Abstract: A tire lubricating system including an applicator assembly having plural applicators movable along a vertical axis to enter the bore of a tire and extensible in a radial direction to contact the beads of the tire and apply a lubricant thereto.

Abstract: A lateral load testing system for testing a tire mounted on a rotatable spindle, the tire tester including a load assembly, a spindle frame having a support extending therefrom, a spindle housing defining a spindle bore adapted to rotatably receive the spindle, the spindle housing having a support opposite the support on the spindle frame, and a load cell located between the supports, where each support is attached to the load cell. The load cell is in electrical communication with a controller. The spindle frame is moveable to cause the tire to engage the load assembly, whereby lateral forces generated between the load wheel and tire are measured by the load cell and communicated to the controller.

Abstract: A face grinder assembly is disclosed for removing irregularities from tire. The face grinder assembly includes an outer frame and a slide frame slidably attached to the outer frame. The slide frame is capable of vertical movement relative to the outer frame between a working position and a non-working position. A sub-assembly carried by the slide frame includes a grinding stone. The sub-assembly is configured to define a clearance for the tire in the non-working position of the slide frame.

Abstract: A tire uniformity machine for testing a wheel that includes a tire mounted on a rim having a central bore, the tire uniformity machine including a frame defining a machine proper for receiving the reel, a chuck assembly adapted to hold the wheel during testing, the chuck assembly including a protuberance insertably received within the central bore.

Abstract: A dynamic calibrator in an tire uniformity machine for testing a tire having a chuck assembly for receiving and chucking a tire load cell in sensing relation therewith, the load cell transmitting sensed information to a controller, the dynamic calibrator including a rotatable calibration wheel coupled to the chuck assembly; a motor assembly operatively coupled to the wheel to cause rotation thereof; and a wheel velocity sensing assembly.

Abstract: A tire uniformity machine having a framework for receiving a tire to be tested, a rotatable chuck located within the framework and having a spindle driven by a motor directly coupled to the spindle to selectively cause rotation thereof, whereby the tire is chucked within the chuck assembly and caused to rotate by the motor. The motor is disposed in axial alignment with the spindle.

Abstract: A grinder in a tire uniformity machine having a frame including a first side frame member and a second side frame member, the frame receiving a tire having a central axis for testing, the grinder including a carriage pivotally attached to the first side frame member and a locking assembly adjacent the carriage and the second side frame member selectively coupling the carriage to the second side frame member when the carriage is in the operating position; a grinding head supported on one end of the carriage, the grinding head having at least one grinding stone and at least one motor coupled to the grinding stone capable of causing rotation thereof.

Abstract: A calibration fixture for calibrating load cells in a tire uniformity machine, the tire uniformity machine having a carriage rotatably supporting a load wheel on a first spindle and a second spindle, a first load cell and second load cell in sensing relation to the load wheel and attached to the carriage, at least one of the load cells having a support portion and a sensing portion rotatable within the support portion the calibration fixture including: a fixture member releasably attached to the cover of the load cell; and an adjustment assembly supported by the tire uniformity machine operable with the fixture member to cause movement of the sensing portion relative to the rim.

Abstract: A grinder for use with a tire uniformity machine and being selectially moved into and out of contact with a tire mounted in the tire uniformity machine and including a pair of rotatable grindstones for grinding the tire carried by a grinding head. The grindstones are moved radially toward and away from the tire and are driven by one or more motors mounted on the grinding bead for rotating the grindstones in opposite directions relative to each other.

Abstract: A tire uniformity machine having a framework for receiving a tire to be tested, a rotatable chuck located within the framework and having a spindle driven by a motor directly coupled to the spindle to selectively cause rotation thereof, whereby the tire is chucked within the chuck assembly and caused to rotate by the motor. The motor is disposed in axial alignment with the spindle.

Abstract: A tire uniformity machine having a framework for receiving a tire to be tested, a rotatable chuck located within the framework and having a spindle driven by a motor directly coupled to the spindle to selectively cause rotation thereof, whereby the tire is chucked within the chuck assembly and caused to rotate by the motor. The motor is disposed in axial alignment with the spindle.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides an apparatus and method for accurately and rapidly imposing the required average force on a tire by using a drive mechanism, which initially drives the loadwheel carriage to a known average load position for tires of the type under test. This average can be computed based on a single previous test tire or based on an entire population of previously tested tires of the same or similar type.

Abstract: A tire uniformity machine having a processor and a load wheel rotatably mounted within a frame, the tire uniformity machine including non-visible indicia adjacent the load wheel; and a sensor operatively located with respect to the indicia and in communication with the processor, wherein the sensor detects the presence of the indicia during the rotation of the load wheel.

Abstract: A tire bead lubricating assembly for lubricating the bead area of a tire includes a lubricator sleeve mounted for reciprocal movement into and out of the center of the tire. The sleeve has an hourglass shape for engagement with the opposed bead of the tire when inserted into the center of the tire.

Abstract: A tire uniformity machine for analyzing a tire having a process controller in communication with a plurality of sensors for determining the physical characteristics of the tire, the marking assembly comprising a positioning assembly near the tire uniformity machine and in communication with the process controller; a marker operatively attached to the positioning assembly such that upon receiving a signal from the process controller the positioning assembly locates the marker in operative relation to the tire.

Abstract: A grinder in a tire uniformity machine that receives a tire for testing, the grinder including an arm received in bearings; a grinding head supported on the arm, the grinding head having a rotatable grinding stone and a motor causing the rotation of the grinding stone; and a linear actuator operatively engaging the arm to selectively cause axial movement thereof causing the grindstone to selectively contact the tire.

Abstract: A tire bead lubricating assembly for lubricating the bead area of a tire includes a lubricator sleeve mounted for reciprocal movement into and out of the center of the tire. The sleeve has an hourglass shape for engagement with the opposed bead of the tire when inserted into the center of the tire.

Abstract: A post-cure inflator for tires includes a driven shaft for mounting at least one tire chuck for receiving the tire bead and at least one spindle for mounting a tire chuck and being disposed in opposed relationship with the driven shaft. The at least one spindle is movable toward and away from the driven shaft. A tire support shaft is also provided to receive a tire and elevate it into registry to permit mounting of the tire on the chucks. The driven shaft can be provided with opposed ends carrying the chucks and a spindle and chuck may be positioned opposite both ends. The method includes mounting the tire on a rotatable spindle which is disposed in a horizontal plane so that the tire is disposed in a vertical plane, inflating the tire and rotating it in the post-curing operation.

Abstract: A tire uniformity machine includes a chucking apparatus (8) that accommodates tires (13) of varying bead width spacings. The chucking apparatus (8) includes a lower chuck assembly (10) positioned below a upper chuck assembly (12). The lower chuck assembly (10) includes an inner spindle apparatus (20) that is rotatably received within an outer spindle apparatus (22). The inner (20) and outer (22) spindle apparatus are carried by the piston rods (38 and 54) of a dual piston cylinder (52). An elongate nose cone (26) of the inner spindle apparatus (20) is carried by the inner piston rod (38), while the outer spindle apparatus (22) is carried by the outer piston rod (54). The dual piston cylinder (52) is operable to independently raise and lower the inner (38) and outer (54) piston rods. The operation of the dual piston cylinder (52) is controlled by a low pressure valve (110), a high pressure valve (112) and a servo valve (114).