The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 09, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 10, 1997
David W Lees, Sr, Ravenna, OH (US);
Francis J Bormet, Tallmadge, OH (US);
Richard Cukelj, Strongsville, OH (US);
Frank R Jellison, Canton, OH (US);
Keith A Neiferd, Norton, OH (US);
Dennis Allyn Reynolds, Munroe Falls, OH (US);
Christy Quinn, Doylestown, OH (US);
Illinois Tool Works, Inc., Glenview, IL (US);
Abstract
A loadwheel assembly for a tire testing machine includes a loadwheel with a tire contacting surface supported along substantially its entire circumference by one or more solid discs. The loadwheel consistently measures forces and generates electrical signals corresponding to the forces to more precisely determine tire uniformity. The loadwheel, formed as an aluminum weldment which reduces manufacturing costs, rotates about spindles provided with load cells and mounted to a C-shaped carriage. The carriage has upper and lower legs with the spindles fixed to one side of each leg such that the load cells are easily accessible from one side of the carriage. The top and bottom legs of the carriage are selectively attachable to a guide piece that slidably engages a complementarily shaped member secured to the machine frame to permit the carriage to be secured to the frame with the load cells disposed on either side of the carriage legs, thereby providing access to the load cells regardless of the layout of the machine. The loadwheel assembly includes a motor and gearbox integrated with and directly driving a ball screw connected to the carriage to move the loadwheel toward and away from the tire under test.