EXPANDABLE MANDREL HAVING ADJUSTABLE WIDTH

摘要

A rotatable drum (10) useful in the manufacture tires. Plural segments collectively defining the outer circumferential surface of the drum are divided into two sets (18, 20) one set being disposed on each of the opposit e sides of a transverse center plane (19). The two sets of segments are mounte d for selective positioning thereof axially of the drum from a location extern al of the drum to adjust the overall working width of the drum. Movement of the plurality of segments of each of the two sets of segments radially of the rotational axis (14) of the drum is effected by "slaving" the two sets of segments off a central mechanism which controls the radial positions of all the segments simultaneously and equidistantly from the rotational axis (14), while further providing for axial movement of the two sets of segments relative to one another while the segments are positioned at any given radia l location of the segments.