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:
Mar. 18, 2003
Filed:
Jun. 27, 2001
Donald Chester Kubinski, Medina, OH (US);
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Akron, OH (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method are described for forming and reinforcing a butt splice ( ) along the abutting edges ( ) of two elastomeric sheets ( ) which typically contain a plurality of reinforcing cords ( ) extending parallel to one another and to the abutting edges ( ) of the sheets. Each butt splice ( ) is reinforced with a splice strip ( ) which bridges the butt splice. The splice strip ( ) is applied to the butt splice ( ) using a splice applicating device ( ) containing at least one and preferably two applicator heads ( ) which move from a splice strip load position P to a third position P where an applicator head can press the splice strip ( ) into contact with the butt splice ( ). First, the applicator heads ( ) rotate about an axis between the load position P and a second position P spaced from the butt splice ( ). Then, one of the heads ( ) reciprocates toward and away from the splice strip application position P . The splice strip ( ) is held on the applicator head ( ) by vacuum until the splice strip is pressed against and adhered to the butt splice ( ) at which time the vacuum is released and the applicator head ( ) is withdrawn.