply to mate with the cord overhang of the first end, resulting in a splice. An improved anvil having independently controlled vacuum zones is also provided, as well as improved cutting mechanisms. | 07-09-2009 |
20100116439 | TIRE BUILDING CORE - A tire building core assembly is provided including a segmented toroidal core formed by a plurality of core segments configured in a closely adjacent array defining an outer tire-building toroidal surface. The tire building surface is configured having tire tread and sidewall build locations. Adjacent core segments provide adjacent and opposed annularly directed peripheral edge surfaces, opposed edge surfaces having interlocking elements that selectively engage to operatively deter relative radial movement between the adjacent core segments. The interlocking elements selectively disengage to operatively facilitate a disassembly of the segmented toroidal core. | 05-13-2010 |
20100139844 | TIRE BUILDING CORE HANDLING MECHANISM AND METHOD - A core handling apparatus is provided for a tire building core. The handling apparatus includes a base plate; a latching mechanism mounted to the base plate and operably inserting into an axial opening at a remote end of a first spindle mechanism connected to a tire building core assembly. The latching mechanism has a latching member operably engaging the first spindle mechanism from within the axial opening. A handle mechanism mounts to the base plate and extends outward. The handle mechanism rotates under manual power to rotate the core assembly through the latching mechanism into alternate angular orientations. The core handling apparatus latching mechanism moves between a radially retracted position that facilitates a close insertion into the spindle mechanism axial opening and a radially extended second position from within the spindle mechanism axial opening to engage the spindle mechanism. | 06-10-2010 |
20100143083 | TIRE BUILDING CORE TRANSPORT ASSEMBLY AND METHOD - A transport apparatus for a tire building core assembly includes a jig assembly support frame; first and second spreader mechanisms; first and a second arm mechanisms, each arm mechanism having a first arm and a second arm coupled to the support frame and to a respective spreader mechanism. The first and second arms of each arm mechanism move between an open divergent position defining an opening sized to admit a respective spindle mechanism of the core assembly therein and a convergent closed position capturing the respective spindle mechanism therebetween. First and second releasable latch mechanisms selectively locking the first and second arms of the first and second arm mechanisms in the open and closed positions. A weigh scale is coupled to a hoist that raises and lowers the jig assembly and captured core assembly, the weigh scale indicating when the weight supported by the hoist includes the core assembly. | 06-10-2010 |
20120074302 | STOCK THICKNESS ANOMALY DETECTION DEVICE - A detection device detects a thickness anomoly region within a strip of stock and includes a first roller operatively rotating as the strip of stock passes over a first roller surface; a pivotally mounted pinch roller positioned to operatively pivot about a pivot axis against the strip of stock passing over the first roller; a photoeye mask positioned to rotate about the pivot axis responsive to pivotal movement of the pinch roller; a photoeye slot within the photoeye mask extending between a slot leading end and a slot trailing end; and the transmitting and receiving optical devices positioned on opposite sides of the photoeye slot of the photoeye mask and operative in an photoeye mask-aligned position to project a centered through-beam through the photoeye slot between the transmitting and receiving optical devices. The through-beam is blocked by the photoeye mask as the photoeye mask operatively rotates a preset deflection angle in either direction out of the photoeye mask-aligned position and into a photoeye mask blocking position. first and second directions. The duration of the disruption of signal between the optical transmitting device and the receiving device indicates whether the anomaly encountered within the strip of stock is a splice or a stock-out occurrence. | 03-29-2012 |
20130186554 | TRAPEZOIDAL TIRE-BUILDING MANDRELS - Tire-building apparatus and methods. The apparatus includes a mandrel over which tire components may be assembled and built into a tire. The mandrel includes a central cylindrical portion defining a crown supporting surface, a first frusto-conical portion defining a first sidewall supporting surface, and a second frusto-conical portion defining a second sidewall supporting surface. The crown supporting surface, the first sidewall supporting surface, and the second sidewall supporting surfaces are arranged so that a radial cross section of the mandrel has a trapezoidal shape. | 07-25-2013 |
20140048213 | SLEEVELESS TIRE BUILDING DRUM WITH INTERCHANGEABLE WIDTH ELEMENTS - A tire building drum and a method of building a tire carcass is disclosed. The tire building drum has a center section comprised of a plurality of segments that are radially and axially movable. The sleeve of the tire building drum over the center section has been eliminated, and instead has two seals located on the outer ends or shoulders of the center section of the tire building drum. The building drum further comprises shoulder sections that are axially movable. The shoulder sections include radially expandable bead locks. The method employs the steps of applying one or more carcass layers, locking the bead locks and moving the center section radially outwardly while moving the bead locks axially inwardly. | 02-20-2014 |