Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
BAC ~ 7~ THE INVENTION
The instant invention relates generally to
pneumatic tlre fabricating devices, and more particu-
larly to a machine for applying or laying elastomeric
bead apex or filler strips on carcass-reinforcing
annular bead rings for pneumatic tires.
As is well known, a pneumatic tire remains se-
cured upon the rim of a vehicular wheel by means o~ a pair
of metallic annular bead rings. When building a tire
carcass, the bead rings are embedded in respective bead
portions of the carcass. The bead rings, which are
substantially inextensible, de*ine a standardized dia-
meter for each type and size of pneumatic tire. An
elastomeric or-rubberized apex strip of variable shape
and size, for instance of substantially triangular cross- -
section, is applied onto the outer periphery of the ~ -
bead ring before the latter is disposed into its re- -
spective carcass bead portion. m e apex strip, thus,
- constitutes a filler material for filling an annular
void between the bead ring and the marginal edge of the
-carcass folded thereover.
- Devices and methods are already known in the -
art for applying such apex strips to bead rings, but
these necessarily involve a substantial number of manual
operations which are time consuming, costly and generally
undesirable. The operations involve winding a portion of
apex strip onto the bead ring to be covered, severing the
strip at a length corresponding to the circumference of
the bead ring and ~oining the two opposite ends of the
strip, for instance by cementing, welding, or similar
means. ~ --
--1--
--2--
10382~
The prior art machines have the attendant
disadvantage of requiring a relatively long period of
- time to perform a strip application cycle with the
necessary precision. Moreover, such known machines
do not entirely satisfy certain requirements and con-
ditions which must be met and which are imposed by
1) the heterogeneous composition of the rubber
mixture of the apex strip;
2) the necessity of not stretching the strip
prior to and during its application to the bead ring,
e.g. since the apex strips are manufactured either in
the form of a continuous elongate strip by means of ex-
trusion, or in the form of a sheet having parallel
apex strips separated by scored lines and produced by
a calender or the like, the initial winding of the apex
strips into a coil on a supply spool or the like does -
not guarantee that the apex strip will not be subjected
to inadvertent stretching or rupture when applied to the
bead ring; -
3) the production size changes of the various
standard bead ring diameters;
4) the change from a continuous linear advance-
ment of the apex strip to a discontinuous and circular
application thereof to the bead ring; and
5) the necessity to sever the apex strip "to
length" with precision to achieve a high ~uality butt
- weld at the overlapping strip ends.
SUMMARY OF T~ VENTIO~
Accordingly, a principal object of the present
invention is to provide a machine which obviates the above-
--2--
. -
1038Z74
mentioned disadvantages and which satisfies the foregoing require-
ments and conditions. To this end, the machine in accordance with
the present invention provides, in its broadest form, apparatus
for applying a tacky elastomeric strip to an outer periphery of a
bead ring for a pneumatic tire, said apparatus including carrier
means for detachably supportina a bead ring such that the outer
periphery of said bead ring remains exposed; strip-feed means for
advancing an elastomeric strip lengthwise to said bead ring; strip-
application means for applying and effecting adhesion of a
leading end of said strip to the outer periphery of said bead
ring; drive means for rotating said carrier means and, thereby,
said bead ring and said leading end of said strip relative to
said strip-application means; strip-cutting means for severi~
a portion of said strip trailing said leading end from the
remainder of said strip at a length corresponding to the j:
circumference of the outer periphery of said bead ring; and
strip-pressing means for pressing and effecting adhesion of the :
severed portion of said strip against the outer periphery of
said bead ring during rotation of the latter, an improvement
comprising strip-supply means for supplying said elastomeric
strip to said strip-feed means, said strip-supply means com-
prising a sheet of elastomeric material, said sheet having a
plurality of scored parallel lines formed therein which divide f
it into and define a plurality of strips which in succession i ~ :
can be torn free from one another, a spool upon which the ~-
strips of said sheet are wound in the form of a spiral, means ¦~
for intermittently unwinding and tearing successive strips from
said spool, and means for joining the trailing end of one strip
to the leading end of a following strip.
In a further embodiment there is provided apparatus
for applying a tacky elastomeric strip to an outer periphery
of a bead ring for a pneumatic tire, said apparatus including
~ - 3 -
.~` , .
., - - . . .
:,
103k~4
carrier means for detachably supporting a bead ring such that
the outer periphery of said bead ring remains exposed; strip-
feed means for advancing an elastomeric strip lengthwise to
said bead ring; strip-application means for applying and ~ :
effecting adhesion of a leading end of said strip to the outer
periphery of said bead ring; drive means for rotating said
carrier means and, thereby, said bead ring and said leading
end of said strip relative to said strip-application means;
strip-cutting means for severing a portion of said strip -
trailing said leading end from the remainder of said strip at
a length corresponding to the circumference of the outer
periphery of said bead ring; and strip-pressing means for
pressing and effecting adhesion of the severed portion of said
strip against the outer periphery of said bead ring during
- rotation of the latter, an improvement comprising a frame, a
pivotal arm freely journaled upon said frame, and power cylinder
means operatively associated with said pivotal arm for turning
the latter, said strip-cutting means and said strip-pressing
means being radially shiftable relative to said carrier means
and operatively associated with said pivotal arm such that upon
pivoting of the latter, toward or away from said carrier means,
said strip-cutting means and said strip-pressing means
simultaneously move correspondingly into and out of operative
association with said carrier means.
In certain aspects the machine comprises: a rotary
radially expansible and contractable, bead ring-carrying pulley
intermittently rotated by a reversible indexing device; an
apex strip advancement and application device.,for applying an
indefinite continuous portion of the apex strip substantially
tangentially to the bead ring on the pulley; a system for
synchronizing the rotation of the bead ring-carrying pulley
and the approach of the strip application device; a device for
~ - 3a -
,, ,
1038Z~4
cutting the apex strip to a prescribed length and chamfer; and
a device for guiding the apex strip against the bead ring-
carrying pulley, and the chamfered ends of the severed strip
into mutually overlapping relation on the bead ring carried by
the pulley. The bead ring-carrying pulley which is radially
expansible and contractable, thus, can accommodate all bead
rings of presently standardized diameters, for instance between
332 and 408 milimeters.
The pulley is mounted on a rotary vertical main shaft
that is driven by the indexing device. The apex strip applica-
tion device is pivotally mounted on a translatory vertical
spindle, as are the devices for cutting and guiding the apex -
strip so that they may be moved into and out of operative
association with the bead ring-carrying pulley. It should be
pointed out that the vertical orientation of the axis of
rotation of the pulley and the respective movements of the
elements associated therewith may be modified and
~-
,~ ................................................................................ .... ...
' .
--4--
~3U~2~74
st~ll remain within the spirit and scope of the
~nvention.
The machine in accordance with the invention
is of relatively simple and inexpensive nature, has
a high capacity and production rate, is efficient,
precise and dependable,and is in general an improved
and highly automatic machine. -
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION ~ -
The invention will be better understood, and other ~
objects, characteristics, details, and advantages thereof ~ -
will become more apparent upon reading the following -
- detailed description and upon reference to the drawings
in which:
Fig. l is a simplified schematic side view o~
the continuous apex strip supply system of the machine
in accordance with the inventionj-
Fig. 2 is a frægmentary, partial cross-sectional,
elevational,larger scaledview, taken along line II~
of Fig. 3, of the apex strip cutting and welding device
of the supply system;
Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, partially cross-sectional
view taken along line III-III in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, partially cross-section~l
view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, partially cross-sectional
view of an apex strip guide assembly of the supply system;
Fig. 6 is a profile view of the guide assembly
as observed in the direction of the arrow VI in Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along
line VII-VII in Fig. 5;
.
.
1038274
Fig. 8 ls an overall top plan view of the ma-
chine, in smaller scale, illustrating varlous princi-
pal elements of the machine in their relative operating
positions at the beginning o~ an apex strip application
cycle;
Fig. 8a is an enlarged fragmentary plan view
of the central portion of the machine illustrated in
Fig. 8;
Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, but illus-
trates the various principal elements of the machine in
their relative operating positions after one complete
revolution of the bead ring-carrying pulley during the
application of the apex strip,
Fig. 9a is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of
the central portion of the machine illustrated in Fig. 9,
Fig. 10 is a fragmentary, vertical, partially
cross-sectional view, in larger scale, taken along line
X-X of Fig. 8, illustrating the main shaft of the bead
ring-carry~ng pulley, associated parts and controls of
the pulley, and an electromagnetic clutch transmission
drive associated therewith,
Fig. 11 is a fragmentary, partially cross-sec-
tional view in larger scale, taken along line XI-XI in
Fig. 10, illustrating a floating toothed rack meshing
with a corresponding pinion of the main shaft of the
pulley,
Fig. 12 is an enlarged, fragmentary, partially
cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in Fig.
9a, illustrating a vertical pivot spindle, principal
pivotal arms associated therewith, and power cylinders
~
'' '
.. ~. ._ ..... _ , . . ... .. _ . . .. .. . . . __ . . .. . . . . . ,_,
~03B2t74
or ~acks for effecting translatory movement of the spin- -
dle and pivotal movement of the arms;
Fig. 12a is an enlarged, partially cross-sec-
tional view taken along line XIIa-XIIa in Fig. 12,
illustrating the meshing relationship of the floating
toothed rack with a pinion of one of the pivotal arms;
Fig. 13 is a side elevational view on a smaller
'.~ ' '1' ,
scale of the aforementioned apex strip guide assembly, -~-
and its association with one of the pivotal arms and -~
an apex strip cutting assembly;
Fig. 13a is an enlarged, fragmentary, top sec-
tional view, taken along the line XIIIa-XIIIa of a ~
unit having a pivotal finger movable into and out of ~ - -
engagement with the apex strip for applying the lead- ~
ing end of the strip to the bead ring; -~ -
Fig. 13b is a partial cross-sectional view
taken along line XIIIb-XIIIb in Fig. I3a, -~ -
Fig. 14 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-
sectional view, taken along line XIV-XrV in Fig. 9a,
illustrating a pressure guide for securing the two
opposite chamfered ends of the apex strip to one
another;
Fig. 15 is a fragmentary, elevational view
illustrating the~pressure guide as observed along
line XV-XV in Figs. 9a and 16;
Fig. 16 is a top view of the pressure guide
taken along line XVI-XVI in -Fig. 15, and an associated
apex strip lifting device for lifting the trailing end
._ . . .. . _
- :
; - .
1038Z74
of the strlp after chsmfering, upon termlnatlon of the
application of the strip to the bead rlng;
Flg. 17 iS a Bide view of the apex strip lift-
ing blade;
Fig. 18 (on the second sheet Or drawings) i8 a
fragmentary, partlal cro~s-sectional view of a ~odifi-
cation of the pressure gulde;
Flg. 19 is a fragmentary, partially cross-sec-
tional view Or one Or the pl~otal ~r.ms, as viewed ln : -
the dlrection of the arrow XIX in Flg. 9a, lllustrating
the pi~ot spindle thereo~, a portlon of the aroremen-
tioned pressure guide, and a pressure guide brake mounted
on the latter piYotal arm; - -
Fig. 20 is an enlarged, cross-sectional, fr~g-
1~ mentar~ view" taken along the broken line XX-XX to ~
ga, illustrating the apex strip cham~er edge cuttlng
deYice;
Fig. 21 ls a fr~gmentary, partial cross-~ectional
Yiew in enl~rged axial h~lf-section, taken alo~g ' n~
XXI-XXI ln Fig. 24, illustrat~ng the exp~nslble, con-
tractible, bead ring-carrying pulley in a contracted
condition of minimum dia~eter;
F~g. 22 is a ~iew s~ m~ lar to Fig. 2I, taken
along line XXII-XXII ln Fig~ 25, illustrating the pulley
ln an expanded condition o~ maximum diameter;
Fig. 23 (on the ninth sheet of drawings) ls a
fra~mentary, part~al cross-seetional view taken along
line XXIII-XXIII in Fig. 21, illustratin~ a guide roller
at the end of a gulde slide of a radially movable segment
3 of the bead rlng-carrying pulley;
Fig. 24 is a fragmentary, one-quarter sectional,
*op view of the pulley in reduced scale and taken along
line XXIV-XXIV in Fig. 21;
--8
~038Z74 ~:
Fig. 25 is a ew simllar to Fig. 24, but taken
along line XXV-XXV in Fig. 22;
Fig. 26 is an elevational, fragmentary, front
view of a device for applying a bead ring to the pulley;
and
Fig. 27 is a fragmentary, top view of the de-
vice illustrated in Fig. 26.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
S~RIP SUPPLY UNIT ~ -
The apex strip machine, in accordance with
the present invention, 1s supplled with an apex strip
by means of an assembly schematically illustrated in
Flg. 1. According to a preferred mode of the invention,
the apex strip is initially in the form of a rubber -
sheet produced by a calendering device or the like.
-The sheet has parallel strips longitudinally ~uxta- -~
positioned contiguously and ~oined side by side along
their respective longitudinal edges. The adjacent
strips are separated by scored lines permitting each
to be torn from the others. Each strip has a preferably
right-triangular cross-section. The sheet is enwound
in the form of a coil onto a cylindrical spool 1 having
a frusto-conical end flange. The spool 1 is freely
journaled on a shaft 2 for rotation relative to the
latter. A conventional braking mechanism (not shown)
frictionally or by other means retards the rotation of
the spool 1 so as ~D maintain a desired tension on the
strips as they are unwound from the spool.
The apex sheet is coiled on the spool 1 to
form a cylindrical roll 3 having a lower concave
- - , ~ ~ , ' '' .
~0382~4
frusto-conical base and an opposite convex upper end
portion. Each strip may be unwound from the spool 1
from a condition of maximum diameter of the roll 3 to
a condition of minimum diameter Or the latter whlch
corresponds to the diameter of the spool l. In the
course of being unwound, each strip is torn from the
strip immediately therebelow along the longitudinal
scored line separating them.
Each strip separated in this fashion is denoted
by reference character 4 and is advanced by a pair of
drive rollers 5 having opposing complementing surfaces
corresponding to the triangular cross-section of thè
strip 4 which is interpositioned and advanced therebe-
-tween. The drive rollers 5 are preferably positioned
in the immediate proximity of the spool 1 and are inter- ~-
mittently rotated in order to ~erk and tear off the
upstream apex strip portion still on the roll 3 along ~ -
its associated scored line. The strip 4 is thereby
subjected to tension only over a short length thereof and
only during the very brief period that it is torn off
from the remainder o~ the roll 3. As a result of the
intermittent tearing operation over a short length of
apex strip, there are substantially obviated certain
strip-handling and strip-stretching problems customarily ~-
faced due to the heterogeneity of the rubber mixture o~
the apex strip.
The apex strip 4 is then advanced benea~h a
weighted roller assembly 6 so as to support and be sub~ected
to a preferred degree of tension by the roller assembly
6. The assembly 6 includes a slide shoe 6a which is
-10--
1038Zq4
freely slidable upon a vertically oriented post 6b.
The apex strip 4 is then advanced to an edge guiding
vertical axis oriented roller 7a, then to and between
a pair of idler guide rollers 7, and then to a cutting
and welding unit 8 described in more detail below and
lllustrated in Figs. 2-4. The cutting and welding
unit 8 is designed to chamfer and ~oin the trailing
and leading edges of two successlve strips unwound
from the roll 3.
The apex strip 4 is then advanced to and be-
tween a pair of feed rollers 9, the upper one o~ which
is a drive roller and the lower one of which is a
driven idler roller. The ~eed rollers 9 are inde-
pendent of the rollers 5. m e driven upper roller
is actuated by a transmission-controlled motor, for
instance an electric motor 10, and a belt and pulley
unit 11, possibly via a speed reducer or the like.
The apex strip 4 is then advanced to a second weighted
roller assembly 12 similar to that of the assembly 6
but having preferably a greater vertical stroke. The
strip 4 is then advanced to and over an upper idler roller
13 and to and under a lower idler roller 14. The strip
4 is now in a condition ready ~or advancement to a
bead ring-carrying pulley 16 via a strip presenting
device 15 having an oscillating pulley unit 17 and a
slidable roller unit 18 illustrated in greater detail
in Figs.5 to 7.
CUTTING AND WELD~JG UNIT
The aforementioned cutting and welding unit 8,
illustrated in Figs. 2 to 4, comprises a horizontally
- --10_ .
....
10382q4
dlsposed guide or base 19 upon and along which the
apex strip 4 is adapted to slide. A pair of spaced,
parallel, slotted channels 20, 21 each lying in a -
respective plane inclined relative to the base 19
are provided for accommodating respective knives 22,
23. The knives are endwise shiftable transversely of
the base 19 for chamfering the trailing and leading
edges of successive strips 4a and 4b, respectively,
advanced from the roll 3. The cutting edge of each
of the knives 22 and 23 is inclined rearwardly thereof
at an angle of preferably 30.
An internally threaded coupling member 24 is
interposed between and joins detachably each of the --
kni~es 22 and ?3 to a piston rod 25 of a power cylinder : :
(pneumatic or hydraulic) or jack 26 which acts to shift ~ .
the knives 22 and 23 transversely of the base 19. The -:
jack 26 is mounted upon a yoke or suppor~ member 27,
as is the base 19. The leading or cutting edge portions
of the knives 22 and 23 are preferably, when fully re-
tracted, each in sliding contact with à stationary
heating block 28 which is mounted upon the yoke 27 be-
tween the arms 27' of the latter. Thermal insulating
plates 29 constituted, for example, of a synthetic ma-
terial sold under the trade name of Teflon are interposed
2~ between the heating block 28 and the arms 27' of the
yoke 27.
A pair of inclined, parallel, spaced, knife-guiding
slots 30, 31 is provided in the heating block 28 for
accommodating the knives 22 and 23. The slots 30 and 31
are respectively aligned with the slots 20, 21 of the
~,
-12--
1038274
~ base 19. The block 28 also is provided with a central
cavity 32 (Fig. 3) for containing an electric resistance
heater or heating coil 33 which is concealed by a re-
movable upper cover 34. The knives 22 and 23 are, thus,
continuously heated and can be protracted to chamfer the
trailing and leading edges of the strips 4a and 4b-, re-
spectively, when for example the strip 4a has been fully
unwound from the roll 3 and the strip 4b immediately
therebelow is initially advanced to the device 8 to be
joined to the strip 4a. The knives 22 and 23 are commonly
inclined relative to the base 19 at an angle of preferably
30~ so as to chamfer the strips 4a and 4b in a manner
which permits the chamfered portions to overlap one
another and present a thickness identical to the remainder
of the strips 4a and 4b.
The yoke 27 also supports a movable pressure
clamping member 35 or movement toward and away from
the base 19 so as to press the trailing and leading
chamfered portions of the strips 4a and 4b, respectively,
against one another to effect adhesion of one to the
other. The strips 4a and 4b are tacky and will, upon
application of pressure, readily adhere to one another.
The pressure clamping member 35 is constrained within
and slidable relative to a vertically oriented guide
channel 36. A piston rod 37 actuated by a power cylinder
or jack 38 which is affixed to the yoke 27 effects move-
ment of the member 35 toward and away from the base 19.
In operation, the cutting and welding unit 8
is initially in a condition wherein the knives 22 and 23
are retracted or withdrawn away from the base 19, and the
-12-
-13 -
lQ382q4
pressure clamp member 35 is in a raised positlon.
When strip 4a has been fully unwound from the roll 3
and its trailing end is ad~acent the knife 22 (Fig. 2)
its advancement is temporarily stopped. m e leading
end of the next strip 4b is then advanced to the knife
23 (Fig. 2) and its advancement is stopped. The ~ack~
26 then protracts the knives 22 and 23, which are heated,
across the base 19 so as to chamfer the strips 4a and 4b. -~
The Jack 26 is then actuated in a reverse dlrection to
retract the knives 22 and 23 so that the chamfered ends
of the strips 4a and 4b can be moved toward one another,
manually or otherwise, beneath the clamp member 35. The
~ack 38 is th~ actuated so as to cause the member 35 to ~
descend and press the chamfered ends of the strips 4a ` ~ ~-
and 4b against one another, thereby causing the latter-
ends to adhere to one anothe~.I~ order to enhance the
~adhesion of the chamfered ends to one another, an ad~
hesive may be applied to the latter ends prior to the ~ - -
activation of the ~ack 38. The clamp member 35 is then
returned to its elevated position abo~e the strip re-
sultin~ from the joined strips 4a and 4b to permit the
resultant strip to be advanced for application to a
bead ring.
STRIP GUIDING UNIT
Figs. 5 to 7 illustrate the system for guiding
the apex strip 4 to the strip presenting~ unit 15 which
acts to apply the strip 4 to the bead ring-carrying pulley
16 (Fig. 10). m e unit 15 includes a console 39 at one
end portion of which ls supported the ocscillating pulley unlt
17 and at the other end portion of which is supported the
-13-
.
, -
-14-
10382'74
slidable roller unit 18. The unit 18 lncludes a re-
cessed track member 40 in the form of a trough across
the lower portion of which are provided a plurality of
spaced idler rollers 41. The rollers 41 are mounted on
pins 42. Communicating with the recess provided in the
track member 40 are a plurality o~ rollers 43 and 44
which have vertical axles or pins 45 and 46, respectivel*.
The strip 4 thus rests freely upon the rollers 41 and
is guided along the sides thereof by the rollers 43 and
44. Above the strip 4 or opposite the lower rollers 41
is disposed an upper detachable member 47 which supports
a plurality of frusto-conical, spaced, rollers 48, each
~- idling on a respective pin 49. m e conicity of the
rollers 48 is complemental to the hypotenuse of the
triangular cross-section of the strip 4.
The oscillating pulley 17 at the other end of
the console 39 is dr vin~ly ~.ounted between a pair of
arms of a bifurcated member 50 which is hingedly supported
via a pin 51 and a bearing unit 52 to a pair of arms 53
of the console 39. The bifurcated member 50 is thus
adapted to oscillate relative to the console 39 along
the axis of the pin 51 which is preferably aligned tangent
to the pulley 17. A pair of arcuate edged plates 54 are
supported by the arms of the bifurcated member, the plates
54 being coupled with one another by a plurality of
spaced bars 55. Between the spaced bars 55 are respective
frusto-conical idler rollers 56 each having a conicity
complementing the cross-section of the strip 4. The
rollers 56 are ~ournaled freely bn respective pins 57.
The rollers 56 define, cooperatively with the
-14-
periphery of the pulley 17, a passageway through which
the apex strip reversibly advances while being constralned
against the pulley 17. In order to guide the apex strip
4 onto the periphery of the pulley 17, there is provided
a cylindrical roller 59, idling on a pin 60, which co-
operates with the lowermost one of the frusto-conical
rollers 57, and a plurality of vertical axis oriented
rollers 61 which guide the opposite sides of the strip
4 into alignment with the roller 59. Thus, the roller -
59 and its associated one of the frusto-conical rollers -~
56 complement the triangular cross-section of the strip
4 and together with the rollers 61 prevent twisting and
~~ misalignment of the strip 4 relative to the pulley 17.
BEAD RING CONTROL UNIT
The machine in accordance with the invention
for controlling the bead ring is illustrated in plan
v ew in Figs. 8, 8a, 9 and 9a. ~owever, for purposes
of clarity, the system for supplying and advancing the
strip 4 thereto has been omitted. m e bead ring con~rol
unit comprises a stationary frame or chassis defining a
lower platform 62 and an upper platform 63 spaced above
the lower platform 62. The frame or chassis supports
the strip presenting~ unit 15, the bèad ring-carrying
pulley 16, which as will be described hereinbelow has
an adjustable periphery~ an indexing unit 64 for effect-
ing selective rotation of the pulley 16, a cutting unit 65
for severing the strip 4 after it has been wound upon the
bead ring, a strip-pressuring unit 66 for pressing the
strip 4 against the bead ring as the strip 4 is applied
to the bead rlng, and a pivotal control arm 67 supported
-15-
-16-
~038Z~4
on the upper platform 63 by means of a pin 68 for
synchronizing the various movements of the strip ap-
plicating unit 15, the cutting unit 65 and the strip-
pressuring unit 66 relative to the pulley 16 upon which
ls predisposed a bead ring 69.
BEAD RING-CARRYING PULLEY AND INDEXING UNIT
As illustrated in ~ig. 10, the bead ring-carrying
pulley 16 is fixedly mounted upon the upper end of a
substantially vertical rotary drive shaft 70 so as to
rotate therewith. The drive shaft 70 is rotatably
journaled-at its opposite ends, respectively, in a lower
bearing 71 and an upper bearing 72. m e drive shaft 70
is provided with a lower cylindrical member or sleeve 73
which is threadedly affixed thereto at 73a. m e exterior
f the sleeve 73 is that portion of the shaft 70 which is
directly associated with the lower bearing 71. The
lower bearing 71 i~ mounted in a skirt 74 which is fastened
to the lower platform 62 and is closed by a removable
cover 75. The upper bearing 72 is mounted inside of a
plate 76 which is affixed to a housing 77 integral with
the upper platform ~3. The drive shaft 70 thus passes
freely through the two superpositioned platforms 62 and
63.
Affixed to the drive shaft 70 beneath the upper
bearing 72, is a pinion gear 78 which meshes with a
toothed rack 79. The rack 79 is operatively associated
with the indexing unit 64. The length of the rack 79
is sufficient to effect rotation of the pinion gear 78
and, thereby, the drive shaft 70 and the pulley 16 in
excess of one full revolution.
-16-
1038274
As best shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the rack 79 is
mounted at its opposite ends, respecti~ely, on two carriages
80 and 81 which are supported for movement along a hori-
zontally disposed guide track 82 preferably in the form
of a vertical flange extending along one edge of the
indexing unit 64. Each of the carriages 80, 81 comprises
at least one roller or ball bearing 83 by means of which
the carriage rests and travels along the track 82, and
at least one lateral guide roller 84 in rolling contact
with one side surface of the track 82, for instance the
one opposite the side surface at which the rack 79 is ~-
situated. The rack 79 is additionally guided and sup-
ported by a unit 85 (~ig. 10) which is affixed to the
track 82, the unit 85 comprising at least one pair of
spaced rollers 86, 87 having horizontal axes and embracing
the rack 79 from above and below the latter. m e unit
85 further includes a vertical axis oriented roller 88
in rolling contact with one side of the rack 79 opposite
the side of which is in meshing association with the
pinion gear 78. It is preferable that more than one
such group of rollers 86, 87 and 88 be provided to en-
hance the stability and rolling capacity of t~e rack
79.
Because of the various synchronized movements
of the equipment associated with the pulley 16, the
latter cannot be rotated continuously. m us, there is
provided the indexing unit 64 which~ at selective inter-
vals, effects intermittent rotation of the pulley 16.
Such rotation is effected as the rack 7g is shifted
over selected distances which in turn causes the pinion
- -17-
-18-
1 ~ ~ 2~74
gear 78 and drive shaft 70 to rotate over selecti~e
angular extents. The unlt 64 may be one of any number
of conventional devices used for such purposes. For
example, the unit 64 may be a Maltese cross-mechanism,
a pawl-and-ratchet mechanism~ a rotary turret c&m-driven
mechanism, or, as preferred herein, a group of power
cylinders or jacks arranged in series, the number o~
~acks corresponding to the number of stops in the in-
dexing cycle. m e arrangement of equipment pursuant
to the present invention requires four such stops.
Thus, four jacks of double-acting ~rward-reverse)
- capacity are provided. The ~acks,which are denoted by
reference characters 90, 91, 92, 93, are of the cylinder
and piston type, and are co~xially aligned substantially
horizontally in series in such a way so as to transfer
rectilinear movement to one another in succession as
each is independently activated.
The indexing unit 64 is mounted on a support
or base 94 ~hich is integral with the upper platform
63. The piston rod 95 of the jack 90 is fixedly se-
cured to a vertical end flange 96 integral with the base
94. The cylinder of the ~ack 90 is, therefore, movable
relative to the piston rod 95. The respective cylinders
of the jacks 90 and 91 are coaxially affixed to one
another back to back and to a movable carrier shoe 97
slidably mounted in a guide or track 98 fastened to
the base 94. Thus, the cylinders of the jacks 90 and
91 are commonly shifted when the piston rod 95 of the
~ack 90 is activated. The respective piston rods 99
and 100 of the ~acks 91 and 92 are mutually affixed to
-18-
-19 -
103~Z74
one another end to end, by means of a coupling element
101 tapped at its opposite ends with screw threads.
Likewise, the respective cylinders of the jacks 92 and
93 are affixed to one another end to end and are commonly
secured to a movable carrier shoe 102 sl~dably mounted
in a guide or track 103 fastened to the base 94. Thus,
the cylinders of the jacks 92 and 93 are movable in
unison as the piston rods of the jacks 91 and 92 are
activated successively. The movable piston rod 104 of
10 the end jack 93 is fastened to the carriage 80 of the
rack 79 in such a way as to effect movement of the latter
in a direction parallel to the common longitudinal axis
of the four aforementioned jacks. As each jack is ac-
tivated, the carriage 80, and thereby the rack 79, is
15 shifted over a selected distance, the full extent of
movement of the carriage 80 corresponding to the com-
bined individual strokes of the jacks 90, 91, 92 and
93 which result in more than one complete revolution of
the pulley 16. The jacks 90, 91 and 92 effect exactly
20 one revolution of the pulley 16.
The terminal flange 96 is suitably provided
with at least one and preferably two abutments 105
which are selectively adjustable and provided as a pair
of screws engageable by Q bumper bar 106 affixed to the
mobile cylinder of the jack 90 when the latter cylinder
is fully retracted. The base 94 also co~prises, at its
opposite end, a stationary vertical flange 107 provided
with at least one selectively adjustable abutment 108,
also in the form of a screw,which is engageable by a
corresponding abutment 109 integral with the carriage 80
-19-
..
-20_
I038z74
or with the rod 104 of the ~ack 93. Thus, the abut-
ments 108 and 109 delimit the extent of travel of the
carriage 80 and, thereby, the extent of rotation of the
pulley 16. The indexing device 64 is suitably covered
with a protective housing 110 or the like (Fig. 10).
It will be understood that the four jacks 90-93 which
are connected in series can obviously be replaced by
any other type of indexing system, as those referred
to above or,for instance, by an electromagnetic system
for effecting intermittent rotation of the pulley 16.
However, the system of jacks as preferred herein has
been determined as being the most ef~ective and precise
system for effecting intermittent rotation of the pulley
16. Even the use of a single jack is less precise than
the series of jacks utilized herein since the stroke of
a single ~ack cannot be governed precisely when ac-tivated -
only over portions of its full extent.
Referring again to Fig. 10, the drive shaft 70
is preferably hollow and accommodates an axially shift-
able rod 111 that is sufficiently long to project at all
times from each of the two opposite ends thereof.
The upper end of the rod 111 is connected to the ex-
pansion and contraction mechanism of the pulley 16
(Fig. 22), as will later be described. The rod 111 at
2~ its lower extremity projects into the tubular sleeve
73 and is affixed to a power cylinder or jack 112
(hydraulic or pneumatic) having a piston rod 113 which
penetrates the sleeve 73 and is connected to the rod
111 by means of a coupling member 114. The coupling
3 member 114 is of a conventional type which permits
-20-
-21~ -
1038Z74
the shaft 70 and the rod 111 to be rotated relati~e
to the jack 112 and piston rod 113 which are constrained
- against rotation.
A housing 115 is integral with the lower platform
62 and contains a clutch 116 comprising an electromag-
netically energlzable rotor 117. The rotor 117 ~s af-
fixed to a hub 118 which in turn is fastened to the
drive shaft 70 for rotation with the latter. An electro- - -
magnetically responsive disc-like member 119 associated
with the rotor 117 is affixed to a sprocketed wheel 120
which has teeth along its internal periphery which mesh
with and are axially slidable relative to corresponding
teeth of a pinion gear 121. The gear 121 is affixed to
a hollow sleeve 122 which coaxially surrounds the drive
shaft 70. The sleeve 122 is freely journaled by means
of a roller bearing 123 and by means of a bearing 124 on
the drive shaft 70 so as to be rotatable relative to the
latter. Affixed to the sleeve 122 and surrounding the
latter is a pinion gear 125 which is coaxial with the
shaft 70. me pinion gear 125 meshes with a rack 126
which slides freely in two tracks, namely a first trac~
127 which is stationary (Fig. 11) and a second track 128
which is movable (Fig. 12a).
As illustrated in Fig. 11, the stationary track
127 is affixed to the lo~er platform 63 as a vertically
oriented leg. A pair of roller assemblies each having a
plurality of rollers 129 and 130 embrace the rack 126.
Another group of rollers 131 having vertically oriented
axes is also provided on the track 127 and engage the
untoothed side of the rack 126. Thus, the rollers 129, .
-21-
: -, , ~ ' - . '
. - ' '.' , . ' ' -- '
-22-
1~38274
130 and 131 permit movement of the rack 126 relative
to the stationary track 127. m e rack 126 is shifted
when the rotor 117 is energized and causes the member
~ , ,
119 to shift downwardly intG engagement therewith.
5 Thus, as the shaft 70 rotates, the coupling of the
rotor 117 and member llg causes the gear 121, the sleeve
122 and the gear 125 to similarly rotate, thereby, shift-
ing the rack 126. When the rotor 117 is deenergized,by springs
or conventional means not illustrated, the member 119 is
elevated relative to the rotor 117 and the gear 121 to
permit the shaft 70 to be rotated relative thereto so that
the rack 126 is not shifted.
Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate an assembly which
comprises a horizontal pivotal arm 132 rotatably mounted
by means of a bearing 133 or the like on a nonrotatable
vertical pivot shaft 13~. The shaft 134 is fastened
at its lGwer end to &n elongated horizontal plate 135
that is integral with a slide shoe 136 or the like
slidably mounted in a stationary guide track 137. A
vertical axial plane passing through the shaft 134 and
whichis parallel to the direction of the rectilinear
movement of the slide shoe 136 passes through the geo-
metric axis of the drive shaft 70 in such a way that the
shaft 134 can be shifted radially of the drive shaft 70
and, therefore, radially of the pulley 16. To this end,
the elongated plate 135 includes at its end opposite the
shoe 136 a roller or ball bearing 138 which rests and is
movable relative to a stationary track 139 integral with
the lower platform 62. The vertical shaft 134 passes
freely through &n elongated aperture 140 formed in the
-22-
-23-
la3szq4
upper platform 63 and through a second elongate aperture
141 formed in the arm 67 (normally of the plane of the
drawing in Fig. 12). The upper end of the shaft 134
supports a bearing 142 whlch slidingly engages the
aperture 141 in the arm 67 and permits effective move-
ment of the shaft 134 relative to the aperture 141.
The pivotal arm 132 of the unit 15 fixedly
supports a pinion gear 143 which coaxially surrounds
the vertical shaft 134 and meshes ~Jith the rack 126.
The rack 126, thereby, for~ a transmission mechanism
between the pinion gear 125 of the drive shaft 70 and
the pinion gear 143 of the pivotal arm 132. It is con- ~
templated, however, that the rack 126 could be replaced ~.
by other means, namely an endless chain or the like.
As iIlustrated in Fig. 12a, the rack 126 is guided, ~
substantially at a right angle relative to the shaft :- -
134 by a system comprising the aforementioned movable
.track 128 which is fastened to the elongated horizontal ~
plate 135. The track 128 comprises at least one pair .
20. of vertically spaced apart rollers 144 and 145 which are
in rolling contact with the upper and lower surfaces,
respectively, of the rack 126, and at least two horizonta~ly
spaced apart lateral guide bearings 146 which are in - -
rolling contact with the vertical rear surface of the
rack 126. The rack 126 thus, serves, to synchronize the -
rotary motion of the pinion gear 125 on the drive shaft . -
70 with the rot.ary motion of the pinion gear 143, and . ~ .
therefore of the pivoting arm 132 which is integral . -. . .
with the gear 143, so that rotation of the drive shaft
70 produces, by means of the actuated electromagnet clutch
-23 -
. .
- . - .
, - - -
.
.
-24-
1038Z~74
116, a corresponding rotation of the pivotal arm
132.
The elongated horizontal plate 135 carries a
linear actuatable power cylinder or jack 147 whose
cylinder is hinged by means of a vertical pivot pin
148 to a bracket 149 affixed to the horizontal plate
135. The movable piston rod 150 of the ~ack 147 is
linked at its extremity by means of a bifurcated coupling
member 151 to the pivotal arm 132 (Fig. 13) via a fulcrum
pin 152 to provide for the return of the pivotal arm
132 to its initial relative angular position. The recti-
linear movement of the vertical shaft 134 is effected .
by means of a linear ~ack or power cylinder 153 (pneumatic
or hydraulic) which is affixed to the lower platform 62.
The piston rod 154 is connected at its extremity to a
bracket 155 ~rhich is affixed to the horizontal plate
135, the longitudinal axis of the jack 153 being preferably
situated in a plane which passes through the slide 137
and the axis of drive shaft 70.
CONTROIS FOR STRIP PRES~TI~G UNIT
. .
~ ~ig. 13 illustrates a view of the strip present-
ing unit 15 desiged to orient the apex strip priorto its
application to a bead ring. The unit 15 comprises the
aforementioned pivotal arm 132 pivotally supported upon
the shaft 134 at one extremity thereof and resting at
its other extremity, by means of a socketed ball bearing
156, on a track 157 extending along the lower platform
62. The pivotal arm 132 comprises a bracket 158 onto
which there is affixed a guide- ~ e track, for instance
of the ball, roller, or slide type, 159, in which there
-24-
,' - .
-25- :
~0382~74
is longitudinally slidably mounted a sliding shoe 160
or the like which slides in a plane encompassing the
geometric axis of the vertical shaft 134. The sliding
shoe 160 is fastened to the lower side of the aforemen-
tioned horizontal sliding console 39.
A linear jack or power cylinder 161 containing
a pneumatic or hydraulic fluid under pressure and having
a horizontal longitudinal axis situated in the vertical
pl~ne of the track 159 when actuated will shift the
shoe 160 and console 39. The cylinder of the jack 161
is fastened to the bracket 158, and its piston rod 162
is connected at its extremity to a block 163 integral
with the lower side of the console 39. m e jack 161
can, therefore, vary selectively the relative position
f the console 39 with respect to the pivotal arm 132.
m ere is provided a rel~æsable locking means which can
i~mobilize the console 39 in any predetermined relative
position selectively adjustable with respect to the
pivotal arm 132. m e locking means is preferably con-
stituted by an electromagnet 164 which straddles the -:
console 39 and the ~racket 158. The moment the electro-
magnet is energized, it will render the console 39
electrom2gnetically integral with the pivotal arm 132.
The console 39 carries, at its end proximate
the vertical shaft 134, a cutt~ng guide unit 165.
The unit 165 includes a slotted portion i66 which is
inclined for receiving and accommodating the knife of
the aforementioned cutting unit 65 which as will be
described below acts to chamfer the ends of the strip
4. As shown in more detail in Figs. 13a and 13b, the
-25-
.
. --~ ~.
. , .
-26 -
1038Z74
cutting guide unit 165 is provided with a servo-
controlled element comprlsing, for instance, a horizontal
pivotal applicator ringer 167 hinged upon a vertlcal
pin 168. The finger 167 is connected to a pneumatic
or hydraulic control jack 169 h~ving a cylinder which
is pivotally mounted by means of a collar 169a in a
yoke 169b integral with the console 39. The plston
rod 169c of the jack 1~9 is hingedly mounted at 169d
to the finger 167. m e applicator finger 167 is con-
nected in a horizontal cross slot or groove 165a of
the unit 165 which permits the passage of the extremity
of the finger 167 so that it may cooperate selectively
with the base of thè apex strip 4 in order to press it
against a bead ring.
The unit 165 is provided ~urther with means
for selectively restraining the apex strip 4, such
means comprising pinching elements 170, 170a having
barbs. The pinching elements 170 and 170a ~e disposed
on each side of the inclined slot 166, and are vertically
movable by means of the power cylinders or jacks 171
and 172 having piston rods 173 and 174, respectively,
into engagement with the apex strip 4 when the knife
of the unit 65 is actuated to chamfer the ends of the
strip 4. Each ~ack 171, 172 is fastened onto a support
175 which is integral with the console 39. As shown
in Figs. 13 and 13b, the apex strip 4 is guided in the
cutting guide unit 165 by means of a plurality of lower
rollers 165e and by a plurality of upper rollers 165
having inclined axes complementing the hypotenuse of
the triangular cross-section of the apex strip 4.
-26-
-27-
1038Zr~4
STRIP PRESSURE GUIDE UNIT
.
Fig. 14 illustrates the pressure guide 66,
whereas Figs. 15 through 17 illustrate a device 176
for terminating the laying of the apex strip upon a bead
ring and which cooperates with the pressure guide 66.
The pressure guide 66 is mounted upon a vertical non-
rotatable shaft 177 that is fastened at its lower ex-
tremity to a horizontal base plate 178. The plate 17
is integral with a sliding shoe 179 slidingly mounted
upon an elongated guide slide 180, for instance of the
ball or roller bearing type. m e guide slide 180 is
fastened onto the upper platform 63. A common vertical ~. ~
p.læne of the guide slide 180, of the slide shoe 179 --
and of the vertical shaft 177 passes through the geo- --
metric axis of the drive shaft 70 of the pulley 16 in
such a way that the shaft 177 and the pressure guide
66 carried thereby can thus be moved radially with .. ~ -
-.
respect to the drive shaft 70 2nd~ therefore, radially --~
with respect to the pulley 1~
The shaft 177 passes through the horizontal
arm 67 via an elongate opening or slot 181 having a
major diametral axis which passes through the central
geometric axis of the shaft 68 upon which the arm 67 ~:
is pivota~ly mounted. The vertical shaft 177 preferably
carries at least one roller bearing la2 capable of ro- ~
- tating freely on the shaft 177 and which is in rolling :
contact with the opposite, parallel, recti-linear long-
itudinal edges of the guide slot 181 providedin the hori-
zontal arm 67. At the upper end of the shaft 177 there
is coaxially mounted thereupon a lower strip-supporting
27
;-, .
-28-
10382'74
member 183 capable of rotating freely around the shaft
177 and movable into and out of close proximity with
the pulley 16 upon suitable radial displacement of the
shaft 177. Beneath the member 183, the shaft-177
carries a substantially horizontal support frame 184
(Figs. 15 and 16) held by two spaced vertical rods
185 and 186. m e support frame 184 is provided with
an apertured portion 187 which surrounds the shaft
177. m e apertured portion 187 is divided by a slot
188 (Fig. 16) which extends radially from the shaft -- ~ -
177 to the outer free edge of the support frame 184.
The split apertured portion 187 of the frame 184 thus
serves as a tightening collar by means of which the
frame 184 is prevented from rotating relative to the
shaft 177? tightening being achieved by means of a
screw 189 threadedly mounted in the frame 184 across
the slot 188 to permit squeezing of the apertured por-
tion 187 agæinst the shaft 177.
The rods 185 and 186 are suspended from a
substantially horizontal brace or crossbar 190. m e
crossbar 190 is centrally provided with an orifice 191
in which there is fixedly mounted the cylinder of a
vertical jack 192 (pneumatic or hydraulic fluid) by . . ~ .
means of a fastening collar 193 ~Jhich permits adjust-
ment of the relative vertical position of the jack 192.
m e jack 192 is coaxially mounted above the shaft 177
and is provided with a vertically movable piston rod
194. The rod 194 is provided with a lower recessed end
195 for slidingly receiving the upper end 196 of the shaft
177 when the piston rod is moved downwardly. The upper
-28-
... ...
-29-
1 0382~74
end 196 of the shaft 177 and the lower recessed end
195 of the piston rod 194 serve cooperatively to center
the rod 194 relative to the shaft 177.
On the lower end portion of the piston rod 194 there
is coaxiælly mounted an upper strip-supporting member
197 which rotates or idles freely around the piston
rod 194 and which can be lowered or raised selectively
~y the latter to be moved toward or away from the lower
strip-supporting member 183. The opposing or confronting
surfaces 198 nd 199 of the members 183 and 197, re- .
spectively, are generally frusto-conical and complement the ~ .
triangular cross-section of the apex strip 4. The outer . -
diameter of the upper end portion of the lower member 183
is such that, in its pos~tion adjacent the bead ring 69 -.
carried by the pulley 16, the surface 198 of the member -~
183 will contact with the bead ring 69. The surface 199
of the upper member 197 is provided with an annular step
or shouldered portion 200 which is adapted to overlie the : -
bead ring 69 and remain out of contact therewi~h as the
strip 4 is pressed against the bead ring 69. The annular
clearance between the members 183 and 197 defined by the
confronting surfaces 198 and 199 thus is adapted to
closely guide the strip 4 on and against the bead ring
69 to adhere to the latter.
As shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the unit 176 also
comprises a vertically pivotal finger 201 that extends
substantially horizontal when at rest at an elevation
which is in immediate proximity to and substantially
at the level of the upper surface 198 of the lower
member 183. The finger 201 is integral with a bent
-29-
-30--
1038Z~74
lever 202 that is pivotally supported by means of a
pin 203 upon the frame 184. m e frame 184 is provided
with a slot 204a (Fig. 16) through which the lever 202
is vertically pivotable. m e finger 201 is generally
tangentially disposed relative to that portion of the
apex strip 4 which is upstream (to the right in Fig. 16)
of reference point A on the bead ring 69. The reference
point A is situated in the median vertical plane of the
track 180, of the central axis of the shaft 177 and of
the drive shaft 70 of the pulley 16.
In Fig. 16~ there is indicated by reference
character 4' that portion of the apex strip 4 upstream
of the reference point A on the bead ring 69 prior to
being wound upon the latter, and by the reference char-
acter 4" that portion of the apex strip- 4 already wound
upon the bead ring. The finger 201 is thus just below
and obliquely oriented with respect to the apex strip
portion 4' at the periphery of the lower strip-support- ~-
ing member 183. m e lever 202 is also pivotally fastened ~ - -
to, by means of a horizontal pin 204, to a movable piston
rod 205 of a jack 206 (pneumatic or hydraulic fluid)
hose cylinder is fastened to a support gusset 207 which
in turn is fastened to the adjoining rod 186. m e gusset
207 is provided with an opening 208 into which the cylinder
- 25 of the jack 206 is threaded. The jack 206 when actuated
will~ via the piston rod 205, effect pivotal movement of
the lever 202 into and out of its horizontal at-rest
position.
OPERATION OF STRIP PRESSURE GUIDE UNIT
_ _ . . . .. . . . ..
The pressure guide unit 66 is effective to guide,
- _3o_
'. ~ . .' ~ ~,
-31-
10382~74
by means of the annular clearance between the two
strip supporting members 183 and 197, the apex strip 4
onto and against the bead ring 69 during one complete
rotation of the pulley 16 from the reference point A.
Because of the pressure exerted by the unit 66 against
the strip 4, via the arm 67, the strip 4 will adhere,
due to its tac~y condition, to the bead ring 69. Pressure
is also effected when the jack 192 is actuated so as to -
càuse the upper strip-supporting member 197 to descend
sli-ghtly relative to the lower strip-supporting member
183, thereby, squeezing the chamfered overlapping lead-
ing and trailing ends of the strip 4 therebetween ra-
dially outwardly thereof and against the bead ring 69.
The finger 201, when pivoted upwardly by means of the
jack 206, acts to lift the trailing chamfered end of
the strip 4 slightly away from the bead ring 69 so that
the leading chamfered end can be moved accurately, upon
one revolution of the pulley 16, below the trailing end -
and superpositioned therebelow. The jack 206 is then
protracted to restore the finger 201 to its at-rest
horizontal position, ~rhereupon the upper member 197
is shifted down-~rardly by the jack 192 so as to pressure
the superposed chamfered strip ends against one another.
It will be understood that the jack 153, when
2~ actuated, will shift the shaft 134 ~Fig. 12) ~hich in
turn effects pivoting o~ the arm 67. When the latter
arm is pivoted, the shaft 177 upon which the pressure
guide unit 66 is carried is likewise shifted such that
the lower strip-supporting member 183 is moved into
engagement with the bead ring 69. Upon the latter said
. -32-
10382~74
engagement~ the pivotal arm 67 is locked in position--
by means of a releasable locking device preferably in-
cluding an electromagnet 209 affixed onto the upper
platform 63 (Figs. 8, 8a, 9, 9a~ and 20) and positioned
beneath an extension leg 210 of the arm 67. Thus, the
electromagnet 209 will retain the lower strip-supporting
member in engagement with the pulley 16 so as to rotate
with the latter and transfer to the bead ring 69 the
strip 4. During this period, the ~ack 153 can be de-
actuated.
Associated with the unit 66 is a braking device
211 (Fig. 19) which is designed to stop the rotation of ~-
the upper strip-supporting member 197 with respect to
that of the lower member 183. This will prevent the end~ of
1~ apex strip 4, when carried by the members 197 and 183,
from deforming and straddling the bead ring 69. The
braXing device 211 includes a linear jack 212 (hydraulic
or pneumatic) and has a substantially horizontal longi-
tudinal axis that extends normally of the axis o~ ro-
tation of the members 183 and 197. The cylinder of
the jack 212 is affixed to a support bracket 213 which
is in turn fastened to the horizontal arm 67. The
piston rod 214 of the jack 212 carries at its free ex-
tremity a friction-inducing lining constituted for in-
stance of a felt washer or resilient b~mper 215 which
is capable of bearing, under the thrust of the jack 212,
against the periphery of the upper member 197 of the
pressure guide unit 66. It will be understood that the
jack 212 can either be a double action type for effecting
retraction of the piston rod 214 thereof, or alternatively
-32-
,. -'` . :' ~ . - . -
~038Z74
a spring or the like can be provided to retract the
piston rod 214.
An alternate embodiment 66' of the pressure
guide unit 66 is illustrated in Fig. 18, wherein there
is obviated the need for the bra~ing device 211. In ~-
the alternate embodiment, the rods i85 and 186 are upward~
ly extended further, and the cross-bar 190, carrying -
the jack 192, is in this instance integral with an
upper yoke shaped frame 216 constituting a kind of
lifting means substantially in the shape of a rectangular
frame slidingly mounted vertically on the guide rods
185, 186. The upper horizontal end of the yoke 216
is fastened to the extremity of a movable vertical pis- ~:
ton rod 217 of a hoisting jack 218 (pneumatic or hy~
draulic) having a vertical oriented cylinder which is
fastened to the horizont~l upper crossbar 219. The
jack 218 is substantially coaxial with the jac~ 192
- associated with the upper and lower strip-supporting
members 197 and 183, respectively. Because of the pro-
vision of the jack 218 and the yoke 216, the jack 192
and the upper strip-supporting member 197 can be ele-
vated and separated slightly from the lower strip-support--
ing member 183 when the chamfered ends of the apex strip
4 are to be superposed upon one another and upon the
bead ring 69. This action will prevent the chamfered
ends of the apex strip 4 from being crushed by the mem-
bers 183 and 197 at the critical time when they are being
superposed upon one anot.her.
STRIP-END CX~ RING UNIT
. .
m e apex strip cutting unit 65 is illustrated
' , ' :
~34-
~ 03U~2~74
in Fig. 20. The unit 65 is disposed between the
strip presenting unit 15 and the pressure guide unit
66. The cutting unit 65 is supported upon a vertical
carrier shaft 220 which is rigidly fastened upon a
sliding shoe 221. The shoe 221 is mounted slidingly
in a stationary track 222, for instance of the ball
or roller bearing type. The track 222 is fastened to
the upper platform 63 and lies in a median or central -~
vertical plane which passes through the axes of the
drive shaft 70 and the carrier shaft 220. m e carrier
shaft 220 projects axially through an opening 223 in
the extension leg 2IDof the horizontal arm 67. m e
opening 223 is in the form of a rectilinear slot having
parallel opposite longitudinal edges which extend in a
direction of a vertlcal plane which passes centrally
through the slot 223 and through the central axis of
the pivot shaft 68 of the horizontal arm 67. me ver-
tical shaft 220 is provided wi~h a roller bearing unit
224 which engages and lies in the slot 2230
At the upper end of the carrier shaft 220 and
above the h,orizontal arm 67 there is rigidly mounted a
frame 225 which carries the cut~ing unit 65. The cutting
- unit 65 comprises a knife 226 which is endwise slidingly
mounted inside of a heating block 227 fastened to the
frame 225. The heating block 227 is preferably thermally
insulated from the frame 225 by means of washers or small
plates 228 made of heat-insulatory material. The heating
block 227 includes, for instance, an electric resistor
which is heated the moment an electric current of ap-
propriate intensity passes therethrough. The rear end
34
. ~ .. . .
. ~5~
1038Zq4
of the knife 226 is connected, by means of a crossbar :.
229 that extends perpendicularly of the knife 226,
to the end of the movable piston rod 230 of a rever-
sible or double-action power cylinder or jack 231.
The cylinder of the jack 231 is fastened to the frame
225. m e central axis of the piston rod 230 is sub-
stantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
knife 226 so as to shift the latter toward and away : -
from the bead ring-carrying pulley 16. . -~
The front end of the knife 226 is beveled at
233 and provided with a tapered cutting edge 232 that
is inclined with respect to the general longitudinal
axis of the knife 226 and is designed, upon the advance
of the knife 226, to enter the slot 166 of the cutting
guide unit 165 and chamfer the apex strip ~. The knife
itself lies in a plane which is inclined relative to
the apex strip 4 and which conforms to the angle of
inclination o~ the slot 166 (Fig-. 13). In order to
maximize the effective cutting surface of the knife
226 and chamfer the leading and trailing ends of the
apex strip 4 over a substantial extent, the longitudinal
axis of the knife 226 defines, in a three-dimensional -:
reference coordinate system (not sho~m), an angle of
approximately 15 when projected on one vertical ref-
erence plane, and an angle of 30 when projected on the
horizontal reference plane. The cutting edge 232 is
substantially larger than the width of the apex strip
4 and always remains horizontal so that the apex strip
~ is chamfered with a cut that is straight and oriented
radially of the pulley 16 and bead ring 69.
-35-
-36 -
lQ3~9274
It will be understood, that the end portion
of the leg projection 210 of the arm 67 is slidably
mounted upon a track member 234 which is affixed to
the upper platform 63. Moreover, the free end of the
leg projection 210 is provided with a roller 235 which
rests upon the upper platform 63. Thus, as the arm 67 - - -
pivots about its shaft 68, the leg pro~ection 210
slides relative to the upper platform 63 and causes
the cutting unit 65 to align itself with the strip
presenting unit 15 via the elongate slot 223 provided
in the leg projection 210. me jack 231 can then be
actuated to shift the knife 226 through the apex strip
4 to chamfer the latter.
SIZING ~NS FOR BEAD RING-CARRYING PULLEY
_
1$ Referring now to Figs. 21 through ?5~ the pulley
16 comprises a substantially horizontal base plate 236 -~
which is af~ixed to the upper extremity of the drive -
shaft 70 for rotation with the latter. Affixed to the
plate 236 are a plurality of radially oriented dove-
tailed tracks 237. Preferably twelve such tracks are
provided. Slidingly mounted upon the tracks 237 are
respectlve shoes 238, each of which carries a segment
- 239. m e segments 239 define cooperatively with one
another an expansible, collapsible, bead ring support
2~ means. The segments 239 are likewise, preferably, twelve
in number, each having an effective bead ring-engaging
outer arcuate edge of approximately 30 when contracted
fully. As illustrated in Fig. 21, the overhanging free
end of each segment 239 rests upon at least one roller
bearing 240 having a horizontal p~n 2~1 which is mounted
-36 -
-37-
10 38Z7 4
in a yo~e 242 attached to the free end of the track
237. Each pin 241 extends substantially perpendicular
to the median longitudinal vertical plane of its asso-
ciated track 237, which plane passes through the axis
of rotation of the shaft 70.
m e base plate 236 carries t~elve equidistantly
spaced, vertical, guide rods 243 which are, for instance,
threaded thereinto at their respective lower ends. Each
of the rods 243 is situated in the aforementioned median
longitudinal vertical plane of its associated track 237.
The rods 243, which are thus uniformly concentrically
distributed around the shaft 70, carry at their respective
upper ends a fixed horizontal circular plate or disc 244 ~-
which braces the rods 243 to one another. On each ver-
tical rod 243 there is slidingly mounted a sleeve 245.
Each sleeve 245 is affixed to a common, movable, circu-
lar plate 246 which constitutes a liiting means there-
for fastened to the upper end of the piston rod 111 of
the jack 112. Each shoe 238 is connected to an associated
one of the sleeves 245 via a connecting rod 247. The
rods 247 each are linked at one end by means of a re-
spective pin 248 to a respective one of the shoes 238, `
and at the opposite end by means of a pin 249 to a re-
spective one of the sleeves 245. The length of each
rod 247 between the axes of articulation thereof defines
the maximum stroke of the segment 239 associated there-
with, the segments 239 being illustrated in Figs. 21
and 24 in a condition of maximum retraction, and in
Figs. 22 and 25 in a condition of maximum protraction.
The upper brace plate 244 is actually supported
... ..
-38-
~0382q4
by twelve posts 250 that are angularly equldistant
from one another and uniformly distributed around the
shaft 70. The posts 250 are each threadedly fastened,
at their lower ends, to the base plate 236. Each ver-
tical post 250 comprises, at its upper end, a collar
251 on which there rests the plate 244, the latter being
held in position on the posts 250 by means of nuts 252
that are threaded upon the upper end of the posts 250
above the plate 244. Each vertical rod 243 passes
freely through the upper plate 244 and is fixed thereto -
by means of nuts 253. In this manner, the rods 243,.
relative to which the sleeves 245 are slidable for effect-
ing expansion or collapsing of the pulley 16 via the
segments 239, are braced in a vertical array. Figs. 24
and 25 show in particular that the free arcuate edge of
each segment 239 has a radius of curvature, in a hori-
zontal plane, which is at le~st eaual to and, preferably,
slightly less than the in*ernal radius of a bead ring
69 that has to be mounted upon the pulley 16. Thus, -
the effective diameter of the pulley 16, via the shift-
ability of the segments 239, can be altered so as to
accommodate bead rings of various diameters. The piston
rod 111 of the jack 112 when protracted will effect an
uplift of the sleeves 245, a retraction of the sleeves
239 and a contraction of the diameter of the pulley 16.
On the other hand, when the piston rod 111 is retracted,
the sleeves 245 will move downwardly and collectively
cause a protraction of the segments 239 and, thereby,
an increase in the diameter of the pulley 16.
-38-
.
.
~038274
BEAD RING PRESENTING UNIT
,
Illustrated in Figs. 26 and 27, is a semi-auto-
~ matic device for placing a bead ring 69 upon the pulley
16 and for removing from the pulley 16 the bead ring 69
after it is covered with an apex strip. m e pulley 16
is shown merely schematic&lly in the latter Figs. m e
bead ring presenting device or assembly is substantially
symmetrical with respect to a median vertical plane
(line Y O Y' in ~ig. 27) passing through the center O
of the pulley 16 ( and therefore through the axis of
rotation of the shaft 70) and perpendicular to thP
direction XX' of the common horizontal central longitudinal
axis of the jacks 90 to 93. m e device comprises a sup- ~
porting frame 254 in ~he form of a substantially hori-
zontal beam which is spaced proximate to the pulley 16
and is parallel to the commQn longitudinal axis of the
jacks 90 to 93. This horizontal longitudinal beam is
fastened upon a central vertical upright 256 which in
turn is fastened on and proj~cts upwardly from ~he lower
platform 62 of the machine. m e beam 255 carries re-
spectively at its opposite extremities, respectively,
two substantiall~ symmetrical horizontal plates 257,
258 which in spaced relation relative to the pulley 16
-- embrace the periphery of the latter. Each plate 257, 258
rests on and is affixed to a vertical post 259 extending
upwardly from and fastened to the upper platfor~ 63 of
the machine. Each post 259 is in the form of a power
cylinder or jack (pneu~atic or hydræulic) and is provided
with a piston rod 260 to which the plates 257 and 258 are
affixed via respective bolts 261 or the like. The piston
-39-
lV3~274
rods 260 ser~e as means for ad~usting the height of
the plates 257 and 258 relative to the pulley 16.
The plates 257 and 258 support an assembly of
expansible, contractable, nature which~c adapted to
position or remove, selectively, a bead ring upon the
pulley 16. The latter assembly includes a pair of
arcuate plate members 262, 263 that are symmetrically
arranged on each side of the pulley 16 and disposed
at a higher level than the radially movable segments
237. Each plate 262, 263 is preferably curved in the
shape of a circular segment having a concavity which
confronts the pulley 16 (Fig. 27). Each plate ?62, 263
is radially movable with respect to the axis of rotation
of the pulley 16 ~nd, to this end, each plate 262, 263 ;~
is carried by a slide shoe or the like 264, 265, respect-
ively. The shoes 264 and 265 are slidingly mounted on
respective tracks 266 and 267 which in turn are faster.ed
to the plates 257 and 258, respectively. The median
vertical plane of each track 266 and 267 passes through
the axis of rotation 0 of the pulley 16. Each of the
slide shoes264 and 265 is affixed to the respectlve
ends of a pair of horizontal piston rod 268 and 269 which
are actuated by power cylinders or jacks 270 and 271,
- respectively (pneumatic or hydraulic). The cylinders
f the jacks 270 and 271 are fastened on respective
brackets 272 and 273 which in turn are affixed to the
plates 257 and 258, respectively.
The two plates 262 and 263 are designed to jointly
receive and support, temporarily, above and radially be-
yond the segments 239 of the pulley 16, a bead ring 69.
-40-
~ :
-41-
10382q4
m e bead ring 69 is manually positloned upon the
plates 262 and 263 after the latter are protracted
or retracted sufficient'ly to accommodate the particular
diameter of the bead ring 69. The ~acks 270 and 271
are, thus, double-action or reversible ~acks which
when retracted release the bead ring 69 so that it
may be applied to the pulley 16.
A pair of uprights 274 (shown in reduced length
in the drawings) are, respectively, attached to the
horizontal plates 257 and 258 of the support frame
- 254, and are braced by a horizontal crossbar 275 passing
above the center of the pulley 116. A vertical, rever-
sible or double-action~ jack 276 (pneumatic or hydraulic)
is fastened to the crossbar 275 in substantially coaxial
relation with the pulley 16. A vertically movable piston
rod 277 of the jack'276 carries at its lower extremity
a lifting beam 278 in the form of a substantially tri-
angular plate extending above the pulley 16. The beam
278 supports beneath the pulley l63 at its three apexes,
by means of three vertical rods 279, a substantially
horizontal magnet-carrying, partially circular plate
280 in the form of an incomplete ring. The plate 280
extends coaxially above the pulley 16 and surrounds a
' major portion of the latter. m e plate 280 carries
on its lower face, which confronts the pulley 16, a
plurality of magnets 281 that are circumferentially
distributed thereon and designea to magnetically grip
the bead ring 69 after the latter is placed on the
plates 262, 263. The vertical stroke of the piston
rod 277 of the jack 276 is adequate to allow the
-41-
-42-
1038Zq4
magnet-carrying plate 280 to be lowered from its
highest extreme position to its lowest extreme position
in which the lower face of the magnets 281 is substan-
tially in the plane of the upper surface of the movable
segmer.ts 239` of the pulley 16. In this position, the
bead ring 69 is ready for being transferred to the seg-
ments 237.
There is furthermore provided a retractable
unit for transferring the bead ring from the plate 280
to the pulley 16, and for, thereafter, eject~ng the
apex strip covered bead ring from the pulley 16. This
unit is carried by a substantially horizontal support
plate 282 positioned beneath the pulley 16 and supported
- by vertical columns 283 ~Ihich are in turn fastened to
the upper platform 63. The center of the plate 282 is
bolted to the housing 77 (Fig. 27). A plurality of
verticæl cylindrical housings 284 are fastened to and
beneath the horizontal support 282, and are distributed
around the pulley shaft 70. There are, preferably, pro-
- vided at least two of such vertical housings 284 which
are arranged, for instance, dia~etrically opposite one
another on each side of the shaft 70. Each vertical
housing 284 contains a pair of series connected, coaxially
aligned, power cylinders or jacks 285 and 286 (pneumatic
or hydraulic).
Each c~linder of lower jacks285 is affixed to
the bottom of its associated cylindrical housing 284,
whereas their respective vertically movable piston rods
287 support, respectively, the upper jacks 286 through
the intermediary of respective coupling sleeves 288 or
-42-
.
~,,
,
.~ .
. . .
-43 -
1038Z74
the like. The sleeves 288 intercouple the piston rods
287 and 289 of the lower and upper jacks 285 and 286,
respecti~ely. The cylinders of the upper jacks 286
project freely through respective apertures 290 formed
in the upper end of the housings 284 and support, coop-
eratively, a partially circular ejection plate 291 which
is in the form of an incomplete ring and coaxial with
the pulley 16. The inner diameter of the plate 291 is
slightly greater than the minimum diameter of the pulley
16 when the segments 239 of the latter are fully re-
tracted, whereas the outer diameter thereof is greater
than the maxim~m diameter of the puiley 16 when the
segments 239 thereof are fully protracted.
The ejection plate can be elevated from an in- -
active position beneath the level of the segments 239
to an intermediate position wherein it is substantially
l~vel with the lower face of the segments 239, and there-
from to a final position above the level of the segments
239 for ejecting from the latter the apex strip-covered --
bead ring 69. To this end, the upper jacks 286 serve
as means for raising the plate 291 from the inactive
position to the intermediate position. m e lower jacks
285 thereafter serve as means for raising the plate 291
from the intermediate position to the final position
for ejecting the bead ring 69 from the segments 239.
The upper jacks 286 are adapted to be actuated in
unison, independently of and earlier than the actuation
of the lower jacks 285.
OPERATION OF OVERALL ~CHINE
. .
Referring again to Figs. 8, 8a, 9 and 9a of the
-43
.,. - ,
-44 -
1038274
drawings, the letters YOY' designate a vertical plane
passing through the center O or axis of rotation of the
pulley 16. The plane YOY' is perpendicular to a vertical
plane passing through the center of the pulley 16 which
is designated by the line XOX' and which is parallel to
the common longitudinal axis XX' of the indexing ~acks
90 to 93. The line OZ designates a vertical plane
passing through the axis of rotation O of the pulley
16 and through the central axis K of the vertical shaft
10 ~h which shifts the pivotal arm 67. The plane OZ, there-
fore, coincides with the vertical plane which encompasses
the track 137 and the piston rod 154 of the jack 153
(~ig. 12). ~inall~, the line OM designates the vertical
plane which passes through the track 180 (Fig. 14), through -~
the axis P of the shaft 177 of the pressure guide unit
66 which is shiftable along the track 180, and through
the axis of rotation 0 of the pulley 16. The line OM
- forms, for instance, in one angular direction, an angle
. of about 45 with the line OY, and, in the opposite
angular direction, an angle of 45 with the line OX'.
The line OZ bisects the 45 angle between the lines OM
and OY and, thus, forms an angle of 22.5 with each of
the latter.
The edge of the apex strip 45 which is to be
applied to the bead ring 69 is disposed upon the sliding
console 39 of the strip-presenting unit 15 such that it
passes substantially through the point K or the vertical
axis of the shaft 134 when the latter is in a condition
l.herein the lower strip-supporting member 183 which idles
upon the shaft 177 is in engagement with the bead ring
- -4~-
- .
(
-45-
10382q4 --
69 (Fig. 14). The latter condition of ~he shaft 134
ls illustrated in Figs. 8 and 8a, and represents the
initial condition for applying the leading end of the
strip 4 to the bead ring 69.
In this condition, the tangential contact point
T of the leading end of the apex strip 4 is preferably
situated at the line YOY'. The point T corresponds to
the tangential contact point T' of an earlier disposed
bead ring 69 with the trailing end of an earlier applied
apex strip thereto, following one complete strip-applying
revolution of the pulley 16 counterclockwise. Accordingly,
in Figs. 8 and 8a, the linear extent of the apex strip
4, as it is initially advanced by the presenting unit
15 to the bead ring 69, is substant~ally parallel to
the common longitudinal axis XX' of the jacks 90 through
93 of the indexing unit 64. For ~urther reference pur-
poses hereinafter, the re~erence character A on line.OM
designates the tangential contact point of the lower strip-
supporting member 183 of the pressure guide unit 66
i~ith the bead ring 69. On the other hand, the reference
character B on the line XOX' designates a one-quarter
counterclockwise revolution of.the pulley 16.
It will be understood, that the position of the
console 39, as carried by the pivotal ar~ 132, relative
to the pulley 16 is substantially different in each
case wherein the bead ring is changed for one of a different
diameter. The application of the apex strip 4 to ~he
bead ring 69 is always initially carried out such that
the strip 4 extends parallel to the line XOX' at the
point T, the relative position of the point T belng
-45-
-46-
1038~q4
varlable along the llne YOY' according to the dlmenslons
of the bead rlng used. The distance TK between the
points T and K, which represents the radius of an
arc described by the point T upon rotation of the
strip-presenting unit 1~ around the central point
K of the pivot sha~t 134, is there~ore variable. It
is dependent upon the dimension of the bead ring used
since the relative position of the console 39 varies
with respect to the point K.
The machine pursuant to the present invention
may be associated with a conventional, programmable,
sequential control system (not shown) for effecting
the various operations timely. The general control
system is preferably o~ the electropneumatic type which
includes ~arious actuating servo-mechanisms in the form
of pneumatic ~acks supplied with compressed air, and ~n
the ~orm of the double-action or reversible type asso-
ciated with a return spring. The electric and pneumatic cir-
cuits are conventional and, thus, have not been illustrated.
With the pneumatic and electric circuits of the ;~
machine properly pressurized and energized, the apex
strip supply system shown in Fig. 1 is actuated to peel
the apex strip 4 from the reel 1, via the drive rollers 7
5 and 9, and advance the strip 4 to the oscillatlng pulley
17 and the slidable roller unit 18. ~hen the leading end
of the strip 4 reaches the cutting guide unit 165, the
jack 171 is actuated to lower the pinching or barbed
element 170 into engagement with the strip 4 to restrain
the latter (Fig. 13). Advancemen~ of the strip 4 upstream
of the unit 165 is at this time terminated.
m e plates 262 and 263 (Fig. 27) are then to-
-46-
.
- . . . . ~ -
.
.
-47
~038Z74
gether moved toward the pulley 16, via their respectl~e
jacks 270 and 271, and a bead ring 69 is manually po-
sitioned thereupon. The magnet-carrying plate 280 then
descends downwardly upon the plates 262 and 263, by
means of the ~ack 276,so as to grip the bead ring 69
and remove the latter from the plates 262 and 263 via
the magnets 281. The magnet-carrying plate 280 is
then raised, and the plates 262, 263 are simult2neously
retracted radially beyond the dimensions of the plate
280. The ejection plate 291 is then elevated via the
upper jacks 286 to the level of the segments 239 of
the pulley 16. The magnet-carrying plate 280 is then
- lowered again to the level o~ the segments 239, t~herein
the bead ring 69 engages the ejection plate 291. The
segments 239 are then protracted and radially grip the
bead ring 69. m e m2gnet-carrying plate 280 is, there-
after, elevated, and the ejection plate 291 descends
leaving the bead ring 69 upon the pulley 16.
The shaft 134 of the strip presenting unit 15
is then moved toward the pulley 16 via the jac~ 153
(Fig. 12). mis action causes, concomitantly, a turning
of the horizontal arm 67 about the shaft 68. As the
arm 67 turns, it moves the carrier shaft 220 (Fig. 20)
of the cutting unit 65, and the carrier shaft 177 (Fig.
14) o~ the pressure guide unit 66, to~ard the pulley 16
until the lo~er strip-supporting mem~er 183 eng2ges the
bead ring 69. During this period, the strip presenting
unit 15 is adjusted in a direction parallel to the line
XOX' such that the leading end of the strip ~, restrained
by the pinching element 170, is tangent to the bead ring
-47-
--48 -
~382q4
69 at the point T. It is presumed for the purposes of
description herein, that the leading end of the apex
strip 4 has already been chamfered and thereby separated
from the trziling end of a leading apex strip which has
already been &pplied to an earlier disposed bead ring.
Such operation will be described below.
It is the jack 161 (Fig. 13) which is actuated
to ad~ust the position o~ the console 39 relative to
the bracket 158 of the strip presenting unit 15 so as
to properly position the leading (already chamfered)
end o~ the apex strip 4 at the tangential reference point
T on the bead ring 69. In t~s manner, the distance TK
is de~ined. Once so defined, the electromagnets 164
(Fig. 13) and 209 (Fig. 8), respectively, lock the
console 39 and the horizontal pivotal arm 67 in their ~-
newly adjusted relative positions. At this time, the
chambers o~ the jack 153 are exhausted. The pivotal
finger 167 (Fig. 13a) is then turned, via the jack 169
on the cutting guide unit 165, into engagement with the
leading end of the strip 4 so as to press the latter
against the bead ring 69. The strip 4,thereby, initially
adheres to the bead ring 69.
The pinching element 170 is-then raised and
released from the strip 4, via the jack 171, and the
pulley 16 is rotated, via the first indexing ~ack 90,
counterclockwise over an arc TA. The leading end of
the strip 4 is, thereby, positioned opposite the pressure `
guide unit 66. The electromagne~ic clutch 116 (Fig. 10)
is then engaged to couple the pinion gear 125 to the
shaft 70 of the pulley 16. The pulley 16 is then turned,
-48-
.
-4~-
~1382~4
via the second indexing ~ack 91, over an arc AB such
that the leading end ~fthe apex strip 4 lies on the
diametral line XOX' of the pulley 16. Since the electro-
magnetic clutch 116 has been energized, during the latter
5- rotation o~ the pulley 16, the rack 126 is shifted and,
thereby, turns the pivotal arm 132 (Figs. 12 and 13~
about the shaft 134. As the arm 132 turns, the strip
presenting unit 15, thereby, turns from the position
thereof illustrated in Fig. 8 to the position illustrated
in Fig. 9. The electromagnetic clutch is then deener-
gized, and the pulley 16 is again rotated~ via the third
indexing ~ack 92, over an arc BT' sùch that the leading
end of the apex strip 4 is again precisely at the initial
point T wherein it was first applied to the bead ring
69. Thus, the pulley 16 has been rotated, via the first
three indexing jacks 90-92, one full revolution.
The pinching elements 170 and 170a ad~oining
the cutting guide unit 165 are then lowered by means
of the jacks 171 and 172 so as to engage the strip 4
upstream of the portion thereof that has already been
applied to the bead ring. The chamfering knife 226
(Fig. 20) of the cutting unit 65 is then protracted,
via the jack 231 towards the apex strip 4,so as to pro-
vide a chamfered trailing end on that portion of the
strip 4 already upon the bead ring 69, and concomitantly
a chamfered leading end on that portion of the apex strip
4 to be applied subsequently to a further bead ring.
The pinching element 170a is then raised, via the jack
- 172, so as to release the chamfered trailing end of the
strip 4. The finger 201 (Fig. 15) is then raised ~ia
-49-
-5o-
1038Z74
the jack 206, into engagement with the trailing end
of the strip 4 so as to separate slightly the trailing
end from the bead ring 69.
Then, the brake unit 211 (Fig. 19) engages the
upper strip-supporting member 197 of the pressure guide
unit 66 so as to prevent rotation of the member 197.
Alternatively, if the embodiment of Fig. 18 is used,
rather than that o~ Fig. lg~ the roller 197 may then be
elevated, ViQ the ~ack 218, away from the lower strip- -
supporting member 183. In either instance, the pulley
16 is then rotated, via the ~ourth indexing jack 93,
over an arc T'A t45) whereupon the chamfered leading
end of the strip 4 is moved below, to be superposed
with, the complementary chamfered trailing end of the
strip 4 held away therefrom by the finger ?ol. The
finger 201 is then lowered to release the trailing end
of the apex strip 4. - -
The upper strip-supporting member 197 is then `~
released by the br~ke unit 211, or lowered by the ~ack
212 (depending which embodiment is used). m ereafter,
the upper member 197 is pressed downwardly toward the
lower strip supporting member l83, via the jack 192,
so æs to squeeze the superpositioned leading and trailing
ends of the strip 4 therebetween, and, thereby, against
one another and against the bead ring 69. The bead ring
69 is, thereby, finally covered by the apex strip 4.
The electromagnets 164 and 209 are then deactivated or
deenergized so as to release the horizontal arm 67 and
the console 39. m e shaft 134 is then removed from the
vicinity of the pulley 15, via the ~ack 153 (which is
-50_
. .
~ - .- : .. ~ ' . . : ' --' ' " '- ' ' , ' ' ' ' ' '
-51-
lV3~Z74
reversible). This results in a corresponding movement,
away from the pulley 16, of the cutting unit 65 and
the pressure guide unit 66 as the arm 67 pivots in re-
sponse ~o shifting of the shaft 134. The return ~ack
147 (Fig. 12) can also at this time turn the arm 132
associated with the strip presenting unit 15 to the
orientation thereof as it existed prior to its being
turned by the rack 126, via engagement of the electro-
magnetic clutch 116, i.e. parallel to the line XX' of
the indexing jacks 90-93.
By means of the upper jacks 286 (Fig. 26), the
ejecting plate 291 is raised until the làtter engages
the bead ring 69. m e segments 239 of the pulley 16
are then retracted, so as to release the bead ring 69,
via the vertical jack 112 (Fig. 10). The lower jacks
285 are then actuated so as to elev~te (and, thereby,
eject) the bead ring 69 above the pulley 16~ The apex
strip-covered bead ring can then be manually removed --
from the ejection plate 291 for storage, etc., and the
latter can then be retracted, via the ~acks 285 and 286,
to its initial inactive position. Finally, the pulley
16 is rotated in an opposite.direction, i.e. clockwise,
by the four indexing jacks 90-93 so as to be restored to
its initial operative position. T~ ~achine is, thus,
ready for recycling.
It will be understood that the foregoing des-
cription of a preferred embodiment of the present in-
vention is for purposes of illustration only~ and that
the various structuraland operational features and re-
lationships herein disclosed are susceptible to a number
-52-
103~2r74
of modifications and changes none o~ which entails
any departure from the spirit and scope of the present
- invention as defined in the hereto appended claims.
.:
