Abstract: An improved tire 200 having precured tire tread 10 for mounting to an unvulcanized or a vulcanized tire casing 100 is disclosed. The improved precured tread 10 has a pair of circumferentially continuous projections 60. One projection 60 extends axially outwardly from each of the lateral surfaces 40,50 of the tread. The projection 60 provides a means for air tightly sealing the tread casing assembly at the lateral surfaces 40,50 during the vulcanization of the tread 10 to the casing 100. The method of assembly includes placing the tread 10 and casing 100 in a smooth mold, closing the mold inflating a bladder expanding the casing 100 into the tread 10, the tread 10 correspondingly expands effecting an air tight sealing of the tread 10 and the mold at the annular projections 60 of the tread 10, applying heat and pressure causing a uniform flow of unvulcanized material radially outwardly along the tread edges.

Abstract: An improved method for mounting an annular tread 1 onto a tire casing 2 is described. The improved method comprises the steps of expanding the tread 1 radially and encircling the expanded tread with a transfer mechanism 30. The transfer mechanism 30 has a means 90 for holding the lateral edges 5 of the tread 1 in the expanded condition independent of the center 6 of the tread 1. The means 90 for holding the lateral edges 5 of the tread 1 is accomplished without contacting the radially inner surface 7 of the tread 1. The transfer mechanism 30 has a means 92 for circumferentially clamping the central portion of the tread 1 to the casing 2. The transfer mechanism 30 with expanded tread 1 is centered over the casing 2. The means 92 for clamping the central portion 6 of the tread 1 is actuated while holding the lateral edges 5 of the tread 1 in the transfer mechanism 30.

Abstract: An improved method for mounting an annular tread 1 onto a tire casing 2 is described. The improved method comprises the steps of expanding the tread 1 radially and encircling the expanded tread with a transfer mechanism 30. The transfer mechanism 30 has a means 90 for holding the lateral edges 5 of the tread 1 in the expanded condition independent of the center 6 of the tread 1. The means 90 for holding the lateral edges 5 of the tread 1 is accomplished without contacting the radially inner surface 7 of the tread 1. The transfer mechanism 30 has a means 92 for circumferentially clamping the central portion of the tread 1 to the casing 2, The transfer mechanism 30 with expanded tread 1 is centered over the casing 2. The means 92 for clamping the central portion 6 of the tread 1 is actuated while holding the lateral edges 5 of the tread 1 in the transfer mechanism 30.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for grinding the edge of a precured tread (100) is described. The method for removing material from and shaping an edge of a precured tread comprises the steps of:a) placing the edge of the tread in a V-shaped groove of a grinding wheel;b) rotating the grinding wheel while it is in contact with the tread edge; andc) moving the tread and grinding wheel relative to one another, the movement being in a direction causing the edge of the tread to be ground to move through the groove in the grinding wheel. The preferred method comprises mounting a winged tread on an apparatus (10) capable of grinding the wing tip of the tread, the apparatus (10) buffing the tread wing (108) such that the wing tip (110) is ground along axially inner and outer surfaces (112,114) a radial distance of at least 5 mm about the circumferential extent of the wing, wherein the inner and outer surfaces (112,114) of the wing tip are ground to form two surfaces that intersect.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for buffing a tread is described. The method comprises mounting a tread on an apparatus capable of bufffing the casing engaging surface of said tread, the apparatus buffing the tread such that the grooves are formed on the buffed tread surface. The grooves angularly intercept a tread edge.

Abstract: A bead former (14) has a gripping mechanism (90,92) for gripping a leading end (106) of a bead ribbon (12) at a position recessed in the surface (18) of the former (14) during the initial rotation of the former (14). The gripping mechanism (90,92) has a seat member (92) movable radially outward of the former (14) into a supporting position at the surface (18) of the former (14) after releasing the leading end (106) for supporting the leading end (106) during the latter rotation of the former (14). A pressure roller (20) is rotatably supported in a guide cage (54) mounted on a dual arm (22,48) having a dual actuation system (34,60) for moving the guide cage (54) and pressure roller (20) into position for guiding and compacting the convolutions of bead ribbon (12) wrapped around the former (14) and for providing a high pressure force to crimp the splice area (124 ) of the bead (16).

Abstract: A bead former (14) has a gripping mechanism (90,92) for gripping a leading end (106) of a bead ribbon (12) at a position recessed in the surface (18) of the former (14) during the initial rotation of the former (14). The gripping mechanism (90,92) has a seat member (92) movable radially outward of the former (14) into a supporting position at the surface (18) of the former (14) after releasing the leading end (106) for supporting the leading end (106) during the latter rotation of the former (14). A pressure roller (20) is rotatably supported in a guide cage (54) mounted on a dual arm (22,48) having a dual actuation system (34,60) for moving the guide cage (54) and pressure roller (20) into position for guiding and compacting the convolutions of bead ribbon (12) wrapped around the former (14) and for providing a high pressure force to crimp the splice area (124 ) of the bead (16).

Abstract: A generally cylindrical wall member (14) of resilient material has an opening (22) extending axially of the container (10) for inserting beads (12) into individual compartments (54) in the container (10). Axially extending sides (30) of the wall member (14) are resiliently movable radially outwardly to grip and hold the beads (12) during transporting. The curvature of the sides (30) is such that a range of different diameter beads (12) can be accommodated. The wall member sides (30) are also resiliently yieldable radially outwardly to permit removal of the beads (12) during movement of the container (10) in a radial direction away from the beads (12) after they are placed around a bead support of a bead storing and feeding apparatus.