Abstract: A tire building machine that allows for free axial movement of positioned beads towards a tire drum during expansion of the tire drum. The axial movement of the bead is effected by a rubber sleeve that envelops the tire drum and a pair of bead carrier assemblies, each one located axially outwardly of the drum. Subsequent to positioning the bead in a tire building process, the beads are locked into place by means attached to each of the bead carrier assemblies. Expansion of the drum causes the sleeve to effect inwardly axial movement of the bead carrier assemblies toward the drum carrying the tire beads towards the drum, and retraction of the drum causes outwardly axial movement of the bead carrier assemblies away from the drum.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for high speed automatic production of ply stock in which tire cord fabric on a first conveyor is cut by a bias cutter to form panels which are spliced at the side of said conveyor and then pulled transversely onto a second conveyor. During each cycle a cut panel is advanced by the first conveyor to a stationary transfer position where its uncut side portion is overlapped by the trailing side portion of an adjacent panel in a stationary splicing position on the second conveyor.

Abstract: An adjustable tire building drum is disclosed for use during strip winding of OTR tire treads having nine replaceable segments with interfitting fingers extending circumferentially to define a rigid generally cylindrical shell whose diameter and axial length may readily be adjusted for a wide variety of different tire sizes. A unique precision actuating mechanism is provided for adjusting the segments radially including a heavy cantilever link and an associated stabilizing arm for each segment which maintains rigidity even when the segmental shell is expanded 90 to 100 percent.

Abstract: A high voltage mat testing apparatus which tests successive spaced portions of the mat in a test chamber which houses replaceable test plates to accommodate different widths of matting material.

Abstract: A cutter apparatus for cutting of rubberized fabric material having high strength material embedded therein, wherein a carriage is reciprocated on a support frame, which frame may be adjusted angularly to provide a bias angle of cut. A cutter support is mounted on the carriage for movement therewith. Such cutter support journals for rotation a shaft that supports on one end a rotating cutter. The cutter has a plurality of lobes that taper providing a plurality of linear cutting edges. The cutter cooperates with a linear cutting edge on an anvil that also tapers thereby facilitating the shearing of the fabric material. A guide is mounted on the frame over which the fabric material travels and under which a conveyor belt move, which belt transports the fabric material.

Abstract: A cutter apparatus for cutting of rubberized fabric material having high strength material embedded therein, wherein a carriage is reciprocated on a support frame. A cutter support is mounted on the carriage for movement therewith. Such cutter support journals for rotation a shaft that supports on one end a rotatable cutter. The cutter cooperates with a linear cutting edge of an anvil carried by the cutter support to shear the fabric material. A guide is mounted on the frame over which the fabric material travels and under which a conveyor belt move, which belt transports the fabric material. The rotatable cutter has a concave groove on one side surface adjacent the outer periphery and a concave groove on the circumferentially extending surface that joins the respective side surfaces. The grooves define a circular cutting edge.

Abstract: A mat testing apparatus having an enclosed test chamber with a pair of moveable electrode plates that are cooperative with two pairs of vertically disposed stationary electrode plates. Such pairs of plates are cooperative to define a clearance space between each pair which are operative to receive a portion of a mat material for testing its non-conductivity to a high electrical charge. Feed means are provided to index a predetermined length of matting to the respective clearance spaces between each pair of plates to test spaced portions of a mat. Take-up means are provided at the end of the feed means for wind-up of the mat material.

Abstract: The manufacture of perforated vinyl strips by feeding the strip material continuously without interruption to a punching apparatus that has two pairs of cooperative rotary dies that punch out closely spaced perforations with the first pair of dies scoring the perforations and the second pair punching out the perforations.

Abstract: A brake compensator for use in a servicer that supplies sheet material at a predetermined tension to a tire building drum. Such servicer has a plurality of supply rolls journaled on bearings wherein the bearings have support frames that are fixed to the frames. Collars on shafts that have brake material thereon rest on the support frames and have cooperative surfaces that provide a tensioning to the fabric that is proportional to the quantity of material on the supply roll of the shaft.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for winding tread stock onto a tire by stretching the relatively thin strip of vulcanizable strip as it is being applied to a rotating tire wherein the windings of the strip overlap each other in a stretched condition to provide a uniform contour at any cross section of the tire eliminating air pockets and enhances bonding of the adjacent and overlying stock.

Abstract: A bead dusting apparatus for applying talc to a circular tire bead utilizing a housing with a guideway therethrough. An entrance ramp feeds beads seriation into the housing where a first pair of rollers support and rotate each bead through a tank containing talc. Each bead is then indexed into a second portion of the housing where a second pair of rollers supports and rotates the beads between opposed brushes to remove excess talc. The dusted beads are discharged by a bead indexing mean.

Abstract: A mat testing apparatus having an enclosed test chamber with a moveable electrode platen that is cooperative with a stationary electrode platen to define a clearance space therebetween to receive a portion of a mat for testing its non-conductivity to a high electrical charge. Feed means are provided to index a predetermined length of matting that is cooperative with a let-off means and a take-up roll. The take-up feed is adjusted to its increasing size to provide for change in diameter size.

Abstract: A rim for temporary support of a tire carcass in an inflated condition, and for slow rotation, during application of tread rubber, consists of two airtight discs adjustably mounted on a power driven shaft, one disc having a fixed bead seat and the other disc having a removable bead seat. The space between the bead seats is bridged by telescoping supports, and a safety lock is provided.

Abstract: Tire uniformity measuring method wherein imbalanced forces are measured and then removed from the final forces produced by a high-speed tire to give a final readout of forces which are the true dynamic road wheel contact forces on a tire under load.