A deforming apparatus (10) for a steel wire (W) for a bead core (X) includes a deforming roller (12), a guide device (20), and a deforming amount changing device (30). The deforming roller (12) is arranged upstream of a molding drum (50), which molds the bead core (X) by winding the steel wire (W). The steel wire (W) is mounted on the deforming roller (12) in a curved manner such that the deforming roller (12) deforms the steel wire (W). The guide device (20) is arranged upstream of the deforming roller (12) and guides the steel wire (W) to the deforming roller (12). The deforming amount changing device (30) changes the amount by which the steel wire (W) is mounted on the deforming roller (12) in a curved manner by moving the guide device (20) with respect to the deforming roller (12).

A bead member manufacturing method for manufacturing a bead member by forming an annular bead filler in an outer peripheral side of an annular bead core includes a step of arranging the bead core on a forming surface of a forming table, a step of forming a first bead filler portion by winding a first rubber in an area closer to an outer side in a width direction than a side surface which does not face toward the forming surface in the outer peripheral surface of the arranged bead core, a step of turning over and rearranging the bead core and the first bead filler portion on the forming surface, and a step of forming a second bead filler portion by winding a second rubber in the outer peripheral sides of the bead core and the first bead filler portion so as to form the bead filler.

A winding device is provided that includes a base plate that is rotated by a rotary shaft and segments. With rotation of the base plate, a wire is wound on the outer circumference of the segments, which rotate integrally with the base plate, to form a bead ring. The winding device includes an manipulation shaft that is rotated by a handle, and conversion mechanisms that are provided between the manipulation shaft and each of the segments The conversion mechanisms transmit and convert rotation of the manipulation shaft to movement of each segment in the radial direction of the base plate.

The present embodiments provide an apparatus for forming a tire bead. The apparatus may comprise a rotatable bead former having a front portion and a back portion. The rotatable bead former may comprise a first step with a first diameter, the first step having at least a first bead-engaging surface circumnavigating an axis and configured to receive a first tire bead, and a second step located closer to the back portion than the first step, the second step having a second diameter different than the first diameter, and the second step having a second bead-engaging surface circumnavigating the axis and configured to receive a second tire bead.

The present embodiments provide an apparatus for facilitating the forming of a bead. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a rotatable base and a first movable support, wherein the first movable support is radially moveable with respect to the base. A first protrusion extends from the first movable support, and the first protrusion has a first bead-engaging surface. A position control device is coupled to the first movable support and configured to control the radial position of the movable support with respect to the base. A first fastening portion is located on the first movable support. The first fastening portion is configured to facilitate the attachment of the first protrusion to the first movable support.

A winding apparatus winds a wire around the circumference of a circular former and lays out the wire in an arrangement of columns and rows to form a bead ring. A roller for pressing a wire positioned on the circumference of the former is located on an apparatus frame and movable in a direction along the columns of the wire and a direction along the rows of the wire. A circular cam having cam surfaces is supported by a camshaft that rotates in synchronism with rotation of the former. A cam follower is engaged with the cam surfaces of the cam and moved integrally with the roller in the direction along the columns of the wire and the direction along the rows of the wire. Thus, the cam surfaces act to move the roller in the direction along the columns of the wire.

A winding unit is formed in an annular pattern along the outer circumferential surface of a rotary body rotatable about a shaft. The winding unit has multiple alignment grooves in which a wire is wound and turns of the wire are aligned. The winding unit is provided with an ungrooved part formed to straddle the alignment grooves.

A method and apparatus for forming an apex or an apex in combination with a bead, the method comprising the steps of: winding a strip of rubber onto a rotatable platen to form an apex, wherein the rotatable platen may further include a radially expandable bead chuck for supporting a bead. The rotatable platen may optionally include a nonstick coating such as titanium nitride and optionally include one or more radially oriented bars. The optional one or more radially oriented bars may be movable into a first position flush with the outer surface of the platen, and movable into a second position that preferably is nonflush and protrudes from the outer surface of the platen. The rotatable platen is further optionally retractable from the bead chuck to facilitate removal of the apex from the apparatus.