A tire testing apparatus that includes a test drum and at least one tire station. The test drum has an outer radial surface and a plurality of sectioned plates having outer radial test surfaces, wherein the plurality of sectioned plates mount on the outer radial surface of the test drum. The tire testing apparatus further includes at least one tire station having a selected tire with a tread, wherein the tread of the selected tire presses against the outer radial test surface of the plurality of sectional plates, and wherein the at least one tire station applies a force against the tread of the selected tire. Further, a tire testing method includes providing a selected tire having a circumferential tread and moving the selected tire against a rotating test drum having a plurality of sectional plates having a test surface. Further, the method includes maintaining contact between the selected tire and the plurality of sectional plates for a selected period of time, moving the selected tire away from the test drum, and evaluating the tread for wear.

Claims

20 · 3 independent · depth 3

20 granted claims

›1.independentA tire testing system comprising:na test drum;a motor configured to drive the test drum;a tire station configured to hold a selected tire and to apply…+8

›2.↳ 1The system of claim 1, wherein the force is at least one of a radial force, a circumferential force, and a lateral force.d2

›3.↳ 1The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusions include a plurality of ribs.d2+5

›9.↳ 1The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusions include a plurality of spikes.d2

›10.independentA tire testing apparatus comprising:na test drum having a test surface with a plurality of protrusions extending therefrom, wherein the protrusions ar…+7

›11.↳ 10The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one test station includes a first tire station and a second tire station, each configured to hold a se…d2

›12.↳ 10The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of protrusions include curved lateral ribs.d2

›13.↳ 10The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of protrusions include lateral ribs having at least one radially outer surface that varies in height …d2

›14.↳ 10The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of protrusions include a plurality of ribs having a first portion disposed at a first angle relative …d2+1

›16.↳ 10The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of protrusions include a plurality of spikes.d2

›17.↳ 10The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of spikes are straight-edge spikes.d2

›18.independentA tire testing method comprising:nproviding a selected tire having a circumferential tread;rotating a test drum having a test surface with protrusions…+2

Classifications

2 codes

IPC · International Patent Classification

Section G — Physics

G01M17/02

USPC · US Patent Classification

73/146

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File wrapper

Pendency

1.6 y

599 days filing → grant

Office actions

non-final + final

Responses

1 RCE

Examiner

Andre Allen

art unit 2856 · TC 2800

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Citations: 27 back · 1 forward

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Priority chain

1 priority documents

›Priority documents — 1

Type	Document	Date
related publication	US 20120204633 A1	16 Aug 2012

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