Patent ID: 7201200

Claim:
Apparatus for applying to a rotary receiving surface, a reinforcing strip comprising a set of parallel yarns or cords which are generally coated in a rubber mix and arranged in a longitudinal direction of the strip, the strip having a predetermined width extending transversely of the longitudinal direction, the apparatus comprising: a supply mechanism for supplying the strip; a laying mechanism for laying the strip onto the receiving surface; and a displacement mechanism disposed between the supply mechanism and the laying mechanism for displacing the strip transversely with respect to a direction in which the strip is laid on the receiving surface, whereby the laid strip forms an undulating pattern; wherein the displacement mechanism includes a guide through which the strip passes and a guide moving mechanism including a pair of first shafts rotatably drivable about respective parallel axes oriented perpendicular to the strip's longitudinal direction, the first shafts being operably connected to the guide and rotatable relative thereto at respective speeds that are equal, the connection between the first shafts and the guide comprising two second shafts freely rotatably mounted to the guide, and two levers each including a first end pivotably connected to a respective first shaft by a first pivot and a second end pivotably connected to a respective second shaft by a second pivot oriented parallel to the first pivot, the levers oriented non-parallel to the shaft to provide an eccentric connection between each first shaft and the guide and to produce an alternating movement of the guide, wherein the supply mechanism is arranged to supply the strip to the displacement mechanism in the longitudinal direction of the strip with a plane of the strip oriented substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the receiving surface, and the laying mechanism is arranged to cause the strip to pivot by substantially ninety degrees about an axis oriented substantially parallel to the strip's longitudinal direction to lay the strip on the receiving surface tangentially with respect thereto.