US 11,794,369 B2
Apparatus and method for automatically applying weight material to a wheel
John S. Taylor, Commerce, MI (US); Benjamin D. Belknap, Northville, MI (US); and Mark A. Compton, Lake Orion, MI (US)
Assigned to 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY, St. Paul, MN (US)
Filed by 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY, St. Paul, MN (US)
Filed on Jan. 21, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/154,315.
Application 17/154,315 is a continuation of application No. 15/765,500, granted, now 10,933,549, previously published as PCT/US2016/055485, filed on Oct. 5, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/237,357, filed on Oct. 5, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2021/0138674 A1, May 13, 2021
Int. Cl. B26D 1/08 (2006.01); B26D 7/30 (2006.01); G01M 1/32 (2006.01); G01M 1/02 (2006.01); B65H 35/00 (2006.01); G01M 1/04 (2006.01); G07F 11/08 (2006.01); G07F 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC B26D 1/08 (2013.01) [B26D 7/30 (2013.01); B65H 35/0006 (2013.01); B65H 35/0013 (2013.01); G01M 1/02 (2013.01); G01M 1/045 (2013.01); G01M 1/326 (2013.01); G07F 11/08 (2013.01); G07F 17/00 (2013.01); B65H 2801/93 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for applying a weight to a wheel comprising:
at least one severing device capable of separating a piece of desired weight from each of at least two provided different lengths of weight materials;
a single drive roller for separately driving the at least two provided lengths of weight materials along at least two corresponding paths so each length of weight material can be dispensed separately or at the same time;
at least one weight application device capable of applying a severed piece of weight material, from at least one or each of the at least two provided different lengths of weight materials, to different locations on a wheel, and
an engagement roller for each provided length of weight material, with each engagement roller being movable toward and away from the single drive roller such that, when a corresponding length of weight material is disposed between the engagement roller and the single drive roller, each engagement roller can be moved, independent of any other engagement roller, either (a) toward the single drive roller to press the corresponding length of weight material into contact with the single drive roller or (b) away from the single drive roller so the corresponding length of weight material can be moved away from contact with the single drive roller.