Patent ID: 7384499
Filing Date: 2008-06-10
Classification: B29D

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for building and transferring a tread or tread belt reinforcing assembly, comprising: a support including a central axis and portions radially expandable and contractable relative to the central axis, said support further being mounted for rotation about the central axis; a drive coupled to said support for rotating said support about the central axis; a plurality of tire building surface segments removably mounted to said support and forming an annular tire building surface about the central axis, said tire building surface segments mounted for sliding movement in a direction parallel to said central axis during mounting and removal thereof relative to said support; and a transfer device including a plurality of radial support elements, each radial support element configured for engagement with a corresponding one of said plurality of tire building surface segments by movement in a direction parallel to the central axis, and adapted to support said corresponding one of said plurality of tire building surface segments in a radial direction as said support is contracted.