Geometrical instruments – Gauge – Wheel
Patent
1998-12-14
2000-07-25
Gibson, Randy W.
Geometrical instruments
Gauge
Wheel
3320311, G01B 520, G01B 524, G01B 314, B61K 912
Patent
active
060922958
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses for use in the retreading of tires, and more specifically to methods and apparatuses for measuring the thickness of rubber overlaying the belt of a tire, such as when an old tread is being ground off of a tire casing.
BACKGROUND ART
As a tire is used, the tread of the tire tends to wear off. Sometimes it is desirable to attach a new tread onto the tire casing. The process of putting a new tread on a tire casing is known as retreading. In the process of retreading, it is necessary to grind or buff the rubber overlaying the belt of the tire, known as undertread, to a specific thickness, such as 3/32 (cm) of an inch, before attaching the new tread. Thus, an important step in the retreading process is measuring the thickness of the undertread.
Common problems often encountered in the art deal with the alignment of sensors on a buffer machine used to measure the undertread thickness. If the sensors are knocked out of alignment, for example, by a tire being mounted on a buffer machine, the operator has to realign the sensors. Also, a sequential alignment of the sensors may be desired. A sequential alignment is an alignment in which one sensor comes into operative association with the tire casing before another sensor. The prior does not disclose sequential alignment of sensors. Still another alignment problem is that sensors are displaced out of alignment when they are brought into operative association with a tire casing.
The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for measuring the undertread thickness using a sequencing, self-aligning mechanism. Thus, the alignment difficulties inherent in current undertread measuring apparatuses are overcome in a way which is simple and efficient, while providing better and more advantageous results.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention, an improved undertread measuring apparatus, includes a lift cylinder which raises and lowers the undertread sensors and is attached to a support structure. This invention also includes a sensor holding plate for holding the undertread sensors and an alignment mechanism.
One advantage of the present invention is that it enables the undertread sensors to automatically realign when impacted. If, for example, while the operator was mounting a tire casing, the tire casing was to hit the undertread sensors, they would simply swing out of the way and then realign for undertread measurement.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it sequences the undertread sensors. When the operator lowers the undertread sensors, one sensor is brought into operative association with the tire, then, sequentially, another sensor is brought into operative association with the tire.
Still another advantage of the present invention is that it self-aligns the undertread sensors when they are brought into operative association with the tire casing. This self-alignment is maintained even during the rotation of the tire casing.
Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of an improved undertread measuring apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the improved undertread measuring apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective bottom view of the improved undertread measuring apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective bottom view of the improved undertread measuring apparatus showing rollers positioned in line with each other;
FIG. 5 is a front view of a prior art undertread measuring apparatus being used with a tire buffer machine;
REFERENCES:
patent: 1880802 (1932-10-01), Chilson
patent: 2679715 (1954-06-01), Heintz
patent: 3237310 (1966-03-01), Reiner
patent: 3633279 (1972-01-01), Frazier
patent: 5238041 (1993-08-01), Tomita et al.
Emerson Roger D.
Gibson Randy W.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
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