Patent GB-1395359-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for building and shaping a blank for radial-ply tyres
IPC: B29D30/24
Filed: 1972-07-12
Abstract: 1395359 Tyre building apparatus M GUHR [trading as LEONHARD HERBERT MASCHINENFABRIK] 12 July 1972 [13 July 1971] 32622/72 Heading B7C Apparatus for use in building a radial-ply tyre comprises a pair of annular tyre bead holders 1, 2 at least one of which is axially movable to vary the spacing between the holders, a radially expansible annular element 14 on the periphery of each holder 1, 2, and an extension drum, e.g. 3, on at least one of the holders 1, 2 fixed to the axially outer side thereof, the apparatus providing a cylindrical surface on which a cylinder of tyre fabric 36 can be laid when the bead holders 1, 2 are in starting positions, Fig. 1, in which they are close to one another and their elements 14 are unexpanded, the elements 14 each being expansible to bring a groove 15 therein into direct fluid-tight engagement with the fabric 36 when a tyre bead core, e.g. 38, is laid on the fabric in registry with the groove, and means being provided in the apparatus to admit pressurized fluid into a space 22, Fig. 6, formed by the fabric 36 and the holders 1, 2 when the latter are spaced from their starting position and have their grooves in fluid-tight engagement with the fabric. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6 the bead holder 2, which is axially stationary, is mounted on a shaft 26 and has an extension drum 3 fixed to it, and the bead holder 1 is mounted on a shaft 5 slidable within the shaft 26 and has an extension drum 17 shorter than the drum 3 secured to it. Each bead holder includes an inflatable annular bladder 10 supporting segments 11 on which the element 14 is carried, the bladders 10 being inflatable through pipes 20, 21 and radial movement of the segments 11 on expansion of the bladders being limited by engagement of projections on the segments with grooves 12, 13 in the holders and extension drums. An annular support 4 is mounted on the shaft 5 between the holders 1, 2. In use of the aparatus of Figs. 1 and 6 a cylinder of fabric 36 is laid on the apparatus in its Fig. 1 position such that one edge of the fabric is adjacent the groove 15 of the holder 1, and a bead core 38 is placed over this groove 15 and the element 14 expanded to trap the fabric in engagement with the bead core. The bead holder 1 is then moved axially outwardly, thus causing the fabric 36 to be drawn off the drum 3, whilst at the same time the support 4 is moved axially so that it remains symmetrically positioned between the holders 1, 2 to support the centre of the fabric 36. A further bead core is positioned over the holder 2 when the other edge of the fabric 36 has reached the correct position relative to the holder 2 and the element 14 of the holder 2 is then expanded to trap the fabric in engagement with the other bead core. The edges of the fabric are then folded over the bead cores by stitching rollers 40, 40<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 6. Pressurized fluid is then admitted to the space 22 through bores 19, 25 in the shaft 5 and the holders are moved towards one another, thus causing the fabric 36 to be shaped to toroidal form. Finally a breaker is applied to the shaped fabric. In an alternative method of using the Figs. 1 and 6 apparatus the folding over of the fabric edges about the bead cores is effected after the fabric has been shaped to toroidal form. The apparatus illustrated in Fig. 12 is similar to that of Figs. 1 and 6 except that the extension drums of the holders 1, 2 are of equal lengths and the annular support 4 is mounted on a separate shaft between the shafts 5 and 26. In use the cylinder of tyre fabric is laid on the apparatus in the manner shown in Fig. 12 and is then fastened to the support 4, after which relative movement of the holders 1, 2 and support 4 is effected so that both holders reach their required positions relative to the fabric edges. Tyre building then proceeds as described above. The fabric may be fastened to the support 4 by a ring 46 surrounding an inflatable annulus 47 as shown in Fig. 12, or by means of suction forces acting through apertures in the support 4, Figs. 14, 15 (not shown).