Abstract: A transfer roll for transferring a strip component from a conveyor to a tire building drum has an outer rim member rotatably mounted on a cylindrical ring member which is mounted on an inner hub for movement relative to the tire building drum. A pair of piston-cylinder assemblies control the movement of the cylindrical ring member to press the outer rim member against the strip component on a tire building drum. The outer rim member is rotated by a motor mounted for movement with the cylindrical ring memebr and the amount of rotation is controlled by control means including an encoder mounted for movement with the cylindrical ring member and in engagement with the outer ring member. A pair of the transfer rolls may be mounted on a shaft with means for adjusting the distance between the rolls after the strip components are transferred from the conveyor to the rolls in a conveyor position and moved to an intermediate adjusting position.

Abstract: A rack (28) which supports the beads (12) in a separated condition is transported to the storing and feeding apparatus (10) where the rack (28) is used to place the beads (12) around a plurality of continuous conveyors (20) which are expanded to grip the beads (12). After the rack (28) is removed from the feeding and storing apparatus (10), the conveyors (20) are actuated to simultaneously and intermittently feed the beads (12) to a bead transfer member. The apparatus (10) includes means (64,66,89) to adjust and level the conveyors (20) to accommodate a range of bead sizes and means (118) to insure feeding of one bead (12) at a time.

Abstract: A sheet member is transported over a knife anvil by a feed conveyor movable from a first position adjacent the knife anvil to a second position overlapping the knife anvil. The feed conveyor has a moving belt which is driven in a forward direction for transporting the sheet member over the anvil and to a takeaway conveyor. The belt is driven in an opposite direction to pull the cut leading edge of the sheet material away from the end of the feed conveyor after cutting of the sheet material and during movement of the feed conveyor to the overlapping position over the anvil. A rotary knife is moved along the knife anvil and is mounted for rocking of the knife in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the knife to provide a positive shear point.

Abstract: A rack (28) which supports the beads (12) in a separated condition is transported to the storing and feeding apparatus (10) where the rack (28) is used to place the beads (12) around a plurality of continuous conveyors (20) which are expanded to grip the beads (12). After the rack (28) is removed from the feeding and storing apparatus (10), the conveyors (20) are actuated simultaneously and intermittently to feed the beads (12) to a bead transfer member. The apparatus (10) includes means (64,66,89) to adjust and level the conveyors (20) to accommodate a range of bead sizes and means (118) to insure feeding of one bead (12) at a time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method wherein strip material is clamped to a shuttle finger slidably mounted in a shuttle casing which in turn is slidably mounted on a strip applier frame. The shuttle casing and shuttle finger are movable simultaneously from a retracted first position to a second position with the end of the shuttle casing adjacent an applicator roll. The shuttle finger is then movable by itself from the second position to a third position for transferring a tongue portion of the strip onto the applicator roll. The tongue portion may then be elevated into clamping engagement with the drum and the strip released from the shuttle finger. The shuttle casing and shuttle finger may then be returned to the first position, the drum rotated a predetermined amount to partially wrap the strip around the drum and the strip cut at a predetermined location whereupon the drum is rotated to fully wrap the strip of flexible material around the drum.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method wherein strip material is clamped to a shuttle finger slidably mounted in a shuttle casing which in turn is slidably mounted on a strip applier frame. The shuttle casing and shuttle finger are movable simultaneously from a retracted first position to a second position with the end of the shuttle casing adjacent an applicator roll. The shuttle finger is then movable by itself from the second position to a third position for transferring a tongue portion of the strip onto the applicator roll. The tongue portion may then be elevated into clamping engagement with the drum and the strip released from the shuttle finger. The shuttle casing and shuttle finger may then be returned to the first position, the drum rotated a predetermined amount to partially wrap the strip around the drum and the strip cut at a predetermined location whereupon the drum is rotated to fully wrap the strip of flexible material around the drum.