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 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 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 system for demagnetizing and subsequently selectively magnetizing a small portion of a ferrous member embedded in a green tire carcass in order to facilitate the rotational orientation of the tire carcass when it is transferred to a subsequent processing machine for the application of additional components. A magnetic probe associated with the second processing machine senses the portion of the magnetized area of the bead member and is able to rotationally orient the green tire carcass such that the component applied to the green tire carcass at the second processing machine may be rotationally oriented with respect to the components applied at the first processing machine.

Abstract: A grinder for removing a predetermined amount of rubber at a predetermined angle from a raised or recessed area on the sidewall of an inflated tire as the tire rotates. A pair of spaced sensors engage the sidewall area of the tire at predetermined radial spaced locations on opposite sides of the area to be worked. The sensors generate a pair of electrical signals in relationship to the profiles of the sidewall areas engaged thereby. The signals are fed to a microprocessor which calculates the average angle of the raised or recessed area by the difference between the outputs from the two sensors along with the known spacing therebetween and generates a third signal. This third signal is supplied to a servo mechanism which automatically adjusts the grind angle of the grinding wheel to match the average angle of the area to be ground.