Method and apparatus for forming tire reinforcing layer

A method for forming a tire reinforcing layer, wherein a continuous strip of a reinforcing material comprised of a plurality of single cords or twisted cords is cut into reinforcing elements having a predetermined length, and the reinforcing elements are each joined to an outer circumferential surface of a rubber member supported by a rigid core which is being subjected to an angular indexing motion about its center axis, said method comprising the steps of:

• successively feeding the reinforcing elements onto the outer circumferential surface of the core from one side thereof, synchronously with the indexing motion of the core;
• and
• urging the respective reinforcing elements against the outer circumferential surface of the rubber member along their longitudinal direction simultaneous with rotation of the core, and thereby progressively pressure-joining the reinforcing elements to the rubber member.