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. 13, 2007
Filed:
Sep. 02, 2004
Tsuyoshi Uehara, Hiratsuka, JP;
Tsuyoshi Uehara, Hiratsuka, JP;
The Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A method of and an apparatus for determining tire shapes are provided which enable both an apparatus weight reduction and a determination accuracy improvement. The apparatus of the present invention includes: a portable base member; a non-contact displacement gage held on the base member so as to be freely movable along a predetermined scanning direction; a weight supported on the base member so as to be movable along the scanning direction; and means for symmetrically driving the displacement gage and weight while synchronizing them with each other. Using this apparatus, the method includes: setting the base member in proximity to a tire tread portion so that the displacement gage will scan the tread portion; allowing the displacement gage and weight to symmetrically move along the scanning direction while synchronizing them with each other; and determining the shape of the tread portion, based on an output from the displacement gage.