The Goodyear & Tire Rubber Company

Emile Reding

John Kolbjoern Roedseth

William Dudley Currie

A tire building drum has a center section () and two end sections (). Each end section is provided with an expandable bead lock assembly (). The center section is preferably expandable. The expandable bead lock assembly comprises a carrier ring (CR) and a plurality of elongate links (K) extending between the carrier ring (CR) and a plurality of radially-expandable segments (S). When the carrier ring moves inward (towards the center section), the radially-expandable segments (S) move radially outward, urging a plurality of axially extending, circumferentially spaced-apart finger segments (F) outward from a collapsed position to an expanded position, and at least one position therebetween. In an embodiment of the invention, the bead lock assembly comprises a cylinder and two pistons (P, P) disposed within the cylinder. The pistons are free to move axially within the cylinder, in response to pneumatic pressure. The first piston (P) is constrained from moving axially inward by rods (RP,RP,RP). The second piston (P) is connected by rods (RP,RP,RP) to the carrier ring (CR). Pressurized air supplied through hoses (H,H,H) and passageways in the cylinder () control the movement of the pistons (P,P) so that the beach lock assembly can be partially-expanded, fully-expanded, and retracted, unexpanded position.

Tire building drum having expandable center section and independently expandable bead lock assemblies in the end sections

An expandable tire building drum, having alternating fixed () and expanding () segments (e.g.,of each) in a center section () of the drum. The expanding segments are axially-extending and circumferentially spaced from one another, and are contoured (have recesses, or grooves) to accommodate tire components such as sidewall inserts. Two different mechanisms for expanding the center section are described. A first mechanism includes two wedge elements () which are axially moveable away from one another to expand the center section. Ramp elements () associated with the expanding segments () may thus be moved radially outward. Rubber bands () provide a restoring force for collapsing the center section. A second mechanism includes two guide rings () which are axially moveable towards one another for expanding the center section, and away from one another to collapse the center section. Overlapping links () are provided between the guide rings and a support element () supporting the expanding segments ().

Expandable tire building drum with alternating fixed and expandable segments, and contours for sidewall inserts

An expandable tire building drum, having alternating fixed () and expanding () segments (e.g., 24 of each) in a center section () of the drum. The expanding segments are axially-extending and circumferentially spaced from one another, and are contoured (have recesses, or grooves) to accommodate tire components such as sidewall inserts. Two different mechanisms for expanding the center section are described. A first mechanism includes two wedge elements () which are axially moveable away from one another to expand the center section. Ramp elements () associated with the expanding segments () may thus be moved radially outward. Rubber bands () provide a restoring force for collapsing the center section. A second mechanism includes two guide rings () which are axially moveable towards one another for expanding the center section, and away from one another to collapse the center section. Overlapping links () are provided between the guide rings and a support element () supporting the expanding segments ().

A tire building drum has a center section ( ) and two end sections ( ). Each end section is provided with an expandable bead lock assembly ( ). The center section is preferably expandable. The expandable bead lock assembly comprises a carrier ring (CR) and a plurality of elongate links (K) extending between the carrier ring (CR) and a plurality of radially-expandable segments (S). When the carrier ring moves inward (towards the center section), the radially-expandable segments (S) move radially outward, urging a plurality of axially extending, circumferentially spaced-apart finger segments (F) outward from a collapsed position to an expanded position, and at least one position therebetween. In an embodiment of the invention, the bead lock assembly comprises a cylinder and two pistons (P , P ) disposed within the cylinder. The pistons are free to move axially within the cylinder, in response to pneumatic pressure. The first piston (P ) is constrained from moving axially inward by rods (R P ,R P ,R P ). The second piston (P ) is connected by rods (R P ,R P ,R P ) to the carrier ring (CR). Pressurized air supplied through hoses (H ,H ,H ) and passageways in the cylinder ( ) control the movement of the pistons (P ,P ) so that the beach lock assembly can be partially-expanded, fully-expanded, and retracted, unexpanded position.

The disclosed bladder ( ) is useful in ambient temperature fabrication of rubber parts and components. Due to the particular combination of construction materials used, the bladder has excellent release properties and results in improved manufacturing uniformity. At least one portion of the bladder ( ) is formed from a lack tack, high abrasion resistant polyurethane. The polyurethane may comprise a ring-shaped portion ( ) of the bladder surface or an entire end ( ) of the bladder.

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Kehmen, Luxembourg

Emile Reding