Tire inspection apparatus

A positioning assembly for manipulating a testing probe relative to a tire having a center axis, the positioning assembly comprising:

• a support bracket;
• and
• a positioning arm supporting the testing probe and movable between extended and retracted positions in a telescoping manner, the positioning arm being connected to the support bracket for pivoting movement relative to the support bracket about a pivot axis, the pivot axis extending at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the center axis;
• wherein the positioning assembly is configured such that the testing probe is movable by the positioning arm between an idle position wherein the testing probe is outside of the tire and the positioning arm is in the retracted position, a first intermediate position wherein the testing probe is at least partially outside of the tire and the positioning arm is in the retracted position and pivoted about the pivot axis relative to the support bracket as compared to the idle position, a second intermediate position wherein the testing probe is positioned inside of a pair of planes each defined by a respective one of the sidewalls of the tire and the positioning arm is in the extended position, and a working position wherein the testing probe is positioned between the sidewalls of the tire and the positioning arm is pivoted on the about the pivot axis relative to the support bracket as compared to the idle position.

A testing probe for sensing defects in a tire when arranged in proximity of a grounding element, the testing probe comprising:

• a mount including a connecting portion configured to connect to an arm and a supporting portion that extends at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the connecting portion;
• a head attached to the supporting portion of the mount, the head being configured such that the position of the head relative to the mount is adjustable;
• and
• a plurality of wire loops attached to the head and configured to fan out from at least three sides of the head.