摘要:
The present invention comprises methods and apparatus for inspecting a tread. Such methods include providing a tread having a top side and a bottom side, one of the top and bottom sides including a tread feature extending into the thickness of the tread. Such methods further include bending mechanically a transverse extent of the tread relative the tread thickness along a portion of the tread to be inspected about a bending member to form a bent portion of the tread, the portion of the tread to be inspected including the tread feature such that the step of bending expands the tread feature to further expose a depth of the tread feature within the thickness of the tread for inspection. Such further methods include constraining the tread on opposing sides of the portion of the tread to be inspected to maintain the bent portion of the tread in a bent arrangement.
摘要:
The present invention comprises methods and apparatus for inspecting a tread. Such methods include providing a tread having a top side and a bottom side, one of the top and bottom sides including a tread feature extending into the thickness of the tread. Such methods further include bending mechanically a transverse extent of the tread relative the tread thickness along a portion of the tread to be inspected about a bending member to form a bent portion of the tread, the portion of the tread to be inspected including the tread feature such that the step of bending expands the tread feature to further expose a depth of the tread feature within the thickness of the tread for inspection. Such further methods include constraining the tread on opposing sides of the portion of the tread to be inspected to maintain the bent portion of the tread in a bent arrangement.
摘要:
Exemplary embodiments of the subject invention comprise methods and apparatus for mounting a tread ring onto a tire carcass. Such methods may include the step of providing a tire tread ring having opposing side edges; arranging the tread ring in an initial ring arrangement in communication with a pressure source, the pressure source being in communication with an outer side of the tread ring; expanding the tread ring radially outward from the initial ring arrangement to an expanded arrangement, the tread ring being expanded by applying vacuum pressure along the outer side of the tread ring supplied by the pressure source; inserting a tire carcass within a central opening of the tread ring while in the expanded arrangement; contracting the tread ring into an installed arrangement about an outer surface of the tire carcass; and, releasing the vacuum along the outer side of the tread ring.
摘要:
The subject invention includes methods and apparatus for joining treads. Such methods include the step of providing a first tread portion and a second tread portion for forming a joined tread, each tread portion comprising a section of tire tread extending lengthwise from a terminal end. Additional steps include providing a first fixture configured to retain the first tread portion and a second fixture configured to retain the second tread portion and securing the first tread portion into the first fixture and securing the second tread portion into the second fixture, each of the first and second fixtures being arranged within the first and second fixtures such that the terminal end of each tread portion is in communication with a joining side of each fixture. The methods further include directing the terminal ends towards each other and into forceful engagement with an elastomeric joining material arranged between the terminal ends.
摘要:
Exemplary embodiments of the subject invention comprise methods and apparatus for mounting a tread ring onto a tire carcass. Such methods may include the step of providing a tire tread ring having opposing side edges; arranging the tread ring in an initial ring arrangement in communication with a pressure source, the pressure source being in communication with an outer side of the tread ring; expanding the tread ring radially outward from the initial ring arrangement to an expanded arrangement, the tread ring being expanded by applying vacuum pressure along the outer side of the tread ring supplied by the pressure source; inserting a tire carcass within a central opening of the tread ring while in the expanded arrangement; contracting the tread ring into an installed arrangement about an outer surface of the tire carcass; and, releasing the vacuum along the outer side of the tread ring.
摘要:
The invention include methods and apparatus for demolding a tread. The methods include arranging one or more rollers to extend across a transverse extent of a tread molding cavity and across an outer, exposed side of a tread. The one or more rollers are freely-rotatable and arranged to define a demolding path of the tread extending from the mold. The tread is demolded from the tread molding cavity along the demolding path such that the tread is initially directed outwardly from a molded position within the tread molding cavity at an initial angle less than 90 degrees from the molded position, the tread continuing along the demolding path until the tread is directed away from the molding cavity in a direction 90 degrees from the molded position at a perpendicular position located a distance from the molding cavity at least equal to approximately 80% of the tread thickness.
摘要:
Embodiments of the invention include methods for supporting a recessed void during retreading operations. Such methods include the steps of providing a tread having a top side and a bottom side, the tread including a recessed void recessed below the top side of the tread. Such methods also include the step of arranging the tread around an outer circumference of the tire carcass in a desired position to form an assembled retreaded tire. Such methods further include the step of arranging a removable circumferential band around the assembled retreaded tire positioned over top the recessed void and the top side of the tread. Such methods further include the steps of placing a curing membrane around at least a portion of the tire and the circumferential band and curing the retreaded tire with the circumferential band contained within the curing membrane.
摘要:
The subject invention includes methods and apparatus for joining treads. Such methods include the step of providing a first tread portion and a second tread portion for forming a joined tread, each tread portion comprising a section of tire tread extending lengthwise from a terminal end. Additional steps include providing a first fixture configured to retain the first tread portion and a second fixture configured to retain the second tread portion and securing the first tread portion into the first fixture and securing the second tread portion into the second fixture, each of the first and second fixtures being arranged within the first and second fixtures such that the terminal end of each tread portion is in communication with a joining side of each fixture. The methods further include directing the terminal ends towards each other and into forceful engagement with an elastomeric joining material arranged between the terminal ends.
摘要:
Embodiments of the invention include methods for supporting a recessed void during retreading operations. Such methods include the steps of providing a tread having a top side and a bottom side, the tread including a recessed void recessed below the top side of the tread. Such methods also include the step of arranging the tread around an outer circumference of the tire carcass in a desired position to form an assembled retreaded tire. Such methods further include the step of arranging a removable circumferential band around the assembled retreaded tire positioned over top the recessed void and the top side of the tread. Such methods further include the steps of placing a curing membrane around at least a portion of the tire and the circumferential band and curing the retreaded tire with the circumferential band contained within the curing membrane.