US3781798A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanical reading of tire identification symbols
Assignee: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co
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Filing: 1971-12-20
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1991-12-20
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for mechanically reading alpha numeric symbols in the identification code of a pneumatic tire. The apparatus includes a plurality of closely spaced individually movable fingers urged by air pressure toward the surface of a tire on which such symbols are placed. Upon relative movement between the tire surface and the fingers, the individual fingers are deflected by the local topography of the symbols. The deflections are transduced by linear differential transformers connected individually to the fingers and produce deviation signals which can be communicated to conventional character recognition equipment for indication, display, or recording. The foregoing abstract is not to be taken as limiting the invention of this application, and in order to understand the full nature and extent of the technical disclosure of this application, reference must be made to the accompanying drawing and the following detailed description.
Inventors
- 👤 W Hinks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:00
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/34; B07C5/3412; G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T152/00; Y10T152/10; Y10T152/10495
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of reading mechanically successive symbols composing an identification code on a tire comprising engaging in surface contact with each other the code bearing surface of such tire and a sensor having a plurality of closely spaced movably mounted fingers, said fingers being disposed within a rigid hollow body having an aperture accommodating said fingers and geometrically similar in shape with the shape of the perimeter of the plurality of fingers, applying a pressurized gas to urge said fingers individually outwardly of said aperture, effecting relative movement between said surface of the tire and the sensor in a direction parallel to said surface to effect displacement of said fingers individually relatively of the surface in response to depressions or elevations encountered by the respective fingers during the relative movement, generating electrical signals in response to the displacements individually thereof, and communicating said signals to a pattern or character recognition means to read mechanically the successive symbols composing the code.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of reading mechanically successive symbols composing an identification code on a tire comprising engaging in surface contact with each other the code bearing surface of such tire and a sensor having a plurality of closely spaced movably mounted fingers, said fingers being disposed within a rigid hollow body having an aperture accommodating said fingers and geometrically similar in shape with the shape of the perimeter of the plurality of fingers, applying a pressurized gas to urge said fingers individually outwardly of said aperture, effecting relative movement between said surface of the tire and the sensor in a direction parallel to said surface to effect displacement of said fingers individually relatively of the surface in response to depressions or elevations encountered by the respective fingers during the relative movement, generating electrical signals in response to the displacements individually thereof, and communicating said signals to a pattern or character recognition means to read mechanically the successive symbols composing the code.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, including flowing a fluid from within the sensor outwardly along the surfaces of said fingers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, said step of engaging including mounting said tire for rotation about its own rotational axis and moving one of said tire and said sensor to operative proximity with the other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising actuating movement of at least one of said sensor and said tire in response to a displacement of at least one of the fingers by said tire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
170 words
A tire identification code sensing device for use in association with pattern or character recognition means to read mechanically the successive symbols composing the code, said device comprising a plurality of fingers mounted in closely spaced array, a rigid hollow body disposed about said fingers and provided with an aperture having a perimeter geometrically similar in shape with the shape of the perimeter of said array of fingers in the plane of said aperture, a narrow passage for flow of gas defined by and between the perimeters of said array and said aperture, said fingers having tire surface engaging elements extending outwardly of said body through said aperture, each finger being movable independently relative to the others in parallel directions normal to a common plane, motion transducing means connected respectively to each said finger and operative to generate a signal in response to a deflection of a respectively connected finger, and including means for applying a fluid pressure differential to each said finger to urge said fingers toward said plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
170 words
A tire identification code sensing device for use in association with pattern or character recognition means to read mechanically the successive symbols composing the code, said device comprising a plurality of fingers mounted in closely spaced array, a rigid hollow body disposed about said fingers and provided with an aperture having a perimeter geometrically similar in shape with the shape of the perimeter of said array of fingers in the plane of said aperture, a narrow passage for flow of gas defined by and between the perimeters of said array and said aperture, said fingers having tire surface engaging elements extending outwardly of said body through said aperture, each finger being movable independently relative to the others in parallel directions normal to a common plane, motion transducing means connected respectively to each said finger and operative to generate a signal in response to a deflection of a respectively connected finger, and including means for applying a fluid pressure differential to each said finger to urge said fingers toward said plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, comprising shaft means mounting said fingers in parallel side-by-side array for angular movement of each of said fingers independently of the others of said fingers about said shaft means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, including stop means associated with each finger to limit said angular movement thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, each finger having an opening extending transversely therethrough and said stop means comprising a bar fixed in said body and extending through the respective openings of each of said fingers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, said motion transducing means comprising a plurality of differential transformers mounted on said body, and a movable core of each of said transformers being connected coaxially of said transformer to a respective finger.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, said transformers being mounted for adjustment each along its own axial direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus As claimed in claim 6, said transducing means each having an element movable along a line of action, each of said fingers having pin connecting means spaced angularly with respect to pin connecting means of a juxtaposed one of said fingers, said transducing means being disposed in arcuately spaced apart relation such that the respective lines of action thereof are disposed at equal distances from said shaft means, and a plurality of struts each connected to one of said pin connecting means and to the respectively associated movable element and extending along the line of action thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |