Abstract: A tire marking apparatus and tire marking method capable of placing multiple, differently colored marks on a tire sidewall. The apparatus includes a frame assembly that movably mounts a stamping bar assembly carrying a plurality of stamping bar elements, each stamping element selectively movable into a marking position and a plurality of tape cassettes, each of which may carry tape of a different color. Each tape cassette is selectively movable into a tire marking position. An actuator advances a portion of an aligned tape cassette towards a tire marking region on the sidewall and moves an aligned stamping element into printing contact with the tire sidewall. This movement transfers material from the tape to the tire sidewall in a pattern that corresponds to indicia defined by the stamping element. The frame assembly includes an intermediate frame that is shiftable between at least two positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing rim sets at a testing station of a tire uniformity testing system that includes a storage unit for storing a plurality of rim set assemblies. A transfer arm is reciprocally movable and includes a gripper mechanism for gripping a rim set assembly and moving it from a storage position to a position at which rims forming part of the rim set assembly are aligned with opposed spindles at the testing station. The rim set assembly includes a bracket having structure engageable by the transfer arm and at least one of the rims forming part of the assembly includes a locking member rotatable between a first position and a second position. The bracket includes a structure for immobilizing the rim to inhibit relative rotation between the rim and the bracket and further includes a lever mechanism for moving the locking member from its first position to its second position in order to engage retaining members forming part of the bracket.

Abstract: An adjustable width chuck assembly for a tire testing machine including upper and lower relatively movable rims by which a tire is clamped and held during a testing cycle. A pilot or nose cone forming part of one of the rims is gas pressure biased towards engagement with complementally formed structure on the other rim. The gas pressure bias is provided by a gas spring which can be replaced with gas springs of differing pressures in order to adjust the biasing force or, alternately, the gas spring can be removed from the chuck assembly and re-pressurized to a different level in order to change its biasing force. The use of a gas spring for providing the necessary biasing force expands the range of motion for the nose cone, thus allowing a given chuck assembly to accommodate tires having a wide range of bead widths.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing rim sets at a testing station of a tire uniformity testing system that includes a storage unit for storing a plurality of rim set assemblies. A transfer arm is reciprocally movable and includes a gripper mechanism for gripping a rim set assembly and moving it from a storage position to a position at which rims forming part of the rim set assembly are aligned with opposed spindles at the testing station. The rim set assembly includes a bracket having structure engageable by the transfer arm and at least one of the rims forming part of the assembly includes a locking member rotatable between a first position and a second position. The bracket includes a structure for immobilizing the rim to inhibit relative rotation between the rim and the bracket and further includes a lever mechanism for moving the locking member from its first position to its second position in order to engage retaining members forming part of the bracket.

Abstract: An adjustable width chuck assembly for a tire testing machine including upper and lower relatively movable rims by which a tire is clamped and held during a testing cycle. A pilot or nose cone forming part of one of the rims is gas pressure biased towards engagement with complementally formed structure on the other rim. The gas pressure bias is provided by a gas spring which can be replaced with gas springs of differing pressures in order to adjust the biasing force or, alternately, the gas spring can be removed from the chuck assembly and re-pressurized to a different level in order to change its biasing force. The use of a gas spring for providing the necessary biasing force expands the range of motion for the nose cone, thus allowing a given chuck assembly to accommodate tires having a wide range of bead widths.

Abstract: A tire marking apparatus and tire marking method capable of placing multiple, differently colored marks on a tire sidewall. The apparatus includes a frame assembly that movably mounts a stamping bar assembly carrying a plurality of stamping bar elements, each stamping element selectively movable into a marking position and a plurality of tape cassettes, each of which may carry tape of a different color. Each tape cassette is selectively movable into a tire marking position. An actuator advances a portion of an aligned tape cassette towards a tire marking region on the sidewall and moves an aligned stamping element into printing contact with the tire sidewall. This movement transfers material from the tape to the tire sidewall in a pattern that corresponds to indicia defined by the stamping element. The frame assembly includes an intermediate frame that is shiftable between at least two positions.