The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company

Bridgestone/firestone, Inc.

George J Burley

Donald O Still

Hubert T Hovance

A trimming apparatus and method which may be used in conjunction with an automated tire assembly system which automatically trims the edges of the stabilizer ply member. The apparatus uses a rotary cutter angled with respect to the axis of the stabilizer ply member in order to produce a uniform cut.

Stabilizer ply trimmer

A means and method for applying a stabilizer ply to a tire building drum and more particularly a means and method for cutting and applying the stabilizer ply material and specifically means for cutting the stabilizer ply material between cords disposed therein and correcting for variations of the cord angles during the application process in order to provide an improved splice between the leading and trailing edges of the stabilizer ply material.

Pivotable knife

Method for ply application

Ply applicator

An apparatus and method for applying a stabilizer ply to a tire building drum and more particularly an apparatus and method for cutting and applying the stabilizer ply material and specifically an apparatus for cutting the stabilizer ply material between cords disposed therein and correcting for variations of the cord angles during the application process in order to provide an improved splice between the leading and trailing edges of the stabilizer ply material.

Method of cutting elastomeric material

There is disclosed an inflatable bladder for axially folding a ply at the shoulder of a drum, the body of which bladder carries ply-lifting fingers, as well as a ply-folding wedge in its surface. Inflating means causes the fingers and wedge, after initial expansion of the bladder, to establish and maintain fixed positions against the ply, whereupon the wedge turns a corner carrying the fabric with it. The method of operation is similarly disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Clinton, OH, United States of America

George J Burley