Fast transfer tire work station

• US 8,656,767 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2009
• Issued: 02/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA
• Original Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Inventors: Chebli, Adib T., Ikonomov, Metodi L.
• Primary Examiner(s): ALLEN, ANDRE J
• Application Number:
  US13/381,136
• Publication Number:
  US 20120107073A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,701 Days
• Field of Search: 73146-1468
• US Class Current: 73/146
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 25/002 Inspecting tyres
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 25/142 Devices for tightening or expanding the felly, devices for spreading the tyres

Abstract

A tire work station and system for selectively holding a tire having work performed thereon in a side orientation or a front orientation. The tire work station comprises a work platform mounted to a vertically adjustable pedestal having a first support system and a second support system. The first support system comprising a pair of tread rollers inclined at a first inclined angle A1 and further forming a second angle A2 with a pair of sidewall rollers. The sidewall rollers spaced apart to define a passageway for the tire in its front orientation. The second support system mounted between the pair of tread rollers, comprising a tread support surface at a first distance from a top surface of the work platform lower than a support surface of the pair of tread rollers at a second distance from the top surface of the work platform.

Claims

1. A tire work station for holding a tire having work performed thereon, the tire selectively held in a side orientation or a front orientation, the tire work station comprising:

a work platform mounted to a vertically adjustable pedestal, the work platform having a first support system mounted thereto, the first support system adapted for holding the tire selectively in the side orientation, the first support system comprising a pair of tread rollers permitting rotation of the tire about its axis, each of the tread rollers rotating about a roller axis, inclined at a first inclined angle A1 with the work platform, the roller axis further forming a second angle A2 with a pair of sidewall rollers for supporting a sidewall of the tire, the sidewall rollers spaced apart to define a passageway for the tire in its front orientation; and

the work platform further having a second support system mounted between the pair of tread rollers, the second support system adapted for holding the tire selectively in the front orientation, the second support system comprising a tread support surface at a first distance from a top surface of the work platform lower than a support surface of the pair of tread rollers at a second distance from the top surface of the work platform.

2. The tire work station of claim 1, wherein at least one of the tread rollers has a brake.

3. The tire work station of claim 1, wherein the first inclined angle A1 is between 5°

and 15°

.

4. The tire work station of claim 3, wherein the first inclined angle A1 is 10°

.

5. The tire work station of claim 1, wherein the second support system comprises a pair of fins.

6. The tire work station of claim 1, wherein the second support system comprises a pair of second support rollers.

7. The tire work station of claim 1, wherein the second angle A2 is between 80°

and 100°

.

8. The tire work station of claim 7 wherein the second angle A2 is 90°

.

9. The tire work station of claim 1, further comprising foot pedals for raising and lowering the work platform.

10. A system for repair or inspection of a tire, the system comprising:

the tire work station of claim 1; and

a transportation system for moving the tire.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a tire repair process.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising a manufacturing process.

13. The system of claim 10, further comprising a tire inspection process.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the transportation system is a monorail.