Abstract: A means for transmitting logic information from two members which move relative to one another by means of fluid logic signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting logic information from two members which move relative to one another by use of fluid logic signals. A shaping turret employing an upper structure carrying a plurality of bladderless shaping drums or flanges which ae driven and controlled by apparatus requiring only one rotary coupling between the upper structure and its associated base is employed.

Abstract: A tire assembly means employing a conveyor (12) which is used to transport a plurality of tire building drums (14) to a plurality of applicator stations (11) wherein various components are applied to the tire building drums (14) at the various applicator stations (11) in order to fabricate a tire when the tire building drums have made a complete traversal of the conveyor (12), wherein the tire building drums (14) are maintained in an angled relationship with respect to the conveyor (12) and the applicator stations (11).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a tire building apparatus (10) and preferred method for building a tire. The apparatus includes a longitudinally movable carriage (12), a guideway (20) for the longitudinal movement of the carriage, a headstock (14) mounted on the carriage, a tire assembly drum (11) having an inboard end (29) and an outboard end (28), and a drum support (15) mounted on the carriage. A plurality of operation stations (A-G) are spaced longitudinally along the guideway, and mechanical datum (30), fixedly located at each operation station, are provided to engage mechanical locators (31) secured to the carriage. A bladder (42) is provided selectively to cause engagement of the locators with the mechanical datum at each successive station to locate the tire assembly drum precisely with respect to the operation station.

Abstract: A bead bundle positioning mechanism is provided to accurately locate one axial surface of each bead bundle prior to radial expansion of the tire carcass. Each bundle (62) is held by a plurality of circumferentially spaced clamping mechanisms (10) each of which has a pair of clamping elements (40,48) respectively engaging the axially inner (68) and axially outer (72) surfaces of the bead bundle (62). The axially inner surface (68) of each bead bundle (62) is located by respective clamp members (40,48) which are adapted to cooperate with a tire building machine to provide a predetermined axial distance between the bead bundles during tire assembly while also maintaining the inner axial surfaces in parallel planes which are normal to the longitudinal axis (15) of the tire building drum (74). The inner and outer clamping elements (40,48) are actuated by independent fluid motors (34,36).