Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
The method of folding tire cord or wire ply stock continuously about a predetermined fold line extending longitudinally of a running length of such stock to supply folded belt stock for later use in making tires comprising, continuously engaging said stock with an arcuate portion of a cylindrical surface having an axis and an arcuate edge lying in a plane normal to said axis such that said fold line lies parallel and close to said plane and a first portion of the width of said stock at one side of said fold line is disposed in non-slip contact with and on said surface and the remaining portion of the width of said stock is disposed off said surface beyond said edge, rotating said cylindrical surface and said stock about said axis while supplying said stock in its unfolded state continuously to said surface as said surface moves through a first position thereof and removing said stock in its folded state as said surface moves through a second position thereof remote from said first position, and between said first and said second positions displacing said remaining portion of the width of said stock progressively angularly about said fold line first outwardly relative of said axis and then inwardly toward said surface to engage respective portions of the width of said stock in direct face-to-face contact from said fold line to form said belt.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
232 words
The method of folding tire cord or wire ply stock continuously about a predetermined fold line extending longitudinally of a running length of such stock to supply folded belt stock for later use in making tires comprising, continuously engaging said stock with an arcuate portion of a cylindrical surface having an axis and an arcuate edge lying in a plane normal to said axis such that said fold line lies parallel and close to said plane and a first portion of the width of said stock at one side of said fold line is disposed in non-slip contact with and on said surface and the remaining portion of the width of said stock is disposed off said surface beyond said edge, rotating said cylindrical surface and said stock about said axis while supplying said stock in its unfolded state continuously to said surface as said surface moves through a first position thereof and removing said stock in its folded state as said surface moves through a second position thereof remote from said first position, and between said first and said second positions displacing said remaining portion of the width of said stock progressively angularly about said fold line first outwardly relative of said axis and then inwardly toward said surface to engage respective portions of the width of said stock in direct face-to-face contact from said fold line to form said belt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, including pressing the respective portions together before removing said belt from said surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1, including engaging said stock and said surface such that said cords or wires extend forwardly across said fold line in the direction of movement of said surface and outwardly of said edge in said remaining portion of the width of said stock.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for folding breaker belt stock for later use in building tires comprising: a cylindrical stock support surface engageable with a running length of such stock extending between a supply thereof and a take-up therefor, said surface having an arcuate edge extending parallel to said length and to a desired fold line and being movable in a direction parallel to said fold line, a plurality of stock folding devices disposed at intervals along said edge, each said device comprising a plurality of rollers each mounted for rotation about an axis lying in a plane normal to both said surface and the direction of movement thereof.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for folding breaker belt stock for later use in building tires comprising: a cylindrical stock support surface engageable with a running length of such stock extending between a supply thereof and a take-up therefor, said surface having an arcuate edge extending parallel to said length and to a desired fold line and being movable in a direction parallel to said fold line, a plurality of stock folding devices disposed at intervals along said edge, each said device comprising a plurality of rollers each mounted for rotation about an axis lying in a plane normal to both said surface and the direction of movement thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said surface is provided by a cylindrical drum, and said edge lies in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of said drum, said stock being engageable with less than the full circumferential extent of said drum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherEin said folding devices each comprise a plurality of narrow face rollers each rotatable independently of the others about a common axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the axes of said folding devices each makes a lesser angle with said surface than the angle of the axis of the next preceding folding device with said surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 4, including guide means adjustably positioned on said surface parallel to said edge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
122 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said surface is provided by a cylindrical rotatable drum, and comprising drive means for rotating said drum with said stock in substantially non-slipping engagement thereon, a guide ring carried coaxially on said drum and axially adjustably thereon to locate an edge of such stock, said folding devices each comprising a plurality of narrow face rollers rotatable independently and coaxially of the respective device, said rollers being located adjacent said longitudinal edge at about equal arcuate intervals about said drum, successive ones of said turning device axes being oriented at successively decreasing angles with respect to the surface of said drum, and at least one of said devices being urged resiliently toward the surface of said drum.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a fulcrum wheel mounted for rotation in a plane approximately bisecting the angle formed by the respectively opposing portions of a belt being folded and engageable in rolling contact with such belt along its fold line.