Control fixture for a tire bead compression testing machine
AssigneeBridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC
InventorAnthony Ross Marella
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A control fixture (20) for a tire-bead compression testing apparatus comprising a plurality of radially movable segments and force-sensing instrumentation contained in at least some of these segments. The control fixture (20) comprises a plurality of plunger assemblies (24) and each plunger assembly (24) includes a plunger (32) for attachment to one of the radially movable segments, a casing (34) for sliding receipt of the plunger (32), and a spring (36) positioned between the plunger (32) and the casing (34). In this manner, force-sensing instrumentation can be used to determine the spring constant of the spring (36) and the consistency of the apparatus thereby confirmed.
Claims14
A control fixture for a tire-bead compression testing apparatus comprising a plurality of radially movable segment and force-sensing instrumentation contained in at least some of these segments, said control fixture comprising a plurality of plunger assemblies, each plunger assembly comprising:
- a plunger for attachment to one of the radially movable segments;
- a casing for sliding receipt of the plunger;
- and
- a spring positioned between the plunger and the casing, whereby the force-sensing instrumentation can be used to determine the spring constant of the spring and the consistency of the apparatus thereby confirmed.
A method of checking a tire-bead compression testing apparatus comprising a plurality of radially movable segments and force-sensing instrumentation attached thereto, said method comprising the steps of:
- attaching a plunger to at least one of the radially movable segments;
- moving the radially movable segments radially outwardly;
- placing a spring so that it is compressed as the plunger is moved radially outward;
- measuring the spring constant of the spring;
- and
- using the spring constant to confirm the consistency of the apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.