AUTOMATIC ADJUSTABLE WIDTH CHUCK APPARATUS FOR TIRE TESTING SYSTEMS

摘要

An automatic, adjustable width chuck apparatus for securely positioning tire s in a tire testing machine includes a lower chuck/spindle assembly (410) and an upper chuck/movable chuck assembly (310). The spindle assembly (410) include s a rotatable spindle (440) having a tapered portion (442) and the chuck assembly (310) includes a chuck member having a mating tapered recess (368). The spindle assembly (410) and chuck assembly (310) each carry a half-rim (2 4, 26) for engaging the lower and upper beads of the tire (t). A hydraulic cylinder (204) moves the entire chuck assembly (310) toward and away from th e spindle assembly (410) and stops at any point between fully raised and fully lowered positions. Pneumatic cylinders (400) move the chuck member to engage the spindle member at various relative positions of a spindle and chuck assemblies (410, 310).