US3675375A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for measuring the thickness of buffed tires
Assignee: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co
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Filing: 1971-03-11
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1991-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A method for measuring the buffed thickness of a tire being prepared for retreading. A metal proximity transducer, on the outer buffed surface of the tire, is periodically used to measure the distance between the transducer and a reference as a means for determining whether a sufficient amount of rubber has been removed and the remaining tire casing is ready for retreading.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert S Enabnit
- 👤 Merritt W Wolfe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:01
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29B; B29B17/00; B29B17/02; B29B17/0206; E; E04; E04H; E04H6/00; E04H6/44; G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/02; G01B7/06; G01B7/10; B29D; B29D30/00; B29D30/06; B29D30/52; B29D30/54; B29D2030/541; B29D2030/546; B29K; B29K2021/00; B29L; B29L2030/00; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50; Y02W30/52; Y02W30/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of retreading a tire, comprising the steps of: a. mounting a tire, including a tread and casing, for rotation about the center axis of the tire; b. inflating the tire with fluid under pressure; c. buffing the tread as the tire rotates; and d. measuring at a spot on the outer buffed periphery of the casing, a distinguishable characteristic of a magnetic field produced between the spot and an electrically conductive reference contacting the casing in opposed spaced relation from the spot, the measurement being correlated to the thickness of tire material between the spot and reference.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of retreading a tire, comprising the steps of: a. mounting a tire, including a tread and casing, for rotation about the center axis of the tire; b. inflating the tire with fluid under pressure; c. buffing the tread as the tire rotates; and d. measuring at a spot on the outer buffed periphery of the casing, a distinguishable characteristic of a magnetic field produced between the spot and an electrically conductive reference contacting the casing in opposed spaced relation from the spot, the measurement being correlated to the thickness of tire material between the spot and reference.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the reference includes a piece of metallic material contacting the inner crown of the casing at a point which is opposite and closest the spot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2, which includes contacting the inner crown of the casing at the point with the metallic material when the tire is uninflated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the metallic material includes at least a strip of aluminum foil secured to the casing in spanning relation across the inner crown of the casing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the metallic material includes a metal tire cord embedded in the tire in opposite, closest spaced relation from the spot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the metallic material includes metal particles in a liquid or paste on the inner crown of the casing, the particles having a particle size in the range of from 0.001 - 0.25 inches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3, which includes measuring at spots which are at least in the shoulder areas of the tire.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of measuring includes the steps of: e. inducing a rapidly alternating magnetic field at a reference disposed on the inner crown of the casing at a point opposite and closest the spot, to produce eddy currents in the reference; and f. measuring at the spot, the effEcts of the eddy currents in the reference.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 8, which includes the steps of: g. translating the measurement of the effects of said eddy currents to an electrical signal; h. changing the electrical signal to a visual numerical reading; i. comparing the reading to a corresponding, predetermined desired reading; and j. buffing the casing in the area of the tread in accordance with a variance in the readings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the step of buffing is continued when the measured reading is less than the desired reading.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the step of measuring is performed while the tire is inflated and mounted.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the reference includes at least a strip of aluminum foil secured against and across the inner crown of the casing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 12, which includes placing a metal proximity transducer on the buffed periphery at the spot to induce the magnetic field.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
89 words
The method of claim 9, which includes the steps of: k. deflating the casing after buffing and prior to measuring the effects of the eddy currents; m. mounting the deflated buffed casing on a metal mandrel having a curved outer surface; n. causing relative movement between the buffed casing and mandrel to move the curved outer surface of the mandrel into contacting relation with the inner crown of the casing; and o. placing a metal proximity transducer on the buffed periphery at the spot to induce the magnetic field.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the curved outer surface of the mandrel is rigid and consists essentially of aluminum.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the reference includes magnetic material contacting the inner crown of the casing at a point which is opposite and closest the spot.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the magnetic material includes a permanent magnet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the magnetic material includes magnetized ferro-magnetic material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the magnetic material includes magnetized barium ferrite.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of measuring includes: e. producing a magnetic field at a reference disposed on the inner crown of the casing at a point opposite and closest the spot; and f. measuring the magnetic field at the spot.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 20, which includes the steps of: g. translating the measurement of the magnetic field to an electrical signal; h. changing the electrical signal to a visual numerical reading; i. comparing the reading to a corresponding, predetermined desired reading; and j. buffing the casing in the area of the tread in accordance with a variance in the readings.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 21, wherein a gaussmeter is placed on the buffed periphery at the spot to measure the magnetic field.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the step of measuring is performed when the tire is inflated and mounted.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 23, wherein the reference includes a permanent magnet cemented on the inner crown of the casing at the point.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 23, wherein the reference includes magnetized barium ferrite on the inner crown of the casing at the point.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |