Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for assembling and bonding a pre-cured tread strip to the carcass of a new tire or the casing of a tire to be retreaded wherein the tread is preheated and that heat is utilized to assist in the final bonding of the tread to the carcass. A heated drum is utilized, with the tread being wrapped around the periphery thereof and brought to an elevated temperature following which a roller type transfer mechanism is used to transfer the tread to a tire support and assembly apparatus where a stitcher and locking and sealing ring temporarily secure the tread to the periphery of the carcass with previously applied cushion gum material sandwiched therebetween. A shifting mechanism is then activated to transfer the tire and the tire support and assembly apparatus to a curing chamber where the tread is engaged by a heated belt which, together with the residual heat in the tread, serves to complete bonding of the tread to the carcass.

Abstract: An improved method of manufacturing or retreading pneumatic tires is disclosed wherein a precured tread component is bonded to a tire carcass or casing primarily by utilization of the residual heat in the precured tread component. The method includes the steps of molding or vulcanizing the tread in an apparatus such as a mold or other conventional type device designed to form and vulcanize a tire tread with or without the tread design. The method also includes providing the new tire carcass in finished form or a buffed casing, except for the tread, and conveying the precured tread at an elevated temperature to the tire carcass and applying the same thereon. In applying the tread to the carcass, the carcass is mounted on a mechanism capable of rotating the tire and precisely guiding the heated tread onto the carcass, and also includes stitching the tread to the carcass and using an intermediate bonding medium which is known in the trade as cushion rubber.

Abstract: Improved apparatus is disclosed for bonding tread material to tire carcasses utilizing a flexible heat conducting belt one end of which is secured to the tread and the remaining length thereof encircles the periphery of the tread and, by virtue of its heat conducting properties, assists in the bond of the tread to the tire carcass. The flexibility of the belt, as contrasted to a rigid matrix, for example, also permits the belt to conform to the tread configuration. One form of the invention disclosed also includes a second belt laminated to the first and having more strength so that the required pressure to assist in the curing operation can be accomplished without using a conventional pressure chamber. A further form of the invention discloses a laminated metallic type belt which again has one end secured to the tread and is wrapped about the periphery of the assembled tire.