Thomas E Connor

US Patent:

60125004, Jan 11, 2000

Filed:

Jan 23, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/012251

Inventors:

Thomas M. Connor - Wilson NC

Assignee:

Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. - Akron OH

International Classification:

B29D 3026

US Classification:

156398

Abstract:

A bladderless former sleeve (100) is disclosed for a bladderless second stage tire building machine (102) having at least one bead lock assembly (116), the bead lock assembly (116) having an annular clamp (114) with an annular groove (112). The sleeve (100) includes an annular main body (104) having first (106) and second (108) ends, the main body (104) having a thickness. A bead (110) is attached to the annular main body (104) at the first end (106). The bead (110) has a thickness substantially greater than the thickness of the main body (104) at the second end (108). The bead (110) is sized to fit snugly within the groove (112) of the clamp (114). The main body (104) of the sleeve (100) is sized to substantially cover the bead lock assembly (116) or at least the bead lock shoes (120) of the machine (102) during operation of the machine when the bead lock shoes (120) are in a fully expanded position.

US Patent:

55248047, Jun 11, 1996

Filed:

Feb 14, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/388070

Inventors:

Thomas M. Connor - Wilson NC

Assignee:

Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. - Akron OH

International Classification:

B65H 2000

US Classification:

226 17

Abstract:

A lock-out device for an apparatus which guides strips of material toward a tire-building drum and which maintains the strip centered by compensating for minor variations in strip width. A pair of guide rails are adjustably mounted on a support housing and contain strip-engaging rollers which form a guide path for the strip moving therebetween. A panograph linkage is mounted on the housing and connects the guide rails for simultaneous movement of the rails toward and away from each other. A biasing mechanism, such as a spring or weight, biases the rails toward each other and the rollers into guiding engagement with the edges of the strip, and enables the guide rails to automatically move inward or outward to compensate for variations in strip width. The lock-out device includes a pressure-actuated piston which engages one of the guide rails, and when actuated, moves both rails apart and out of engagement with the longitudinal edges of the strip until the leading edge of the strip has been aligned and wrapped partially on the drum, and an angled front edge of the strip has moved beyond the guide rollers. The piston then is retracted and the biasing mechanism is operatively engaged with the guide rails to maintain the strip centered as it moves between the rails and around the tire-building drum.