Abstract:
An improved autoclave for curing retread tires includes a chamber with circulating air flow having turbulence generating devices located in a middle length-wise portion of the chamber. The turbulence generating devices include apertures to guide air from a supply duct into the chamber, and/or wedge-shaped elements or fins mounted on the interior wall of the chamber to disrupt the air flow and cause turbulence.
Abstract:
A re-treading method and an apparatus therefor, which are capable of winding a tread material on a base tire automatically and efficiently to realize an adequate joint condition of the leading and trailing edges of the tread material, are configured to take a photograph of a zone of the tread material including its cut position to compare the picture with a stored tread pattern image to detect a deviation amount between them, then moves the tread material or the cut position relative to each other by the deviation amount, next cut the tread material at the cut position after the relative movement, wind the tread material on a base tire, and unite the leading and trailing edges of the tread material. Alternatively, the re-treading method and the apparatus can detect a deviation amount of the position distant by a required tread length from the leading edge of the tread material from a predetermined pattern position near that position planned to be cut, cut the tread material at the at the predetermined position, wind the cut-out tread material on the outer circumference of the base tire while adjusting the length of the tread material by applying thereto a substantially uniform tensile or compressive force, and unite the leading and trailing edges of the tread material wound on the base tire.
Abstract:
A method and equipment for mixing hard granules into tire tread bodies and into sundry rubber strips and tread stock. Rubber stock is extruded into tread bands of a suitable shape which are rolled under control, in a suitable thickness and number of layers, in a circular process over a pre-treated tire, or other object. The tire is subsequently patterned and vulcanized. The hard granules are distributed according to a predetermined configuration onto at least part of the surface of the extruded rubber tread band before the next layer is rolled in a circular process onto the pre-treated tire, using dedicated equipment so that the granules will be mixed into the patterned wearing surface of the tire after profiling and vulcanization.
Abstract:
An apparatus for applying tread material onto a tire is provided and applies uncured tread material to the carcass of a tire having a tread surface and a flank. The apparatus includes an extruder for extruding a selected one of a rubber and a synthetic material mixture and a first applicator device orientable toward the tread surface of the carcass. The apparatus also includes a second applicator device disposed adjacent the first applicator device and orientable toward the flank of the carcass. The apparatus further includes an extrusion nozzle extending between the first applicator device and the second applicator device for passage therethrough of the mixture extruded by the extruder.
Abstract:
An air removal and fastener extraction system for use in retreading tires is disclosed. The system includes a strap that is disposed over a splice region of the tread during precure retreading. A plurality of fasteners are inserted through the strap and across the splice. This securely holds the splice region intact, allows air to be vented during curing, and permits removal of all fasteners in a single pulling motion exerted on the strap after the curing process is completed.
Abstract:
An apparatus for manufacturing a recapped tire includes: a vulcanizer in which is filled a fluid for vulcanization for adhering by vulcanization a base tire and a tread; a rim to which the base tire is mounted; an envelope which is annular and covers an outer periphery of the base tire; suction means for sucking air from between the base tire and the envelope; a tube which is annular and expandable and contractible, the tube being provided at a portion of the rim corresponding to an outer side of the base tire along a tire axial direction, and pushing the envelope against a bead portion of the base tire; a stopper provided at a portion of the rim corresponding to an inner side of the base tire along the tire axial direction, and preventing movement of the bead portion toward the inner side of the base tire along the tire axial direction; and internal pressure providing means for providing internal pressure to the tube so as to inflate the tube. Accordingly, adhesion by vulcanization of the tread can be effected in a short time without shortcomings in manufacturing.
Abstract:
A vulcanized rubber device to envelop a tire being recapped or retreaded, when place in an autoclave to vulcanize the rubber strip cemented between the new tread and the treated tire. This device, has an annular form, with a "U" section, whose lateral surfaces (5), are provided with a hole (2) and (4), and surrounding a circular opening (3), but has a new feature; a ring with grooves (1), on the inside of each internal lateral surface (4) and (5), forming radiating furrows.
Abstract:
A split ring assembly for sealing an envelope against a bead of a tire to be retreaded includes a one-piece split metal ring having aligned overlapping end portions in the form of an interfitting fork and tongue. Laterally offset circumferentially overlapping arcuate slide bars welded side-by-side to the inner peripheral surface of the split ring, respective overlapping ends, and surrounded by a metal U-strap guide maintaining alignments of the contraction of the split ring. A lever pivoted at one end to one of the overlapped ends of the split ring is pivotably coupled radially outward of the pivot axis of that end of the lever to a turnbuckle whose opposite end is pivotably coupled to the other of the overlapped ends of the sealing ring such that rotation of the lever about its pivot axis causes the overlapped ends of the split ring to move towards each other, against the bias of the resilient split ring contacting the split ring radially and permitting the split ring assembly to be mounted inside of a tire at one side wall after contraction radially, against the bead of the tire, whereby release of the lever permits seal of an interposed envelope, against that bead.
Abstract:
In a method and apparatus for securing a pre-cured tread to a tire during vulcanization to retread the tire, a sealing grid having annular rings disposed thereon to contact the sides of an envelope disposed about the tread and against the sides of the tire to cause a seal therebetween wherein said grids are easily joinable to effect such seal without the need of the tire being mounted on a rim or being inflated.
Abstract:
A device for simultaneously supporting a tire which is to be recapped and for applying hermetically against the sidewalls of said tire a flexible sheathing which is connected to a source of vacuum comprises support means for supporting the tire by its beads and for varying the distance between the beads; annular means intended to be applied against the flexible sheathing in the region of the sidewalls of the tire; bearing means supporting both said support means and said annular means, said bearing means facing each other with an adjustable axial distance between them; and connecting means connecting said bearing means to each other and making it possible to vary the distance between said bearing means.