Abstract: The invention features a kit for the construction of a tire forming drum. The tire forming drum has, in an assembled configuration, a tire forming surface for the formation of a tire preform thereon. The kit is comprised of a plurality of assemblable and disassemblable individual and discrete components. Included in the components are a removable mandrel having a substantially central axis, and a peripheral surface substantially encircling the central axis. Also included in the components is a plurality of arcuate drum segment members for substantially encircling, in the assembled configuration, the above-mentioned mandrel. Each of the plurality of arcuate drum segment members have an inner surface which, in the assembled configuration, at least partially contacts the peripheral surface of the mandrel, thereby substantially preventing inward radial movement of the plurality of arcuate drum segment members towards the central axis of the mandrel.

Abstract: The invention features a kit for the construction of a tire forming drum. The tire forming drum has, in an assembled configuration, a tire forming surface for the formation of a tire preform thereon. The kit is comprised of a plurality of assemblable and disassemblable individual and discrete components. Included in the components are a removable mandrel having a substantially central axis, and a peripheral surface substantially encircling the central axis. Also included in the components is a plurality of arcuate drum segment members for substantially encircling, in the assembled configuration, the above-mentioned mandrel. Each of the plurality of arcuate drum segment members have an inner surface which, in the assembled configuration, at least partially contacts the peripheral surface of the mandrel, thereby substantially preventing inward radial movement of the plurality of arcuate drum segment members towards the central axis of the mandrel.

Abstract: The bladder has at least a portion of its outer surface comprising a fabric layer of cords partially embedded therein so that such cords project slightly above the rubber surface. The article is manufactured by calendering a fabric layer of cords on one side only with a coating of uncured and unvulcanized rubber, applying the layer to the bladder material with the rubber coated surface in contact therewith, and heating the article so formed to cure the rubber coating. The curing causes some of the rubber coating to flow between and over the outside surfaces of the cords. This excess rubber is removed by abrading the article so as to expose the cords. The abrading removes some of the cured rubber between the cords so that the cords project slightly above the surface of the rubber substrate.

Abstract: In the two-stage manufacture of radial ply tires, the sidewall stock is applied to the cylindrical tire body on a mandrel so as to overlie the turned over ply ends and extend beyond them, and while the mandrel is stationary, the sidewalls are bonded to the underlying plies by inflating bladder assemblies so as to cause them to press the sidewall stock against the underlying plies.

Abstract: The device comprises five concentric rings, the outer surfaces of which are contoured to form four circumferential split grooves in which the beads of the two bladders are clamped. The rings are assembled in proper angular position on dowels fixed to one end ring and extending through the three adjoining rings. Certain of the inner rings are clamped together as sub-assemblies by screws through their rims, and all five are clamped together by other screws extending through their rims.

Abstract: The ply turn-down fingers are mounted between an inner and outer ring. One ring being formed of an elastomer having mechanical properties of those of rubber and plastic. To remove a finger, the mounting screws nearest the fingers turn-down each side thereof and are removed. The elastomer ring is then bent or distorted away from the finger a distance to free its toe and the finger is withdrawn. A replacement finger is inserted in the same way. The operation can be carried out without freeing the adjacent fingers.