Patent ID: 11926114
Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
Field: Other special machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 11:
12. An apparatus for forming a non-pneumatic tire carcass comprising an inner hub, an outer band, and a plurality of spokes extending between the inner hub and the outer band, the inner hub and outer band each being annular, the inner hub being arranged radially inward of the outer band, each of the inner hub and the outer band having a width extending in an axial direction and defined by opposing lateral sides, the apparatus comprising:
a first support base having a first outer band abutment and a first inner hub abutment;
a second support base having a second outer band abutment and a second inner hub abutment;
a first plurality of elongate spoke supports extending axially from the first support base and to the second support base, the first plurality arranged in a first annular array;
a second plurality of elongate spoke supports extending axially from the first support base and to the second support base, the second plurality arranged in a second annular array, the first plurality being arranged concentrically within the second plurality;
each of the first and second plurality of elongate spoke supports having at least one spoke-engaging portion; and,
a plurality of radially-extendable members arranged between the first plurality of elongate spoke supports and the second plurality of elongate spoke supports, where one or more radially-extendable members of the plurality of radially extendable members are arranged on opposing axial sides of the spoke-engaging portions of each of the first and second plurality of elongate spoke supports.