Lubrication – Lubricators – Roller
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-07
2001-04-03
Marmor, Charles A (Department: 3681)
Lubrication
Lubricators
Roller
C118S214000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209684
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for lubricating the spaced apart beads of a tire to be mounted and inflated on a wheel, and more particularly to an apparatus for accommodating tires having different outside diameters, axial widths, and central opening diameters fed in random succession along a fixed path through a lubrication station for lubricating the spaced apart beads of the tire to be mounted and inflated on a wheel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Automated equipment has previously been proposed for mounting tires on vehicle wheels and for inflating the tires after mounting. These devices must be capable of handling a wide variety of wheel sizes and types, and corresponding tire sizes and types. Typically, the wheel is moved through a plurality of stations to accomplish different steps in the tire mounting process. One step in mounting a tire on a wheel involves the lubrication or soaping of the tire and/or wheel prior to mounting of the tire onto the wheel. Soaping lubricates the tire and/or wheel so that the tire will not be damaged when it is mounted, and so that the wheel will properly engage the bead seats when it is inflated.
Although a variety of devices have been proposed for automatically soaping or lubricating wheels and/or tires, the previously proposed devices have been relatively complicated in operation and also have not been adaptable to handle a wide variety of wheel sizes and types, and corresponding tire sizes and types. In many devices, it is necessary to reorient the tire prior to soaping or lubricating the tire beads. After lubrication, the tire must be returned to the conveying orientation for further processing. Typically, additional equipment is required to move the tire from the conveying orientation to the lubricating orientation, and then to reorient the tire back to the conveying orientation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is desirable in the present invention to provide an apparatus for applying a lubricant to first and second spaced apart beads defining an opening of a pneumatic tire prior to mounting of the tire on the wheel. It is further desirable in the present invention to provide an apparatus capable of accommodating tires having different outside diameters, axial widths, and central opening diameters fed in random succession along a fixed path through a lubrication station. Further, it is desirable in the present invention to provide an apparatus capable of lubricating a tire while in the conveying orientation without requiring additional equipment to change the orientation of the tire between the conveying orientation and the lubricating orientation.
According to the present invention, the apparatus includes a supporting surface at a lubrication station, where at least one lubricating head is located. The lubricating head preferably includes a crank arm having an axis of rotation. The lubricating head is moveable axially with respect to the tire supporting surface between a first axial position spaced from the tire supporting surface and a second axial position disposed adjacent to the tire supporting surface. The crank arm of the lubricating head is rotatable about the axis of rotation when in the second axial position. At least one lubricating member is supported by the crank arm of the lubricating head and is spaced radially from the axis of rotation of the crank arm for applying lubricant to the first and second spaced apart beads. The lubricating member is axially insertable through the opening defined by the first and second spaced apart beads of the tire to be lubricated when the lubricating head is in the second position, and is operable in response to rotation of the crank arm through at least 360° to apply lubricant along an entire periphery of the first and second beads. Preferably, the radial distance between the axis of rotation of the crank arm and the lubricating member is at least as great as a radius of the opening of the tire to be lubricated, and more preferably the radial distance is greater than a radius of the opening of the tire to be lubricated.
An apparatus according to the present invention can also include a tire conveyor for moving tires having different outside diameters, axial widths and central opening diameters fed in random succession along a fixed path through a lubrication station. An interceptor is positioned in proximity to the lubrication station and is moveable between a first position where tires delivered to the station by the conveyor move freely through the station, and a second position where tires delivered to the station by the conveyor are engaged by the interceptor to stop the tires on the conveyor at the station. The interceptor stops successive tires of varying sizes to perform a lubrication operation on the tires when intermixed on the conveyor in random order. The interceptor is selectively moveable between the first and second positions. At least one longitudinally extending, lubricating member is positioned at the lubrication station and has a first axis offset from an axis of rotation, such that two times a distance between the axis of rotation and the first axis is at least as great as a central opening diameter of the tire to be lubricated.
The present invention can also include a lubricating liquid supply for supplying lubricating liquid to the lubricating member. Control means can also be provided for controlling operation of the interceptor and/or lubricating member for inserting the lubricating member within the central opening of the tire supported on the tire supporting surface and rotating the lubricating member about the substantially vertical axis whereby lubricating liquid is applied to the beads of the tire by the lubricating member as the lubricating member moves with respect to the tire disposed on the tire supporting surface at the lubricating station.
Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Kane John P.
Sachs Karl D.
Aim Automotive Integrated Manufacturing, Inc.
Marmor Charles A
Parekh Ankur
Young & Basile P.C.
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