Illinois Tool Works Inc.

International Wheel & Tire Company

Other

Ransburg Corporation

International Wheel and Tire, Inc.

Peter L Gross

Todd L Eck

Patrick W Zoller

Erik L McClain

Marc A Walters

Kristopher J Walters, Jr

Jeffrey N Skomski

Norman G Poole

Kevin R Kerwin

Todd Allen Campbell

Netresh U Rege

Roy F Carlson

Kristopher J Walters

Erik L Mcclain

A feed and cutting unit for selectively cutting and dispensing individual weight material segments from a common strip of backing material is disclosed. The feed and cutting unit comprises a feed assembly, a sensor and a cutter member. The feed assembly includes a drive roller and a follower roller that frictionally engages first and second surfaces of a strip of weight material to selectively move the strip of weight material to a cutter member. The sensor is connected to a controller and measures an amount of segmented weight material on the backing material as the strip of weight material moves past the sensor. The cutter member is actuated to separate weight material segments from the backing material by cutting at least a portion of the backing material in a gap disposed between adjacent segments. Weight apply devices that receive the segments for application to an imbalanced member, are also disclosed.

Weight material cutting, dispensing and applying systems

A system and method are disclosed for dispensing an amount of imbalance correction weight for attachment to a rotary element to reduce an imbalance in the rotary element. The imbalance correction weight includes a number of individual weights provided on a length of double-sided adhesive tape. A guide directs the imbalance correction weight through a channel provided by the guide toward a tape divider. A driver pulls a protective backing away from the tape causing the imbalance correction weight to move through the channel toward the tape divider. A sensor counts the individual weights that move past it. When the sensor has counted a desired number of individual weights, a controller instructs the driver to stop pulling on the protective backing thereby stopping movement of the imbalance correction weight and then instructs the tape divider to divide the tape to provide the amount of imbalance correction weight. A weight applicator automatically receives the amount of imbalance correction weight and is operable to attach it to the rotary element.

System and method for dispensing adhesive imbalance correction weight

A system and method are disclosed for dispensing an amount of imbalance correction weight for attachment to a rotary element to reduced an imbalance in the rotary element. The imbalance correction weight includes a number of individual weights provided on a length ot double-sided adhesive tape. A guide directs the imbalance correction weight though the channel provided by the guide toward a tape divider. A driver pulls a protective backing away from the tape causing the imbalance correction weight to move through the channel toward the tape divider. A sensor counts the individual weights that move past it. When the sensor has counted a desired number of individual weights, a controller instructs the driver to stop pulling on the protective backing thereby stopping, movement of the imbalance correction weight and then instructs the tape divider to divide the tape to provide the amount of imbalance correction weight. A weight applicator automatically receives the amount of imbalance correction weight and is operable to attach it to the rotary element.

A weight for correcting imbalance in a rotary element includes a number of discrete weights. The number of discrete weights is selected to substantially correct the imbalance. A piece of double sided tape has sufficient length for the number of discrete weights to be adhered to the length of double sided tape. A removable film protects the side of the tape opposite the side to which the discrete weights are adhered. The film reduces the likelihood of contamination until the film is removed to expose the side of the tape opposite the side to which the discrete weights are adhered, permitting the weight to be applied to the rotary element.

Individual segment adhesive correction weight

A centering mechanism having two centering sections, each including a supporting frame extending in a generally parallel spaced-apart relation to the frame of the other centering section, first and second centering columns rotatably mounted in the frame, and a centering arm provided at an end of each centering column remote from the frame, first and second drive wheels for driving the first and second centering columns, respectively, and a flexible member trained about the first and second drive wheels to drive them in opposite directions, movement of the flexible member in a first direction driving the ends of the centering arms remote from the centering columns toward each other and movement of the flexible member in a second and opposite direction driving the ends of the centering arms remote from the centering columns away from each other.

Conveying and centering apparatus

A rotary element dynamic imbalance determining apparatus includes a spindle having a first end for removably supporting a rotary element the imbalance of which is to be determined, and a housing for rotatably mounting the spindle. An output signal related to imbalance in the supported rotary element is generated as the spindle rotates. A rotary fluid coupling comprises a chamber between the spindle and housing, a port in the housing for coupling the chamber to a source of compressed air and a one-way fluid seal for dividing the chamber into a first portion and a second portion. A passageway extends along the spindle from the second portion to the first end of the spindle to supply inflating air thereto.

Modular rotary element processor

A conveyor having two conveyor sections, each conveyor section including a frame extending generally longitudinally of the conveyor, a first splined shaft rotatable in an end of the frame and a second shaft rotatable in the other in of the frame, a first splined shaft rotatable in an end of the frame and a second shaft rotatable in the other end of the frame, first and second wheels on the first and second shafts, respectively, an article-engaging belt trained around the first and second wheels, first and second rollers for coupling the two conveyor sections, the first roller having a splined center opening for engaging and receiving the splines on the first shaft of each conveyor section so as to synchronize the movements of the belts on the two conveyor sections and a device for adjusting the spacing between the conveyor sections.

A load cell mounting arrangement for a load cell having first and second ends and a pair of output terminals across which an output signal appears when the load cell is subjected to compressive stress exerted between the first and second ends. The mounting arrangement comprises first and second mechanical interface members for positioning between a first surface and a second surface between which the load cell is to measure compressive stress. The first and second mechanical interface members have first and second mechanical interface member interface surfaces, respectively. The first and second mechanical interface member interface surfaces contact the first and second surfaces, respectively, each substantially at a point. First and second coupling collars permit non-compressive relative movement between the first and second surfaces, respectively, and the first and second mechanical interface member interface surfaces, respectively, substantially without altering the load cell output signal.

Load cell mounting

A marking head for applying a marking composition to locations on elements. The marking head has a marking rod with a marking end and a motor for reciprocating the marking rod through a chamber filled with a marking fluid. The marking fluid is uniformly applied to the marking end of the marking rod by the use of a diffuser and a rod scaper each of which are positioned adjacent to the chamber filled with the marking fluid.

Contact marker system

A storage rack with moveable lifting jacks. The rack includes horizontally extending members joined but spaced apart by a pair of upper and a pair of lower cross members. Two upright posts extend above the horizontally extending support members and are secured in place by the cross members. A powered lifting jack and a follower lifting jack each include tongues insertable between the horizontally extending support members at the opposite ends of the rack. The tongues are biased between the upper and lower cross members preventing the pivotal motion of the tongues which are mounted to wheels rotatably mounted to frames having hydraulic cylinder motors mounted thereatop. Piston rods are extendable from the hydraulic cylinder motors and are attached to the tongues to apply lifting force in an upward direction along an axis extending through the wheel axis of rotation applying lifting force to the opposite ends of the rack.

Growing community of inventors

Indianapolis, IN, United States of America

Peter L Gross