GB1375555A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1375555 Tyre building apparatus UNIROYAL AG 1 Dec 1971 [8 Dec 1970] 55807/71 Heading B7C Tyre building apparatus comprises means for supporting a tyre carcass 16 in cylindrical form at least at its ends, means for expanding the carcass 16 to toroidal form, a pair of shaping rings 21, 21a movable axially to engage the carcass adjacent to respective ends thereof during its expansion to toroidal form, and a pair of annular centering members 30, 30a supported on the shaping rings for centering a tread band 35 and breaker components relative to the carcass, each centering member being axially displaceable relative to an underlying annular element, e.g. 26, by means of a co-operating projection and groove on the member and element, the groove running round the periphery of the part in which it is formed at such an angle to the circumferential direction of the part that relative axial displacement of the member and element cannot be effected by applying force axially to the member or element. In the illustrated embodiment each centering member is mounted on a sleeve, e.g. 26, and carries a set-screw, e.g. 37a, which engages a helical groove, e.g. 25, on the sleeve so that relative axial displacement of the sleeve and member may be accomplished by turning the member relative to the sleeve. Each sleeve is in turn mounted on a cylindrical flange, e.g. 22, of the associated shaping ring and carries setscrews, e.g. 36a, which engage a helical groove, e.g. 23, on the ring flange so that relative axial displacement of the sleeve and shaping ring is also possible. The set-screws 37a may be used to fasten the centering members to the sleeves, and further set-screws, e.g. 39a, engageable with recesses, e.g. 24, are provided for securing the sleeves to the ring flanges. The free end of each set-screw 36a, 37a may be shaped to the cross-sectional form of the associated groove, which form may be rectangular. Each centering member may alternatively be mounted on a part of the associated shaping ring. The means for supporting and expanding the carcass 16 may be a drum 3 comprising annular end members 7, 9 supported for movement axially towards and away from one another on coaxial tubular members 8, 10, and a flexible sleeve 15 extending between the end members. In an alternative embodiment the sleeve 15 is omitted and means are provided for admitting pressure to the interior of the carcass when the end members 7, 9 are moved towards one another.