Abstract: An apparatus to mark a surface of an object includes a conveyor assembly having spaced apart conveyor belts with a conveyor opening therebetween. The conveyor assembly has an entry side and an exit side that supports the object. A marking assembly moves between a retracted position away from the conveyor belts, which allows movement of the object from the entry side to the exit side, and an operate position proximal the surface to be marked. At least one marker is carried by the marking assembly which marks a surface of the object when the marking assembly is in the operate position.

Abstract: A chucking apparatus for positioning a tire in a tire uniformity machine includes an upper chuck assembly, a lower chuck assembly operative with the upper chuck assembly to capture a tire therebetween, and a dual piston cylinder coupled to the lower chuck assembly which moves the tire into engagement with the upper chuck assembly. The dual piston cylinder has an axially extending inner piston rod from which axially extends a field-replaceable inner piston stem.

Abstract: A decal marker used with a marking station interchangeably carries a decal tape and a marking tape and transfers a decal from the decal tape to a surface to be marked. A marking assembly frame and at least one marker carried by the marking assembly frame which carries the decal tape or the marking tape are included. A tape sensor assembly is carried by the at least one marker and detects an edge of the decal so that the at least one marker properly positions the decal for transfer to the surface.

Abstract: A tire bead lubricating system for applying lubricant to a tire consists of a frame supporting conveyor belts which form a conveyor opening therebetween. The conveyor belts transfer a tire from one end of the frame to another. A lubricating wick chamber is maintained within the frame and positioned underneath the conveyor opening. A lubricating wick assembly is received in the lubricating wick chamber and moves into the conveyor opening. The lubricating wick assembly has at least one engagement roller and at least one elongate brush that carries lubricant applied to the tire.

Abstract: A chucking apparatus for positioning a tire in a tire uniformity machine includes an upper chuck assembly, a lower chuck assembly operative with the upper chuck assembly to capture a tire therebetween, and a dual piston cylinder coupled to the lower chuck assembly which moves the tire into engagement with the upper chuck assembly. The dual piston cylinder has an axially extending inner piston rod from which axially extends a field-replaceable inner piston stem.

Abstract: A decal marker used with a marking station interchangeably carries a decal tape and a marking tape and transfers a decal from the decal tape to a surface to be marked. A marking assembly frame and at least one marker carried by the marking assembly frame which carries the decal tape or the marking tape are included. A tape sensor assembly is carried by the at least one marker and detects an edge of the decal so that the at least one marker properly positions the decal for transfer to the surface.

Abstract: A tire bead lubricating system for applying lubricant to a tire consists of a frame supporting conveyor belts which form a conveyor opening therebetween. The conveyor belts transfer a tire from one end of the frame to another. A lubricating wick chamber is maintained within the frame and positioned underneath the conveyor opening. A lubricating wick assembly is received in the lubricating wick chamber and moves into the conveyor opening. The lubricating wick assembly has at least one engagement roller and at least one elongate brush that carries lubricant applied to the tire.

Abstract: An apparatus to mark a surface of an object includes a conveyor assembly having spaced apart conveyor belts with a conveyor opening therebetween. The conveyor assembly has an entry side and an exit side that supports the object. A marking assembly moves between a retracted position away from the conveyor belts, which allows movement of the object from the entry side to the exit side, and an operate position proximal the surface to be marked. At least one marker is carried by the marking assembly which marks a surface of the object when the marking assembly is in the operate position.