Means and method of identifying objects using a zero contrast sensor
AssigneeThe Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
InventorStephen Wayne Meadows
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Abstract
Siping, of a specific pattern, is used as a code to provide an identification number and/or a part number on a rubber object. The depth and width of the sipes, and the height and width of the rubber bars between the sipes, can be read using a zero contrast reading device, and the specific pattern of sipes and bars can be converted into identifying symbols such as letters and/or numbers. The identity of the object can be matched with a data base which may provide the history of the object.
Claims4
A pneumatic tire comprising at least a pair of parallel annular beads (16), a carcass ply (18) wrapped around said beads (16), belts or breakers (20) disposed over said carcass ply (18) in a crown area of said tire (10), a tread (14) disposed over said belts or breakers (20), and a sidewall (12) disposed between said tread (14) and said beads (16), wherein said sidewall (12) has depressions (22) and bars (24) having different heights and substantially squared-off walls (26), wherein depressions (22) and bars (24) in said sidewalls (12) are distributed in a pattern unique for said tire (10), said pattern of depressions (22) and bars (24) providing identifying means for said tire (10) when read with a non-light sensor (46).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.