Abstract: A method and a device for applying an apex (13) to the outer peripheral surface of a bead ring (12) prior to assembling a bead portion with a tire carcass in manufacture of an air-filled tire, wherein the apex is fed from one end thereof to the outer peripheral surface of the bead ring (12) and applied thereto as it is wound with rotation of the bead ring (12), the rotation is interrupted to clamp the rear portion of the apex and cut to length, the rotation is resumed to apply the remainder and the rear end of the apex is then move along a circular arc convex toward the bead ring to form the joint portion.

Abstract: A band winding apparatus for forming a bead core comprises a winding device which is composed of a drum and holding means. The drum is rotatably supported by a support shaft and has a peripheral surface on which a band for forming a bead core is wound. The holding means are installed in the drum and has a holding surface capable of detachably adsorbing a start end of the band outside in the drum's radial direction. The holding surface is arranged approximately flush with the peripheral surface of the drum.

Abstract: A method for making a knotless bead bundle, a bead bundle made according to the method, and a tire made using the knotless bead bundle are provided. In the method a bead ring is made using a plurality of annular turns of wire as is conventional in the art, and the annular turns of wire are wrapped with cord, tape, or other conventional wrapping material which is held on the bead ring without using knots. The wrap is held on the bead ring by using a tie down area that is made by forming a loop in the wrapping material, holding the loop in place by a number of close turns of wrap on the bead ring while leaving a first end of the wrapping material free, wrapping the bead ring 360.degree. around the ring, passing a second end of the wrapping material through the loop, closing the loop by pulling the first end of the wrapping material whereby closing the loop pulls the second end of the wrapping material under the close turns of wrapping material.

Abstract: The front end and rear end of a belt-shaped member having a predetermined length are grasped by front end grasping pawls and rear end grasping pawls, respectively, movable in synchronism with and independently from each other when required. The front and rear end grasping pawls are moved in synchronism with each other until the front end of the belt-shaped member arrives at the forming drum. After the front end of the belt-shaped member has been pressure-joined with the forming drum, only the rear end grasping pawls grasping the rear end of the belt-shaped member are moved to attach the belt-shaped member to the circumference of the forming drum. The length of the belt-shaped member is modified to a predetermined length or the circumferential length of the forming drum while the front and rear ends are grasped by the front and rear end grasping pawls, respectively, or the belt-shaped member is being attached to the forming drum.

Abstract: A filler-provided bead forming apparatus include a cylindrical drum, a transport device for transferring a belt-shaped filler to the proximity of one end of the drum, a pair of grasping units for grasping both ends of the filler arranged on the transport device, respectively, and moving device for moving the grasping units grasping the filler and wrapping the filler around the drum such that the filler is lying on the drum and a bottom end of the filler on a thicker side thereof is in register with the one end of the drum and further for butt joining longitudinal ends of the filler.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing automotive tire beads wherein a pair of bead winding and transfer units for forming respective beads each present an inner ring which defines part of a bead winding unit for winding a continuous metal wire constituting the respective bead, and consists of two coaxial rotatable annular bodies designed to move between a detached and mated position; and an outer grip ring consisting of a number of segments designed to move back and forth in relation to the inner ring; which segments are carried on an annular support designed to move both transversely, between a position coaxial with the respective inner ring and a position coaxial with a tire building drum, and axially along the tire building drum.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for applying the belt-shaped bead filler on the bead core with apex. The method comprises the the step of: rotating a bead core with an apex together with a belt-shaped bead filler; mounting the bead filler on the internal circumferential surface in an approximately cylindrical shape so as to form an overlapping portion; joining at least a part of the overlapping portion; folding up the cylindrical bead filler on both sides of apex and bead core and press-fitting so as to unify them.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming an apex filler (13). The invention also provides a method and apparatus that is uniquely adapted for applying an apex filler (13) onto a bead ring sub-assembly (14) without the introduction of stresses at the outer edge (50) of the apex filler (13). The apex filler forming apparatus (10) works in conjunction with an extruder (43) which presents a linear strip (42) of elastomeric material having a pre-determined cross-section. A pair of opposed, forming rollers (33) present a nip (35) therebetween. Means (36) are provided to rotate the rollers (33). Rotation of the forming rollers (33) causes the nip (35) frictionally to engage the elastomeric strip (42). The interaction between the elastomeric strip (42) and the nip (35) effects rotary motion of the elastomeric strip (42) and increases the circumferential length of the elastomeric strip (42) proportionally to the radial distance outwardly from the base (49) thereof.

Abstract: A method for forming an automobile bead assembly comprises three series of steps. The first series includes placing a bead ring onto the smaller-diameter side surface of a taper drum, winding a bead filler around the peripheral surface of the taper drum such that the thick-walled portion thereof projects over the smaller diameter surface of the drum, bonding the ends of the filler together, bending the thick-walled portion along the smaller-diameter side edge to join it to the bead ring, and separating the front end portion of the filler from the peripheral surface of the drum. The second series includes winding a side ply around the outer periphery of a cylindrical forming drum, bonding the ends together, winding a bead flipper around the side ply while part of the flipper overlaps the side ply, and joining the ends of the flipper together.

Abstract: The described device includes a bearing element positioned to engage a bead core and subjected to the action of a friction wheel acting in such a way as to make the bead core rotate around its own axis. Two pressure discs arranged specularly with respect to the lying median plane of the bead core act on opposite sides of a filler to apply the same on the outer peripheral chafer of the bead core while this latter is rotating. The pressure discs lie according to respective planes convergent toward the bead core and divergent in the sense of rotation of the bead core to favor the release of the filler from the pressure discs. The pressure discs are thrust on the filler through a pneumatic cylinder which exerts a constant force on an oscillating support according to an axis parallel to the bead core axis and bearing the discs themselves.

Abstract: In manufacture of an automobile tire, a method and a device for making a bead apex/bead ring assembly. More particularly, a method and a device for automatically applying an extruded belt-like rubber material generally referred to as "bead apex" or "bead filler" onto a core material referred to as "bead ring" which is previously mounted on a circular holding device referred to as "former" to make a bead ring/bead apex assembly. In the proposed method and device, the "apex" is drawn out from an extruder or a roll and fed to the "bead ring" and, then it is wound around and bonded to the outer periphery of the "bead ring" with rotation of the "former", and at least the leading end of the apex is caught and restrained by a holding device during at least a period from the start to the end of the apex applying process.

Abstract: A bead former (14) has a gripping mechanism (90,92) for gripping a leading end (106) of a bead ribbon (12) at a position recessed in the surface (18) of the former (14) during the initial rotation of the former (14). The gripping mechanism (90,92) has a seat member (92) movable radially outward of the former (14) into a supporting position at the surface (18) of the former (14) after releasing the leading end (106) for supporting the leading end (106) during the latter rotation of the former (14). A pressure roller (20) is rotatably supported in a guide cage (54) mounted on a dual arm (22,48) having a dual actuation system (34,60) for moving the guide cage (54) and pressure roller (20) into position for guiding and compacting the convolutions of bead ribbon (12) wrapped around the former (14) and for providing a high pressure force to crimp the splice area (124 ) of the bead (16).

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: Upper and lower rollers have grooves for a bead ring having a clamp area portion produced by a bead winding machine. The bead ring is placed in the groove of the lower roller with the beginning of the clamp area portion in position for pressing by lowering of the upper roller so that the bead ring is engaged by the groove in the upper roller. The rollers are oscillated between the pressing position at the beginning of the clamp area and the end of the clamp area to roll the top, bottom and sides of the clamp area portion during the movement of the bead ring. The pressure on the bead ring is released by raising the upper roller at the initial pressing position at the beginning of the clamp area so that the bead ring may be removed with the same orientation it had when it was placed in the groove.

Abstract: A tire bead wire apparatus comprising a festoon mechanism for accumulating a bead wire strip, movable bead transferring means for transferring the bead wire strip fed from the festoon mechanism, cutting means for cutting the bead wire strip into predetermined lengths, a rotatable bead former assembly comprising a plurality of different bead formers which are different in diameter in relation to one another, former rotating means for driving the bead formers to rotate about their own axes, means for holding the end portion of the cut bead wire strip against a peripheral surface of the bead former, and pressing means for joining together the end portions of the cut bead wire strip to form an annular bead wire.

Abstract: A bead forming apparatus, comprising stationary and movable support members; a collapsible bead forming drum rotatable about an axis fixed with respect to the stationary support member; feed rollers mounted on the movable support member to drive the bead forming element toward the bead forming drum along a predetermined path, the rollers being rotatable about axes parallel with the axis of rotation of the bead forming drum and including a main feed roller, a first auxiliary feed roller to impart a coiling tendency to the bead forming element to be passed from the main feed roller toward the bead forming drum, and a second auxiliary feed roller to guide the bead forming element to travel past the first auxiliary feed roller toward the bead forming drum; cutting blades for cutting the bead forming element at a predetermined location on the aforesaid path; an aperture for retaining the leading end of the bead forming element extending from the second auxiliary feed roller at the aforesaid predetermined location;

Abstract: The positioning of fabric wrapped rubber insulation between a steel bead and a radial steel body ply eliminates failures in the bead areas of tires due to the direct contact of the steel body ply and bead bundle wires.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire and a method of constructing a tire bead for the same, in which the tire has a bead portion which is reinforced by a bead core of wire running around the bead portion and the wire is housed in a circular elastomeric support which forms a cradle in which the wire is located. The bead can be made by winding wire around the preformed elastomeric cradle.

Abstract: During the winding of the layers of the wires of a tire bead ring, a piece of ribbon is interposed at least twice per revolution between two consecutive layers of wires, the ribbon being formed of a thin flexible support bearing on each of its faces a layer of a material which adheres both to the support and to the wires.

Abstract: A machine for crimping tire bead rings in which an inner die member has grooves for holding the bead rings in the area of the bead splices and an upper die member engages the outer surface of the bead rings in that area. The die members are compressed with sufficient force for a sufficient period of time so that the strands of the bead rings are held together by the insulating material around the strands in the area of the bead splices. The side portions of the grooves control the spreading of the bead rings and may be flared to compress and then release the bead rings. The grooves of the inner die member may have movable inserts for ejecting the bead rings. The upper die member may also include grooves in mating engagement with the grooves of the inner die member for enclosing the outer portions of the bead rings at the splice area and provide for release of the bead rings after crimping.

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: An apparatus (10) is provided for positioning an driving a toroidal body (11), such as a sand core or the like, during the building of portions of the body. The apparatus (10) includes a height adjusting mechanism (16) for raising the horizontal mid-circumferential plane (A',A") of the body so that it will intersect the rotational center (A) of a shuttle (15) which rotates in a plane transverse to the mid-circumferential plane of body (11). The apparatus (10) includes a centering and driving mechanism (17) which includes idler roller devices (18,20) and a drive roller device (22) whereby the body is positioned and driven with the rotational center (A) of the shuttle (15) lying not only on the horizontal mid-circumferential plane (A',A") of the body, but also coinciding with the center of a cross section of the body formed by a plane of the shuttle (15).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tire bead ring of the package type by winding metal wires on a form of revolution, the radially inner face of the tire bead ring having a frusto-conical shape of half angle .alpha. at the apex and of radius R with respect to the axis of rotation of the tire bead ring, in which a permanent circular deformation is effected on the wires prior to their winding on the form of revolution, is improved due to the fact that the permanent circular deformation is a radial deformation of a radius substantially equal to the radius R of the tire bead ring and is effected on the wires whose one principal axis of inertia of their cross section is inclined by one angle .alpha. with respect to the axis of winding of the wires on the form of revolution.

Abstract: An apparatus for associating an elastomeric filler with a bead core of a vehicle tire has a fixed frame and two discs which contact each other and rotate together. Each disc has an annular groove with one for encasing the core and the other for applying the base of the filler to the core. The apparatus has means for blocking the opposite sides of the filler in proximity of each end of the "V" and for butt-splicing the ends of the filler strip.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus employing a formed guide shoe assembly controls the placement of successive convolutions of elastomer-coated wire on a bead-winding drum. The guide shoe assembly is not rotatable but accommodates the softly coated wire slidably along an extended curvilinear groove to initial contact with the winding drum or with preceding convolutions of coated wire thereon. A convergent channel in the assembly ensures safe smooth approach to the curvilinear groove. 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: A process and apparatus are provided for making a bead wire and bead zone filler for a vehicle tire. The apparatus has a rotatable drum and deformable tubular member disposed on the drum. The external surface of the tubular member is adapted to receive a strip of elastomeric material to be shaped into the bead zone filler. The tubular member is changed from tubular to annular shape with a fluid under pressure.

Abstract: Strands of steel bead wire or the like are individually surrounded with rubber and the rubber is then partially cured sufficiently by irradiation so that the rubber remains moldably plastic and the final cure will completely cure the rubber. Each bead core when completed is often enclosed in fabric. The completed bead assembly is incorporated in the carcass of a tire. When the tires, including the carcass, tread, etc., are cured, the rubber in the beads is completely cured and the beads are securely bonded to the balance of the tire.

Abstract: A tire bead ring machine for applying a filler gum onto a tire bead ring slightly ahead of a flipper cloth which is thereafter wrapped around the tire bead and filler gum to completely encompass the filler gum and tire bead ring to make a tire bead ring assembly.

Abstract: An annular wedge suitable for use in a tire bead assembly preparation apparatus. The annular, resilient, flexible, compressible wedge has a generally T-shaped axial cross-section with an outer head portion, an inner trunk portion and an inner-connecting throat portion with a generally triangular cross-section therebetween, and a continuous reinforcing annular textile fabric strip integral with said head, throat and trunk portions, said wedge being of a continuous structure having a core of especially prepared microcellular polyurethane and an outer densified relatively smooth skin.

Abstract: A tire bead assembly of a bead core, apex and gum tie strip is made by laying the gum tie strip about a non-inflatable annular member of triangular cross-section and across the slant surface of the member. The apex is wrapped then about the tie strip and about the slant surface of an annular inflatable bag. After the core is pressed coaxially on the tie strip so as to indent the member and thus preform the tie strip, the bag is inflated to turn the apex and underlying tie strip about the core and against an annular forming member to shape the assembly suitably for the tire carcass in which it is to be inserted. A bladder is then inflated to wrap the tie strip on the second side of the core and apex. The member bridges the gap between the adjacent edges of the bag and the bladder. An apparatus for carrying out the steps is also described. The resulting bead assembly is tightly cohered and free of wrinkles and air pockets.

Abstract: A machine for spirally wrapping a continuous element, such as a cord or tape, around an annular tire bead. The machine is provided with a mechanism for holding a tire bead and rotating it in a fixed plane and at a predetermined speed, while a device with the element rotates about the rotating bead to wrap a portion of the continuous element around the bead at a speed which is correlated to the rotational speed of the tire bead so that the finished tire bead has a predetermined spiral wrap which can be varied by changing the relative rotational speeds of the tire bead and element about the tire bead. The machine is supplied with a braking mechanism which is designed to cushion the stop of the bead wrapping mechanism, rather than bringing it to an abrupt halt, and to bring the bead wrapping mechanism always to a halt at a desired position for beginning the wrapping of another bead. A knife is furnished for cutting the continuous element after the bead wrapping operation is completed and the machine is stopped.

Abstract: An apex is cohered to the bead wire bundle or core to form a unitary bead assembly. The core is supported on a rigid continuous planar surface. The apex strip in endless form is supported on the uninflated inflatable cylindrical surface of a turn-up bladder arrangement. Inflation of the bladder arrangement turns or rolls the apex angularly outward to surround the bead core and into an appropriate radial orientation and shape. The bladder action is found to cohere the apex-core so strongly together that conventional roller stitching is not required.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a bead for a pneumatic tire comprising applying a coating to a bundle of glass filaments partially drying but not curing the coated bundle, winding the bundle to form a bead and curing the bead member such as the bead will essentially retain the same geometric cross-sectional characteristics during incorporation into the tire as it had before being incorporated into the tire.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying an elastomeric cover stock to an annular tire bead including a lower carriage for supporting the tire bead, an upper carriage mounted for movement to clampingly engage the tire bead against the lower carriage, a drive roller for rotationally moving the tire bead, rollers on the upper carriage for adhering the cover stock to the tire bead adjustably positioned with respect to the tire bead and adjustably resiliently biased thereat, and a stock feed and severing mechanism supplying a length of the cover stock sufficient for wrapping about the circumference of the tire bead.

Abstract: A liquid phase epitaxial reactor is provided in which a simple cycling mechanism sequentially feeds semiconductor wafers from an input stack into a deposition region and thence to an output stack. In preferred embodiments, a cam is employed to tilt the output stack to accommodate the positioning of each successive wafer in the stack.

Abstract: A method and machine for making wire beads for tires wherein the beads comprise one or more wire filaments helically wrapped around a solid metal core ring. The metal core ring is of circular cross section and is supported in a transport mechanism that revolves it about its axis of symmetry while a reel of filaform material is orbited about an axis tangent to a fixed reference line perpendicular to the orbit axis. Thus, the filaform material is wrapped around the core ring in a helical path about the circular axis defined by the center of the core ring cross section. The pitch of the helical wrap is adjusted to place each convolution of the filament in a predetermined spaced relation to the next preceding convolution.