Patent attributes
A method of and an apparatus for determining tire shapes are provided which enable both an apparatus weight reduction and a determination accuracy improvement. The apparatus of the present invention includes: a portable base member; a non-contact displacement gage held on the base member so as to be freely movable along a predetermined scanning direction; a weight supported on the base member so as to be movable along the scanning direction; and means for symmetrically driving the displacement gage and weight while synchronizing them with each other. Using this apparatus, the method includes: setting the base member in proximity to a tire tread portion so that the displacement gage will scan the tread portion; allowing the displacement gage and weight to symmetrically move along the scanning direction while synchronizing them with each other; and determining the shape of the tread portion, based on an output from the displacement gage.
