Conveyors: power-driven – Conveyor for changing attitude of item relative to conveyed... – For changing both the elevation and the posture of...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-05
2003-12-16
Valenza, Joseph E. (Department: 3651)
Conveyors: power-driven
Conveyor for changing attitude of item relative to conveyed...
For changing both the elevation and the posture of...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06662927
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manipulating a lugged strip. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for inverting a lugged strip of material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Earthmover machines and agricultural equipment have ground engaging means employing endless tracks driven by drive wheels. The endless track, or belt, is assembled over a plurality of wheels, at least one of which is a drive wheel, and is engaged by the drive wheel. Such track systems are increasingly more common because the tracks have greater traction in soil and cause less ground compaction than conventional pneumatic tires.
Methods for manufacturing reinforced, endless rubber track can be both expensive and time-consuming. Some methods and apparatus used for the manufacture of industrial belts may be applicable to endless vehicle tracks. However, because of the large differences in the sizes of the belts, which typically have a size expressed in inches or cm, and endless rubber track, which typically have sizes expressed in feet, a simple scale-up of belt technology is not always possible and may not yield usable rubber track. This is self evident due to the greater amount of rubber and reinforcement that must be vulcanized for tracks in comparison to belts.
In forming tracks, there are several known methods for forming endless reinforced track. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,536,464, and 4,207,052 illustrate a few conventional methods.
In these known track forming methods, the track carcass, the various rubber layers and reinforcement means are wound on a fixed circumference drum. The circular carcass is then placed into an open “C” press for curing, wherein the first and last heat must match up to create the appearance of an endless built and cured rubber track.
As the track diameter increases the number of heats required to cure the entire track increases, increasing the likelihood of uneven cures at the match points of the heats. Additionally, for each different track size there must be a drum capable of forming a carcass of that size, either an expandable or a fixed diameter drum.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In forming the track as disclosed herein, the track is cured as a flat strip with the lugs pointing downwardly. However, to splice the strip to form an endless track, the lugs must face upwardly; thus the strip must be inverted. Disclosed is an apparatus for inverting the strip to the desired orientation without the necessity of manhandling the strip and potentially damaging the strip or any of the lugs.
The apparatus has a semi-circular tube through which the strip travels. Within the tube, to assist the strip is a conveyor. The conveyor is a preferably a passive roll conveyor along which the cured strip travels. The conveyor is mounted on the larger diameter side of the semi-circular tube.
The strip is moved from an unloader and into an opening of the inverter with the lugs. The strip makes contact with the far wall of the tube and then is forced to travel along the semi-circular path of the tube. Due to the forced curve and turning of the strip, the strip is inverted.
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patent: 5066352 (1991-11-01), Albers et al.
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patent: 6227532 (2001-05-01), Bakoledis
Rago Mario Antonio
Stubbendieck Kent Alan
Wellman Ronald Alan
Krawczyk Nancy T.
O'Planick Richard B.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Valenza Joseph E.
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