Abstract: A green tire holding device (10) including a frame (12), a rod (14) extending horizontally from the frame (12), and a bladder (16) mounted on the rod (14). The bladder (16) is inflatable to an inflated shape so that it contacts a substantial portion of an inner circumference of a green tire (T) to support the green tire during a pre-curing wait cycle. The green tire holding device (10) can comprise a plurality of rods (14), a plurality of bladders (16), and/or a plurality of bladders (16) on each rod (14). The bladders (16) can be inflated at substantially the same time and/or certain bladders (16) can be deflated independently of other bladders (16). In a tire manufacturing method, the loaded green tire storage device (10) is transported to a doping/curing area with the bladders (16) deflated. At the doping/curing area, the tires (T) are removed from the rods (14), doped, and re-hung on the rods (14).

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing components for a tyre being worked is provided. The apparatus includes a toroidal support for carrying the components of a tyre being worked. The toroidal support has an outer surface substantially matching an inner shape of the tyre. The apparatus also includes means for feeding at least one elongated element through at least one delivery member disposed adjacent to the outer surface of the toroidal support. The apparatus also includes means for circumferential distribution arranged to drive the toroidal support in rotation around a geometric axis of rotation of the toroidal support so that the at least one elongated element is circumferentially distributed on the toroidal support.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing components for a tire for vehicle wheels includes the steps of picking up a toroidal support using a robotized arm, feeding at least one elongated element from a delivery member disposed adjacent to the outer surface of the toroidal support, giving the toroidal support a rotatory motion around a geometric axis of rotation of the toroidal support so that the at least one elongated element is circumferentially distributed onto the toroidal support, and carrying out controlled relative displacements, for transverse distribution, between the toroidal support and the delivery member to form with the at least one elongated element a plurality of coils disposed mutually in side-by-side relationship in order to define a tire component. A method of manufacturing a tire, an apparatus for manufacturing components for a tire, a plant for making tires, and a tire including the manufactured components are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for the substantially vertical suspension of tire carcasses, which includes a plurality of articulated supports, the latter being able to bear on the inside of a tire carcass, each of said supports having a convex bearing surface capable of adopting a plurality of angular positions.

Abstract: A device for the substantially vertical suspension of tire carcasses which includes a plurality of supports arranged about a lifting axis (XX′), which supports bear on the inside of a tire carcass, the supports being mobile radially relative to the lifting axis, the device further including a system having at least one spring which exerts a radial expansion force on the supports, this expansion being limited by a stop. The invention also relates to a process for building a tire in using this device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for precision longitudinal registration of a movable tire building drum (120, 620) to an automated tire building system (100) work station (110, 610), wherein the automated tire building system comprises one or more work stations with application drums (112), and the tire building drum is moved longitudinally forward (105) into and out of each work station, comprising: providing a work station longitudinal reference point (115, 615) upon a forward-facing surface (115, 615) of a laterally extendible portion (114, 614) of the work station; providing a drum reference point (125, 625) upon a rearward-facing surface (125, 625) of the tire building drum; and after the tire building drum has been moved into a work station, halting the tire building drum movement, laterally extending the work station longitudinal reference point rearward of the tire building drum, and then moving the tire building drum longitudinally rearward to abut the drum reference point against the work station longitudinal

Abstract: A recapping shop concluding a plurality of work stations for preparing tires to be recapped, an autoclave having a horizontal axis for vulcanizing the new treads, a first transport system for transferring the tires between the various stations and for storing them and a second transport system for transferring the tires into the autoclave, out of it and for storing them, characterized in that the first and second transport systems have a common transfer and storage structure.

Abstract: A tire mold comprises a molding face for shaping the outside of a tire and a vent structure, wherein the vent structure comprises a hole having an opening in the molding face, an inserted piece disposed in the hole so that the surface of the inserted piece defines a part of a molding face, and a micro-gap of not more than 100 micrometers formed between the inserted piece and the hole for the purpose of vent.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for manufacturing pneumatic tires, wherein a green case comprised of at least one inner liner rubber member and a carcass ply member is formed on a first drum and transferred to a position around a second drum. The green case is the fixedly secured to the second drum by axially moving a pair of centering elements in opposite directions into pressure contact with opposite inner sides at the bead portions of the green case, and urging the inner peripheries of the bead portions by a pair of lock elements. The second drum is then caused to expand and undergo a width reduction, thereby expanding the green case into a toroidal shape. Sidewall rubber members, which have been previously wound on a pair of side bladders on the outer side of the lock elements, are expanded and reversed by inflating the side bladders and joined to the toroidal green case to thereby form a green tire.

Abstract: A tire building machine for building a tread strip onto a carcass is provided and includes a carcass support on which the carcass is rotatably mounted, and a tread strip feed device via which a tread strip is fed onto the carcass. The tread strip feed device includes a linear path support assembly on which a tread strip is supported in a substantially linear disposition. The path support assembly extends from one end of the tread strip feed device at which a cutting device may perform a cutting operation to an end adjacent the carcass. The tread strip feed device is raisable to a feed position at which the tread strip extends tangentially relative to the carcass for feeding the tread strip thereonto in a tire building process.

Abstract: A tire drum turret having an outboard support and direct drive of the frame with adjustable drum shaft bearings for precise positioning of the drums.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for single-wire bead provided with a winding device winding a wire onto a drum to form a formed bead, a thread winding device winding a thread to both ends of the wire on approximately same position in a circumferencial direction of the formed bead to form an intermediate bead, an apex fitting device fitting an apex to the intermediate bead to form a finished bead, and having a transfering device reciprocating between a first position and a second position. On the first position, the formed bead is taken out of the winding device and the intermediate bead is taken out of the thread winding device. And, on the second position, the formed bead is transferred to the thread winding device and the intermediate bead is transferred to the apex fitting device.

Abstract: A structure and a method for supplying a bead-with-filler automatically to a tire molding machine are provided. The structure comprises a bead-with-filler preset apparatus for presetting a filler to an annular bead; a bead supply apparatus positioned at an upper stream side of the bead-with-filler preset apparatus for supplying the annular bead to the bead-with-filler preset apparatus; a bead-with-filler supplying apparatus positioned at a down stream side of the bead-with-filler preset apparatus for supplying the bead-with-filler to a tire molding machine; and a transfer apparatus for transferring the bead and the bead-with-filler having a catching section. The transfer apparatus turns for positioning the catching section at each delivery position of the bead supply apparatus, the bead-with-filler preset apparatus and the bead-with-filler supply apparatus.

Abstract: Means for measuring deviation measures a vertical deviation of a green tire from circularity while the green tire is clamped by a green tire building drum. The green tire to be formed is shaped into a complete circle according to the measured value.

Abstract: A tire assembly method and apparatus are disclosed which utilize at least two rotatable turrets (16, 18) that each have two drums (26, 28, 58, 60) and at least one transfer unit (156) for transferring tire components from one turret to another. The preferred embodiment of the invention features three turrets (16, 18, 20) and two transfer units (156, 170), wherein a carcass band is assembled on the drums of a first turret (16) the tread package is assembled on a third turret (20), and the complete tire carcass is assembled on a second turret (18), in between the first and third turrets. Simultaneous, continuous and sequential building and assembly of tire carcass bands and tread packages for a plurality of tires is provided by the method and apparatus of this invention.

Abstract: Device and process for constructing a carcass and for preshaping an unvulcanized rubber tire includes a preshaping device. An axially adjustable hollow, cylindrical body associated with the preshaping device has a radially outermost surface. An adjustment device capable of adjusting an axial position of the cylindrical body between an operating position and a rest position is provided. A second body having a radially outermost surface is adapted to form a substantially cylindrical, sealed construction surface with the radially outermost surface of the cylindrical body in the operating position. The preshaping device, in the operating position, is positioned axially inside the cylindrical body in a same axial position as the cylindrical body to enable positioning the carcass without the carcass being affected by the preshaping device.

Abstract: Assembly for building a green or non-vulcanized tire for vehicles, such as passenger cars, the assembly being provided with two, separately drivable, building drums (13, 16), in line with each other, for the belt and the tread; two carcass drums (40, 40') located parallel to each other, mounted on a common, rotatable shaft (39), the rotatable shaft being rotatable such that the one Carcass drum (40) and the other carcass drum (40'), respectively, can be in line with the building drums; a first (14) and a second (19) transfer ring, both movably disposed on a transfer track (18), the first transfer ring (14) being movable between the belt building drums (13, 16) and the second transfer ring (19) being movable between the carcass drums (40, 40') and the closest building drum; a breaker ply servicer (30) and a cap ply unit (31) for supplying tire components to a first building drum (13); a tread servicer (32) and a winding unit (15) for supplying tire components to a building drum; a bead holding (27) and bead pl

Abstract: The present invention proposes a machine for the manufacture of tires on a core 1 which is used for the manufacture of sa8d tires from the start of the assembling until the vulcanizing. The machine comprises, arranged adjacent to each other on a frame 5, a tire assembly station 2 comprising means for forming the raw tire by depositing the different compounds on the core 1 in the order and place required by the architecture of the tire, a vulcanization station 3, and a support handling station 4, as well as a crane 7 for transporting the core 1 between the different stations.

Abstract: Means for measuring deviation measures a vertical deviation of a green tire from circularity while the green tire is clamped by a green tire building drum. The green tire to be formed is shaped into a complete circle according to the measured value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transfer ring (1) for a tire or tire b having grippers (5) distributed along its circumference which are displaceable radially so as to come into contact with said tire or belt, and having means (8) for controlling the radial displacement of said grippers and means (15) for immobilizing the grippers (5) by blocking them perpendicular to their radial displacement.

Abstract: A module (1) used for the manufacture of tires, comprising an inflatable flexible bladder (10) provided with two beads (11) which is used for the assembling and vulcanization of the tire on the bladder, each bead being anchored on a plate (30, 31). The module (1) has at least one rigid wall mounted on a plate (30, 31) which is adjacent said flexible bladder (10) when the latter is inflated and can be retracted so as to be able to separate the tire from said module (1) after vulcanization and can be spread out radially so as to constitute a reference surface for the assembling of the tire.

Abstract: 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: A tire building machine includes a single-stage type forming drum (13) for initially forming a carcass band (29) and subsequently forming a green tire (34), and a belt-tread drum (14) for forming a belt-tread band (31). These drums (13, 14) are carried by a horizontal coaxial shaft (12) on a base member (10) of the machine. An integrated transfer unit (16) is movable in a predetermined transfer direction on the base member (10). The transfer unit (16) includes a bead setter (17) for setting beads (23) onto an outer circumference of a carcass band (29) formed on the forming drum (13), and a transfer ring (18) for transferring a belt-tread band (31) formed on the belt-tread drum (14) and a green tire (34) formed on the forming drum (13). The bead setter (17) and the transfer ring (18) are connected to each other as an integrated unit, and driven by a single drive means in the transfer direction.

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 turret for a tire building system having two drums with drum shafts mounted on the turret and adjusted so that the axes of the drum will be offset and parallel providing a compact turret assembly with a minimum shaft length and weight. The offset drum shafts provide for positioning of the drums in operating positions of different heights relative to the floor surface so that manual operations can be carried out at the lower drum position where there is easy access by an operator. Safety provisions are incorporated to disengage the motor and stop rotation of the turret if the motor does not stop and thereby protect the operator and the turret mechanism.

Abstract: A transfer ring (1) for toroidal carcasses (2), wherein a number of first actuators (17) provide for radially moving a number of sectors (19) to and from a position which forms a grab ring (20) for cooperating with an intermediate annular portion (7) of the carcass (2). A number of second actuators (35) provide for moving a number of clamping devices (34) to and from a closed position engaging the beads (3) of the carcass (2). Each sector (19) and each clamping device (34) presents respective magnetic retaining elements (22, 44), respectively cooperating with the intermediate annular portion (7) and the beads (3) of the carcass (2).

Abstract: A tire forming system includes a belt drum (1), a band drum (2) and a shaping drum (3), which are linearly arranged in order on a base (9) from its one end to the other. A first drive unit (5) is arranged at one end of the base (9) and coaxially supports and drives the belt drum (1) and the band drum (2). A second drive unit (8) is arranged at the other end of the base (9) and supports and drives the shaping drum (3). A transfer unit (10) is provided and transfer a belt-tread band (25) from the belt drum (1) and a carcass band (26) from the band drum (2) to the shaping drum (3) where they are assembled with each other to form a green tire (35).

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an assembly of an annular bead wire core and a surrounding ring of filler material attached thereto comprising at least one former, typically mounted on a turntable, and a number of stations. At a first station, rubber-coated bead wire is wound around the former to produce the annular bead wire core. At a second station, the ring of filler material is arranged over the previously wound rubber-coated wire core to form the bead core assembly and at a third station the bead core assembly is unloaded from the former. Conveniently the former(s) is(are) moved from station to station by indexing movement of the turntable.The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a tire bead core assembly.

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: 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 device (1) for the second stage assembly (2) of a radial tire. The device presents two pairs (33) of horizontal-axis rollers (37) defining a saddle (29) for supporting a toroidal body (4) positioned with a first axis (5) parallel to the axes (35) of the rollers (37) and housing the second stage assembly (2). The pairs (33) of rollers (37) are mounted on a platform (25) for rotating the toroidal body (4) about a second vertical axis (20), and are operable for rotating the toroidal body (4) about the first axis (5), and are located an adjustable distance apart for moving the toroidal body (4) along the second axis (20).

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: A plant for assembling elastomeric pneumatic tires having a plurality of assembling drums (2) moveable along a predetermined assembling path. Each drum encounters, according to a pre-established sequence, a number of primary work stations (10, 11, 12, 13) each intended for the application of a respective main component (4, 5, 6, 7) common to a plurality of carcass types included in a predetermined production range. Alongside the primary stations are auxiliary work stations (14, 15) intended for applying specifically provided accessory components (8, 9), each being designed for a particular carcass type. Each auxiliary station can be removed and replaced by a different station depending on the type of process to be carried out and is movable between a rest position in which it is perpendicularly moved away from the assembling path and a work position in which it is operatively disposed along the assembling path, in order to execute the application of the respective accessory component.

Abstract: In a tire building apparatus comprising a band drum 1, a shaping drum 2, and a belt forming machine 101 having two belt drums 3 which can be oscillated or cyclically moved, the band drum 1 and the belt forming machine 101 are disposed on the same axis in opposing relationship, the shaping drum 2 is disposed so that it can be reciprocated between the position on the aforesaid axis and the standby position while maintaining the parallel condition with respect to the aforesaid axis, and a band transfer 4 and a belt transfer 5 are disposed so that they can be reciprocated along the aforesaid axis between the band drum 1 and the belt forming machine 101.

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: A retreading device for tires in which a tread strip is applied to a carcass includes a tread strip feeding device for feeding the tread strip to the carcass and an extruder for the extrusion of a rubber binding layer. The device includes also an inclined lifting device for a pivotably supporting the carcass relative to the extruder and/or the tread strip feeding device.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a bead assembly consisting of a combination of a ring shaped bead core, a bead filler and a flipper is manufactured by continuous automated steps, whereby productivity is greatly improved. The present invention is characterized by the steps of providing bead locking drums on the free end portions of a plurality of rotary arms arranged radially around the center of rotation thereof, and turning and stopping these rotary arms sequentially so as to set a bead core on a bead locking drum stopped in a first stopping position A, wind a bead filler around the bead core set on the bead locking drum stopped in a second stopping position B to form a bead assembly, and then take out the bead assembly formed on the bead locking drum stopped in a final stopping position D. A third stopping position C is set between the second and final stopping positions, and a flipper is pasted on the bead assembly stopped in this stopping position C.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing tires includes a flangeless green tire assembly drum mounted to a head stock by a cantilevered shaft and coaxially aligned with a belt-tread stock building drum. A transfer mechanism is positioned intermediate the two drums and transfers a built belt-tread stock assembly from the drum to the green tire assembly drum. An unloading mechanism for the built green tires includes two extensible arms mounted to the head stock and flanking the green tire drum, having gripping members at the ends of the arms which are movable towards and away from the green tires, to pick up the completed green tires and move them from the green tire assembly drum. A carcass loading apparatus is incorporated into the unloading apparatus and is fixedly mounted longitudinally to, but rotatable relative to, the extensible arm. The carcass loading apparatus includes a rotatable arm mounted to the extensible arm having a cradle at the end thereof for carrying the carcass.

Abstract: Handling means for the transportation of flexible sheet material comprises two work stations and a carrier (15) movable between the two work stations. The carrier is provided with means (12, 13) securely to support flexible sheet material (9) during its transport by the carrier between two work stations. The carrier preferably is flexible in a first direction whereby it may be deformed to follow a curved path (26) around a mandrel (25) at one work station. The carrier is thereby suited to receiving reinforced sheet material from a first mandrel (14) and applying it transposed, say through 90 degrees, around a second mandrel (25).

Abstract: In the apparatus of this invention a plurality of cylindrical matrices 2 are used to form tubular sleeves of elastomeric material to be later cured and cut into short segments to be used as belts, usually toothed belts. A coiling station 8 places a reinforcing fiber helically around the entire length of the sleeve. The matrix having the coils is then turned to a vertical position by a transfer member 28 and transferred, by means of an adjacent rotating platform 6 to a winding station 9 for application of a sheet of elastomeric material over the thread. The matrix having the completed but uncured sleeve is then placed back on the rotating platform. The coiling station and the winding station each have a tilting member 34 or 43 with two pairs of arms 39 or 52 so that while a completed matrix is swung out of the working position, a fresh matrix is swung into position.

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: A transfer apparatus for cylindrical members, including a trolley movable toward and away from a forming drum, a pair of movable members movably supported on the trolley, bead holding units mounted on inner ends of the movable members for holding beads, grasping units mounted on outer ends of the movable members for grasping axial ends of a cylindrical member on its outside, respectively, and toward and away driving units for moving the movable members equal distances toward and away from each other. With the arrangement, if sizes of tires to be produced are changed, bead set positions and grasping positions of the cylindrical member can be easily changed with high efficiency. Even if a cylindrical member has a low rigidity, it can be grasped and transferred with little deformation of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: An apparatus for building green tires includes a carcass band forming drum for forming a carcass band, a first forming drum arranged rearward of and coaxially to the carcass band forming drum for forming green cases, a first transfer unit movable between the carcass band and first forming drums for transferring and pressing beads to the carcass band and for transferring the united beads and the carcass band to the first forming drum and folding axial edges of the carcass band about the beads upon itself in cooperation with the first forming drum, a second forming drum arranged rearward of the first forming drum for toroidally deforming the green case, second transfer unit movable between the first and second forming drums for transferring and delivering the green case from the first forming drum and second forming drum, a band forming drum arranged rearward of the first forming drum for forming a band, and a third transfer unit movable between the band forming drum and the second forming drum for transferring

Abstract: A ply server for applying a preselected length of ply material drawn from a supply roll thereof onto a tire carcass building drum. The desired length of ply material is measured by a programmable mechanism, then severed at the length desired. The incoming ply material is center guided onto the ply conveyor, or (optionally) a transverse scanner device is used to determine the location of the longitudinal centerline of the length of ply material. The carcass building drum is precisely located with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the ply material. At the opposite end of the server, there is a receptor arrangement into which a cart bearing the supply roll can be brought to the server and the ply material fed into the server, with the separator for the rolled uncured ply material being rewound as part of the material pay-out process.

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 molding machine for rubber belt production that is used in the production of rubber belts mainly for power transmission, to wind canvas, cords, rubber sheet, etc. around a mold. In the molding machine, a plurality of supporting machines each capable of supporting a mold disconnectably and rotatably around the central axis of the mold are mounted on a horizontally rotatable rotary table at a fixed radial distance from the center of rotation of the table. Each supporting machine is arranged to be capable of tilting a mold between a position wherein the central axis of the mold is lateral and a position wherein the central axis is vertical. This molding machine is capable of executing molding on one mold supported by one supporting machine while exchanging a mold of another supporting machine of which molding is completed with a new mold.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacture of a pneumatic tire in which an annular component, such as a tread/breaker assembly, is accurately located in a supporting box (30)(15). Other tire components such as sidewalls, and carcass, are assembled to said annular component while it is held in the box. The box (15) (30) is a transfer box which is detachable from a rotatable conveyor (11) for relocation in turn at each of a number of tire building stations (16)(26)(36) to pick a respective component(s) at each station. After picking up the respective component(s) at a station the box (15)(30) returns to the conveyor (11) for movement of the box to the next building station.

Abstract: A process for building pneumatic radial tires comprising (a) a step of switching a first building drum at a first building position and a second building drum at a second building position in a turret manner by turning a body of a building machine, (b) a step for forming a belt cover layer at said second building position by winding at least one fiber cord continuously and spirally on a reinforcing belt that has been previously wound on the building drum, (c) a step for completing a belt-tread assembly at the first building position by winding a cap tread on a belt cover layer that has been previously been wound on the building drum at the second building position concurrent with the operation for winding the fiber cord that is being carried out at the second building position, removing the tire belt-tread assembly from the building drum, and newly winding a reinforcing belt on the building drum from which the belt-tread assembly has been removed, and (d) repeating said steps (a), (b) and (c).