Transfer ring with block and rail system

A transfer ring to use in the manufacture of vehicle tires, the transfer ring comprising:

• a circular frame;
• a plurality of driven linkages coupled to the circular frame and configured to be movable between a contracted position and an expanded position, each of the driven linkages comprising:
• a first member coupled to the circular frame,
• a second member coupled to the first member, and
• a third member coupled to the first member;
• a drive member disposed along the circular frame, the drive member being coupled to each of the second members and configured to drive the driven linkages between the contracted position and the expanded position;
• and
• a plurality of shoes having arcuate interior surfaces facing substantially radially inwardly toward a central axis to collectively define a substantially cylindrical segmented gripping surface, each of the shoes being coupled to one of the third members so as to selectively move toward and away from the central axis;
• and
• a plurality of block-and-rail cam followers, each of the block-and-rail cam followers being coupled between the circular frame and one of the third members and configured such that a rail portion extends both radially and circumferentially along the circular frame to limit movement of the arcuate surface to linear movement radially toward and away from the central axis in relation to the circular frame.