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

Claim 6:
7. The method of claim 1, where the forming apparatus comprises:
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 second plurality of elongate spoke supports being arranged concentrically within the first plurality of elongate spoke supports;
each elongate spoke support of the first and second plurality of elongate spoke supports having at least one spoke-engaging portion;
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 pluralities of elongate spoke supports;
where arranging the inner hub, the plurality of spokes, and the outer band to form a curing assembly arranged in a first arrangement within a forming apparatus includes:
arranging each of the first and second plurality of elongate spoke supports in the first support base, where each elongate spoke support in each of the first and second plurality of elongate spoke supports is configured to translate radially from a retracted arrangement and to an extended arrangement, where the first one or more radially-extendable members are arranged between the first and second annular arrays of elongate spoke supports within the first support base,
thereafter, arranging the plurality of spokes to extend between the first and second plurality of elongate spoke supports and the outer band and the inner hub along the first support base, where one of the opposing lateral sides of the outer band is arranged along the first outer band abutment and where one of the opposing lateral sides of the hub is arranged along the first inner hub abutment,
thereafter, arranging the second support base into engagement with the outer band, the inner hub, and the first and second pluralities of elongate spoke support members, where the outer band engages the second outer band abutment, the inner hub engages a second hub abutment, and each elongate spoke support member of the first and second plurality of elongate spoke supports are arranged in the second support base to translate radially from a retracted arrangement and to an extended arrangement, where the second one or more radially-extendable members are arranged between the first and second pluralities of elongate spoke supports within the second support base,

where in forcing the plurality of spokes in opposite radial directions from the first arrangement and to a second arrangement, the plurality of radially-extendable members are radially extended to force each spoke of the plurality of spokes in the curing arrangement.