The Goodyear & Tire Rubber Company

Norman B Harding

Max D Brinkley

Richard J Licence

Tire grooving knives (122) are moved on a frame (28) into a grooving position adjacent the curved tire tread surface (130) of an inflated tire (12) of a predetermined diameter mounted for rotation on a supporting stand (14). The knives (122) are then individually moved by separate actuating assemblies (60) into engagement with the tire tread surface (130) so that as the (12) tire is rotated circumferential (128,156,160) grooves will be cut. The (122) knives and actuating assemblies (60) are adjustable to cut grooves (128,156,160) having sides (158) perpendicular to the tread surface (130) and to cut grooves (128,156,160) in different diameter tires. The knives (122,122',122') may also be positioned on the frame (28) at circumferentially spaced locations (172,174,176) around the tire tread surface (130) to provide space for the actuating assemblies (60) to cut closely spaced grooves (128,156,160).

Tire tread grooving method and apparatus

Means for positioning an assembled bead for a tire which bead includes an inextensible bead core and an apex of an uncured curable rubbery compound which is easily deformed. The assembled bead is first located concentrically of the axis and in a plane perpendicular to the axis of a tire building drum. The bead is then carried from its first location, supported only by the apex, to axial registry around a bead-setting groove of a tire building drum. The groove is expanded radially to conform a tire carcass band to the bead. The bead, being free of supporting devices within, is seated accurately in the carcass overlying the grooves. The foregoing abstract is not to be taken as limiting the invention of this application, and in order to understand the full nature and extent of the technical disclosure of this application, reference must be made to the accompanying drawing and the following detailed description.

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Akron, OH, United States of America

Norman B Harding