Abstract: Presented is a system and method of providing centralized management and analysis of fleet information. The system includes a centralized fleet information management server accessible via a communications network to thin clients. The communications network may be the Internet, and the thin clients are required to have only a web browser application to fully access the functionality of the server. A portable computing device, such as a Windows CE or Palm compatible device, may be used with an installed application program to conduct on-site, off-line inspections. The portable device includes a local database that may be populated with fleet information downloaded from the fleet information management server. Upon completion of the on-site inspection, the data stored in the local database may be uploaded to the server. The server may be used by thin clients to generate various reports based on the fleet data, including the estimation of operating cost savings.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for performing electronic shearography on a test object, especially a tire or retread tire. The apparatus uses a laser light source to illuminate the test object. An optical element through which electromagnetic radiation is reflected from the test object is transmitted and forms a random interference image. The random interference image can be electronically processed to provide a video animation of the effects of stress on the test object. An archive memory can be provided for retaining the animation data which can be compressed such that it includes only preselected individual shearogram images from the set of sequential shearogram images and less than all of the image data associated therewith. An air handling system can be provided for changing the ambient pressure in a pressure chamber within which the test object is supportable. The air handling system can include a humidity reducing mechanism.

Abstract: A tire buffer for buffing a tire casing as part of a retread operation can include a rasp pedestal having a rasp head and a texturing device. A moving assembly can be connected to the rasp pedestal for selectively moving the rasp pedestal along a pair of perpendicular axes. The rasp pedestal can rotate about a vertical axis. A tire hub assembly can be included for rotating the tire casing. The tire buffer can be operated at an operator station by interfacing with a control unit. The tire buffer can automatically buff a tire casing to achieve a predetermined tire casing profile and impart a texture thereto. The tire buffer includes a tire location mechanism and a tire measurement mechanism mounted to the rasp pedestal.

Abstract: A retreaded tire assembly and method for making the same is disclosed. The method and assembly provide for the application of new tread to a buffed tire casing with only a layer of cushion gum disposed therebetween. The cushion gum is applied directly to the buffed circumference of a tire casing without the use of conventional spray cement normally applied to the buffed surface of the entire casing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for performing electronic shearography on a test object, especially a tire or retread tire. The apparatus uses a laser light source to illuminate the test object. An optical element through which electromagnetic radiation is reflected from the test object is transmitted and forms a random interference image. The random interference image is electronically processed to provide a video animation of the effects of stress on the test object.

Abstract: Presented is a system and method of providing centralized management and analysis of fleet information. The system includes a centralized fleet information management server accessible via a communications network to thin clients. The communications network may be the Internet, and the thin clients are required to have only a web browser application to fully access the functionality of the server. A portable computing device, such as a Windows CE or Palm compatible device, may be used with an installed application program to conduct on-site, off-line inspections. The portable device includes a local database that may be populated with fleet information downloaded from the fleet information management server. Upon completion of the on-site inspection, the data stored in the local database may be uploaded to the server. The server may be used by thin clients to generate various reports based on the fleet data, including the estimation of operating cost savings.

Abstract: A retreaded tire assembly and method for making the same is disclosed. The method and assembly provide for the application of new tread to a buffed tire casing with only a layer of cushion gum disposed therebetween. The cushion gum is applied directly to the buffed circumference of a tire casing without the use of conventional spray cement normally applied to the buffed surface of the entire casing.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for contouring the shoulder areas of retreaded tires is disclosed. A cutter, preferably having a heated blade, is disposed proximate at least one shoulder of a retreaded tire. The retreaded tire is then rotated, while the cutter blade is moved into contact with the side wall of the tire proximate the joint between the tire casing and the tread layer. A portion of the tire casing and the tread layer is cut away along the entire shoulder area of the retreaded tire to provide an aesthetically pleasing contoured surface extending from the tire casing to the tread layer.

Abstract: A method and adhesive system for bonding at least two elastomeric substrates together. The method comprises subjecting the substrates to a priming treatment followed by applying to the primed substrates a heat-curable polyurethane adhesive composition comprising an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer and a polyhydroxide compound. The surfaces of the substrates so treated are contacted and subjected to heat-curing to bond the substrates together.

Abstract: The present invention involves a tire buffing apparatus. A rasping or buffing element is mounted in a manner which allows a compound radius to be formed in the shoulder of the tire casing without removing the rasp from the surface of the tire casing during the buffing operation. A tire casing rotating assembly includes a system for mounting the tire casing and rotating the casing. A pedestal is movable toward and away from the rotating tire casing. The pedestal is pivotable about the central axis of the pedestal and rotatable over a predetermined arc about a vertical axis spaced from the central axis of the pedestal. A rasp is mounted rearwardly and offset from the central axis of the pedestal.

Abstract: Method for forming a composite elastomer tire tread by applying a heat curable liquid elastomer mixture to a thin rubber sheet and curing the liquid mixture to form the composite tire tread. A tire retreaded with such a composite tire elastomer tread is also described.

Abstract: A pre-vulcanized tread for installation on a tire casing includes a sole and an upper tread portion which are each arched between respective skirts. The arc of the sole differs from the arc of the upper tread portion by a predetermined constant. In the preferred embodiment, the skirts include generally planar interior and exterior wall portions, the skirts joining the sole along a radius which is less than the radius of the sole itself. The exterior sidewall is disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical such that the width of a nominal arc of the sole radius intersecting the exterior walls is of a predetermined length which is greater than the width of the upper tread portion arc, and the interior walls of the respective skirts are disposed at a different angle with respect to vertical such that an extension of the interior wall intersecting the nominal arc of the sole defines another arc width which is less than the width of the upper tread portion arc.

Abstract: A bead seal ring for use in the retreading of radial tires by use of a bead sealing ring unit that provides positive mechanical pressure for sealing the curing envelope between the bead sealing ring unit and the bead area of the tire by a radial force. In its relaxed or initial condition, the bead sealing ring unit has a diameter smaller than the bead diameter of the tire. The bead sealing ring unit is placed into sealing position and then expanded by a locking device secured to a metal band which is part of the bead sealing ring unit.

Abstract: A tread depth probe for measuring the depth of a tread groove in a tire comprising a retaining and release mechanism to retain the probe pin in a retracted position when not in use and a release mechanism to release the probe pin when in use and having a measuring system permitting multiple tire groove depth readings while permitting the tread depth probe to be in the released position.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a differential control valve. The differential pressure is maintained by differing area surfaces on a piston assembly which will be balanced at a predetermined differential established at the manufacturing operation. There is a spring member operating on two valve balls which provides a delayed pressurization of the controlled chamber. The control valve has a ball valve at the exit port to control the low pressure side of the differential control valve assembly, providing a fail-safe system with no adjustments required after manufacture if there is a pressure increase downstream.