Abstract: A flange for a tire building drum having a transverse central plane and including a central shaft having a longitudinal axis which defines a rotational axis of the drum including first and second sets of outer-circumference defining shoes which are expandable from radially retracted positions internally of the drum to radially extended positions to define first and second mirror image circumferential radial flanges which are disposed on respective ones of the opposite sides of, and parallel to, the transverse central plane of the drum, each set of shoes including a plurality of individual shoes, each of which is a generally triangular geometry when viewed in a plan view thereof and having respective apices, bases and opposite sides.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided improved means for centering of a green vehicle tire carcass on a shaping drum. “Centering” as used herein and unless otherwise stated or obvious from the context of its use, includes positioning of the bead ring-containing. opposite ends of a carcass substantially equidistantly from the centerplane of the drum and substantially radially equidistant from, and substantially concentric about, the rotational axis of the drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing for minimization of the separation of a plurality of radially collapsible, generally circular, mandrels which are mounted for axial movement along the longitudinal axis of a central shaft. The method and apparatus is useful for shaping of a green vehicle tire carcass employing a shaping drum which includes dual mandrels which are axially displace able along the longitudinal axis of the drum and adapted to engage respective ones of first and second beads of the carcass.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus and a method for converting circular motion to radial motion. In one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, a mandrel is provided which includes a generally circular tubular housing. Internally of the tubular housing there are disposed a plurality of partitions which are anchored at spaced apart locations about the toroidal dimension of the housing and which define fixed fluid-tight seals across the cross-sectional area of the housing. Within the chamber defined between adjacent ones of the partitions, there is provided a piston member, each piston member has operatively associated therewith the proximal end of a linkage adapted to convert circular motion of its piston member within the housing into radial movement of the distal end of the linkage.

Abstract: A drum for the formation of a vehicle tire carcass including bead positioning features, the drum including multiple subsystems which are operatively and cooperatively interconnected to enhance the definition of embryonic sidewalls of the tire.

Abstract: A rotatable drum useful in the manufacture of vehicle tires. A plurality of segments collectively define the outer circumferential surface of the drum. These segments are divided into two sets, one set being disposed on each of the opposite sides of a transverse center plane of the drum, the center plane being oriented normal to the rotational axis of the drum. The two sets of segments are mounted for selective positioning thereof axially of the drum from a location external of the drum to adjust the overall working width of the drum. Further, the segments are selectively positionable between expanded positions radially of the rotational axis of the drum to provide a relatively continuous circumferential outer surface of the drum for the layup of a tire carcass thereon, and collapsed positions radially of the drum to permit the removal of a formed toroidal carcass from the drum.

Abstract: A rotatable drum (10) for use in the manufacture of vehicle tires, the drum including a plurality of segments which collectively define an outer circumference (32) of the drum. The segments are divided into first and second end portions (15,17) which are individually mounted for axial and radial movement between expanded and retracted positions relative to the rotational axis (16) of the drum.

Abstract: A belt and tread drum having an annular shell comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced segments, each of which is mounted on a carrier which disposed in circumscribing relationship to a generally cylindrical actuator rotatably connected with a reciprocating piston disposed within a cavity defined between the actuator and a hub fixed to a central core of the drum. Translational movement of the piston between extended and retracted positions in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the drum is converted into selected rotational movement of the actuator relative to the hub. A plurality of sets of links interposed between the segments and the actuator and hub have their first ends commonly pivotally pinned to a segment. The second end of one link of each set of links is pivotally pinned to the actuator and the second end of the other link of each set of links is pivotally pinned to the hub.

Abstract: System for releasably attaching a shell segment to a core section of a drum useful in the manufacture of vehicle tires. The system includes an outwardly opening longitudinal groove in the outer surface of the core section and a like groove in inner surface of the shell segment. These grooves are designed to overlie one another and cooperatively define a channel when the segment is positioned in overlying relationship to the core section. An actuator/slide/wedge/stop combination is disposed with the channel.

Abstract: Apparatus including a frame, preferably circular in geometry and having a cental axis. At spaced apart locations about the circumference of the frame there are provided a plurality of links, each of which is pivotally mounted on a the frame and each of which carries a shoe having an arcuate surface. Each link includes at least one leg portion having an outboard end, The outboard ends of the leg portions of the plurality of links are interconnected with one another and with a drive mechansim whose operation serves to rotate the interconnected links in unison about their respective rotational mountings to the frame. As the links are rotated, their respective shoes are caused to move along an arcuate path which repositions the shoes generally radially inwardly or outwardly with respect to the central axis of the apparatus. To retain the circularity of the arcuate surfaces of the shoes as they are moved radially inwardly and outwardly, the shoes are interconnected by respective rigid rods.

Abstract: Apparatus defining an outer circumference suitable to serve as a forming surface or an inner circumference suitable to serve as a circumference-engaging surface. The apparatus is particularly useful in the forming of the belt and tread package of a vehicle tire or as a transfer ring for grasping a belt and tread package of a vehicle tire. The apparatus includes a plurality of multi-sectioned segments of arcuate cross-section which collectively define the cylindrical surface of the apparatus and which are supported for movement radially of the longitudinal axis of the apparatus for adjustment of the circumference of the cylindrical surface. Each segment includes an intermediate section and two side sections hingedly connected to the intermediate section. The segments also include guide plates which cooperate with a side section of an adjacent segment so that movement of each segment radially of the drum effects a corresponding hinged movement of a side section of an adjacent arcuate segment.

Abstract: A belt and tread drum for use in the manufacture of vehicle tires and having a plurality of circumference-defining segments whose radial position is determined by a camming means. The extent of movement of the camming means is selectable by stop means associated with a central shaft which serves to mount the camming means and the stop means. Visual indication of the selected circumference of the drum is provided.

Abstract: A method for adjustment of the width dimension of a bead lock drum of the type used in the manufacture of vehicle tires and which includes a plurality of circumference-defining segments whose combined lengths represent the width of the drum and wherein the segments are divided into at least two sets and movably mounted on carriages for postioning of the segments apart to receive therein spacer means and together to collectively define the outer circumference of the drum.

Abstract: An improved transfer ring for use in vehicle tire making equipment wherein the carcass of the tire and the belt and tread package are made up at different and separate physical locations and thereafter the belt and tread package is transferred onto the carcass employing the transfer ring whereupon the two components of the tire are married. The present transfer ring includes first and second motive means for effecting grasping motion of a plurality of shoes of the transfer ring to cause the shoes to engage the belt and tread package about its outer circumference. In a preferred embodiment, the grasping motion is effected in multiple stages and the extent of motion is selectively adjustable. A method for effecting transfer of a belt and tread package is disclosed.

Abstract: A bead lock drum for use in the manufacture of vehicle tires and including multiple carriages disposed about a central shaft and carrying a plurality of circumference-defining segments, the carriages and segments being separable about a transverse plane of the drum for removal and insertion of spacers between adjacent aligned segments and suitable to alter the width dimension of the drum and permit the use of a single drum for making various width tires of a given rim size.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for rotatably supporting a conveyor roller tube for a belt conveyor about a fixed shaft which 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 end cover completely covers the end of the shaft about which it is positioned and cooperates with the housing for effectively protecting the bearing from exposure to contaminants. During conveyor operation, the end cover prevents migration of contaminants along the shaft from the end thereof and the housing centrifugally expels contaminants which may enter the space between the housing and the end cover. In addition, the housing, bearing end cover, and shaft cooperate to limit axial shifting of the assembly components relative to one another.

Abstract: The invention is directed to radially collapsible tire building drum assembly which is provided with heavy undercut bead assemblies for the fabrication of tire carcasses, particularly those of multiple bead construction as utilized in high profile tires such as required for heavy trucks, earth movers, and aircraft. The foldable bead ring assembly of the present invention is provided with a plurality of circumferential or arcuate ring segments each supported by a drum segment. In the preferred embodiment, alternately disposed ring segments are provided with pivotable end sections which are pivoted out of the way during the drum collapsing operation to provide recesses for receiving outer end portions of adjacent ring segments. Simultaneously, with this reception of the outer end portions of the adjacent ring segments in the recesses the pivoted end sections are received in receptacles behind the adjacent bead ring segments.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for rotatably supporting a conveyor roller tube for a belt conveyor or the like about a fixed shaft which 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 end cover completely covers the end of the shaft about which it is positioned and cooperates with the housing for effectively protecting the bearing from exposure to contaminants. During conveyor operation, the end cover prevents migration of contaminants along the shaft from the end thereof and the housing centrifugally expels contaminants which may enter the space between the housing and the end cover. In addition, the housing, bearing end cover, and shaft cooperate to limit axial shifting of the assembly components relative to one another.