Apparatus for positioning rotary elements.

摘要

Apparatus (12) for positioning rotary elements (e.g. a tire 14) on a processing apparatus (10) includes a hub (20) for attachment to the tire processing apparatus (10). The hub (20) has an upper end, a lower end, and a plurality of tracks (61) which slope toward each other toward the upper end of the hub (20) and away from each other toward the lower end of the hub (20). An elevator motor (32) vertically movably couples a spider (38) to the hub (20). A plurality of shoes (50) equal in number to the plurality of tracks (61) is provided. Each shoe (50) is provided with means (62) for movably engaging a respective track (61) and means (48) for movably engaging the spider (38). Each shoe (50) is further provided with a surface for contacting the bead (66) of a tire (14). Actuation of the elevator motor (32) in one direction retracts the shoes (50) simultaneousLy vertically upwardly and radially inwardly of the hub (20) and actuation of the elevator motor (32) in the opposite direction projects the shoes (50) simultaneously vertically downwardly and radially outwardly to bring the tire bead contacting surfaces (70) of the shoes (50) into contact with the tire bead (66) and position the tire (14) on the Apparatus (12).