Abstract:
A bearing axle adapted to rotatably secure a mounting ring between opposing interior surfaces of respective spaced apart first and second housing rings of a tire transfer ring and to allow removal of the bearing axle from between the housing rings absent additional separation of the housing rings is disclosed. The bearing axle comprises an elongated shaft sized and shaped to extend between and terminate along the housing ring interior surfaces and at least one releasable fastener for securing the shaft between the housing ring interior surfaces. A roller bearing is mounted on the shaft and is adapted to engage the mounting ring to allow the mounting ring to rotate in relation to the housing rings. Release of the fastener allows the shaft to slide from between the housing ring interior surfaces absent additional separation of the housing rings.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/370,202, filed on Aug. 3, 2010. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0004]    This invention pertains to devices that are particularly useful in the manufacture of vehicle tires. More particularly, this invention pertains to a quickly replaceable bearing axle for a transfer ring used to grasp the outer circumference of a circular, tubular or round object which is useful, for example, in the manufacture of tires. 
         [0005]    2.Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    Commonly, the process of manufacturing a tire, such as a motor vehicle tire, includes fabrication of a tire carcass as a precursor to the tire. This carcass typically includes an inner toroidal portion of the tire and typically excludes the outer circumferential reinforcing belt and tread package of the finished tire. Upon fabrication of the tire carcass at a first location, the carcass is typically transferred to a tire forming drum where the carcass is positioned for receiving a ring-shaped belt and tread package about the outer circumference of the carcass. The belt and tread package is fabricated separately from the carcass and therefore must be transferred from its manufacturing location to the location of the carcass positioned thereupon precisely about the circumference of the carcass. The geometry of the belt and tread package and the fact that it must be placed about the outer circumference of the carcass only permits the package to be grasped about its outer circumference for effecting the transfer. 
         [0007]    In light of the above, transfer of the tire carcass and the belt and tread package is typically accomplished through use of one or more transfer rings defining an expandable and collapsible inner circumference suitable to serve as a circular surface to grasp the outer circumference of the tire carcass and/or belt and tread package. U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,587 (“the &#39;587 patent), U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,768 (“the &#39;768 patent”), and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0000658 (“the &#39;658 publication”), each of which is incorporated herein by reference, disclose transfer rings of this type. The device of the &#39;587 patent includes generally first and second outer housing rings which are held in spaced apart and concentric relationship by a plurality of spaced apart bearing axles. A mounting ring is disposed between the housing rings and is rotatably mounted with respect to the housing rings by means of a plurality of roller bearings which are mounted on individual ones of the bearing axles. A plurality of shoes defining segments of an interiorly-facing circular working surface are disposed in a circular arrangement within the outer housing rings and are mounted by means of a plurality of first linkages to hinged pin connectors extending between the housing rings. The shoes are further mounted to the bearing axles by means of a plurality of second linkages. A drive mechanism is configured to rotate the mounting ring with respect to the housing rings, thereby rotating the first and second linkages of each shoe about central axes of respective hinged pin connectors or bearing axles for simultaneous radial movement of the plurality of shoes with respect to the outer housing rings. 
         [0008]    Repeated use of a prior art transfer ring of the type discussed above often results in wear of one or more components of the bearing axles of the transfer rings, thus necessitating occasional replacement of one or more of these components, or of the entire bearing axle. However, the bearing axles of prior art transfer ring designs include first and second ends which are mounted within appropriate depressions in the outer housing rings of the transfer ring and extend therebetween to define a rigid, spaced apart relationship between the outer housing rings. Thus, in order to gain access to one of the bearing axles for repair or replacement of the bearing axle components, it has been necessary to remove at least one of the outer housing rings of the transfer ring. This process is both cumbersome and time consuming. Accordingly, a bearing axle for use in a transfer ring which can be quickly removed from the transfer ring and replaced absent removal of one or more of the outer housing rings of the transfer ring is desired. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    According to one embodiment of the present general inventive concept, a quick replacement bearing axle which is adapted to rotatably secure a mounting ring between opposing interior surfaces of respective spaced apart first and second housing rings of a tire transfer ring is provided. The quick replacement bearing axle allows for removal from between the housing rings absent additional separation of the housing rings. In one embodiment, the present general inventive concept comprises an elongated shaft sized and shaped to extend between and terminate along the housing ring interior surfaces. In several embodiments, the shaft is sized and shaped to extend perpendicularly between the housing ring interior surfaces. In one embodiment of the present general inventive concept, the shaft defines a central portion. In certain embodiments, the first and second end surfaces each define a greater dimensional width than a cross-section of the shaft central portion. 
         [0010]    At least one releasable fastener is provided for securing the shaft between the housing ring interior surfaces. The present general inventive concept may also include a roller bearing mounted on the shaft, the roller bearing being adapted to engage the mounting ring to allow the mounting ring to rotate in relation to the housing rings. In this embodiment, release of the releasable fastener allows the shaft to slide from between the housing ring interior surfaces absent additional separation of the housing rings. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment of the present general inventive concept, the shaft defines a first end surface and an opposite second end surface. Each of the first and second end surfaces define a recess for receiving said at least one releasable fastener. This recess may comprise a cylindrical first blind bore opening outwardly to a respective end surface and extending along an axial dimension of the shaft, together with an internally threaded second blind bore extending along the axial dimension of the shaft and opening outwardly to an interior surface of the first blind bore. In certain embodiments, the at least one fastener is defined by a pair of shoulder bolts, each shoulder bolt being adapted to be received through one of a first through bore defined by the first housing ring and a second through bore defined by the second housing ring and received within one of the first and second end surface recesses to register the corresponding recess with the corresponding through bore, and thereby to join the end surface against the interior surface of the respective housing ring. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view of a transfer ring incorporating several of one embodiment of a quick replacement bearing axle constructed in accordance with several features of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a partial elevation view showing a close-up of the transfer ring of  FIG. 1 , including several quick replacement bearing axles of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the transfer ring of  FIG. 2  showing a cross-sectional view of one quick replacement bearing axle of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a quick replacement bearing axle constructed in accordance with several features of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    A quick replacement bearing axle  10  is disclosed herein and in the various figures. The quick replacement bearing axle  10  of the present invention provides an improvement in a prior art transfer ring  12  which is useful, for example, in the manufacture of vehicle tires. 
         [0018]    With initial reference to  FIG. 1 , a transfer ring  12  is depicted. The transfer ring  12  is of the ring-actuated type wherein the transfer ring  12  includes first and second outer housing rings  14 ,  16 , respectively, held in a parallel, spaced apart and concentric relationship, with a mounting ring  18  rotatably mounted therebetween. The mounting ring  18  and housing rings  14 ,  16  of the depicted transfer ring  12  are mechanically connected by appropriate linkages  26 ,  28  to a plurality of shoes  20  disposed in a generally circular arrangement inward of the housing rings  14 ,  16  and the mounting ring  18 . Each shoe  20  has an interior surface  38  which defines a segment of an interiorly-facing circular working surface  24 . As discussed above, each shoe  20  is mounted for radial movement inwardly and outwardly of the transfer ring  12  upon rotation of the mounting ring  18  in relation to the housing rings  14 ,  16 . 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , in the depicted transfer ring  12 , each shoe  20  is rotatably mounted to a first linkage  26  at a first end  30  thereof by a first hinged pin connector  22 . A second end  32  of each first linkage  26  is rotatably mounted to a second hinged pin connector  34  extending between the housing rings  14 ,  16 . A second linkage  28  is rotatably mounted at a first end  40  thereof to the first linkage  26  at a point along the length of the first linkage  26  by a third hinged pin connector  42 . A second end  44  of the second linkage  28  is rotatably mounted to the mounting ring  18  by a fourth hinged pin connector  46 . Each of the first, second, third, and fourth hinged pin connectors  22 ,  34 ,  42 ,  46  extend substantially parallel to an axial dimension of the mounting ring  18  and the housing rings  14 ,  16 . Thus, rotation of the mounting ring  18  in relation to the housing rings  14 ,  16  causes movement of each fourth hinged pin connector  46  in relation to an associated second hinged pin connector  34  along the circumference of the transfer ring  12 , thus causing the associated first and second linkages  26 ,  28  to rotate proximate one another about the third hinged pin connector  42  and the associated first linkage  26  to rotate about the second hinged pin connector  34  to swing the corresponding shoe  20  along an arcuate path radially inwardly toward or outwardly from a central axis of the housing rings  14 ,  16 . The interior surfaces  38  of the various shoes  20  are held in a generally circular configuration during such radial inward and outward repositioning by a plurality of rigid rods  36  slidably secured along adjacent shoes  20 . In this way, the diameter of the working surface  24  is expanded and contracted through rotation of the mounting ring  18  in relation to the housing rings  14 ,  16 . Actuation of the mounting ring  18  commonly is effected by means of a piston/cylinder device  48  that is powered from a source of pressurized fluid and having a main housing  50  which is mounted to the housing rings  14 ,  16  and a piston  52  which is rotatably mounted in operable engagement with the mounting ring  18  such that selective extension and retraction of the piston  52  with respect to the housing  50  selectively rotates the mounting ring  18  in relation to the housing rings  14 ,  16 . U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,587 provides further structural and operational information relating to this type of transfer ring  12  and is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
         [0020]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in one embodiment of the present invention, the mounting ring  18  is rotatably secured between the housing rings  14 ,  16  by a plurality of quick replacement bearing axles  10  of the present invention. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the quick replacement bearing axles  10  are interposed between opposing smooth interior surfaces  56 ,  58  of the housing rings  14 ,  16  and are spaced about the circumference of the transfer ring  12  such that the quick replacement bearing axles  10  cooperate to maintain the parallel, spaced apart, and concentric relationship of the housing rings  14 ,  16  with one another and with the mounting ring  18 . Each quick replacement bearing axle, or bearing axle  10 , generally comprises an elongated shaft  54  adapted to extend between the inside surfaces  56 ,  58  of the housing rings  14 ,  16 , and a roller bearing  60  mounted along the shaft  54 . 
         [0021]      FIGS. 2-4  illustrate one embodiment of a bearing axle  10  of the present invention. Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , the shaft  54  of the depicted bearing axle  10  is defined by an elongated member adapted to extend substantially perpendicularly between opposite first and second housing rings  14 ,  16  of a transfer ring  12 . In the depicted transfer ring  12 , the first housing ring  14  defines a first through bore  82  extending perpendicularly to an axial dimension of the transfer ring  12  and aligned in coaxial registration with a second through bore  84  defined by the second housing ring  16 . The shaft  54  defines opposite first and second ends  62 ,  64  which are adapted to be removably secured between the interior surfaces  56 ,  58  of the housing rings  14 ,  16  in axial registration between the first and second through bores  82 ,  84 . 
         [0022]    In the illustrated embodiment, a first end  62  of the shaft  54  defines a first smooth end surface  66  adapted to abut the smooth interior surface  56  of the first housing ring  14  of the transfer ring  12  and to overlie the first through bore  82 . Likewise, an opposite second end  64  of the shaft  54  defines a second smooth end surface  66  adapted to abut the smooth interior surface  58  of the second housing ring  16  of the transfer ring  12  and to overlie the second through bore. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first and second end surfaces  66 ,  68  of the shaft  54  defines a recess  72  which is adapted to receive therein a fastener  74  to secure each respective end  62 ,  64  of the shaft  54  to its corresponding housing ring interior surface  56 ,  58  in axial registration with the first and second through bores  82 ,  84  defined by the housing rings  14 ,  16 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the first and second end surfaces  66 ,  68  of the shaft  54  defines an outwardly opening first cylindrical blind bore  76  extending along an axial dimension of the shaft  54 , with a second, internally-threaded cylindrical blind bore  80  defined inwardly of and coaxial to the first cylindrical blind bore  76 . Each second blind bore  80  is of a narrower internal diameter than the corresponding first blind bore  76  and opens outwardly to an inward surface  78  of the first blind bore  76 , such that the blind bores  76 ,  80  cooperate to define a circumferential lip  86  along the recess  72 . In this embodiment, a pair of shoulder bolts  88  are provided to accomplish the fasteners  74 , with each shoulder bolt  88  being sized to mate with one of the first and second through bores  82 ,  84  and with a corresponding recess  72  of a corresponding shaft end  62 ,  64  to secure the shaft  54  in coaxial registration with the first and second through bores  82 ,  84  of the housing rings  14 ,  16 . 
         [0023]    It will be recognized by one of skill in the art that the depicted first and second blind bores  76 ,  80  and mating shoulder bolts  88  are described for illustration purposes, and that the recesses  72  and corresponding fasteners  74  may take the shape and configuration of any of several embodiments of fasteners known in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. As noted hereinabove, however, the bearing axles of prior art transfer rings are embedded within appropriate depressions in the inside surfaces of the housing rings of the transfer rings, and are thus incapable of being removed from between the housing rings absent separation of the housing rings from one another. Thus, it will be recognized that, in accordance with one feature of the present invention, disengagement of the fasteners  74  from the recesses  72  of the shaft  54  in the illustrated embodiment allows the shaft  54  to slide along the housing ring interior surface  56 ,  58  to facilitate removal of the bearing axle  10  from between the housing rings  14 ,  16  absent removal of either of the housing rings  14 ,  16  from the transfer ring  12  or other such separation of the housing rings  14 ,  16  from one another. 
         [0024]    In several embodiments, the first and second ends  62 ,  64  of the shaft  54  have a greater girth in comparison to a central portion  90  of the shaft  54 , such that the first and second end surfaces  66 ,  68  of the shaft  54  are of a greater dimensional width than a cross-section of the shaft central portion  90  perpendicular to the axial dimension of the shaft  54 . In these embodiments, the first and second end surfaces  66 ,  68  each bear against the housing rings  14 ,  16  along a greater area of the housing ring interior surfaces  56 ,  58 , thereby providing additional stability of the shaft  54  between the two housing rings  14 ,  16 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the shaft central portion  90  and the first and second ends  62 ,  64  of the shaft  54  each define a cylindrical shape, with the first and second ends  62 ,  64  of the shaft  54  each having a greater cross-sectional diameter than the shaft central portion  90  and with an outwardly beveled portion  104  defined between the shaft central portion  90  and the shaft first end  62 . However, those of skill in the art will recognize other shapes and configurations suitable for establishing the expanded first and second ends  62 ,  64  of the shaft  54 , and such shapes and configurations may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the central portion  90  of the shaft  54  defines a cylindrical region  92  which is adapted to receive the roller bearing  60  thereon. The roller bearing  60  is sized to surround and closely conform to the cylindrical region  92  and to be received within an appropriate groove  94  defined along an internal surface  96  of the mounting ring  18  to facilitate and guide rotation of the mounting ring  18  in relation to the housing rings  14 ,  16 . It will thus be understood that the positioning of the cylindrical region  92  and the roller bearing  60  along the shaft  54  is governed by the desired rotational path of the mounting ring  18  and the spatial relationship between the mounting ring  18  and the housing rings  14 ,  16 . For example, in the depicted transfer ring  12 , the cylindrical region  92  is disposed adjacent the second end  64  of the shaft  54 , with the roller bearing  60  disposed generally centrally along an axial dimension of the cylindrical region  92  to align with the mounting ring groove  94 . 
         [0026]    In several embodiments, the positioning and alignment of the roller bearing  60  along the cylindrical region  92  is adjustable. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a pair of adjustable ring clamps  70  are provided adjacent opposite side surfaces  100 ,  102  of the roller bearing  60  to secure the roller bearing  60  along the cylindrical region  92 . A through bore  98  is defined by the shaft  54  near the shaft first end  62  and extends substantially perpendicular to the axial dimension of the shaft  54 . The shaft through bore  98  is sized and configured to receive therein a tool (not shown) of the type known in the art for repositioning the ring clamps  70  to adjust the alignment of the roller bearing  60  along the shaft  54  or for removal of the ring clamps  70  for repair or replacement of the roller bearings  60 . In certain embodiments, the cylindrical region  92  of the shaft  54  is of an equal or greater thickness than the remainder of the shaft  54 , thereby allowing more convenient removal of the roller bearing  60  from the shaft  54  for repair or replacement of the roller bearing  60 . 
         [0027]    From the foregoing description, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that an improved quick replacement bearing axle  10  has been provided which allows for removal and replacement of the bearing axle  10  within a transfer ring  12  absent the need to remove either of the housing rings  14 ,  16  from the transfer ring  12  or to separate the housing rings  14 ,  16  from one another. However, while the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.