Abstract: In a cylindrical tire forming member building method or apparatus, after the front end portion of a belt-shaped material is pressed against the drum, the belt-shaped material is wound on the drum while being centered, and with the central portion of the rear end portion of the belt-shaped material pressed against the drum with a robot hand, both edge portions of the rear end portion of the belt-shaped material are elongated longitudinally and pressed against the drum with the robot hand, so tha front and rear ends of the belt-shaped material are butt-joined without forming a gap therebetween or without being overlapped.

Abstract: A method and device whereby an automatic device for feeding and setting beads onto a tire building drum provides for the loose hanging of two beads and, after centering them in relation to a first axis through expansion of a hanging and automatic centering device, provides for transferring them parallel with the aforementioned first axis and coupled with respective annular transfer and setting bodies, which bodies are spaced a given adjustable distance apart and are transversely mobile between a first position, coaxial with the first axis, and a second position coaxial with a second axis coincident with the drum axis; the feeding and setting device being designed to move along the second axis for positioning the beads on the drum.

Abstract: A spring finger ply down for a tire building machine comprising an annular array of spring fingers, an annular support for the fingers and a constrictable clamp for securing each finger to the support at an axial interference between each finger and the support. The constrictable clamp includes an elastic band stretched circumferentially around the fingers and/or a clamping ring of relatively inextensible material that is adjustably constricted or cinched around the fingers or, if used, the elastic band for holding rigidly or relatively rigidly the fingers to the support. The elastic band is locally radially deformable to permit radial release of the axial interference for easy insertion and removal of a finger without disturbing adjacent fingers.

Abstract: A tire building machine and method employing a tire building drum for receiving at least one ply of tire material having an edge overhanging an axial end of the drum, a bladder turn-up mechanism extending axially outwardly from the drum, an annular array of radially contractible ply-down fingers movable axially to and from a position encircling the overhanging ply edge, and an axially movable ring device operative first to effect radial contraction of the ply-down fingers to turn the ply edge down over the end of the drum, then to set a tire bead against the turned down ply edge at the end of the drum, and then to push the bladder of the turn-up mechanism when inflated to cause the ply edge to be progressively wrapped around the bead and then over the drum.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a tire comprises a former for forming a carcass ply or the like to a cylindrical configuration, a bead holder for placing bead cores on the cylindrical carcass ply and then effecting assembly of a carcass ply-bead core structure. A drum receives the structure from the former and effects assembly of a cylindrical carcass layer and then deforms the latter into a trochoidal configuration to obtain a green tire. The carcass ply located between both the bead cores on the structure is caused to expand and the structure is placed on the drum, the bead cores are wrapped with the end portions of the carcass ply and then the green tire for the radial tire is assembled by attaching side wall members or the like.

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

Abstract: 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: A simple two-stage process is disclosed for economic mass production of premium-quality heavy-duty belted tubeless and tube-type radial truck tires of various sizes using standard 30-year-old semi-automatic tire building machines heretofore used in the manufacture of bias-ply tires by the flat-band process. The old automatic machines are modified at minimal cost to receive a unique rigid expansible drum which is radially expanded 35% or more during the first-stage tire building operation. The drum may be adjusted to make tires of various widths and diameters and has a series of closely spaced radially movable segments defining a rigid segmental open-ended externally cylindrical shell having an annular rubber cover on which a complete green tire carcass is built prior to application of the belts and the tread at the second-stage machine.The shell has rigid beveled shoulders at the ends of the drum which are inclined at an angle of from 40.degree. to 50.degree.

Abstract: An annular outboard bead core holder (38) and an annular inboard bead core holder (32) are slidably mounted on a beam member (26) which in turn is slidably mounted for movement between a bead core positioning location under an expandable tire buliding drum (12) to a storage position inboard of the drum. The bead core holders (32,38) are positioned at an outboard end of the beam member (26) in the storage position permitting movement of the inboard end to a position under a tire drum drive housing (16).

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 machine and method employing a tire building drum for receiving at least one ply of tire material having an edge overhanging an axial end of the drum, a bladder turn-up mechanism extending axially outwardly from the drum, an annular array of radially contractible ply-down fingers movable axially to and from a position encircling the overhanging ply edge, and an axially movable ring device operative first to effect radial contraction of the ply-down fingers to turn the ply edge down over the end of the drum, then to set a tire bead against the turned down ply edge at the end of the drum, and then to push the bladder of the turn-up mechanism when inflated to cause the ply edge to be progressively wrapped around the bead and then over the drum.

Abstract: A tire building machine and method characterized by the employment of a rigid annular bead support at each end of and coaxial with the axis of a tire building drum for holding a tire bead in round and centered to the drum axis during bead placement, after bead placement and during a subsequent ply turn-up operation. The bead support preferably is in the form of a precision machined register ring preferably supported independently of the drum and having a radially outer bead support surface which extends slightly axially beyond a shoulder end face of the drum in radially inwardly offset relation to such end face. During bead placement and/or limited axial outward movement of the register ring, the register ring serves to wipe and firmly stitch interposed ply material to the inner diameter of the tire bead. During such wiping action, the bead may be axially held in place by an inflating turn-up bladder or by a bead setter utilized to set the bead at the drum end.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for separating a bead core from a plurality of looped bead cores arranged in the form of a tube with the adjacent bead cores endwise sticking to one another, wherein the tube of the bead cores are wrapped round a radially collapsible feed drum whereupon the bead feed unit is driven for movement from a first predetermined position to a second predetermined position in a first predetermined direction parallel with the center axis of the feed drum. The tube of the bead cores is then pressed on the feed drum toward one axial end of the feed drum until the foremost one of the bead cores on the feed drum departs from the feed drum.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for transferring annular articles from one stage to another, each article having a ferromagnetic element, comprising hanging the annular articles from a hanger bar having spacer elements arranged at spacings from each other, the articles suspended from the hanger bar being axially spaced apart in parallel from each other across the spacer elements and having center axes aligned with each other in a predetermined direction, and transferring the articles from the hanger bar to a subsequent stage by repeating the steps comprising transferring one of the articles from the hanger bar to a carrier member constructed of permanent magnet, the article transferred to the carrier member being attached to the carrier member with the ferromagnetic element attracted to the permanent magnet, moving the article transferred to the carrier member upwardly with respect to the hanger bar so that the article is disengaged from the two adjacent spacer elements, moving the carrier member away from the h

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 tire building machine of the bead set, ply down, and dual bladder turn-up type includes a bladder clamping system which may be used greatly to broaden the size range capability of existing tire building machines without affecting or replacing a substantial portion of the bladder clamping system or adjacent machinery such as the ply down assembly. Thus, by maintaining an inventory of a reduced number of parts, a machine may more easily be converted to manufacture sizes of tires beyond its standard. This is accomplished by changing the configuration in clamping rings and front nose of the outer bladder only.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tire comprises a first process including the steps of forming a carcass ply or the like to a cylindrical configuration, placing bead cores on the cylindrical carcass ply and then effecting assembly of a carcass ply-bead core structure. A second process of the method includes the steps of receiving the structure from the last step in the first process, effecting assembly of a cylindrical carcass layer and then deforming the latter into a trochoidal configuration to obtain a green tire, wherein the carcass ply located between both the bead cores on the structure is caused to expand either in the first process or in the second process. The structure is placed on a drum device in the second process, the bead cores are wrapped with the end portions of the carcass ply and then the green tire for the radial tire is assembled by attaching side wall members or the like.

Abstract: An improved bicycle tire which can be folded for storage and transportation while maintaining the same running properties as a conventional tire. A plurality of bead cores made of a cord tensile member embedded in the bead section of the tire are provided by winding three to five turns of a cord tensile member having a low elongation ratio and high strength and which has been twisted one to two turns/10 cm in such a manner that the start and finish ends of the bead core overlap one another by 60 to 150 mm. The bead core preferably has a cut elongation of 5% or less and the strength of 300 kg/core.

Abstract: The band transfer device is provided between the band building device and tire building device, and on the side of the band transfer device facing the tire building device, is provided a bead supply means. This bead supply means comprises a bead retaining part having a plurality of divided segments movable in the radial direction and arranged in an expansible ring, and a bead kicking means for kicking a bead retained on the bead retaining part onto the bead ring of the tire building device.

Abstract: A bead manipulator subassembly for a bead supply apparatus for setting beads, at given intervals, at both side-portions of a green tire inner layer formed on a tire molding former. A movable bead setter is disposed between said tire molding former and a bead stocker is provided with a bead retaining means for concentrically collecting and retaining two beads from a bead stocker. A posture controlling means for controlling the posture of the retaining means is provided so that said two beads may align with the center of the former. A motion controlling means for controlling the motion of the bead setter can be added so that said two beads may align with the center of the former.

Abstract: A tire building machine utilizes a ply-down and bead set assembly in which an array of axially projecting spring fingers are used. The fingers are secured between two nested rings which are constructed to interfit with each other and with each finger so that each finger may be inserted or removed without affecting adjacent fingers. One of the rings has projections interfitting with the fingers in their normal position and one of the rings may be locally deformable to assist in the insertion and removal of the fingers.

Abstract: The tire building machine comprises a tire building drum or shaper, annular bladders adjacent each end and a bead setter and bladder pusher mechanism movable axially of the drum selectively to set a tire bead in proper position and to push and effectively roll the bladder when inflated to cause the ply edges of the tire to be wrapped about the bead without air entrapment and stitched securely. Such mechanism includes a bead setting and pushing ring mounted for axial movement and hydraulic actuators are provided for effecting such movement. The ring has a flat face, a short axially extending radially inner annular surface or shelf for restricting expansion of a portion of the bladder rearwardly of the face when inflated thereunder, and a rounded inner peripheral edge or bead projecting beyond the shelf which grips the bladder when inflated to prevent relative sliding movement of the bladder and ring during bladder push.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of setting a bead ring against the plies of a tire carcass on the shoulder of a building drum includes a carrier member with a retractable bead support flange. As the carrier member pushes the bead firmly against the carcass plies, the bead support flange is also pushed against the carcass plies, and the flange partly retracts under the pressure. Then, a fluid operated piston drives the support flange further away from the carcass plies, leaving the bead ring almost unsupported, but pressed firmly against the carcass plies on the building drum. The carrier member then retracts away from the building drum, leaving the bead ring in place on the building drum shoulder and ready to have the carcass ply end portions wrapped around it.

Abstract: A retractable bead setter assembly of the present invention for use with a tire building machine is comprised of a tire bead placing and end ply turn-up bag pusher means having a plurality of first segment elements movable radially therein and a plurality of alternately spaced second segment elements movable both radially and axially. The bead portion of the bead and filler material is positioned adjacent to the first segment elements and firmly gripped between the first and second segment element. The tire bead placing and end ply turn-up bag pusher means is axially moved inwardly to an inward bead set position perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the tire building machine and the clamp lock means is expanded radially to lock the tire carcass material to the bead.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing cladding which comprises the steps of making cellulosic material in the form of particles in which about 20 to 30% of the particles comprise fine particles and the remaining percentage comprise coarse particles which have a thickness of 0.35 to 0.7 mm. A bonding resin is then added to the cellulosic material and the cellulosic material is then formed into a mat. The mat is then passed to a hot press and the press is operated in a manner to obtain rapid closure from the initial contacting of the press platens with the mat until the cladding material so formed is of required thickness. The coarse particles form a core between two layers of fine particles and the core has a void content of between 10 and 30% preferably about 25%.

Abstract: A bead bundle positioning mechanism is provided to accurately locate one axial surface of each bead bundle prior to radial expansion of the tire carcass. Each bundle (62) is held by a plurality of circumferentially spaced clamping mechanisms (10) each of which has a pair of clamping elements (40,48) respectively engaging the axially inner (68) and axially outer (72) surfaces of the bead bundle (62). The axially inner surface (68) of each bead bundle (62) is located by respective clamp members (40,48) which are adapted to cooperate with a tire building machine to provide a predetermined axial distance between the bead bundles during tire assembly while also maintaining the inner axial surfaces in parallel planes which are normal to the longitudinal axis (15) of the tire building drum (74). The inner and outer clamping elements (40,48) are actuated by independent fluid motors (34,36).

Abstract: In the building of a pneumatic tire on a flat drum or former surrounded by tire plies the beads are positioned intermediate the ends of the former by devices which include fingers having magnets at their leading ends to engage the beads and which are movable axially of the former to displace the beads over the former ends and holders reciprocable relative to the fingers on which the beads are first located, after which the holders and fingers are moved toward the former ends causing retraction of the holders relative to the fingers and displacement of the beads off the holders onto the former by the fingers.

Abstract: A tire building machine of the expandable bead lock type employs an elastomeric specially shaped radially expanding bead lock including a shaping and turning bladder which includes an air passage system therethrough. The elastomeric bead lock is confined for radial expansion in an annular outwardly opening chamber in the form of an isosceles trapezoid in radial section with the elastomeric bead lock being of similar configuration and expanded by direct application of air pressure within the chamber. The configuration of the annular chamber and the bead lock compensate for stretching of the bead lock upon enlargement. The edges of the bead lock at the axial sides of the chamber are undercut for flexibility while the walls of the chamber are specially coated to maintain the seal. The bead lock incorporates interconnected metallic segment side plates which not only limit the stroke of the moving seal but insure stability axially of the bead and provide the desired concentricity.

Abstract: The ply turn-down fingers are mounted between an inner and outer ring. One ring being formed of an elastomer having mechanical properties of those of rubber and plastic. To remove a finger, the mounting screws nearest the fingers turn-down each side thereof and are removed. The elastomer ring is then bent or distorted away from the finger a distance to free its toe and the finger is withdrawn. A replacement finger is inserted in the same way. The operation can be carried out without freeing the adjacent fingers.

Abstract: A tire building machine comprises a number of modular packages which can be used interchangeably in single stage, or first stage tire component assembly. Some of the modular components are particularly useful in the manufacture of larger or truck type tires but can also be used in the automatic or semi-automatic production of smaller passenger size tires. One of the principal components is a carriage mounted device for transfer of components such as bands or belt and tread assemblies, or finished tires, which also functions as a bead setter and as a retractable two-position idle journal support for the non-driven end of the main shaft of the tire building drum or shaper. The shaft supports a wide variety of shapers or drums for single, first or second stage building. The device is mounted for movement to and from the shaper or drum and includes a support arm which moves in a circular arc to assume and maintain various positions during various periods in the machine cycle.

Abstract: A building drum assembly (10) mounted on a rotatable driveshaft (14) for the production of a cylindrical carcass (70) includes a drum (11) rotatably carried by the driveshaft (14) for receiving carcass material (60), a bead receiving area (16), means (53) for expanding the drum (11) and means (12 and 13) for turning carcass material (60) over a bead (64). Further provided are means (25 and 36) for the accurate positioning and securing of a bead (64) and means (24 and 25) for providing a substantially uniform and continuous support surface (19) for receiving the carcass material (60).A method is also provided for the operation of the assembly and includes the steps of rotating the drum (11), applying a carcass material (60) to the drum (11), placing a bead (64) over the bead receiving area (16), expanding the drum (11), securing the bead (64) and turning a carcass material (60) over the bead (64).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for assembling a tire carcass comprising a precarcass band and a pair of inextensible bead rings. The band is built and consolidated on a form having a rigid cylindrical surface. The band includes at least one cord or wire-reinforced ply and one or more tire liners of a rubbery gum, and may include additional tire components, in particular the components which will form the sidewalls of the tire. The band is removed from its building form and then moved axially freely over a shaping apparatus. An axially narrow central part of the band is expanded sufficiently to resist axial displacement of the band, which is then spread and smoothed outward from its central part by expanding and then moving outwardly a pair of expandable spreading elements.

Abstract: A tire building apparatus comprises in combination: a tire building drum including a cylindrical tire building drum body formed radially contactable and rotatable around a rotary axis thereof, and a pair of bead applying mechanism disposed in close proximity of both axial ends of the tire building drum body to be rotatable together with the tire building drum body and formed radially contactable; and a transfer ring including an annular frame movable toward and away from a position where the annular frame surrounds the tire building drum, a tire component carrying mechanism having a plurality of tire component carrying members radially movably mounted on the annular frame and capable of carrying a tire component in concentrical relation with the rotary axis of the tire building drum body to mount the tire component on and around the tire building drum, and a pair of bead carrying mechanisms mounted on the annular frame to be disposed at both axial ends of the tire component carrying mechanism in spaced relati

Abstract: Means for positioning an assembled bead for a tire which bead includes an inextensible bead core and an apex of an uncured curable rubbery compound which is easily deformed. The assembled bead is first located concentrically of the axis and in a plane perpendicular to the axis of a tire building drum. The bead is then carried from its first location, supported only by the apex, to axial registry around a bead-setting groove of a tire building drum. The groove is expanded radially to conform a tire carcass band to the bead. The bead, being free of supporting devices within, is seated accurately in the carcass overlying the grooves. 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: An apparatus is provided for assembling reinforcing rings and bead filler with a vehicle tire carcass. The apparatus has an expandable drum and a device for centering and locking the rings on the drum. The device comprises a support member which is coaxial with the drum and has bars which form a cage slidably disposed on the drum. The device also has a centering device for centering the rings on the drum.

Abstract: A device for gripping, pressing and depositing a tire core upon a raw tire blank, has a supporting cylinder which is shiftable axially and which consists of two rings located side by side and having parallel annular troughs upon their inner side. The annular troughs are airtightly covered by separate rings consisting of polyesterurethane or similar tough elastic plastic material with a high E-modulus. These rings have crack zones located mirror-like symmetrically in several radial planes; they are rigid against change in shape and cross-sectionally they are adjustable as toggle joints relatively to each other. The ring zones located closest to the ring center are swingable inwardly tongs-like in radial planes by increased air pressure.

Abstract: A tire building apparatus having main frame means, and rotatable tire building drum means supported by the main frame means. A pair of tire bead placing and end ply bag turn-up ring means are supported on the main frame means and are movable axially inwardly and outwardly longitudinally of the drum means. Positive stop means are carried by the main frame means and are engageable by the ring means for locating the latter in precise predetermined inward bead set positions.

Abstract: A tire building drum for assembling and shaping green tire carcasses toroidal includes a central drum and side drums with membranes capable of being blown up to shape the tire carcass. Supporting rings are located on opposite sides of the central drum. The invention is characterized in that the core supporting ring consists of an elastomeric material with a high E-modulus and is provided on the inner side with a disk-shaped flange supported in a groove, the flange having concentric collapsible grooves and being capable of extending radially under air pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method in which a radially and axially expandable and contractable tire building drum is used in a single-stage building of a pneumatic tire carcass, particularly tire carcasses for heavy service. The essential parts of the tire are applied and the manufacturing steps are accomplished without transferring or removing the tire carcass from the drum upon which it is built. The essential parts are applied and steps are accomplished including applying the carcass layers, positioning of the bead wire rings, turning the marginal edges around the bead wire rings, rolling and stitching, shaping the carcass into the toroidal configuration, applying, rolling and stitching of a reinforcing belt and a tread and application and shaping of the sidewalls. Shaping of the carcass into the toroidal configuration is accomplished by pneumatic pressure being applied between the carcass and the building drum.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding and setting beads onto an assembly drum of a pneumatic tire assembling machine, comprising a bead servicing mechanism to support thereon a supply of beads, and a bead separating mechanism to effect successive transfer of the beads from the servicing mechanism to the assembly drum. The servicing mechanism comprises a plurality of parallel rods arranged in a single circle, the rods being provided with vanes uniformly spaced longitudinally of the rods. The latter are associated with a drive effecting rotation of the rods about; their axes between a position whereat the vanes are projected beyond the circle to separate the beads from one another, and a position whereat the vanes are retracted into said circle, providing for forwarding of the beads longitudinally of the rods.

Abstract: A tire building machine in which a tire building drum of variable diameter is connected to a rotatable driving shaft for rotation therewith while a plurality of bead applying means respectively arranged at opposite end faces includes annular sections surrounding the rotatable shaft in radially spaced relationship thereto. The machine furthermore comprises guiding means separate from the rotatable driving shaft and slidably engaged by the bead applying means which are adjustable on the guiding means in planes perpendicular to the driving shaft in two directions perpendicular to each other.