Rotating expandable ply ring mechanism

Abstract

Abstract Ply ring mechanism consists of a plurality of ring segments which are adapted to be disposed adjacent the ends of a tire building drum for supporting the overhanging ply edges during stitching of the plies together. The ply ring segments are pressed into frictional engagement with the ends of the drum for rotation therewith during wrapping of the plies around the drum and subsequently retracted to provide adequate clearance for the ply turndown, ply turn-up and other operations. The ply ring segments are also pivotally mounted at their axial outer ends to permit the ring segments to be expanded radially outwardly to clear the tire beads stored therein and adjacent end of the drum when setting the tire beads against the turned-down ply edges, such ply ring segments having a stepped contour to accommodate the long flippers on the beads during wrapping of the tire plies around the drum and ply ring segments disposed adjacent the ends of the drum.

Inventors

• 👤 G Enders

Bibliographic Details