WO2012057793A1

WO2012057793A1 - Manually guided tire abrading tool

Info

Publication number: WO2012057793A1
Application number: PCT/US2010/054777
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cesar Zarak; Metodi Ikonomov; Nate Panning
Original assignee: Societe De Technologie Michelin; Michelin Recherche Et Technique S.A.
Priority date: 2010-10-29
Filing date: 2010-10-29
Publication date: 2012-05-03
Also published as: RU2013124800A; CN103189162B; RU2553135C2; BR112013010512A2; CN103189162A; BR112013010512A8

Abstract

A method of abrading the surface of a tire including steps of securing a tire to prevent rotation thereof, providing a mechanism extending from a base comprising an abrading member, the mechanism constraining the abrading member to move within a desired abrading plane along a tire surface at least in part under the manual control of an operator, extending the abrading member within said abrading plane to a desired surface of the tire, and manually guiding the abrading member in contact with the tire surface to form an abraded curvilinear line within the abrading plane along the tire surface. An exemplary mechanism comprises one or more pivot axes extending substantially perpendicular to the abrading plane, and a linear actuator adapted to control movement of one selected from the group consisting of the mechanism, the tire, and a combination thereof in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane.

Description

MANUALLY GUIDED TIRE ABRADING TOOL

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to tire repair, and more specifically to a method and apparatus for preparing a surface of the tire for repair.

[0002] Tires are susceptible to damage from various sources. Damage may occur when a tire encounters roadway damage, road debris such as trash, nails, glass, and stone, and during tire mounting and dismounting. Damage may occur on the inside or outside of the tire, or may penetrate the tire, such as a puncture or laceration. Further, the damage may occur along the tread area, the sidewalls, or the shoulders, which is the area between the tread area and a sidewall. A damaged tire portion generally refers to a portion of the tire needing repair, where the need may arise for any reason.

[0003] When repairing the damaged area of a tire, a patch is commonly used to cover and seal the damaged area. A patch is generally made of polymeric or elastomeric material, such as natural or synthetic rubber, and may include reinforcements within the patch such as metallic cables or synthetic cords. Tire patches may be adhesively affixed or cured to the tire.

[0004] The damaged area may be prepared before application of the patch. For certain patches, it may be desired to abrade the surface of the tire before applying the patch. There remains a need for a tire abrading tool that constrains the movement of the grinding or abrading tool when abrading a tire surface.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] Disclosed is a method of abrading the surface of a tire comprising securing a tire to prevent rotation thereof, providing a mechanism extending from a base comprising an abrading member, the mechanism constraining the abrading member to move within a desired abrading plane along a tire surface at least in part under the manual control of an operator, extending the abrading member within said abrading plane to a desired surface of the tire, and manually guiding the abrading member in contact with the tire surface to form an abraded curvilinear line within the abrading plane along the tire surface. [0006] Also disclosed is a tool guide for abrading the surface of a tire comprising a mechanism extending from a base having an end adapted to receive an abrading tool, the mechanism constraining the abrading tool to move within a desired abrading plane along a tire surface at least in part under the manual control of an operator, the mechanism comprising one or more pivot axes extending perpendicular to the abrading plane, and a linear actuator adapted to control movement of one selected from the group consisting of the mechanism, the tire, and a combination thereof in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a manually guided tire abrader of the present disclosure,

[0008] FIG. 2 is a partial cross sectional view through a tire showing a side view of the manually guided tire abrader of FIG. 1,

[0009] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the manually guided tire abrader adjacent a tire,

[0010] FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view through a tire showing a side view of an alternative manually guided tire abrader,

[0011] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the inside of a tire and an abraded surface formed according to a method of the present disclosure,

[0012] FIG. 6 is a partial cross sectional view of the inside of a tire showing an alternative abraded surface formed according to a method of the present disclosure,

[0013] FIG. 7 is a partial cross sectional view of the inside of a tire showing the abraded surface of FIG. 5,

[0014] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view through a connection between links of an embodiment of the present disclosure,

[0015] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view through an alternative connection between links of an embodiment of the present disclosure,

[0016] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of the inside of a tire and a tire patch installed according to a method of the present disclosure, and

[0017] FIG. 11 is a partial cross sectional view through a tire showing a side view of another alternative manually guided tire abrader. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

[0018] The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus for preparing a portion of a tire for repair. Specifically, the damaged portion of the tire is prepared to facilitate repair by patching and/or filling the damaged portion. Portions of a tire may be repaired by applying patch material, such as, for example, a pre-formed patch and/or filler material, to said tire portion. In certain applications, prior to applying a patch the tire surface is abraded in a patch area to clean the tire surface, remove debris, and provide improved patch adhesion.

[0019] A method of abrading the surface of a tire is disclosed including steps of securing a tire to prevent rotation thereof, and providing a mechanism extending from a base comprising an abrading member, the mechanism constraining the abrading member to move within a desired abrading plane along a tire surface at least in part under the manual control of an operator. The method includes the steps of extending the abrading member within said abrading plane to a desired surface of the tire, and manually guiding the abrading member in contact with the tire surface to form an abraded curvilinear line within the abrading plane along the surface, such as that shown in FIG. 6.

[0020] An exemplary embodiment of a mechanism that may be used to practice the method is shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. As provided in the method, the mechanism may comprise a linkage adapted to move laterally along the base, such as the exemplary linkage 20 shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. The linkage 20 may comprise a plurality of structural links extending from the base, the linkage 20 including a first link 30 operably attached to the base and a terminal link 32 located at the mechanism end adapted to receive the abrading member 24, the linkage comprising one or more pivot axes 36 extending substantially perpendicular to the abrading plane such that the terminal link is movable in the abrading plane.

[0021] In one embodiment of the method, the step of constraining the abrading tool to move in a desired abrading plane may be accomplished by the linkage shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 such that the pivot axes are substantially parallel to each other, and each perpendicular to the desired abrading plane. With the pivot axes of the linkage perpendicular to the abrading plane, the terminal link and abrading member are only pivotable and/or movable in the abrading plane. [0022] An alternative exemplary embodiment of a mechanism that may be used to practice the method is shown in FIG. 11. As provided in the method, the mechanism of FIG. 11 may comprise a slide body 122 comprising one of said one or more pivot axes 124 and adapted to move laterally along the base, and a shaft 126 slidable in the slide body and pivotable with the slide body about the slide body pivot axis, one end of the shaft comprising the mechanism end adapted to receive the abrading member 24, the slide body pivot axis 124 extending substantially perpendicular to the abrading plane and the cross sectional shape of the shaft and corresponding slide body constraining the abrading member to move within the abrading plane. Other mechanisms combining pivot axes and sliders can be envisioned to constrain the abrading tool in the abrading plane.

[0023] In the examples of FIGS. 1 through 4, and alternatively FIG. 11, the abrading member may be motorized. As such, the method may further comprise the step of rotatably driving the abrading member about an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the pivot axes in the abrading plane.

[0024] The steps of extending the abrading member and manually guiding the abrading member in contact with the desired tire surface may be performed by an operator. The operator may move the abrading member in the abrading plane controlling the height or length of the abraded curvilinear line along the tire surface and the depth of the abraded line into the tire surface. In certain applications, the forces produced by the abrading member may be approximately perpendicular to the abrading plane, particularly when the abrading plane is coincident with or near the plane bisecting the rotational axis of the tire. The exemplary mechanisms shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 and FIG. 11 resist the lateral forces applied by the torque of the motor and the contact of the abrading member on the tire surface assisting the operator in guiding the movement of the abrading member 24 within the abrading plane 26 with reduced effort and improved accuracy.

[0025] The method may further include the steps of translating the mechanism along the base in a direction generally perpendicular to the abrading plane, and guiding the abrading member in contact with the tire surface abrading an additional curvilinear line along the surface adjacent the previously abraded line. Then, repeating the steps of translating the mechanism and guiding the abrading member in contact with the tire surface may be repeated as desired to form an abraded surface having a desired height, width, and depth. Stated another way, the operator may abrade a first curvilinear line within the abrading plane along the tire surface, then move the mechanism in a direction perpendicular to the plane to a position adjacent the first position and abrade a second line in the tire surface. The operator may then move the mechanism in a direction perpendicular to the plane and abrade the tire surface in a third line, and so on, repeating to form a patch area of a desired size. The example of FIGS. 5 and 7 shows a patch area 16 abraded by the present method. The mechanism constrains the abrading member to stay in the desired abrading plane assisting the operator in forming the abraded curvilinear line within the abrading plane along the tire surface.

[0026] In the method, the step of translating the mechanism along the base may be in a direction generally perpendicular to the abrading plane such that while the linkage translates the abrading member maintains the same orientation relative to the tire surface for providing the patch area. Alternatively, the step of translating the mechanism along the base may be in a direction at an angle to the abrading plane such that while the mechanism translates the abrading member varies its orientation relative to the tire surface. The mechanism may be movable along the base by way of a linear actuator as discussed below.

[0027] The distance that the mechanism is moved perpendicular to the first abraded curvilinear line, for example, in preparation for forming the second abraded line, may be selected based on the size and shape of the abrading member, the desired size of the patch area, the tire composition and construction, and other factors as desired. In one example, the mechanism may be indexed in a direction perpendicular to the abrading plane a distance such that the subsequent abraded line overlaps the prior abraded line, repeating until the desired patch area width is achieved. In an alternative example, the mechanism may be indexed perpendicular to the abrading plane a distance such that the subsequent abraded line does not overlap with the prior abraded line and a strip of unabraded tire surface remains in between, repeating until a striped patch area is obtained. Then, the mechanism is indexed in the reverse direction aligning with the unabraded portions until the entire patch area is completed. It is contemplated that various abrading sequences may be utilized to form the abraded patch area.

[0028] The width of each curvilinear line formed corresponds to the width of the contact between the abrading member and the tire surface, which may vary by parameters including the size and shape of the abrading member, surface roughness of the abrading member, pressure exerted by the abrading member on the tire surface, speed and direction of relative motion between the abrading member and tire surface, the composition and construction of the tire, and other parameters. The length and depth of the abraded curvilinear line in the tire surface is determined by the operator as desired for the application.

[0029] The method may include the step of positioning the tool guide such that the abrading plane is approximately parallel to a second plane bisecting the rotational axis of the tire. FIG. 6 shows an abraded curvilinear line 14 such that the abrading plane 26 is approximately parallel to a second plane 28 bisecting the rotational axis of the tire. Alternatively, the abrading plane may be coincident with the second plane bisecting the rotational axis of the tire. In either case, whether coincident or offset the plane bisecting the rotational axis of the tire, the resulting patch area is aligned or substantially parallel with a radius of the tire.

[0030] In certain applications of the method, the abraded tire surface is on the inside of the tire. Additionally, the method may include installing a tire patch onto the abraded surface. In the example of FIG. 10, a tire patch 50 is installed on the abraded tire surface 16 on the inside of the tire. However, for certain tire repairs, the abraded tire surface may be on the outside of the tire (not shown).

[0031] The presently disclosed tool guide for abrading the surface of a tire comprises a mechanism extending from a base having an end adapted to receive an abrading tool, the mechanism constraining the abrading tool to move within a desired abrading plane along a tire surface at least in part under the manual control of an operator, the mechanism comprising one or more pivot axes extending substantially perpendicular to the abrading plane, and a linear actuator adapted to control movement of one selected from the group consisting of the mechanism, the tire, and a combination thereof in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane. [0032] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, the mechanism may further comprise a linkage 20 comprising a plurality of structural links extending from a base 22. The linkage including a first link 30 operably attached to the base 22 and a terminal link 32 located at the mechanism end adapted to receive the abrading tool 34. The linkage 20 comprises one or more pivot axes 36 extending substantially perpendicular to the abrading plane 26 such that the terminal link 32 is movable in the abrading plane 26. As shown in FIG. 1, the linear actuator 23 may be adapted to control movement of the linkage 20 in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane 26.

[0033] The plurality of links may comprise three or more structural links. Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of links may comprise four links. As shown in the example of FIG. 2, the linkage 20 includes two intermediate links 38. In the example of FIG. 4, the linkage includes one intermediate link 38. It is contemplated that the linkage may include any number of links as desired to provide movement and rotation of the terminal link 32 in the abrading plane 26. The plurality of links may be pivotably connected such that the pivot axes 36 of the link connections are approximately parallel.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 11, an alternative mechanism may comprise a sliding mechanism 120. The sliding mechanism 120 may include a slide body 122 comprising one of said one or more pivot axes 124, and a shaft 126 slidable in the slide body 122 and pivotable with the slide body about the slide body pivot axis 124. One end of the shaft 126 comprises the mechanism end adapted to receive the abrading tool 34. The slide body pivot axis 124 extends substantially perpendicular to the abrading plane and the cross sectional shape of the shaft and corresponding slide body constraining the abrading tool to move within the abrading plane.

[0035] Optionally, the sliding mechanism 120 comprises a pivot axis 128 between the shaft 126 and the abrading tool 34, with the abrading tool pivot axis 128 extending substantially perpendicular to the abrading plane. A terminal link 130 may be provided between the shaft 126 and the abrading tool 34.

[0036] The cross sectional shape of the shaft 126 and the slide body 122 may be selected to cooperatively constrain the abrading tool to move within the abrading plane. For example, the cross sectional shape of the shaft 126 may be a square section shaft, and the corresponding slide body 122 a square section selected such that the shaft 126 is slidable in the slide body 122. Alternatively, the cross sectional shape of the shaft 126 and the corresponding slide body 122 may be pentagonal, hexagonal, rectangular, elliptical, key shape, or any other cross sectional shape to substantially prevent rotation of the shaft in the slide body, constraining the abrading tool to move within the abrading plane.

[0037] The shaft 126 may comprise a bend forming an angle between the mechanism end and the longitudinal shaft directing the abrading tool in the direction of a tire surface. The angle may be an acute angle as shown in FIG. 11. Alternatively, the bend may form an obtuse angle (not shown) as desired for the application.

[0038] The abrading tool 34 attached to the mechanism end comprises an abrading member 24 adapted to move in the abrading plane 26 with the mechanism. The abrading member 24 comprises an abrading or cutting surface selected as desired for the application. Additionally, the abrading tool 34 may be motorized. The motorized abrading tool 34 may include a rotatably driven abrading member 24 having an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the pivot axes 36 and in the abrading plane. The abrading member 24 may be a disc abrasive, a rotary or nonrotary cutting tool, a fly cutter, rotary or non-rotary abrading tool, brush, hot wire cutter, or other abrading or shaping tool selected to form an abraded surface. The abrading member 24 may include abrasives such as aluminum oxides, silicon carbide, zirconia/alumina, diamond, cubic boron nitride, and/or other abrasives. Alternatively, the abrading member 24 may include a cutting tool comprising cutting, abrading, shaving, planing, scraping, brushing, and/or other abrading or shaping configurations. A non-motorized abrading tool 34 may include a rasp, shaver, abrader, brush, hot wire cutter, or other non-motorized abrading or shaping configuration. The motorized abrading tool 34 may be electric or pneumatic, or the abrading member 24 may be driven by pulley or belt drive, or other motorized techniques.

[0039] The tool guide 10 may be utilized for preparing tire surfaces 12 for repair. The tool guide 10 may further include a tire fixture (not shown) adapted to secure the tire from movement adjacent the tool guide. The tool guide 10 may be positioned such that the abrading plane 26 substantially perpendicular to the pivot axes 36 is approximately parallel to a second plane 28 bisecting the rotational axis of the tire, and the mechanism may be movable by the linear actuator 23 along the base in a direction substantially perpendicular to the abrading plane 26.

[0040] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 3, the base 22 comprises the linear actuator 23 adapted to control movement of the linkage 20 in a direction generally perpendicular to the abrading plane 26. In this way, as the linkage 20 moves generally perpendicular to the plane 26, the abrading member 24 moves approximately parallel to the tire surface maintaining approximately the same orientation relative to the tire surface for providing the patch area 16. For certain applications, the movement of the linkage 20, and thereby the abrading member 24, may be in a direction at an angle to the plane 26. Movement of the linkage at an angle to the abrading plane 26 provides a varied orientation of the abrading member 24 relative to the tire surface 12 as desired for the application. It is contemplated that the linkage 20 be adapted to be movable in any direction relative to the abrading plane as required for the particular application.

[0041] The linear actuator 23 may be a threaded drive as shown in FIG. 1 to move the linkage 20 approximately perpendicular to the abrading plane 26. Alternatively, the linear actuator 23 may comprise one selected from the group consisting of threaded drive, rack and pinion, linear slide, and T-slot. The linear actuator may comprise a clamp adapted to hold the linkage in the desired position.

[0042] The mechanism may include one or more handles 40 attached to the mechanism positioned such that an operator may guide the abrading member 24 within the inside of a tire. The handles 40 may be provided on the mechanism end or the abrading tool 34.

[0043] The pivotable connection around any pivot axis may include a lock adapted to hold the connection in a desired position. Alternatively or additionally, the pivotable connection of around any pivot axis comprises a spring. As shown in FIG. 8, the lock may be one or more spring washers 42 compressed along a pivot axis, for example, to frictionally hold two links in a desired position. Alternatively, a ball and socket, detent lock, or other lock may be provided between at least one pair of links. In the alternative shown in FIG. 9, the pivotable connection includes a bearing 44 such as a washer or other bearing surface. The linkage 20 may comprise pins or bearing rods along the pivot axes 36 pivotably connecting adjacent links. [0044] While this invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments thereof, it shall be understood that such description is by way of illustration and not by way of limitation. Accordingly, the scope and content of the invention are to be defined only by the terms of the appended claims.

Claims

claimed is:

A method of abrading the surface of a tire comprising:

securing a tire to prevent rotation thereof,

providing a mechanism extending from a base comprising an abrading

member, the mechanism constraining the abrading member to move within a desired abrading plane along a tire surface at least in part under the manual control of an operator,

extending the abrading member within said abrading plane to a desired surface of the tire, and

manually guiding the abrading member in contact with the tire surface to form an abraded curvilinear line within the abrading plane along the tire surface.

The method of abrading the surface of a tire according to claim 1 , where the abrading member is motorized, the method further comprising

rotatably driving the abrading member about an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the pivot axes in the abrading plane.

The method of abrading the surface of a tire according to claim 1 , further comprising:

translating the mechanism along the base in a direction generally

perpendicular to the abrading plane, and

guiding the abrading member in contact with the tire surface abrading an additional curvilinear line along the surface adjacent the previously abraded line.

The method of abrading the surface of a tire according to claim 3, further comprising:

repeating the steps of translating the mechanism and guiding the abrading member in contact with the tire surface as desired to form an abraded surface having a desired height, width, and depth.

5. The method of abrading the surface of a tire according to claim 1, further comprising:

positioning the tool guide such that the abrading plane is approximately

parallel to a second plane bisecting the rotational axis of the tire.

6. The method of abrading the surface of a tire according to claim 1 , where the mechanism comprises:

a linkage adapted to move laterally along the base, the linkage comprising a plurality of structural links extending from the base, the linkage including a first link operably attached to the base and a terminal link located at the mechanism end adapted to receive the abrading member, the linkage comprising the one or more pivot axes extending substantially perpendicular to the abrading plane such that the terminal link is movable in the abrading plane.

7. The method of abrading the surface of a tire according to claim 1, where the mechanism comprises:

a slide body comprising one of said one or more pivot axes and adapted to move laterally along the base, and

a shaft slidable in the slide body and pivotable with the slide body about the slide body pivot axis, one end of the shaft comprising the mechanism end adapted to receive the abrading member,

the slide body pivot axis extending substantially perpendicular to the abrading plane and the cross sectional shape of the shaft and corresponding slide body constraining the abrading member to move within the abrading plane.

8. The method of abrading the surface of a tire according to claim 1, where the abraded tire surface is on the inside of the tire.

9. The method of abrading the surface of a tire according to claim 1, further comprising:

installing a tire patch onto the abraded surface.

10. A tool guide for abrading the surface of a tire comprising:

a mechanism extending from a base having an end adapted to receive an

abrading tool, the mechanism constraining the abrading tool to move within a desired abrading plane along a tire surface at least in part under the manual control of an operator,

the mechanism comprising one or more pivot axes extending substantially perpendicular to the abrading plane, and

a linear actuator adapted to control movement of one selected from the group consisting of the mechanism, the tire, and a combination thereof in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane.

11. The tool guide according to claim 10, the mechanism further comprising: a linkage comprising a plurality of structural links extending from the base, the linkage including a first link operably attached to the base and a terminal link located at the mechanism end adapted to receive the abrading tool, the linkage comprising the one or more pivot axes extending substantially perpendicular to the abrading plane such that the terminal link is movable in the abrading plane.

12. The tool guide according to claim 10, the mechanism further comprising: a slide body comprising one of said one or more pivot axes, and

a shaft slidable in the slide body and pivotable with the slide body about the slide body pivot axis, one end of the shaft comprising the mechanism end adapted to receive the abrading tool,

the slide body pivot axis extending substantially perpendicular to the abrading plane and the cross sectional shape of the shaft and corresponding slide body constraining the abrading tool to move within the abrading plane.

13. The tool guide according to claim 10, where the abrading tool is motorized.

14. The tool guide according to claim 13, the motorized abrading tool having a rotatably driven abrading member having an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the pivot axes and in the abrading plane.

15. The tool guide according to claim 10, further comprising:

a tire fixture adapted to secure the tire from movement adjacent the tool guide.

16. The tool guide according to claim 10, where the plane substantially

perpendicular to the pivot axes is approximately parallel to a second plane bisecting the rotational axis of the tire.

17. The tool guide according to claim 10, where the linear actuator comprises one selected from the group consisting of threaded drive, rack and pinion, linear slide, and T-slot.

The tool guide according to claim 11 , the plurality of links comprising three more structural links.

19. The tool guide according to claim 12, further comprising a pivot axis between the shaft and the abrading tool, the abrading tool pivot axis extending substantially perpendicular to the abrading plane.

20. The tool guide according to claim 10, where a pivotable connection around any pivot axis comprises a lock adapted to hold the connection in a desired position.