Patent Publication Number: US-7910043-B2

Title: Tire building and cure station coupling apparatus and method

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject invention relates generally to automated tire manufacturing lines and more specifically to tire building and cure core coupling apparatus and method in an integrated tire manufacturing system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is known to vulcanize uncured or green tires within a mold. Co-pending patent application U.S. Ser. No. 10/417,849 entitled “A METHOD FOR CURING TIRES AND A SELF-LOCKING TIRE MOLD” discloses a method for curing tires in a self-locking tire mold. It is a continuing desire to utilize such a mold within a tire manufacturing system in such a way so as to maximize efficiency and minimize cost in the production of a tire. It is further known to utilize the mold for curing a green tire pre-constructed on a tire building core assembly. It is likewise desirable to utilize a mold for curing a green tire pre-constructed on a tire building core assembly in an efficient and cost-effective manner. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a curing line coupling apparatus for molding a green tire into a finished tire having a tread pattern includes a toroidally shaped core formed by a plurality of core segments each having an outer surface portion which together define a toroidal outer surface surrounding a central axis. The core is adapted to hold a green tire on the toroidal outer surface. A first spindle section is configured to be placed on a first side of the core along the central axis and a second spindle section is configured to be placed on a second side of the core along the central axis and opposite to the first side. At least one electrically operated heating element is coupled with each core segment and at least one spindle connector is configured to mechanically couple the first and second spindle sections with the plurality of core segments located therebetween and electrically connect with the electrically operated heating elements for supplying electrical power thereto during a tire curing operation. One or more curing line docking station(s) has docking apparatus coupling with a spindle end of a spindle section for a respective docking time interval(s), the docking apparatus operatively configured to mechanically and electrically couple with the spindle connector for supplying electrical power to the electrically operated heating elements for at least part of the docking time interval(s). 
     A further aspect of the invention is to a method of molding a green tire into a finished tire having a tread pattern, including assembling a plurality of core segments into a toroidal-shaped assembled core surrounding a central axis. Each core segment includes at least one electrically operated heating element, and the core segments together define a toroidal outer surface. The core is adapted to hold a green tire on said toroidal outer surface. The method includes placing a first spindle section on a first side of the plurality of the assembled core along the central axis; placing a second spindle section on a second side of the assembled core along the central axis and opposite to the first side; mechanically coupling the first and second spindle sections with the plurality of core segments so as to locate the plurality of core segments between the first and second spindle sections; connecting an electrical connector carried by at least one of the first or second spindle sections with the electrically operated heating elements for supplying electrical power thereto during a tire curing operation. The method further includes mechanically coupling a spindle end of at least one of said first and second spindle sections to docking apparatus in one or more curing line docking station(s) for a respective docking time interval(s). The docking apparatus includes at least one docking connector configured to mechanically and electrically couple with the at least one spindle connector for supplying electrical power to the electrically operated heating elements for at least a portion of the docking time interval(s). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top front perspective view of the tire curing line assembly. 
         FIG. 2  is a top rear perspective view of the tire curing line assembly. 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the mold assembly station and mold manipulator assembly. 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the mold manipulator apparatus frame. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the mold manipulator apparatus frame. 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of an upper sub-assembly of the mold gripper assembly. 
         FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the sub-assembly of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 7A  is a partial top perspective view of a hold-down sub-assembly within the sub-assembly of  FIG. 6 , portions of which being removed for the purpose of illustration. 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged bottom perspective view of a hold down sub-assembly shown in the mold locked position. 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of a hold down sub-assembly shown in the mold release position. 
         FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of a segmented mold. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a segmented mold positioned below an upper sub-assembly of the mold gripper assembly. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view sequential to  FIG. 11  showing the upper sub-assembly of the mold gripper assembly lowered onto the segmented mold. 
         FIG. 12  A is a bottom perspective view of the upper sub-assembly of the mold gripper assembly lowered onto the segmented mold. 
         FIG. 13  is a view sequential to  FIG. 12  showing rotation of the upper gripper ring from extension of an actuating ball screw. 
         FIG. 13A  is a bottom view showing rotation of the upper gripper ring from extension of an actuating ball screw. 
         FIG. 14  is a view sequential to  FIG. 13  showing further rotation of the upper gripper ring. 
         FIG. 14  A is a bottom perspective view thereof. 
         FIG. 15  is a view sequential to  FIG. 14  showing further rotation of the upper gripper ring. 
         FIG. 15A  is a bottom perspective view thereof. 
         FIG. 16  is a top perspective view of a lower stand sub-assembly of the gripper assembly. 
         FIG. 17  is a top perspective view of a segmented mold lowered onto the lower stand sub-assembly. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the tread segment manipulating sub-assembly of the gripper assembly. 
         FIG. 19  is a front partial perspective view of one tread segment manipulator device. 
         FIG. 19A  is an enlarged perspective view of the tread segment manipulator device of  FIG. 19  with an outer cover portion removed for the purpose of illustration. 
         FIG. 20  is a top perspective view of the tread segment manipulating sub-assembly with selective covers removed for the purpose of illustration. 
         FIG. 20A  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the tread segment manipulating sub-assembly of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 21  is a bottom perspective view of a portion of one tread segment manipulating device. 
         FIG. 22  is a partial perspective view of the tread segment manipulating sub-assembly, lower gripper sub-assembly, and core electrical plug-in apparatus. 
         FIG. 23  is an enlarged perspective view of the core electrical plug-in apparatus. 
         FIG. 24  is a longitudinal section view through the core electrical plug-in apparatus of  FIG. 23  taken along the line  24 - 24 . 
     
    
    
     DEFINITIONS 
     “Aspect Ratio” means the ratio of a tire&#39;s section height to its section width. 
     “Axial” and “axially” mean the lines or directions that are parallel to the axis of rotation of the tire. 
     “Bead” or “Bead Core” means generally that part of the tire comprising an annular tensile member, the radially inner beads are associated with holding the tire to the rim being wrapped by ply cords and shaped, with or without other reinforcement elements such as flippers, chippers, apexes or fillers, toe guards and chaffers. 
     “Belt Structure” or “Reinforcing Belts” means at least two annular layers or plies of parallel cords, woven or unwoven, underlying the tread, unanchored to the bead, and having both left and right cord angles in the range from 17° to 27° with respect to the equatorial plane of the tire. 
     “Circumferential” means lines or directions extending along the perimeter of the surface of the annular tread perpendicular to the axial direction. 
     “Carcass” means the tire structure apart from the belt structure, tread, undertread, over the plies, but including beads, if used, on any alternative rim attachment. 
     “Casing” means the carcass, belt structure, beads, sidewalls and all other components of the tire excepting the tread and undertread. 
     “Chaffers” refers to narrow strips of material placed around the outside of the bead to protect cord plies from the rim, distribute flexing above the rim. 
     “Cord” means one of the reinforcement strands of which the plies in the tire are comprised. 
     “Equatorial Plane (EP)” means the plane perpendicular to the tire&#39;s axis of rotation and passing through the center of its tread. 
     “Footprint” means the contact patch or area of contact of the tire tread with a flat surface at zero speed and under normal load and pressure. 
     “Innerliner” means the layer or layers of elastomer or other material that form the inside surface of a tubeless tire and that contain the inflating fluid within the tire. 
     “Normal Inflation Pressure” means the specific design inflation pressure and load assigned by the appropriate standards organization for the service condition for the tire. 
     “Normal Load” means the specific design inflation pressure and load assigned by the appropriate standards organization for the service condition for the tire. 
     “Placement” means positioning a cord on a surface by means of applying pressure to adhere the cord at the location of placement along the desired ply path. 
     “Ply” means a layer of rubber-coated parallel cords. 
     “Radial” and “radially” mean directed toward or away from the axis of rotation of the tire. 
     “Radial Ply Tire” means a belted or circumferentially restricted pneumatic tire in which at least one ply has cords which extend from bead to bead and are laid at cord angles between 65° and 90° with respect to the equatorial plane of the tire. 
     “Section Height” means the radial distance from the nominal rim diameter to the outer diameter of the tire at its equatorial plane 
     “Section Width” means the maximum linear distance parallel to the axis of the tire and between the exterior of its sidewalls when and after it has been inflated at normal pressure for 24 hours, but unloaded, excluding elevations of the sidewalls due to labeling, decoration or protective bands. 
     “Shoulder” means the upper portion of sidewall just below the tread edge. 
     “Sidewall” means that portion of a tire between the tread and the bead. 
     “Tread Width” means the arc length of the tread surface in the axial direction, that is, in a plane parallel to the axis of rotation of the tire. 
     “Winding” means a wrapping of a cord under tension onto a convex surface along a linear path. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a curing line  10  is shown as part of an integrated tire manufacturing line. The curing line  10  includes a plurality of stations arranged in a linear array, however, other arrangements of the work stations may be utilized if desired to accommodate facility and production demands. The tire manufacturing line builds a tire from components applied to a segmented core dimensioned and configured close to the finished tire. In U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/417,849, filed Apr. 17, 2003, entitled “A METHOD FOR CURING TIRES AND A SELF-LOCKING TIRE MOLD”, incorporated by reference herein, a segmented mold for use in tire manufacture is described. The mold has a central axis; a plurality of radially movable tread forming segments; two sidewall forming plates, a top sidewall forming plate, and a bottom sidewall forming plate; a top locking breech ring having a plurality of circumferentially spaced means for locking the segments, each means for locking providing a predetermined angular path for radially contracting the segments upon closing the mold in a locked position. The segmented mold for molding a tire has an enlarged opening for accepting a green tire assembly. The mold can accept the green tire and its building core internally while maintaining the tire&#39;s as-built dimensions very close to the as-molded dimensions. 
     A mold according to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/417,849 may be used in conjunction with a tire building core assembly of the type and configuration disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/292,991 entitled “TIRE BUILDING CORE LATCHING AND TRANSPORT MECHANISM”, filed Dec. 2, 2005 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/293,397 entitled “HEATED TIRE BUILDING CORE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD”, filed Dec. 2, 2005, likewise incorporated herein by reference. The construction of the core provides a positive mechanism for engaging and transporting the tire building core between a number of stations within an automated tire manufacturing line. Attachment points are located in each end of a spindle assembly of the core. The mechanism allows for automated attachment/detachment of a transport mechanism to the tire building core and facilitates a movement of the tire building core and green tire constructed thereon. 
     The curing line  10  is intended to be integrated into the tire manufacturing line described above and includes an upper core manipulator  12 , upender apparatus  14 , and a lower core manipulator  16  that operatively engage a tire building core and green tire assembly  15 . The upper core manipulator  12  generally moves the core assembly  15  along the curing line  10  between a mold assembly station  18 , a lower core manipulator  16 , and upender apparatus  14 . A mold manipulator transport assembly  26  bridges over the curing line and moves under electrical control from control panel  28  along a transport rail assembly  30 . Induction heating control panels  32  are positioned adjacent the induction dome assembly  24  and electrically control the induction heating assembly  24  throughout each heating and cure cycle. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 , as used herein, mold manipulating apparatus will be seen to include the mold manipulator transport assembly  26  in conjunction with the stationary mold assembly and disassembly apparatus  29  that is located at the mold assembly/disassembly station  18 ; and the mold storage stand  20 . The mold assembly and disassembly apparatus  29  is a self-standing circular platform having upper circumferential cover members  36 . Mounted beneath cover members  36  and forming a radially inward-directed circumferential array are fifteen tread segment manipulators  38 . A core electrical plug in unit  40  is directed upwardly and positioned below and at the center of the circular array formed by the manipulators  38 . Disposed at the bottom of the station  18  are five circumferentially spaced motors  42 , each motor  42  driving three of the manipulators  38  as will be explained. A locking mold  44  is transported by the mold transporting apparatus  26  between the mold assembly station  18  and the cure station  22 . The mold transporting apparatus  26  includes a bridging support frame  46  that supports an inner vertically elongate frame  48 . The support frame  46  includes spaced apart legs  34  that have lower ends that slide along the transport rail assembly  30  between stations  18 ,  20  and  22 . The inner frame  48  is centrally disposed within the bridging support frame  46  and moves reciprocally upward and downward along spaced apart vertical rails  50 . The mold  44  is carried by the inner frame  48  and is raised and lowered thereby. The inner frame  48  includes a main mounting plate  52  and is supplied with electrical power via cabling within cable carrier  54 . A ball screw  56  is mounted centrally within the frame  48  and is part of the jack assembly to move inner frame  48  up and down. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6 ,  7 ,  7 A, and  8 , a mold gripper assembly  58  is shown. The bottom, circular base plate  86  is a separate piece from the larger, square plate  61  that it and the guide devices mount to. (See  FIG. 7A .) The large, square plate  61  is a part of the frame weldment like  84 . Three spaced apart peripheral mold guide devices  60  mount to an underside of the plate  86  and depend therefrom. Each device  60  has a lock shaft  62  driven to rotate back and forth 90° total by a pneumatic cylinder  68 . The plate  86  further includes six spaced apart peripheral V-rollers  64  that reciprocally rotate and guide an outer ring  66 . An arm  70  is rotated by the cylinder  68  and rotates a pair of linkage arms  72 ,  74 . Pivotally mounted to ring  66  are three pivot arms  76 . The arms  76  are spaced apart and extend outward from a peripheral edge of the ring  66 . The arms  76  pivot about a respective pin  80  and a pin  78  is secured to project downward from each arm  76 . A pair of ball screw jacks  82  is coupled to rotate the outer ring  66 . Rotation of the V-rollers  64  guides the ring  66 . A top plate  84  is attached by bolts or other suitable means to the main mounting plate  52  best shown by  FIG. 5 . The centrally disposed plate  86  is coupled to a pair of hold-down assemblies  94 . Three extension springs  88  are provided, one end of each spring attached to an actuation arm  90  attached to an arm  76  and the opposite spring end is attached to the ring  66 . The extension springs  88  act to bias the arms  76  radially inward to impart an inward bias to the pin member  78  of each arm  76  in a radially inward direction. A cam follower  92  is positioned to engage and pivot arms  76  outward as ring  66  rotates to overcome the bias of the spring  88  attached to each arm  76 . Pivotal movement of each arm  76  moves each pin  78  radially outward into an unlocked position as will be explained. 
       FIG. 7A  shows in detail the two hold down devices  94  (one of which is shown). Each device  94  includes a base bracket  96  to which a pneumatic cylinder  98  is attached. An arm  100  is linked to the cylinder  98  and raises and lowers a linkage arm  102  coupled to a hold down shaft  104 . The shaft  104  thereby moves vertically into an engagement with the top of the core spindle  100 . The device  94  operatively functions to push down against the top core spindle  108  when the first sidewall assembly  118  is lifted to prevent the core being stuck and lifted (during demolding). 
       FIG. 10  shows an assembled segmented mold  44  and  FIGS. 12A and 14A  show the assembled mold  44  from an underside perspective. The mold receives and encloses a tire building core assembly  15  that includes an axial spindle assembly. The spindle assembly includes an outwardly directed top core spindle  108  and an outwardly directed bottom core spindle  208 . The core assembly  15  further includes a toroidal tire building surface formed by the outer surfaces of assembled core segments. The spindles  108 ,  208  project upward and downward, respectively, from the mold  44  as shown. The mold has a plurality of radially movable tread segments  126 , a bottom sidewall forming plate assembly  218  and a top sidewall forming plate assembly  118 . The top and bottom sidewall forming plate assemblies  118 ,  218  are retained by a top breach lock ring  122  and a bottom breach lock ring  222 . Both the bottom breach locking ring  222  and the top breach locking ring  122  have slotted openings which permit a threaded fastener bolt with a bolt collar ( 132 ) to pass during the opening and closing of the breach locking rings  122 ,  222 . The top and bottom breach locking rings  122 ,  222  also have an inner ring of slotted openings for retaining the upper or top sidewall forming plate  118  and the bottom sidewall forming plate  222 . A segmented mold of the subject type is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/417,849 incorporated above in its entirety by reference. 
     A plurality of thermocouple receiving sockets  110 , numbering eight in the embodiment shown, extend into the upper projecting spindle  108 . The sockets  110  each receive an electrical connector that is then coupled to a thermocouple in the tire building core, allowing the core temperature to be monitored and controlled within the mold. In addition, each spindle  108 ,  208  includes a plurality of bolt holes  112 ,  212  (numbering eight in the embodiment shown) that receive bolts attaching a flange  114 ,  214  to the spindle end. A series of spaced apart notches  124  (three in the embodiment shown but not limited thereto) are formed to extend into an outer peripheral edge of each of the top and bottom breech locking rings  122 ,  222 . The upper sidewall mold segment plate  118  and lower sidewall mold segment plate  218  each have a set of notches  116  (three in the embodiment shown but not limited thereto) positioned inward from an outer edge of the each plate. Within each notch  116  is an internal undercut  120  that is engaged by the gripper assembly  58 . 
     The mold  44  further includes a peripheral circumferential array of tread segments  126 , numbering but not limited to fifteen in the embodiment shown. Within an outer wall of each segment  126  is an insert  128  formed of suitably hard material such as hardened steel. There is a through, star-shaped hole in the insert. There is a blind, round hole in the tread segment  126  behind the insert for clearance. A peripheral array of T-nuts  134  are provided that engage peripheral spaced apart bolt sockets  132  within a top surface of each ring  122 ,  222 . Circumferential notches  136  extend through the peripheral side of each breech locking ring  122 ,  222  to communicate with a respective socket  132 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 16 , a mold loading stand  138  represents a lower assembly within the mold assembly/disassembly apparatus. The stand  138  supports an upper ring plate  223  reciprocally rotated by six V-rollers  224  that are spaced apart circumferentially adjacent an internal opening of the ring  223 . Spaced apart adjacent an outer edge of the ring  224  are pivotal lever arms  230 , each supporting an upwardly directed pin  232 . The ring  224  is rotated by two motors  226  through ball screws  228 . The arms  230  and the ball screw actuation system therefore are of general like-configuration to the previously described pivot arms  76  associated with the upper rotating ring  66  of the gripper assembly (see  FIGS. 7 ,  11 ). The ring  223  is elevated by the frame weldment  142 . Three stationary pin members  234  are spaced generally 120 degrees apart within an inner opening of the ring  223  as shown by  FIG. 16 .  FIG. 17  shows the assembled segments  44  positioned upon the mold loading stand  138 . 
       FIGS. 18-21  inclusive show the configuration of the tread segment manipulating sub-assembly  144 . The sub-assembly  133  is free standing supported by a floor plate  146 . A support plate  147  is suspended in an elevated position by the floor plate  146 . The sub-assembly  144  includes a circumferential array (fifteen but not limited thereto as shown) of adjacent tread segment manipulators  38 . Each manipulator  38 , as best seen from  FIGS. 19 and 19A , includes an actuator carriage weldment  148  and a forwardly projecting latching mechanism  150 . The latching mechanism supports a circular star latch  152  at a forward end of the manipulator  38 , reciprocally rotated by a pneumatic cylinder  154  through linkage  156  and drive shaft  158 . The shaft  158  couples to actuator arm  160  through linkage  162 . The star latch  152  may be reciprocally rotated about a longitudinal axis of the manipulator  38 . A ball screw jack  164  is further coupled to each manipulator  38  to drive the carriage  148  along a pair of spaced apart rails  166  reciprocally between a radially inward (forward) position and a radially outward (retracted) position. 
     Movement of the carriage  148  for each manipulator  38  will be understood from  FIGS. 20A and 21 . Five motors  42  are mounted to an underside of the support plate  147 , each motor  42  driving three of the tread segment manipulators  38  between the forward and retracted positions. Each motor  42  rotates a drive shaft  168  through a belt drive  176 . The drive shaft  168  then rotates three driven pulleys  172  that are coupled together by belt  174 . Each of the driven pulleys  172  operates a ball screw jack  164  to move a tread segment manipulator  38 . Tensioner assembly  180  tensions belt  182  by moving motor  42 , and moveable pulley  170  tensions belt  174 . An encoder provides rotational position feedback and is driven by a belt drive  170 ,  171  from the drive shaft  168 . Each of the manipulators  38  is thus moved radially inward into engagement with the tread forming segments  126  of the mold  44 , the star latch  152  of each manipulator  38  entering a respective star socket  130 . Rotation of the star latch  152  locks the latch in place and enables the tread forming segment  126  to be radially withdrawn as the manipulator  38  is radially retracted. The tread segments of the mold  44  are thus disassembled radially outward. Reversing the sequence brings the segments  126  radially inward and back into an assembled configuration. The tread segment sub-assembly of the mold gripper assembly  58  thus cooperates with the sidewall segment manipulating apparatus to assemble and disassemble the mold  44 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 22 ,  23 , and  24 , the core/electrical plug in apparatus  40  is shown positioned centrally within the mold loading stand  138  that is below the central opening of the tread segment closer sub-assembly  144 . The apparatus  40  includes an upwardly projecting frustro-conical nose  184 ; a connector ring  190  surrounding a base end of the nose  184 ; multiple spaced-apart electrical connectors  186  in the form of pins spaced around and projecting from the ring  190  axially parallel with the nose  184 ; and a pair of actuation cylinders  188  linked to the ring  190  through linkage arms  189  and driving the ring  190  between an extended position and a retracted position. The nose  184  has an axially extending keyway  185  extending in an outer surface from a forward end. Three die springs  192  are mounted within the apparatus  40  oriented axially. An anti-rotation cam  194  is provided to align connectors within the lower core spindle  208  with the connectors  186  in the apparatus  40  as the spindle  208  receives the nose  184 . The nose  184  is spring mounted to a center post  206 . Springs  192  are placed in compression as the nose  184  is engaged and received into a downwardly open socket of the lower core spindle  208 . Screw  196  rides within slot  198  to assist with maintaining alignment of the nose  184  on the post  206  as the nose moves downward under a spindle load and upward upon removal of the spindle  208 . An axial bolt  199  resides within the nose  184  end. The bolt  199  shown is a plug. It would be removed and a smaller diameter, longer one substituted to thread into the hole in  206 . This allows the springs  192  to be compressed and the screws  196  to be removed to disassemble/assemble the mechanism. Three pneumatic cylinders  200  are spaced about the center post and are coupled through shafts  202  to a housing  204  that encases the center post  206 . Cylinders  200  actuate an upward and downward movement of the apparatus  40 . The apparatus  40 ,  138 ,  144  shown in  FIG. 22  represents a lower apparatus of the mold assembly/disassembly apparatus. 
     The tire curing mold assembly and disassembly station  18  as explained previously is a part of the cure line assembly  10 . Its purpose is to transport a self locking mold  44  from the cure station  22 , open the mold  44  so that the core transport assembly can remove the tire building core and cured tire and replace it with a tire building core and uncured tire, reassemble the mold  44  and transport the self locking mold back to the cure station  22 . All of this activity is preferably to be preformed in a totally automatic mode without a machine operator. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/293,397 discloses a tire building core and is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/417,849 discloses a self locking mold and is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The cure line is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the stations of the cure line are from right to left: the tire upender  14 , partially hidden by the upper core manipulator  12  mounted on the cure line rail transport assembly  30 . The core assembly  15  is presented to the upender station  14  in a pivot axis-horizontal orientation from the tire building station (not shown). In the tire building station, the tire building core is rotated about a major horizontal axis and a green tire is constructed on the core as it rotates. Upon completion of the tire building operation, the tire building core and green tire are presented to the upender station  14  where the core assembly  15  is upended into a pivot axis-vertical orientation. After the core assembly  15  is upended, the upper core manipulator  12  carries the core assembly  15  down the rail system  30  to the mold assembly station  18 . The mold assembly station  18  is located adjacent the mold loading and storage station  20 , shown with the mold transport assembly (also referred herein as the mold manipulator assembly  26 ) positioning a mold  44  above station  20 . The mold manipulator assembly  26  moves reciprocally along the rail system  30  between stations in the cure line  10 . 
     The cure station  22  is positioned further along the curing line  10  and a jib crane  236  positions the induction curing dome  24  over the cure station  22  during the tire curing procedure. 
       FIG. 3  shows the mold assembly/disassembly apparatus  29  that is positioned at the tire curing mold assembly and disassembly station  18 . The station  18  is comprised of two main assemblies. The mold assembly apparatus  29 , which is fixed to the cure line foundation plate assembly, and the mold manipulation assembly  26 , which is connected to the cure line rail transport assembly  30 , and moves between the cure station  22 , the mold storage/load stand  20 , and the mold assembly station  18 . The connection to the cure line transport rail assembly is not shown for clarity in  FIG. 3 . 
     The mold manipulation assembly  26  is comprised of two subassemblies, the mold transport frame assembly  46  and the mold gripper assembly  58 .  FIGS. 4 and 5  show two views of the mold transport assembly  46 . It consists of a lateral frame attached to the cure line transport assembly  30  and a vertically moveable inner frame  48  that is mounted on linear guides or rails  50  and moved by a commercial ball screw jack and servo motor  56 . The function of this subassembly  48  is to lift and lower the mold gripper assembly  58  and self locking mold  44  so that they can be moved between the mold assembly/disassembly station  18 , the mold storage/load stand  20 , and the cure station  22 . 
     The mold gripper subassembly  58  has two functions. The first is to engage and disengage latches which attach the mold gripper subassembly  58  to the top sidewall plate  118  of the self-locking mold  44  for lifting. This also allows the upper sidewall plate assembly  118  of the self-locking mold  44  to be lifted and removed from the rest of the mold during the mold assembly/disassembly process. The second function is to rotate the upper sidewall breech ring  122  to lock or unlock the self-locking mold  44 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  show the mold gripper assembly  58 . The bottom view shown in  FIG. 6  shows the (3) circumferentially spaced mold guides  60  having locking shafts  62  that engage the circumferentially spaced notches  116  within the upper sidewall plate  118  of the self locking mold  44 . The notches  116 , or pockets, are shown in  FIG. 10 . The pockets  116  are cut radially outward from the mold center 120 degrees apart, narrow enough for a close fit on the sides with the mold guides  60 , but long enough that the ends have clearance with the mold guides  60 . This allows accurate location of the mold  44  in the gripper assembly  58  while still allowing the mold to expand and contract with changing temperature. The mold guides also provide torsional resistance to the turning forces placed on the mold when the upper breech ring is latched or unlatched. 
     The latching of the mold to the mold gripper assembly  58  is accomplished with a rotating lock shaft  62  at the end of each of the mold guides  60 . When placed in the mold and turned these engage undercuts  120  in the bottom of the mold pockets  116 , allowing the mold to be lifted.  FIGS. 8 and 9  show close-ups of the end of the lock shaft  62  in the latched and unlatched positions, respectively.  FIG. 7 , a view of the top of the mold gripper assembly  58 , shows the mechanism used to rotate the lock shafts. A single pneumatic cylinder  68  rotates an arm  70  clamped and keyed to one of the lock shafts  62 . The other two lock shafts  62  are rotated by linkages connecting them to the first. 
     The mechanism that provides the second function of rotating the upper sidewall breech ring  122  to lock or unlock the self-locking mold  44  is shown in  FIG. 7 . It consists of a rotating circular ring  66  that has three pivoting arms  76  mounted to it. Each of those arms  76  has a pin  78  that engages a notch  124  in the mold breech ring  122 . The ring  66  is supported and guided by six (6) V rollers  64  (visible in  FIG. 6 ) and is powered by two ball screw jacks  82 . The use of three equally spaced pins  78  and two equally spaced jacks  82  allows the application of the large torque required to operate the self-locking mold  44  without the introduction of large side forces on the mechanism. 
       FIGS. 11 through 15  show the sequence that the mold gripper assembly  58  performs in order to engage the mold and operate the breech ring. In  FIG. 11  the gripper is positioned over the mold in the mold assembly/disassembly station  18 , the mold storage/load stand  20 , or the cure station  22 . The lock shafts  62  are in the unlatched position and the ball screw jacks  82  are fully retracted, forcing the actuation arm  90  mounted to the breech pin engagement arms  76  against cam rollers  92 . This opens the arms  76  outward, positioning the pins  78  outside the diameter of the breech ring  122 . 
       FIG. 12  shows the next step, wherein the mold gripper assembly  58  is lowered until the guide pins  62  are fully engaged in the pockets  116  of the mold  44 . The pneumatic cylinder  68  is then extended, rotating the lock shafts  62  and latching the mold  44  to the mold gripper assembly. The mold  44  can then be lifted to transport to another station.  FIG. 12A  shows the same step looking from a different angle. From this view it is clear that the breech engagement pins  78  are outside the breech ring  122  and do not touch it. 
       FIGS. 13 and 13A  show the next step in the mold opening sequence. Here the ball screw jacks  82  have been partially extended, allowing the actuation arm  90  mounted to the breech pin engagement arms  76  to come out of contact with the cam rollers  92 . When this happens the springs  88  will pull the arms  76  inward until the pins  78  contact the breech ring  122 . 
     The extension of the ball screw jacks  82  continues until the ring  122  rotates far enough for the pins  78  to fall into the notches  124  cut in the outside diameter of the mold breech ring  122 . This is shown in  FIGS. 14 and 14A . A proximity switch on each of the arms  76  detects that the arm is now fully inward and the pin  78  engaged with the breech ring  122 . 
     When it is desired to open the mold, the ball screw jacks  82  are fully extended and the breech ring  122  is rotated enough to unlock the mold. This is shown in  FIGS. 15  and  15 A. It will be noted that the mold gripper assembly  58  shown only unlocks and locks the upper breech ring  122 . An identical mechanism in the mold assembly station  18  operates the lower breech ring  222  simultaneously. Locking the mold  44  is accomplished by retracting the ball screw jacks  82  and rotating the breech lock ring  122  back to its original position. 
     When the mold  44  is to be left in a station the mold is simply lowered until it is supported by the station&#39;s locating pins (mold assembly/disassembly station  18  or mold loading and storage station  20  or table surface in the cure station  22 ). The lock shafts  62  are rotated to the unlatched position as described above and the mold gripper assembly  58  is raised to clear the mold. If engaged, the breech engagement pins  78  will slide from the breech ring notches  124 . After the mold gripper assembly  58  is fully clear of the mold  44 , the pins  78  can be returned to their open position by retracting the ball screw jacks  82  and the mold gripper assembly  58  is ready for the next cycle. 
     The mold assembly/disassembly apparatus  29  in the mold assembly/disassembly station  18  is comprised of three subassemblies: the mold loading stand  138 ; the tread segment closer sub-assembly  144 ; and the mold plug-in apparatus  40 .  FIG. 3  shows the mold assembly/disassembly station  18  with the three subassemblies  138 ,  144 ,  40  together. 
       FIG. 16  shows the mold loading stand  138  empty and  FIG. 17  shows the stand  138  loaded with a mold  44 . It supports the self-locking mold  44  while the mold is opened and the core is loaded/unloaded. It has three locating pins  234  that engage pockets  216  in the bottom sidewall plate  218  of the mold  44  for support and location, similar to the pockets  116  on the top plate  118  engaged by the mold gripper assembly  58 . Unlike the pockets  116 , however, the pockets  216  do not include undercuts or lock shafts analogous to undercuts  120  and lock shafts  62 . The weight of the mold  44  holds it in place on the mold loading stand pins  234 . 
     Also, like the mold gripper assembly  58 , the mold loading stand  138  has breech pin engagement arms  230  and pin  232  mechanisms and ball screw jacks  226  to lock and unlock the lower breech ring  222  of the mold  44 . The arrangement is structurally and functionally identical to that on the mold gripper assembly  58 . 
     The tread segment closer sub-assembly  144  is shown by itself in  FIG. 18 . Its function is to radially open and close the fifteen (15) tread segments  126  of the self-locking mold  44 . To accomplish this, the sub-assembly  144  has fifteen (15) actuators or manipulators  38  arranged in an equally spaced pattern around the circumference of the mold  44 . Each actuator  38  has a latching mechanism  150  allowing it to attach to an individual tread segment  126  so that it can be pulled radially outward to open the mold  44 .  FIG. 19  shows the actuator carriage  148  as well as the latching mechanism  150 . The latch  150  works in conjunction with a hardened steel insert  128  bolted into holes in the tread segments  126 . (These are shown in  FIG. 10 .) Each insert  128  has a center star-shaped socket  130  including a number of radial slots extending outward from the socket. Each socket  130  matches the configuration of a star latch  152  on the end of the actuator  38 , so that it can be inserted into the socket  130  in the segment insert  128  and latched by rotating it within the radial slots extending from the socket  130 . 
     For proper operation of the self-locking mold  44  the tread segments must be moved in a synchronized manner. The motion of the actuators  38  is synchronized in two ways. First, the (15) actuators  38  are divided into five groups of three. Because a large force is required to form the tire tread during closing, each actuator  38  is driven by a ball screw jack  164 . All three of the jacks in a group are driven by a single motor  42  through a common timing belt  174 , which synchronizes them mechanically.  FIG. 20  shows a group of three actuators  38  with guards  36  removed to make the drive train visible. The five motors  42  driving the groups are then synchronized electronically, based on the output of encoders connected to the drive trains with timing belts.  FIG. 21  is a partial view of the underside of the tread segment closer sub-assembly  144  showing the motors and encoders. Drive shaft  168  is coupled to motor  42  by the belt  182 . An encoder pulley  170  is coupled to the shaft  168  by belt  171 . A belt tensioner assembly  180  is placed in engagement with belt  182  to control the tension of belt  182 . 
     The mold plug in unit  40  is shown in the mold loading stand  138  in  FIG. 22  and by itself in  FIG. 23 . The mold plug in unit  40  has a frustro-conical shaped nose  184  that engages a mating female socket  209  in the lower end of lower core spindle  208 . The nose  184  engages the lower core spindle  208  as the tire building core assembly  15  is loaded into the self-locking mold  44 . This frustro-conical interface between nose  184  and the socket  209 , along with a key  211  in the socket  209  and keyway  185 , aligns electrical connectors  186 ,  19  in both parts. Pneumatic cylinders  200  in the mold plug in unit  40  then insert the connectors together, providing a means to supply electrical power to the heaters in the tire building core. Consequently, a heating of the tire building core may be initiated while the core assembly  15  is in the mold assembly/disassembly station  18  as will be appreciated from  FIG. 22 . 
     In addition, there are two pneumatic cylinders  188  that extend and retract and, when extended, hold up the ring  190  which supports the upper part of the mold plug-in unit  40 . This is done during the initial loading of the tire building core assembly  15  into the mold  44 . It allows the core to be loaded and the electrical connectors  186 ,  191  to be plugged in, but does not allow the core to be lowered completely. By holding the core up approximately ½ inch high, the mold plug-in unit  40  prevents the lower sidewall plate  218  of the mold  44  from coming into contact with the tire lower sidewall rubber on the core. Stated differently, the core is elevated by the mold plug-in unit  40  a distance above the lower sidewall plate  218  as the mold is assembled around the core assembly  15 . An initial air gap is thus created and maintained between the lower sidewall plate  218  and the lower sidewall portion of the tire constructed on the core while the core is assembled. This prevents the premature curing of the tire lower sidewall before the mold is closed. When the upper sidewall plate  118  has been moved back into position over the mold  44  and lowered down, the pneumatic cylinders  188  in the mold plug-in unit will also be lowered, allowing the core to come down to its final position and the mold  44  to be closed. 
       FIG. 24  shows a section cut vertically through the mold plug-in unit  40 . The upper assembly (electrical connector housing  186 ,  191 , actuator cylinders  188  and engagement nose  184 ) rest on a set of springs  192  and are loosely constrained radially and angularly on the center post  206 . When the core is lowered onto the nose  184  the upper assembly is free to rotate and move radially slightly to align itself to the core socket  209 . 
     There is a similar mold plug-in unit (identical, less the support cylinder  188  parts) at the cure station  22  to provide power to the core heaters during the cure cycle. Thus, when a nose  184  and the mating core socket  209  are connected at both the mold assembly/disassembly station  18  and the cure station  22 , electrical connectors mate allowing electrical power to the core heaters during the mold assembly and cure cycles respectively. Heating the core internally within the mold  44  at the cure station  22  while simultaneously heating the mold  44  from external induction heating allows for better control over the curing process and an improved quality finished tire. 
     The sequence of operation of the curing line and the apparatus therein will be described. 
     Initial Conditions:
         1. The cure cycle is complete for a mold/core/tire assembly  15  at the cure station  22 .   2. The upper induction heating assembly  24  at the cure station  22  has been lifted and rotated out of the way by jib crane  236  to expose the mold/core/tire assembly  15 .   3. The mold assembly station  18  and the mold manipulation assembly  26  are empty and open.
 
The sequence of operation is described below, it being understood that the numerical assignment to each step in the sequence is arbitrary and for illustration only.
   1. The mold manipulation assembly  26  moves to the cure station  22  and lowers the mold gripper assembly  58  by means of frame  48  until it engages and latches to the self-locking mold  44 .   2. The mold manipulation assembly  26  lifts the mold/core/tire assembly and moves it to the mold assembly station  18 .   3. The mold manipulation assembly  26  lowers the mold/core/tire assembly until the pockets  216  in the bottom of the Self Locking Mold engage the locating pins  234  in the top  223  of the mold loading stand  138 .   4. The following (3) things occur simultaneously: A) The tread segment closer sub-assembly  144  moves the actuator carriages  148  inward radially until the star latches  152  are inserted into the mold insert sockets  130 . The star latches  152  are then rotated to latch them to the mold  44 . B) The ball screw jacks  82  on the mold gripper assembly  58  are extended, moving the upper breech ring engagement pins  78  around the circumference until they snap into the pockets  124  on the breech ring  122 . C) The ball screw jacks  226  on the mold loading stand  138  are extended, moving the lower breech ring engagement pins  232  around the circumference until they snap into the pockets  124  on the lower breech ring  222 .   5. The following (2) things occur simultaneously: A) The ball screw jacks  82  on the mold gripper assembly  58  are extended more, unlocking the upper breech ring  122 . B) The ball screw jacks  226  on the mold loading stand  138  are extended more, unlocking the lower breech ring  222 .   6. The tread segment closer sub-assembly  144  moves the actuator carriages  148  outward radially, pulling the tread segments  126  out and opening the mold.   7. The mold manipulation assembly  26  lifts the upper sidewall/breech ring assembly from the rest of the mold  44  and then moves it to the mold loading and storage station  20  for clearance. As this is done, the holddown devices  94  push down against the upper core spindle end to prevent the core from lifting if it adheres to the upper sidewall plate of the mold.   8. An upper core manipulator assembly moves into place and lifts the tire/core assembly from the mold, then transfers it to a tire building core assembly and disassembly station.   9. The support cylinders  188  on the mold plug-in unit  40  are extended.   10. The upper core manipulator assembly brings a new uncured tire/core assembly from a tire upender station, positions it over the mold assembly station  18  and lowers it until it is engaged in and supported by the mold plug-in unit  40 . The upper core manipulator then releases the core, retracts up and moves out of the way.   11. The mold manipulation assembly  26  moves the upper sidewall/breech ring assembly back over the mold assembly station  18 .   12. The mold manipulation assembly  26  lowers the upper sidewall/breech ring assembly onto the rest of the mold  44  and the core. As it reaches the core the support cylinders  188  on the mold plug-in unit  40  are retracted, allowing the core to be lowered into its final position. The mold manipulation assembly  26  stops its downward motion when the upper sidewall/breech ring assembly is near its closed position. The motion partially forms the sidewall areas of the tire.   13. The plug-in cylinders  200  on the mold plug-in unit  40  are extended, bringing the electrical connectors  186  in the mold plug-in unit collar  190  and the lower core spindle  208  together and allowing power to be applied to the core heaters as needed.   14. The tread segment closer sub-assembly  144  moves the actuator carriages  148  inward radially, pushing the mold tread segments  126  near their closed position and partially forming the tire tread.   15. The following (2) things occur simultaneously: A) The ball screw jacks  82  on the mold gripper assembly  58  are retracted to a particular position, locking the upper breech ring  122 . B) The ball screw jacks  226  on the mold loading stand  138  are retracted to a particular position, locking the lower breech ring  222 . These motions also completely close the mold  44  and finish forming the tire.   16. The tread segment closer sub-assembly  144  moves the actuator carriages  148  outward radially a short distance until the force on the star latches  152  is relieved. The star latches  152  are then rotated to unlatch them from the mold  44 .   17. The tread segment closer sub-assembly  144  moves the actuator carriages  148  outward radially until the star latches  152  are clear from the mold.   18. The plug-in cylinders  200  on the mold plug-in unit  40  are retracted, unplugging the electrical connectors from the core.   19. The mold manipulation assembly  26  lifts the mold/core/tire assembly and moves it to the cure station  22 .   20. The ball screw jacks  226  on the mold loading stand  138  are retracted, opening the lower breech ring engagement pins  232 .   21. The mold manipulation assembly  26  lowers the mold/core/tire assembly onto the cure station  22 .   22. The mold gripper assembly  58  unlatches from the mold.   23. The mold manipulation assembly  26  lifts the mold gripper assembly  58  and moves to the mold loading and storage station  20  for clearance.   24. The ball screw jacks  82  on the mold gripper assembly  58  are retracted, opening the upper breech ring engagement pins  78 .   25. The cure station  22  cycle starts.       

     The cure line  10  may be used for a single mold and a single core application wherein only one mold and core are utilized at a time. However, alternatively, there is a possible alternate sequence that would allow the system to handle (2) molds and (3) cores simultaneously. With the extra mold the cure station  22  would provide heat for a period of time to bring the mold/core/tire assembly up to curing temperature. Once this was achieved the mold manipulation assembly  26  would move the mold/core/tire assembly to the mold loading and storage station  20  and place it on a stand, where the tire would continue to cure without additional power. The mold manipulation assembly  26  would then transfer the other mold/core/tire assembly from the mold assembly station  18  to the cure station  22 . When the first mold/core/tire assembly is finished curing the mold manipulation assembly  26  would transfer it to the mold assembly station  18  for disassembly per the sequence above. 
     It will be appreciated that the subject curing line  10  is useful in the manufacture of all types of tires as well as non-tire items such as bladders and sleeves. Use of the line is not limited by material constraints and may be used for rubber as well as non-rubber curing applications. 
     From the foregoing it will be further appreciated that mold loading stand assembly  138  provides means for positioning a green tire and core assembly into the toroidally shaped mold  44 . The pins  234  on frame weldment  142  of stand assembly  138  provide a support surface for operatively receiving and supporting the lower mold sidewall forming segment  218  thereon. The apparatus  40  represents a spindle engagement assembly that projects upwardly through the support ring  223  central opening and operatively couples the nose  184  to the lower spindle end  208  of the tire building core  15 . The apparatus in the up, extended position, suspends a sidewall of a green tire on the tire building core  15  a distance above the lower mold sidewall forming segment  218  positioned on the pins  234  of frame weldment  142 . The gap eliminates contact between the sidewall forming segment  218  and the green tire sidewall until the entire mold  44  is assembled about the tire building core  15 . Premature cooling of the green tire sidewall opposite segment  218  is thereby prevented. The spindle engaging apparatus moves axially between a raised position and a lowered position. In the lowered position, apparatus  40  places the sidewall surface of the green tire onto the first mold sidewall forming segment  218  on the pins  234  of frame weldment  142 . 
     The operation of the stand assembly  138  therefore includes:
         a. locating the mold sidewall forming segment  218  on the pins  234  of frame weldment  142 ;   b. projecting the spindle engaging assembly  40  through the ring central opening and into a coupled relationship with the end of spindle  208  of tire building core assembly  15 ;   c. suspending a sidewall of the green tire on the tire building core assembly  15  a distance above the mold sidewall forming segment  218 ;   d. assembling the mold segments  118 ,  218 ,  126 ,  122 ,  222  to enclose the green tire; including   e. lowering the sidewall of the green tire by lowering the assembly  40  until the green tire sidewall is engaged by the mold sidewall forming segment  218  located on the pins  234  of frame weldment  142 .       

     It will further be noted that the subject curing line  10  is for molding a green tire into a finished tire having a tread and sidewall pattern. The curing line  10  includes a toroidally shaped core assembly  15  formed by a plurality of core segments each having an outer surface portion which together define a toroidal outer surface surrounding a central axis. The core is adapted to hold a green tire on said toroidal outer surface. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/292,991 entitled “TIRE BUILDING CORE LATCHING AND TRANSPORT MECHANISM”, filed Dec. 2, 2005 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/293,397 entitled “HEATED TIRE BUILDING CORE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD”, filed Dec. 2, 2005, incorporated herein by reference teaches such a core assembly  15 . A first spindle section  108  is configured to be placed on a first side of the core along the central axis and a second spindle section  208  is configured to be placed on a second side of the core along the central axis and opposite to the first side. At least one electrically operated heating element is coupled with each core segment and at least one spindle connector is configured to mechanically couple the first and second spindle sections with the plurality of core segments located therebetween and electrically connect with the electrically operated heating elements for supplying electrical power thereto during a tire curing operation. 
     A curing line docking station referred to herein as the core electrical plug-in unit  40  has docking apparatus (nose  184 ) for mechanically coupling with a spindle end  208  of the core assembly  15  for a docking time interval. The docking unit  40  includes multiple docking connectors  186  configured to mechanically and electrically couple with spindle connectors for supplying electrical power to the electrically operated heating elements of the core segments. The core is lowered so that the spindle end  208  contacts the nose  184 . This cone-to-cone contact along with the engagement of a key in the spindle end  208  to the keyway  185  in the nose  184  aligns the connectors  186  with the other connector halves  212 . Then the connectors are engaged by extending cylinders  188 . Once the connectors  186  establish mechanical and electrical connection to the connectors in the spindle end  208 , electrical power may be supplied to the core segments forming the core toroidal surface bearing the green tire. Heating the core segments while the mold is assembled about the core assembly  15  keeps the core at an optimum temperature. In the absence of heating the core assembly at the mold assembly and disassembly station  18 , a cooling of the core assembly would otherwise occur that could prolong the subsequent cure cycle or result in an uneven tire cure. Heat may thereby be generated within the core segments by the flow of electrical power from the plug-in docking unit  40  to the core via spindle connection  208 . The heating of the core assembly  15  at the curing line station  18  may be for the entire docking time interval or only part of the docking interval as necessary to maintain the core assembly at its desired temperature. 
     It will be further appreciated that one or more docking stations, such as station  18  and cure station  22  may be provided with a coupling interface with spindle  208 . Both stations may thereby sequentially receive and couple with a core assembly having a green tire mounted to a toroidal core surface. Each docking station  18 ,  22  has docking apparatus for mechanically coupling with a spindle end  208 . It will be noted that the docking apparatus for the stations  18 ,  22  is similarly constructed to include a frustro-conical nose  184  configured to mechanically and electrically couple with the connectors in spindle end  208  as described above. Thus, the core assembly  15  at both stations may be supplied with electrical power to the electrically operated heating elements for all or part of the docking intervals at each station. Maintaining core temperature to an optimal level at the cure station  22  will allow for a more controlled curing process and shorten the time required to cure a green tire. 
     The method for utilizing the tire curing line coupling and docking apparatus above described will be understood to include: assembling a plurality of core segments into a toroidal-shaped assembled core surrounding a central axis. Each core segment includes at least one electrically operated heating element, and the core segments together define a toroidal outer surface. The core is adapted to hold a green tire on said toroidal outer surface. The method includes placing a first spindle section  108  on a first side of the plurality of the assembled core along the central axis; placing a second spindle section  208  on a second side of the assembled core along the central axis and opposite to the first side; mechanically coupling the first and second spindle sections with the plurality of core segments so as to locate the plurality of core segments between the first and second spindle sections; connecting an electrical connector carried by at least one of the first or second spindle sections with the electrically operated heating elements for supplying electrical power thereto during a tire curing operation. The method further includes mechanically coupling a spindle end  208  to docking apparatus  40  in one or more curing line docking stations (such as stations  18 ,  22 ) for respective docking time interval(s). The docking apparatus  40  includes at least one docking connector  186  configured to mechanically and electrically couple with the spindle connector for supplying electrical power. 
     Variations in the present invention are possible in light of the description of it provided herein. While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the subject invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the subject invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that changes can be made in the particular embodiments described which will be within the full intended scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.