Aug. 8, 1950 R. l. KUFFLER 2,517,889 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING PREFORMED '

BANDS To TIRE BUILDING DRUMS Filed Feb. 26, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 1

55 45

v INVENTOR '

Roland I. Kuf’f‘ler

ATTORNEYS

Àug. 8, 1950 R. l. KUFFLER 25117989 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING PREFORMED

BANDS T0 TIRE BUILDING DRUMS ' Filed Feb. 26, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 2

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INVENTOR

F1 y» E » Roland I. Ruffle?

ATTORNEY

l. KUFFLER 2,517,889 METHOD AND APPARATUS FDR APPLYING PREFDRNED

BANDS To ,TIRE BUILDING DRUMS Filed Feb. 26, 1948

R. Aug. 8, 1950

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ATTORNEYS 2

R. l. KUFFLl-:R 2,517,889 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING.` PREFORMED

Aug. 8, 1950 BANDS TO TIRE BUILDING DRUMS

~6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 2e, 1948

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Aug. 8, 1950 R. l. KuFFLr-:R 2,517,889 METHOD AND APPARATUS FDR APPLYING PREFoRNED

BANDS To TIRE BUILDING DRuMs Filed Feb. 26, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5

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F19' ¿E INVENTOR> Roland 1'. Kurf'z'er

ATTORN EY

|. ­Kul-'FUER 2,517,889 APPLTING PREFDRMED

Aug. 8, 1950 R,v METHOD AND APPARATUS RoR

BANDS To TIRE BUILDING DRUMS Filed.v Feb. 26, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 6

I'NVENTOR

Roland I. Kuff’ler BY

¿www 1* 7m, ATTORNEYSZ

Íìatenteci Àug. 8, i950 2,517,889

UNITED-f STATES PATENT OFFICE ' 5 METHOD AND» APPARATUS Fon yAPPLYING. PREFORMED BANDS To TIRE BUILDING DRUMS

' ‘ Roland I. Kufller, Detroit, Mich., assignor 'to The « General Tire and Rubber Company, Akron, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio '

Application February 26, 194s, serial No. 10,954 f ` 12 Claims.

' This invention relates to the building of pneumatic tire casings, and more particularly to a method of >andjapparatus for applying pre formed vbands of elastic _tire material to a .tire building drum. ' e

It islan object lof the invention to provide a methodv by` whichwa band of tacky, uncured stock may> belquickly> appliedvto a tire building drum or to tire carcass bands previously applied to the drum.V l ‘ .

A'further object of the invention is to provide a method of _and ‘apparatus for applying bands of elastic tire stock in a> stretched condition to the drum so that the contraction of the bands causes outer plies, of .the tire casing to press radially upon uniformly adhered inner plies, and inthe case of fabric reinforced. plies to provide a uniform spacing of,v the reinforcing cords throughout the tire casing. ' A further object ofthe invention is to provide

apparatus for quickly and easily accomplishing the transfer of fabric bands or tread lstock bands toa tire building drum. » vWith the above and other objects in view, th

invention may be saidnto comprise the device illustrated in the raccompanying drawings, here inafter described and.'r particularly set forth in the'appended claims, together with ysuch yvaria tions and modiflcationsthereof as will be ap parent to one skilled in'ylthe art to which the u invention pertains. _ y l y .

’ Reference should be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which: " y " .

Figure 1 is a top plan‘view of apparatus em bodying the invention; _ e , ` f

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on theline indicated at 2_-2 in Fig. 1, showing the expan sible -band supporting reel; .

Fig. 3 is an end view of the yexpans'ible reel ,.í by rvthe arrows at 3-3 in viewed as indicatedv

Fig. 2; 4 , . l E

Y Fig. 4 >is a fragmentary horizontal’section taken on vthe line indicated at 4-4 in Fig. 2;

Fig. y5 is a'fragmentary section taken Aon the e . line indicated at 5-5 in Fig. 3, showing a portion of the reel expanding cone in elevation;

‘ Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken axially through the transfer cylinderas indicated by, the line` iì-v-B in Fig. l; '

Fig. 'l is an end elevation of the apparatus, a o portion of the base and of the transfer cylinder carriage being broken awaylîandshown in vertical section; , . „ _

4Fig.l 8` isha view shcwing theactuating piston

(Cl. 154-9)

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for the transfer cylinder carriage in axial section; Fig. v9 is a fragmentary sectional view showing

the band holding reel within the transfer cylinder and a band of tire material being transferred from the reel tothe cylinder; l ’ _

Fig. l0 is a fragmentary sectional View show ing the transfer cylinder with a band upon its interior, in a position to transfer the band to »a tire building drum; ' ­ ï

` Fig. 1l is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 10, showing a band of tread stock in the transfer cylinder; I '

Figs. 12 to 16 show the successive positions yof the 'transfer cylinder with respect to the band holding reel and tire building drum;

A Fig. l2 is a top plan view showing the transfer cylinder and reel telescoped for transfer of 'a band from the reel to thecylinder; l

Fig. 13 is a top plan view showing the transfer cylinder withdrawn from the reel afterftaking the band from the reel; ` 'y »

‘ Fig. 14 is a top plan View showing thev transfer cylinder moved to a position axially` alined with the'tire building drum; _ `

Fig. l5 is a top plan view showing the transfer cylinder and drum telescoped for transfer of the band from the cylinder to the drum;

Fig. ,16 shows the transfer cylinder retracted from the tire building drum after transfer of the band of tire material to the drum; and

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic view showing the control panel and connections to the'actuating motors. l e

In transferring bands of tire material to a tire building vdrum by the, method of the vpresent

' invention, the preformed bands are transferred to the tire building drum A from a band holding reel'B mounted at the rear of the tire building drum by means of a movable transfer cylinder C.

. The reel B is an expansible band support, which as' shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, holds a band D of tire materialA to polygonal form when it is expanded against the interior of thel band. '

4 Theetransfer drum C is of an internal diameter somewhat greater than that of the tire‘building drum and of the band D that is to be trans ferred to the drum, so that when a band is mounted on thereel B the> transfer _cylinder C can be advanced to a position in which the reel B is telescoped within the cylinder C, after which the reel B may beA expanded to press the band D at> spaced points> against the interior of the cylindery C, whereupon rotation is imparted to the cylinder .C causing the reel B and band. D to rotatewith the cylinder. The speed of rota

‘2,517,889

tion is increased until centrifugal force acting upon the band is sufficient to expand the entire band into engagement with the interior of the cylinder C. After the band is so expanded the reel B is contracted to. a position. clear of the band Dand the‘- cylinder C isv withdrawn rirom__ the reel to the position shown in Fig. 13. While the cylinder C is still being rotated at a speech to hold the band D against the interior thereof,` it is moved to the position shown. in. Fig.: 14. : where it is in axial alinementwith the tirebnild» ing drum. The cylinder C is then moved axially

4 ly moved inwardly when the cone is moved in an outward direction, the cone 23 serving to uni formly expand or contract the band holding reel when the expanding cone is shifted by means of then-uid pressure cylinder­ i3. _ ~The cylinder I9, whicliî rotates=.¿with;the shaft l?, has a head 29 at its'Outer endwhich has a cylindrical section 29 of reduced diameter which is journaled in a fixed collar 38. The collar 3U

. hasinternal groovessâl and 32 which communi \ »cate‘withßpassages- 33 and 34 in the head leading

to a position where the drum Agis within the _ cylinder and the tire building.`> drum is.y rotated and brought up to a speed substantially the same. as that of the transfer cylinder C. The speeds of rotation of the cylinder 'C` and drum A are­

to the inner'and'outer ends of the cylinder i9, Pipes 35 and 36 are connected to the grooves 3|

_ and 32+A and flow through the pipes 35 and 36 is

then simultaneously reduced until the centrifugal~ „ force acting upon the band is insuñîcient to hold it against the interior of. the drum: C. and its elasticity causes.> it tosnap4 inwardly into _tight engagement with. the drum. A, after. which the transfer cylinder C is‘retracted from the,drum.._A and returned to its originaLposition. _ _ _ _ _

The tire building, drum-.A is supportedby a suitable standard l- mounted upon, anelongated base 2». that.extends~.forwardly_beneath the, drum A, a suitable driving motor 3 being provided for driving the drum. A,>` which may be a conven tionaly collapsible. tire buildingk drum. _ The base 2 has a laterally extending portion

4. that provides»` a basefor a. standard 5 having ahousing E, at.the.top thereof. which is providedY with a tubular bearingportion T _that projects laterally in a direction parallel with the ‘axis of 5 ~. the drum A. A tubular. shaft 8'. is mounted.. in the bearing portion] and .carries a reel. support Sfatits inner end. whiclrmay, be. formed. integrally with the shaft.v The reel supportvâhas a hollow hub portion ID and radiallydisposed.guidechan nels- I l.- outwardly oi?.4 the hubportion. The Ashaft 8--is-»preferalolyy journaled. in suitable antiíriction thrust bearings that serve, to. holdit. against axial movements.. _

bearingY I.2.is clampedhetween a-shoulder laat. the outei` endof the reelsupport 9 andan _in yternal ribI M». in. the'tubulan bearing.;4 portion 1 of. theY housing; An. outer. bearing, i5.` for `the shaft 8 is clampedbetween4 anv internal rib Iê of; the. tubular bearing portionI ‘Landa threaded :f collar Il. onrthe shattß... . __ _ _

Adjacent its outer end the shaft il has attached thereto. abra-ke. ring i8 . and. outwardly of _the ybrake ringy a ñuid- pressure. cylinder I.9 that is . axially alinedwith the.~shaft._._ The cylinder I_S. hasv a. piston.l 2D. provided. with` a. piston-,_ vrod 2l. that is. attachedV at its. inner.. end toY an inner shaft. 22. slidably. fitting.` in the tubular shaft..8_ and> connected thereto.. '_ _ Theinner. endofthe shaft.2,2 extends beyond

thetubular shaftß and. has yan expander cone 2.3. attachedthereto. 'Iëhe cone 2_3. hasaxiallyex tending undercut. ways formed on itsexterior face that .receive radially disposed spokes 25, that. are. sl'idabl'y. mounted in the radial guide.I chan nels II of, the. reelÍsupport andi that carry` band engaging bars».­.2ß'.at their` outer ends. Each. bar.­ ‘Z6 is attached. substantially. midway between its` ends to. aspoke. 25 and.all..of.the;.bars..are parallel to the central'supportingshaft 8. ' '

The radial spokesA 2,5V have inner portions> 2.1,. formed to fit in the undercut ways Z‘ilf'of the expander cone, so thatî the spokes. 25 aresiìnul’; taneously moved' radially outwardly. wher'iftlfiev cone 23: is ­movedinwardl'y‘and are simultaneous'

25

30

" _controlled.byl aisuitable valve 3l which in one position applies pressure to the outer side of the 'piston'ïll'toexpzmd’the reel B, and in another po sition applies pressure to the inner side of the piston 20 to contract the reel, one of the pipes 35 and äíìbeingconnected toa source` oi pressure andthe other to, the’atmospliere i'n each po sitionof the .valve 3T,so. that'. fluid under pressure is permittedt'o escape, from one side. ofthe piston while’pressure i's being supplied tdthe. opposite side thereof. ’

_ When the transfer cylinder ismovedto. apo sition in whichitliereel' B'Lisitelesc'oped within it, the valve 3_T‘is actuatedïtoupermit sufficient fluid. under pressure in tl'ìe'cylinder I9 to expand‘lthe reel B against the` interior. of thev cylinder C. Ajfter the reeTB­ has, been expanded. suiîiciently to clamp thelóand DÍof' tire. building material against the. interior. of. the. cylinder C,. rotation

. is imparted' to the> cylinder C andthe reel B,

As herein shown. an inner _ _ _

. 1s disengaged from the cylinder, an` externalv

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which is free to rotatein the bearings IZ'and l5, turns with the cylinder C.' After suñicient speed. has been attained' t‘dlìold the band' D tightly against’th'e interior ofÍ the cylinder C,.the. valve

.. 3l is actuated to contracttliereelB', afterwhich the transfer cylinder C'withthe bandB'. held a‘gainst‘its. interior byv centrifugalïforce, is. movedY to retracted' position and then- to» a; position. alined with the drum.A.'4

In order. to stop rotation. ofthe reel Batter it

brake ‘memberv 38T iis, provided for. engagement with the brake. ringA I8.. The brakemember 3B. may be' inthe form of.' an .endless inflatable tube. attachjedto aring 35"'tliat` is. securedto the .hous

me‘mber 1. The inflatable brake..member 38 1s normally of anA internal diameter. slightly greater than' the.ext`ernal diameter of thebrake member i8` so yas to permit free rotationofrthe. reel B. A conduit 40.. isconnected to the brake member 33"'to`deliver fluid '.und'er. pressurethere-f to, the conduit MLloeing.,controlledI by a suitable valve 4l which in one position. admits fluid. to. the brakevv member, and'inanother positionex hausts, fluid from the4 brake member,

vAt the end of the base Z beyondtl'rev free. end of the drum A, a transverse base member 42A. is mounted, _ which. extends. at. rightangles 'toA the axis of the.drum A; A. carriage 43. ismounted for movement longitudinally otthezbaserßZ which is provided witha carriage guideway which in. cludes beveled. guide.- liars.` 44. whichmay be ad. justed laterally by meansofïscrews 45. The car riage 43. has a cylinder 4.5' attached. tothe ̀:bot- tom thereof, the cylinder 4’5` being paralleltocthe way7 which. guides»` the.. carriage. 43"and:at right angles. totheaxis of.- the >drumA. The cylinder All has> a pistonßlwhichi's attachedto. a .tubular` piston' rod 48 which is“ rigidly attached­ to-a~.lug. 49 at the forward end of. the. base.42. .

‘ Within the"t‘ubu1‘a1"­ piston ro'cl 48' there is

5 ‘mounted a Small tube äßfwhich is attàchèdtQ-the piston `4l andï..~provi.desff a passage ff centrally through the tubular¿_­ rod-,48 through thev piston to the interior ofthe cylinder atthe rear of the _ piston. The tube 56 isjof an externaldiameter less than _the internal diameter _of the rod 48, so that a _second passage isf provided externally thereof through the piston~ rod._ rThe exterior passage through` the rod d8 opens through a. port 5| to the interior of the _cylinder forwardly of the _,piston,.andlthe .pipe 59. and the exterior pas sage leading to the port _5| are connectedto pipes 52and 53 throughr whichñuid under-*pressure maybe admittedtoeither side of _the piston to actuate the carriage 43.A ~

. __ The carriage___'43_,^_. whic cylinder C lis movable'from a-_position in which ‘î ï'thle _transfer .

ber;_.1l| tô Ístôp rotation of the cylinder _C after> the motor v‘|‘| is deenergized. As shown herein,_ _the brake _member‘is in the lform _of an‘annular inflate able tube `'I8 which is of an internal _diameter less than the-diameter of the member 14 so that e

' it is normally free from the inner brake memberl 1l|,\v but which is expanded inwardlyupon vinflat-_ tion_.into engagement with the brake member 14, suitable means such as a pipe 80 being provided for delivering fiuid under pressure to the brake

' member 1_8. The brake member 'I8 is attached

the; transfer cylinder. _C is _axiallyalined with _the e

meer. is axiauy annee with the_„-drum;gA_, limit st_opsbeing provided forfpositioning the carriagel in _thextw_opositions.­__ To vposition the carriage ~ with the .transfer _cylinderalined with the drum A, anadjustablestop collar 54; isprovidedpnthe piston rod 48 .which is engaged by the-_head of the cylinder 46 t0 limitv gthe.._ forward movement of < the ~carriage. 43.. .. _ A__ suitable adjustable stop

25

such as a screw 55 is provided at the rear end > of the base 42 rto limitgtherearward of the carriage. __ __ _f Y; v_ _ _ «

A_slide 56 carrying the _transfer cylinder C is mounted upon the carriage-43, being guided on the carriage _43_ bymeans _of suitable adjustable guide bars 51 for movement»at.__right angles to the line of movement. o_f the carriage 43.,_ On _the

movement .

35

bottom of the slide y5t _meren attached a ­eyi-y f inder >5|? which »is horizontallyr disposed parallel to _the axis ofthe'drurn Av and reel B. A: The cyl-` inder 5B has a piston _5_9 vwhich is attached to a tubular piston rod 60 that isrigidly attached ̀ toa lug 5| on‘lthe outer end_of _the ¿base portion of the carriage .43-- A small .tube 62 is mounted within the piston rod 68 and establishes com munication> between a v_pressure supply pipe 63 through the piston 59 _and Jthe inner end‘of _the cylinder­ 58. The tube 62' is of an external di ameter. less than the internal. diameter of `the tubular piston rod 66,-;_providingf~an outer pas sage whichv receives fluid underpressure from a pipe 6_4 and which delivers-.into the »interior of the cylinder 58 outwardly vof thepiston 59.y -Pressure admittedzthrough the. pipe- ‘63 moves the slide 56 inwardly> toward the reel or drum, and »pressure ­admitted Äthrough the pipe 64 retracts the slide. _

_ _» Thetransfer cylinder C is attached‘to a hori-l zontalshaft 65 which‘is .journaled rin a housing 66 carried bythe slide 56.: The shaft 65 has'an enlarged inner »end 61 to which a cylindercarry ing-head` 68 is attached. , The shaft 65 is jour naled _in .the housingv 66 >insuitable thrust bear-_ ings which hold the shaft against endwise move ments.__-¿_As herein shown,v theinner bearing 69 for the shaft isa ball thrustbearing clamped between the enlarged portion ‘Blof the shaft 65 and an internal rib y'Hl carried-by the housing 66. An outer ball thrust bearing `'ll is. clamped be tween an internal rib 'l2> carried by the housing and a threaded-collar '13 carried by the shaft 65. Exteriorly of the bearing 1| an lexternally cylin drical brake member 14 »is keyed lto the shaft 65 and outwardly yof the brake member a .pulley 15 is keyed to the'yshaft. The_shaft 65_.is driven through» a belt 16 running over the pulley '|5_, by an _electric motor¿_11.¢„ A suitable lbrake member .is provided for engagement witntliebreke mem»

40

'spring' 84;

' by suitable means to the housing 66, the attach ing'means as herein shown being a band 19 _en-g circling »the inflatable brake member 'i8 and se-r

cured to the housing 66. , _The inner end of the shaft 65 is tubular to pro-_

vide _a socket 8| in which ­is mounted a cushioning cylinder 82. The cylinder 62 is open at its inner endand receives a plunger 83 that is backed by fa

The cylinder 82 is _ attached to the shaft 65to rotate therewith, and the plunger 83 is constrained to rotate with the cylinder and shaft by means of rods 85 attached to the plunger and slidable in an opening in the inner closed end of the cylinder 8_2. The inner end of the plunger 83 is» yprovided with a bearing socket 86 4that -is adapted to receive the outer end of the shaftB'l of ¿the drum A to steady the drum during the transfer of the bands of tire material thereto. _ -. The _cylinder C with its head 68 is readily _de tachable from the shaft 65 so that it may be .re­. placed _with a cylinder` of larger or smaller diam-_ eter when desired. The cylinder C is adapted _to transfer fabric reinforced carcass bands, and also an endless band of tread stock. In order to enable the cylinder to be used to transfer both the tread stock and the rubberized fabric bands, the cyl inder is provided with a pair of substantiallyiden tical adapter bands 88 and 89 mounted upon the interior thereof. The bands 88 and _89 _are in teriorly cylindrical and of a length less than -half .the length ofthe cylinder C. Eacheof the bands has spacing flanges 98 and 9| at its opposite ends, the flanges 96 and 9| projecting outwardly and being of an external diameter to i'lt withinthe cylinder C. The flanges 90 are disposed at right angles to vthe cylinder axis and engage vthe in­_ terior of the cylinder C at opposite ends thereof. The opposite flanges 9| of the adapter bands are disposed at an-inclination and the two bands are

' of> alength such that the space between the

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05

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vflanges 9| provides a centrally disposed peripheral recess within the drum to receive the thickened tread portion of a tread band. _ e :.~ An inner removable band 92 of cylindrîcaliform

ñts within the bands 88 and 89 and covers the tread receiving recess. When the drum C is used for transferring the rubberized fabric bands, the band 92 is employed to cover the tread receiving recess. vThe band 92 is readily removable so that when it is desired to »apply the tread band the central recess is provided for the thickenedA _tread portion. »_ l _ _ 1A

_ In operation of the machine, a preformed band D is placed upon the reel B which >is expanded enough to take up the slackin the band and hold it in polygonal form in position to permit the transfer `cylinder' C to be moved over the . reel and band to position'the band withinA the transfer cylinder. After the reel B has been telescoped into the cylinder C, 'the reel is ex panded further to clamp the fabric band D be tween the bars 26 and the interior of the cyl-1 inder C; Thecylinder C is then rotated ,and its Speed ‘et .irritaties ¿generally iesreeseduniil the

?ëhtrì'fi-lgal iòrc'e`l acting upon* the‘bandf LD'isî su'ilî‘-l cient' to-fpress- the band ltightly against -tlierin teriorJ o?‘thef- cylinder C; lllhe r‘eei’ Biis-sth‘ene con» tracteditoV free- it' from theband andthe-icylinder C"is retracted» by means-oi’ the‘fcylin'der- v58= tera position >olea-r off’ the reel.> Thecarri'a-ge-fßi is thenmoved by» means 'off thezcylinder Airtoi-move the transfer cylinder-1C toaI position inlaxiaflï aline ment' Withr'tlie‘ tire building drum ­` ` f 'Pressure is admitted to= the cylinder’5`81 toshi‘iit the carriage~V 56« toward the tire- building-@drum untiiì'tl'ie‘rsha‘ft 3W’ o`i~“tliej drum vis engaged‘îin‘fthe socket il'öio‘fl the cylinder supporting shai'ftl'äïäì 'Iïli’e motor 3 is then operated ’to-rotate- the‘tiärea-'builiiè ing drum and the speed of rotation of'the drum is-'gradually increased until it isa-substantially» the same- as fthat of the cylinder 'C2 after-_Which the speeds'ßoi rota-tion‘of the cylinder C and drum A are" simultaneously reduced" until the centrifugaly forcefactingfupon the band Doi tire building rna- »f tcri'al is insufñcient‘to overcome thel contractile force acting upon- the band due to its elasticity and stretch, whereupon the band will snap~ out of engagement with the transfer cylinder C and into-engagementwith theexterior of the'drum A, a'ftenwhich the transfer cylinder()1 is-'retracted and moved to-its- rearmost position, ' The‘motors 31 and 'Il' are preferably so Wound

that'tl'ie speed» of rotation of either Will be de creased upon an increase in> load, so that the speeds of the drum- and cylinder Will-be' readily equalized‘- ii'the band should enga-gc> the drum before it'v is> entirely freed from the cylinder should the- drum and cylinder 'be rotating at slightly different speeds. essential-‘that the speedsoi the drum and cyli'nè der be'keptexactly the» same While their speeds» a-re‘being reduced. ' '

After' the desired forming ope-rations have­ been performedy on'the first band applied'to- the drum, ' a- second'5 band may be transferred vfrom the reel’ B inthe saine manner, to the'druin exteriorly oi the firstappliedA band'. After ̀ the-‘fabricy bands have been applied-y to the drum', abend of tread stock mayibe applied i­`n the same manner. v ' In order' to conveniently control the cylinder

driving motor il and drum dri-ving motor 3, suit-L able independently operable controllers SSand Sli may'bemounted at a convenient'point sideby'side», the controller S3 serving- to control the operation ,~ ofthe- motor 3 ‘and’ vary the speed thereof" while' the" controller 911‘ similarly 'controls the inotorA '11. In'ord'er to enablel the operator to properly control» the speeds of rotationofthe'transier»cylinder/and the tilre building drum, suitabletachonieters 95 and SI5-may be» provided adjacent the controllers 5% and 'Mito showv the speeds of rotation- or' the transfer cylinder and the tire building drum. ` `For controling the movements oi- the carriage

“and slide '55 for shifting the transferl cylinder to its. ­Various positions, suitable 'four-way valves 93? and 98 may be provided forcontrolflin'g Ythe flow through the pipes 52 and 53 to and from the­cylin­« der 46, and through the pipesy 53 and'fß‘lä" to and _from the cylinder ' "

llt is to' be understood that variations and- modi fications ofv the specific devices 'herein ‘ shown and described vfor purposes of illustration, _may A'be made Without departing from the» spirit off the invention. ' ­ " ’

- WhatI claimis: ' ` " ~

l. The herein described method ~of applying bands» of elastic material ’toA tiref'huilding ¿drum which. comprises forming an 'endless bandoi seid material, expandingfsaid' band'lagainst the

It is, therefore, not î

il,

t.

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à» maar,iur-cnalneem»cylindery of a circumference greaterí than that". off-f the bandi andi y'greater f than tliatrofï'saidF-fdi’uni, rotatingr said cylinder 'and band‘to'apply-1centriiugallA forceX 'to‘ßsaid band to hol‘f'zlf¿itîagain’stv tl'ieîinterior of the cylinder, posi» tioning» the tiregbuilding» drum- vWithin the cylin der'- and? expanded’fbandl, >and `decelerating the cylinder to ’relieve the'centriiugal force acting onthe band'fand’lfcausetheïband‘ tocontract upon thetire-building drum’. ’ ' ‘

'2ï The herein­ described method of’ applying bandsr of‘ elasticm'aterial to a tire lbuilding drum which comprises ­forming an endless band of said material, expanding saidìbandagainst the in terior of a hollow cylinder Ioit-s; circumference greater than that-*o?fthe-band“andf greater than that of ‘salti’ »,drum',_ rotating rsaid cylinder4 and band to- apply centrifugal-'force- to said band to hold it against the interior offthe‘cylinder; posi tioning the-«tire-'building drum within the cylin der' and expanded band', 'rotating' the drum- at substantially the same vspeed' asv the cylinder, and simultaneously ‘decelerati‘ng the cylinder and drum'- to 'transferV the band from'the cylinder to the drum. ' ` - ' ï

3. The hereindescribe‘d method of v'applying bands o?felastic tire forming; material to a tire building drum whi‘clr' comprises forming- a~n end less band oi said'materia-l; inserting said band into a hollow cylinder having an vinternal rcir cumference greaterthan» the circumference of the tire building drum an‘d‘greater than the cir cumference orY ‘the ‘ban'd‘ and pressing circum ferentiaily space'diportions- of the band radially outwardly' 4against* «the interior of saidz cylinder; rotatingfsaïid@cylinder' and band to' apply centrifu gal 'force tasa-idfbandftoexpandf the'same against the interior oi the-cylinder, positioning of the tirefbuildïing drum ̀ Within »the-'cylinder and eX* pand'ed bandî while'tlie band is heldïby centrifu gal fforce'agaïinstfthe interior or thefc-ylinder, and decelerating said cylinder to Yrelieve the centrifu gal ‘force-acting» upon the 'band' a-nd allow- the band to contract' upon the tirebuilding drum.

4. The Lherein described method of applying bands of`=elastic tire forming material to a- tire build-ing* drum- w'h-icli comprises»A forming an end' less bandy ‘of ‘saidfimaterial inserting said5 band into a ll'oll‘cnt` ‘cylinder having a-nv internal cir cumfer'ence fgrea-ter’tha-n 'the' circumference Yof the-tire buíldingidifumf'and 'greater than the cir cumference o‘f the band-and’ pressing circumfer ent‘iially-»spacedi portions loi‘tlfi’e‘ lband »radiallyV out wardly against'the interior of’ sai’cl’ïcylinder,` ro tating-"said ycylinder and’ band to' apply centrifu gal-'force'tolsaidlband to 'expand the same-*against the-interior of‘tlfiei cylinder, positioning the tire building» drum-Within ̀ the ¿cylinder »andi expanded band While llh‘efband islheld‘ by centrifugal?A force againsttlieiïiriterior‘of’ithe cylinder, rotating said drum .at substantialiy‘the same speed as Athe cyl inder', and simultaneously ïdeceleratilng >the drum and cylinder ‘ït‘o ­`transfer theÄ band from theà cyl' ind‘er-toftne-drum„ `

5. Apparatus for? ‘placing preformed bands of elasticl ltire buildîing’lmateriaìl on- 'a tirebuilding drum comprising a transferA 'cyl‘iïnderoi greater diameter thari'thel‘drulr'n and' having anl open end to receive'the means ‘for placing a band within said v'cylinder ifi-*engagement the in terior surface thcreofy‘means for rotating said cylinder to ‘hold’ the bandì byY centrifugal force against the> interior 'of the' cylinder, rand means for positioning the@ Within ¿the cylinder 4itc; receivetherbamdu' i' ‘ff ' » - '

anges@ ̀

9 É. Apparatus for placing preformed bands of

elastic tire building material on a tire building drum comprising a transfer cylinder of greater diameter than the drum and having an open end to receive the drum, a band holder having means for supporting a band in position to enter said cylinder and for expanding the band into en gagement With the interior of the cylinder, means

' for rotating the cylinder to hold the band against the interior thereof by centrifugal force, and means for positioning the drum within the cylin der to receive the band.

7. Apparatus for placing preformed bands of elastic tire building material on a tire building drum comprising a transfer cylinder of greater diameter than the drum and having an open end to receive the drum, a rotatable band holder hav ing radially movable band supporting members engaging the interior of the band, means for posi tioning said band and band supporting members within said cylinder and for actuating said mem bers to expand said band into engagement with the interior of the cylinder, means for rotating the cylinder to hold the band against the interior thereof by centrifugal force, and means for posi tioning the drum within the cylinder to receive the band.

8. Apparatus for placing preformed bands of elastic tire building material on a tire building drum comprising a rotatably mounted band holder having radially movable members engage able with the interior of the band, a transfer cylinder of greater diameter than said drum and movable from a position axially alined with said holder to a position axially alined With said drum, means for 'imparting relative axial movements to the cylinder and holder and to the cylinder and drum to telescope the holder and cylinder and the drum and cylinder, means for actuating said radially movable members to press the band against the interior of the cylinder, and means to rotate said cylinder to hold said band against the interior thereof by centrifugal force.

9. Apparatus for placing preformed bands of elastic tire building material on a tire building drum comprising a rotatably mounted band holder having radially movable members engage able with the interior of the band, a movable transfer cylinder of greater diameter than the drum, means for alining said cylinder axially with said holder and for telescoping said holder and cylinder, means for alining said cylinder axially with said drum and for telescoping said drum and cylinder, means for actuating said radially movablel members to press the band against the interior of the cylinder, and means for rotating the cylinder to hold the band against the interior thereof by centrifugal force.

10. Tire building apparatus comprising two stationary supports positioned side by side and having parallel shafts journaled therein and projecting laterally in the same direction there

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from, a tire building drum mounted on one of said shafts, a band holder mounted on the other of said shafts and comprising a series of angu larly spaced radially movable members having band engaging bars at their outer ends that are disposed parallel to the band holder shaft, a carriage mounted for movement transverse to said shafts adjacent their free ends, a transfer cylinder mounted on said carriage for successive axial alinement with said shafts, said cylinder being mountedfor axial movement and being of a diameter to receive either said holder or said drum, means for actuating said radially movable members to expand the` band into engagement with said cylinder, and means for rotating said cylinder to hold a band by centrifugal force against the interior thereof.

11. Tire building apparatus comprising two stationary supports'positioned side by side and having parallel shafts journaled therein and pro jecting laterally in the same direction therefrom, a tire building drum mounted on one of said shafts, a band holder mounted on the other of said shafts and comprising a series of angularly spaced radially movable members having band engaging bars at their outer ends >that are dis posed parallel to the band holder shaft, acar riage mounted for movement transverse to said shafts adjacent their free ends, a, transfer cylin der mounted on said carriage for successive axial alinement with said shafts, said cylinder being mounted for axial movement and being of a di ameter to receive either said holder or said drum, fluid pressure operated means for shifting said carriage, for shifting said cylinder axially and for actuating said radially movable members, and means for driving said cylinder to hold a band by centrifugal force against the interior thereof.

12. Apparatus forplacing preformed bands of elastic tire forming material on a tire building drum comprising a rotatable transfer cylinder having an open end to receive a tire building drum, said cylinder having a central circumfer ential recess upon the interior thereof to receive a tread band, and a removable cylindrical cover for said recess fitting within said cylinder.

ROLAND I. KUFFLER.

REFERENCES CITED

The following referencesare of record ln the ñle of this patent: ­ '

UNITED STATES PATENTS

Number Name Date 1,455,250 Midgley __________ __ May 15, 1923 1,499,679 Midgley ___________ __ July 1, 1924 1,757,750 Stevens ___________ __ May 6, 1930 1,762,146 Abbott __________ __ June 10, 1930 1,762,824 Lehman _________ __ June 10, 1930 1,789,858 Backdahl ________ __ Jan. 20, 1931 1,921,594 Thompson _____ ______ Aug. 8, 1933 2,028,695 Stevens ___ ____ ___-- Jan. 21, 1936