Tire envelope expander
US4902380A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 6, 1988 |
| Grant date | Feb 20, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 6, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29D2030/543
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An envelope expander for mounting an annular envelope of a flexible resilient material upon a tire supported upon a tire support with the tire axis in a horizontal position includes a vertically disposed rigid gate-like frame having a central opening of a diameter exceeding that of a tire. A plurality of expander members adapted to grip the envelope at spaced locations along the edge of a circular opening in one side of the envelope are mounted on the frame for coordinated power driven movement radially of the frame opening between radially inner and outer end limits. With the expander members at their radially inner end limits, the envelope opening is slightly stretched and manually mounted on the members. The expanding members are then driven to their radially outer end limits, expending the envelope opening to a diameter greater than that of the tire. Relative movement between the frame and tire support is then utilized to move the tire through the expanded envelope opening into the interior of the envelope. The expander members are then returned to their radially inner end limits and disengaged from the envelope.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.