Patent ID: 8585845
Filing Date: 2013-11-19
Classification: B29D

Abstract:
1. A method for forming a tire, comprising: applying at least one carcass layer onto a drum rotatable about an axis of rotation to thereby form a cylindrically-shaped unvulcanized tire carcass having opposed first and second lateral ends; positioning a first bead-and-apex assembly proximate the first lateral end of the unvulcanized tire carcass; positioning a second bead-and-apex assembly proximate the second lateral end of the unvulcanized tire carcass; turning-up the first lateral end of the unvulcanized tire carcass around the first bead-and-apex assembly; turning-up the second lateral end of the unvulcanized tire carcass around the second bead-and-apex assembly; and while turning-up the first and second lateral ends of the unvulcanized tire carcass around the first and second bead-and-apex assemblies, respectively, rotating a first disk having a plurality of radially moveable lifters and a second disk having a spiral groove engaged with cam followers on the radially moveable lifters relative to each other about the axis of rotation such that, during the relative rotation, the radially moveable lifters move a portion of the drum radially outward relative to the axis of rotation, whereby a portion of the tire carcass between the first and second bead-and-apex assemblies moves radially outward relative to the axis of rotation on a drum support surface comprising a chain link assembly comprising a plurality of connected links held in tension radially outward of the radially moveable lifters.