Building and shaping a tire

Claim 2

Tire building drum comprising shaping means having a pair of coaxially spaced first solid elastomeric end ring assemblies, an outer wall member and an inner wall member each said member having at each of its axial ends a solid elastomeric ring juxtaposed to the respectively associated end ring of the other member, the wall members defining therebetween a first annular inflatable envelope, which when uninflated forms a flat cylindrical building surface; two turnup means each having a second solid elastomeric end ring assembly, an outer annular bladder having a pair of solid elastomeric end rings and a first inner annular bladder having a solid elastomeric ring interfitted between the end rings of the outer bladder to form said end ring assembly; clamp means including a plurality of radially movable segments arranged in two coaxially spaced apart circumferential rows, a circumferential seat formed in each row of said segments, each seat retaining in juxtaposed relation one of said first end ring assemblies of said shaping means and the respectively associated second end ring assemblies of said turnup means; bead forming means comprising a pair of second annular bladders disposed between said inner and said outer wall members, each of said second bladders having a single solid elastomeric ring disposed between the respectively associated pair of end rings of the wall members and extending when uninflated axially toward the other thereof a distance less than one-half the distance between said ring assemblies, each said second bladder extending when uninflated axially inward from its associated ring assembly a distance at least approximately equal to the axial extent of the associated first bladder of the first-mentioned pair thereof.

Claim 3

Tire building apparatus comprising an axially continuous cylindrical building surface defined by an inflatable annular envelope having end rings, and a pair of annular inflatable turnup bladders having end rings arranged coaxially of and respectively abutting the end rings of said envelope, a plurality of segments arranged in two circumferential sets respectively disposed in axially spaced planes, each set of said segments providing a circumferential seat, each said seat accommodating said end rings of said envelope and the end rings of the respective turnup bladder in coterminous abutment at the respective said planes, said envelope having an inner wall and an outer wall each secured integrally and airtightly to the respective end rings of said envelope.

Claim 4

Tire building apparatus comprising an axially continuous cylindrical building surface defined by an inflatable annular envelope having end rings, and a pair of annular inflatable turnup bladders having end rings arranged coaxially of and respectively abutting the end rings of said envelope, a plurality of segments arranged in two circumferential sets respectively disposed in axially spaced planes, each set of said segments providing a circumferential seat, each said seat accommodating said end rings of said envelope and the end rings of the respective turnup bladder in coterminous abutment at the respective said planes, said envelope having an inner wall and an outer wall each secured integrally and airtightly to the respective end rings of said envelope.

Claim 5

A tire building apparatus comprising: carcass shaping means having a first pair of end ring assemblies and three annular inflatable chambers; the first chamber thereof being defined by an outer wall and an inner wall each terminating axially in end rings located concentrically in the respectively associated one of said ring assemblies, both walls being of elastomeric material reinforced by cords extending axially between and into each respective end ring; the second and the third chambers thereof being disposed coaxially between said outer and said inner wall and each being defined by a cord-reinforced annular wall having a solid elastomer ring concentrically integral therewith disposed concentrically between and in circumferential contact with the respectively associated end rings of said inner and said outer wall in said assemblies, said second and said third chamber each having an axial length when not inflated not greater than one-third of the uninflated axial length of said first chamber; a pair of turnup means including a second pair of end ring assemblies disposed in coaxial abutting relation each respectively with the associated one of said first pair of end ring assemblies; each turnup means including an inner and an outer annular inflatable chamber, said outer chamber, having a cord-reinforced elastomeric membrane having two circular end rings, said inner chamber being defined by an annular membrane having a solid elastomeric circular ring integrally thereon, the latter said ring being disposed concentrically in contact with and between the associated two end rings of the outer chamber membrane to form one of the second pair of end ring assemblies; said inner chamber being disposed inside the outer chamber and at least approximately equal in uninflated axial length to the uninflated axial lengths of the second and the third chamber of said shaping means.

Claim 6

A tire building apparatus comprising: carcass shaping means having a first pair of end ring assemblies and three annular inflatable chambers; the first chamber thereof being defined by an outer wall and an inner wall each terminating axially in end rings located concentrically in the respectively associated one of said ring assemblies, both walls being of elastomeric material reinforced by cords extending axially between and into each respective end ring; the second and the third chambers thereof being disposed coaxially between said outer and said inner wall and each being defined by a cord-reinforced annular wall having a solid elastomer ring concentrically integral therewith disposed concentrically between and in circumferential contact with the respectively associated end rings of said inner and said outer wall in said assemblies, said second and said third chamber each having an axial length when not inflated not greater than one-third of the uninflated axial length of said first chamber; a pair of turnup means including a second pair of end ring assemblies disposed in coaxial abutting relation each respectively with the associated one of said first pair of end ring assemblies; each turnup means including an inner and an outer annular inflatable chamber, said outer chamber, having a cord-reinforced elastomeric membrane having two circular end rings, said inner chamber being defined by an annular membrane having a solid elastomeric circular ring integrally thereon, the latter said ring being disposed concentrically in contact with and between the associated two end rings of the outer chamber membrane to form one of the second pair of end ring assemblies; said inner chamber being disposed inside the outer chamber and at least approximately equal in uninflated axial length to the uninflated axial lengths of the second and the third chamber of said shaping means.

Claim 7

A tire building apparatus comprising carcass shaping means having means for modifying the inflated shape of said shaping means, with respect to its natural toric shape, to a toroid having an aspect ratio of less than 1.00, said shaping means having a radially outer wall comprising an outer layer and an inner layer coaxially joined to the outer layer, each said layer having reinforcing cords which extend from axial end to axial end of the respective layer, said means for modifying the shape comprising a plurality of elastically flexible blades equally spaced circumferentially of and extending longitudinally between said outer layer and said inner layer, each said blade occupying a congruent cavity formed between said inner and outer layer, each blade being rectangular in cross-section and graduated in thickness from its center axially outward to a lesser thickness at the respective ends thereof, each blade having an extension laterally outwardly from each of its respective ends, said extension lapping the associated end of the next adjacent blade, and at least one pair of holes opening radially through each blade, said inner and outer layer being integrally connected to each other through said at least one pair of holes.

Claim 8

A tire building apparatus comprising carcass shaping means having means for modifying the inflated shape of said shaping means, with respect to its natural toric shape, to a toroid having an aspect ratio of less than 1.00, said shaping means having a radially outer wall comprising an outer layer and an inner layer coaxially joined to the outer layer, each said layer having reinforcing cords which extend from axial end to axial end of the respective layer, said means for modifying the shape comprising a plurality of elastically flexible blades equally spaced circumferentially of and extending longitudinally between said outer layer and said inner layer, each said blade occupying a congruent cavity formed between said inner and outer layer, each blade being rectangular in cross-section and graduated in thickness from its center axially outward to a lesser thickness at the respective ends thereof, each blade having an extension laterally outwardly from each of its respective ends, said extension lapping the associated end of the next adjacent blade, and at least one pair of holes opening radially through each blade, said inner and outer layer being integrally connected to each other through said at least one pair of holes.

Claim 9

A tire building drum comprising, a circumferentially continuous first annular envelope axially continuous between two bead-locating planes and a pair of second annular envelopes disposed coaxially of said first envelope and extending oppositely outward respectively from said planes, the first and the second said envelopes cooperating to provide the cylindrical building surface of said drum; a pair of carrier means mounted for equal and opposite movement coaxially of said drum and a plurality of rigid segments mounted on each said carrier means for symmetric movement radially of the drum axis, each segment having a surface underlying said first envelope and the respectively associated second envelope and extending axially in each direction from the respective bead-locating plane not more than one-third of the axial dimension of said first envelope, said first envelope comprising an inner and an outer wall member co-operating to define therebetween a first inflatable annular chamber, said inner and said outer member being circumferentially connected to one another adjacent each respective bead-locating plane, a first pair of independently inflatable anular bladders disposed within said first chamber and connected respectively to said inner and said outer wall member close to the respective bead-locating planes, and a second pair of annular inflatable bladders disposed respectively within said second envelopes and concentrically connected respectively to said second envelopes adjacent to said bead-locating plane, each first annular bladder being cooperable with the associated second annular bladder to apply a circumferentially continuous squeeze to compress the bead region of the tire therebetween.

Claim 10

A tire building drum comprising, a circumferentially continuous first annular envelope axially continuous between two bead-locating planes and a pair of second annular envelopes disposed coaxially of said first envelope and extending oppositely outward respectively from said planes, the first and the second said envelopes cooperating to provide the cylindrical building surface of said drum; a pair of carrier means mounted for equal and opposite movement coaxially of said drum and a plurality of rigid segments mounted on each said carrier means for symmetric movement radially of the drum axis, each segment having a surface underlying said first envelope and the respectively associated second envelope and extending axially in each direction from the respective bead-locating plane not more than one-third of the axial dimension of said first envelope, said first envelope comprising an inner and an outer wall member co-operating to define therebetween a first inflatable annular chamber, said inner and said outer member being circumferentially connected to one another adjacent each respective bead-locating plane, a first pair of independently inflatable anular bladders disposed within said first chamber and connected respectively to said inner and said outer wall member close to the respective bead-locating planes, and a second pair of annular inflatable bladders disposed respectively within said second envelopes and concentrically connected respectively to said second envelopes adjacent to said bead-locating plane, each first annular bladder being cooperable with the associated second annular bladder to apply a circumferentially continuous squeeze to compress the bead region of the tire therebetween.

Claim 11

Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, the outer wall of said first envelope comprising a pair of cord-reinforced plies the cords of which extend from one to the other of said bead-locating planes, blade means for modifying the shape of said outer wall, when the same is expanded by inflation, with respect to the shape of said outer membrane when inflated absent said blade means, said blade means comprising a multiplicity of blades of rectangular cross-section disposed between and secured to each of said plies and extending longitudinally parallel to the axis of the first envelope and spaced equally about said axis, each of said blades being graduated in thickness as measured radially of said envelope decreasing from a maximum thickness at its mid-length toward its ends, each blade having near each of its ends a lateral extension projecting in a circumferential direction sufficiently to overlap the next adjacent one of said blades.

Claim 12

Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, the outer membrane of said first envelope having a plurality of grooves sunk in its radially outward surface and extending axially inward from one of said bead-locating planes toward the other of said bead-locating planes.

Claim 13

Tire building apparatus comprising: drum means providing a straight cylindrical building surface; shaft means rotatably supporting the drum means for rotation; center support means fixed coaxially and corotatably on said shaft means; a pair of carrier means slidably and corotatably disposed on said shaft means for axial movement symmetrically toward and away from each other between a building position and a shaping position; on each of said carrier means a plurality of clamping segments arranged to provide bead clamping rings in substantially continuous circular array mounted for symmetric movement radially of said shaft means, each of said segments extending axially from a respectively associated bead-locating plane a predetermined distance respectively toward and away from said center support means to provide two rigid cylindrical reaction surfaces; each of said segments having a slot open radially outwardly thereof and in circumferential alignment to form a pair of axially spaced apart grooves extending circumferentially of the respective bead clamping rings; bladder means defining said cylindrical band building surface and comprising: a pair of dual turnup bladders disposed circumferentially of each of said bead clamping rings and extending axially outwardly from the bead engagement plane bisecting the respectively associated dovetail or T-groove; each turnup bladder having a bead engagement ring disposed in the respectively associated dovetail or T-groove, an outer cord-reinforced membrane forming a first closed inflatable annular envelope attached to said bead engagement ring and extending in uninflated state axially outward therefrom; an inner cord-reinforced membrane forming a second closed inflatable annular envelope inside said first envelope and attached to said bead engagement ring and extending axially in uninflated state outwardly therefrom about one-quarter of the axial extent of said outer membrane in its uninflated state; and a shaping bladder disposed circumferentially of said clamp ring segments symmetrically of said center support means and extending axially in uninflated state from one to the other of said clamp rings, said shaping bladder having a pair of second bead seat rings disposed respectively in said dovetail or T-groove and respectively abutting the first bead seat rings of said turnup bladders; an inner cord-reinforced wall and an outer cord-reinforced wall each attached to and extending in uninflated state between said two second bead seat rings, the walls forming a closed inflatable annular envelope, a pair of inside bladders each forming a closed inflatable annular envelope attached to a respectively associated one of said second bead seat rings and extending axially about one-fifth to one-third the distance between said second bead seat rings toward the other thereof inside said shaping bladder envelope formed by said walls; said outer wall having an outer layer and an inner layer, and blade means disposed between and affixed to said inner and said outer layers for modifying the shape of said shaping bladder when inflated with respect to the inflated shape of said bladder absent such blade means; said blade means comprising a plurality of long narrow blades extending parallel to said shaft and equally spaced thereabout, each blade having near each end thereof a side extension projecting in a circumferential direction sufficiently to overlap a next adjacent blade, and each blade being thicker, in depth radially of the drum, at its mid-length and graduated to lesser thickness radially of the drum progressively axially outward toward its end portions; each of said clamp rings of segments being extendable radially of the drum means to engage at least one carcass ply between an endless inextensible bead core and one of each said first and said second bead seat ring in initial axially coplanar registry with said bead core; said shaping bladder being inflatable to shape said carcass ply from its cylindrical form as laid about said building surface to said toroidally shaped carcass form, said clamp rings being concurrently movable axially toward said shaping position; said inside bladders and said second annular envelopes when inflated cooperating after shaping said ply with respectively associated ones of said reaction surfaces to turn ends of said ply about the respectively associated bead cores and radially outwardly along respective carcass sidewalls and to compress and to consolidate the ply with circumferentially uniform pressure in the regions of the sidewalls close to said bead cores while said sidewalls extend radially of said bead cores at or about the orientation thereof to be had in the tire after it has been cured, whereby relative rotational movement of the bead core and the adjacent carcass ply can be avoided.

Claim 14

Tire building apparatus comprising: drum means providing a straight cylindrical building surface; shaft means rotatably supporting the drum means for rotation; center support means fixed coaxially and corotatably on said shaft means; a pair of carrier means slidably and corotatably disposed on said shaft means for axial movement symmetrically toward and away from each other between a building position and a shaping position; on each of said carrier means a plurality of clamping segments arranged to provide bead clamping rings in substantially continuous circular array mounted for symmetric movement radially of said shaft means, each of said segments extending axially from a respectively associated bead-locating plane a predetermined distance respectively toward and away from said center support means to provide two rigid cylindrical reaction surfaces; each of said segments having a slot open radially outwardly thereof and in circumferential alignment to form a pair of axially spaced apart grooves extending circumferentially of the respective bead clamping rings; bladder means defining said cylindrical band building surface and comprising: a pair of dual turnup bladders disposed circumferentially of each of said bead clamping rings and extending axially outwardly from the bead engagement plane bisecting the respectively associated dovetail or T-groove; each turnup bladder having a bead engagement ring disposed in the respectively associated dovetail or T-groove, an outer cord-reinforced membrane forming a first closed inflatable annular envelope attached to said bead engagement ring and extending in uninflated state axially outward therefrom; an inner cord-reinforced membrane forming a second closed inflatable annular envelope inside said first envelope and attached to said bead engagement ring and extending axially in uninflated state outwardly therefrom about one-quarter of the axial extent of said outer membrane in its uninflated state; and a shaping bladder disposed circumferentially of said clamp ring segments symmetrically of said center support means and extending axially in uninflated state from one to the other of said clamp rings, said shaping bladder having a pair of second bead seat rings disposed respectively in said dovetail or T-groove and respectively abutting the first bead seat rings of said turnup bladders; an inner cord-reinforced wall and an outer cord-reinforced wall each attached to and extending in uninflated state between said two second bead seat rings, the walls forming a closed inflatable annular envelope, a pair of inside bladders each forming a closed inflatable annular envelope attached to a respectively associated one of said second bead seat rings and extending axially about one-fifth to one-third the distance between said second bead seat rings toward the other thereof inside said shaping bladder envelope formed by said walls; said outer wall having an outer layer and an inner layer, and blade means disposed between and affixed to said inner and said outer layers for modifying the shape of said shaping bladder when inflated with respect to the inflated shape of said bladder absent such blade means; said blade means comprising a plurality of long narrow blades extending parallel to said shaft and equally spaced thereabout, each blade having near each end thereof a side extension projecting in a circumferential direction sufficiently to overlap a next adjacent blade, and each blade being thicker, in depth radially of the drum, at its mid-length and graduated to lesser thickness radially of the drum progressively axially outward toward its end portions; each of said clamp rings of segments being extendable radially of the drum means to engage at least one carcass ply between an endless inextensible bead core and one of each said first and said second bead seat ring in initial axially coplanar registry with said bead core; said shaping bladder being inflatable to shape said carcass ply from its cylindrical form as laid about said building surface to said toroidally shaped carcass form, said clamp rings being concurrently movable axially toward said shaping position; said inside bladders and said second annular envelopes when inflated cooperating after shaping said ply with respectively associated ones of said reaction surfaces to turn ends of said ply about the respectively associated bead cores and radially outwardly along respective carcass sidewalls and to compress and to consolidate the ply with circumferentially uniform pressure in the regions of the sidewalls close to said bead cores while said sidewalls extend radially of said bead cores at or about the orientation thereof to be had in the tire after it has been cured, whereby relative rotational movement of the bead core and the adjacent carcass ply can be avoided.

Claim 15

Tire building drum comprising: building surface means including center sleeve means, spring steel blade means disposed internally of said sleeve means and turnup bladder means abutting each axial end of said sleeve means cooperating to provide an axially extending cylindrical surface; bead clamping means comprising a plurality of rigid segments arranged in two circumferential sets, each set of segments being formed to provide a circumferential ring accommodating seat, said center sleeve terminating in axially spaced solid elastomeric rings disposed respectively in said seats, each said turnup bladder means terminating in a solid elastomeric ring disposed in the respectively associated seat in abutting relation with the associated ring of said center sleeve means; said blade means and said segments cooperating to rigidify said cylindrical surface.

Claim 16

Tire building drum comprising: building surface means including center sleeve means, spring steel blade means disposed internally of said sleeve means and turnup bladder means abutting each axial end of said sleeve means cooperating to provide an axially extending cylindrical surface; bead clamping means comprising a plurality of rigid segments arranged in two circumferential sets, each set of segments being formed to provide a circumferential ring accommodating seat, said center sleeve terminating in axially spaced solid elastomeric rings disposed respectively in said seats, each said turnup bladder means terminating in a solid elastomeric ring disposed in the respectively associated seat in abutting relation with the associated ring of said center sleeve means; said blade means and said segments cooperating to rigidify said cylindrical surface.