GB481140A - Improvements in or relating to methods of and apparatus for splicing the end portions of elongated uncured rubber bodies - Google Patents

Abstract

481,140. Splicing indiarubber; making inner tubes for pneumatic tyres. GENERAL TIRE & RUBBER CO. Nov. 25, 1936, No. 32261. Convention date, Nov. 30, 1935. [Classes 70 and 87 (ii)] [Also in Group XXIX] In apparatus for splicing the cut ends of an uncured rubber tube or other rubber article, pairs of clamping jaws which hold the two ends are brought together so as to press the ends together longitudinally, lateral flow of the rubber being prevented by inter-engaging fingers on the clamping jaws. As applied to the making of inner tubes for pneumatic tyres, a folded length of tube is laid on a table 1 against a gauge 3, and is cut by a knife 7 reciprocated in slots in uprights 10. The knife may be heated by electric heaters secured to it. After a valve body has been affixed, the tube is passed beneath a plate 57 supported above the table 1, and the ends are pressed together against slightly projecting teeth 54 on plates 53 recessed in plates which have interfitting fingers closing the gap between the plates 53. Similar plates are brought over the tube ends by a carriage 86, and are pressed vertically by cams operated by a handle 99, and the pairs of plates are then forced together horizontally by wedge-shaped cams operated by a handle 125. When pressure is released and the carriage retracted, the tube is removed and vulcanized. The tube is punched and a valve body is affixed by passing an open end of the tube over an arm 26 beneath a two-armed member 31 carrying a punch 29 and a pressing tool 30, and adapted to be rotated so as to bring the tools in succession over the tube and to be reciprocated vertically. The punch is supported in a raised position by a latch 48, Fig. 19, and on release is pressed down by a spring 43, and at the end of its stroke is raised slightly, by a spring 43a engaging the end of a slot 41a. The hole formed in the tube is placed over a spring- pressed plunger 28, the valve body placed over it, and the tool 30 pressed down on it. The downward movement of the member 31 with the tool 30 also causes the punch to be raised and latched by contact of a collar 45 against a sleeve 58.