Patent US1712339A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4625101A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4625101A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Bar code configuration and method of molding
Assignee: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co
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Filing: 1984-02-27
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Granted: 1986-11-25
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Expires: 2004-02-27
Abstract
Abstract A bar code configuration which may be molded in the sidewall of a tire and has even surface portions and uneven surface portions for selectively reflecting light from a light source toward a receiving sensor to define bars of a bar code. The uneven surface portions may have grooves or ribs with a sawtooth cross section and sloped faces for reflecting light to a receiving sensor at an angle to the sidewall surface. The bar code configuration for tires molded in a particular mold may be provided by an insert fastened to the mold and having even surfaces and uneven surfaces at the inner mold face to mold the even surface portions and uneven surface portions of the bar code configuration in the tire sidewall as the tire is being vulcanized. By changing the insert the bar code configuration can be changed to provide different information about the tire.
Inventors
- 👤 William L. Hinks
- 👤 John R. Kinstler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:32
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/06009; G06K19/06018; G06K19/06028; G06K2019/06215; G06K2019/06253; G06K2019/06271
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
In a system having a light source and a receiving sensor for scanning a bar code configuration on the surface of said article comprising even surface portions and uneven surface portions for selectively reflecting light from said light source to said receiving sensor, said even surface portions reflecting substantially all light received from said light source in a first direction and said uneven surface portions including a sloped face positioned for reflecting light from said light source in a second direction different from said first direction and said light source and said receiving sensor being located generally in the same direction from said bar code configuration whereby said light reflected to said receiving sensor defines bars of said bar code.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a system having a light source and a receiving sensor for scanning a bar code configuration on the surface of said article comprising even surface portions and uneven surface portions for selectively reflecting light from said light source to said receiving sensor, said even surface portions reflecting substantially all light received from said light source in a first direction and said uneven surface portions including a sloped face positioned for reflecting light from said light source in a second direction different from said first direction and said light source and said receiving sensor being located generally in the same direction from said bar code configuration whereby said light reflected to said receiving sensor defines bars of said bar code.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A bar code configuration in accordance with claim 1 wherein said uneven surface portions include at least one rib with a sawtooth cross section having said sloped face positioned to reflect light to said receiving sensor in said second direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A bar code configuration in accordance with claim 2 including a plurality of ribs with parallel sloped faces positioned to reflect light to said receiving sensor in said second direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A bar code configuration in accordance with claim 3 wherein said even surface portions and said uneven surface portions are positioned in generally parallel adjacent flats and rib portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A bar code configuration in accordance with claim 4 wherein said ribs extend in a direction generally parallel to said flats and rib portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A bar code configuration in accordance with claim 4 wherein said ribs extend in a direction generally perpendicular to said flats and said rib portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A bar code configuration in accordance with claim 1 wherein said even and uneven surfaces are of the same material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A bar code configuration in accordance with claim 6 wherein said material is a resilient rubberlike material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A bar code configuration in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bar code configuration is recessed in the surface of said article, and said even surface portions are at substantially the same depth.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A bar code configuration in accordance with claim 9 wherein said uneven surface portions are at a lesser depth than said even surface portions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A bar code configuration in accordance with claim 10 wherein said uneven surface portions include at least one rib with a sawtooth cross section positioned above said even surface portions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A bar code configuration in accordance with claim 1 wherein said uneven surfaces are molded in said material in an integral configuration with said even surfaces.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A bar code configuration in accordance with claim 1 wherein said uneven surface portions include at least one V-shaped groove having said sloped face positioned to reflect light to said receiving sensor in said second direction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A bar code configuration in accordance with claim 13 including a plurality of grooves with parallel sloping faces positioned to reflect light to said receiving sensor in said second direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A bar code configuration in accordance with claim 14 wherein said even surfaces and said uneven surface portions are positioned in generally parallel adjacent flats and grooved portions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A bar code configuration in accordance with claim 15 wherein said grooves extend in a direction generally parallel to said flats and grooved portions.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of molding a bar code configuration in the sidewall surface of a pneumatic tire cured in a tire mold cavity having an inner mold face comprising fastening an insert to said tire mold with said insert having even surfaces and uneven surfaces at said inner mold face, placing said tire in said tire mold with said sidewall surface of said tire in contact with said insert, applying heat to cure said tire in said tire mold and to mold even surface portions with said even surfaces of said insert and uneven surface portions having sloped faces with said uneven surfaces of said insert and removing said tire from said tire mold.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of molding a bar code configuration in the sidewall surface of a pneumatic tire cured in a tire mold cavity having an inner mold face comprising fastening an insert to said tire mold with said insert having even surfaces and uneven surfaces at said inner mold face, placing said tire in said tire mold with said sidewall surface of said tire in contact with said insert, applying heat to cure said tire in said tire mold and to mold even surface portions with said even surfaces of said insert and uneven surface portions having sloped faces with said uneven surfaces of said insert and removing said tire from said tire mold.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17 wherein after placing said article in said mold heat is applied to cure said article in said mold.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said even surfaces and uneven surfaces of said insert are offset inwardly of said inner mold face to mold a recessed bar code configuration in said sidewall.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said even surfaces and said uneven surfaces are recessed in said inner mold surface to mold a raised bar code configuration on said sidewall.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said even surfaces and uneven surfaces are positioned on said insert in generally parallel adjacent flats and grooved portions and said insert is fastened to said tire mold with said flats and grooved portions extending in a generally radial direction for molding ribs into a bar code configuration which is readable by a receiving sensor spaced from said ribs.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 21 wherein grooves of said grooved portions extend in a generally radial direction for molding ribs into said bar code configuration which is readable by a receiving sensor spaced a circumferential direction from said ribs relative to said tire.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 21 wherein grooves of said grooved portions extend in a generally circumferential direction for molding ribs into said bar code configuration which is readable by a receiving sensor spaced in a radial direction from said ribs relative to said tire.
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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) | 1989-11-24 | 1990-05-26 | 1990-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-11-24 | 1994-05-26 | 1994-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-11-24 | 1998-05-26 | 1998-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |