Dust collection and removal system

In a tire uniformity machine having grinding wheels for selectively engaging the periphery of a tire to improve tire uniformity, a dust collection and removal apparatus comprising:

• a) a generally U-shaped shroud member having an annular interior wall, a mounting recess disposed in said annular interior wall, a mounting aperture disposed in said annular interior wall adjacent to said recess, and a vacuum port also disposed in said annular interior wall;
• b) a vacuum hose communicating between said vacuum port and a vacuum source generating a vacuum flow which defines a vacuum flow path;
• c) an air nozzle having an air inlet and at least one aperture forming an air outlet, said air nozzle being mounted to said shroud opposite said vacuum port and substantially centered in said flow path by way of a stud plate connected to said air nozzle and further connected to said mounting aperture such that said air nozzle is disposed in said flow path of said vacuum flow;
• and
• d) an air hose connected to said air inlet of said air nozzle and further communicating with an air source.

A method of collecting and removing dust from a tire uniformity machine having grinding wheels for selectively engaging the periphery of a tire to improve tire uniformity, comprising the steps of:

• a) mounting at least one vacuum hose adjacent to the grinding wheel;
• b) mounting at least one air nozzle in the center of the vacuum flow path generated by said at least one vacuum hose;
• c) directing a blast of air from said at least one air nozzle toward the tire to dislodge dust therefrom;
• and
• d) collecting and removing the dislodged dust along said vacuum path through said at least one vacuum hose.