David W Lees

US Patent:

60821914, Jul 4, 2000

Filed:

Dec 10, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/988478

Inventors:

Keith A. Neiferd - Norton OH
Francis J. Bormet - Tallmadge OH
Richard Cukelj - Strongsville OH
Richard L. Krieger - Kent OH
David W. Lees - Ravenna OH
Dennis Allyn Reynolds - Munroe Falls OH
Christy Quinn - Doylestown OH

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works, Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

G01M 1702

US Classification:

73146

Abstract:

An inlet conveyor for conveying tires through a tire uniformity testing system includes a tire centering mechanism and a pair of conveyor belts for delivering tires to a tire testing station. A fixed conveyor having rollers on which tires can easily slide is secured to a frame that supports the centering mechanism. The conveyor belts are reeved around respective pulleys and are supported by support rails fixed to and extending away from the centering mechanism in cantilever fashion. A conveyor elevator is raised or lowered with respect to the frame unit to raise or lower the support rails and conveyor belts to either engage or disengage a tire resting on the fixed conveyor. The support rails and conveyor belts are adjustable in a lateral direction to vary the width of the space between the belts to accommodate different size tires. The conveyor belts are advanced by a rotary pneumatic actuator that precisely controls the distance the belts move to position the tire with respect to the testing station. The inlet conveyor is mechanically isolated from the testing station so that disturbances affecting the inlet conveyor are not transmitted to the testing station.

US Patent:

60166959, Jan 25, 2000

Filed:

Dec 10, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/988480

Inventors:

Dennis Allyn Reynolds - Munroe Falls OH
Francis J. Bormet - Tallmadge OH
Richard Cukelj - Strongsville OH
Frank R. Jellison - Canton OH
David W. Lees - Ravenna OH
Keith A. Neiferd - Norton OH
Christy Quinn - Doylestown OH

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

G01M 1702

US Classification:

73146

Abstract:

A tire uniformity testing system includes a testing station mounted on a gantry-like frame structure and an inlet conveyor located adjacent to the testing station. The inlet conveyor receives a tire and centers the tire such that its rotational axis is located at predetermined distance from the rotational axis of the testing station, and a conveyor transports the tire to the testing station. The testing station includes rotatable chuck assembly for engaging and rotating a tire which in turn is engaged by a loadwheel that generates tire uniformity data. The inlet conveyor is mechanically isolated from the testing station. The frame forming part of the testing station includes a plurality of I-beams joined together in flange abutting relationship which, in addition to producing a mechanically rigid structure, provides spaces defined between the flanges of the beams that are suitable for routing electrical wiring, pneumatic or hydraulic lines, etc. The tire uniformity machine has a width dimension that is at least 10% greater than a depth dimension and this feature coupled with an integral crane increases the accessibility and serviceability of components in the machine. A probe system is positioned between two adjacent vertical I-beams so that the bulk of the mechanism is protected and only distal ends of the probe extend into the testing region.

US Patent:

51518708, Sep 29, 1992

Filed:

Nov 17, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/439231

Inventors:

James C. Beebe - Kent OH
Barry D. Cargould - Hudson OH
David W. Lees - North Canton OH

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01B 2100

US Classification:

364556

Abstract:

An object is positioned in fixed relation to a measuring axis without regard to centering the object on the axis and at least one series of data samples correlated to the distance between the measuring axis and a series of points located at angularly spaced intervals on at least one surface feature of the object are generated and stored. To determine the center of a first surface feature, the corresponding series of samples is analyzed to identify samples therein corresponding to points lying on a maximum inscribed circle whose center corresponds to that of the surface feature. To measure a second surface feature of an object with reference to the center of a first surface feature thereof, a first signal and a second signal correlated to the distance between the measuring axis and points on the first surface feature and second surface feature, respectively are generated. The center of the first surface feature is then determined to define a vector indicating the positional offset between the measuring axis and that center. The second signal is then adjusted in accordance with that vector to provide a coordinate-corrected signal to be used as a basis for a centered measurement.

US Patent:

59792310, Nov 9, 1999

Filed:

Dec 10, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/988509

Inventors:

David W. Lees - Ravenna OH
Francis J. Bormet - Tallmadge OH
Richard Cukelj - Strongsville OH
Frank R. Jellison - Canton OH
Keith A. Neiferd - Norton OH
Dennis Allyn Reynolds - Munroe Falls OH
Christy Quinn - Doylestown OH

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works, Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

G01M 1702

US Classification:

73146

Abstract:

A loadwheel assembly for a tire testing machine includes a loadwheel with a tire contacting surface supported along substantially its entire circumference by one or more solid discs. The loadwheel consistently measures forces and generates electrical signals corresponding to the forces to more precisely determine tire uniformity. The loadwheel, formed as an aluminum weldment which reduces manufacturing costs, rotates about spindles provided with load cells and mounted to a C-shaped carriage. The carriage has upper and lower legs with the spindles fixed to one side of each leg such that the load cells are easily accessible from one side of the carriage. The top and bottom legs of the carriage are selectively attachable to a guide piece that slidably engages a complementarily shaped member secured to the machine frame to permit the carriage to be secured to the frame with the load cells disposed on either side of the carriage legs, thereby providing access to the load cells regardless of the layout of the machine. The loadwheel assembly includes a motor and gearbox integrated with and directly driving a ball screw connected to the carriage to move the loadwheel toward and away from the tire under test.