Patent ID: 7287568
Filing Date: 2007-10-30
Classification: B29D

Abstract:
1. A tire building drum comprising: a rotatable drum having a center section and a first and second shoulder section, wherein each of said shoulder sections is independently movable relative to the other shoulder section in the radial direction and the axial direction; said center section being radially expandable, said center section further comprising center segments having a first half and a second half, wherein the first half and the second half are axially movable with respect to each other so that the center section has an adjustable width, wherein the first half is connected to a first ring and the second half is joined to a second ring, wherein said first and second rings are rotatably mounted within the first half and second half, respectively; wherein the first and second tings are joined together by one or more linkages for maintaining the rotational synchronization of the first and second rings; and wherein each center section half further comprises a radially oriented chamber, a linkage member received in said chamber and an actuator connected to said linkage member wherein actuation of the linkage members causes the radial outward expansion of the center segments.