Bridgestone Bandag, LLC

Bridgestone Bangag, LLC

Eric M Henriksen

Christopher J A Ferrell

Todd R Frisbie

Wade L Terrill

Noel K Stineman

Matthew S Bartenhagen

Troy Allen Kost

Robert P Hardy

Jeffrey A Wachtel

Jeremiah J Nartker

Merle R Schlapkohl

Aaron M Mccombs

A machine for retreading tires includes a rotatable hub that includes a moveable conical element, and an expandable rim disposed around the rotatable hub. The expandable rim includes a plurality of shoes. Each shoe of the plurality of shoes may have a base portion and a rim portion. The base portion may have a two-piece construction that allows for replacement of a worn interface that may include a channel and a ramp. A method for assembling an expandable rim for use in a tire retreading machine, and a method for servicing a machine having an expandable rim are also disclosed.

Expandable rim for tire tread buffing apparatus and method

A rim for mounting a tire includes a base portion and a rim portion. The rim portion includes a rim segment, a first flange segment positioned on one side and a second flange segment positioned on an opposite side of the rim segment. The rim segment defines a circular curvature and has an original rim width measured along a rotation axis of the rim between inward facing surfaces of the first flange segment and the second flange segment. A band is positioned around a circumference of the rim segment contiguous with an inward facing surface of the first flange segment. The rim portion has an adjusted rim width, measured between a band inward facing surface and the inward facing surface of the second flange segment, which is different from the original rim width.

Adjusting expandable rim width using a band

A machine for retreading tires includes a rotatable hub and an expandable rim disposed around the moveable hub. The expandable rim includes a plurality of shoes, each shoe having a flange segment on either side of a rim segment of the plurality of shoes. An adapter is attached to each of the flange segments such that an expandable rim width is decreased. A method for modifying a width of an expandable rim for use in a tire retreading machine comprising is also disclosed.

Expandable rim width insert

A tire inspecting apparatus for a tire is provided. The apparatus includes a test stand for supporting and rotating a tire. The test stand is configured such that a tire supported thereon defines a center axis. The apparatus includes a testing probe configured as a high voltage electrode for generating an electric field and a grounding element. A positioning assembly includes a support bracket and a positioning arm supporting the testing probe. The positioning arm is operable to move the testing probe into a working position between the sidewalls of a tire supported on the test stand and in proximity to the grounding element. The positioning arm is connected to the support bracket for pivoting movement relative to the support bracket about a pivot axis. The pivot axis extends at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the center axis of a tire supported on the test stand.

Tire inspection apparatus

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Muscatine, IA, United States of America

Eric M Henriksen