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System and method for releaseably attaching outer segments to a drum useful in the manufacture of vehicle tires

  • US 6,004,250 A
  • Filed: 09/30/1997
  • Issued: 12/21/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In a drum for the manufacture of a toroidal structure, which drum exhibits a radially collapsible outer circumferential surface that is defined by a plurality of core sections, each of which includes an arcuate outer surface, and including a plurality of shell segments, each of which includes an arcuate inner surface having substantially the same radius of curvature as the outer surface of the core section, each shell segment being disposed in overlying relationship to a respective core section with their respective outer and inner surfaces in facing relationship, the shell segments being releasably attached to individual ones of the core sections, the improvement for effecting releasable attachment of a shell segment to a core section comprisingmeans defining an outwardly opening groove in the outer surface of said core section and extending along the length dimension of said core section,means defining an outwardly opening groove in the inner surface of said shell segment and extending along the length dimension of said shell segment, said core section groove and said shell segment groove being aligned with and in facing relationship with one another when said shell segment is disposed in overlying relationship to its respective core section to define a channel therebetween, said channel including at least one outboard end,slide means disposed within said channel, said slide means including an inboard end defining a surface, and further including an outboard end defining at least one inwardly tapered side edge,actuator means including at least one camming member surface disposed at least partially within said channel in operative proximity to said inboard end of said slide means such that activation of said actuator causes said camming member of said actuator to engage said surface of said inboard end of said slide to urge said slide longitudinally away from said actuator,wedge means disposed within said channel and including opposite side edges, one of said side edges defining a tapered surface that is disposed in engaging and camming relationship to said at least one tapered side edge of said slide means such that movement of said slide means along said channel in a direction away from said actuator means urges said wedge means along said channel in a direction away from said actuator,means disposed within said channel for limiting the movement of said wedge means in a direction away from said actuator, whereby movement of said wedge means pursuant to the urging thereof by said slide means is converted into lateral movement of said wedge means that forces said wedge means into frictional engagement with at least one of the side edges of said channel to anchor said shell segment to said core section.

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