Tire building core transport assembly and method

Abstract

A transport apparatus for a tire building core assembly includes a jig assembly support frame; first and second spreader mechanisms; first and a second arm mechanisms, each arm mechanism having a first arm and a second arm coupled to the support frame and to a respective spreader mechanism. The first and second arms of each arm mechanism move between an open divergent position defining an opening sized to admit a respective spindle mechanism of the core assembly therein and a convergent closed position capturing the respective spindle mechanism therebetween. First and second releasable latch mechanisms selectively locking the first and second arms of the first and second arm mechanisms in the open and closed positions. A weigh scale is coupled to a hoist that raises and lowers the jig assembly and captured core assembly, the weigh scale indicating when the weight supported by the hoist includes the core assembly.

1 . A transport apparatus for a tire building core having a toroidal core assembly coupled to first and second spindle mechanisms extending from opposite sides of a core assembly, the transport apparatus comprising:
 a jig assembly comprising a support frame; a spreader mechanism; at least one arm mechanism comprising first and second arms coupled to the support frame and coupled to the spreader mechanism, the spreader mechanism operably moving the first and second arms between an open position and a closed position, a releasable latch mechanism for selectively locking the first and second arm mechanism in the open and closed positions.   
     
     
         2 . The transport apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second arms in the open position operably diverge to define an opening sized to admit a spindle mechanism therein. 
     
     
         3 . The transport apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second arms in the closed position operably converge to capture the spindle mechanism therebetween. 
     
     
         4 . The transport apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein comprising a first arm mechanism and a second arm mechanism, each arm mechanism having a first arm and a second arm coupled to the support frame and each first arm and second arm is coupled to a respective spreader mechanism, the first and second arms of each arm mechanism operably moving between an open divergent position defining an opening sized to admit a respective spindle mechanism from a respective side of the core assembly therein and a convergent closed position operably capturing the respective spindle mechanism therebetween. 
     
     
         5 . The transport apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein further comprising first and second releasable latch mechanisms for selectively locking the first and second arms of the first and second arm mechanisms in the open and closed positions. 
     
     
         6 . The transport apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second arm mechanisms are coupled in spaced relation to the support frame, and the support frame is sized to operably span the core assembly and position the first and second arm mechanisms opposite respective first and second spindle assemblies. 
     
     
         7 . The transport apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising lifting means coupled to the jig assembly for operably raising and lowering the support frame and first and second arm mechanisms. 
     
     
         8 . The transport mechanism of  claim 7 , further comprising a weigh scale coupled to the jig assembly operably indicating the weight carried by the lifting means. 
     
     
         9 . The transport mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second arm mechanisms have at least one roller member at a distal end for engaging the spindle assemblies, each roller member having a retention surface operably positioned for engaging a respective spindle assembly annular flange to inhibit axial movement of the core assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The transport mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the spreader mechanism and the latch mechanism are manually actuated. 
     
     
         11 . A method for transporting a tire building core of the type having a toroidal core assembly coupled to first and second spindle mechanisms extending from opposite sides of a core assembly axial passage, with at least one of the spindle mechanisms operably coupling to and decoupling from a tire build station, the method comprising:
 positioning a jig assembly over a tire building core locked within a tire build station, the jig assembly having a first arm mechanism and a second arm mechanism, each arm mechanism having a first arm and second arm coupled to a support frame and to a respective spreader mechanism;   moving the first and second arms of each arm mechanism into an open divergent position defining an opening sized to admit a respective spindle mechanism;   lowering the jig assembly over the core assembly until each spindle mechanism is received within the opening of a respective arm mechanism;   moving the first and second arms of each arm mechanism into a closed convergent position engaging a respective spindle mechanism;   raising the tire building core by the spindle mechanisms until the weight of the tire building core is supported by the jig assembly;   decoupling the tire building core from the tire build station; and   repositioning the tire building core.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein repositioning the tire building core comprises moving the tire building core axially. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising weighing the tire building core to determine that the weight of the tire building core is supported by the jig assembly prior to decoupling the tire building core from the tire build station. 
     
     
         14 . A transport apparatus for a tire building core having a toroidal core assembly coupled to first and second spindle mechanisms extending from opposite sides of a core assembly, the transport apparatus comprising:
 a jig assembly comprising a support frame;   a first spreader mechanism and a second spreader mechanism;   a first arm mechanism and a second arm mechanism, each arm mechanism having a first arm and a second arm coupled to the support frame and each first arm and second arm is coupled to a respective spreader mechanism, the first and second arms of each arm mechanism operably moving between an open divergent position defining an opening sized to admit a respective spindle mechanism from a respective side of the core assembly therein and a convergent closed position operably capturing the respective spindle mechanism therebetween.   
     
     
         15 . The transport apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising first and second releasable latch mechanisms for selectively locking the first and second arms of the first and second arm mechanisms in the open and closed positions. 
     
     
         16 . The transport apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second releasable latch mechanisms are manually actuated. 
     
     
         17 . The transport apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising lifting means coupled to the jig assembly for operably raising and lowering the support frame and first and second arm mechanisms; and a weigh scale coupled to the jig assembly for operably indicating the weight carried by the lifting means.