Abstract: Method and apparatus for building a cord or wire wound carcass for a closed torus tire. An endless flattened inflatable tube providing a liner for the carcass and coaxially spaced bead rings are placed on a support comprising a cylindrical array of rolls. The bead rings are spaced axially to control the length of each turn of cord or wire wound in the flattened oval path around them. A single wire or cord is wound in a flat oval orbit about the liner and bead rings by orbiting a spool along a track having two straight parallel portions, one inside, the other outside the bead rings and liner. The parallel track portions are connected at their ends by semi-circular track portions. No rigid core is required. After winding the cord or wire about the liner and bead rings, the liner is inflated and the bead rings are shifted axially toward each other to the axial spacing appropriate for the inflated tire in use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a tire such that the tire has a visible contrasting reference line consisting of a die line ridge produced coincidentally with the extrusion of the tread of the tire and a color contrasting ink applied to the peak surface of the die line ridge by a particularly described inking apparatus. The reference line so produced enables objective visual comparison of the position of the reference line relative to the position of the parting line visible in the cured tire as removed from the mold such that deviations of the reference line with respect to the parting line clearly indicate a tire having an objectionable dissymmetry with respect to its equatorial plane and such that the tire can be removed from the production stream. The reference line so produced and particularly the die line ridge have advantages over previously employed centerline tracking methods and apparatus.

Abstract: A machine for spirally wrapping a continuous element, such as a cord or tape, around an annular tire bead. The machine is provided with a mechanism for holding a tire bead and rotating it in a fixed plane and at a predetermined speed, while a device with the element rotates about the rotating bead to wrap a portion of the continuous element around the bead at a speed which is correlated to the rotational speed of the tire bead so that the finished tire bead has a predetermined spiral wrap which can be varied by changing the relative rotational speeds of the tire bead and element about the tire bead. The machine is supplied with a braking mechanism which is designed to cushion the stop of the bead wrapping mechanism, rather than bringing it to an abrupt halt, and to bring the bead wrapping mechanism always to a halt at a desired position for beginning the wrapping of another bead. A knife is furnished for cutting the continuous element after the bead wrapping operation is completed and the machine is stopped.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for curing a tire having an internal cavity using as heat and fluid pressure media first steam and then cooler inert gas. The time rate of pressure loss in the cavity is determined in each tire curing cycle by closing the cavity so as to form a completely closed chamber for a test time less than the normal cure time for the tire. Pressure loss during the test time is monitored and if determined to be at a greater than tolerable rate a warning device is actuated and means for loading a next tire into the mold is rendered inactive.

Abstract: Self-curing elastomeric compounds in liquid suspension are sprayed onto a warmed rotating former having preferably a form developed from the radial dimensions of the inner tube to be made. The tube is cured and complete on the form by transposing one end of the sleeve to the opposite axial end of the former where the one end is seamed to the other end of the sleeve. Both the process and the tube produced by the process have advantages in manufacturing cost, in material saving, and at least equal quality performance relative to conventional inner tubes and methods of making them.

Abstract: A novel method and mold apparatus for testing adhesion of cord or wire in rubber which measures "intrinsic" adhesion, i.e. adhesive strength independently of the tearing strength and stiffness of the rubber matrix. Each test specimen is formed of two uncured preformed or premolded blocks, called coupons, in respective preform molds. Two wire segments are inserted coaxially between the coupons in preformed grooves and the assembly is molded and cured. The proximate ends of the segments are buried in or embedded within the body of the specimen, but spaced apart along the axis of the wire segments and the body of the test specimen. The specimen is stressed only by the wire segments. In an Instron or like test machine, the free ends of the wire segments are pulled at a selected rate to failure. Failure of the adhesion is observed to start at the embedded end of the wire segment and progress outwardly along the segment which is pulled from the body or matrix.

Abstract: Guiding of narrow strip components of yieldable material is accomplished by applying a gentle drag to the strip which is greater near its edge more distant from the guide line or plane than in the strip closer to such guide line or plane. The drag is applied by positioning soft bristle brushes in an apparatus in a guide frame one sidewall of which provides the guide plane while the strip is continuously supported on a floor plate perpendicular to the plane. The strip can be supported by an air film introduced between the strip and the floor of the guide frame. A simple mechanism for swinging the brushes into and out of operating position is also disclosed. The foregoing abstract is not to be taken as limiting the invention of this application, and in order to understand the full nature and extent of the technical disclosure of this application, reference must be made to the accompanying drawing and the following detailed description.

Abstract: A method of retreading a radial tire whose belts are damaged and require removal. A narrow, inextensible band is centrally disposed around the outer periphery of the tire after the worn tread and damaged belts have been removed. The band restricts expansion of the tire to a diameter correlated to the diameter of the tire when newly molded and vulcanized.

Abstract: A rigid fixed diameter cylindrical drum for building a tire band, i.e., a straight cylindrical ply assembly without bead rings or other circumferentially inextensible elements subsequently to be a part of a complete tire, is enabled to release the band built thereon for coaxial movement of the cylindrical band off the drum. The cylindrical surface of the drum is knurled in a coarse diamond-toothed pattern. Perforations or orifices for air pressure and flow are also provided. The foregoing abstract is not to be taken as limiting the invention of this application, and in order to understand the full nature and extent of the technical disclosure of this application, reference must be made to the accompanying drawing and the following detailed description.

Abstract: An annular bladder providing both circumferential expansion and rolling movement normal to its circumference in response to inflation thereof, said bladder having a cylindrical outer wall extending between a forward edge and a rearward edge and being turned radially and axially inward at the respective edges, the bladder comprising a first and a second circumferential zone and in said outer wall a transition zone, said first zone extending in a forward direction from said transition zone, said second zone extending in a rearward direction from said transition zone, said first zone having greater resistance to circumferential elongation relative to the second zone and said second zone having lesser resistance to circumferential elongation relative to the first zone, said transition zone being located a predetermined distance forward of the rearward edge of said bladder when the same is uninflated.

Abstract: An apex is cohered to the bead wire bundle or core to form a unitary bead assembly. The core is supported on a rigid continuous planar surface. The apex strip in endless form is supported on the uninflated inflatable cylindrical surface of a turn-up bladder arrangement. Inflation of the bladder arrangement turns or rolls the apex angularly outward to surround the bead core and into an appropriate radial orientation and shape. The bladder action is found to cohere the apex-core so strongly together that conventional roller stitching is not required.

Abstract: A simple low cost building arbor having a wide range of axial length or bead set length variation. The arbor has no moving parts which are not of rubber or rubber-like material and is operable by air pressure alone. An expandable ring expands, by air pressure, to hold a bead ring in axial position and independently a turn-up bladder is expanded to turn a ply sleeve end about the bead ring. Operating air is conducted, in all axially selected positions in the range, not by tubing but by air transfer chambers connecting the bladder and a sleeve associated with the expandable ring with passage in the center shaft.The present invention relates to a building arbor for tires and like articles.The principal object of the invention is the provision of a simple, low cost building arbor actuable solely by fluid pressure to position an inextensible bead ring about a ply in cylindrical form on the arbor and to turn the ply ending about the bead ring.

Abstract: Uniformity in weight per unit length of continuously extruded tire tread stock is improved by measuring a dimension thereof such as thickness in the tread stock between the extruder die face and the conveyor and controlling the speed of the conveyor in response to deviations from an arbitrary norm of the dimension. A laser beam measuring device for measuring thickness variations in the tread stock before it reaches the conveyor and while the tread stock remains dimensionally unstable following its extrusion.

Abstract: An inflatable bladder for a tire building drum is adapted for mounting snugly on a cylindrical drum extension which has a circumferential groove accommodating a non-inflatable elastic ring secured integrally to the bladder. The bladder inner wall has a flangeless port between two circumferential sealing ribs integral with the bladder wall. The port is in air-flow communication with a channel in the outer surface of the extension.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for splicing two rolls of tire cord fabric in axially aligned relation. A plurality of splicing rods are forced through overlapped ends of the rolls from opposing longitudinal sides of the fabric. The splicing rods are guided through the overlapped ends at successive points spaced along parallel lines angularly disposed to the parallel warp cords of the fabric and alternately pierce and pass through the pieces of fabric from the farthest spaced faces of the overlapped ends. The splicing rods are firmly snubbed together and held in position by the coaction of the warp cords and weft threads of the fabric, as the fabric is tensioned.

Abstract: A machine used in the renewal of large earthmover type tires, wherein the worn lugs are completely removed from the tire casing and replaced with convolutions of unvulcanized rubber material. The machine is provided with a heated knife blade which is utilized to cut a series of grooves in the unvulcanized rubber material of the tread in accordance with a pattern mounted on the machine. The pattern consists of a cam with a curved outer periphery which is monitored as the cam rotates on the machine. The depth to which the knife cuts into the unvulcanized rubber material as it moves transversely across the tread, is varied in accordance with the periphery of the cam being monitored.

Abstract: An apparatus for squaring or trimming the edges of the elastomeric (uncured) cover of an industrial belt. An edge sensor is disposed to track each of the edges of a bare or uncovered carcass foward of the calender nip in which the cover is applied. Rotating trim blades for trimming excess gum from the respective edges of the covered belt are moved laterally proportionally to the algebraic sum of the deviations of the edges of the carcass from their respective ideal lines. Thus, an adequate but not excessive amount of the cover gum is provided to cover the respective edges of the carcass of the belt. The respective edge sensors are hydraulically connected with the trim blades for synchronized movement so as to maintain the described thickness of cover gum outwardly from the edges of the carcass.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating wire tire cord on a spool with a substance for increasing the bond between the wire tire cord and rubber material used in the production of tires. The apparatus is composed of a hollow pipe which forms a chamber in which the spools of wire are coated. The pipe is inclined from the horizontal and is provided with a longitudinally extending trackway on which spools of wire can roll, by gravity, axially through the pipe and treatment chamber. Means are provided for circulating liquid coating through the chamber and for alternately creating a vacuum and pressure within the chamber to increase penetration of the liquid coating into the interstices between segments of cord wrapped on the spool. Other means are supplied for circulating a drying fluid in the chamber to dry the liquid coating on the wire of each spool disposed within the treatment chamber.

Abstract: A dewebbing unit and dip tank used in the treatment of tire cord fabric with a liquid coating containing an agent for increasing the bond between the cords of the fabric and rubber material used in the production of tires. The dip tank has a pair of weirs which the liquid coating is caused to overflow for contact with the tire cord fabric which is directed across the weirs. The dewebbing unit includes a chamber in which fluid, under pressure, is alternately passed through the fabric from opposing sides of the fabric to simultaneously vibrate the fabric and pass air through the pores of the fabric.

Abstract: Non-destructive examination of an article, particularly a tire for the presence, and particularly the depth below the surface, of an anomaly such as a discontinuity, void or foreign matter inclusion, employs ultrasonic energy. A transmitter of ultrasonic energy is disposed normal to the touching the surface of the article to be examined so as to feed ultrasonic energy thereinto. Ultrasonic energy receivers spaced apart from each other and from the trasmitter receive ultrasonic energy emergent or radiated from the surface of the article. With the tire, or other article, moving at a constant rate relative to the transmitter and receivers, a subsurface anomaly occludes or interrupts the energy beamed to the first receiver and then to the second. The time lapse and distance traveled between the two interruptions are proportional to the depth below the surface of the anomaly causing the interruptions. The energy received including the successive interruptions is displayed on an oscillograph.