Loading patent…
AssigneeThe Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
InventorsGeorge William Eisenzimmer, Larry Wayne Burner
Estimating the term…
An apparatus and method for removing an unvulcanized are tread from a storage device (14) includes the step of inverting the tread (12) and transporting it to a roller conveyor in a single step. The tread (12) is picked up by a vacuum bar (80) fitted with a series of suction cups (76). Individual suction cups (76) can be selectively supplied with vacuum depending on the length of the tread (12). After the suction cups (76) have engaged the tread, the tread is raised from the storage device (14), inverted through 180 degrees, and then set onto a special slotted roller conveyor (130). The slotted roller conveyor (130) has a center slot (142) to receive the vacuum bar (80) as it passes therethrough. Side slots (144,146) in the conveyor receive arms (90,92) attached to the vacuum bar (80).
An apparatus for removing an associated tire tread from an associated storage device, the apparatus being characterized by:
An apparatus for removing an associated tire tread from an associated storage device, said apparatus comprising a frame, said frame including spaced vertical members and a vertical axis, said apparatus characterized by:
A system for removing an associated tire tread from an associated storage device, the system characterized by:
A method of removing an associated tire tread from a storage device utilizing a lifting apparatus comprising gripping means for gripping the associated tread, said method characterized by the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.