Molded article extractor and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12083758-B2
Application number	US-202117538192-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 30, 2021
Priority date	Dec 1, 2020
Publication date	Sep 10, 2024
Grant date	Sep 10, 2024

Abstract

A tread extraction assembly is provided. The tread extraction assembly includes a base frame, a first clamping assembly, and a second clamping assembly. The base frame defines a leading edge. The first clamping assembly includes a first clamp movable relative to the base frame. The second clamping assembly is coupled to the base frame and includes a second clamp positioned proximate to the leading edge. The tread extraction assembly also includes a linear rail and a linear bearing. The first clamping assembly is coupled to the linear bearing and movable along the linear rail by a linear actuator.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tread extraction assembly comprising:
a base frame defining a leading edge;
a first clamping assembly having a first clamp movable relative to the base frame and a first actuator configured to open and close the first clamp; and
a second clamping assembly coupled to the base frame, the second clamping assembly comprising a second clamp positioned proximate to the leading edge and a second actuator configured to open and close the second clamp,
wherein the first actuator is a double-acting linear actuator operable between a low-engagement setting and a high-engagement setting, and wherein the first clamp is configured to be in a closed position when the first actuator is in the low-engagement setting and when the first actuator is in the high-engagement setting.

2. The tread extraction assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the base frame defines a trailing edge opposite to the leading edge; and
the first clamping assembly is operable between a first position and a second position; where:
in the first position, the first clamp is positioned between the leading edge and the trailing edge; and
in the second position, the first clamp is positioned beyond the leading edge.

3. The tread extraction assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first clamping assembly includes a first platform, and the first clamp includes:
a lower jaw coupled to the first platform; and
an upper jaw rotatably coupled to the first platform.

4. The tread extraction assembly of claim 1 , wherein the base frame includes an engagement surface configured to cooperate with the second clamp to selectively clamp a tire tread during a tread extraction process.

5. The tread extraction assembly of claim 4 , wherein the second actuator is pivotally coupled to the base frame and pivotally coupled to an upper jaw of the second clamp, the second actuator configured to cause the upper jaw to rotate toward the engagement surface.

6. The tread extraction assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a control switch that, when pressed, opens the first clamp when the first actuator is in the low-engagement setting.

7. The tread extraction assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are linear and fluid powered.

8. The tread extraction assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a linear rail and a linear bearing, the first clamping assembly coupled to the linear bearing and movable along the linear rail.

9. The tread extraction assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a linear actuator comprising:
a first actuator end pivotally coupled to the base frame; and
a second actuator end opposite to the first actuator end, the second actuator end coupled to the first clamping assembly,
wherein the linear actuator is configured to translate the first clamping assembly along the linear rail.

10. A method of extracting a tire tread from a tread mold, the method comprising:
positioning a tread extractor assembly over a tread mold, the tread extractor assembly comprising a first clamping assembly and a second clamping assembly;
extending the first clamping assembly of the tread extractor assembly from a first position to a second position;
clamping a portion of a tire tread with the first clamping assembly, the first clamping assembly including a first clamp and a first actuator configured to open and close the first clamp, the first clamp being movable relative to a base frame of the tread extractor assembly, the base frame defining a leading edge;
retracting the first clamping assembly from the second position to the first position while the portion of the tire tread is clamped by the first clamping assembly; and
translating the tread extractor assembly along a length of the tread mold while the portion of the tire tread is clamped by the first clamping assembly, the tread extractor assembly being configured such that the second clamping assembly is coupled to the base frame of the tread extractor assembly, the second clamping assembly including a second clamp and a second actuator configured to open and close the second clamp, the second clamp being positioned proximate the leading edge,
wherein the first actuator is a double-acting linear actuator operable between a low-engagement setting and a high-engagement setting, and wherein the first clamp is configured to be in a closed position when the first actuator is in the low-engagement setting and when the first actuator is in the high-engagement setting.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
after retracting the first clamping assembly from the second position to the first position, clamping the portion of the tire tread in the second clamping assembly of the tread extractor assembly; and
translating the tread extractor assembly along the length of the tread mold while the portion of the tire tread is clamped by the second clamping assembly.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the portion of the tire tread is a tab integrally formed with the tire tread.

13. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
after extending the first clamping assembly of the tread extractor assembly from the first position to the second position:
configuring the first actuator to the low-engagement setting;
operating a control switch to open the first clamp when the first actuator is in the low-engagement setting;
clamping the portion of the tire tread in the first clamp; and
transitioning the first actuator from the low-engagement setting to the high-engagement setting.

14. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
coupling the tread extractor assembly to a rail assembly;
pivoting the tread extractor assembly into a curing press and above the tread mold; and
translating the tread extractor assembly and the rail assembly along the length of the curing press while the tread extractor assembly is pivoted into the curing press and while the portion of the tire tread is clamped by the first clamping assembly.

Assignees

• Bridgestone Bandag Llc

Inventors

• Prunchak Steven W
• White John R
• Gerhart Keith R

Classifications

• B29D30/0681

  Parts of pneumatic tyres; accessories, auxiliary operations · CPC title

• B29L2030/002

  Treads · CPC title

• B29D30/0603

  Loading or unloading the presses · CPC title

• B25J15/0028

  with movable, e.g. pivoting gripping jaw surfaces · CPC title

• B25J15/0014

  having fork, comb or plate shaped means for engaging the lower surface on a object to be transported · CPC title