GB372043A - Improvements in methods and apparatus for manufacturing tires - Google Patents

Abstract

372,043. Wheel tyres ; endless chain conveyers ; work benches. MORGAN & WEIGHT, Belleview Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.-(Assignees of Ostling, C. A. ; Casa Del Ray Apartments, and McEwan, J. J. ; 871, Perry Street, both in Pontiac, Michigan, U.S.A.) March 23, 1931, No. 8904. Convention date, July 11, 1930. [Class 144 (i).] A method for building up the fabric foundation of a tyre cover consists in feeding the tyre fabric at successive intervals to a continuously moving tyre former by means of a plurality of fabric supply means which are arranged to move with-the former whilst fabric is being applied thereto and then to be automatically returned to their initial positions. Fig. 2 shows a general lay-out of plant for carrying the tyre building into effect. The tyre former comprises a collapsible drum 60, Figs. 6, 8, on a shaft 75 and is mounted, together with an operator platform 3, on a wheeled frame 22, Figs. 8, 12, having a lug 26 engaging an endless chain 21. This chain is driven by lugs 37 on an endless chain 36 passing round a motor driven sprocket 35. The fabric is fed to the drum from racks 7, 8, Fig. 2, each rack having a lug 41, Fig. 12, which is loosely mounted in a bracket 40 and is engaged by a bracket 39 on the frame 22 to move with the drum 60 while the fabric is supplied. After a predetermined time, a cam 45, Fig. 6, disengages the lug from the bracket and the rack is returned to its initial position by a rope connected to a counterweight 12. When the drum 60, previously collapsed by an operator, reaches a position a, Fig. 2, an operator A places bead rings on bead setting rings 68, Fig. 8, supported respectively on a piston 70 and cylinder 71 connected to an air valve 55. A roller 67 on a rod 62 simultaneously rides over a cam on the floor 66 to raise adhesive in holders 65 on a rod 64 into contact with the drum 60. A rack 7 is then engaged by the frame 22. The clutch pedal 52 of the motor, driving the shaft 75, is depressed by the operator to disconnect the motor and the first ply 130, Fig. 23, applied to the drum which is rotated by hand until it is covered by fabric, the ply then being cut off from the fabric strip passing from the rack. The rack is now disengaged by the cam 45 and is returned to its initial position. The operator then dismounts from the platform 3 and returns along the conveyer to perform a similar operation upon the next drum. An operator B then splices the ends of the ply 130 and after another rack 7 is engaged by the frame 22, a ply 131 is placed on the drum which is then mechanically driven while stitcher rolls, actuated by a handle 56, Fig. 8, are set for rolling the plies 130, 131. At c an operator C manipulates the air valve 55 to advance the bead setting rings 68 towards the drum. The bead wires 132 are then separated from the rings by a hand tool and together with the bead flipper strip are stitched down on to the ply 131. The air valve is then operated to cause the rings 68 to recede from the drum. The operator D turns the edges of the plies 130, 131 over the bead wires 132 and transfers a third ply 135 to the drum, the ply being severed and spliced. At e a rack 8 is engaged by the frame 22 and a ply 136 together with strips 116, 117, attached thereto, is transferred to the drum. An operator F then applies gasoline to the surface of the carcass and places a tread 137 thereon, the ends being painted with gasoline and joined together. An operator G pats down the tread, further compresses the materials by the stitching mechanism, stitches the splice at the joints, and trims the loose thin edges of the tread. Finally, the plies 135, 136, are tucked round and under the bead wires by operator H. The drum is then collapsed and the carcass removed. The fabric is delivered to the racks 7, 8 from a bias cutting machine 6, Fig. 2, a conveyer 4 having hooks 5 supporting the strips. Each drum is provided with an independently controlled motor which is mounted in a housing 50, Fig. 6, connected by wires passing through conduits 80, to bus-bars in a channel 82 which conforms substantially to the outline of the chain 21.