Abstract: This device consists of a wheel rim having a protuberance that protrudes radially outwardly with respect to the bead seat, the height of which, with respect to said seat, varies from a maximum to a minimum, both along the rim circumference as well as along the axis thereof. The minimum values are found along the axial extremities of said protuberance and not lying in the same axial plane.

Abstract: An expandible tire-building drum for making toric shaped tire carcasses built in the form of cylindrical sleeves is provided. The cylindrical sleeves have at their extremities, annular bulges which are circumferentially inextensible and are radially developed towards the inside. These bulges form the beads on the carcass. The height of the bead is one-half the difference between the internal diameter of the said sleeve and the internal diameter of the said bead. The drum comprises two co-axial discs, constituted substantially by a hub and an annular flange fixed to the hub, axially slidable reciprocally and fixed with each other in rotation. The said discs are supported on a rotating shaft which projects in cantilever fashion from a driving device. The discs comprise a radially external surface having a first part, capable of receiving the beads of the sleeve, and being defined as "bead-seat".

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for joining overlapping fore and rear ends of two pieces of deformable material which are placed in overlapping relationship through the conjunctive use of a first fixed support surface supporting a protruding rear edge of one of the pieces of material and a second rotative support surface supporting a non-protruding fore edge of the second piece of material. Each support surface is provided with associated devices for shifting an associated support edge of material to create small waves of material near the edges of the first and second pieces of material. The shifted pieces of material are overlapped by rotating the second support surface into substantial alignment with the first support surface thereby bringing the fore edge of the second piece under and in contact with the rear protruding edge of the first piece. A pressing device joins the overlapped edges of the two pieces of material by pressing them against the second support surface.

Abstract: A process is provided for turning-up sidestrips and the ends of body plies on the sidewalls of a torus-shaped tire body. The body of the tire is expanded circumferentially, the ends are turned over and the sidewall strips are stitched simultaneously.An apparatus for practicing the process has a device provided with a support for the assembly which turns-up the sidestrips and ends of the body plies which permits insertion and removal of the assembly in the cavity of the tire.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for accurately and readily forming a continuous band of rubberized fabric having transversal reinforcing metal elements by butt-splicing wherein a first and second piece of rubberized fabric having transversal reinforcing metal elements are positioned such that the initial end of the second piece is a predetermined distance from the terminal end of the first piece on a common plane with the reinforcing metal cords running parallel to the ends of the pieces, butt-splicing the pieces, without overlapping, by mutually approaching the pieces, obtaining a uniform accumulation of the rubber of the rubberized fabric about the reinforcing cords as well as a local thickening of the latter at a zone symmetrically situated with respect to the contact surface of the ends and whose width is proportional to the pre-established distance wherein the pieces are bound by the operating parts of the splicing apparatus, releasing the pieces from the operating parts of the splicing apparatus and winding up th

Abstract: A method is disclosed for accurately and readily forming a continuous band of rubberized fabric having transversal reinforcing metal elements by butt-splicing wherein a first and second piece of rubberized fabric having transversal reinforcing metal elements are positioned such that the initial end of the second piece is a predetermined distance from the terminal end of the first piece on a common plane with the reinforcing metal cords running parallel to the ends of the pieces, butt-splicing the pieces, without overlapping, by mutually approaching the pieces, obtaining a uniform accumulation of the rubber of the rubberized fabric about the reinforcing cords as well as a local thickening of the latter at a zone symmetrically situated with respect to the contact surface of the ends and whose width is proportional to the pre-established distance wherein the pieces are bound by the operating parts of the splicing apparatus, releasing the pieces from the operating parts of the splicing apparatus and winding up th