Abstract:
Disclosed is an apparatus for inverting a lugged strip to a desired orientation without the necessity of manhandling the strip and potentially damaging the strip or any of the lugs. The apparatus has a semi-circular tube through which the strip travels. Within the tube, to assist the strip, is a conveyor. The conveyor is mounted on the larger diameter side of the semi-circular tube. The strip is moved from an unloader and into an opening of the inverter with the lugs. The strip makes contact with the far wall of the tube and then is forced to travel along the semi-circular path of the tube. Due to the forced curve and turning of the strip, the strip is inverted.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manipulating a lugged strip. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for inverting a lugged strip of material.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Earthmover machines and agricultural equipment have ground engaging means employing endless tracks driven by drive wheels. The endless track, or belt, is assembled over a plurality of wheels, at least one of which is a drive wheel, and is engaged by the drive wheel. Such track systems are increasingly more common because the tracks have greater traction in soil and cause less ground compaction than conventional pneumatic tires.  
           [0003]    Methods for manufacturing reinforced, endless rubber track can be both expensive and time-consuming. Some methods and apparatus used for the manufacture of industrial belts may be applicable to endless vehicle tracks. However, because of the large differences in the sizes of the belts, which typically have a size expressed in inches or cm, and endless rubber track, which typically have sizes expressed in feet, a simple scale-up of belt technology is not always possible and may not yield usable rubber track. This is self evident due to the greater amount of rubber and reinforcement that must be vulcanized for tracks in comparison to belts.  
           [0004]    In forming tracks, there are several known methods for forming endless reinforced track. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,536,464, and 4,207,052 illustrate a few conventional methods.  
           [0005]    In these known track forming methods, the track carcass, the various rubber layers and reinforcement means are wound on a fixed circumference drum. The circular carcass is then placed into an open “C” press for curing, wherein the first and last heat must match up to create the appearance of an endless built and cured rubber track.  
           [0006]    As the track diameter increases the number of heats required to cure the entire track increases, increasing the likelihood of uneven cures at the match points of the heats. Additionally, for each different track size there must be a drum capable of forming a carcass of that size, either an expandable or a fixed diameter drum.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    In forming the track as disclosed herein, the track is cured as a flat strip with the lugs pointing downwardly. However, to splice the strip to form an endless track, the lugs must face upwardly; thus the strip must be inverted. Disclosed is an apparatus for inverting the strip to the desired orientation without the necessity of manhandling the strip and potentially damaging the strip or any of the lugs.  
           [0008]    The apparatus has a semi-circular tube through which the strip travels. Within the tube, to assist the strip is a conveyor. The conveyor is a preferably a passive roll conveyor along which the cured strip travels. The conveyor is mounted on the larger diameter side of the semi-circular tube.  
           [0009]    The strip is moved from an unloader and into an opening of the inverter with the lugs. The strip makes contact with the far wall of the tube and then is forced to travel along the semi-circular path of the tube. Due to the forced curve and turning of the strip, the strip is inverted. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    The invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is an overhead view of the manufacturing system;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1A is an overhead view of the building cell;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1A is an overhead view of the press cell;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1C is an overhead view of the splice cure press cell;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2A is a side view of the building cell;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2B is a side view of the press cell;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2C is a side view of the splice cure press cell;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a side view of the building cell facing the build table;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is side view of a material cartridge;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is the material cartridge along line  5 - 5  of FIG. 4;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is an overhead view of the stock left-off mechanism;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 is a side view of the build shuttle;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8 is the drive column of the build shuttle;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 9 is the shear assembly;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 10 is the hold down unit at the end of the build table;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 11 is the loader assembly along line  11 - 11  in FIG. 2B;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 12 is the unloader assembly;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 13 is the top view of the track removal tool;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 14 is the splice cure cell; and  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 15 is the splice cure press along line  15 - 15  in FIG. 14. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0031]    The manufacturing system has three manufacturing cells: a building cell A, a flat cure press cell B, and a splice cure press cell C, see FIG. 1. The cells A, B, C are in series with the appropriate necessary material handling of the material assembly from one cell to the next cell.  
         [0032]    The Build Cell  
         [0033]    The build cell A, the first cell in the manufacturing system, and its components are illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 2A, and  3 - 10 . The build cell A has a build table  2 , a build shuttle  4  which travels the length of the build table  2 , and at least one load cartridge  6 .  
         [0034]    As seen in FIG. 1A, the build table  2  (illustrated without the build shuttle  4 ) is located adjacent a plurality of cartridge stations  8 . The build table  2  has a length at least equivalent to the circumferential length of the largest belt that can be built in the manufacturing system. The table  2  has a powered conveyor belt  10 . The underside of the conveyor belt  10  is preferably ribbed to provide for tracking of the belt  10 . The conveyor belt  10  is powered by a motor  12  at one end of the build table  2 . The table  2  is mounted on a plurality of load cells (not illustrated). The load cells measure the total weight of material laid upon the build table  2 . Such information is necessary when the track carcass is to be built to weight specifications, or when the carcass weight must be known. Cartridge stations  8  are distanced from each other along the side of the build table  2 .  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 2 a  illustrates a side view of the build cell A from the side facing the cartridge stations  8  and with empty load cartridges  6 . Along the base of each cartridge station  8  are pairs of drive wheels  14 . The drive wheels  14  in each pair are connected by an axle  16 . When the cartridge  6  is in its cartridge station  8 , the cartridge  6  rest on the drive wheels  14 . The number and type of wheels  14  must be sufficient to support the weight of the fully loaded cartridge  6 . The pairs of wheels  14  are connected to a clutch at each cartridge station  8 , synchronizing the speed and movement of the wheels  14 . The clutches at each station  8  are connected to a motor  18 .  
         [0036]    Each load cartridge  6  has an open frame structure, with means to mount both a stock material roll  20  and a separator sheet take-up roll  22 , and a stock let-off assembly  24 , see FIGS.  4 - 6 . The rectangular cartridge base has two side support beams  26  and two width support beams  28 . Side support beams  30  extend upwardly from the side base beams  26 . On a first side of the side support beams  30  are means to mount the stock material roll  20 . The stock material  32  may be rubber sheet, calendered cord, or calendered wire. The types of rubber, cord, and wire are of the type conventionally used in the manufacture of the carcass of rubber tracks.  
         [0037]    On the opposing side of the side support beam  30 , and vertically offset from where the stock material roll  20  is to be mounted, are means to mount the separator sheet take-up roll  22 . The separator sheet  34  is originally between adjacent spiral layers of the stock material  32 . The means for mounting the stock material roll and the take-up roll allow for easy rotation, removal, and replacement of the rolls  20 ,  22 . For both the stock material roll  20  and the separator sheet take-up roll  22 , shafts  36  extend between the side support beams  30 . At the side of the cartridge  6  closest to the build table  2 , shafts  36  extend and terminate in fly wheels  38 . At the opposing end of each shaft  36 , a hand wheel  40  may be provided to assist the builder in loading and unloading the cartridge  6 .  
         [0038]    The separator sheet  34  is separated from the stock material  32  at the stock let-off assembly  24 . The stock let-off assembly  24  is located beneath the take-up roll  22 , and mounted on angular support frames  42  extending from each side support beam  30 . The stock let-off assembly  24  has a top roll  44 , a bottom roll  46 , a side feed roll  48 , and a feed conveyor  50 .  
         [0039]    The stock material  32  and the separator sheet  34  pass between the top and bottom rolls  44 ,  46  and are separated from each other at this point in the stock let-off assembly  24 . The separator sheet  34  passes between the top roll  44  and the side feed roll  48  and is wound onto the take up roll  22 . The stock material  32  passes beneath the feed roll  48  and onto the feed conveyor  50 . The rolls  44 ,  46 , and  48  are preferably synchronized by means of a drive belt passing about drive sprockets mounted at one end of the rolls  44 ,  46 ,  48 . Side plates  47  may be mounted at the ends of all three rolls  44 ,  46 ,  48 .  
         [0040]    The feed conveyor  50  may be either a roll conveyor or an endless belt conveyor. The selection of the type of conveyor is best determined by the properties of the stock material loaded in the cartridge  6 . Typically, if the stock material  32  is rubber sheet, a belt conveyor operates better, and if the stock material  32  is calendered wire or cord, then a roll conveyor may operate better. In FIG. 6, the feed conveyor is a split belt conveyor.  
         [0041]    When cartridges  6  are in the cartridge station  8 , the width base beams  28  of the cartridge  6  rest on the drive wheels  14  and the cartridge  6  is secured in the station  8  by locks  52 . The locks  52  are located on the side base beam closest to the power end of the cartridge station  8 . To assist in moving the cartridge  6 , or to wheel the cartridge  6  out of the cell A, wheels  54  are mounted along the underside of the carriage  6 . The wheels  54 , when the cartridge  6  is in its station  8 , are not employed and are actually suspended in the air.  
         [0042]    Mounted on the build table  2 , and capable of traveling the length of the build table  2 , is the build shuttle  4 . The build shuttle  4  has an extending base frame  56  and mounted on the base frame is a second frame  57  upon which is a power dispenser unit  58 , build conveyor  60 , and a shear assembly  62 , see FIG. 7. The build shuttle  4  may also have a centering system to ensure that each ply of stock material  32  is centered as it is laid on the build table  2  and the shuttle  4  may also have a stitching system that rolls the laid ply unto the previously laid plies.  
         [0043]    The power dispenser unit  58  is located at one end of the base frame  56 . The power dispenser unit  58  has a drive column  64  perpendicular to the base frame  56 . At the lower end of drive column  64  is a lower drive arm  66 . Mounted on the lower drive arm  66  is a drive wheel  70 , an associated brake  72 , and clutch  74 . The drive wheel  70  is mounted on the inner side of the lower drive arm  66 , facing the cartridge stations  8 , see FIG. 8 which illustrates the inside view of the drive column  56 . The associated brake  72  and clutch  74  are mounted on the outer side of the lower drive arm  66  and are connected to the drive wheel  70  through the drive wheel shaft  76 . A motor  67  adjacent to the drive arm  66  powers the mechanisms of the lower drive arm  66 . A pneumatic cylinder  75  is mounted to the column  64  and to the drive arm  66 . When activated, the pneumatic cylinder  75  moves the drive arm  66  to initiate or terminate contact between the drive wheel  70  and the fly wheel  38  associated with the stock material roll  20 .  
         [0044]    Mounted at the top of the drive column  64 , and on the opposite side of the column  64  from the lower drive arm  66 , is the upper drive arm  68 . Mounted on the upper drive arm  68  is a drive wheel  70  and an associated brake  72  and clutch  74 . The drive wheel  70  is mounted on the inside of the upper drive arm  68 . The associated brake  72  and clutch  74  are mounted on the outer side of the upper drive arm  68  and are connected to the drive wheel  70  through the drive wheel shaft  76 , see FIG. 8. The motor  69  powers the mechanisms of the upper drive arm  68 . A pneumatic cylinder  75  is mounted to the column  64  and to the drive arm  68 . When activated, the pneumatic cylinder  75  moves the drive arm  68  to initiate or terminate contact between the drive wheel  70  and the fly wheel  38  associated with the take up roll  22 .  
         [0045]    Extending across the frame  57  of the build shuttle  4 , at the power dispenser unit end of the shuttle  4 , are pairs of drive wheels  15 . The drive wheels  15  in each pair are connected by an axle  17 . The wheels  15  of each pair are equidistant from the drive column  64  and are the same space apart as the drive wheels  14  in each cartridge station  8 . The motor  77  adjacent to the drive column  64  powers the pairs of drive wheels  15 .  
         [0046]    Adjacent to the power dispenser unit  58  is the build conveyor  60 . The build conveyor  60  is at an inclined angle relative to the shuttle base frame  56 . The build conveyor  60  transports the stock material  32  along its length and onto the belt  10  of the build table  2 . The build conveyor  60  may be constructed in multiple ways. The conveyor  60  may be a single belt conveyor, a plurality of small belt conveyors, or several adjacent belt conveyors, similar to feed conveyor  50 . The conveyor  60  may also be a ball conveyor, a roll conveyor or a combination of ball and roll conveyors. As with the feed conveyor  50  on the load cartridge  6 , the physical properties of the stock material  32  will determine which type of conveyor is best suited for use as the build-up conveyor  60 .  
         [0047]    In the illustrated build conveyor  60 , there are three sets  80 ,  82 ,  84  of adjacent belt conveyors. The uppermost set  80  extends prior to the shear assembly  62 , the middle set  82  extends from the exit point of the shear assembly  62  to just beyond the shear assembly  62 , and the lowermost set  84  extends from the middle set  82  to a point adjacent to the surface of the build table conveyor belt  10 .  
         [0048]    Mounted at the end of the build conveyor  60  may be a component of a centering system. A digital or photoelectric means, such as the illustrated camera  86  is mounted onto a bracket  88  over the top of the build conveyor  60  and provides information regarding the width of the stock material  32 . The camera  86  provides feedback within the system to ensure that the stock material  32  being laid upon the build table conveyor belt  10  is aligned and centered with previously laid plies of stock material  32 . To adjust the alignment of the material  32  being laid down upon the build table conveyor belt  10 , if a misalignment is detected, at a minimum, the lowermost portion  84  of the build conveyor  60  is capable of side-to-side movement to correct any misalignment. For this reason, it is advantageous to have the lowermost portion of the build conveyor distinct from the remainder of the build conveyor  60 . As an alternative, the entire build conveyor  60 , in conjunction with the shear assembly  62 , and the power dispenser unit  58  may be capable of transverse, or side-to-side, movement. To achieve this, as noted, the power dispenser unit  58 , the build conveyor  60 , and the shear assembly  62  are mounted onto the frame  57 . Frame  57  is mounted onto frame  56  via a set of liner slides  89 , permitting the frame  57  and all of the components mounted thereon to laterally move and adjust the placement of the stock material  32  upon the table  2 . The centering system is mounted directly onto the side frame  56 , so that the system does not move.  
         [0049]    Other sensing means may be located in various locations on the build shuttle  4  to assist in the proper placement of the stock material  32  and the proper build of a track carcass  90 . Such other sensing means may also assist in providing information regarding the length of the material  32  being fed through the build shuttle  4  and onto the build table conveyor belt  10  to assist in building the track carcass  90  to the correct specification length. One such device is the encoder  92  located at the stock material roll  20 . The encoder  92  has a roller  94  that contacts the stock material roll  20 , tracking the amount of material  32 , and liner  34 , being fed out by the shuttle assembly  4 . The encoder  92  may be located at any other location where it can contact at least either the stock material  32  or the liner  34  as it is feed off the roll  20 . Additional sensing means can also include cameras located at the lowermost end of the conveyor  84  to determine when material  32  is laid upon the belt  10 .  
         [0050]    The shear assembly  62  is mounted over the build conveyor  60 , and prior to the middle conveyor section  82 , and shears the stock material  32  being laid on the build table conveyor belt  10 . The shear assembly is shown in more detail in FIG. 9. The shear assembly  62  has a top knife blade  96  and a bottom knife blade  98 . The top blade  96  is attached to a hydraulic cylinder  100  that is guided by the shear assembly frame  102 . The bottom blade  98  is fixedly attached to the shear assembly frame  102 . To prevent the blades  96 ,  98  from spreading apart when shearing the stock material  32 , the shear assembly frame  102  is strengthened to stabilize the frame  102 .  
         [0051]    Sets of compression springs  104  are located adjacent the blades  96 ,  98  and are connected to a hold down bar  106 . When stock material  32  is sheared, the springs are activated to force the hold down bar  106  against the stock material during the shearing.  
         [0052]    The shear assembly  62  rotates the assembly +/−30° from the transverse direction. The shear assembly  62  is on a central post  108  that permits it to rotate. The conveyors  80 ,  82  drop down for clearance when the shear assembly  62  is activated and also when the shear assembly  62  rotates.  
         [0053]    Mounted at the end of the shuttle base frame  56  is an optional stitching system including a stitching roll  110 . The stitching roll  110  is mounted pivotally at the end of the shuttle base frame  56 . When not in use during traveling of the shuttle  4  along the length of the build table conveyor belt  10 , the arms  112  holding the stitching roll  110  are maintained at a position above the build table conveyor belt  10 .  
         [0054]    To additionally assist in laying up the different plies of the track carcass  90 , a hold-down unit  114  may be located at the end of the build table  2 , see FIG. 10. The hold-down unit  114  travels along the end of the build table  2 . The unit  114  has a center hold-down bar  116  mounted underneath a u-shaped frame  118 . Other types of hold down units may be employed other than the illustrated configuration.  
         [0055]    To assist in moving the built-up carcass  90  off the table  2 , a swing conveyor  120  may be provided at the end of the build table  2 . Typically, the swing conveyor  120  is at a position perpendicular to the build table  2 . The swing conveyor  120  is mounted so as to pivot about a point  122  coincident with the end roll about which the build table conveyor belt  10  turns. After pivoting, the swing conveyor  120  is parallel to the build table  2 . The swing conveyor  120  is illustrated as a roll conveyor but may be a belt conveyor or a ball conveyor.  
         [0056]    Operation of the Build Cell  
         [0057]    A load cartridge  6  is loaded with a roll  20  of stock material  32  and liner  34 . The stock material  32  in each cartridge  6  may be distinct; however, if a single type of stock material  32  is to be repetitively used in building the track carcass  90 , than multiple cartridges  6  may be loaded with the same stock material  32 . As seen in FIG. 3, new rolls  20  may be loaded into the cartridges  6  by means of an overhead transport system  124 .  
         [0058]    To begin building a track carcass  90 , the build shuttle  4  travels the length of the build table  2  until it is directly adjacent a load cartridge  6  loaded with the appropriate stock material  32 . The build shuttle  4  aligns itself with the load cartridge  6 , aligning the pairs of drive wheels  15  on the build shuttle  4  with the drive wheels  14  in the cartridge station  8 . Once the build shuttle  4  and the cartridge station  8  are aligned, the locks  52  maintaining the cartridge  6  in the cartridge station  8  are released, the motor  18  associated with the station is activated, the station clutch is disengaged, and the pairs of drive wheels  14  begin to rotate in the direction of the build shuttle  4 . Simultaneously, the motor  77  on the build shuttle  4  located near the drive column  64  of the power dispenser  58  is activated and the drive wheels  15  in the build shuttle  4  begin to rotate in a direction towards the drive column  64 .  
         [0059]    The drive wheels  14  in the cartridge station  8  drive the load cartridge  6  out of the cartridge station  8  and the drive wheels  15  in the build shuttle  4  pull the load cartridge  6  onto the build shuttle  4 . Once the cartridge  6  is on the build shuttle  4 , locks secure the cartridge  6  onto the build shuttle  4  and the cartridge station motor  18  in the cartridge station  8  disengages. The build shuttle  4  then travels to the forward end of the build table  2  to begin dispensing the stock material  32 .  
         [0060]    When the load cartridge  6  is on the build shuttle  4 , the pneumatics  75  are activated and the lower drive arm  66  moves so that the drive wheel  70  contacts the flywheel  38  at the end of the shaft  36  upon which is mounted the stock material roll  20 , and the upper drive arm  68  moves so that the drive wheel  70  on the upper drive arm  68  contacts the flywheel  38  at the end of the shaft  36  upon which is mounted the take-up roll  22 . The forward end of the feed conveyor  50  is aligned with the uppermost edge of the build conveyor  80 .  
         [0061]    The drive wheels  70  on the drive arms  66 ,  68  cause the rolls  20  and  22  to rotate and the pulling action of the rollers  44 ,  48 , acting as nip rollers, in the feed conveyor  50  cause the stock material  32  to be fed onto the conveyor  50  and onto the build conveyor  60 . As the stock material  32  is fed onto the build table conveyor belt  10 , the build shuttle  4  moves along the length of the build table  2 . Simultaneously when the build shuttle  4  begins moving down the table  2 , the hold down unit  114  travels to the end of the stock material  32  on the build table  2  and the hold-down bar  116  drops down and retains the end of the stock material  32  in place on the table  2 .  
         [0062]    After the needed length of stock material  32  has been feed from the load cartridge  6 , the shear assembly  62  shears the stock material  32  and build shuttle  4  continues to move back along the build table  2  to lay the remainder of the cut ply onto the table  2 . Once the entire length of the spliced ply has been laid on the table  2 , if the next ply of material  32  to be laid down is not loaded on the cartridge  6  currently on the build shuttle  4 , the build shuttle  4  returns to the cartridge station  8  from which it removed the load cartridge  6 . The operation which transferred the cartridge  6  onto the build shuttle  4  is reversed and the cartridge  6  is returned to the cartridge station  10 . That is, the drive wheels  15  in the build shuttle  4  begin to rotate in the direction of the cartridge station  8 , and the drive wheels  14  in the cartridge station  8  begin to rotate in the same direction, driving the load cartridge  6  off the build shuttle  4  and into the cartridge station  8 . The shuttle  4  then moves to a location adjacent another cartridge station  8  to obtain a different load cartridge  6 .  
         [0063]    If the next ply to be laid down is the same stock material  32  that is in the currently loaded cartridge  6 , the shuttle  4  may simply return to the front of the build table  2 . In either situation, the build shuttle  4  is returned to the front of the build table  2  with a load cartridge  6  mounted thereon.  
         [0064]    As the build shuttle  4  lays the stock material  32  down upon the build table conveyor belt  10 , the stitching roll  110  may be down and stitching the ply as the shuttle  4  dispenses the stock material  32 . Alternatively, as the shuttle  4  returns to the front of the build table  2 , the stitching arms  112  drop down and the stitching roll  110  travels along the length of the laid down ply. As the shuttle  4  approaches the front of the build table  2 , the hold-down bar  116  raises and the hold-down unit  114  returns to the end of the build table  2 . Once the hold-down unit  114  is returned to the end of the table  2 , the build shuttle  4  can lay down the next ply of stock material  32  on top of the previously laid ply.  
         [0065]    After the plies of the track carcass  90  have been laid in accordance with the build specification, the uncured carcass structure  90  is removed from the build table  2 . The conveyor belt motor  12  is engaged and as the conveyor belt  10  travels in the direction of the flat cure press cell B, the track carcass  90  is transferred off of the build table  2 . To assist in moving the carcass  90  from the build table  2  to the flat cure press cell B, the swing conveyor  120 , having a length long enough to complete the gap from the end of the build table  2  to the cure cell B, swings to a position parallel to the build table  2 . Alternatively, a moveable table-like conveyor, with a height equivalent to the build table  2 , may be positioned between the build table  2  and the flat cure press cell B to complete the gap between the build cell A and the flat cure press cell B.  
         [0066]    The Flat Cure Press Cell  
         [0067]    The flat cure press cell B, the second cell in the manufacturing system, and its components are illustrated in FIGS. 1B, 2B,  11 - 13 . The flat cure press cell B has a carcass loading system  126 , a press  128 , and a belt unloader  130 .  
         [0068]    The carcass loading system  126  is a side supported cantilevered fixture  132  located between the press  128  and the build cell A. The side supported cantilevered fixture  132  has a top rail  134 , a bottom rail  136 , vertical support rails  138 , and horizontal support rails  140 . The side supported cantilevered fixture  132  is mounted on an overhead rail system  142  which runs along the length of the flat cure press cell B. The overhead rail system  142  has a length at least equivalent to the carcass loading system  126 , the press  128 , and the belt unloader  130 . The horizontal support rails  140  support at least one power conveyor belt  144 , preferably two belts  144 . The motor  146  that drives the carcass loading system  126  is located on the top rail  134 . A timing belt connects drive pulleys located at one end of the conveyor belts  144  and the motor  146  to synchronize the movement of the belts  144  with the movement of the fixture  132  along the overhead rail system  142 . Alternatively, a feed-back control system can be used to synchronize the movement of the belts  144  and the fixture  132 .  
         [0069]    The flat cure press cell B has a double daylight open C frame style press  128  to cure the unvulcanized carcass  90  and unvulcanized lugs to form a flat vulcanized lugged strip  152 . The press  128 , best illustrated in FIG. 2B, has an open C-frame structure. The press  128  has a top platen  154 , a center platen  156 , and a bottom platen  158  so as to cure two tracks at the same time; a first track in the top daylight position  160  and a second track in the bottom daylight position  162 . The top platen  154  is secured to the top of the c-frame structure of the press  128 . Underneath the bottom platen  158  are hydraulic cylinder rams  164  to facilitate in both moving the bottom platen  158  and providing the necessary ram force to operate the press  128 . The center platen  156  is on a counterbalance mechanism that consists of cylinders to help move it up and down.  
         [0070]    The platens  158 ,  156  form the bottom daylight position  162 , and the platens  154 ,  156  form the top daylight position  160 . The bottom platens  156 ,  158  of each daylight position  160 ,  162  have segmented molds aligned next to each other with steam as the heating source. Alternatively, the molds may be made by any other conventional mold fabrication process. Also, the molds may be heated by other conventional heating means, including, but not limited to, electricity. The molds have cavities shaped to correspond to a desired lug configuration of the final track. Unvulcanized lugs are loaded into the cavities before an unvulcanized carcass  90  is loaded into the press  128 . However, if the lugs to be formed are shallow, it may not be necessary to load additional vulcanizable material into the molds. The platens  154 ,  156  forming the top platen of each daylight position  160 ,  162 , may be provided with tooling having a tread pattern to form a tread on the final track.  
         [0071]    The endmost mold cavity at each end of the press  128  is cooled with water to maintain a reduced cavity temperature relative to the other cavities so that the endmost lugs adhere to the carcass  90  but remain uncured. Depending upon the splicing configuration, additional endmost cavities may also be cooled with water.  
         [0072]    At the opposing end of the press  128  from the carcass loading system  126  is the unloader  130 , see FIGS. 2B, 12, and  13 . The unloader  130  has a top rail  166 , vertical support rails  168 , and horizontal support rails  170 . The top rail  166  is mounted on the overhead rail system  142  that extends along the length of the flat cure press cell B. Movement of the unloader  130  along the overhead rail  142  is powered by a motor  172  located at one end of the unloader  130 . The horizontal support rails  170  support at least one track removal tool  174 . There are preferably two track removal tools  174 , each tool  174  corresponding to a daylight position  160 ,  162  of the press  128 . Additionally, the horizontal support rails  170  travels vertically along the vertical support rails  168 .  
         [0073]    The track removal tool  174  has two extending spaced tines  176 . The leading end  178  of each tine  176  is sloped downward to form a wedge with a leading narrow tip. Within each tine  176  is a powered conveyor belt  180  that rises above the surface of each tine  176 . A space  182  is maintained between the two tines  176  of each tool  174 . If the lugs formed on the flat vulcanized lugged strip  152  are centrally located on the underside of the lugged strip  152 , the lugs will reside between the tines  176  when the strip  152  is removed from the press  128 . If the lugs are not centrally located on the strip  152 , the lugs may reside on the outersides of the tines  176 . The tines  176  are supported by wheels along the length of the tines  176 . The wheels roll along the horizontal support rails  170  to move the tools  174  into and out of the press  128 . The motor  172  drives the track removal tool  174  along the overhead rail  142 . The tines  176  are preferably provided with individual pneumatic motors (not shown) to drive the conveyor belts  180  within the tines  176 . The pneumatic motors are linked to the movement of the tines  176 , so if the removal tool  174  is halted, movement of the conveyor belts  180  is also halted.  
         [0074]    To assist in continuous operation of the manufacturing system, a storage unit  184  may be located between the build cell A and the flat cure press cell B. The storage unit  184  has multiple storage locations  186 . The illustrated storage area  184  has eight storage locations  186 . Each storage location  186  has a conveyor belt  188  powered by an adjacent motor  190 . The storage unit  184  is vertically moveable along a pair of vertical posts  192  so that an individual storage location  186  is horizontally aligned with either the build table  2  or a conveyor belt  144  of the carcass loading system  126 .  
         [0075]    The flat cure press cell B may also have apparatus to transfer the cured strip  152  from the flat cure press cell B. Adjacent to one end of the unloader  130  is the inverter  198 , see FIGS. 1B, 2B, and  12 . The inverter  198  has a semi-circular path with an upper opening  200  and a lower opening  202 . The inverter  198  has a box frame  204  moveable along a transverse rail  206 . Within the inverter  198  is a roll conveyor  208  forming the semi-circular path of the inverter  198 . The lowermost edge  210  of the roll conveyor  208  extends past the edge of the box frame  204 .  
         [0076]    Adjacent to the unloader  198 , and moving between the flat cure press cell B and the splice cure cell C is flat bed conveyor  212  is mounted on transverse rails  214 . The height of the conveyor  212 , as measured from the floor, corresponds to the height of the lowermost edge  210  of the inverter roll conveyor  208 . The conveyor  212  may be provided with a hand rail  216  to assist in moving the conveyor  212  between the cells.  
         [0077]    Operation of the Flat Cure Press Cell  
         [0078]    After an unvulcanized carcass  90  has been built in the build cell A, the carcass  90  is shuttled off the build table  2  and to the flat cure press cell B. If no storage unit  184  is employed between the build cell A and the flat cure press cell B, the uncured carcass  90  is moved onto one of the conveyor belts  144  of the carcass loading system  126 .  
         [0079]    If a storage unit  184  is employed, the storage unit  184  moves along the vertical posts  194  to align an empty conveyor belt  188  with the build table  2  prior to the carcass  90  being transferred. The build table conveyor belt  10  begins to move in the direction towards the press cell B, and the aligned conveyor belt  188  begins to move in the same direction, pulling the carcass  90  onto the belt  188  in the storage unit  184 .  
         [0080]    To transfer the carcass  90  into the carcass loading system  126 , the storage unit  184  travels along the vertical posts  194  until at least one of the conveyor belts  188  carrying an uncured carcass  90  is aligned with least one of the conveyor belts  144  in the carcass loader  126 . The motor  146  of the loading system is engaged, and both belts  144 ,  188  begin to travel in the same direction, at the same speed, to transfer the carcass  90  from the storage unit  184  to the loader  126 . Once the carcass  90  has been completely transferred onto a belt  144  within the loader  126 , movement of the belt  144  is stopped.  
         [0081]    To place the carcass  90  into the cure press  128 , the clutch of the loader frame structure  132  is disengaged and the loader frame structure  132  travels in the direction of the press  128  along the overhead rail system  142 . The top belt  144  enters the top daylight position  160  of the press  128  and the bottom belt  144  enters the bottom daylight position  162 . The loader frame  132  travels to a preset location at the opposing end of the press daylight positions  160 ,  162 . After the loader frame  132  has reached the preset location, the conveyor belts  144  begin to move in the direction of the unloader  130 . As the conveyor belts  144  move, the loader frame structure  132  begins to travel back to its primary position adjacent to the press  128 . The speed of the conveyor belts  144  and the loader frame structure  132  are synchronized so that the uncured carcass  90  is evenly laid into the press  128 . Prior to loading a carcass  90  into the press  128 , if required, unvulcanized lugs are placed into the mold cavities. When the uncured carcass  90  is placed into the press  128 , the ends of the carcass extend past the endmost molds and thus will not be cured. The uncured ends will be spliced together and cured in cell C.  
         [0082]    After carcasses  90  have been placed in the press  128 , the hydraulic cylinder rams  164  and the counterbalance cylinders operate to close the daylight positions  160 ,  162  of the press  128  and the carcasses  90  are cured. During curing, the endmost mold cavities are cooled with water to reduce the cavity temperature. As previously discussed, this reduces the cavity temperature so that the endmost lugs adhere to the carcass  90  but remain uncured. The carcass is cured in such a manner that the resulting cured central portion has a length of 75 to 95 percent of the total length of the carcass.  
         [0083]    After curing, the press  128  is opened and the cured lugged belt strip  152  is removed in the following manner. After the bottom platen  158  and the center platen  156  are lowered, the motor  172  of the unloader  130  is engaged. The unloader  130 , if required, moves along the vertical support rails  168  to align the track removal tools  174  with the molds in the bottom and center platens  158 ,  156 . The unloader  130  begins to move along the overhead rail system  142  in the direction of the press  128 . The track removal tools  174  enter the top and bottom daylight positions  160 ,  162  of the press  128 . Due to the wedge shaped configuration of the leading edges  178  of the tines  176 , the tines  176  are inserted between the vulcanized lugged strip  152  and the top surface of the molds. As the track removal tools  174  enter further into the press daylight positions  160 ,  162 , the lugged strip  152  is pulled out of the cavities. The flat surface portion of the vulcanized lugged strip  152  rests on top of the conveyor belts  180  of each tine  176 . To assist in pulling the vulcanized lugged strip  152  out of the mold cavities, the conveyor belts  180  may be driven in a direction opposite of the travel direction of the unloader  130 . After the cured strips  152  are completely removed from the mold cavities, movement of the conveyor belts  180  is stopped and the unloader  130  reverses its direction along the overhead rail system  142 , returning to its original location.  
         [0084]    After the cured strips  152  have been removed from the press  128  and the unloader  130  has returned to its original location, the strips  152  are resting on the track removal tools  174 . The inverter  198  is moved to a position aligned with the end of the track removal tools  174 . At the same time, a bed conveyor  212  is positioned adjacent to the unloader  130  so that the lowermost edge  210  of the roll conveyor  208  is aligned with the surface of the flat bed conveyor  212 . The track removal tool  174  containing the strip  152  to be transferred to the splice station  194  is aligned with the upper opening  200  of the inverter  198 .  
         [0085]    The motor of the unloader  172  is engaged, and the belts  180  on the tines  176  begin to travel in the direction of the inverter  198 . As the cured strip  152  travels off the tines  176 , it goes into the upper opening  200 , travels through the semi-circular path of the inverter  198 , out of the lower opening  202 , and onto the flat bed conveyor  212 . When the strip  152  is in the unloader  130 , any formed lugs on the strip face downward; after the lugged strip  152  goes through the inverter  198 , the lugs face upward.  
         [0086]    The Splice Cure Press Cell  
         [0087]    The splice cure press cell C is the last cell in the manufacturing system. This cell C has at least one splice station  194  and a cure press  196 . The cured strip  152  is spliced in the splice station  194  and cured in the cure press  196  to form an endless lugged belt. The splice cure press cell C and its components are illustrated in FIGS. 1C, 2C,  14  and  15 .  
         [0088]    The splice cure press cell C is the last cell in the manufacturing system. This cell C has at least one splice station  194  and a cure press  196 . The cured strip  152  is spliced in the splice station  194  and cured in the cure press  196  to form an endless lugged belt. The splice cure press cell C and its components are illustrated in FIGS. 1C, 2C,  14  and  15 .  
         [0089]    In the illustrated splice cure press cell C, there are splice stations  194  on each side of the press  196 , a right hand splice station  228  and a left hand splice station  230 , relative to the press  196 , and preferably both the right and left hand splice stations  228 ,  230  each have two bottom platens  218  and associated support conveyors  222 , as seen in FIGS. 1C and 14. Each splice station  194  is mounted on one side of a support rail  232 , and the bottom platens of a single splice station  194  move in and out of the press  196  together. Alternatively, there may be only a single splice station  194  on each side of the press  196 , a single station  194  located only on one side of the press  196 , or the two bottom platens  218  located on one side of the press  196  may move independently into and out of the press  196 .  
         [0090]    The press  196  is housed in a support frame  234 . The press  196  has a top platen  237 . The top platen  237  is powered by a hydraulic ram  238  mounted over the top platen  237 , the hydraulic ram  238  providing the necessary press force. The top platen  237  is heated by steam for curing of the spliced strip  152 . In the illustrated press  196 , there is one top platens  237 , with two mold toolings  236  mounted adjacently for simultaneous curing of two spliced strips  152 . In an alternative construction, the press  196  may have a single mold tooling  236  to cure only one spliced strip  152  or the press  196  may have two adjacent platens  237  which may be independently operated.  
         [0091]    At each station, apparatus may be provided to remove the cured lugged belt from the splice cure press cell. Such apparatus may be, but is not limited to, overhead lifting devices mounted on overhead rails.  
         [0092]    Operation of the Splice Cure Press Cell  
         [0093]    After the cured strip  152  has been transferred to the conveyor  212 , the conveyor  212  moves over to the end of the splice station  194  and the lugged strip  152  is transferred onto the support roll conveyor  222 . The following steps are taken to splice the lugged strip. The operator first loads any necessary unvulcanized lugs into the centermost molds  220  in the bottom platen  218  and then pulls the ends of the lugged strip up over the bottom platen  218 , inserting the previously cured lugs just in from the end of the lugged strips into the molds. The ends of the lugged strip are spliced together by overlapping the ends. If necessary, additional material may be added to the splice region or material may be removed from the splice region.  
         [0094]    The bottom platen  218  and molds  220  are shuttled into the cure press  196 . The top platen  237  closes and the splice is cured. During curing, the unvulcanized lugs are cured and adhered to the splice region. After cure is completed, the bottom platen  218  and molds  220  are shuttled out of the cure press  196 . The cured lugged belt is removed from the splice station  194 .  
         [0095]    During operation of the cell C, when the bottom platen  218  is outside of the cure press  196 , cold water travels through at least the molds  220 , and if desired or necessary through the platen  218 , so that the operator can work around the splice station  194  to either splice the cured lugged strip  152  or to remove the cured lugged belt. When the platen  218  is indexed into the press  196 , steam passes through the molds  220  and if desired, through bottom platen  218  as well.  
         [0096]    In the illustrated double splice station cell C with a splice station  194  on each side of the press  196 , i.e. a right hand and a left hand splice station  228 ,  230  with a pair of bottom platens  218  at each station  228 ,  230 , the cell C is preferably operated in the following method. After a lugged strip  152  is delivered to the support conveyors  222  at one splice station  194 , for example, at the left hand splice station  230 , the lugged strip  152  is hand spliced. During this time, the bottom platens  218  of the right hand station  228  are in the press  196  curing a pair of lugged strips  152 . After the cure cycle is completed, the steam in the molds  220  within the press  196  is shut off, and cool water begins to flow through the molds  220 . Steam continues to flow through the top platen  237  and molds  236 . The bottom platens  218 , molds  220 , and cured belts are indexed out of the press  196 . As the bottom platens  218  begin to index out of the press  196 , simultaneously, the bottom platens  218 , molds  220 , and spliced belts from the left hand station  230  begin to index into the press  196  and steam begins to flow through the molds  220 . The cured lugged belts are removed from the right hand splice station  228  and new strips  152  are delivered to the splice station. In this manner, the splice cure cell C can continuously operate.  
         [0097]    Variations in the present invention are possible in light of the description of it provided herein. While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the subject invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the subject invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that changes can be made in the particular embodiments described which will be within the full intended scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.