Patent ID: 6413342
Filing Date: 2002-07-02
Classification: B29D,B60C

Abstract:
A method of forming a bead (10), a trailing end (12) of at least one bead wire (14) being anchored in the bead (10), the method including the steps of:securing a leading end of the bead wire (14) to bead former (42); winding the bead wire (14) about bead former (42) a plurality of revolutions to form the bead (10) into a desired cross-sectional shape; and cutting the bead wire (14) after a last revolution (28) about the bead former (42); the method being characterized by the step of:associating a punch wheel (18) with a bead former (42) and anchoring the trailing end (12) of the bead wire (14) by driving the trailing end (12) into the bead (10), using punch wheel (18), punch wheel (18) having a tapered edge (22) which has a grooved tip (20), which is used to drive the trailing end (12) between at least two previously wound and abutting revolutions of bead wire (14).