Abstract: Each of a plurality of pressure rolls is displaced around the shaft member and pressurizes the tire constituent member. Each of a plurality of supporting parts supports the pressure roll rotatably from the inside of the pressure roll and is displaced integrally with the pressure roll. A plurality of pressure holes are formed in a plurality of points of the shaft member corresponding to positions of the plurality of pressure rolls so as to extend in the pressurization direction for the tire constituent member. Each of a plurality of moving members projects in the pressurization direction from the pressure hole so as to pressurize the pressure roll. Each of a plurality of supply pipes is arranged in the inside space around the shaft member so as to each supply the pressurizing medium for pressurizing the moving member into the pressure hole.

Abstract: The invention enables to pressure-bond a carcass ply sheet pasted onto a rubber laminating member wound around a periphery of a building drum firmly along a recessed and projected shape of the rubber laminating member without producing a deformation or a warp of a carcass cord, by using a stitcher apparatus constituted by arranging a plurality of pressure-bond rollers having axis centers in a tangential direction of a concentric circle having a diameter larger than that of a building drum in a peripheral direction by a plurality of rows and by a constant pitch by being respectively supported to be able to progressively displace to an inner side in a diameter direction, while moving the building drum in an axial direction relative to the pressure-bond rollers on an inner side of a circular arrangement of the pressure-bond rollers, a carcass ply sheet is pressed by a predetermined pressure to pressure-bond over an entire periphery and simultaneously by the respective pressure-bond rollers progressively displace

Abstract: Pressure roll for a tire building apparatus for preparing pneumatic tire blanks with a building drum for receiving tire layers. The pressure roll cooperates with the building drum has a plurality of discs mutually slidable with respect to one another and on a shaft so as to extend radially with respect to the building drum, the discs being mutually uniformly shaped, and each disc having an interior part and an exterior ring surrounding the interior part and being rotatable about a ball bearing, the interior part having a recess whose sidewalls slide radially on the sidewalls of the shaft and whose length is greater than the corresponding size of the shaft. The shaft extends in the longitudinal direction of the pressure roll. The shaft is provided with a number of radially directed bores equal to the plurality of discs, and in each bore a piston is disposed that engages the interior part of the respective disc concerned.

Abstract: The present invention describes an improved pressing roller for a tire building machine. The roller comprises a cylindrical sleeve with each end attached to a housing. Inside the sleeve, and between the housings is a spring biased to separate the housings. A multiplicity of ring shaped inner bearings circumferentially surrounding the sleeve in a parallel arrangement and a multiplicity of ring shaped outer bearings circumferentially surrounding the inner bearings in parallel arrangement. The outer bearings are rotatable relative to the inner bearings. As the roller is moved into operating proximity of the tire the spring is displaced away from the rotating axis of the roller causing the outer bearings to press on the tire and provide the pressure necessary for a stitching operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for winding a belt-like member and a method of feeding a belt-like member for helically winding a belt-like member of a small width around an outer periphery of a rotating body which is rotatable about an axis of rotation and whose radius from the axis of rotation to the outer periphery thereof changes in correspondence with an axial position. A holding device is capable of holding a starting end of the belt-like member from both obverse and reverse surface sides thereof and of pressure-fitting the starting end of the belt-like member onto the rotating body. A feeding device moves the starting end of the belt-like member from a holding position where the belt-like member is held to the rotating body by moving the holding device, so as to feed the belt-like member to the rotating body.

Abstract: A pressing roll for a tire building machine includes a shaft having a longitudinal axis; a plurality of discs inserted on the shaft in an axial series; a mounting arrangement for providing for an individual, radial displaceability of each disc relative to the longitudinal axis; and a force-exerting power arrangement for displacing the discs relative to the shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for sticking a rubber sheet material to a building drum which comprises a presser to secure the forward end of the rubber sheet material, said presser being provided at both ends thereof with attracting means and being covered with a sponge material except end parts, and a means to move the presser to the forward end of the rubber sheet material and place the presser on the rubber sheet material while the rubber sheet material is being stuck to the building drum and finally separate the presser from the building drum after the sticking is completed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method wherein strip material is clamped to a shuttle finger slidably mounted in a shuttle casing which in turn is slidably mounted on a strip applier frame. The shuttle casing and shuttle finger are movable simultaneously from a retracted first position to a second position with the end of the shuttle casing adjacent an applicator roll. The shuttle finger is then movable by itself from the second position to a third position for transferring a tongue portion of the strip onto the applicator roll. The tongue portion may then be elevated into clamping engagement with the drum and the strip released from the shuttle finger. The shuttle casing and shuttle finger may then be returned to the first position, the drum rotated a predetermined amount to partially wrap the strip around the drum and the strip cut at a predetermined location whereupon the drum is rotated to fully wrap the strip of flexible material around the drum.

Abstract: An apparatus and method wherein strip material is clamped to a shuttle finger slidably mounted in a shuttle casing which in turn is slidably mounted on a strip applier frame. The shuttle casing and shuttle finger are movable simultaneously from a retracted first position to a second position with the end of the shuttle casing adjacent an applicator roll. The shuttle finger is then movable by itself from the second position to a third position for transferring a tongue portion of the strip onto the applicator roll. The tongue portion may then be elevated into clamping engagement with the drum and the strip released from the shuttle finger. The shuttle casing and shuttle finger may then be returned to the first position, the drum rotated a predetermined amount to partially wrap the strip around the drum and the strip cut at a predetermined location whereupon the drum is rotated to fully wrap the strip of flexible material around the drum.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for applying mainly a thin rubber sheet, such as an inner liner or insulation, onto a tire making drum, which is used in a series of raw tire making processes. The apparatus can realize a proper applying of the sheet in such a manner that the rubber sheet, not previously cut to a specified length although it is longer than the circumference of the drum, is pressed at the foremost end onto the tire making drum, is applied thereto in a length corresponding to about one circumference of the drum through rotary control thereof, is thereafter cut automatically to the specified length, and is subsequently applied at the rear end of the cut sheet onto the drum.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic applying a predetermined length of ply stock onto a tire building drum wherein the ply stock is unwound from a supply source, conveyed in an untensioned condition on a conveyor means, cut to length and the delivered to a tire building drum. The cut stock is then wrapped in an untensioned condition about the drum with the aid of the conveyor means.

Abstract: A stitcher for a tire building machine having multiple discs disposed in concentric laminated relationship for relative movement in the radial and circumferential directions. The discs have a central opening in which a central supporting member is rotatably supported on a stitcher shaft. A plurality of circumferentially spaced cylindrical cushioning members are positioned between the central supporting member and the discs for resiliently accommodating relative radial movement of the discs when stitching tire surfaces of different radii. The central supporting member may have radially extending curved arms to separate and support the cylindrical cushioning members. The outer shell of the cushioning members may be of wear-resistant material in sliding engagement with the discs so that during relative rotational movement of said discs there will be a minimum amount of wear of the cushioning members and discs.

Abstract: The tread of a pneumatic tire is bonded to a toroidal shaped radial tire carcass and a reinforcing structure which has discontinuities in its thickness in two planes parallel to the equatorial plane of the tire by a stitching process wherein the annular central portion of the tread while unvulcanized is first rotated against a brush. The lateral portions of the tread which overlie the thickest edge portions of the reinforcing structure are also pressed by rotating brushes commencing while the central portion is being pressed and the annular areas of the tread intermediate the center and lateral areas are pressed with metallic discs. The lateral portions of the tread overlying the thickest parts of the reinforcing structure are then pressed with metallic discs. The process and apparatus having two sets of brushes to achieve the sequence of pressing steps adhere the unvulcanized tread to the underlying structure without air bubbles being trapped therebetween.

Abstract: There is disclosed an inflatable bladder for axially folding a ply at the shoulder of a drum, the body of which bladder carries ply-lifting fingers, as well as a ply-folding wedge in its surface. Inflating means causes the fingers and wedge, after initial expansion of the bladder, to establish and maintain fixed positions against the ply, whereupon the wedge turns a corner carrying the fabric with it. The method of operation is similarly disclosed.

Abstract: Stitchers for consolidating tire building components successively wrapped on a building drum comprise multiple thin or narrow annular discs in side-by-side array. Each is free independently and individually to rotate about an axis common to the discs in response to the rotation of the building drum, and to be displaced normal to such axis by differing radial elevation of the components relative to the surface of the drum. Uniformly distributed pressure of the discs on the components along the contact zone is obtained by an inflatable cushion extending through the discs and acting on them individually. Thin inner plates disposed respectively within each disc rotatably support the discs and transfer the stitching forces from the cushion to individual discs.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a generally flat strip of uncured tread material about the tread receiving portion and adjacent portions of the side walls of a tire carcass including a first roller means resiliently urging the center portion of the strip into engagement with the tire carcass, a flexible belt having a generally flat or arcuate configuration of relatively large curvature and second roller means for resiliently biasing opposite sides or edges of the belt toward the carcass.

Abstract: A calendering device has a plurality of pressure rollers and an opposing plurality of counterpressure rollers, each rotatably mounted on a piston rod movable in a direction for permitting the pressure rollers and counterpressure rollers to approach one another to calender a product. The pistons of the piston rods are mounted within pneumatic casings and are moved by a diaphragm within the pneumatic casings. There is no contact between the pistons and the walls of the pneumatic casings, thereby reducing the frictional resistance to the movement of the rollers. Means are provided for equalizing the pressure applied to a roller and its corresponding counter roller. Separate pneumatic casings and diaphragms may be provided for each piston rod, or several of the pressure rollers or counterpressure rollers may be moved by a single diaphragm, which can be in the form of an elongated hose.