Abstract: A method and a plant for managing the production cycle of a plant for building tyres for vehicle wheels, wherein the plant provides for a storage region for anchoring annular structures and a plurality of processing stations at least one of which is associated with a forming drum, includes feeding a plurality of anchoring annular structures to the storage region, picking up the anchoring annular structures from the storage region at a predetermined picking-up position that does not change on changing of the types of the anchoring annular structures, and feeding the picked-up anchoring annular structures to the processing station associated with the forming drum.

Abstract: The present invention has an object of providing a pneumatic tire that exhibits better uniformity by improving the wire wound body for constituting the bead core. The pneumatic tire 1 comprises a bead core 5 comprising a wire wound body 10 in which one bead wire 10a is spirally wound in a continuous around a tire rotational axis CL so that a plurality of layers of the bead wire are formed in a radial direction of the tire. The wire wound body 10 comprises a first part 13 and a second part 14. The first part 13 comprises a plurality of layers of the bead wire 10a each circumferentially extending with a constant radius from the tire rotational axis CL. The second part comprises a plurality of layers of the bead wire 10a each circumferentially extending while changing its radius from the tire rotational axis CL.

Abstract: A winding machine includes a first rotary body to be rotated by a rotary shaft, and a second rotary body to rotate on the same axis as the first rotary body and at the same speed as the first rotary body. The winding machine further includes a cylinder to open and close the first and second rotary bodies relative to each other. An outer circumferential surface of at least one of the first and second rotary bodies in a part where the first and second rotary bodies join is provided with a groove in which a bead ring is to be formed by winding a wire.

Abstract: In a bead wire winding and forming device, a guide mechanism guiding a bead wire to a former is supported to be movable in a tangential direction of the former and includes a movable body capable of clamping and unclamping the bead wire, a guide body supported on the movable body to be swingable in a plane parallel to a rotational axis of the former and having a guide portion for guiding the bead wire in the tangential direction of the former, and a restriction member for allowing the swing motion of the guide body when the movable body is at a retracted position but for restricting the swing motion of the guide body when the movable body is at an advanced position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing metallic frames from wire or strip or other material of prismatic cross section, which material may subjected to plastic bending, and the ends of which are joined together. The production process for metallic frames occurs in three phases, in three separate positions, which may function independently of one another. In the first position the wire or strip (1) may be pulled from a spool, be straightened (2), then measured (4) in length and cut. At the second position the beginning and end of wire material (1) are there transferred, and there the ends are joined. In the third phase the frame is transferred, with its ends joined, and the measurements and bendings of the sides are made, so as to produce a desired product configuration at the third position.

Abstract: A helical cord having an elliptical shape and the like is manufactured so that a length-to-width ratio or a dimension of a shaped form of the cord to be shaped in a longitudinal direction can be changed. A cord (C) is sequentially passed through through holes (21H, 22H) of stationary and movable shaping bodies (21, 22) opposing each other of a shaping device (20). At that time, the movable shaping body (22) is moved along the stationary shaping body (21) by a moving device so that the through holes (21H, 22H) become eccentric with respect to each other, and the cord (C) passing between the eccentric through holes (21H, 22H) is bent and deformed so as to be shaped.

Abstract: In a bead wire winding and forming device, a guide mechanism guiding a bead wire to a former is supported to be movable in a tangential direction of the former and includes a movable body capable of clamping and unclamping the bead wire, a guide body supported on the movable body to be swingable in a plane parallel to a rotational axis of the former and having a guide portion for guiding the bead wire in the tangential direction of the former, and a restriction member for allowing the swing motion of the guide body when the movable body is at a retracted position but for restricting the swing motion of the guide body when the movable body is at an advanced position.

Abstract: Disclosed are metallic wire with high surface quality and low-cost suitable for use as material for grip rings and a producing method and apparatus thereof. Metallic wire 34 deformed in a coil shape is passed through a shape correction unit 14 so as to straighten it. Furthermore, while upper and lower pressing rollers 19, 20, 26, 27 prevent the metallic wire 34 from warping upwardly and downwardly, wedge-shaped grooves are continuously formed on the metallic wire 34 by means of a first cutting roller 21 and a second cutting roller 23.

Abstract: A wire ring net, particularly for providing barriers for rocky walls and the like comprises a plurality of braided wire rings, each wire ring comprising, at a starting end of its wire, a first curled portion wound about the wire of the first turn and, at the terminal, end of the wire, a second curled portion wound about the rope forming the wire ring.

Abstract: To provide a wire rod forming machine for which it is possible to increase the production speed above that of the prior art. In the ring-forming machine 10 of the present configuration, between the respective edges 42 and 51 of the moving die 40 and the fixed punch 50, a prescribed location of the belt-shaped wire rod 90 is sheared and the ring 91 is cut off from the belt-shaped wire rod 90. Then, by pushing the ring 91 that was cut off with the moving die 40, the ring is forcibly removed from the forming tools 31, 32 and 33. Therefore, the speed of removal of the ring 91 can be coupled to the acceleration of the manufacturing speed and increased, allowing the production speed to be improved compared to that of the prior art. In addition, since the ring 91 that is cut off from the belt-shaped wire rod 90, pushed by the moving die 40, moves to the end side of the shaft shaped chute 34 to be collected, transport to the next process becomes easy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making non-circular piston rings which will precisely sealably conform to the cylinder wall of an internal combustion engine. In accordance with the method of the invention a metal strip of special cross-sectional configuration is coiled about a specially configured mandrel which is non-circular in cross section. Preferably the coiling mandrel is provided with a circumferentially interrupted thread form that has a zero helix angle along most of its circumference. During the coiling operation, using this type of mandrel, the metal strip is preformed at specific locations along its length into an angled configuration to form a coil body having a plurality of coils that have a zero helix angle along most of their circumference and a relatively steep helix angle for a short distance. After the coil is formed, the helix angle portions are cut therefrom to provide a plurality of generally planer, interrupted rings.

Abstract: An eyewinder system 10 has stations 100-108 for straightening, bending, measuring and transporting a wire 11 to form an eyewire 109. A controller 120 controls each station. Using information from tension and length measuring stations 104, 105, the controller 120 can accurately operate the second bending station 107. The eyewire 109 is inspected for accurate bends by an inspection system 140 that compares the bends in the eyewire 109 to predetermined radii of curvature.

Abstract: A method of forming adjustable bushing rings comprising the steps of drawing wire of round cross-section and predetermined diameter through a die forming said drawn wire in a wire having a generally trapezoidally-shaped cross-section. The drawn wire is cut into segments and these segments are bent about a rigid cylindrical form of a predetermined diameter until the elongated sides of said drawn wire are adjacent but spaced from each other a predetermined distance forming bushing rings.

Abstract: A method of forming undulate protrusions on a split ring with the ring placed in a die to first form a center protrusion and then to form the other protrusions located between the first formed protrusion and the ring ends.

Abstract: A bead core for pneumatic vehicle tires, a method of producing same, and a winding reel for carrying out such a method are provided. The bead core comprises a plurality of spirally wound layers, each of which comprises load-carriers that are disposed next to one another. To increase the precision of the trueness of pneumatic vehicle tires that are provided with such bead cores, while maintaining the ability to rapidly wind such cores, each of the layers of the core has a radial dimension component that is greater than an axial dimension component thereof.

Abstract: Rubberless tire bead assemblies are disclosed, containing either a single wire element or multiple wire elements wound about an axis to provide a plurality of convolutions of the single wire or multiple wire elements to provide the bead hoop and shape-retaining members engaging the bead hoop about the circumference of the bead hoop to retain the bead assembly in a planar configuration. Rubber tire bead assemblies having wire termination ends positioned internally or externally with respect to the bead assembly and methods of making these bead assemblies are disclosed.

Abstract: Rubberless tire bead assemblies are disclosed, containing either a single wire element or multiple wire elements wound about an axis to provide a plurality of convolutions of the single wire or multiple wire elements to provide the bead hoop and shape-retaining members engaging the bead hoop about the circumference of the bead hoop to retain the bead assembly in a planar configuration. Apparatus for forming the rubberless bead assemblies are disclosed which include bead formers and applicator devices for applying shape-retaining components to the formed bead assemblies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing an automotive tire bead (1), whereby an annular element (2) having a substantially circular section and consisting of a coiled metal wire (3) is formed by winding the wire (3) about a mandrel (17) defining a duct (9) coiling about the annular element (2). One end of a flexible packing member (5) of heat-shrinkable material is then inserted inside duct (9), blown along the whole length of the same, cut to size, and the two ends joined to form a loop.

Abstract: A device (1) for manufacturing a tire bead (2) consisting of an annular element (3) formed from a metal wire (4) wound in such a manner as to form a number of coils packed by a flexible packing member (6) wound about the annular element (3) and having its opposite ends (7) tied in a knot (8). An annular mandrel (9) on the device (1) defines a first annular duct (38) for forming the annular element (3), and a second duct (39) coiled about the first duct (38). The mandrel (9) is connected to a pneumatic knotting machine (10) having an input duct (62) and an output duct (63) defining the two halves of a flat knot (64) and communicating respectively with the inlet (46) and outlet (47) of the second duct (39).

Abstract: A wire feeding machine automatically forming a coil through an aperture in a product.

Abstract: An apparatus suitable for use in winding a coil on a toroidal core of a magnetic head of a video tape recorder or magnetic disc player by passing a wire through a minuscule aperture, with the apparatus including an annular wire guide formed with a cutout, a plurality of pairs of feed rollers having axes disposed perpendicular to a plane in which the annular wire guide is disposed, the rollers of each pair engaging each other inside the annular wire guide, and at least one core holding unit for holding a core in such a manner as to be positioned in the cutout of the annular wire guide. By repeatedly performing the operations of feeding a wire by the feed rollers, guiding the movement of the wire by the annular wire guide and inserting the wire through a core window of the toroidal core after transporting the wire to the wire insertion position, it is possible to wind a coil positively with increased speed and reliability.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a ring-shaped member from an elongate workpiece comprises a measuring mechanism for measuring an elongate workpiece straightened from a coiled elongate workpiece to a specified length, a feeding mechanism for feeding the measured length of the elongate workpiece, a coiling mechanism having bending rollers for bending the elongate workpiece fed by the feeding mechanism to a curved shape, and guide members for guiding a leading end portion of the bent elongate workpiece to form a coiled portion from the elongate workpiece, and a cutting mechanism for cutting the coiled portion off the elongate workpiece into a ring-shaped member.

Abstract: A split ring spring for snap fasteners has a burr extending from each end of the ring spring in a direction parallel to the imaginary central axis of the ring spring. When a stud member is snapped with a socket member in which the split ring spring is incorporated, the burrs do not damage or scar a body of the stud member. The ring spring having such unobjectionable burrs is produced by feeding a length of a strip of resilient material transversely across a mandrel, then severing the length off the strip in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel while holding the length on the mandrel, and thereafter bending the severed length of strip around the mandrel.

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: Circlip making apparatus comprises three forming tools 2, 3, 4 equiangularly spaced about a mandrel axis 1a. A row of integral circlip blanks 6 are fed to the mandrel 1 through guide means 5 and blanks are cut from the row by blade 7 one by one before being bent into circlips around the mandrel 1 by advancement of the tools 2, 3, 4 radially of axis 1a. The row of blanks 6 is made from long flat wire stock and the stock is passed through work stations in which each blank is cut to tapered form and its cross-section planished between the ends so that it is adapted to a shape to be bent into a circlip without irregular distortion or buckling.

Abstract: A bead forming apparatus, comprising stationary and movable support members; a collapsible bead forming drum rotatable about an axis fixed with respect to the stationary support member; feed rollers mounted on the movable support member to drive the bead forming element toward the bead forming drum along a predetermined path, the rollers being rotatable about axes parallel with the axis of rotation of the bead forming drum and including a main feed roller, a first auxiliary feed roller to impart a coiling tendency to the bead forming element to be passed from the main feed roller toward the bead forming drum, and a second auxiliary feed roller to guide the bead forming element to travel past the first auxiliary feed roller toward the bead forming drum; cutting blades for cutting the bead forming element at a predetermined location on the aforesaid path; an aperture for retaining the leading end of the bead forming element extending from the second auxiliary feed roller at the aforesaid predetermined location;

Abstract: A method for crimping tire bead rings in which an inner die member has grooves for holding the bead rings in the area of the bead splices and an upper die member engages the outer surface of the bead rings in that area. The die members are compressed with sufficient force for a sufficient period of time so that the strands of the bead rings are held together by the insulating material around the strands in the area of the bead splices. The side portions of the grooves control the spreading of the bead rings and may be flared to compress and then release the bead rings. The grooves of the inner die member may have movable inserts for ejecting the bead rings. The upper die member may also include grooves in mating engagement with the grooves of the inner die member for enclosing the outer portions of the bead rings at the splice area and provide for release of the bead rings after crimping.

Abstract: A machine for crimping tire bead rings in which an inner die member has grooves for holding the bead rings in the area of the bead splices and an upper die member engages the outer surface of the bead rings in that area. The die members are compressed with sufficient force for a sufficient period of time so that the strands of the bead rings are held together by the insulating material around the strands in the area of the bead splices. The side portions of the grooves control the spreading of the bead rings and may be flared to compress and then release the bead rings. The grooves of the inner die member may have movable inserts for ejecting the bead rings. The upper die member may also include grooves in mating engagement with the grooves of the inner die member for enclosing the outer portions of the bead rings at the splice area and provide for release of the bead rings after crimping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming rings that is particularly suited for forming plow rings from elongated lengths of stock having irregular cross sectional shape. A length of stock (12) is positioned against a mandrel (20), the end of the stock being pre-bent from a previous bending operation, with the free end of the stock extending beyond the mandrel. A movable bending element (24) is brought into contact with the stock opposite the point of contact with the mandrel, and advanced around the mandrel partially bending the stock. A clamp (82) clamps the partially bent stock against the mandrel and a cutter (98) then cuts the stock, leaving a partial bend in the newly formed free end of the stock, the cut portion of stock being clamped to the mandrel. The length of stock is moved away from the mandrel so that the bending of the cut portion around the mandrel can be completed.

Abstract: A ring former and cutoff utilizes a continuous ring former which causes the stock to assume the form of a helix having a number of turns. The leading end of the helix after forming a plurality of free turns passes through a drive roll set, through a stationary cutoff die and into a sizing hoop of larger diameter than those in the turns of the helix. The free end of the helix to expand within the sizing hoop. Sensors detect the expansion to energize the cutoff at the die to sever a turn of the helix with the momentary halt of the stock at the die causing the helix between the cutoff and former to expand or unwind. When the severed end of the helix is removed or falls free, the drive roll set again drives the new leading end of the helix through the cutoff die at a speed sufficient to return or wind the helix to its original condition.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for advancing a strand of wire a specific and predetermined distance. The apparatus can be used in conjunction with a cutting device alone, or with a forming device to also produce articles of desired shapes. An additional aspect of the invention is an anti-backing chuck to hold and move the wire in the advancing apparatus.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tire bead ring of the package type by winding metal wires on a form of revolution, the radially inner face of the tire bead ring having a frusto-conical shape of half angle .alpha. at the apex and of radius R with respect to the axis of rotation of the tire bead ring, in which a permanent circular deformation is effected on the wires prior to their winding on the form of revolution, is improved due to the fact that the permanent circular deformation is a radial deformation of a radius substantially equal to the radius R of the tire bead ring and is effected on the wires whose one principal axis of inertia of their cross section is inclined by one angle .alpha. with respect to the axis of winding of the wires on the form of revolution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making split lock washers consists of an automated machine wherein the diameter and gap of a lock washer can be accurately controlled. The apparatus includes a drive mechanism for driving the cutter and a transmission unit driven by the drive mechanism which can be adjusted to correlate the feed speed of the wire with the cutter to produce washers of different diameters. After the correlation speed has been set the production speed can be increased or decreased and the synchronized relation of the feed and cutter speeds will remain the same.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus employing a formed guide shoe assembly controls the placement of successive convolutions of elastomer-coated wire on a bead-winding drum. The guide shoe assembly is not rotatable but accommodates the softly coated wire slidably along an extended curvilinear groove to initial contact with the winding drum or with preceding convolutions of coated wire thereon. A convergent channel in the assembly ensures safe smooth approach to the curvilinear groove. The foregoing abstract is not to be taken as limiting the invention of this application, and in order to understand the full nature and extent of the technical disclosure of this application, reference must be made to the accompanying drawing and the following detailed description.

Abstract: A split beveled retaining ring and method for constructing the same is characterized by a beveled groove seating flange being formed by bending the radially inner or outer edge portion of a split ring body at an angle to the plane of the ring body. A grinding operation may be employed to remove protruding material from the bent annular flange on the side of the ring opposite the groove seating surface thereon to provide a flat bearing shoulder normal to the ring axis while permitting enough of the beveled flange to be received in the groove for safe part retention. Alternatively, the part abutment surface of the ring body may be maintained in substantially the same plane as the terminal portion of the bent beveled flange either by indenting the ring body to form a new part abutment surface or by bending the groove seating flange twice in opposite directions.

Abstract: A method of producing an annular bead core assembly for a pneumatic tire from a plurality of wires of substantially rectangular cross-section, wherein the wires are formed into a plurality of plies. The wires of each wire ply then are arcuately deformed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the desired plane of the annular assembly when made but in a direction which will be towards the inner side of the tire when completed, each arcuate deformation yielding an arc having a constant radius. The arcuately deformed wire plies thereafter are wound on a tapered support to form the assembly.

Abstract: In each cycle of a sequence of repetitive cycles a longitudinal section of an elongated, continuous piece of material spaced from the free end of the piece is draped about an arcuate face of a mandrel by a bending tool moving about the axis of curvature of the mandrel face, and the free end of the piece is thereby engaged with the arcuate face of another mandrel and secured to the other mandrel, whereupon the section draped over the first mandrel is cut. The central portion of the blank severed thereby from the continuous piece is draped over the second mandrel bent into a ring, the curvature of the leading and trailing blank portion, being due to previous draping over the first mandrel.

Abstract: An elongated unhardened blank is passed between a first pair of rollers where it is conductively heated by supplying current to one of the rollers. Thereafter, the blank is further heated by induction and then passed between a second pair of rollers where it is shaped so as to impart thereto a predetermined cross-sectional configuration. The rollers of the second pair are profiled and the blank is maintained at an elevated temperature by supplying current to one of the rollers. After shaping, the blank is passed between a third pair of rollers. Current is again supplied to one of these rollers. The other roller is of a diameter corresponding to that desired for the finished annular articles and the blank is coiled about this roller. This latter roller is partially immersed in a quenching medium so that the blank is quenched and thereby hardened as it is being coiled. Coiling is continued until the number of convolutions corresponds to the number of annular articles which are to be produced.

Abstract: A key keeper is held in a belt loop within a small closed bend thereof. The keeper has opposed small and large half loops. Straight side rods connect the loops, being tangent to both. One side rod is split to place keys on the keeper. A trough or clip fixed to a rod at the split releasably secures the rod in place. One loop is about twice the diameter of the other, the large half loop imparting resiliency to the keeper to reduce the need for expensive spring steel wire for the keeper. The keeper is made by winding a continuous wire on a mandrel wherein two end plates with pivots support a large and a small arbor. Each arbor has a cylindrical outer segment in contact with the wire. A clamping bar holds the wire in place after winding, insuring that the wire accepts the shape of the arbors. A cutter then severs the strands of wire on one side of the mandrel, separating the wound length into segments each having the configuration set forth above.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making annular metallic blanks for metallic rings having a desired inner diameter wherein an elongated metallic material having a predetermined cross-section is formed into a spiral shape having an inner diameter smaller than that of said rings and such formed material is loosely and coaxially disposed around a cylindrical member the outer diameter of which is usually smaller than the inner diameter of said spiral material but can be made larger than said inner diameter of said inner diameter of said ring.

Abstract: An elongated unhardened blank is passed between a first pair of rollers where it is conductively heated by supplying current to one of the rollers. Thereafter, the blank is further heated by induction and then passed between a second pair of rollers where it is shaped so as to impart thereto a predetermined cross-sectional configuration. The rollers of the second pair are profiled and the blank is maintained at an elevated temperature by supplying current to one of the rollers. After shaping, the blank is passed between a third pair of rollers. Current is again supplied to one of these rollers. The other roller is of a diameter corresponding to that desired for the finished annular articles and the blank is coiled about this roller. This latter roller is partially immersed in a quenching medium so that the blank is quenched and thereby hardened as it is being coiled. Coiling is continued until the number of convolutions corresponds to the number of annular articles which are to be produced.

Abstract: A helical coil comprising a plurality of turns of bar stock is mounted on an expanding mandrel which is operated by a hydraulic cylinder or the like to expand the internal circumference of the coil against the resilient resistance thereof. A severing device is then employed to form a cut across the turns of the coil so as to sever each turn as a separate ring having a gap therein corresponding in width to the thickness of the severing device. The expanding mandrel is then released so as to allow the rings to spring back to their original circumference. In this way, the gap in each ring is closed. Each ring may then be flattened to remove the helical pitch so that the ring will be in a single plane with the severed ends of the ring aligned. The severed ends may be welded or otherwise joined. The disclosed machine preferably employs a rotary abrasive disc for forming the cut across the turns of the coil. The width of the cut corresponds to the thickness of the abrasive disc.