Patent ID: 6062552
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: B29D,Y10T

Abstract:
In combination, a strip of material to be used in tire production; a conveyor having an upper surface, the strip being carried by the upper surface of the conveyor; and a clamping mechanism holding at least one edge of the strip of material against said upper surface of the conveyor during cutting of said strip, the clamping mechanism comprising:a clamp including a clamp bar and a tension bar, wherein the clamp bar engages said strip of material the tension bar being rigidly affixed to only the ends of the clamp bar and having a middle portion that is spaced from the clamp bar such that a force pressing the tension bar toward the clamp bar provides a tensile force to the clamp bar resulting in the uniform engagement of the clamp bar and the strip of material when the strip of material is engaged by the clamp bar; andan actuator connected to the tension bar, the actuator selectively moving the clamp into clamping engagement with said strip of material, the actuator creating the force that presses the tension bar toward the clamp bar when the clamp engages the strip.