Abstract: The machine for manufacturing a tire carcass half-reinforcement from a sie filament wrapped around a bead wire which includes: bead wire holders operated by actuating cylinders, allowing said bead wire to be held in a predetermined position; a ring which has half as many hooks as there will be arches of carcass filament contained in the tire that is to be manufactured, the ring being held a predetermined distance away from said bead wire; a reel of filament which is moved in the central space of the bead wire, wrapped around it, the path crossing the plane of the ring and passing radially inside it; and a mechanism for hooking the filament onto each of the hooks.

Abstract: A tread ring transferring apparatus for use in a green tire building system adapted for holding and transferring a tire component which is formed in a cylindrical shape has a ring shaped holder frame; and a plurality of holding segments provided along a circumferential direction of the holder frame and radially movable inward and outward to hold and release the tire component respectively. Each holding segment has at least one contact member in pressing contact with the tire component when the holding segments are moved radially inward. One contact member of one of the plurality of holding segments is different in height in a radial direction from another contact member of the other holding segment.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a tire which consists of producing a toral carcass reinforcement blank (1) by the helical winding of a cord or cable around a non-deformable, annular building core N, followed by at least one circumferential cut on the radially inner surface of the core N and a cut on the radially outer surface, the two halves of the blank being then separated axially to permit the removal of the core and subsequently brought together and connected for the finishing of the blank of the tire.

Abstract: A method of forming a radial tire. After a carcass band is elastically deformed temporarily into a standing wave shape, a bead core is located at a predetermined position on the outside of the carcass band. The elastic deformation of the carcass band is eliminated, and the carcass band is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the bead core to form a first assembly. The first assembly is held by a first transfer from the outside, and an inner liner band of cylindrical shape with an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the first assembly, is located at a predetermined position in the first assembly. The inner liner band is expanded and pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the first assembly to form a second assembly. Then, a third assembly composed of a sidewall, chafer and the like of cylindrical shape and having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the second assembly, is located at a predetermined position in the second assembly.

Abstract: An improved transfer ring for use in vehicle tire making equipment wherein the carcass of the tire and the belt and tread package are made up at different and separate physical locations and thereafter the belt and tread package is transferred onto the carcass employing the transfer ring whereupon the two components of the tire are married. The present transfer ring includes first and second motive means for effecting grasping motion of a plurality of shoes of the transfer ring to cause the shoes to engage the belt and tread package about its outer circumference. In a preferred embodiment, the grasping motion is effected in multiple stages and the extent of motion is selectively adjustable. A method for effecting transfer of a belt and tread package is disclosed.

Abstract: A vectorial assembly method for first and second stage assemblies (5, 3) of radial tires, whereby a first stage assembly (5), mounted on a rotary inner support (52) so as to rotate about its axis, and a second stage assembly (3), housed inside a toroidal body (7) mounted for rotation, about a horizontal axis (8), on a supporting saddle (31) adjustable about a vertical axis (21), are rotated for determining their respective unbalance vectors, and are assembled, the first (5) inside the second (3), in relative angular positions such as to minimize the unbalance vector of the assembled tire.

Abstract: A tread ring transferring apparatus for use in a green tire building system, includes a ring-shaped holder frame and a plurality of holding segments carried by the holder frame. The holding segments each have contact members for directly supporting the tread ring being transferred. The contact members are arranged in a circumferential direction of the ring-shaped holder frame at different intervals.

Abstract: A transfer unit for supporting and moving a tread/belt assembly is provided with a stable cylindrical base with a longitudinal axis and with a passage part provided with arms which are laterally arranged on the base body and which extend essentially in a longitudinal direction. Gates for radially admitting rollers of the pressure roller unit are formed by the base body and the arms and have a pass through opening which is located between the free ends of two adjacent arms.

Abstract: An improved transfer ring for use in vehicle tire making equipment wherein the carcass of the tire and the belt and tread package are made up at different and separate physical locations and thereafter the belt and tread package is transferred onto the carcass employing the transfer ring whereupon the two components of the tire are married. The present transfer ring includes first and second motive means for effecting grasping motion of a plurality of shoes of the transfer ring to cause the shoes to engage the belt and tread package about its outer circumference. In a preferred embodiment, the grasping motion is effected in multiple stages and the extent of motion is selectively adjustable. A method for effecting transfer of a belt and tread package is disclosed.

Abstract: In the manufacture of pneumatic radial tires each having an annular groove in its central portion, a green tire is formed from a belt-tread band having a constricted portion formed by concavely depressing a belt and a tread inward in a radial direction of the tire.

Abstract: A green tire forming apparatus comprises a belt forming mechanism (1), a transferring mechanism (2), a green tire forming mechanism (3), and bead setting mechanisms (4), (5); wherein the bead setting mechanisms (4), (5) have a function of pushing ply turn-up bladders, segments (24a) holding a belt-tread assembly (6) are driven by hydraulic cylinders (24b), and a green tire take-out mechanism (9) is added to the transferring mechanism (2). Accordingly, the number of elements required can be minimized, so that the structure of the apparatus can be simplified. In addition, when a green tire forming is carried out with the apparatus, production of defective tire due to undesirable expansion of the outer diameters of belt and tread can be prevented, and also green tire take-out can be carried out efficiently.

Abstract: Bead wires 4 are set at both ends of a carcass ply 2, to form bead portions 5 and 5. Then, a carcass body 6a incorporated with a toroidal BT band 9 around the outer periphery portion is mounted on a forming drum 13 around which side rubbers 20 are mounted through bladders 16 and 17 at the positions corresponding to the bead portions 5 and 5. Thus, by expansion of the bladders 16 and 17, the side rubbers 20 are press-contacted with both the sides of the carcass body 6a.

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 apparatus for building tires includes belt ply supply devices, first and second tread supply devices, first and second band forming drums rotatable and expansible and contractible, a taking-out device for alternately removing formed bands from the band forming drums, a first moving device for successively moving the first forming drum to the supply positions of the respective belt ply supply devices and the first tread supply device and a taking-out position of the taking-out device to successively wind belt plies and a tread around the first band forming drum and to remove a formed band from the first band forming drum, and second moving device for successively moving the second band forming drum to the supply positions of the respective belt ply supply devices and the second tread supply device and the taking-out position of the taking-out device to successively wind belt plies and a tread around the second band forming drum and to remove a formed band from the second band forming drum.

Abstract: A method for removing a cylindrical member from a radially expansible and contractible band-forming drum and transferring the cylindrical member to a subsequent station. The cylindrical member includes a cylindrical laminate structure prepared by winding tire constituent elements in the form of an inner liner and a carcass ply around the band forming drum, and a pair of bead rings axially spaced from each other and fixed and held at predetermined positions on the outer circumference of the laminate structure. The bead rings are grasped while maintaining a predetermined distance therebetween, without displacing the bead rings before the band-forming drum is contracted to decrease its diameter. At least the axial end of the cylindrical member close to the subsequent station is held in a slightly radially expanded state, and the band-forming drum is then contracted to decrease its diameter to allow removal of the cylindrical member from the drum in its axial direction.

Abstract: The problem of recycling scrap radial tires is addressed by providing many uses for a laminate made by bonding two or more belt sections of a radial tire, the sidewalls of which have been cut away, the tire then cut open, and de-treaded. The result is a multi-ply structure which is sensibly rigid in all three directions because each belt ply in a belt is reinforced with cords at an angle, the cord angle in one belt ply being opposed to the angle in the other. A slat, bar, or beam, formed with plural belts is essentially rigid in a direction at right angles to its longitudinal axis, because for bending to occur, one belt must be in tension and the other in compression. Neither condition is favored because of the opposed cord angles and belt geometry. Though essentially rigid because of the cord geometry, the amount of rubber in the laminate allows it to be deformable relative to wood or steel having the same thickness.

Abstract: A multiple-ply tire carcass building apparatus is described. A collapsible/expandable tire band applier is used to sequentially apply a plurality of cylindrical tire bands onto a collapsible tire building drum to form the multiple-ply tire carcass. An air nozzle or a plurality of air jets are longitudinally extend over a portion of the longitudinal surface of the tire building drum and any tire bands thereon and is spatially separated therefrom for facilitating the placing of the tire band onto the tire building drum. Preferably, a selectively positionable light sensing means carried by an expandable with the band applier is utilized to automatically and accurately provide the band applier with an outer diameter slightly less to slightly greater than that of the tire building drum and any tire band thereon so that the tire band can be displaced from the band applier onto the tire building drum.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus for tire constituting members transfers them from a pre-process drum such as a carcass band forming drum to a post-process drum such as a tire forming drum. The apparatus includes a movable frame movable between the pre-process drum and the post-process drum, a holder mounted on the movable frame so that the holder is able to surround and grasp the tire constituting member, and a correction mechanism mounted on the holder on a near side to the post-process drum to expand an axial end of the tire constituting member which is tapered due to rubber contraction and gravity for correcting the tire constituting member into a substantially cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A transfer robot comprises a carriage mounted headstock assembly, a main support disk mounted to the rotatable spindle of a headstock, an extention slide mounted to the support disk for motion transverse to the spindle, and a carrying fixture mounted to the outer end of the slide and having adjustable sets of spaced apart gripping arms for gripping and carrying a cylindrical tire carcass. A counterweight on the disk offsets the outboard weight of the extended slide and carrying fixture, and a carcass carried thereon, on the headstock spindle and its bearings. The robot is powered by programmable devices which sequence its operation to grasp and carry a carcass by its bead areas from a carcass supply station, in an arc, into alignment with the axis of a tire building drum, then the carcass is moved axially of that drum and located around it, after which the gripping arms release and retract, and the fixture is moved to a parked position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a green tire on a curving apparatus that includes a fixing head system having two rotatable and axially movable, one-piece bead-holding disks are provided. The bead-holding disks are swiveled about an axis perpendicular to their axis of rotation. The essentially cylindrical carcass member is disposed on the bead-holding disks concentric to their axis of rotation. The bead-holding disks are subsequently swiveled back into a position vertical to their axis of rotation. After the carcass is fixed on the disks, it is curved into a belt unit.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a vehicle tire in which an annular mold (11) is filled with uncured elastomeric compound to form in the annular mold an apex (14) and integral chafer (17), and preferably a sidewall (13). The annular mould (11) with the components (14) (17) and (13) in-situ is then brought into alignment with a toroidally shaped tire carcass (22) to assemble the apex (14) and chafer (17) to the carcass.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for centering an annular tread on a pneumatic tire-casing is described. The method, preferably put into use with the apparatus, comprises mounting a casing on a wheel, locating the equatorial plane of the casing or wheel, mounting the annular tread on an axially-moveable tread expander assembly, and positioning the tread on the tread expander assembly such that its circumferential center line is located a fixed distance from and parallel to the equatorial plane of the casing or wheel. The distance between the annular tread and the casing or wheel is reduced by an amount equal to the fixed distance so that the annular tread encircles the casing and the circumferential centerline of the tread becomes coincident with the equatorial plane of the casing or wheel.

Abstract: A method of clamping an annular tread to a pneumatic tire casing comprises mounting the casing on a wheel, mounting the annular tread on a tread expander assembly. The assembly expands radially and stretches the tread to a size allowing the tread to circumferentially surround the casing. The stretched annular tread then is moved axially toward the casing to a position where it circumferentially surrounds and is centered on the casing. The casing and stretched tread is encircled with a clamping assembly and, with use of such assembly and without rotating the casing or tread relative to such clamping assembly, the stretched, annular tread is clamped to the casing at a number of points. Pads in the clamping assembly then are retracted, and the annular tread is transferred from the supporting device onto the casing by moving the supporting device axially away from the casing.

Abstract: A forming drum to be used in tire building for forming a strip-like belt member having a steel cord buried therein into an annular shape. The forming drum includes a plurality of segments divided in the circumferential direction and made of non-magnetic material, which form substantially cylindrical shapes having different outer diameters as moved in the radial direction, and permanent magnet are buried in the circular arc-shaped surfaces of the segments. Between adjacent segments are mounted cover plates made of non-magnetic material, and a cylindrical outer circumferential surface is formed by these cover plates. Each cover plate is fixedly secured to the circular arc-shaped surface of one of the adjacent segments.

Abstract: A hot tire forming method whereby at least some of the elements constituting each tire are formed starting from respective masterbatches, which are mixed with given chemical compounds inside respective continuous mixers to obtain respective final mixes, which are hot-fed to respective continuous production means, such as extruders, for obtaining semifinished products, which are hot-fed onto a green tire building drum, with the completed green tire then being transferred, hot, to a curing department; the transfer from the continuous mixers to the curing department being performed in such a manner as to preserve, inside each green tire entering the curing department, at least part of the initial mixing thermal energy and at least part of the initial continuous production thermal energy.

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: Coextrusion from rubber of hollow tubular structures with filament reinforcement provides composites which can be formed into spliceless bodies for pneumatic tires. The composites can be formed from one, two, three or more rubber stocks and have portions or layers which can form the body plies, sidewalls, innerliners, stabilizer ply inserts and, optionally, abrasion gum strips of tire bodies. Tires made from the bodies formed from coextruded composite structures of this invention are seamless and more uniform than those made from convention tire structural components.

Abstract: Spacer segments (24) of various thicknesses are attached to radially movable master segments (14) of a transfer ring (16) for gripping and transferring tread belt packages of different diameters. The spacer segments (24) are of a resilient material and may have molded arm members (32) with flexible, resilient ribs (42) for engaging edge portions (46) of the master segments (14). Handles (70) may be provided on the arm members (32) for bending the arm members (32) to install and remove the spacer segments (24). Axial movement of the spacer segments (24) relative to the master segments (14) is limited by circumferentially extending raised edges (58,60,66,68) on the cylindrical mating surfaces (26,28) of the master segments (14) and the spacer segments (24).

Abstract: A transfer apparatus for an uncured cylindrical tire component and which comprises a hollow cylindrical housing having a pair of annular sealing and gripping means, preferably air operable bladders, located one at each end of the housing. The housing has a vacuum port located between the two annular gripping and sealing means so after said means seal against the outer side of the cylindrical component, air is evacuated through said port to retain the component in the housing.The invention also describes a method of transporting a cylindrical tire component using the above apparatus.

Abstract: A tire building drum (10) has a central shaft (13) and a pair of end drum assemblies (12) mounted for axial movement along the shaft. The end drum assemblies (12) include a main sleeve (19) slideable on the shaft (13), and an annular housing (24) mounted on the sleeve to form an annular chamber (32) surrounding the sleeve (19) which houses an annular piston (31). There is an annular expansion means (bead seating segments) (27) mounted on the housing (24) which are moved radially by a ramp means (35) attached to the piston (31). This ramp means (35) have a cam surface (29) thereon comprising an inclined radially outer portion (29a) and a convex arcuate radially inner portion (29b). Further, the end drum assemblies have annular bladders (39), (41), (42), and (44) thereon that each have solid annular lip portions (51, 52) (61, 62), (63), (64 ) respectively, by which they are secured to the end drum assemblies.

Abstract: A device for transferring an uncured tire carcass of cylindrical shape and comprising a cylindrical housing, a plurality of suction cups disposed in at least three circular bands around the housing, said bands being located one at each end portion and one in a mid-portion of the housing and each cup is connected to an actuator for radial movement and is also connectable to a vacuum source. Also, a plurality of tire bead retaining means are located in two circular bands at the desired axial bead locations, each band having at least three retaining means equiangularly spaced therein, each retaining means being connected to an actuator for radial movement for retention or release of the bead. The bead retaining means hold the bead, concentric with, and radially spaced from the outer surface of the carcass.

Abstract: A method of applying a looped rubber member on a tire building drum having grooves formed in the periphery thereof, comprising the steps of inserting at least two pairs of retaining members into the looped rubber member in a first direction; retaining the looped rubber member on the retaining members; rotating the retaining members with the looped rubber member retained thereon toward the tire building drum to a second direction which is opposite to the first direction; forming the looped rubber member on the retaining members into a substantially circular configuration; transferring the substantially circular looped rubber member toward the tire building drum into a first position in which the center of the looped rubber member is in axial alignment with the longitudinal center axis of the tire building drum; further transferring the substantially circular looped rubber member from the first position into a second position in which the looped rubber member surrounds the periphery of the tire building drum ra

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for supplying a bead portion in a tire-forming machine. The apparatus consists in carrying out the steps of assembling an inner liner, carcass ply and others in the cylindrical form of a band, transferring the band by band transfer means onto a carcass-forming drum arranged on the same shaft as said transfer means, incorporating the bead portion and a tread portion by stitching, which apparatus comprises a bead-temporary applying device for supplying beads at a headstock, said device being provided at the side of said carcass-forming drum toward said band transfer means.

Abstract: A tire building apparatus comprising: an extruder having an extrusion die comprising a doughnut-shaped die member and an axially elongated die member to provide for consecutively extruding a cylindrical-shaped material downwardly from space between the doughnut-shaped die member and the axially elongated die member; a tire supporting unit for supporting a green tire into which the cylindrical-shaped material is to be inserted; an expanding unit adapted to hold the cylindrical-shaped material from the inside of the green tire and to expand radially and outwardly the cylindrical-shaped material to bond to an inner surface of the green tire; a severing assembly on the tire supporting unit for severing to a predetermined length the cylindrical-shaped material inserted into the green tire; and a drive unit adapted to drive the tire supporting unit to move with respect to the extruder.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring a looped article to a cylindrical structure, comprising a collapsible ring structure having a center axis aligned with the center axis of the cylindrical structure and a centering plane parallel with the central plane of the cylindrical structure, the ring structure being radially deformable about the center axis thereof, a carrier supporting the ring structure and operative to move the ring structure toward and away from the cylindrical structure, and plural pairs of centering elements provided radially inside the ring structure. Each pair of centering elements are located on both sides of the centering plane of the ring structure and consist of centering elements located on both sides of the centering plane of the ring structure and movable toward and away from the centering plane of the ring structure.

Abstract: A radial tire forming blank supply apparatus for use in a radial tire building machine comprises a column rotatable about a vertical axis spaced from the rotating axis of a forming drum, a pair of cantilever beams one above the other provided on the column, and two pairs of bar-like clamps. Each the pair of bar-like clamps are secured to each the cantilever beam and movable radially toward and away from each other to clamp and release a green case therebetween.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the manufacture of pneumatic tires comprising a carcass formed of reinforcing plies and bead cores are disclosed. The tire carcass is built up around a first drum in cylindrical configuration and bead cores are applied to the carcass. The carcass is transferred telescopically to and around a second expandable drum. The carcass is then torically shaped and the ends of the plies turned-up around the bead cores.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in the manufacture of pneumatic tires, in which a pair of tire bead assemblies are held in accurately spaced relationship against opposite ends of a tube. Tire carcass material carried on an expansible former is located within the tube and expanded to engage the bead assemblies, projecting ends of the carcass material being turned radially outwardly around the bead assemblies while the bead assemblies are supported by the tube.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing carcass bands which are reinforced by cords and are to be employed in fabricating a radial tire.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method of manufacturing low aspect radial tires. The radial tires are mounted upon a bladder assembly during the time from the assembly of the tread reinforcing structure with the carcass until the vulcanization of the tire in a mold. Restrictor band material is wrapped around the tire to prevent circumferential growth of the tire beyond a predetermined diameter, so that the tire will not become too large to fit into the mold.

Abstract: A radial tire forming apparatus wherein a first stage forming arrangement comprising a carcass band forming drum, green case forming drum and band transfer, and a second stage forming arrangement comprising a belt-tread structure forming drum, raw tire forming drum and belt-tread transfer, are so arranged that the above mentioned respective forming drums may be positioned on the same axis. A green case transfer is set above the first and second stage forming arrangements and improvements in the green case transfer and further a novel formation of a gripping device for forming the green case transfer are provided.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the manufacture of pneumatic tires comprising a carcass formed of reinforcing plies and bead cores are disclosed. The tire carcass is built up around a first drum in cylindrical configuration and bead cores are applied to the carcass. The carcass is transferred telescopically to and around a second expandable drum. The carcass is then torically shaped and the ends of the plies turned-up around the bead cores.

Abstract: A green tire carcass holding means having a plurality of lip members which are adapted to engage the bead portion of the green tire carcass in order to hold the carcass in a vertical orientation with a minimum of distortion.

Abstract: The annular tread belt body is assembled of uncured resilient material having reinforcing cords and is then mounted on a precured tire casing. The read belt body is assembled with a predetermined configuration at a radially inner surface and the precured tire casing has a matching predetermined configuration on the radially outer surface for mounting of the tread belt in a centered position on the tire casing. The tread belt body and precured tire casing are enclosed in a segmental mold where the tread belt is cured. After removal from the mold, the tread belt is separated from the tire casing. The tread belt is then mounted on the radially outer surface of a tire having reinforcing cords positioned in a generally radial direction relative to the axis of the tire.

Abstract: An apparatus for tire transportation in a tire-forming machine is described. The apparatus comprises a pair of circular plates attached to transfer means adapted to move in the axial direction of a tire-forming drum. A plurality of rotatable shafts are provided at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction on said circular plates and positioned on a circle concentric with said circular plates. To these shafts are attached levers having holding members for green tire or an intermediate assembly body for green tire and angular levers, said angular levers being connected together by means of linking members combined together through pins so as to form a number of parallelogram links of mutually cooperative movement and at least a driving means being provided for swinging said angular levers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a tire building apparatus (10) and preferred method for building a tire. The apparatus includes a longitudinally movable carriage (12), a guideway (20) for the longitudinal movement of the carriage, a headstock (14) mounted on the carriage, a tire assembly drum (11) having an inboard end (29) and an outboard end (28), and a drum support (15) mounted on the carriage. A plurality of operation stations (A-G) are spaced longitudinally along the guideway, and mechanical datum (30), fixedly located at each operation station, are provided to engage mechanical locators (31) secured to the carriage. A bladder (42) is provided selectively to cause engagement of the locators with the mechanical datum at each successive station to locate the tire assembly drum precisely with respect to the operation station.

Abstract: A completed, shaped and uncured tire is off-loaded from the tire building machine on which the tire has been built by first engaging the completed tire coaxially within a ring having radially movable segments and then moving the ring with the tire coaxially off the building machine to a chucking device engageable with the inner peripheries of the respective bead portions of the tire. The ring is then expanded and moved coaxially from the tire and the chucking device now holding the tire is rotated to place the tire axis in vertical orientation and elevated to a position above the tire machine where the exterior surface of the tire is grasped by a pair of palms mounted on a swing arm. After the chucking device is moved downwardly clear of the tire, the tire is then moved horizontally by the swing arm and deposited on an overhead belt conveyor to be transported thereby to further processing.

Abstract: A device for automatically loading a bead core to an apparatus which associates an elastomeric filler with the bead core and for unloading the bead core with the filler.The device has two jaws for loading the bead core and means for controlling the opening of the jaws. The jaws are opened when the bead core is locked in the apparatus and the jaws are moved from the apparatus towards the loading position of a new bead core.

Abstract: A process is provided for manufacturing radial tires for a motor vehicle having a radial carcass, a reinforcing structure with at least two layers of criss-crossed symmetrically arranged metallic cords forming a belt, and a tread. The process involves a series of steps which comprise: building up a carcass in a cylindrical configuration on a first expandable building drum and shaping the carcass into a toroidal configuration. A reinforcing belt is also formed by winding two layers of metallic cords on an auxiliary expandable drum with a diameter equal to the external diameter of the toroidal shaped carcass. The belt is maintained in slidable contact on the drum and shaped toroidally by expanding the auxiliary drum. The belt is then removed from the auxiliary drum and transferred with a tread band to the carcass on the first drum. The carcass is toroidal shaped again to assemble the carcass and belt. The assembly is vulcanized under pressure in a mold.

Abstract: Carcass plies for radial-ply tires are prepared by coating individual reinforcing strands with a rubber composition, and winding the coated strands in a winding machine with relatively weak transverse circumferential strands into a continuous cylindrical tube in which the reinforcing strands are substantially parallel to the tube axis and circumferentially spaced, and are connected by the circumferential strands of weaker material. Axial sections are cut from the tube, and only the axially central, annular portion of each section is expanded radially during shaping of the carcass, thereby stretching or breaking the transverse, circumferential strands.