Patent Publication Number: US-2019184665-A1

Title: Self adjusting stitching wheel

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This invention claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/598,741, entitled “Self Adjusting Stitching Wheel,” filed Dec. 14, 2017, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for stitching a bead apex to a bead ring, in an improved manner. 
     Many types of vehicular tires include beads surrounding the openings that engage the wheel rim. In general, beads comprise a wire coil in the nature of a hoop formed by winding multiple turns of a coated wire on a suitable bead forming apparatus. The bead may be made up of multiple, radially and axially arranged turns of a single wire or, in so-called weftless beads, of radially stacked layers of a flat ribbon including a plurality of side-by-side wires. 
     Techniques have been used for applying a bead apex to the peripheral surface of a bead ring. In general, the bead apex is formed by extrusion of a material to a relatively thin shape, which is then is maneuvered and applied to the peripheral surface of a bead ring, often times by stitching the bead apex to the bead ring via stitching wheels. However, current stitching wheels are difficult to adjust to different sized bead apexes and bead rings, thereby making it difficult and time consuming when adjustments are necessary. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one form of the present disclosure, a system for stitching a bead apex to a bead ring is provided. The system comprises a frame and an upper assembly coupled to the frame, wherein the upper assembly comprises an upper elongated member, an upper rotatable arm coupled to the upper elongated member, wherein the upper rotatable arm is rotatable about a first pivot point with respect to the upper elongated member, and an upper stitching wheel coupled to the upper rotatable arm. The system also comprises a lower assembly coupled to the frame, wherein the lower assembly comprises a lower elongated member, a lower rotatable arm coupled to the lower elongated member, wherein the lower rotatable arm is rotatable about a second pivot point with respect to the lower elongated member, and a lower stitching wheel coupled to the lower rotatable arm. In addition, the upper stitching wheel and lower stitching wheel comprise an operative configuration, wherein in the operative configuration the upper stitching wheel is configured to engage with a first surface of the bead apex and the lower stitching wheel is configured to engage with a second surface of the bead apex. Further, the upper assembly further comprises a non-locking actuator coupled to the upper rotatable arm, wherein the non-locking actuator is configured to rotate the upper rotatable arm about the first pivot point to move the upper stitching wheel to the operative configuration, wherein the non-locking actuator is configured to permit movement of the upper stitching wheel in a Y-direction between at least a first position and a second position while in the operative configuration. 
     The system may also include the upper and lower stitching wheels further comprising a released configuration, wherein in the released configuration the upper and lower stitching wheels are rotated away from each other, and in the operative configuration, the upper and lower stitching wheels are rotated towards each other. The upper stitching wheel may also be adjustable in an X-direction and a θ-direction while in the released configuration, wherein the upper stitching wheel is locked and not adjustable in the X-direction and the θ-direction while in the operative configuration. In addition, the lower stitching wheel may be adjustable in an X-direction, a Y-direction, and a θ-direction while in the released configuration, wherein the lower stitching wheel is locked and not adjustable in the X-direction, the Y-direction, and the θ-direction while in the operative configuration. Further, the non-locking actuator may comprise a pneumatic cylinder, wherein introduction of a gas into the pneumatic cylinder moves the upper stitching wheel from the released configuration to the operative configuration and removal of the gas from the pneumatic cylinder moves the upper stitching wheel from the operative configuration to the released configuration. Also, in the operative configuration, the pneumatic cylinder may be configured to permit movement of the upper stitching wheel in the Y-direction between at least the first position and the second position. The system may further comprise an air pressure regulator, wherein the air pressure regulator is configured to control the amount of the gas introduced into the pneumatic cylinder and removed from the pneumatic cylinder. 
     In another form of the present disclosure, a system for stitching a bead apex to a bead ring is provided. The system comprises a frame and an upper assembly coupled to the frame, wherein the upper assembly comprises an upper elongated member, an upper rotatable arm coupled to the upper elongated member, wherein the upper rotatable arm is rotatable about a first pivot point with respect to the upper elongated member, and an upper stitching wheel coupled to the upper rotatable arm. The system also comprises a lower assembly coupled to the frame, wherein the lower assembly comprises a lower elongated member, a lower rotatable arm coupled to the lower elongated member, wherein the lower rotatable arm is rotatable about a second pivot point with respect to the lower elongated member, and a lower stitching wheel coupled to the lower rotatable arm. In addition, the upper assembly further comprises an actuator, wherein the actuator is configured to apply a variable downward Y-direction force to the upper stitching wheel, wherein when the downward force applied to the upper stitching wheel by the actuator is increased, the upper stitching wheel is configured to move down in the Y-direction, wherein when the downward force applied to the upper stitching wheel by the actuator is decreased, the upper stitching wheel is configured to move up in the Y-direction. 
     In yet another form of the present disclosure, a method for adjusting the height of a stitching wheel is provided. The method comprises providing a system comprising a frame, an upper assembly coupled to the frame, and a lower assembly coupled to the frame, wherein the upper assembly comprises an upper elongated member, and upper rotatable arm coupled to the upper elongated member, wherein the upper rotatable arm is rotatable about a first pivot point with respect to the upper elongated member, and an upper stitching wheel coupled to the upper rotatable arm, wherein the lower assembly comprises a lower elongated member, a lower rotatable arm coupled to the lower elongated member, wherein the lower rotatable arm is rotatable about a second pivot point with respect to the lower elongated member, and a lower stitching wheel coupled to the lower rotatable arm. The method further comprises moving the upper stitching wheel from a released configuration to an operative configuration by rotating the upper rotatable arm with a non-locking actuator, wherein in the operative configuration the upper stitching wheel is configured to engaged with a first surface of a bead apex. In addition, the method comprises adjusting the height of the upper stitching wheel while the upper stitching wheel is in the operative configuration. 
     Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be within the scope of the invention, and be encompassed by the following claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of selected components of a system for stitching a bead apex to a bead ring, with upper and lower arms in a released configuration; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the system of  FIG. 1  with the upper and lower arms in an operative configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the system of  FIGS. 1-2  with the upper and lower arms in an operative configuration and engaged with a bead apex; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the system of  FIGS. 1-2  with the upper and lower arms in an operative configuration and engaged with a different sized bead apex; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of additional components of a system for stitching a bead apex to a bead ring. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings, a system  20  for stitching an exemplary bead apex  80  is shown and described. The system  20  may comprise an upper assembly  30  and a lower assembly  40 , which are used attach the bead apex  80  to a bead ring  82 , as described further below. 
     The upper assembly  30  may generally comprise an elongated main body  31 , an upper stitching wheel  32 , and an upper rotatable arm  33 , as shown in various views and stages between  FIGS. 1-4 . The upper rotatable arm  33  may be rotatable with respect to the elongated main body  31  about pivot point  35  between the positions shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The upper stitching wheel  32  may be connected to an end of, and rotatable with respect to, the upper rotatable arm  33 . The lower assembly  40  may generally comprise an elongated main body  41 , a lower stitching wheel  42 , and a lower rotatable arm  43 . The lower rotatable arm  43  may be rotatable with respect to the elongated main body  41  about pivot point  45  between the positions shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The lower stitching wheel  42  may be connected to an end of, and rotatable with respect to, the lower rotatable arm  43 . 
     The upper and lower assemblies  30  and  40  may be coupled to a frame  50 . The frame  50  may comprise any suitable shape. In this non-limiting example, the frame  50  is generally vertically oriented relative to the ground, but other configurations are possible. A suitable actuation mechanism may be used to effect rotation of the upper and lower arms  33 ,  43  about their respective pivot points  35 ,  45 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , both the upper and lower arms  33 ,  43  are shown in open states, or a released configuration, in which they are each spaced apart from an axis L defined by a pathway of the bead apex  80  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). The upper arm  33  is depicted as being rotated about 90 degrees above the axis L in the open state, while the lower arm  43  is depicted as being rotated about 90 degrees below the axis L in the open state, but it will be appreciated that either of the arms  33 ,  43  may be rotated greater or lesser amounts with respect to the axis L in their respective open states. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the lower arm  43  is shown in a closed state, or operative configuration, in which it is rotated circumferentially upward, about the pivot point  45 , such that the lower arm  43  is substantially adjacent to a pathway of the axis L defined by the bead apex  80  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). In addition, the upper arm  33  is shown in a closed state, or operative configuration, in which it is rotated circumferentially downward, about the pivot point  35 , such that the upper arm  33  is substantially adjacent to a pathway of the axis L defined by the bead apex  80  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
     In the operative configuration shown in  FIG. 2 , the upper and lower stitching wheels  32 ,  42  are configured to engage with the bead apex  80  near the contact point between the bead apex  80  and the bead ring  82 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . In this state, the upper stitching wheel  32  may engage a top surface  84  of the bead apex  80 , while the lower stitching wheel  42  may engage a bottom surface  86  of the bead apex  80 . When the stitching wheels  32 ,  42  come into contact with the respective surfaces  84 ,  86  of the bead apex  80 , they apply a compressive force to the bead apex  80 . This pressure causes the bead apex  80  and bead ring  82  to bond via the natural adhesive quality of the bead apex  80  and bead ring  82 . It is essential to the bonding process that the stitching wheels  32 ,  42  apply an appropriate amount of pressure to the bead apex  80 . Applying too much pressure may result in the bead apex  80  becoming jammed within the system  20  and damage to the bead apex  80 . Conversely, if too little pressure is applied the bead apex  80  may not properly bond to the bead ring  82 . Thus, in order to apply the appropriate force to bond the bead apex  80  and bead ring  82  together, the stitching wheels  32 ,  42  are ideally adjustable in an X-direction, Y-direction, and θ-direction. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , each stitching wheel  32 ,  42  may be individually adjusted in a Y-direction, X-direction, and θ-direction. In one non-limiting example, the stitching wheels  32 ,  42  may be adjusted in the X-direction by sliding elongated members  31 ,  41  along a rail (not shown) with respect to the frame  50 . In addition, the elongated members  31 ,  41  may be locked in the X-direction by various locks (not shown) well known in the art. Alternatively, the elongated members  31 ,  41  (and by extension the stitching wheels  32 ,  42 ) may be adjusted in the X-direction using a motor or any other adjustment mechanism commonly known in the art. Also, rather than adjusting the elongated members  31 ,  41 , the rotatable arms  33 ,  43  or the stitching wheels  32 ,  42  themselves may be adjusted with respect to the rest of the upper and lower assemblies  30 ,  40 , respectively. 
     The upper stitching wheel  32  may be adjusted in the θ-direction by rotating the upper stitching wheel  32  with respect to the rotatable arm  33  via pivot point  36 . Similarly, the lower stitching wheel  42  may be adjusted in the θ-direction by rotating the lower stitching wheel  42  with respect to the rotatable arm  43  via pivot point  46 . The lower stitching wheel  46  may be adjusted in the Y-direction by adjusting the amount the lower arm  43  rotates to reach the operative configuration. 
     Typically, these adjustments are made while the upper and lower stitching wheels  32 ,  42  are in their open state, or released configuration. Once the upper and lower stitching wheels  32 ,  42  are rotated into the operative configuration, the upper and lower stitching wheels  32 ,  42  are typically locked into place to prevent unwanted movement—thereby also preventing any additional adjustments of the upper and lower stitching wheels  32 ,  42 . If additional adjustments are desired, the operator must unlock the upper and lower stitching wheels  32 ,  42  prior to making any adjustments. Thus, additional adjustments to the positions of the upper and lower stitching wheels  32 ,  42  once in the operative configuration can be time consuming and inefficient. 
     In practice, once the lower stitching wheel  42  is adjusted to fit the particular system  20 , it should not require any adjustments in the Y-direction and θ-direction with only minimal adjustments in the X-direction to adjust for different size changes in either the profile of the bead apex  80  or the diameter of the bead ring  82 . Similarly, once the upper stitching wheel  32  is adjusted to fit the particular system  20 , it should require only minimal adjustments in the X-direction and θ-direction. However, each time the profile height of the bead apex  80  and bead ring  82  change, the upper stitching wheel  32  must be adjusted in the Y-direction or else risk the bead apex  80  and bead ring  82  not properly bonding. Traditional stitching wheel assemblies use the same Y-direction adjustment mechanism as described here with respect to the lower stitching wheel  42  to adjust the upper stitching wheel  32  in the Y-direction, and then lock the upper stitching wheel  32  in the operative configuration, thereby preventing any further adjustments. However, due to the more frequent Y-direction adjustments necessary for the upper stitching wheel  32 , it can be difficult and time consuming to unlock and then adjust the upper stitching wheel  32  every time there is a change in the profile height of the bead apex  80  and bead ring  82 . 
     Thus, the present embodiment includes an upper stitching wheel  32  that may automatically adjust in the Y-direction based on the profile height of the bead apex  80  and bead ring  82 . While the upper stitching wheel  32  is locked into position while in the operative configuration such that the upper stitching wheel  32  cannot move in the X-direction and θ-direction, the upper stitching wheel  32  is not locked in the Y-direction. Instead, while in the operative configuration, the upper arm  33 , and by extension the upper stitching wheel  32 , may move freely up and down in the Y-direction as desired via a non-locking actuator  34 . The actuator  34  is configured to apply a variable force to the upper arm  33 . When the force applied to the upper arm  33  by the actuator  34  is increased, the upper arm  33  rotates downward further and thus the upper stitching wheel  32  also moves down in the Y-direction and/or increases the pressure applied to the bead apex  80 , depending on the profile of the given bead apex  80 . When the force applied to the upper arm  33  by the actuator  34  is decreased, the upper arm  33  rotates upward and thus the upper stitching wheel  32  moves up in the Y-direction and/or decreases the pressure applied to the bead apex  80 , depending on the profile of the given bead apex  80 . 
     The non-locking actuator  34  allows for the upper stitching wheel  32  to remain unlocked in the Y-direction while in the operative configuration, thereby allowing the height of the upper stitching wheel  32  in the Y-direction to be easily adjusted for varying sized bead apexes. Additionally, the height of the upper stitching wheel  32  can be adjusted in the Y-direction while the upper stitching wheel  32  remains in the operative configuration. For example,  FIGS. 3 and 4  both show the upper and lower stitching wheels  32 ,  42  in an operative configuration where they are engaged with a thinner bead apex  80  ( FIG. 3 ) or a thicker bead apex  80   a  ( FIG. 4 ). In traditional designs, if an operator wanted to switch the system  20  from the thinner bead apex  80  to the thicker bead apex  80   a , the operator would need to manually adjust the height of the upper stitching wheel  32  in the Y-direction to accommodate the thicker bead apex  80   a . However, the present embodiment eliminates the need for this manual adjustment. Instead, because the non-locking actuator  34  does not lock the height of the upper stitching wheel  32 , the upper stitching wheel  32  will automatically adjust to accommodate the thicker bead apex  80   a.    
     The non-locking actuator  34  may include a variety of different devices that allow quick and simple adjustment of the upper stitching wheel  32  in the Y-direction. In the present embodiment, the non-locking actuator  34  includes a pneumatic cylinder  37 , which uses pressurized air to rotate the upper arm  33  from the released configuration to the operative configuration as well as adjust the height of the upper stitching wheel  32  in the Y-direction. When in the operative configuration, the pneumatic cylinder  37  is configured to permit movement of the upper stitching wheel  32  in the Y-direction within a certain acceptable range. Regardless of the specific position of the upper stitching wheel  32  in the operative configuration, the pneumatic cylinder  37  continues to apply a force pushing the upper stitching wheel  32  in a downward Y-direction, thereby ensuring that sufficient pressure is applied by the upper stitching wheel  32  to the bead apex  80 . 
     While it is not always necessary with the present embodiment, the air pressure of the pneumatic cylinder  37  may be increased or decreased while in the operative configuration to adjust the amount of force applied to the bead apex  80  by the upper stitching wheel  32 . A pressure regulation device (not shown) may be used to quickly and easily vary the pressure of the pneumatic cylinder  37  as necessary, thereby decreasing the amount of downtime when switching to bead apexes and rings of heights. 
     While the present embodiment utilizes an air pressure system and pneumatic cylinder  37  to automatically adjust the upper stitching wheel  32  in the Y-direction, other systems that also can automatically adjust may be utilized as well, including, but not limited to, hydraulics and springs. For example, a hydraulic cylinder may be used in place of the pneumatic cylinder, where introduction and removal of a fluid from the hydraulic cylinder may adjust the height of the upper stitching wheel  32  in the Y-direction as well as control the amount of force applied by the upper stitching wheel  32  to the bead apex  80 . In addition, the hydraulic cylinder may permit movement of the upper stitching wheel  32  in the Y-direction while in the operative configuration. Similarly, a spring may be used in place of the pneumatic cylinder, where the force applied by the spring to the upper stitching wheel  32  may be adjustable to adjust the force applied by the upper stitching wheel  32  to the bead apex  80 . In addition, the spring may permit movement of the upper stitching wheel  32  in the Y-direction while in the operative configuration. 
     While the present embodiment utilizes a non-locking actuator  34  in conjunction with the upper arm  33  to automatically adjust the height of the upper stitching wheel  32 , other arrangements are contemplated. For example, the upper stitching wheel  32  may freely move up and down in the Y-direction as desired with respect to the upper arm  33 . In this example, the non-locking actuator may be disposed at the end of the upper arm  33  and directly engage with the upper stitching wheel  32 . In this arrangement, once the upper arm  33  is lowered into the operative configuration, the actuator  34  is configured to apply a variable downward Y-direction force to the upper stitching wheel  32 . When the downward force applied to the upper stitching wheel  32  by the actuator  34  is increased (such as by adding air to a pneumatic cylinder  37 ), the upper stitching wheel  32  moves down in the Y-direction and/or increases the pressure applied to the bead apex  80 , depending on the profile of the given bead apex  80 . When the downward force applied to the upper stitching wheel  32  by the actuator  34  is decreased (such as by removing air from a pneumatic cylinder  37 ), the upper stitching wheel  32  moves up in the Y-direction and/or decreases the pressure applied to the bead apex  80 , depending on the profile of the given bead apex  80 . 
     While the present embodiment describes only using the non-locking actuator  34  with the upper stitching wheel  32 , a similar non-locking actuator  34  may also be used with the lower stitching wheel  42 , as desired. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , additional systems and methods are described that may be used in conjunction with the system  20  for stitching a bead apex to a bead ring that was described in  FIGS. 1-4  above. In  FIG. 5 , the additional systems generally assist in allowing a consistent application of the bead apex  80  to a bead ring  82  that is held on a winder  90 . 
     Before initiating the method, the upper and lower stitching wheels  32 ,  42  may be adjusted in the X-direction, Y-direction, and θ-direction to accommodate the specific size of the bead apex  80  and bead ring  82 . The upper stitching wheel  32  may utilize a non-locking actuator  34  and be adjusted as described above with respect to  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     Once the upper and lower stitching wheels  32 ,  42  are properly adjusted, the method for stitching a bead apex to a bead ring can be initiated. First, a leading edge gripper  20   a  and a trailing edge gripper  20   b  are used to hold the bead apex  80  to the bead ring  82  while the stitching wheels  32 ,  42  couple them together. The leading edge gripper  20   a  is generally secured to the winder  90  and rotates with the winder  90 , while the trailing edge gripper  20   b  stands apart from the winder  90  and is capable of longitudinal movement along a conveyor axis X, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     In one exemplary method, a conveyor  92 , shown in  FIG. 5 , grabs and advances a bead apex  80  for a determined distance in an unclamped state without stress. Then, in a next step, the lower jaw  40  of the trailing edge gripper  20   b  moves from the open state to the closed state to engage a lower surface of the bead apex  80 . Subsequently, the upper jaw  30  of the trailing edge gripper  20   b  moves from the open state to the closed state, and selected ones of a plurality of grippers  32  of the trailing edge gripper  20   b  move from the retracted state to the extended state to engage an upper surface of the bead apex  80 . At this time, the leading edge  81  of the bead apex  80  is secured within the trailing edge gripper  20   b.    
     In a next step, the trailing edge gripper  20   b  traverses towards the winder  90 , e.g., by moving a frame  50   b  of the trailing edge gripper  20   b  longitudinally along a rail  59 . At the same time the trailing edge gripper  20   b  traverses towards the winder  90 , the conveyor  92  is left on to reduce stresses and stretch of the bead apex  80  that may be incurred by the conveyor  92  moving slower than the trailing edge gripper  20   b . A ratio of speed of the trailing edge gripper  20   b  moving along the rail  59  to speed of the conveyor  92  may be adjusted to reduce imposition of stress to the bead apex  80 . 
     As the trailing edge gripper  20   b  traverses towards the winder  90 , one or more support tables  93  may be selectively deployed, from a lowered position shown in  FIG. 5  to a raised position at a height approximate to the bead apex travel path, to provide support to the bead apex  80  as it travels in the longitudinal direction. The support tables  93  begin in a lowered position so they do not interfere with movement of the frame  50   b  and the lower jaw  40  of the trailing edge gripper  20   b  in a direction towards the winder  90 , and once the trailing edge gripper  20   b  has passed the support tables  93 , the tables  93  are raised to portions that support the bead apex  80  where it is suspended between the trailing edge gripper  20   b  and the conveyor  92 . 
     When the trailing edge gripper  20   b  approaches a tangent point of a bead ring disposed on a periphery of the winder  90 , the winder  90  begins to rotate. After the tangent point of the bead ring is reached, the trailing edge gripper  20   b  no longer moves longitudinally and the winder  90  is no longer rotated. With these components stationary, the lower jaw  40  of the leading edge gripper  20   a  moves from the open state to the closed state to engage a lower surface of the bead apex  80 . Subsequently, the upper jaw  30  of the leading edge gripper  20   a  moves from the open state to the closed state, and selected ones of the plurality of grippers  32  of the leading edge gripper  20   a  move from the retracted state to the extended state to engage an upper surface of the bead apex  80 . At this time, the leading edge  81  of the bead apex  80  is secured within the leading edge gripper  20   a . Further, at this time, the grippers  32  of the trailing edge gripper  20   b  are retracted, and the upper and lower jaws  30  and  40  of the trailing edge gripper  20   b  each move from the closed to open states, thereby freeing the bead apex  80  from engagement with the trailing edge gripper  20   b . The trailing edge gripper  20   b  then moves back towards its starting position. 
     In a next step, the winder  90  begins to rotate in a circumferential direction. Optionally, one or more additional support tables  53  may be deployed to further support the bead apex  80  as it is advanced by rotation of the winder  90 . 
     The winder  90  then stops after the leading edge gripper  20   a  reaches a position beyond stitching wheels  32 ,  42 . The stitching wheels  32 ,  42  may be provided in accordance with the system  20 , as described in detail in  FIGS. 1-4  above. Once the upper and lower stitching wheels  32 ,  42  are in contact with the bead apex  80 , the winder  90  will resume circumferential rotation, as the conveyor  92  continues to feed the extruded bead apex  80 . During this stage, the stitching wheels  32 ,  42  apply pressure to the bead apex  80  and apex ring  82 , thereby securing the bead apex  80  circumferentially about the bead ring  82 . During the process, one or more anti-cup rollers  96 , shown in  FIG. 5 , may be positioned or otherwise activated for support in order to keep the bead apex  80  from cupping. A ratio of speed of the leading edge gripper  20   a  moving about the winder  90  to speed of the conveyor  92  may be adjusted to reduce imposition of stress to the bead apex  80  while it is being advanced around the winder  90  and secured to the bead ring  82 . 
     At a programmable and predetermined degree of rotation, the winder  90  will cease to circumferentially rotate in preparation for a cutting position. When the winder  90  stops, the conveyor  92  is operable to pay out a given amount of the bead apex  80 , in order to remove potential stresses within the bead apex that has yet to be applied to the bead ring. 
     In a next step, the trailing edge gripper  20   b  is once again actuated to engage the bead apex  80  by closing the lower jaw  40  and then the upper jaw  30 , and extending at least one of the plurality of grippers  32 , as explained in detail above. At this time, a knife  97  is actuated to cut the bead apex  80  and create a trailing edge of the bead apex  80 . It is noted that the cutting by the knife  97  occurs under minimal, if any, stress being applied to the bead apex  80 . With the trailing edge gripper  20   b  movement temporarily halted, the winder  90  is rotated circumferentially a programmed number of degrees in order to re-tension to the bead apex  80 , i.e., the leading edge of the bead apex  80  held by the leading edge gripper  20   a  is rotated circumferentially a distance while the trailing edge of the bead apex  80  held by the trailing edge gripper  20   b  is held stationary near the knife  97 . Advantageously, this sequence of movement of components reduces the phenomena known as “dog-ear” bending, which may be undesirable. 
     Once the bead apex  80  is under tension, the winder  90  continues to move circumferentially while the trailing edge gripper  20   b  is then advanced along the rail  59 , until a time that the leading edge gripper  20   a  and the trailing edge gripper  20   b  are in close proximity to one another, thereby aligning the leading and trailing edges of the bead apex  80 . For illustrative purposes, referring to  FIG. 5 , at this time the trailing edge gripper  20   b  would be positioned slightly clockwise to the leading edge gripper  20   a . The seam between the leading and trailing edges of the bead apex  80  is then closed by application of appropriate pressure to one another. It is noted that, once the bases of the leading and trailing edges of the bead apex  80  are brought together, the trailing edge gripper  20   b  and the leading edge gripper  20   a  move in a synchronized manner towards one another, in order for the pressure-sensitive rubber of the bead apex  80  to be joined together. Then, the winder  90  continues to move circumferentially to allow the stitching wheels  32 ,  42  to complete the bonding of the bead apex  80  to the bead ring  82 . Subsequently, the leading and trailing edge grippers  20   a  and  20   b  each release the bead apex  80  by moving from their respective closed to open states, thereby releasing the finished bead apex. The winder  90  and leading and trailing edge grippers  20   a  and  20   b  then may move back to their respective starting positions in order to assemble a subsequent extruded bead apex  80 . 
     If desired, a new bead apex  80   a  and bead ring  82   a  with a different height profile (such as the one shown in  FIG. 4 ) may subsequently be used with the same method as described here. Because the upper stitching wheel  32  utilizes a non-locking actuator  34  as described above in  FIGS. 1-4 , the height of the upper stitching wheel  32  does not need to be adjusted, as it will automatically accommodate the different height of the bead apex  80   a  and bead ring  82   a . However, if some adjustments to the amount of force applied to the bead apex  80   a  is necessary, an air pressure regulator or other device may adjust this force as desired. 
     While various embodiments of the invention have been described, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Moreover, the advantages described herein are not necessarily the only advantages of the invention and it is not necessarily expected that every embodiment of the invention will achieve all of the advantages described.