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:
Feb. 25, 2003
Filed:
Feb. 08, 2001
Donald Chester Kubinski, Medina, OH (US);
Michael Wallace Smith, Mogodore, OH (US);
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Akron, OH (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for a sub forming an elastomeric extrusion into a bead apex filler and for applying the same to an annular bead ( ) to form a bead/apex subassembly for use in the construction of a pneumatic tire. The apex filler ( ) is formed from a triangular shaped extrusion ( ) that is initially wrapped around a rotating mandrel ( ) having a diameter of between about 50% to about 75% of the outer diameter of the annular bead to which the filler is attached. A helical former ( ) disposed around the mandrel causes the extrusion to move in a helical path as it traverses the mandrel. As the extrusion is removed from the mandrel, the extrusion is sufficiently uncoiled to relieve and compressive or tensile stresses. Then, the partially uncoiled extrusion is wrapped around the outer periphery of the bead to form a bead/apex filler subassembly ( ) which is substantially without compressive or tensile stresses when mounted onto the tire being constructed.