Abstract: A multiple-ply tire carcass building apparatus is described. A collapsible/expandable tire band applier is used to sequentially apply a plurality of cylindrical tire bands onto a collapsible tire building drum to form the multiple-ply tire carcass. An air nozzle or a plurality of air jets are longitudinally extend over a portion of the longitudinal surface of the tire building drum and any tire bands thereon and is spatially separated therefrom for facilitating the placing of the tire band onto the tire building drum. Preferably, a selectively positionable light sensing means carried by an expandable with the band applier is utilized to automatically and accurately provide the band applier with an outer diameter slightly less to slightly greater than that of the tire building drum and any tire band thereon so that the tire band can be displaced from the band applier onto the tire building drum.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for rotatably supporting a conveyor roller tube for a belt conveyor or the like about a fixed shaft includes a housing to which a roller tube is attached, an end cover positioned on the fixed shaft adjacent one side of the housing, and a bearing interposed between the housing and end cover permitting rotation of the housing relative to the end cover. The housing and end cover cooperate with the bearing in a manner facilitating the assembly of the bearing assembly and preventing axial shifting of the assembly components relative to one another when assembled.

Abstract: A tire building machine is disclosed that includes an adapter for use between a tire building drum and a drive mechanism that would otherwise be incompatible. In one form of the invention a tire building drum has collapsible outer drum segments that are movable between extended and retracted positions, and a rotatable shaft is connected to extend and retract the segments in response to rotation of the shaft. A drive mechanism rotates the drum and also includes an actuation mechanism that moves reciprocally between first and second displaced positions. The adapter rotates the rotatable shaft in response to reciprocal movement of the actuation mechanism and, thereby, extends and retracts the segments. In this construction, a drive mechanism that provides a reciprocating actuation movement can be combined through the adapter to drive a drum which requires a rotating actuation movement.