A tire uniformity testing machine that includes a base, a pair of vertical spaced apart columns supporting an upper cross frame member. The base carries a load wheel carriage movable towards and away from a testing station. The vertical uprights establish a peripheral footprint plane that does not extend beyond a plane that is tangent to an outer rolling surface of the load wheel when it is redirected. The upper frame member includes clearance spaces and cutouts that enable at least a portion of an upper chuck to move into the upper frame member and a super structure mounted to a top of the cross member that mounts at least a portion of an actuator for translating the upper chuck. The configuration establishes a machine height that enables the machine to be loaded into a standard shipping container and reduces the overall footprint of the tire uniformity machine without compromising its ability to precisely sense tire uniformity parameters.
A tire uniformity testing machine that includes a base, a pair of vertical spaced apart columns supporting an upper cross frame member. The base carries a load wheel carriage movable towards and away from a testing station. The vertical uprights establish a peripheral footprint plane that does not extend beyond a plane that is tangent to an outer rolling surface of the load wheel when it is redirected. The upper frame member includes clearance spaces and cutouts that enable at least a portion of an upper chuck to move into the upper frame member and a super structure mounted to a top of the cross member that mounts at least a portion of an actuator for translating the upper chuck. The configuration establishes a machine height that enables the machine to be loaded into a standard shipping container and reduces the overall footprint of the tire uniformity machine without compromising its ability to precisely sense tire uniformity parameters.
A tire uniformity testing machine that includes a base, a pair of vertical spaced apart columns supporting an upper cross frame member. The base carries a load wheel carriage movable towards and away from a testing station. The vertical uprights establish a peripheral footprint plane that does not extend beyond a plane that is tangent to an outer rolling surface of the load wheel when it is redirected. The upper frame member includes clearance spaces and cutouts that enable at least a portion of an upper chuck to move into the upper frame member and a super structure mounted to a top of the cross member that mounts at least a portion of an actuator for translating the upper chuck. The configuration establishes a machine height that enables the machine to be loaded into a standard shipping container and reduces the overall footprint of the tire uniformity machine without compromising its ability to precisely sense tire uniformity parameters.
A tire uniformity testing machine that includes a base, a pair of vertical spaced apart columns supporting an upper cross frame member. The base carries a load wheel carriage movable towards and away from a testing station. The vertical uprights establish a peripheral footprint plane that does not extend beyond a plane that is tangent to an outer rolling surface of the load wheel when it is redirected. The upper frame member includes clearance spaces and cutouts that enable at least a portion of an upper chuck to move into the upper frame member and a super structure mounted to a top of the cross member that mounts at least a portion of an actuator for translating the upper chuck. The configuration establishes a machine height that enables the machine to be loaded into a standard shipping container and reduces the overall footprint of the tire uniformity machine without compromising its ability to precisely sense tire uniformity parameters.
An apparatus for changing rim sets at a testing station of a tire uniformity testing system that includes a storage unit for storing a plurality of rim set assemblies. A transfer arm is reciprocally movable and includes a gripper mechanism for gripping a rim set assembly and moving it from a storage position to a position at which rims forming part of the rim set assembly are aligned with opposed spindles at the testing station. The rim set assembly includes a bracket having structure engageable by the transfer arm and at least one of the rims forming part of the assembly includes a locking member rotatable between a first position and a second position. The bracket includes a structure for immobilizing the rim to inhibit relative rotation between the rim and the bracket and further includes a lever mechanism for moving the locking member from its first position to its second position in order to engage retaining members forming part of the bracket. The lever mechanism moves the locking member from its second position to its first position when the rim is aligned with an associated spindle in order to engage other retaining members forming part of the spindle. The rim is released from the bracket as the locking member moves to engage the other retaining members. After release, the bracket moves to a remote position spaced from the testing station. To remove the rim sets, the steps for attaching rims to the spindles are reversed in order to release the rims from the spindles while simultaneously engaging the bracket. The resulting rim set assembly is moved to a remote position defined by a storage unit that stores a plurality of rim set assemblies. The disclosed locking member and associated rim can be used to facilitate the manual installation of a test rim to a spindle.
B60C 23/00 - Devices for measuring, signalling, controlling, or distributing tyre pressure or temperature, specially adapted for mounting on vehiclesArrangement of tyre inflating devices on vehicles, e.g. of pumps or of tanksTyre cooling arrangements
B60C 23/02 - Signalling devices actuated by tyre pressure
B60C 25/00 - Apparatus or tools adapted for mounting, removing or inspecting tyres
8.
Tire testing apparatus having adjustable bead width
An adjustable width chuck assembly for a tire testing machine including upper and lower relatively movable rims by which a tire is clamped and held during a testing cycle. A pilot or nose cone forming part of one of the rims is gas pressure biased towards engagement with complementally formed structure on the other rim. The gas pressure bias is provided by a gas spring which can be replaced with gas springs of differing pressures in order to adjust the biasing force or, alternately, the gas spring can be removed from the chuck assembly and re-pressurized to a different level in order to change its biasing force. The use of a gas spring for providing the necessary biasing force expands the range of motion for the nose cone, thus allowing a given chuck assembly to accommodate tires having a wide range of bead widths.
A tire marking apparatus and tire marking method capable of placing multiple, differently colored marks on a tire sidewall. The apparatus includes a frame assembly that movably mounts a stamping bar assembly carrying a plurality of stamping bar elements, each stamping element selectively movable into a marking position and a plurality of tape cassettes, each of which may carry tape of a different color. Each tape cassette is selectively movable into a tire marking position. An actuator advances a portion of an aligned tape cassette towards a tire marking region on the sidewall and moves an aligned stamping element into printing contact with the tire sidewall. This movement transfers material from the tape to the tire sidewall in a pattern that corresponds to indicia defined by the stamping element. The frame assembly includes an intermediate frame that is shiftable between at least two positions.
A conveyor apparatus for conveying tires through a tire testing system such as tire uniformity machine. The apparatus includes a first conveyor, including a pair of spaced-apart conveyor belts defining a tire support surface engageable with the tire to be transported. An auxiliary conveyor, including a pair of spaced-apart auxiliary conveyor belts is provided, which are also engageable with the tire to be tested. The auxiliary conveyor includes an upstream section for transporting the tire from a delivery position to a tire test position and a downstream section for transporting a tire from the tire test position to a discharge position. The auxiliary conveyors, including inner end portions that are extendable and retractable with respect to the tire test position and, in particular, with respect to a tire testing rim located at the test position..
An apparatus for changing rim sets at a testing station of a tire uniformity testing system that includes a storage unit for storing a plurality of rim set assemblies. A transfer arm is reciprocally movable and includes a gripper mechanism for gripping a rim set assembly and moving it from a storage position to a position at which rims forming part of the rim set assembly are aligned with opposed spindles at the testing station. The rim set assembly includes a bracket having structure engageable by the transfer arm and at least one of the rims forming part of the assembly includes a locking member rotatable between a first position and a second position.
An adjustable width chuck assembly for a tire testing machine including upper and lower relatively movable rims by which a tire is clamped and held during a testing cycle. A pilot or nose cone forming part of one of the rims is gas pressure biased towards engagement with complementally formed structure on the other rim. The gas pressure bias is provided by a gas spring which can be replaced with gas springs of differing pressures in order to adjust the biasing force or, alternately, the gas spring can be removed from the chuck assembly and re-pressurized to a different level in order to change its biasing force. The use of a gas spring for providing the necessary biasing force expands the range of motion for the nose cone, thus allowing a given chuck assembly to accommodate tires having a wide range of bead widths.
A tire marking apparatus and tire marking method capable of placing multiple, differently colored marks on a tire sidewall. The apparatus includes a frame assembly that movably mounts a stamping bar assembly carrying a plurality of stamping bar elements, each stamping element selectively movable into a marking position and a plurality of tape cassettes, each of which may carry tape of a different color. Each tape cassette is selectively movable into a tire marking position. An actuator advances a portion of an aligned tape cassette towards a tire marking region on the sidewall and moves an aligned stamping element into printing contact with the tire sidewall. This movement transfers material from the tape to the tire sidewall in a pattern that corresponds to indicia defined by the stamping element. The frame assembly includes an intermediate frame that is shiftable between at least two positions.
A tire marking apparatus and tire marking method capable of placing multiple, differently colored marks on a tire sidewall. The apparatus includes a frame assembly that movably mounts a stamping bar assembly carrying a plurality of stamping bar elements, each stamping element selectively movable into a marking position and a plurality of tape cassettes, each of which may carry tape of a different color. Each tape cassette is selectively movable into a tire marking position. An actuator advances a portion of an aligned tape cassette towards a tire marking region on the sidewall and moves an aligned stamping element into printing contact with the tire sidewall. This movement transfers material from the tape to the tire sidewall in a pattern that corresponds to indicia defined by the stamping element. The frame assembly includes an intermediate frame that is shiftable between at least two positions.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Tire/wheel dynamic balancing machines for testing balance of
tires and wheels and other circular or rotative members and
also machines for testing and correcting such balance; tire
and tire/wheel uniformity machines. Computerized electronic apparatus for laser measurement of
tire quality.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Tire/wheel dynamic balancing machines for testing balance of
tires and wheels and other circular or rotative members and
also machines for testing and correcting such balance; tire
and tire/wheel uniformity machines. Computerized electronic apparatus for laser measurement of
tire quality.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Tire/wheel dynamic balancing machines for testing balance of
tires and wheels and other circular or rotative members and
also machines for testing and correcting such balance; tire
and tire/wheel uniformity machines. Computerized electronic apparatus for laser measurement of
tire quality.
MICRO-POISE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (USA)
Inventor
Cargould, Barry
Mularcik, Bradley S.
Neiferd, Keith A.
Wnek, Joseph A.
Abstract
A method and apparatus for chucking tires to be tested in a tire testing apparatus. A lower chuck assembly or spindle includes a lower rim that is engageable with a bead region of the tire to be tested. An upper chuck assembly includes an upper rim that is engageable with an upper bead region of the tire to be tested. The upper rim is reciprocally movable towards and away from the lower rim. A plurality of sensors associated with the movable rim monitors the closing distance between the upper rim and the side wall of the tire that is being chucked, during the chucking process. A controller controls the movement of the upper rim in response to the distance data obtained from the sensors. If the data obtained indicates that the tire is mispositioned on the lower rim, the controller will slow the rate of downward movement of the upper rim and reinitiate a chucking cycle if the upper rim reaches a predetermined lower position and the data from the distance sensors still indicates that the tire is not properly positioned. The sensors are mounted to an adjustable stripping mechanism that forms part of the upper chuck assembly. The positions of the sensors are adjusted as the tire strippers are adjusted.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
(1) Tire/wheel dynamic balancing machines for testing balance of tires and wheels and other circular or rotative members and also machines for testing and correcting such balance.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
(1) Tire/wheel dynamic balancing machines for testing balance of tires and wheels and other circular or rotative members and also machines for testing and correcting such balance.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Tire/wheel dynamic balancing machines for testing balance of tires and wheels and other circular or rotative members and also machines for testing and correcting such balance
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Tire/wheel dynamic balancing machines for testing balance of tires and wheels and other circular or rotative members and also machines for testing and correcting such balance.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Tire/wheel dynamic balancing machines for testing balance of tires and wheels and other circular or rotative members and also machines for testing and correcting such balance.
03 - Cosmetics and toiletries; cleaning, bleaching, polishing and abrasive preparations
07 - Machines and machine tools
08 - Hand tools and implements
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
28 - Games; toys; sports equipment
32 - Beers; non-alcoholic beverages
Goods & Services
(1) Apparatus for use in connection with the manufacture of vehicle tires, molds for making the same, and polymeric foam dispensers, namely: batch-off machines and stock cutters, stock slitters, stock piling devices and pallet and skid handling equipment as accessories therefor; mill blending equipment; mill feeders; charging equipment for mechanical mixers for processing rubber, plastic and other compositions; automatic strip knives; curling wheels; cutters-rotary and guillotine; mill aprons; wig-wags; turning rolls; rotary stock coolers; tread slitters; continouous strip feeders; bias cutters; ply transfer equipment; ply guide and windup equipment; tire machines; servicers captive liner type; servicers-roll type; band builders; band handling equipment; stitchers; tread lamination equipment; tread splice presses; tire uniformity corrective machines; white side wall buffers; polyurethane foam dispensers; stock slitters; cured stock cutters; and vent drillers; and apparatus for use in connection with the testing of vehicle tires, namely: endurance testers, tread separation testers, tire uniformity grading machines, and wheel grading machines.
03 - Cosmetics and toiletries; cleaning, bleaching, polishing and abrasive preparations
07 - Machines and machine tools
08 - Hand tools and implements
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
10 - Medical apparatus and instruments
11 - Environmental control apparatus
12 - Land, air and water vehicles; parts of land vehicles
16 - Paper, cardboard and goods made from these materials
20 - Furniture and decorative products
22 - Rope, netting, tents, awnings, sails and sacks; padding and stuffing materials
28 - Games; toys; sports equipment
32 - Beers; non-alcoholic beverages
Goods & Services
(1) Apparatus for use in connection with the manufacture of vehicle tires, molds for making the same, and polymeric foam dispensers, namely: batch-off machines and stock cutters, stock slitters, stock piling devices and pallet and skid handling equipment as accessories therefor; mill blending equipment, mill feeders; charging equipment for mechanical mixers for processing rubber, plastic and other compositions; automatic strip knives; curling wheels; cutters-rotary and guillotine; mill aprons; wig-wags; turning rolls; rotary stock coolers; tread slitters; continuous strip feeders; bias cutters; ply transfer equipment; ply guide and windup equipment; tire machines, servicers-captive liner type; servicers-roll type; band builders; band handling equipment; stitchers; tread lamination equipment; tread splice presses; tire uniformity corrective machines; white side wall buffers; polyurethane foam dispensers; stock slitters; cured stock cutters; and vent drillers; and apparatus for use in connection with the testing of vehicle tires; namely: endurance testers; tread separation testers; tire uniformity grading machines; and wheel grading machines.
