Tire assembly drum is formed by radially movable segments at least one being axially removable and having a flat face

摘要

The drum(2) has an expandable diameter and radially movable segments(4) around the drum axis. Radially outer surfaces(11) of each segment form the drum surfaces on which tire components(9) are assembled. At least one of the segments form an interchangeable segment(5) which can be axially removed from the drum. A surface(6) of the interchangeable segment is flat. The interchangeable segment(5) is connected to a rotating mechanism which rotates it around an axis(12). On the opposite side of the interchangeable segment to the flat surface(6) there is a curved surface. An independent claim is included for a process for assembling tire components using the claimed equipment in which the drum segments(4) and interchangeable segment(5) are expanded to a greater diameter. A tire component(9) is placed on the outer face of the drum with the abutting free edges(7,8) laid on the flat surface(6) and then spliced together. The drum diameter is then decreased to allow the component to be removed.