US3930141A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic tire classifying apparatus
Assignee: Yokohama Rubber Co Ltd
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Filing: 1974-10-04
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Granted: 1975-12-30
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Expires: 1994-10-04
Abstract
Abstract An automatic tire classifying apparatus comprising a camera tube for detecting a classification mark of a tire, a tire positioning mechanism for setting the relative position between the tire and camera, a rotary mechanism for relatively turning the tire and the axis of a light beam incident to the camera so that the classification mark is within the angle of view of the camera tube during the rotation, and an electrical circuit for reading output signals of the camera tube representing the classification mark to determine the kind of the tire.
Inventors
- 👤 Masao Koyama
- 👤 Hiromitsu Akashi
- 👤 Yoichi Nishikawa
- 👤 Susumu Fujiwara
- 👤 Takao Okada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:43
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/04; B07C5/10; B07C5/34; B07C5/3412; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/34; B65G47/46; G; G06; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/20; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T152/00; Y10T152/10; Y10T152/10495
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
An automatic tire classifying apparatus which comprises: a. an illumination light source for illuminating a classification mark which is provided on a part of the surface of each tire for representing the kind of the tire; b. a camera tube for detecting the classification mark thus illuminated by the light source thereby to produce electrical signals accordingly; c. a rotary mechanism operating to relatively rotate the tire and the axis of a light beam incident to the camera tube so that the camera tube can detect the classification mark within the angle of view; d. a position adjusting mechanism for adjusting the relative positions of the camera tube and the light source and the tire; e. a mark reading section for reading the classification mark by analyzing the electrical signals produced by the camera tube; and f. an identification section for discriminating the kind of the tire by identifying the electrical signals read by the mark reading section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
An automatic tire classifying apparatus which comprises: a. an illumination light source for illuminating a classification mark which is provided on a part of the surface of each tire for representing the kind of the tire; b. a camera tube for detecting the classification mark thus illuminated by the light source thereby to produce electrical signals accordingly; c. a rotary mechanism operating to relatively rotate the tire and the axis of a light beam incident to the camera tube so that the camera tube can detect the classification mark within the angle of view; d. a position adjusting mechanism for adjusting the relative positions of the camera tube and the light source and the tire; e. a mark reading section for reading the classification mark by analyzing the electrical signals produced by the camera tube; and f. an identification section for discriminating the kind of the tire by identifying the electrical signals read by the mark reading section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
195 words
An automatic tire classifying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said rotary mechanism is a turntable which is turned and moved upward to support said tire thereon and moved downward upon completion of the classification of the tire, and said position adjusting mechanism comprises a drive control device for turning and vertically moving said turntable, a tire positioning device which operates to position the tire in place with arms and to active the drive control device to move the turntable upward upon positioning of the tire, a vertical position controlling device provided with a beam emitting light source and a photoelectric element for receiving a beam emitted from the light source which element, when the upper surface of the tire laid on the turntable intercepts the beam from the light source, produces an output signal to cause the drive control device to stop the upward movement of the turntable, and a horizontal position controlling device which operates to control the positions of the camera tube and the illumination light source in response to the inside diameter of the tire so that the classification mark on the tire is detected by the camera tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
An automatic tire classifying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said rotary mechanism incorporates said illumination light source and comprises a plurality of reflective mirrors which are selectively used in response to the inside diameter of said tire for reflecting a light beam which has been emitted from the illumination light source and reflected by the surface of the tire, said light beam being transmitted through optical means toward said camera tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
93 words
An automatic tire classifying apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which said optical means comprises a right-angled prism provided on the center of rotation of said rotary mechanism to transmit said light beam reflected by said reflective mirror in the direction of the axis of rotation of the rotary mechanism and a trapezoid prism which is provided between the right-angle prism and said camera tube, and which is rotated about the axis of rotation of the rotary mechanism at an anglar velocity which is half the angular velocity of the rotary mechanism.
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) | 1978-12-29 | 1979-06-30 | 1979-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-29 | 1983-06-30 | 1983-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-29 | 1987-06-30 | 1987-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |