Abstract:
A system and method are provided for cutting scrap tires along a cut line that is generally parallel with sidewalls of the scrap tires. A base frame supports a cutting blade that is positioned to cut through the tread of a scrap tire lying on its sidewall. A blade engagement arm may be provided to at least partially receive the cutting blade from a back side of the tread portion. A motive system is provided for incrementally moving the cutting apparatus about a circumferential portion of the scrap tire as it is being cut.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Due to the increase of surplus scrap tires and the rapid decrease of available landfill space and other storage areas, many new uses for scrap tires are being developed. One example of such a new use is demonstrated within U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,634, wherein large, over-the-road tires are converted into automated livestock troughs. Part of the conversion process involves cutting the scrap tire through its tread portion along a plane that is generally parallel with a sidewall of the scrap tire.  FIG. 6  depicts such an over-the-road tire that has been cut through its tread portion.  FIG. 7  depicts that same over-the-road tire after the top portion of the tire has been separated from the bottom portion. By cutting the scrap tire in this manner, two separate troughs, feeders or other useful products can be formed. Unfortunately, the prior art has failed to provide an automated cutting apparatus capable of cleanly and efficiently cutting large, over-the-road tires in this manner. 
     Common prior art tire cutters typically involve a platform that supports and rotates the scrap tire with respect to a rotating cutting blade. Such a design is clearly impractical when the scrap tire to be cut is a large over-the-road tire. Other tire cutting systems support the tire and use a fixed or rotating blade to cut repeatedly from one sidewall to the other until the tire is effectively cut into a plurality of separate sections. Again, while useful for many recycling purposes, such tire cutting systems fail to address the specific needs of cutting scrap tires through their tread portions to produce useable devices, such as depicted in  FIG. 7 . 
     Accordingly, what is needed is a novel tire cutting apparatus and method of using the same that are capable of cleanly and efficiently cutting large, over-the-road tires through their tread portion, along a plane that is generally parallel with a sidewall of the tire. Such a system, however, must be relatively simple to operate and function in a manner that does not require rotation of the tire with respect to a cutting blade. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     A tire cutting apparatus is provided with a base frame, having first and second end portions and first and second side portions, which extend between the first and second end portions. A motive means is provided to depend from the first end portion of the base frame so that the motive means may engage an operating surface and enable the first end portion of the base frame to move with respect to the operating surface. A cutting blade is operatively coupled with the base frame so that the cutting blade may be moved with respect to the base frame. An optional drive means may be operatively coupled with the second end portion of the base frame to selectively engage a sidewall of a scrap tire and propel the cutting apparatus with respect to the scrap tire. A blade engagement arm may also be provided at the second end portion of the base frame such that a distal end portion of the blade engagement arm may be moved into a cutting position with respect to the base frame. 
     In use, the second end portion of the cutting apparatus is placed closely adjacent the tread portion of a scrap tire, engaging the drive means with the sidewall portion of the scrap tire and engaging the motive means with an operating surface. The cutting blade is then actuated so that a cutting edge of the cutting blade engages and cuts a portion of the tread portion of the scrap tire. The cutting blade may then be actuated so that the cutting edge is disengaged with the tire. An operator then actuates the drive means to move the cutting apparatus along a circumference of the tire. The cutting blade may then be actuated again so that the cutting edge of the cutting blade engages and cuts a second portion of the tread portion of the tire. This process may be repeated until a cut line has been formed through the tread portion of the scrap tire, generally parallel with a sidewall portion of the scrap tire. 
     It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a tire cutting apparatus and method of use that effectively cuts scrap tires through their tread portions, along a plane that is generally parallel with the sidewall of the scrap tires. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a system for cutting tires and method of using the same that is incrementally moved about a circumference of a scrap tire as the scrap tire is being cut. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system for cutting scrap tires and method of using the same that employs a reciprocally moving cutting blade that incrementally cuts the scrap tires along their tread portion. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system for cutting scrap tires and method of using the same that employ drive and motive means that allow the system to be “driven” about a circumferential portion of the scrap tire as the scrap tire is being cut. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a system for cutting scrap tires and method of using the same that provide a pivotable blade engagement arm that positions itself within the scrap tire, closely adjacent a rearward portion of the tire tread, to at least partially receive a reciprocal cutting blade as it is passed through a tread portion of the scrap tires. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system for cutting scrap tires and method of using the same that is relatively simple to manufacture and operate. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system for cutting scrap tires that is relatively durable to promote a long useable life. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent after consideration of the Detailed Description and Figures herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the system for cutting tires of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a side elevation view of the system for cutting tires depicted in  FIG. 1  and demonstrates one manner in which the system may be engaged with a tire in a use position; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a partial, cut-away view of the system for cutting tires depicted in  FIG. 2  and demonstrates one preferred manner in which the system may be used to cut a tire; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a front, elevation view of the system for cutting tires depicted in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a partial, isometric view of one preferred embodiment of a drive system that may be used with the system for cutting tires of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  depicts one type of tire that may be cut by the system and method of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  depicts one portion of the tire depicted in  FIG. 6  after being cut by one preferred embodiment of the system and method of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
     The cutting apparatus  10  of the present invention is generally provided for cutting tires of nearly any size, shape or originally intended use. However, one preferred tire that may be cut using the cutting apparatus  10  is a large, over-the-road tire  12 , such as that depicted in  FIG. 6 . As with most common tires, the over-the-road tire  12  will have at least a tread portion  14  and a first sidewall portion  16  depending from a peripheral edge of the tread portion  14 . An open center portion  18 , within the sidewall portion  16 , provides access to a rearward wall portion  20  of the tread portion  14 . 
     In at least one preferred embodiment, the cutting apparatus  10  is provided with a base frame  22 , having a first end portion  24 , second end portion  26  and first and second side portions  28  and  30 , which extend between the first and second end portions  24  and  26 . In at least one embodiment, the second end portion  26  of the base frame  22  may be formed to have a notch or recess  32  formed therein. The recess  32  is preferably shaped and sized to approximate an area where the tread portion  14  and sidewall portion  16  of the over-the-road tire  12  meet. 
     A motive means is preferably provided to depend from the first end portion  24  of the base frame  22  so that the motive means may engage an operating surface, such as the ground, and enable the first end portion  24  to move with respect to the operating surface. In one preferred embodiment, a free rotating wheel  34  may be operatively coupled with the first end portion  24  to provide the motive means. It is contemplated, however, that other structural arrangements, such as a tread system utilized by snowmobiles and the like, may be used to provide the motive means. Regardless, it will be desirable for the motive means to elevate the base frame  22  above the operating surface and enable the user to freely move the base frame  22 . 
     In order to provide motive support to the second end portion  26  of the base frame  22 , one or more upper rollers  36  and side rollers  38  may be provided, such as depicted in  FIG. 1 . In a preferred embodiment, the one or more upper rollers  36  will be positioned to engage the sidewall portion  16  of the tire  12  in order to support the second end portion  26  of the base frame  22  above the operating surface. The one or more side rollers  38  should be positioned to engage the tread portion  14  of the tire  12  when the tire  12  is in a cutting position within the recess  32 . The one or more upper rollers  36  and side rollers  38  work with the wheel  34  to enable a user to move the cutting apparatus  10  around a circumference of the tire  12 . 
     While it is contemplated that a user could manually position and reposition the cutting apparatus  10  around the circumference of the tire  12 , one or more drive means may be operatively coupled with the base frame  22  in order to selectively propel the cutting apparatus  10  with respect to the tire  12  and the operating surface. In one preferred embodiment, the drive means is provided by a drive roller  40  that may be coupled with the second end portion  26  of the base frame  22  in a manner similar to that described for an upper roller  36 . Motor  42  should be associated with the drive roller  40  for selective actuation thereof. A plurality of teeth  44  or other friction enhancing structures may be provided to the exterior surface of the drive roller  40  in order to increase the effectiveness of the drive roller  40  in engaging the sidewall portion  16  of the tire  12  and propelling the cutting apparatus  10  about the circumference of the tire  12 . It is also contemplated, however, that the drive means may be provided by associating a motor with the motive means in order to selectively move the cutting apparatus  10 . 
     A cutting blade  46  is operatively coupled with the base frame  22  and positioned to engage the tread portion  14  of the tire  12  when the cutting apparatus  10  and tire  12  are in the aforementioned cutting position. In one preferred embodiment, the cutting blade  46  is provided to be moved reciprocally with respect to the base frame  22 , transverse with the first and second end portions  24  and  26 . Power cylinder  48  may be associated with the cutting blade  46  to provide the desired reciprocal motion. It will merely be desirable that the cutting blade  46  be capable of engagement with the tread portion  14  in a manner that causes a cutting edge  50  of the cutting blade  46  to be positioned longitudinally with a long axis of the tread portion  14  of the tire  12  so that the tire  12  is cut along a plane that is generally parallel with the sidewall portion  16 . 
     In at least one preferred embodiment, the cutting apparatus  10  may be provided with a blade engagement arm  52  that is pivotably coupled with the second end portion  26  of the base frame  22  so that a distal end portion  54  of the blade engagement arm  52  may be pivoted through the open center portion  18  of the tire  12  until it is closely adjacent the rearward wall portion  20 . This position, depicted in  FIG. 2 , may be referred to as its cutting position. The blade engagement arm  52  should then be capable of being moved into an open position, wherein the distal end portion  54  of the blade engagement arm  52  is positioned outwardly from the open center portion  18  of the tire  12 , such as depicted in  FIG. 3 . Power cylinder  56  and linkage  58  may be associated with the blade engagement arm  52  so that the user may selectively move the blade engagement arm between its cutting and open positions. 
     In use, the cutting apparatus  10  is placed in its cutting position closely adjacent a tire  12 , which is resting on its side on an operating surface. A coupling  60  may be operatively coupled with the base frame  22  in a location that will enable a user to couple a hoist or crane (not depicted) therewith to move the cutting apparatus  10  into and out of its cutting position with respect to the tire  12 . Once the cutting apparatus  10  is in its cutting position, the blade engagement arm  52  may be pivoted into its cutting position so that the distal end portion  54  is positioned closely adjacent the rearward wall portion  20  of the tire  12 . The user may then actuate the cutting blade  46  so that the cutting edge  50  engages and cuts a portion of the tread portion  14  of the tire  12 . In one preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the cutting blade  46  will be received within a recess  62  formed in the distal end portion  54  of the blade engagement arm  52 . It will be seen from  FIG. 2  that the distal end portion  54  of the blade engagement arm  52  will further serve to substantially limit deflection of the tread portion  14  as the cutting blade  46  is passed therethrough. Once the cutting blade  46  has cut the tread portion  14 , the cutting blade  46  may be actuated so that it is disengaged with the tire  12 . The user may then actuate the drive means to move the cutting apparatus  10  along a circumference of the tire  12  a distance equal to or less than a length of the cutting edge  50  of the cutting blade  46 . The cutting blade  46  may then be actuated once again so that the cutting edge  50  engages and cuts a second portion of the tread portion  14  of the tire  12 . The process of actively engaging and disengaging the cutting blade with the tread portion  14  of the tire  12  and repositioning the cutting apparatus  10  with the drive means is repeated until the tire  12  is cut into at least two separate pieces.  FIG. 6  depicts the tire  12  with a completed cut line  64 .  FIG. 7  depicts a lower portion of the tire  12  once the upper portion has been removed therefrom. 
     It is contemplated that power cylinders  48  and  56  may be powered using hydraulics or other suitable means, which may be provided from a remote power generation system or a localized unit  66 . Operator control  68  may be associated with the cutting apparatus  10  to enable a user to selectively actuate the power cylinders  48  and  56  as well as the motor  42 . 
     Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.