Method of using tire tag protector

• US 6,312,539 B1
• Filed: 03/19/1999
• Issued: 11/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Inventors: Koch, Russell W., Wilson, Paul B., Trew, Robert J., Bohm, Georg G. A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maki, Steven D.
• Application Number:
  US09/272,472
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 156/64, 156/247, 156/344, 156/110.1, 156/292, 152/152.1, 731/46
• US Class Current: 156/64
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 2030/0072 Attaching fasteners to tyres, e.g. patches, in order to connect devices to tyres
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 2030/0077 Directly attaching monitoring devices to tyres before or after vulcanization, e.g. microchips
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0493 for attachment on the tyre
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2241 used in or for vehicle tyres
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/0007 Casings standardised racks H05K9/0062
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 156/928 Delaminating tire, e.g. tread from carcass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1189 with shearing during delaminating

Abstract

A tire tag protector is used to cover a tire tag on the inside of a pneumatic tire during a high-voltage, non-destructive test procedure. The tire tag protector includes a layer of dielectric and is configured to fit completely over the tire tag inside a pneumatic tire, the tire tag protector may also include a layer of conductive material. The tire tag protector is temporarily attached to the tire by an adhesive or by prongs that engage the tire tag. The tire tag protector prevents the high-voltage electrode used in the test procedure from snagging on the tire tag and prevents the sensitive electronic equipment of the tire tag from being damaged by the high-voltage test environment.

Claims

1. A method of testing a tire for defects using a high-voltage, non-destructive test procedure when the tire has a tire tag, the method comprising the steps of:

covering the tire tag with a tire tag protector having a wall formed at least partially of a dielectric;

the tire tag protector adapted to protect the tire tag from the high voltage electrode during the test procedure so that the tire tag does not have to be removed during the test procedure;

the covering step being performed without adhesively connecting the tire tag protector to the tire tag;

testing the tire by inserting a high-voltage electrode into the interior of the tire, energizing the electrode, and rotating the tire; and

removing the tire tag protector from the tire.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of covering the tire tag with a tire tag protector includes the step of providing a tire tag protector having a layer of conductive material and a layer of dielectric.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing a tire tag protector with inwardly projecting prongs and wherein the step of covering the tire tag with the tire tag protector includes the step of engaging the prongs with the tire tag.

4. A method of testing a tire for defects using a high-voltage, non-destructive test procedure when the tire has a tire tag, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a tire tag protector having a wall formed at least partially of a dielectric, the tire tag protector including at least a pair of inwardly-projecting prongs;

covering the tire tag with a tire tag protector;

the step of covering the tire tag with the tire tag protector including the step of physically engaging the tire tag with the tire tag protectors;

the step of physically engaging the tire tag with the tire tag protector including the step of engaging the tire tag with the prongs of the tire tag protector;

testing the tire by inserting an electrode into the interior of the tire, energizing the electrode, and rotating the tire; and

removing the tire tag protector from the tire.

5. A method of testing a tire for defects using a high-voltage, non-destructive test procedure when the tire has a tire tag, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a tire tag protector having a wall formed at least partially of a dielectric, the tire tag protector including at least a pair of inwardly-projecting prongs;

providing a patch that mounts the tire tag to the tire;

covering the tire tag and patch with a tire tag protector and engaging the prongs of the tire tag protector with the patch;

testing the tire by inserting an electrode into the interior of the tire, energizing the electrode, and rotating the tire; and

removing the tire tag protector from the tire.

6. A method of testing a tire for defects using a high-voltage, non-destructive test procedure when the tire has a tire tag;

the method comprising the steps of;

providing a tire tag protector having a curved outer surface that prevents an electrode from snagging on the tire tag protector;

the tire tag protector having a dielectric layer;

covering the tire tag with the tire tag protector;

testing the tire by inserting the electrode into the interior of the tire, energizing the electrode, and rotating the tire; and

removing the tire tag protector from the tire.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of providing the tire tag protector with a semi-spherical outer surface.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of connecting the tire tag protector to the tire with an adhesive.