A pair of annular inserts of elastomeric material is circumferentially applied by spiraling around a laying surface of an auxiliary drum. Then a plurality of strip-like elements disposed in parallel side by side relationship with each other in the circumferential extension of the laying surface is applied onto the auxiliary drum, so as to form at least one first belt layer. Respectively opposite end portions of each strip-like element are radially superposed, each against one of the annular inserts, so that each of the annular inserts projects from a respective end edge of the strip-like element. The cap structure formed on the auxiliary drum is coupled to a carcass structure through toroidal conformation of the latter, in such a manner that the radially external ends of sidewall portions previously manufactured on the carcass plies are associated with the axially external ends of the annular inserts.

A process and a plant for producing tyres for vehicle wheels are described. Building of a crown structure of the tyre includes building a crossed belt structure on a substantially cylindrical first forming drum, transferring the crossed belt structure from the first forming drum to an annular holding member, positioning a second forming drum in a radially inner position with respect to the annular holding member, transferring the crossed belt structure from the annular holding member to the second forming drum by radially expanding the second forming drum until it is brought into contact with the crossed belt structure so as to toroidally shape the crossed belt structure, and depositing at least one zero degrees belt layer on the second forming drum in a radially outer position with respect to the toroidally-shaped crossed belt structure.

A method for building belt assemblies for tyres for vehicle wheels is described. The method includes building a crossed belt structure on a forming drum. Depending on the type of tyre to be produced, the method selects whether to build a belt assembly having a cylindrical shaping or a belt assembly having a toroidal shaping. In order to build a belt assembly having a cylindrical shaping, zero degrees belt layer is deposited on the forming drum in a radially outer position with respect to the crossed belt structure. In order to build a belt assembly having a toroidal shaping, the crossed belt structure is picked up from the forming drum. The crossed belt structure is then toroidally shaped and transferred onto another forming drum. A zero degrees belt layer is then deposited on the other forming drum in a radially outer position with respect to the toroidally shaped crossed belt structure.

The invention relates to a belt and tread drum for manufacturing a package of a belt layer and a tread layer into a cylindrical tire component, wherein the belt and tread drum comprises two support surfaces which are arranged spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of said belt and tread drum and which face away from the drum centre line and are radially movable with respect to the rigid support surface from a retracted position in which the tread support surface is arranged at or near the rigid support surface, to a raised position wherein the tread support surface is arranged in a radially outward position with respect to the rigid support surface, and vice versa, and wherein the tread support surfaces are movable in the substantial longitudinal direction of said drum.

An assembly defining a portion of an arcuate outer surface of a tire building drum, the assembly including first and second interlacing deck segments coupled to a central support member to be moved in a radially reciprocating manner, each of the interlacing deck segments including a plurality of center sections coupled together, a plurality of first grooves between the center sections, a plurality of first finger portions extending from the center sections away from the central support member, a plurality of second finger portions extending from the center sections in an opposite direction over the central support member, and a plurality of second grooves formed adjacent each of the second finger portions, wherein the second finger portions are arranged in parallel over the central support member, and the first grooves in each of the interlacing deck segments align with the second grooves of the other of the interlacing deck segments.

A first ply and then a second ply, which is superposed on the first ply, are produced on a hoop-type first support. The hoop-type first support has a first receiving surface, to form a laminate. The first and second plies forming the laminate are transferred onto an annular second receiving surface of a core so that the laminate is wrapped on the core until each ply is closed on itself and the laminate is thus closed on itself in a ring about the central axis of the core.

A tire shaping drum has a central axle, a drum part which is capable of expansion and contraction, and a expanding/contracting means for changing the drum part. In the drum part, first segments having first end faces at both ends in the circumferential direction, and second segments having second end faces at both ends in the circumferential direction, are alternately seriated. There is provided with a backlash prevention means for preventing backlash between the contacting first end faces and second end faces when the drum part is in a diameter expanded state. Consequently, the first end faces and the second end faces closely contact with each other, and changes in the circularity of the drum part and the outer diameter of the drum part can be prevented.

In a process for building tires, a carcass structure which includes at least one carcass ply and a belt structure, is formed. Manufacture of the belt structure includes: forming a first portion of at least one cushion insert through spiralling of a continuous elongated element; forming at least one first belt layer in a radially external position to the first portion in such a manner that the first portion axially projects from one of the axially opposite side edges of the first belt layer, forming a second portion of the cushion insert through spiralling of a continuous elongated element in a radially external position to the side edge of the first belt layer and to a stretch of the first portion projecting from the side edge itself, so as to enclose the side edge between the first and second portions of the cushion insert.

A transfer ring for use in the manufacture of vehicle tires comprises a radially expandable and collapsible segmented gripping surface defined by a plurality of transfer ring shoes, each shoe having an inwardly-facing surface mounted for movement toward and away from a central axis of the cylindrical gripping surface. Each inwardly-facing surface has first and second side edges. Each side edge has a central portion configured to be substantially parallel to a central portion of the other side edge and forms a mid-portion therebetween. Each side edge has first and second tapered portions on opposite respective ends of the central portion. Each tapered portion extends outward from the corresponding central portion and toward a tapered portion of the other side edge. The tapered portions of corresponding ends of the shoe cooperate to form a end portions, with each end portion decreasing in width away from the mid-portion.

The invention relates to a belt and tread drum for manufacturing a package of a belt layer and a tread layer into a cylindrical tire component, wherein the belt and tread drum comprises two support surfaces which are arranged spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of said belt and tread drum and which face away from the drum centre line and are radially movable with respect to the rigid support surface from a retracted position in which the tread support surface is arranged at or near the rigid support surface, to a raised position wherein the tread support surface is arranged in a radially outward position with respect to the rigid support surface, and vice versa, and wherein the tread support surfaces are movable in the substantial longitudinal direction of said drum.