Measuring and testing – Tire – tread or roadway
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-03
2001-08-07
Oen, William (Department: 2855)
Measuring and testing
Tire, tread or roadway
Reexamination Certificate
active
06269688
ABSTRACT:
37
C.F.R. §1.71(E) AUTHORIZATION
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX, IF ANY
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, generally, to testing apparatus and methods. More particularly, the invention relates to electromechanical testing apparatus for measuring the spring rate of automobile or kart tires.
2. Background Information
Balancing a car optimizes performance, particularly the cornering characteristics of a racing class automobile. The traction, adherence or grip between the tires and the track at each end of a car is proportional to the percentage of the weight at that end of the car. A car's grip is optimized when both the front tires and the rear tires begin to slide at the same time and at the same rate, resulting in the car having responsive, near-neutral handling characteristics. However, if the front tires slide first, the car tends to understeer and slide off of the track, and if the rear tires slide first, the car tends to oversteer and spin.
Numerous factors contribute to the near-neutral handling characteristics of a balanced car, including tires, wheel alignment, suspension, weight distribution, center of gravity and aerodynamics. A properly suspended car has more braking and acceleration control when the car is moving in a straight line and more steering control when the car is maneuvering around corners.
The spring rate of tires produced with current manufacturing practices vary considerably. For example, a tire produced earlier in the day using a particular tire molding machine will have considerably different characteristics than a tire produced later in the day using the same machine. Additionally, different portions of the same tire may have different characteristics. For example, a particular tire may have soft spots. It is therefore desirable to be able to accurately rate the tires, including the different portions of the tires, in order to balance the car and ultimately improve the handling characteristics of the car.
Applicant's invention provides an apparatus and method for testing and measuring the spring rate of tires which is believed to constitute an improvement over existing technology.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for testing the spring rate of tires. The tire test apparatus generally comprises a base, a support, a force applicator, a tire contact member in contact with a tire, a travel indicator mechanism, and a force indicator mechanism. The support extends upwardly from the base and holds a tire a predetermined distance above the base. The force applicator causes the tire and the tire contact member to apply pressure against each other. The force applicator is preferably a hydraulic jack. The travel indicator mechanism quantifies the change in the relative position of the tire contact member with respect to the tire upon application of a force. The force indicator mechanism quantifies the force applied by the force indicator mechanism. The travel indicator mechanism and the force indicator mechanism preferably have digital displays that allow the user to accurately rate the tire. The tire tester of the preferred embodiment has a capacity of 2500 lb. or 1250 kg.
The features, benefits and objects of this invention will become clear to those skilled in the art by reference to the following description, claim and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4969355 (1990-11-01), Doi et al.
patent: 6076586 (2000-06-01), Hans
Kroll Karl J. F.
Kroll William P.
Intercomp Company
Oen William
Skinner and Associates
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