Patents Assigned to Brad Ragan, Inc.
  • Patent number: 4311182
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for grooving tires which is particularly useful for renewing previously used over-the-road tires and which removes a portion of a layer of rubber applied to a tread face of a carcass so as to form on the tread face a predetermined grooved tread design. Relative motion between a heated knife and a tire carcass is controlled and coordinated in such a manner as to form a particular selected tread pattern, while one of a plurality of knives of varying configurations is selected to form particular portions of the grooved design. As described more fully hereinafter, a programmable memory preferably in the form of a digital, electronic central processor unit controls the operation of components of the apparatus and is programmed to follow particular functional sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1982
    Assignee: Brad Ragan, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew R. Clayton
  • Patent number: 4248287
    Abstract: A hoop tread, radial carcass flotation tire is constructed in accordance with a method and through the use of apparatus which impart controlled carcass flexing characteristics while accommodating axle drive of the tire. The method includes constructing a tire carcass with radially directed cords in sidewall portions and with circumferentially directed cords in a tread face portion. The apparatus comprises a mandrel assembled by mounting a plurality of segments about an axle and used to support plies of material during carcass construction. The tire is capable of "floating" over loose or easily damaged supporting surfaces including growing crops in agricultural fields without injury or damage to the supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Assignee: Brad Ragan, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold E. Christman
  • Patent number: 4237955
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for grooving tires which is particularly useful for renewing previously used off-the-road tires and which removes a portion of a layer of rubber applied to a tread face of a carcass so as to form on the tread face a pattern of lugs. Relative motion between a heated knife and a tire carcass is controlled and coordinated in such a manner as to form a particular selected tread pattern, while controlling the number and spacing of the lugs and the curvature, angularity, and depth of the incisions which form the lugs. As described more fully hereinafter, a digital, electronic central processor unit controls the operation of components of the apparatus and may be programed to follow particular functional sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignee: Brad Ragan, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew R. Clayton
  • Patent number: 4081016
    Abstract: An improvement in a tire siping machine which has a spirally threaded drum mounted for rotation about a first axis, a knife projecting from the drum for cutting a tire brought into engagement with the drum, and an arrangement for supporting a tire in engagement with the drum. In accordance with the improvement of this invention, a shaft defining a second axis about which a tire rotates during drum engagement is supported for linear movement laterally relative to the drum while maintaining a constant predetermined skew relation between the axis of the shaft and the axis of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1978
    Assignee: Brad Ragan, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Robert Clayton