Abstract:
A sipe forming assembly is provided. The sipe forming assembly includes a plunge cutting assembly, a leading roller assembly positioned upstream of the plunge cutting assembly, and a trailing roller assembly positioned downstream of the plunge cutting assembly. The plunge cutting assembly includes a blade and a linear actuator configured to actuate the blade to cut a sipe in a tire tread. The leading roller assembly includes a first leading roller and a second leading roller positionable relative to the first leading roller. The second leading roller and the first leading roller are configured to cooperate to clamp the tire tread between the first leading roller and the second leading roller. The trailing roller assembly includes a first trailing roller and a second trailing roller configured to cooperate to clamp the tire tread between the first trailing roller and the second trailing roller.
Abstract:
A sipe forming assembly is provided. The sipe forming assembly includes a plunge cutting assembly, a leading roller assembly positioned upstream of the plunge cutting assembly, and a trailing roller assembly positioned downstream of the plunge cutting assembly. The plunge cutting assembly includes a blade and a linear actuator configured to actuate the blade to cut a sipe in a tire tread. The leading roller assembly includes a first leading roller and a second leading roller positionable relative to the first leading roller. The second leading roller and the first leading roller are configured to cooperate to clamp the tire tread between the first leading roller and the second leading roller. The trailing roller assembly includes a first trailing roller and a second trailing roller configured to cooperate to clamp the tire tread between the first trailing roller and the second trailing roller.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for constructing the tread of a tyre, including arranging a plurality of layers of uncured rubber with a layer thickness per layer of between 30 and 500 μm on a base; removing material from the layers for the purpose of arranging a predetermined pattern; and at least partially separately curing each layer. The invention also relates to a device, comprising a preferably cylindrical base and a control configured to perform this method on a base, and to an uncured rubber strip suitable for use in the method.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method and apparatus of reducing current requirements by increasing resistance of the blade structure by reducing the cross sectional area of at least one section of the blade so that the electrical current requirements for heating of the blade to cutting temperature are reduced wherein the power supply and substantially entire unit may be mounted within a hand held unit. Methods of shaping blades to perform various heat distributions for specialty blades for custom cutting are disclosed. Further, an improved blade mounting structure is provided which includes structure for maintaining the legs of the blade parallel to the direction of cut and provides for easy insertion of new blades by maintaining a slotted blade cradle stable and in alignment with the blades and a clamp member away from the blade when the clamp mounting structure is loosened.
Abstract:
Method of manufacturing a tire comprising a tread strip in which blind radial cuts are arranged in the blocks of rubber that form the tread pattern, comprising a step during which the cuts (33) are made in the unvulcanized tread strip (3) intended to cap the green tire. One or more blades (22) are raised to a temperature higher than the vulcanization temperature of the material of which the tread strip (3) is made are caused to penetrate the radially internal face (32) of the tread strip (3) for a sufficient period of time that they superficially vulcanize the walls of the cut in contact with the blade (22) so as to prevent the faces from sticking back together once the blade has been withdrawn from the cut.
Abstract:
A molding element of a mold for molding and vulcanizing a tire tread, this tread having a tread surface intended to come into contact with the ground when the tire is rolling. This molding element has a molding surface adapted to mold part of the tire tread surface and a blade adapted to mold a sipe or a groove in the tread. The molding element has two lamella positioned on either side of the blade at a distance from this blade, each lamella having a bulge at one extremity far away from the molding surface. Each lamella having cutting means extending from the bulge.
Abstract:
A visual wear indicating feature is incorporated into the tread pattern to provide progressive, incremental indications to the customer regarding the amount of useable tread remaining on the tire.
Abstract:
A tire with certain tread features and a method for manufacturing the tread for such a tire are provided. More particularly, a tire and method for manufacturing a tire having a tread portion with sipes that can be of minimal thickness and varying geometries, densities, and profiles may be provided. The sipes can also be hidden until after a period of tread wear has occurred.
Abstract:
An apparatus may include a stand, a tire mount supported by the stand and releasably attachable to a tire, a tire rasp, and a tire rasp mount attachable to the tire rasp. The tire rasp mount includes a pair of handles. A four bar support pivotally attaches the tire rasp mount to the stand using hime joints. A motor operably rotates the tire and the tire rasp in opposite directions. An operator can manually move the tire rasp into contact with the tire and apply pressure between the tire rasp and the tire to texturize tread surfaces of the tire. A method is also disclosed which includes forming slices and grooves into the tread surfaces of the tire while maintaining the thickness of the tread. The slices and grooves may extend circumferentially around portions of the tread surfaces of the tire, and about {fraction (1/32)}-inch to about {fraction (1/16)}-inch deep.
Abstract:
A tire grooving apparatus according to the present invention consists of a movable carriage (3) adapted to be moved at least in the direction parallel with a tire support shaft (21), a vertically movable block (32) provided on the carriage (3) and adapted to be moved freely in the vertical direction, and a pivotable arm (4), provided on the block (32), having a cutter support unit (5) at the free end portion thereof. The cutter support unit (5) of the invention is movable up and down independently of movable block (32). As the cutter support unit (5) which is attached to the free end portion of the pivotable arm (4) can be so moved up and down independently, the depth of a tread pattern groove can be adjusted and a cutting position of a cutter (6) set arbitrarily, without replacing the cutter (6), without moving the block (32) vertically and without need of a program for correcting the quantity of movement of the cutter.