Patents by Inventor Joseph Wnek

Joseph Wnek 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).

  • Tire positioning sensor
    Patent number: 7240543
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for chucking tires to be tested in a tire testing apparatus. A lower chuck assembly or spindle includes a lower rim that is engageable with a bead region of the tire to be tested. An upper chuck assembly includes an upper rim that is engageable with an upper bead region of the tire to be tested. The upper rim is reciprocally movable towards and away from the lower rim. A plurality of sensors associated with the movable rim monitors the closing distance between the upper rim and the side wall of the tire that is being chucked, during the chucking process. A controller controls the movement of the upper rim in response to the distance data obtained from the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Cargould, Bradley S. Mularcik, Keith A. Neiferd, Joseph A. Wnek
  • Tire positioning sensor
    Publication number: 20050188755
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for chucking tires to be tested in a tire testing apparatus. A lower chuck assembly or spindle includes a lower rim that is engageable with a bead region of the tire to be tested. An upper chuck assembly includes an upper rim that is engageable with an upper bead region of the tire to be tested. The upper rim is reciprocally movable towards and away from the lower rim. A plurality of sensors associated with the movable rim monitors the closing distance between the upper rim and the side wall of the tire that is being chucked, during the chucking process. A controller controls the movement of the upper rim in response to the distance data obtained from the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: Barry Cargould, Bradley Mularcik, Keith Neiferd, Joseph Wnek