Assembly for altering the diameter of transfer ring or drum apparatus through a broad range

In tire-building equipment having apparatus defining an outer circumference or an inner circumference to serve as a forming surface or as a circumference-engaging surface wherein the equipment includes two opposite ends and a longitudinal centerline, the improvement comprising:

• ramp members upon which the circumference-defining apparatus are mounted for movement radially toward and away from the centerline of the equipment wherein each ramp member includes one portion disposed adjacent one end of the equipment and another portion disposed adjacent the other end of the equipment;
• a thrust plate associated with the one end of the equipment;
• an actuator associated with the other end of the equipment, and the thrust plate and the actuator being mounted for movement axially of the equipment and toward and away from one another;
• a first set of intermediary members which are disposed between the thrust plate and the one portions of the ramp members disposed adjacent the one end of the equipment and a second set of intermediary members which are disposed between the actuator and the another portions of the ramp members disposed adjacent the other end of the equipment wherein the first and second sets of intermediary members are permitted to move relative to the thrust plate and the actuator toward and away from the centerline of the equipment and wherein the ramp members are permitted to move relative to the first and second set of intermediary members toward and away from the centerline of the equipment;
• and
• the intermediary members cooperating with the thrust plate, the actuator and the ramp members so that the axial movement of the thrust plate and the actuator toward and away from one another effects the movement of the first and second sets of intermediary members relative to the thrust plate and the actuator as aforesaid and effects the movement of the ramp members relative to the first and second sets of intermediary members as aforesaid so that the radial distance that the ramp members are capable of moving toward or away from the centerline of the equipment is compounded by the extent of the permitted movement of the first and second sets of intermediary members relative to the thrust plate arid the actuator and the extent of the permitted movement of the ramp members relative to the first and second sets of intermediary members.

In tire-building equipment having apparatus defining an outer circumference or an inner circumference to serve as a forming surface or as a circumference-engaging surface, respectively, wherein the equipment includes two opposite ends and a longitudinal centerline extending between the ends, the improvement comprising:

• ramp members upon which the circumference-defining apparatus are mounted for movement radially toward and away from the centerline of the equipment wherein each ramp member includes one portion disposed adjacent one end of the equipment and another portion disposed adjacent the other end of the equipment;
• a thrust plate associated with the one end of the equipment;
• an actuator associated with the other end of the equipment, and the thrust plate and the actuator being mounted for movement axially of the equipment and toward and away from one another;
• and
• a first set of guide block assemblies interposed between the thrust plate and the one portions of the ramp members and a second set of guide block assemblies interposed between the actuator and the another portions of the ramp members so that by moving the actuator and the thrust plate axially toward and away from one another, the ramp members are permitted to slidably move relative to the guide block assemblies of the first and second guide block assemblies to effect the movement of the circumference-defining apparatus radially toward and away from the centerline of the equipment between first and second radial limits of travel and the guide block assemblies of the first and second guide block assemblies are permitted to slidably move relative to the thrust plate and the actuator to effect the movement of the circumference-defining apparatus radially toward and away from the centerline of the equipment between second and third limits of travel to thereby accommodate an adjustment in the diameter of the circumference of the equipment through a relatively large range.