Patent ID: 6086811
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: B29D,B30B

Abstract:
Apparatus for molding an endless tractor track from a band of uncured rubber, calendered cord and wire cable, and a plurality of drive lugs, such apparatus comprising:a rotatable building and curing drum having a rim formed with a continuous outer peripheral surface that defines an inner rubber molding matrix, such drum also being formed with a plurality of peripherally spaced drive lug cavities which releasably receive the drive lugs;means to feed drive lugs into the drive lug cavities;supply reels to dispose uncured rubber, calendered cord and wire cable onto the outer peripheral surface of the drum rim over the drive lugs;a mold that removably receives the drum and the uncured rubber, calendered cord, wire cable, and drive lugs, the mold having a plurality of tread forming outer rubber molding matrices that are extended to admit the drum and retracted to release the drum;means for heating the outer matrices and the outer peripheral surface of the drum rim;power-operated means for advancing the heated outer matrices into compressive contact with the uncured rubber, cord and wire cable between the heated drum rim, and the outer matrices whereby the rubber is cured thereby bonding the calendered cord, wire cable and drive lugs to the rubber and concurrently molding integral treads on the outer surface of the rubber so as to form the cured endless, tractor track; andmeans to introduce a chilled fluid into the rim of the drum to reduce the rim diameter by thermal contraction so as to free the cured tractor track from the drum.