US3848369A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for balance correcting pneumatic tires using reflective unbalance control
Assignee: Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc
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Filing: 1972-11-13
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Granted: 1974-11-19
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Expires: 1992-11-13
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for balance correcting pneumatic tires are provided by automatically grinding away selected portions of the tread rubber, preferably at center portions of the tread. The pneumatic tire is concentrically rotated in an inflated condition preferably at about 60 rpm. A reflective means is positioned on the tire in reference to a portion to be ground and a light source and light sensing means are positioned to reflect light from the reflective means and output an electric signal responsive to the reflected light sensed. An actuating means is responsive to the electric signal from the light sensing means to actuate a grinding means which removes selected portions of the tire tread. The selective grinding of the tire is precision controlled by (i) the sizing of the reflective means, or (ii) by controlling and/or electronic processing of the electrical signal from the light sensing means.
Inventors
- 👤 F Monajjem
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:32
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D30/00; B29D30/06; B29D30/0601; B29D30/0633; B24; B24B; B24B49/00; B24B49/16; B24B49/165; B24B5/00; B24B5/36; B24B5/366; G; G01; G01M; G01M1/00; G01M1/30; G01M1/34; B29D2030/0634; B29D2030/0635; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S451/00; Y10S451/92
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for balance correcting pneumatic tires comprising: A. a rotation means for rotating an inflated pneumatic tire; B. grinding means disposed adjacent said rotation means for removing selected amounts of rubber from selected portions of the tire at a predetermined rate; C. a light source disposed adjacent said rotation means and adapted to illuminate reflective, imbalance indicating means on said tire during rotation thereof; D. a light sensing means disposed adjacent said rotation means and adapted to sense light from the light source reflected by the reflective means on said tire and output an electrical signal in response to reflected light sensed; and E. an actuating means for actuating the grinding means in response to the electrical output from the light sensing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for balance correcting pneumatic tires comprising: A. a rotation means for rotating an inflated pneumatic tire; B. grinding means disposed adjacent said rotation means for removing selected amounts of rubber from selected portions of the tire at a predetermined rate; C. a light source disposed adjacent said rotation means and adapted to illuminate reflective, imbalance indicating means on said tire during rotation thereof; D. a light sensing means disposed adjacent said rotation means and adapted to sense light from the light source reflected by the reflective means on said tire and output an electrical signal in response to reflected light sensed; and E. an actuating means for actuating the grinding means in response to the electrical output from the light sensing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus for balance correcting pneumatic tires as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the grinding means includes a rotatable grinding wheel and a positioning means for moving said rotatable grinding wheel relative to the tire in response to an electrical signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for balance correcting pneumatic tires as set forth in claim 2 wherein: the actuating means controls the electrical input to the positioning means to cause the positioning means to move the grinding wheel in contact with the portion of the tire to be ground when an electrical signal is received from the light sensing means and move the grinding wheel away from the tire when the electrical signal is no longer received from the light sensing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus for balance correcting pneumatic tires as set forth in claim 1 comprising in addition: electrical means for processing the electrical signal from the light sensing means before input thereof to the actuating means to control the selectivity of grinding by the grinding means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus for balance correcting pneumatic tires as set forth in claim 1 comprising in addition: counter means for presetting and counting the number of times the grinding means are actuated and automatically stopping the actuating means when a preset count is reached.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus for balance correcting pneumatic tires as set forth in claim 5 comprising in addition: counter setting means for automatically presetting the counter means based on the electrical signal outputted from the light sensing means by reason of the reflective means on the tire.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2950588A
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US3120088A
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US3553903A
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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) | 1977-11-18 | 1978-05-20 | 1978-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-18 | 1982-05-20 | 1982-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-18 | 1986-05-20 | 1986-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |