Abstract: Improved apparatus is disclosed for bonding tread material to tire carcasses utilizing a flexible heat conducting belt one end of which is secured to the tread and the remaining length thereof encircles the periphery of the tread and, by virtue of its heat conducting properties, assists in the bond of the tread to the tire carcass. The flexibility of the belt, as contrasted to a rigid matrix, for example, also permits the belt to conform to the tread configuration. One form of the invention disclosed also includes a second belt laminated to the first and having more strength so that the required pressure to assist in the curing operation can be accomplished without using a conventional pressure chamber. A further form of the invention discloses a laminated metallic type belt which again has one end secured to the tread and is wrapped about the periphery of the assembled tire.

Abstract: An apparatus for consolidating the components of pneumatic tires consisting of a left and right hand assembly, each having a base plate arranged to move toward and away from one another. Each assembly includes a platform that is pivotally mounted on a base plate with actuating means carried by said platforms. The actuating means has associated therewith a stitcher wheel that is capable of moving into and out of engagement with the tire body being built and also capable of moving in an arcuate path over said tire body.

Abstract: A stitching apparatus for stitching tire components laid on a building drum, comprising a frame structure arranged opposingly to and spaced apart from the building drum, a central roller disposed opposingly to the mid-circumferential plane of the building drum and having a rotational axis parallel with the rotational axis of the building drum for stitching the mid-circumferential portions of the tire components on the building drum, at least a pair of side rollers circumferentially spaced apart from the central roller and arranged symmetrically to the mid-circumferential plane of the building drum for stitching both side portions of the tire components, each side roller having a rotational axis inclined to the rotational axis of the building drum and at least a surface portion made of an elastic material.

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 stitcher assembly for use in tire building apparatus which apparatus has main frame means and rotatable tire building drum means supported by the main frame means and in turn supporting tire carcass material along with partially applied tread cap and/or sidewall components. The stitcher assembly includes a pair of carrier units, means for supporting and rotating the carrier units relative to the main frame means, a pair of arm assemblies one associated with each of the carrier units and having stitcher wheel means, and means for supporting and linearly moving the arm assemblies within the carrier units.