Device for connecting together steel cord inserts for vehicle tires

In a device for connecting steel cord web sections, of steel cord webs having steel threads disposed in the longitudinal direction, to form a steel cord web with steel threads disposed at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the original steel cord web, said device comprising:

• a conveyor belt means having a plurality of narrow belts for feeding the steel cord web sections;
• retaining means for clamping the seam portions of the steel cord web sections to be connected;
• and
• means for bringing together and joining, at a connecting point, the connection faces of the same portions of the steel cord sections to be connected;
• the improvement wherein the conveyor belt means comprises an incoming conveyor belt having an upper section extending beneath the connection point, an outgoing conveyor belt having a plurality of narrow belts spaced with respect to one another for advancing the steel cord web which is produced, the outgoing conveyor belt extending beneath the connection point;
• wherein the incoming conveyor belt and the outgoing conveyor belt interlock with one another beneath the connection point;
• and
• wherein the retaining means is positioned above the conveyor belt means, said retaining means comprising incoming and outgoing pusher belts having a plurality of narrow belts spaced with respect to one another, the incoming pusher belt and the outgoing pusher belt interlocking with one another above the connection point, said device further including drive means for driving said conveyor belt means wherein the incoming conveyor belt and the incoming pusher belt and the outgoing conveyor belt and the outgoing pusher belt are drivable in pairs, said pairs being drivable in synchronism, and the size of the gap between the conveyor belt means and the retaining means cooperating therewith is determined by the thickness of the steel cord web section or the steel cord web such that the web section and web are clamped between the conveyor belt means and the retaining means.