Patents by Inventor Wayne A. Wurzbacher

Wayne A. Wurzbacher 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).

  • Device and method for splicing tire tread strip edges using traversing ultrasonic transducers
    Patent number: 5443667
    Abstract: A device (10) for splicing materials such as a strip of uncured tire tread stock (11) by ultrasonic joining includes two engagement cylinders (52, 72) driving two ultrasonic transducers (40, 60) having horns (43, 63) into selective, pressure engagement with the tire tread stock (11) at the top edge (15) of the splice joint, sealing the same. A screw (81) having right-handed threads (84) and opposite, left-handed threads (85) moves horns (43, 63) from their initial point of contact at opposite tire tread edges toward centerline (16) of tire tread stock (11) while horns (43, 63) deliver ultrasonic energy to top edge (15). As transducers (40, 60) near centerline (16), transducer (40) is withdrawn and transducer (60) continues thereacross, insuring a complete seal across the entire splice joint. A quality seal is obtained by selection of transducer (40, 60) frequency, control of transducer (40, 60) amplitude, and control of the pressure and speed of the transverse motion of horns (43, 63).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Inventors: Ira L. Wood, Wayne A. Wurzbacher