Abstract: Upper and lower rollers have grooves for a bead ring having a clamp area portion produced by a bead winding machine. The bead ring is placed in the groove of the lower roller with the beginning of the clamp area portion in position for pressing by lowering of the upper roller so that the bead ring is engaged by the groove in the upper roller. The rollers are oscillated between the pressing position at the beginning of the clamp area and the end of the clamp area to roll the top, bottom and sides of the clamp area portion during the movement of the bead ring. The pressure on the bead ring is released by raising the upper roller at the initial pressing position at the beginning of the clamp area so that the bead ring may be removed with the same orientation it had when it was placed in the groove.

Abstract: Air spring components and the completed air spring are carried by an air spring unloader, an end cap holder and a tubular member loader of a shuttle mechanism along a track member adjacent an air spring assembly apparatus. The shuttle mechanism is movable to three positions controlled by stop members so that the air spring can be transferred to the unloader, the end cap can be inserted in a recess of the assembly apparatus and the tubular member positioned for processing by the assembly apparatus. Simultaneously with some of these operations the air spring is transferred to a conveyor and the end cap is transferred from a loading support to the end cap holder. The loader and unloader each have a vertically movable cradle with an overarm clamp for supporting and releasing the tubular member and air spring. The end cap holder has a resiliently mounted chuck on a sliding support for transferring an end cap from a recess in the loading support and inserting the end cap in a recess of the assembly apparatus.

Abstract: A composite cord for reinforcing a tire or other elastomeric article having at least one high strength, substantially inextensible yarn spirally wrapped around a core. The core at room temperature has sufficient strength and elasticity to resist and recover from tension forces on the core required during the processing of the cord and building of the tire. The core is composed of material which loses its tensile strength when subjected to temperatures of vulcanization to permit stretching out of the yarn to allow for substantial elongation of a part or all of the tire and then provide reinforcement of the elongated tire by the stretched out, high strength yarn.

Abstract: A strip of plastic material is cut by clamping the strip and then moving a cutting blade from a retracted position to a first position in cutting engagement with the strip. Simultaneously a supporting blade in overlapping relation with the cutting blade is moved to the first position for lifting the strip. The movement of the supporting blade stops at the first position and the cutting blade movement is continued through the strip. The cutting surface of the cutting blade is recessed adjacent the cutting edge so that upon movement of the cutting blade the contact with the strip is minimized to prevent the formation of burrs on the severed ends of the strip. After the strip is severed the cutting blade is retracted to the first position. From the first position, the cutting blade and supporting blade are moved to a fully retracted position and the strip unclamped so that the severed portion of the strip can be removed and the remaining portion of the strip moved into position for the next cut.

Abstract: Apparatus for gripping a tire bead, moving the tire vertically and axially over an extruder nozzle die to a position within the tire chamber where a continuous extruded strip is applied to an inside surface of the tire as the tire is rotated. The extruded strip may be applied in a plurality of side-by-side turns connected by angular portions provided by axial indexing of the tire in a predetermined amount for a predetermined time. Means are also provided for spreading the tire beads and pressing the strip against the tire surface without interfering with the movement of the tire over and around the extruder nozzle die.

Abstract: A continuous strip of puncture sealing material is applied to an inside surface of a tire by laying and adhering a plurality of side-by-side turns of the strip with the different turns connected by angular crossing portions in the area of a first circumferential position of the tire. The first crossing portion overlaps a first end of the first turn. The other end of the strip is tapered and overlaps the last crossing portion and a portion of the last turn of the strip. The first circumferential position of the tire may be at a light spot circumferentially of the tire for improved balance of the tire. By overlapping the edge of the strip and pressing the material against the tire surface, the resulting puncture sealing layer is continuous and completely covers the surface of the tire under the crown portion for protection against punctures due to nails and other sharp objects.

Abstract: A composite cord for reinforcing a tire or other elastomeric article having at least one high strength, substantially inextensible yarn spirally wrapped around a core. The core at room temperature has sufficient strength and elasticity to resist and recover from tension forces on the core required during the processing of the cord and building of the tire. The core is composed of material which loses its tensile strength when subjected to temperatures of vulcanization to permit stretching out of the yarn to allow for substantial elongation of a part or all of the tire and then provide reinforcement of the elongated tire by the stretched out, high strength yarn.