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US 11,110,678 B2Granted
Tread extension device for use in retread finishing
AssigneeCompagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin
InventorChinglin Pan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tread extension device (10) is provided that has first (12) and second (14) tread extensions for holding a tread during brushing operations. A first connecting device (28) connects the first tread extension (12) to a first longitudinal end (18) of the tread, and engages both the first tread extension (12) and the first longitudinal end (18) of the tread. A second connecting device (30) is included that connects the second tread extension (14) to the second longitudinal end of the tread. The second connecting device (30) engages both the second tread extension and the second longitudinal end of the tread. The tread is able to be brushed in both a first direction and a second direction along its underside.
Claims13
A tread extension device, comprising:
- a first tread extension;
- a second tread extension, wherein a tread that has a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end is located between the first and second tread extensions, wherein a longitudinal direction of the tread extends from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end;
- a first connecting device that connects the first tread extension to the first longitudinal end of the tread, wherein the first connecting device engages both the first tread extension and the first longitudinal end of the tread;
- and
- a second connecting device that connects the second tread extension to the second longitudinal end of the tread, wherein the second connecting device engages both the second tread extension and the second longitudinal end of the tread;
- wherein the tread has a tread surface and an underside surface, wherein the tread surface is opposite from the underside surface in a vertical direction of the tread, wherein the tread surface is configured for engaging a road surface, wherein the first connecting device has a needle assembly that has a needle that punctures the tread surface and connects the needle assembly to the tread.
3 more elements
A tread extension device, comprising:
- a first tread extension;
- a second tread extension, wherein a tread that has a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end is located between the first and second tread extensions, wherein a longitudinal direction of the tread extends from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end;
- a first connecting device that connects the first tread extension to the first longitudinal end of the tread, wherein the first connecting device engages both the first tread extension and the first longitudinal end of the tread;
- and
- a second connecting device that connects the second tread extension to the second longitudinal end of the tread, wherein the second connecting device engages both the second tread extension and the second longitudinal end of the tread;
- wherein the first connecting device has a base that is cured into the first tread extension, wherein the first connecting device has a needle assembly that is carried by the base and that has a needle that punctures the tread and connects the needle assembly to the tread;
- wherein the base has a slot that extends in a lateral direction of the first tread extension, wherein the needle assembly has a base engagement member that is disposed within the slot and is adjustable along the slot in order to position the needle assembly at different locations at the base in the lateral direction;
- wherein the base engagement member has a dove tail shaped cross-section, and wherein the slot has a dove tail shaped cross-section.
5 more elements
A tread extension device, comprising:
- a first tread extension;
- a second tread extension, wherein a tread that has a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end is located between the first and second tread extensions, wherein a longitudinal direction of the tread extends from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end;
- a first connecting device that connects the first tread extension to the first longitudinal end of the tread, wherein the first connecting device engages both the first tread extension and the first longitudinal end of the tread;
- and
- a second connecting device that connects the second tread extension to the second longitudinal end of the tread, wherein the second connecting device engages both the second tread extension and the second longitudinal end of the tread;
- wherein the tread has a projection portion located at the first longitudinal end of the tread, wherein the first tread extension has a projection receiving portion into which the projection portion is received, wherein the first connecting device is a clamp that engages the projection portion and the first tread extension;
- wherein the tread has a thickness that extends in a vertical direction of the tread from an underside surface of the tread to a tread surface of the tread, wherein the clamp has a first plate that engages the projection portion and is located lower than the underside surface of the tread in the vertical direction of the tread;
- wherein the first plate is a carbide plate.
5 more elements
A tread extension device, comprising:
- a first tread extension;
- a second tread extension, wherein a tread that has a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end is located between the first and second tread extensions, wherein a longitudinal direction of the tread extends from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end;
- a first connecting device that connects the first tread extension to the first longitudinal end of the tread, wherein the first connecting device engages both the first tread extension and the first longitudinal end of the tread;
- and
- a second connecting device that connects the second tread extension to the second longitudinal end of the tread, wherein the second connecting device engages both the second tread extension and the second longitudinal end of the tread;
- wherein the tread has a projection portion located at the first longitudinal end of the tread, wherein the first tread extension has a projection receiving portion into which the projection portion is received, wherein the first connecting device is a clamp that engages the projection portion and the first tread extension;
- wherein the tread has an underside surface that engages the projection portion.
4 more elements
A tread extension device, comprising:
- a first tread extension;
- a second tread extension, wherein a tread that has a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end is located between the first and second tread extensions, wherein a longitudinal direction of the tread extends from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end;
- a first connecting device that connects the first tread extension to the first longitudinal end of the tread, wherein the first connecting device engages both the first tread extension and the first longitudinal end of the tread, wherein the first connecting device comprising a different material than the first tread extension;
- and
- a second connecting device that connects the second tread extension to the second longitudinal end of the tread, wherein the second connecting device engages both the second tread extension and the second longitudinal end of the tread, wherein the second connecting device comprising a different material than the second tread extension;
- wherein the tread has a projection receiving portion located at the first longitudinal end of the tread, wherein the first tread extension has a projection portion that is received within the projection receiving portion, wherein the first connecting device is a clamp that engages the projection receiving portion and the first tread extension;
- wherein the tread has an underside surface that engages the projection receiving portion.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.