Apparatus for processing tire casings

Claim 2

In apparatus for preparing fragments from tire casings including clamp means for holding a tire casing by clamping onto the bead region of the casing, such clamp means being adjustable to conform to different diameters of bead regions in said casings, tire casing confining means spaced radially of the axis of a tire casing held in said clamp means operable to confine a tire casing by bearing against opposite sides of a tire casing held by said clamp means, means increasing and decreasing the spacing of said casing confining means relative to the axis of a tire casing held by said clamp means with adjustment of said clamp means to conform to larger and smaller diameters of said bead regions, respectively, and means for cutting fragments from a tire casing confined by said confining means.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cutting means and clamp means are relatively movable as cutting of a tire casing progresses to move the axis of a casing held by said clamp means toward said cutting means, said tire casing confining means maintaining substantially a fixed spacing with respect to the axis of a casing held by said clamp means during such relative movement of said clamp means and cutting means.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said clamp means comprises clamp mounting structure which in operative position extends into the central void region circumscribed by the usual tire casing, and radially adjustable clamps radiating from said mounting structure adapted to clamp onto the bead region of a tire casing, the apparatus further comprising power-operated means for producing radial adjustments in said clamps to accommodate different diameters of tire bead regions, the means increasing and decreasing the spacing of said tire casing confining means relative to the axis of a tire casing held by said clamp means comprising means operated by said motor means.

Claim 5

Apparatus for preparing fragments from tire casings and the like comprising clamp means for clamping onto the bead region of a tire casing, said clamp means including clamp mounting structure which in operative position extends into the central void region circumscribed by the usual tire casing and adjustable clamps radiating from said mounting structure adapted to clamp onto the bead region of a tire casing, said clamps being adjustable radially of said mounting structure to accommodate different diameters in said bead regions, opposed squeeze members adapted to be brought up against opposite sides of a tire casing held by said clamp means thus to confine the casing, a mounting for said squeeze members accommodating the positioning of said squeeze members at different radial spacings from the axis of a casing held by said clamp members, power-operated means for adjusting said clamps radially with respect to said mounting structure, means connecting said power-operated means and the mounting for said squeeze members producing movement of the squeeze members away from said mounting structure and the axis of a casing held by said clamp means with said clamps adjusted radially outwardly from said mounting structure and movement of said squeeze members toward said mounting structure with said clamps adjusted radially inwardly toward said mounting structure, and means for cutting fragments from a tire casing confined by said squeeze members.

Claim 6

Apparatus for preparing fragments from tire casings and the like comprising clamp means for clamping onto the bead region of a tire casing, said clamp means including clamp mounting structure which in operative position extends into the central void region circumscribed by the usual tire casing and adjustable clamps radiating from said mounting structure adapted to clamp onto the bead region of a tire casing, said clamps being adjustable radially of said mounting structure to accommodate different diameters in said bead regions, opposed squeeze members adapted to be brought up against opposite sides of a tire casing held by said clamp means thus to confine the casing, a mounting for said squeeze members accommodating the positioning of said squeeze members at different radial spacings from the axis of a casing held by said clamp members, power-operated means for adjusting said clamps radially with respect to said mounting structure, means connecting said power-operated means and the mounting for said squeeze members producing movement of the squeeze members away from said mounting structure and the axis of a casing held by said clamp means with said clamps adjusted radially outwardly from said mounting structure and movement of said squeeze members toward said mounting structure with said clamps adjusted radially inwardly toward said mounting structure, and means for cutting fragments from a tire casing confined by said squeeze members.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said power-operated means for adjusting said clamps comprises a ram, actuating means is connected to said ram which follows extension and contraction of said ram, and the means connecting said power-operated means and the mounting for said squeeze members comprises a rotatably mounted rock shaft, a first lever arm joined to said shaft linked to said actuating means, and a second lever arm joined to said shaft linked to the mounting for said squeeze members.