APPLYING TREAD TO TYRE CASING; METHOD REGARDING EXPANDING THE TREAD AND TRANSFERRING IT ONTO A CASING

摘要

A method of mounting an annular tread (1) onto a tyre casing (2) comprises:- (a) expanding the tread (1) radially, (b) encircling the expanded tread with a transfer mechanism (30) having means (90) for holding the lateral edges (5) of the tread in the expanded condition independent of the centre (6) of the tread, and without contacting the radially inner surface (7) of the tread, and means (92) for circumferentially clamping the central portion of the tread to the casing, (c) centering the transfer mechanism (30) with the expanded tread over the casing (2), (d) actuating the clamping means (92) while holding the lateral edges (5) of the tread in the transfer mechanism (30), and (e) releasing the lateral edges (5) so as to transfer the tread to the casing without entrapping air between the casing and tread.