Tire building drum
First Claim
1. A tire building drum, comprising:
- (a) a shaft having a circumference and a longitudinal axis;
(b) a hub concentric with said shaft, said hub and said shaft rotatable relative to one another between first and second angular positions defining a predetermined arc in both a first angular direction and an opposed second angular direction;
(c) a plurality of blocks disposed at mutually angularly spaced intervals around said circumference of said shaft, each of said blocks being mounted in rotationally fixed and radially reciprocatingly movable relation to said shaft;
(d) a plurality of links each pivotably coupled between said hub and a different one of said blocks to effect radial outward and inward movement of said blocks with respect to said longitudinal axis as said shaft and said hub are relatively rotated in said first angular direction and said second angular direction, respectively; and
(e) a plurality of alternating wide and narrow drum segments each of which is coupled radially movably to one of said blocks, said segments being movable radially outwardly to expand said drum and form a substantially continuous drum surface upon which a tire carcass can be built when said shaft and said hub member are relatively rotated in said first angular direction and said segments also being movable radially inwardly to collapse said drum to facilitate removal of said tire carcass when said shaft and said hub are relatively rotated in said second angular direction.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tire building drum having a plurality of alternating wide and narrow drum segments bearing shells matable to form a cylindrical tire-building surface includes a shaft and concentric hub rotatable relative one another to expand and collapse the drum. In a preferred embodiment, blocks coupled to each respective segment via springs are mounted for bidirectional radial movement in rotationally-fixed relation to the shaft. Links nestable when the drum is collapsed connect the blocks with the hub to drive the blocks radially and function as over-center toggles stabilizing the drum when expanded. Variable-engagement slides associated with the blocks most effectively resist non-radial forces exerted by the links when their relative magnitude is greatest. Dimensional stability and precision of the drum are facilitated by radial and angular stops which are not subject to sliding wear. Pins of different lengths coupling the wide and narrow drum segments to the blocks cooperate with the springs to retract the narrow drum segments first and by a greater distance when collapsing the drum. The springs also cooperate with the radial stops by taking up relative movement between the blocks and drum segments to prevent expansion of the drum at any point during transition to its collapsed condition.
53 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A tire building drum, comprising:
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(a) a shaft having a circumference and a longitudinal axis; (b) a hub concentric with said shaft, said hub and said shaft rotatable relative to one another between first and second angular positions defining a predetermined arc in both a first angular direction and an opposed second angular direction; (c) a plurality of blocks disposed at mutually angularly spaced intervals around said circumference of said shaft, each of said blocks being mounted in rotationally fixed and radially reciprocatingly movable relation to said shaft; (d) a plurality of links each pivotably coupled between said hub and a different one of said blocks to effect radial outward and inward movement of said blocks with respect to said longitudinal axis as said shaft and said hub are relatively rotated in said first angular direction and said second angular direction, respectively; and (e) a plurality of alternating wide and narrow drum segments each of which is coupled radially movably to one of said blocks, said segments being movable radially outwardly to expand said drum and form a substantially continuous drum surface upon which a tire carcass can be built when said shaft and said hub member are relatively rotated in said first angular direction and said segments also being movable radially inwardly to collapse said drum to facilitate removal of said tire carcass when said shaft and said hub are relatively rotated in said second angular direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification