Patents by Inventor David Alan Henthorne

David Alan Henthorne 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).

  • Publication number: 20140166189
    Abstract: A tire building system includes a first loop of travel track, a plurality of first carriage housings movably mounted on the first loop, a second loop of travel track, a plurality of second carriage housings movably mounted on the second loop, and a first transfer station of the first loop and a second transfer station of the second loop for interrelating the first loop and the second loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: William Dudley Currie, Gary Robert Burg, David Alan Henthorne
  • Patent number: 8431062
    Abstract: A tire unloading apparatus for separating a cured tire from a toroidally shaped segmented core body configured to carry the cured tire includes a plurality of tire engaging paddle mechanisms positioned in a spaced apart circular array defining a cured tire receiving central opening, the cured tire mounted to a core body. The paddle mechanisms operatively move between a radially outward tire release position and a radially inward tire gripping position. The tire unloading apparatus further includes a core segment manipulating apparatus operative to move individual core segments from a radially outward tire supporting core body position to a radially inward segment removal position. A plurality of segment support arms forming a circular array below the tire receiving opening are in an operative location to support respective core body segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: William Dudley Currie, Dennis Alan Lundell, David Alan Henthorne, Mary Beth Dombrosky
  • Patent number: 8127434
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for assembly and disassembly in axial and radial directions mold segments forming a toroidally shaped mold. The apparatus includes mold gripping apparatus operatively engaging and disengaging the mold; and mold transport apparatus for operatively moving the mold gripping apparatus and engaged mold between a mold assembly and disassembly station and a tire curing station. The mold gripping apparatus engages and unlocks an upper mold sidewall segment and mold loading apparatus engages and unlocks a lower mold sidewall segment. Tread segment closing apparatus is provided for operatively opening and closing the tread segments of the mold in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: William Dudley Currie, Dennis Alan Lundell, David Alan Henthorne
  • Patent number: 8113806
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for disassembling, assembling and using a toroidally shaped segmented core configured to carry a tire during a curing process includes: a transport mechanism operatively moving the segmented core between a plurality of stations in a tire curing line; one or more segment removal devices for removing a plurality of core segments individually from a cured tire and from around a core central axis and placing the core segments individually in respective spaced apart storage locations; and one or more core segment assembly devices for removing the core segments individually from the storage locations and placing the core segments individually in respective core locations to form an assembled segmented core. The apparatus and method operatively sequences to place and remove differently structured core segments individually into and from the assembled core configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: William Dudley Currie, Dennis Alan Lundell, David Alan Henthorne, Mary Beth Dombrosky
  • Patent number: 7910043
    Abstract: A tire building and cure station coupling apparatus and method for molding a green tire into a finished tire having a tread pattern. The green tire is constructed on a toroidally shaped core formed by a plurality of core segments each having an outer surface portion which together define a toroidal outer surface surrounding a central axis. The core is adapted to hold a green tire on said toroidal outer surface. A first spindle section is configured to be placed on a first side of the core along the central axis and a second spindle section is configured to be placed on a second side of the core along the central axis and opposite to the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: William Dudley Currie, Dennis Alan Lundell, David Alan Henthorne
  • Patent number: 7896632
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for disassembling a toroidally shaped core is provided. The core is configured to carry a cured tire and includes multiple core segments extending generally radially from a central axis. The apparatus includes a base; one or more segment positioning devices connected for movement relative to the base and operative to move one or more core segments from an assembled core position next to an adjacent core segment around the central axis to a radially inward position; and one or more segment removal devices operatively connected for engaging the one core segment at the radially inward position and removing the one segment from the radially inward position to a remote position external to the core. The segment removal device operatively moves in three axes of motion to relocate the one segment from the remote position to a storage position and deposit the core segment at the storage station in a retrieval-ready orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: William Dudley Currie, Dennis Alan Lundell, David Alan Henthorne, Mary Beth Dombrosky
  • Patent number: 7891962
    Abstract: A tire building core manipulating apparatus for a segmented tire building core is provided, the core including a plurality of core segments extending generally radially from a central axis. The manipulating apparatus includes a support frame; a core latching mechanism mounted to the support frame for operatively engaging a mating mechanism on the core whereby suspending the tire building core in a preferred axial orientation and raises and lowers the core to engage one or more stations in a tire curing line. A transport mechanism relocates the support frame with the tire building core in the preferred axial orientation between a plurality of stations in the tire curing line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: William Dudley Currie, Dennis Alan Lundell, David Alan Henthorne, Mary Beth Dombrosky
  • Patent number: 7874822
    Abstract: A core segment manipulating apparatus and method is provided for relocating core segments forming a toroidally shaped core body configured to carry a cured tire. The apparatus includes multiple core key segment engaging mechanisms and core second segment engagement mechanisms arranged in a spaced apart circular array adjacent to respective key segments and second segments of the core body. The key segment and second segment engaging mechanisms operate to individually move respective key segments and second segments from a radially outward core body position to a radially inward segment removal position. The key segment and second segment engaging mechanisms transfer a respective segment to a segment removal device at the segment removal position and return radially outward to a segment-receiving location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: William Dudley Currie, Dennis Alan Lundell, David Alan Henthorne, Mary Beth Dombrosky
  • Patent number: 7854603
    Abstract: A station apparatus method within a tire curing line is provided for assembling and disassembling a toroidally shaped core configured to carry a cured tire. The core includes a plurality of core segments assembling to form a core body and extending generally radially from a central core axis within a core central axial passage. The core further includes first and second locking spindle sections connecting to opposite sides of the core body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: William Dudley Currie, Dennis Alan Lundell, David Alan Henthorne, Mary Beth Dombrosky
  • Patent number: 7802975
    Abstract: Loading apparatus and method for positioning a green tire and core assembly into a toroidally shaped mold includes a stand assembly having a support surface operatively receiving a first mold sidewall forming segment thereon, the surface having a central opening. A spindle engagement assembly projects upwardly through the support surface central opening and includes a coupling mechanism at a forward end operatively mating with a first spindle end of a tire building core. The coupling mechanism operatively suspends a sidewall of a green tire on the tire building core a distance above a first mold sidewall forming segment positioned on the stand support surface. The spindle engagement assembly moves axially between a raised position and a lowered position and, in the lowered position operatively places the sidewall surface of the green tire on the first mold sidewall forming segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: William Dudley Currie, Dennis Alan Lundell, David Alan Henthorne
  • Patent number: 7785061
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for reorienting a toroidally shaped core configured to carry a green tire. The core includes a central axis defined through first and second oppositely facing tapered recesses respectively including first and second locking mechanisms. The apparatus includes a core support structure including a base and a reorientation member connected for movement relative to said base and a core coupling member. The core coupling member connects for movement with the reorientation member and includes a core locking mechanism that couples with the core coupling member and locks the core coupling member to the core. A drive system couples with the reorientation member and operatively moves the reorientation member so as to change the orientation of the central axis from a first orientation to a second, different orientation transverse to the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: William Dudley Currie, Dennis Alan Lundell, David Alan Henthorne, Mary Beth Dombrosky
  • Publication number: 20090159207
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for disassembling a toroidally shaped core is provided. The core is configured to carry a cured tire and includes multiple core segments extending generally radially from a central axis. The apparatus includes a base; one or more segment positioning devices connected for movement relative to the base and operative to move one or more core segments from an assembled core position next to an adjacent core segment around the central axis to a radially inward position; and one or more segment removal devices operatively connected for engaging the one core segment at the radially inward position and removing the one segment from the radially inward position to a remote position external to the core. The segment removal device operatively moves in three axes of motion to relocate the one segment from the remote position to a storage position and deposit the core segment at the storage station in a retrieval-ready orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: William Dudley Currie, Dennis Alan Lundell, David Alan Henthorne, Mary Beth Dombrosky
  • Publication number: 20090159185
    Abstract: A core segment manipulating apparatus and method is provided for relocating core segments forming a toroidally shaped core body configured to carry a cured tire. The apparatus includes multiple core key segment engaging mechanisms and core second segment engagement mechanisms arranged in a spaced apart circular array adjacent to respective key segments and second segments of the core body. The key segment and second segment engaging mechanisms operate to individually move respective key segments and second segments from a radially outward core body position to a radially inward segment removal position. The key segment and second segment engaging mechanisms transfer a respective segment to a segment removal device at the segment removal position and return radially outward to a segment-receiving location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: William Dudley Currie, Dennis Alan Lundell, David Alan Henthorne, Mary Beth Dombrosky
  • Publication number: 20090158573
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for assembly and disassembly in axial and radial directions mold segments forming a toroidally shaped mold. The apparatus includes mold gripping apparatus operatively engaging and disengaging the mold; and mold transport apparatus for operatively moving the mold gripping apparatus and engaged mold between a mold assembly and disassembly station and a tire curing station. The mold gripping apparatus engages and unlocks an upper mold sidewall segment and mold loading apparatus engages and unlocks a lower mold sidewall segment. Tread segment closing apparatus is provided for operatively opening and closing the tread segments of the mold in a radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: William Dudley Currie, Dennis Alan Lundell, David Alan Henthorne
  • Publication number: 20090160096
    Abstract: A tire unloading apparatus for separating a cured tire from a toroidally shaped segmented core body configured to carry the cured tire includes a plurality of tire engaging paddle mechanisms positioned in a spaced apart circular array defining a cured tire receiving central opening, the cured tire mounted to a core body. The paddle mechanisms operatively move between a radially outward tire release position and a radially inward tire gripping position. The tire unloading apparatus further includes a core segment manipulating apparatus operative to move individual core segments from a radially outward tire supporting core body position to a radially inward segment removal position. A plurality of segment support arms forming a circular array below the tire receiving opening are in an operative location to support respective core body segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: William Dudley Currie, Dennis Alan Lundell, David Alan Henthorne, Mary Beth Dombrosky
  • Publication number: 20090162180
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for reorienting a toroidally shaped core configured to carry a green tire. The core includes a central axis defined through first and second oppositely facing tapered recesses respectively including first and second locking mechanisms. The apparatus includes a core support structure including a base and a reorientation member connected for movement relative to said base and a core coupling member. The core coupling member connects for movement with the reorientation member and includes a core locking mechanism that couples with the core coupling member and locks the core coupling member to the core. A drive system couples with the reorientation member and operatively moves the reorientation member so as to change the orientation of the central axis from a first orientation to a second, different orientation transverse to the first orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: William Dudley Currie, Dennis Alan Lundell, David Alan Henthorne, Mary Beth Dombrosky
  • Publication number: 20090159184
    Abstract: A station apparatus method within a tire curing line is provided for assembling and disassembling a toroidally shaped core configured to carry a cured tire. The core includes a plurality of core segments assembling to form a core body and extending generally radially from a central core axis within a core central axial passage. The core further includes first and second locking spindle sections connecting to opposite sides of the core body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: William Dudley Currie, Dennis Alan Lundell, David Alan Henthorne, Mary Beth Dombrosky
  • Publication number: 20090158575
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for disassembling, assembling and using a toroidally shaped segmented core configured to carry a tire during a curing process includes: a transport mechanism operatively moving the segmented core between a plurality of stations in a tire curing line; one or more segment removal devices for removing a plurality of core segments individually from a cured tire and from around a core central axis and placing the core segments individually in respective spaced apart storage locations; and one or more core segment assembly devices for removing the core segments individually from the storage locations and placing the core segments individually in respective core locations to form an assembled segmented core. The apparatus and method operatively sequences to place and remove differently structured core segments individually into and from the assembled core configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: William Dudley Currie, Dennis Alan Lundell, David Alan Henthorne, Mary Beth Dombrosky
  • Publication number: 20090160098
    Abstract: A tire building and cure station coupling apparatus and method for molding a green tire into a finished tire having a tread pattern. The green tire is constructed on a toroidally shaped core formed by a plurality of core segments each having an outer surface portion which together define a toroidal outer surface surrounding a central axis. The core is adapted to hold a green tire on said toroidal outer surface. A first spindle section is configured to be placed on a first side of the core along the central axis and a second spindle section is configured to be placed on a second side of the core along the central axis and opposite to the first side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: William Dudley Currie, Dennis Alan Lundell, David Alan Henthorne
  • Publication number: 20090159181
    Abstract: Loading apparatus and method for positioning a green tire and core assembly into a toroidally shaped mold includes a stand assembly having a support surface operatively receiving a first mold sidewall forming segment thereon, the surface having a central opening. A spindle engagement assembly projects upwardly through the support surface central opening and includes a coupling mechanism at a forward end operatively mating with a first spindle end of a tire building core. The coupling mechanism operatively suspends a sidewall of a green tire on the tire building core a distance above a first mold sidewall forming segment positioned on the stand support surface. The spindle engagement assembly moves axially between a raised position and a lowered position and, in the lowered position operatively places the sidewall surface of the green tire on the first mold sidewall forming segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: William Dudley Currie, Dennis Alan Lundell, David Alan Henthorne