Abstract: An improved bead setting assembly includes at least one bead setter. The bead setter in turn includes a frame member and magnetic segments pivotally mounted on the frame member at positions about an opening in the frame member. Means are provided to selectively rotate the magnetic segments radially inwardly to a bead retaining position and radially outwardly from the bead retaining position. A plurality of clamp segments are pivotally mounted on the frame member at positions about the frame opening, and each clamp segment in turn includes a clamp arm with a multi-piece construction. Means are provided for selectively rotating the clamp segments radially inwardly into engagement with the bead and radially outwardly from the bead engagement. A rotary encoder is mounted on the frame member and is operatively connected to a selected one of the clamp segments for determining a disposition of the bead.

Abstract: An apparatus builds an uncured tire. The apparatus includes a cylindrical tire building drum for receiving a ply structure, an applicator for applying a first wedge strip and a second wedge strip to each of two shoulder portions of the ply structure, an extruder for dispensing a strip of material, and a cutting device for splitting the strip of material into the first wedge strip and the second wedge strip.

Abstract: An improved bead setting assembly includes at least one bead setter. The bead setter in turn includes a frame member and magnetic segments pivotally mounted on the frame member at positions about an opening in the frame member. Means are provided to selectively rotate the magnetic segments radially inwardly to a bead retaining position and radially outwardly from the bead retaining position. A plurality of clamp segments are pivotally mounted on the frame member at positions about the frame opening, and each clamp segment in turn includes a clamp arm with a multi-piece construction. Means are provided for selectively rotating the clamp segments radially inwardly into engagement with the bead and radially outwardly from the bead engagement. A rotary encoder is mounted on the frame member and is operatively connected to a selected one of the clamp segments for determining a disposition of the bead.

Abstract: An apparatus is used in the manufacture of a pneumatic tire. The apparatus includes a longitudinal axis and a plurality of arcuate segments defining an arc of a cylindrical surface such that the arcuate segments collectively define the cylindrical surface and the arcuate segments are supported for movement radially relative to the longitudinal axis for adjusting the circumference of the cylindrical surface. Each arcuate segment includes at least one of two side sections of each arcuate segment having a row of spaced fingers corresponding in a fitted arrangement with gaps of an adjacent arcuate segment such that, as the circumference is adjusted and the side sections of each segment hingedly move relative to an intermediate section about a corresponding pivot axis, the fingers move into and out of the gaps provided between the fingers of the adjacent arcuate segment. The fingers and gaps both are tapered at a taper angle relative to the circumferential direction of the apparatus.

Abstract: A tire building system includes a first loop of travel track, a plurality of first carriage housings movably mounted on the first loop, a second loop of travel track, a plurality of second carriage housings movably mounted on the second loop, and a first transfer station of the first loop and a second transfer station of the second loop for interrelating the first loop and the second loop.

Abstract: A tire unloading apparatus for separating a cured tire from a toroidally shaped segmented core body configured to carry the cured tire includes a plurality of tire engaging paddle mechanisms positioned in a spaced apart circular array defining a cured tire receiving central opening, the cured tire mounted to a core body. The paddle mechanisms operatively move between a radially outward tire release position and a radially inward tire gripping position. The tire unloading apparatus further includes a core segment manipulating apparatus operative to move individual core segments from a radially outward tire supporting core body position to a radially inward segment removal position. A plurality of segment support arms forming a circular array below the tire receiving opening are in an operative location to support respective core body segments.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for assembly and disassembly in axial and radial directions mold segments forming a toroidally shaped mold. The apparatus includes mold gripping apparatus operatively engaging and disengaging the mold; and mold transport apparatus for operatively moving the mold gripping apparatus and engaged mold between a mold assembly and disassembly station and a tire curing station. The mold gripping apparatus engages and unlocks an upper mold sidewall segment and mold loading apparatus engages and unlocks a lower mold sidewall segment. Tread segment closing apparatus is provided for operatively opening and closing the tread segments of the mold in a radial direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for disassembling, assembling and using a toroidally shaped segmented core configured to carry a tire during a curing process includes: a transport mechanism operatively moving the segmented core between a plurality of stations in a tire curing line; one or more segment removal devices for removing a plurality of core segments individually from a cured tire and from around a core central axis and placing the core segments individually in respective spaced apart storage locations; and one or more core segment assembly devices for removing the core segments individually from the storage locations and placing the core segments individually in respective core locations to form an assembled segmented core. The apparatus and method operatively sequences to place and remove differently structured core segments individually into and from the assembled core configuration.

Abstract: A tire building and cure station coupling apparatus and method for molding a green tire into a finished tire having a tread pattern. The green tire is constructed on a toroidally shaped core formed by a plurality of core segments each having an outer surface portion which together define a toroidal outer surface surrounding a central axis. The core is adapted to hold a green tire on said toroidal outer surface. A first spindle section is configured to be placed on a first side of the core along the central axis and a second spindle section is configured to be placed on a second side of the core along the central axis and opposite to the first side.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for disassembling a toroidally shaped core is provided. The core is configured to carry a cured tire and includes multiple core segments extending generally radially from a central axis. The apparatus includes a base; one or more segment positioning devices connected for movement relative to the base and operative to move one or more core segments from an assembled core position next to an adjacent core segment around the central axis to a radially inward position; and one or more segment removal devices operatively connected for engaging the one core segment at the radially inward position and removing the one segment from the radially inward position to a remote position external to the core. The segment removal device operatively moves in three axes of motion to relocate the one segment from the remote position to a storage position and deposit the core segment at the storage station in a retrieval-ready orientation.

Abstract: A tire building core manipulating apparatus for a segmented tire building core is provided, the core including a plurality of core segments extending generally radially from a central axis. The manipulating apparatus includes a support frame; a core latching mechanism mounted to the support frame for operatively engaging a mating mechanism on the core whereby suspending the tire building core in a preferred axial orientation and raises and lowers the core to engage one or more stations in a tire curing line. A transport mechanism relocates the support frame with the tire building core in the preferred axial orientation between a plurality of stations in the tire curing line.

Abstract: A core segment manipulating apparatus and method is provided for relocating core segments forming a toroidally shaped core body configured to carry a cured tire. The apparatus includes multiple core key segment engaging mechanisms and core second segment engagement mechanisms arranged in a spaced apart circular array adjacent to respective key segments and second segments of the core body. The key segment and second segment engaging mechanisms operate to individually move respective key segments and second segments from a radially outward core body position to a radially inward segment removal position. The key segment and second segment engaging mechanisms transfer a respective segment to a segment removal device at the segment removal position and return radially outward to a segment-receiving location.

Abstract: A station apparatus method within a tire curing line is provided for assembling and disassembling a toroidally shaped core configured to carry a cured tire. The core includes a plurality of core segments assembling to form a core body and extending generally radially from a central core axis within a core central axial passage. The core further includes first and second locking spindle sections connecting to opposite sides of the core body.

Abstract: Loading apparatus and method for positioning a green tire and core assembly into a toroidally shaped mold includes a stand assembly having a support surface operatively receiving a first mold sidewall forming segment thereon, the surface having a central opening. A spindle engagement assembly projects upwardly through the support surface central opening and includes a coupling mechanism at a forward end operatively mating with a first spindle end of a tire building core. The coupling mechanism operatively suspends a sidewall of a green tire on the tire building core a distance above a first mold sidewall forming segment positioned on the stand support surface. The spindle engagement assembly moves axially between a raised position and a lowered position and, in the lowered position operatively places the sidewall surface of the green tire on the first mold sidewall forming segment.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for reorienting a toroidally shaped core configured to carry a green tire. The core includes a central axis defined through first and second oppositely facing tapered recesses respectively including first and second locking mechanisms. The apparatus includes a core support structure including a base and a reorientation member connected for movement relative to said base and a core coupling member. The core coupling member connects for movement with the reorientation member and includes a core locking mechanism that couples with the core coupling member and locks the core coupling member to the core. A drive system couples with the reorientation member and operatively moves the reorientation member so as to change the orientation of the central axis from a first orientation to a second, different orientation transverse to the first orientation.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism and method for a tooling head is provided, the tooling head including a housing; a cord line feeding passageway extending through the housing to an applicator end, and an applicator assembly at the applicator end for application of the cord line to an annular surface. The cutting mechanism provides a reciprocally moving plunger body housed within the tooling head; a reciprocating cutting member moving between a first position cutting the cord line and a second position in a non-cutting relationship with the cord line; a cutting member being coupled to the plunger body to translate reciprocal movement of the plunger body to reciprocal movement of the cutting member between the first and second positions. A stream of air may be directed into the cord line passageway proximate the cutting member to assist in threading a severed free end of the cord through the passageway to the applicator assembly.

Abstract: A tire building core assembly includes a shell assembly is formed by a plurality of shell segments and includes a central spindle-receiving throughbore. Two spindle units meet in axial alignment within the shell assembly throughbore and retain the shell segments in an expanded configuration forming a toroidal tire building surface. An open socket may be formed in a protruding end of one or both spindle units, the socket configured to couple with an end of an external arm mechanism. A latching mechanism moves between engaged and disengaged positions for releasably couple the one spindle unit to the second spindle unit within the shell assembly throughbore.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for disassembling, assembling and using a toroidally shaped segmented core configured to carry a tire during a curing process includes: a transport mechanism operatively moving the segmented core between a plurality of stations in a tire curing line; one or more segment removal devices for removing a plurality of core segments individually from a cured tire and from around a core central axis and placing the core segments individually in respective spaced apart storage locations; and one or more core segment assembly devices for removing the core segments individually from the storage locations and placing the core segments individually in respective core locations to form an assembled segmented core. The apparatus and method operatively sequences to place and remove differently structured core segments individually into and from the assembled core configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for reorienting a toroidally shaped core configured to carry a green tire. The core includes a central axis defined through first and second oppositely facing tapered recesses respectively including first and second locking mechanisms. The apparatus includes a core support structure including a base and a reorientation member connected for movement relative to said base and a core coupling member. The core coupling member connects for movement with the reorientation member and includes a core locking mechanism that couples with the core coupling member and locks the core coupling member to the core. A drive system couples with the reorientation member and operatively moves the reorientation member so as to change the orientation of the central axis from a first orientation to a second, different orientation transverse to the first orientation.

Abstract: A core segment manipulating apparatus and method is provided for relocating core segments forming a toroidally shaped core body configured to carry a cured tire. The apparatus includes multiple core key segment engaging mechanisms and core second segment engagement mechanisms arranged in a spaced apart circular array adjacent to respective key segments and second segments of the core body. The key segment and second segment engaging mechanisms operate to individually move respective key segments and second segments from a radially outward core body position to a radially inward segment removal position. The key segment and second segment engaging mechanisms transfer a respective segment to a segment removal device at the segment removal position and return radially outward to a segment-receiving location.