Patent ID: 8342220

Claim:
An apparatus for manufacturing a reinforcing structure for tyres of vehicles, comprising: a feeding unit to supply strip-like elements, each strip-like element comprising threadlike elements disposed parallel to each other and at least partly coated with at least one layer of elastomeric material; a laying unit comprising: two oppositely-moving laying assemblies to apply each of said strip-like elements onto a toroidal support according to a predetermined laying angle relative to a circumferential extension direction of said toroidal support, said laying assemblies each comprising at least one presser element movable in contrast relationship against an outer surface of the toroidal support; and said laying assemblies each comprising at least one guide element, the guide element being configured for positioning in direct contact with the toroidal support during laying of said strip-like element and configured to guide said strip-like element during laying of said strip-like element, wherein said guide element comprises at least one cavity in which said presser element is at least partly housed and in which the strip-like element and the toroidal support are in direct contact during laying of said strip-like element, wherein said guide element comprises a main body and two prongs defining the cavity together with said main body, wherein said prongs are pivotally mounted on said main body in an independent manner with respect to said main body, and wherein said guide element comprises spring means acting to keep one end of each of said prongs in contrast relationship with the toroidal support, during laying the strip-like element.