Patents by Inventor Michael D. Shaffer

Michael D. Shaffer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5755904
    Abstract: An Apparatus for applying cushion gum to a periphery of a tire casing without cement includes a conveyor having a forward roller near the tire casing. The conveyor is mounted on a carriage that is movable relative to its base so that the conveyor can be moved to contact the tire casing. The conveyor moves the cushion gum below an infrared heater to heat an interface side of the cushion gum to increase its tack and then moves the heated cushion gum between the forward roller and the tire casing. The forward roller of the conveyor applies the cushion gum to the periphery of the tire as the cushion gum exits the conveyor and first contacts the tire casing. A supply roller is provided to move the cushion gum from a supply roll to the rear end of the conveyor. A cutting mechanism is provided between the supply roller and the conveyor to selectively cut the cushion gum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Hercules Tire and Rubber Company
    Inventors: Trent F. Longo, Charles J. Wollenzier, Gordon T. Franks, Patrick J. Quinlan, Michael D. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 5635015
    Abstract: An Apparatus for applying cushion gum to a periphery of a tire casing without cement includes a conveyor having a forward roller near the tire casing. The conveyor is mounted on a carriage that is movable relative to its base so that the conveyor can be moved to contact the tire casing. The conveyor moves the cushion gum below an infrared heater to heat an interface side of the cushion gum to increase its tack and then moves the heated cushion gum between the forward roller and the tire casing. The forward roller of the conveyor applies the cushion gum to the periphery of the tire as the cushion gum exits the conveyor and first contacts the tire casing. A supply roller is provided to move the cushion gum from a supply roll to the rear end of the conveyor. A cutting mechanism is provided between the supply roller and the conveyor to selectively cut the cushion gum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Hercules Tire and Rubber Company
    Inventors: Trent F. Longo, Charles J. Wollenzier, Gordon T. Franks, Patrick J. Quinlan, Michael D. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 4660611
    Abstract: An improved passenger car tire chain employing heat treated medium carbon steel is disclosed. The improved tire chain is approximately twice as durable as that presently furnished to meet NACM-5179(TC) for Type PL chains when AISI 1026 or 1029 carbon steel is employed at least for links of a cross chain meeting the road surface. The cross chain links are closed by welding prepared abutting link ends which have been previously beveled. After being welded closed, the cross chain links are case hardened, quenched, tempered and air cooled. The improved tire chain is then assembled in a conventional manner to include a pair of side members, fastening means to secure a end of each side member to the other end, and a plurality of cross chains extending between the sidewall members at preselected intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Cooper Industries
    Inventors: Glenn E. Gockley, Michael D. Shaffer