Patent ID: 7975579

Claim:
A method of cutting tires, the method comprising: providing a tire, having at least a tread portion and a first sidewall portion, having an open center portion; said tread portion depending from a peripheral edge of said sidewall portion; providing a cutting apparatus with a base frame, having first and second end portions and first and second side portions, which extend between said first and second end portions; motive means depending from said first end portion so that said motive means may engage an operating surface and enable the first end portion of said base frame to move with respect to said operating surface; a cutting blade, operatively coupled with said base frame so that said cutting blade may be moved reciprocally with respect to said base frame, transverse with said first and second end portions; drive means operatively coupled with the second end portion of said base frame to selectively engage a portion of said tire and propel said cutting apparatus with respect to said tire; positioning the second end portion of said cutting apparatus closely adjacent the tread portion of said tire, engaging said drive means with the sidewall portion of said tire and engaging said motive means with said operating surface; and actuating said cutting blade so that a cutting edge of said cutting blade engages and cuts a portion of the tread portion of said tire.