Abstract: A shearing apparatus may comprise a frame and a shearing assembly configured to shear a portion of a tire along a shear plane, the shearing assembly including a lower shear blade structure and an upper shear blade structure mounted on the frame. The apparatus may also comprise a tire indexing structure configured to advance a portion of the tire a distance through the shear plane for shearing the portion of the tire from a remainder of the tire. The tire indexing structure may include a tire clamping assembly to clamp onto the tire and movable between an initial and a final position to move the tire through the shear plane, a carriage assembly to move the tire clamping assembly between the initial and final positions, and a guide defining a path along which the carriage and tire clamping assemblies are movable between the positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for cutting an elastomeric laminate that may include a layer of reinforcement cords, into a desired length without cutting through the cords. The method includes the step of cutting through the gum portion of the elastomeric composite material at a desired skive angle, and then opening up the skived cut. Next, the cord reinforcement layer is cut without severing the reinforcement cords. An elastomeric composite strip cut to the desired length is produced and has cut ends. One of the cut ends has the gum portion cut at a desired skive angle adjacent an overhang portion of the reinforcement layer. The opposite end of the elastomeric composite segment also has a skived portion to mate with the skived portion of the first cut end, and a gap in the cord ply to mate with the cord overhang of the first end, resulting in a splice. An improved anvil having independently controlled vacuum zones is also provided, as well as improved cutting mechanisms.

Abstract: [Object] An apparatus for chamfering fold formation tape ends is provided which not only facilitates setting of a workpiece tape but also simultaneously carries out cutting of the tape so as to form acute-angled ends and chamfering of the side faces of the tape ends to perform end processing at two positions at a time.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for cutting scrap tires along a cut line that is generally parallel with sidewalls of the scrap tires. A base frame supports a cutting blade that is positioned to cut through the tread of a scrap tire lying on its sidewall. A blade engagement arm may be provided to at least partially receive the cutting blade from a back side of the tread portion. A motive system is provided for incrementally moving the cutting apparatus about a circumferential portion of the scrap tire as it is being cut.

Abstract: A method for cutting a ribbon of rubber-coated fabric includes dragging a free end of the ribbon past a working position of a punching device, forming a notch between two adjacent reinforcing cords of the ribbon using the punching device, moving a counter-blade of the punching device away from the working position, inserting at least one cutting blade through the notch, and performing first and second cuts of the ribbon. An associated apparatus includes a punching device and a cutting device. The punching device includes an incision tool, an abutting counter-blade, and control devices for moving the incision tool and the abutting counter-blade toward and away from the ribbon. The cutting device includes at least one cutting blade and a control device for moving the at least one cutting blade toward and away from the ribbon.

Abstract: A method of an apparatus for cutting segments (10) to desired lengths from a strip (1) of elastomeric tire components having at least one cord reinforced component involves the step of impacting one cord (22) as the cut is being made and lifting the cord (22) to avoid cutting cords (22) while directing the cutting path along the lifted cord(22). The article resulting from the method has a plurality of cords (22) adjacent a flat cut splicing surface (8) suitable for lap splicing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for cutting an elastomeric laminate that may include a layer of reinforcement cords, into a desired length without cutting through the cords. The method includes the step of cutting through the gum portion of the elastomeric composite material at a desired skive angle, and then opening up the skived cut. Next, the cord reinforcement layer is cut without severing the reinforcement cords. An elastomeric composite strip cut to the desired length is produced and has cut ends. One of the cut ends has the gum portion cut at a desired skive angle adjacent an overhang portion of the reinforcement layer. The opposite end of the elastomeric composite segment also has a skived portion to mate with the skived portion of the first cut end, and a gap in the cord ply to mate with the cord overhang of the first end, resulting in a splice. An improved anvil having independently controlled vacuum zones is also provided, as well as improved cutting mechanisms.

Abstract: A method for cutting a ribbon of rubber-coated fabric includes dragging a free end of the ribbon past a working position of a punching device, forming a notch between two adjacent reinforcing cords of the ribbon using the punching device, moving a counter-blade of the punching device away from the working position, inserting at least one cutting blade through the notch, and performing first and second cuts of the ribbon. An associated apparatus includes a punching device and a cutting device. The punching device includes an incision tool, an abutting counter-blade, and control devices for moving the incision tool and the abutting counter-blade toward and away from the ribbon. The cutting device includes at least one cutting blade and a control device for moving the at least one cutting blade toward and away from the ribbon.

Abstract: Steel reinforced tire fabrics are cut with long rigid bar blades, circular disc blades and disc and anvil blades. All of these blades may have an open relatively deep slot spaced close to the cutting edge that creates a resilient cantilevered spring element that includes the cutting edge. In response to cutting forces, the spring element will deflect and form a concave crossover area that improves cutting. A supporting material, particularly a precompressed supporting material, such as a precompressed or stretched polyurethane strip may be inserted into the slot. The supporting material limits or reduces the deflection of the spring element so that the yield strength of the spring element is not exceeded and it returns to its original position when the forces are removed. A precompressed supporting material exerts an outward force on the spring element. A polyurethane strip may be precompressed by stretching it before it is inserted into the slot.

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 1/32-inch to about 1/16-inch deep.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for severing tire ply stock (S) wherein the apparatus includes a knife assembly (14) utilizing a blade (50) having a curved leading edge (58) and a straight trailing edge (62) which meet at a leading point (66). The ply stock (S) is supported by a slotted anvil (26) in the area immediately adjacent a cut line. In operation, the knife assembly (14) is lowered and the leading point (66) pierces the ply stock (S) between adjacent cords. During the downward stroke, the trailing edge (62) back-cuts the ply stock (S) from the insertion point (98) to a first lateral edge (18). The leading edge (58) severs the remainder of the ply stocks (S) as the knife assembly (14) traverses the ply stock to a second lateral edge (22).

Abstract: The tire deflation device (30) includes a rail member (34) having a support portion (38) and a piercing portion (40). The piercing portion (40) of the rail member (34) extends toward a tire (20) and is located between the tire (20) and a protected portion (40) of the automotive vehicle (10). The piercing portion (40) is intended to puncture and deflate the tire (20) when a crush zone (18) is deformed inwardly so as to force the tire (20) into the piercing portion (40) of the rail member (34). The support portion (38) has at least one anchor member (32) fixedly attached thereto for securely mounting the rail member (34) to a side mount (12) of the automotive vehicle (10) within a middle rigid zone (14) thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconditioning tires while on lift trucks where a cutting tool is mounted to the lift truck and brought in contact with the tire and the tire is rotated, thereby removing material to return the tire to a more circular shape.

Abstract: The present invention is a tire cutting machine comprising of a base, a body member, a drive assembly means and a cutting assembly means. The drive assembly means includes a drive power means simultaneously engaged to a pair of front drive wheels and to a pair of rear drive wheels to provide rotation thereof. The front drive wheels are coaxially mounted in close relation to one another on a front drive wheel shaft extending between a first drive assembly arm and a second drive assembly arm. The rear drive wheels are coaxially mounted in close relation to one another and to a guide wheel which is directly engaged to the drive power means. The cutting assembly means includes a cutting power means simultaneously engaged to a front cutting wheel and to a rear cutting wheel to provide rotation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is a tire cutting machine comprising of a base, a body member, a drive assembly means and a cutting assembly means. The drive assembly means includes a drive power means simultaneously engaged to a pair of front drive wheels and to a pair of rear drive wheels to provide rotation thereof. The front drive wheels are coaxially mounted in close relation to one another on a front drive wheel shaft extending between a first drive assembly arm and a second drive assembly arm. The rear drive wheels are coaxially mounted in close relation to one another and to a guide wheel which is directly engaged to the drive power means. The cutting assembly means includes a cutting power means simultaneously engaged to a front cutting wheel and to a rear cutting wheel to provide rotation thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides patterned tread strips of uniform shape and dimension from salvaged tire carcass tread strips adapted for producing products requiring stacked layers of tread strips. Novel methods of and apparatus for shaping the tread strips in one embodiment results in trimming edges of substantially rectangular shaped tread strips salvaged from tire carcasses having two shorter ends and two longer sides to produce precisely uniform width between the longer sides. Thus the longitudinal tread strips may be passed from one end longitudinally through a power actuated strip feeder which establishes slicing means operable at designated spacings near opposite edges of the tread strips to cut away edges and produce uniform longitudinal strip widths between said two shorter ends as the strips pass through the strip feeder. Other shaping embodiments of the invention include tread surface shavers for producing strips of precise thickness, and length cutters to provide specified lengths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting segments from a long sheet (1) of multilayered elastomeric material. An initial opening is formed in the sheet without severing reinforcing cords (20) within the elastomeric sheet by a penetrator/separator (40). Two ultrasonic knives are inserted on either side of the penetrator/separator (40) and positioned to cut the sheet at a small skive angle &agr; with respect to the plane of the sheet being cut. Then the knives are moved to opposite edges of the sheet of elastomeric material.

Abstract: Steel reinforced tire fabrics are cut with long rigid bar blades, circular disc blades sand disc and anvil blades. All of these blades may have an open relatively deep slot spaced close to the cutting edge that creates a resilient cantilevered spring element that includes the cutting edge. In response to cutting forces, the spring element will deflect and form a concave crossover area that improves cutting. A supporting material, particularly a precompressed supporting material, such as a precompressed or stretched polyurethane strip may be inserted into the slot. The supporting material limits or reduces the deflection of the spring element so that the yield strength of the spring element is not exceeded and it returns to its original position when the forces are removed. A precompressed supporting material exerts an outward force on the spring element. A polyurethane strip may be precompressed by stretching it before it is inserted into the slot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting apparatus and method for breaking down of a vehicle tyre. The apparatus comprises support means for supporting a tyre in position, cutting means for cutting the tyre and rotation means for rotating the tyre during a cutting operation. The apparatus includes a track or guide (14) which is a conveying means for directing tyres toward a frame (15). The frame (15) forms part of the support means and communicates with a hopper (16) into which constituent tyre parts are deposited automatically after a cutting operation has been carried out. The cutting means comprises cutter arms (17). A support means also comprises pivot arms (18) which carry tyre guides (19) and are connected to a pivot support arm (20). Rollers (21) are provided for supporting the tyre (7) in the cutting position. The rotation means comprises a driving wheel (22).

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting segments from a long sheet of multilayered elastomeric material. An initial opening is formed in the sheet without severing reinforcing cords within the elastomeric sheet by a penetrator/separator. Two ultrasonic knives are inserted on either side of the penetrator/separator and positioned to cut the sheet at a small skive angle &agr; with respect to the plane of the sheet being cut. Then the knives are moved to opposite edges of the sheet of elastomeric material.

Abstract: A method of removing waste material from an annular, elastomeric article 10. The method includes the steps of: securing at least a portion of the annular, elastomeric article 10; securing at least a portion of the waste material; penetrating the waste material with a cutting tool 52; and guiding the cutting tool 52 through the waste material. The method is characterized by the step of stretching the waste material prior to guiding the cutting tool 52. In the preferred method, the waste material is stretched a distance sufficient to simultaneously apply some degree of tension to the unsecured portions of the waste material.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for forming a carved groove of a green tire capable of forming a carved groove of a necessary depth without being influenced by variation of outer diameters of the green tire is provided. In a method and an apparatus for forming a carved groove for a lug groove with a cutter on an outer circumferential surface of a green tire before curing, a distance sensor is moved along a portion to be carved on the outer circumferential surface of the green tire to measure outer diameters of the portion to be carved, cut shape data for a green tire having an ideal shape stored in memory beforehand is revised on the basis of the measured outer diameters, and the cutter is moved in accordance with the revised cut shape data for carving.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of tire sectors from used tires wherein the tire sectors remain interconnected in the area of the tire tread. The apparatus comprises a support with at least a portion inserted within the inner section of the tire and the support has at least two spaced apart and arc-shaped abutments for supporting the tire sidewalls. At least one knife for cutting the sidewalls of the tire without cutting the tread, wherein the abutments have multiple passageways to allow the knife to move through the abutments during a cutting operation when the knife moves from a mid position to an end position. The apparatus can include punching dies for punching openings into the tire sidewalls.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a scrap tire includes a base with a top face, a vertical shaft mounted on the base, a tire support mounted rotatably on the vertical shaft, and first and second cutting units. The first cutting unit is mounted on the base and is adapted to cut the scrap tire along a first plane that is parallel to the top face of the base. The second cutting unit is mounted on the base and is adapted to cut the scrap tire along a second plane that is perpendicular to the top face of the base.

Abstract: A method for cutting to length a strip-shaped profiled member of unvulcanized rubber material by a cutting edge includes the step of providing a speed between the cutting edge and the profiled member to be cut of at least 2.5 m/s during the cutting action. The device for carrying out the method includes a carriage and a tool with a cutting edge fastened to the carriage. The carriage has an acceleration path, defined between a rest position of the carriage and a side of the profiled member facing the carriage, of between 0.2 and 1 m. The carriage has a deceleration path, defined between an oppositely arranged side of the profiled member and an end position of the carriage, of at least 0.1 m.

Abstract: Apparatus for compacting and for cutting voluminous objects of strong elasticity, notably pneumatics.The apparatus includes shears; positioned at the extremity of a tunnel of arranging and compacting, the tunnel has a rectangular cross section, narrowing toward the extremity and the four walls of the tunnel being constituted of parallel and juxtaposed rollers. The rollers are disposed transversely. The rollers of the vertical walls and of the horizontal superior wall being put into rotation by a motor apparatus.

Abstract: A wheel crushing apparatus for crushing scrap vehicle wheels to prepare the scrap wheels for recycling, the scrap wheels having a tire mounted on the wheel, consists of an engine, a hydraulic pump driven by the engine, a single hydraulic cylinder and piston driven by the hydraulic pump, a crushing head to hold the wheel and tire for crushing the wheel, a number of crushing arms concentric about the crushing head, and radially movable between an extended position wherein the crushing arms contact the tire tread and a contracted position wherein the wheel is crushed, and a linkage connecting all of the crushing arms to the single hydraulic piston, so that all of the crushing arms are driven by the single hydraulic piston between the extended position and the contracted position.

Abstract: A tire separation method employs a cutting head and a press for separating treads from rims of solid rubber tires. The cutting head has an annular blade with a blunt edge for tearing the rubber from the rim of the tire. Three spoke blades are spaced apart around the annular blade for cutting the diameter of the tread into sections. The rim drops through the annular blade to a conveyor, while the tread sections fall away to tread conveyors. The tires are brought from storage on a tire conveyor. The press has a hydraulic cylinder driving a piston with a jaw-type clamping mechanism for picking up tires. The cylinder is on a carriage that is movable from over the cutting head to over the tire conveyor for picking up tires to bring them over the cutting head for separating.

Abstract: A concrete building block or panel contains at least one tightly wound bundle of used tire casing tread sections that have been separated from the two end wall sections and which have been joined together and wound into a tight spiral bundle. In one form of the invention, the side wall sections are stacked in axial alignment and a tread bundle is inserted into the stack before being mounted in the block or panel.

Abstract: An electrically heated knife blade is mounted on a carriage for moving the blade across a strip of elastomeric material. The carriage is propelled by a constant force provided by a pneumatic cylinder in communication with a source of constant air pressure so that the cutting speed is automatically increased at sections of strip material which are relatively thin and the cutting speed is automatically decreased at sections of strip material which are relatively thick. Sensors for determining the position of the relatively thick sections may be connected to the source of electricity for heating the knife blade to increase the voltage while cutting the relatively thick sections and thereby provide for a substantially constant cutting speed across the strip of elastomeric material. A tire tread is bent at the location the knife blade is moved across the tread to provide matching cut ends for splicing on a tire building drum.

Abstract: A tire cutting apparatus for severing the tread portion from the sidewall portion of a tire. The severed tread is cut transversely so that it can be extended and placed flat down and used to form a wall, fence or the like. The apparatus includes cutting wheels and roller receivers which are in vertical alignment therewith. Between the cutting wheels is a driver roller which causes the tire carcass to rotate around the roller receivers. A cutter blade is provided to transversely cut the tread portion. The cut is made at the juncture of the tread portion and the upper sidewall portion.

Abstract: The instant invention is a tire cutting apparatus which operates in conjunction with a conventional band saw providing a used tire treatment mechanism that is affordable to purchase and maintain. A tire support assembly having flexible bands to expand to the inner perimeter of a tire casing is used with tire rotational speed controlled by a motor which frictionally engages an outer perimeter of the tire. The tire casing is further stabilized during the cutting operation by a wheel platform which supports a conventional band saw. The tire casing is rotated during or by band saw operation cutting the tire casing in two equal halves with smooth edges. The apparatus further includes an enclosure providing a catch basin for material cut from the tire and a cover allowing the apparatus to be stored or used as a work table. Wheels allow the enclosure to be easily moved and stood upright in a corner should space be a problem.

Abstract: A slicing machine for cutting waste tires into pieces which can be stored in considerably compacted volumes for further use or disposal thereof. The machine includes a rotatively driven chuck plate having a plurality of perpendicularly arranged pins for supporting a waste tire by its beads, a freely rotatable follower plate driven by a pressure supplying fluid mechanism against the chuck plate, and knives arranged perpendicularly to the chuck plate and to the follower plate and extending towards each other over the edges of the plates, such that when the tire is pressed between the plates, the knives will slice and cut the tire.

Abstract: A machine for cutting used tires into selectively sized pieces or segments which includes a cutter which is movable relative to a die against which a tire is supported. An indexing mechanism is engaged with the tire to rotate the tire relative to the die after each successive cutting motion of the cutter so that contiguous and/or adjacent segments or portions of the tire are progressively severed from the middle reinforced inner bead of the tire.

Abstract: A tire cutting machine including a fixed cutting blade and a movable cutting blade, the machine being adapted to cut by shearing action. The movable blade is guided by adjustable guides at each end of the blade to provide very close proximity of the blades and to maintain proper clearance between the blades. The blades, in the open position, are spaced apart at both ends to provide an open throat allowing placement of the tire to be cut in a position relatively close to the pivot point between the blades for better leverage in the cutting process, so that varied sizes of tires for all types of conveyances may be easily cut. Loading and disposal devices are also used with the machine for easier handling. A special tire or wheel holding device is also provided to hold the tire in place as it is being cut.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing a plurality of tires having a threaded portion, a rim portion and two sidewall portions, said method comprising the following steps; peripherally slicing each of said tires in two half tires along said threaded portion about midway between said sidewall portions; performing radial incisions in each of said two half tires, said incisions extending through said threaded portion and part of said sidewall portion; stacking up said half tires one on top of the other in order to form a pile of half tires; compressing said pile longitudinally in order to flatten said half tires one over the other; whereby, said radial incisions allow the threaded portion of each half tire to lie in the same plane as the sidewalls of the same half tire without warping when said half tire is compressed into a flattened condition.

Abstract: A machine for cutting tires into a plurality of elongated strips includes parallel cutting shafts having a plurality of cutting wheels mounted for rotation therewith. The cutting wheels are separated by annular spacers on the cutting shafts. A spacer comber partially encircles each annular spacer and has a lower portion having a rounded surface to minimize surface contact between the elongated strips and the spacer comber. After the side cutting edges of each cutting wheel becomes worn, the cutting wheels can be sharpened by surface grinding which narrows the cutting wheel. Each annular spacer and spacer comber are also narrowed by respective corresponding surface grinding of the side surfaces thereof. The machine is overhauled, after the surface grinding and the corresponding surface grinding, by the addition of at least one of each cutting wheel, annular spacer and spacer comber on each cutting shaft.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated tire cutter includes a first conveyor belt which loads a tire into a tire cutting position between a fixed plate, a moving plate and a plurality of adjustable bars. Twelve corresponding pairs of gripping jaws project from the fixed and moving plate. The gripping jaws have a saw tooth edge. Each pair of gripping jaws of the fixed and moving plate are in registration with one another to compress the tire until one of the tire's beads essentially touches the other. Twelve blades attached to a blade plate are hydraulically actuated to pass through a passage in the moving plate and the fixed plate to radially cut the tire. After the tire has been cut, a second conveyor belt removes the pieces of tire from the bottom portion of the tire cutter.

Abstract: A tire cutting machine that cuts the sidewalls from passenger car tires. The cutting operation is performed on both sidewalls simultaneously. The inner side of the tire tread rests on two rollers so that the tread becomes the reference point for the cutting blades. The tire tread is brought into contact with a drive wheel positioned on the outside of the tire tread and opposite one of the rollers on the inner side of the tire tread. The drive wheel causes the tire to rotate in a vertical plane. Two cutting blades (one on each side of the tire) are brought into contact with the sidewalls to sever them from the tread. As the cutting blades move towards the sidewalls, guide rollers move in unison with the cutting blades to center the tire between the blades and keep the tire centered as the sidewalls are cut.

Abstract: A tire splitting apparatus for splitting tire casings circumferentially into segments which includes a frame having a generally horizontal tire support table. Tire casing drive means are associated with the support table such that the drive means drivingly engages the outer crown of a tire casing and rotates the tire casing on the support table. Also included are at least two opposing guides for engaging the outer crown of a tire casing such that a tire casing situated on the support table rotates substantially over the center of the support table. A tire casing situated and rotated on the support table may be cut circumferentially with slicing means mounted on the support table generally opposite the drive means. Finally, adjustment means are provided for selectively engaging tire casings of varying diameters.

Abstract: A tire cutting tool wherein a curved hardened cutter blade is hydraulically driven to cuttably engage a tire between the cutting face of the cutter blades and open faces of a cutter anvil with a beginning end of the cutter blade entering between the open faces and holding the cutter blade in one plane as the blade is forced through the tire.

Abstract: An apparatus for dividing scrap tires having a compression transport in a rotary shear station. The compression transport centers the tire and provides forces onto the treaded periphery to buckle the scrap tire. The compression transport then feeds the tire to the rotary shear station in a straight-line manner. The rotary shear station has overlapping and counter-rotating circular shears that make at least one cut along the length of the collapsed tire to produce annular tire segments. The movement of the collapsed tire relative to the rotary shear station remains a linear movement during the shearing process. Preferably, the rotary shearing station includes a pair of coaxial circular shears that are spaced apart by a third shear supported on a shaft parallel to a shaft supporting the spaced pair of shears. In this manner, the scrap tire is reduced to three segments as a pair of shearing cuts are made parallel to the flattened tread of the scrap tire.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing the bead wires from a scrap tire having a pair of overlapping and counterrotating shearing members mounted on a movable carriage. The carriage provides reciprocating motion to the shearing members between two shearing work stations. While shearing action takes place at a first work station a scrap tire is fed into the adjacent work station, whereafter the bead wires of the scrap tire are first elongated and then compressed into overlying adjacent positions. Advancement of the shearing members into the tire produces a first tire shear that is at least closely tangential to the bead wires. When the pinch point of the shearing members is proximate the bead wires forward movement of the carriage is ceased. However, the tire is caused to rotate about its axis by the shearing members to produce a second shear that is substantially concentric with the bead wires, the first and second shears being a single continuous motion.