Patent ID: 8900387
Filing Date: 2014-12-02
Classification: B29C,B29L

Abstract:
1. A method for automatically stitching an interior surface of a tire, the method comprising: positioning the tire in rotatable position configured to rotate around a central rotational axis of the tire; rotating the tire about a central rotational axis of the tire; applying a force to maintain the tire in a substantially fixed radial position relative to the central rotational axis of the tire while a force is being applied by a stitching wheel; applying a predetermined force to the interior surface of the tire with the stitching wheel, the stitching wheel contacting the interior surface of the tire while the tire is rotating; and, simultaneously mechanically translating the stitching wheel and a central rotational axis of the stitching wheel laterally parallel to an axial direction of the tire across and relative to the interior of the tire and a tire patch arranged thereon during tire rotation as the stitching wheel rotates about the central rotational axis of the stitching wheel while contacting the interior surface of the tire during stitching wheel translation, the step of mechanically translating comprising: translating the stitching wheel and the central rotational axis of the stitching wheel laterally across an under-tread area of the interior tire surface by linearly moving a support of the stitching wheel laterally; and, upon contacting a first sidewall of the tire and actuating a first proximity sensor thereby, stopping the lateral linear movement of the stitching wheel support and holding the stitching wheel support stationary as the stitching wheel and the central rotational axis of the stitching wheel are rotated about a first pivoting rotational axis spaced from the central rotational axis of the stitching wheel to traverse the stitching wheel across a width of the interior surface of the first sidewall; and, upon contacting a second sidewall of the tire and actuating a second proximity sensor thereby, stopping the lateral linear movement of the stitching wheel support and holding the stitching wheel support stationary as the stitching wheel and the central rotational axis of the stitching wheel are rotated about a second pivoting rotational axis spaced from the central rotational axis of the stitching wheel to traverse the stitching wheel across a width of the interior surface of the second sidewall.