Abstract: Assembly drum of variable diameter D, intended for the manufacture of a tire blank, the drum having a generally cylindrical laying surface (2) provided with circular grooves (3) arranged axially in a zone intended to receive profiled elements of great thickness, said groove (3) containing elastic circumferential bodies (4). When the drum D is moved to a first laying diameter, a mechanical means moves the elastic body (4) radially apart from the bottom of the groove, so as to align the radially outer surface of the elastic body (4) with the laying surface of the drum (2).

Abstract: During manufacture of a tire, a carcass reinforcement ply is wound on a cylindrical laying surface on which have been deposited a pair of profiled elements spaced apart along the cylinder axis. The reinforcement ply is fed onto the laying surface while being pressed thereagainst by an application roller which is deformable so as to conform to both the cylinder diameter and the larger radii defined by the profiled elements. Additional rollers can be positioned upstream of the application roller for pressing the ply against respective ones of the profiled elements. A transporter supports one or both the end portions of the ply as they leave a feeder conveyor and approach the laying surface.

Abstract: Assembly drum of variable diameter D, intended for the manufacture of a tire blank, the drum having a generally cylindrical laying surface (2) provided with circular grooves (3) arranged axially in a zone intended to receive profiled elements of great thickness, said groove (3) containing elastic circumferential bodies (4). When the drum D is moved to a first laying diameter, a mechanical means moves the elastic body (4) radially apart from the bottom of the groove, so as to align the radially outer surface of the elastic body (4) with the laying surface of the drum (2).

Abstract: An assembly drum for tire manufacture includes a body (2) mounted on a central shaft (6) and having a generally cylindrical surface (3), for receiving the products to be assembled to make up a tire, as well as axially spaced shoulders (4, 5). The shoulders (4, 5) are movable axially and radially between a retracted position of the drum (1), in which the reception surface (3) has a minimum diameter and axial length, and a working position of the drum, in which the diameter and axial length of the reception surface (3) are very much greater than those in the retracted position. The shoulders respectively carry means (15, 16) for holding the products making up the tire in contact with the shoulders.