Method and device for producing a toroidal road vehicle tire carcass
AssigneeBridgestone Corporation
InventorKarl J. Siegenthaler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and device for producing a toroidal road vehicle tire carcass having a toroidal frame rotated about its axis in relation to a winding device and defined by two coaxial annular beads and by a removable outer annular element located radially outwards of and centered axially in relation to the two beads, so as to define, with the same, two annular openings; the winding device providing for winding at least one cord about the frame along a spiral path, each turn of which comprises two portions, a first extending outside the frame, and a second extending outside the outer annular element and through both the openings.
Claims8
A method of producing a toroidal road vehicle tire carcass comprising two coaxial annular beads, and a number of elongated reinforcing elements located between and extending substantially radially in relation to the beads;
- said method comprising the steps of forming a toroidal frame for supporting said carcass, the toroidal frame comprising said beads and a removable auxiliary outer annular element located radially outwards of and centered axially in relation to the two beads, so as to define, with the same, two annular openings;
- providing a device for winding at least one continuous cord which includes a central guide element and a first and second lateral guide element and a carriage;
- moving the lateral guide elements from a first open idle position to a second closed operating position such that when in the closed operating position, each lateral guide element extends through a corresponding bead;
- moving said carriage along said guide elements with switching of said moving carriage selectively between the central guide element and the first and second lateral guide elements while simultaneously rotating the toroidal frame about its axis and in relation to the device for winding at least one continuous cord;
- winding said cord, via the movement of said carriage and simultaneous rotation of said toroidal frame, about the toroidal frame along a spiral path comprising a number of turns, each turn defining one of said elongated reinforcing elements, and comprising first and second portions, the first portion extending outside the frame, and the second portion extending outside the outer annular element and through both of said openings.
A device for producing a toroidal road vehicle tire carcass comprising two coaxial annular beads, and a number of elongated reinforcing elements located between and extending substantially radially in relation to the beads;
- said device comprising a removable auxiliary annular element adapted to be positioned radially outwards of and centered axially in relation to the two beads, so as to define, with the same, a toroidal frame having two annular openings;
- a winding device for winding a cord about the toroidal frame and along a given path including a carriage and guide means having a central guide element and a pair of lateral guide elements which are movable between an open idle position and a closed operating position such that when in the closed operating position, each lateral guide element extends through a corresponding bead;
- switch means for selectively switching the carriage between the central guide element and the lateral guide elements as the carriage moves along an annular path defined by said guide means;
- and a supporting and drive device for rotating the toroidal frame about its axis and in relation to said winding device, so that said path is a spiral path comprising a number of turns, each defining one of said elongated reinforcing elements, and comprising first and second portions, the first portion extending outside the frame, and the second portion extending outside the outer annular element and through both of said openings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.