Abstract: A tire uniformity testing system includes a testing station mounted on a gantry-like frame structure and an inlet conveyor located adjacent to the testing station. The inlet conveyor receives a tire and centers the tire such that its rotational axis is located at predetermined distance from the rotational axis of the testing station, and a conveyor transports the tire to the testing station. The testing station includes rotatable chuck assembly for engaging and rotating a tire which in turn is engaged by a loadwheel that generates tire uniformity data. The inlet conveyor is mechanically isolated from the testing station. The frame forming part of the testing station includes a plurality of I-beams joined together in flange abutting relationship which, in addition to producing a mechanically rigid structure, provides spaces defined between the flanges of the beams that are suitable for routing electrical wiring, pneumatic or hydraulic lines, etc.

Abstract: An automatic, adjustable width chuck apparatus for securely positioning tires in a tire testing machine includes a lower chuck in the form of a spindle assembly and an upper chuck in the form of a movable chuck assembly. The spindle assembly includes a rotatable spindle having a tapered portion and the chuck assembly includes a chuck member having a mating tapered recess. The spindle assembly and chuck assembly each carry a half-rim for engaging the lower and upper beads of the tire. The entire chuck assembly is movable toward and away from the spindle assembly under force of a hydraulic cylinder and can be stopped at any point between fully raised and fully lowered positions. In addition, the chuck member is independently movable by pneumatic cylinders to engage the spindle member at various relative positions of the spindle and chuck assemblies. The movable chuck has an increased stroke length to accommodate various size tires.

Abstract: A loadwheel assembly for a tire testing machine includes a loadwheel with a tire contacting surface supported along substantially its entire circumference by one or more solid discs. The loadwheel consistently measures forces and generates electrical signals corresponding to the forces to more precisely determine tire uniformity. The loadwheel, formed as an aluminum weldment which reduces manufacturing costs, rotates about spindles provided with load cells and mounted to a C-shaped carriage. The carriage has upper and lower legs with the spindles fixed to one side of each leg such that the load cells are easily accessible from one side of the carriage.

Abstract: A tire building drum having a plurality of alternating wide and narrow drum segments bearing shells matable to form a cylindrical tire-building surface includes a shaft and concentric hub rotatable relative one another to expand and collapse the drum. In a preferred embodiment, blocks coupled to each respective segment via springs are mounted for bidirectional radial movement in rotationally-fixed relation to the shaft. Links nestable when the drum is collapsed connect the blocks with the hub to drive the blocks radially and function as over-center toggles stabilizing the drum when expanded. Variable-engagement slides associated with the blocks most effectively resist non-radial forces exerted by the links when their relative magnitude is greatest. Dimensional stability and precision of the drum are facilitated by radial and angular stops which are not subject to sliding wear.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of setting a bead ring against the plies of a tire carcass on the shoulder of a building drum includes a carrier member with a retractable bead support flange. As the carrier member pushes the bead firmly against the carcass plies, the bead support flange is also pushed against the carcass plies, and the flange partly retracts under the pressure. Then, a fluid operated piston drives the support flange further away from the carcass plies, leaving the bead ring almost unsupported, but pressed firmly against the carcass plies on the building drum. The carrier member then retracts away from the building drum, leaving the bead ring in place on the building drum shoulder and ready to have the carcass ply end portions wrapped around it.

Abstract: A tire building drum has an infinite number of length and diameter settings. The drum can be used to build various size tires. The diameter of the drum can also be varied during the tire building operation to improve the tire building procedure.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire building machine with a rotatable building drum and means for feeding to and positioning on a carcass band thereon, a circumferential belt or breaker strip. One or more belt strips are separately positioned adjacent the building drum and guide means separately guide the belt strips over the rotating drum in precision alignment relative to and preferably substantially symmetrically of the circumferential centerline of the drum. The belt strips are applied over the carcass band on the building drum at substantially the same velocity as the surface velocity of the rotating building drum and carcass band thereon.