PASSIVE BUFFER BRUSH AIR COOLING

• US 20110126961A1
• Filed: 12/02/2009
• Published: 06/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Bandag LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Bandag LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Inventors: Kost, Troy Allen
• Application Number:
  US12/629,486
• Publication Number:
  US 20110126961A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/98
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 13/003 made up of a series of annular brush rings; Annular brush rings therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/19 Parts or details of the brushing tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4041 Roll shaped surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 1/00 Processes of grinding or polishing; Use of auxiliary equipment in connection with such processes
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 29/005 using brushes
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 5/366 for grinding tyres
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 55/02 Equipment for cooling the grinding surfaces, e.g. devices for feeding coolant cooling or lubricating during dressing operation B24B53/095; incorporated in grinding wheels B24D
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 55/06 Dust extraction equipment on grinding or polishing machines B24B31/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B24D 13/10 comprising assemblies of brushes
• CPC Class Codes: B24D 13/18 with cooling provisions
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 2030/541 Abrading the tyre, e.g. buffing, to remove tread and/or sidewalls rubber, to prepare it for retreading
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 30/56 Retreading with prevulcanised tread B29D30/542 takes precedence

Abstract

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a buffer brush. When rotating, the buffer brush acts as a centrifugal pump. The buffer brush contains a core having a first side and a second side and the brush extends racially from the surface of the core. The first and second sides have at least one opening configured to allow air to flow laterally through the core. Vents on the surface of the cure are configured to allow air flowing laterally through the core to also flow radially through the vents into the brush.

Claims

1. A buffer brush comprising:

a core having a first side and a second side, wherein a brush extends radially from the surface of the core;

at least one opening in the first side and at least one opening in the second side, wherein the opening in the first side and the opening in the second side are configured to allow air to flow laterally through the core;

a plurality of vents on the surface of the core configured to allow air flowing laterally through the core to also flow radially through the vents and into the brush.

2. The buffer brush according to claim 1 wherein the core comprises a plurality of brush segments.

3. The buffer brush according to claim 1 wherein a first endplate forms the first side.

4. The buffer brush according to claim 3 wherein a second endplate forms the second side.

5. The buffer brush of according to claim 1 where the brush contains gaps configured to facilitate air flow through the brush.

6. The buffer brush according to claim 1 further comprising a vacuum pump adjacent to the brush, wherein the vacuum pump collects dust from an object being buffed.

7. The buffer brush according to claim 1 wherein the brush is a wire brush.

8. The buffer brush according to claim 1 further comprising an axel supporting the core.

9. A method for manufacturing a retreaded tire comprising:

providing at least one buffer brush comprising;

a first end plate having a plurality of openings and a second end plate having a plurality of openings;

at least one brush segment comprising a core having openings configured for lateral air flow and vents configured for radial air flow and brush bristles extending radially from the core;

the at least one brush segment mounted between the first end plate and the second end plate and configured such that air can flow through the openings in the first end plate and the second end plate and through the openings configured for lateral air flow and vents configured for radial air flow;

rotating the buffer brush such that air flows laterally through the core and radially through the vents;

processing a tread section through the at least one buffer brush such that the processed tread section has a texturized surface;

buffing a tire casing such that a worn tread is removed from the casing;

applying the tread section to the tire casing.

10. The method of manufacturing according to claim 9 wherein a plurality brush segments comprise the core.

11. The method of manufacturing according to claim 9 wherein the step of buffing a tire casing further comprises using the at least one buffer brush to buff the tire casing.

12. The method of manufacturing according to claim 9 further comprising the step of collecting dust using a vacuum pump adjacent to the buffer brush.

13. The method of manufacturing according to claim 9 wherein the buffer brush is a wire brush.

14. The method of manufacturing according to claim 9 wherein the step of rotating further comprises rotating the buffer brush with an electric motor.

15. A method of buffing comprising:

providing a buffer brush comprising

a core having a first side and a second side, wherein a brush extends radially from the surface of the core;

at least one opening in the first side and at least one opening in the second side, wherein the opening in the first side and the opening in the second side are configured to allow air to flow laterally through the core;

a plurality of vents on the surface of the core;

rotating the buffer brush such that air flows laterally through the core and radially through the vents.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of buffing a tire with the buffer brush.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of vacuuming dust generated by buffing the tire with a vacuum adjacent to the buffer brush.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein a plurality brush segments comprise the core.

19. The method of claim 15 the brush is a wire brush.

20. The method of claim 15 the brush contains gaps configured to facilitate air flow through the brush.