AND OF A TOOL

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an assembly of a bead wire bundle manufacturing device and a tool.

A known bead wire bundle manufacturing device comprises three or more drum segments that jointly form a drum. In order to be able to manufacture different bead wire bundles on the drum, the drum segments need to be exchanged regularly with other drum segments, which for instance define a deviating diameter of the drum or are suitable for manufacturing another shape of the bead wire bundle. When changing the drum each drum segment is removed individually and replaced by another drum segment. Changing the drum segments is a very time-consuming activity.

It is an object of the invention to provide an assembly of a bead wire bundle manufacturing device with which the time needed for changing the drum segments can be reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect the invention provides an assembly of a manufacturing device with drum segments for manufacturing bead wire bundles for green tyres and a tool for removing or arranging the drum segments, wherein the manufacturing device is provided with segment holders each having a first coupling section, wherein the drum segments each comprise a second coupling section, wherein the tool is provided with a support body and third coupling sections that are distributed over the support body, wherein the number of third coupling sections at least equals the number of second coupling sections, wherein the mutual positions of the third coupling sections of the tool are a direct reflection of the mutual positions of the second coupling sections of the drum segments, wherein the drum segments are provided with coupling members, wherein in a first condition of the coupling members, the second coupling sections are coupled to the first coupling sections by means of the coupling members, wherein in the first condition the drum segments jointly form a drum, wherein, in a second condition of the coupling members, the third coupling sections of the tool are coupled to the second coupling sections of the drum segments by means of the coupling members. Because the mutual positions of the third coupling sections of the tool are a direct reflection of the mutual positions of the second coupling sections of the drum segments the tool can easily be aligned when coupling the third coupling sections to the second coupling sections, so that all drum segments can be coupled fast and easily by means of the tool. The tool and the coupling members are able to offer a basis for further automation of the removal or arrangement of the drum segments.

In one embodiment the couplings between the drum segments and the segment holders have been terminated in the second condition and wherein the couplings between the drum segments and tool have been terminated in the first condition. In that way in the first condition the drum segments are coupled to the manufacturing device and the tool is a separate individual part. In the second condition the drum segments are coupled to the tool and the drum segments are uncoupled from the segment holders, as a result of which the drum segments can be removed or detached by the tool.

In one embodiment, in a third condition between the first condition and the second condition of the coupling members, the drum segments are coupled to both the segments holders and the tool. In this condition the tool can be coupled to the drum segments, while the segments holders still bear the drum segments. In that way it can be prevented that the drum segments would already be uncoupled from the segment holders before they are coupled to the tool, which could result in a situation in which the drum segments fall down and get damaged.

In one embodiment the couplings between the drum segments and the tool fixate the positions of the drum segments with respect to the tool. By fixating the positions of the drum segments with respect to the tool, the drum segments can be placed back fast and easily in the same mutual position as the position they were in when they were removed. In that way it is no longer necessary to align or position each drum segment individually, which could result in gaining time.

In one embodiment, in the second condition the tool keeps the drum segments in the same mutual positions as in the first condition in which the drum segments are coupled to the segment holders. By fixating the positions of the drum segments with respect to the tool, the drum segments can later on be placed back in the same mutual position as the position they were in when they were removed.

In one embodiment the drum has a rotation centre line, wherein, when the tool is coupled to the drum segments, considered parallel to the rotation centre line a second coupling section and a first coupling section are situated straight across from each of the third coupling sections. In this aligned condition each third coupling section can be coupled to one of the second coupling sections.

In one embodiment each second coupling section is provided with a coupling member which with respect to the main surface of the drum segment projects on both sides of the drum segment, wherein on both sides of the drum segment the coupling member is provided with locking elements for locking the drum segment to the segment holders on the one hand and to the tool on the other hand. By means of the coupling member the drum segment can easily be transferred between an engagement with the segment holders on the one hand or the tool on the other hand.

In one embodiment each first coupling section and each third coupling section is provided with a first continuous coupling opening and a third continuous coupling opening, respectively, for receiving the coupling member. The coupling member can extend through the said coupling openings in order to lock on the opposite side to either the segment holders or the tool.

In one embodiment each first coupling section and each third coupling section is provided with a locking surface situated around the first coupling opening and the third coupling opening, respectively, which locking surface faces away from the drum segment. The coupling member can extend through the said coupling openings in order to lock onto the locking surface .

In one embodiment the coupling member is arranged within the second coupling section so as to rotate, wherein the assembled contour of the coupling member with the locking element in at least one rotation position fits through the first coupling opening or the third coupling opening and in at least one rotation position is situated straight across from the corresponding locking surface. The at least one rotation position may allow the termination of the coupling between the drum segment in question and the segment holder or the tool, while the other rotation positions are able to preserve the coupling.

In one embodiment the at least one rotation position in which the assembled contour of the coupling member with the locking element fits through the first coupling opening of the first coupling section is different from the at least one rotation position in which the assembled contour of the coupling member with the locking element fits through the third coupling opening of the third coupling section. The deviating rotation positions are able to counteract that in the same rotation position both the couplings between the drum segments and the segment holders and the coupling between the drum segments and the tool can be simultaneously terminated.

In one embodiment the tool comprises an actuator for rotating the coupling members. The actuator can facilitate the coupling of the tool to the drum segments.

In one embodiment the actuator is a spanner. The spanner may facilitate exerting force on the coupling .

In one embodiment the actuator is a driving part, wherein the assembly is provided with a drive for driving the driving part. The drive can automate effecting or terminating the couplings.

In one embodiment, at the location of each second coupling section, the tool is provided with an actuator for rotating the coupling members. The couplings between the first coupling sections and the second coupling sections can thus be individually or simultaneously effected.

In one embodiment the actuators are mutually connected in order to operate synchronously. The couplings between the first coupling sections and the second coupling sections can as a result be simultaneously effected, after which the drum segments can immediately be removed by means of the tool. In that way time can be gained.

In one embodiment the actuators comprise gear wheels, wherein the connection between the actuators is a geared belt. The geared belt is able to provide a mechanical coupling between the gear wheels of the actuators, as a result of which a rotation of one gear wheel can be transmitted to the other gear wheels via the geared belt.

In one embodiment the tool is provided with fixation members that support the drum segments in the second condition spaced apart from the second coupling sections. By fixating the positions of the drum segments with respect to the tool, the drum segments can later on be placed back in the same mutual position as the position they were in when they were removed.

In one embodiment the assembly further comprises a magazine and a plurality of tools stored in the magazine, which tools are similar to the tool described earlier, wherein the tools are provided with drum segments that are suitable to be placed on the segment holders. Each set of drum segments may have different characteristics, such as a different circular arch as a result of which bead wire bundles having a deviating diameter can be manufactured, or having another profile for manufacturing bead wire bundles having deviating shapes. By keeping several of such sets of drum segments ready in the magazine, the tool with the removed drum segments can easily be exchanged for another similar or identical tool with another set of drum segments from the magazine.

According to a second aspect the invention provides a tool for removing or arranging drum segments of a manufacturing device for manufacturing bead wire bundles for green tyres and a tool for removing or arranging the drum segments, wherein the manufacturing device is provided with segment holders each having a first coupling section, wherein the drum segments each comprise a second coupling section, wherein the tool is provided with a support body and third coupling sections that are distributed over the support body, wherein the number of third coupling sections at least equals the number of second coupling sections, wherein the mutual positions of the third coupling sections of the tool are a direct reflection of the mutual positions of the second coupling sections of the drum segments, wherein the drum segments are provided with coupling members, wherein, in a first condition of the coupling members, the second coupling sections are coupled to the first coupling sections by means of the coupling members, wherein in the first condition the drum segments jointly form a drum, wherein the third coupling sections of the tool are adapted for in a second condition of the coupling members being coupled to the second coupling sections of the drum segments by means of the coupling members. Because the mutual positions of the third coupling sections of the tool are a direct reflection of the mutual positions of the second coupling sections of the drum segments the tool can easily be aligned when coupling the third coupling sections to the second coupling sections, so that all drum segments can be coupled fast and easily to the tool .

According to a third aspect the invention provides a method for by means of a tool removing or arranging the drum segments of a manufacturing device for manufacturing bead wire bundles for green tyres, wherein the manufacturing device is provided with segment holders each having a first coupling section, wherein the drum segments each comprise a second coupling section, wherein the tool is provided with a support body and third coupling sections that are distributed over the support body, wherein the number of third coupling sections at least equals the number of second coupling sections, wherein the mutual positions of the third coupling sections of the tool are a direct reflection of the mutual positions of the second coupling sections of the drum segments, wherein the drum segments are provided with coupling members, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

by means of the coupling members in a first condition of the coupling members coupling the first coupling sections of the segment holders to the second coupling sections of the drum segments, wherein in the first condition the drum segments jointly form a drum, by means of the coupling members in a second condition of the coupling members coupling the third coupling sections of the tool to the second coupling sections of the drum segments,

terminating the coupling between the first coupling sections of the segment holders and the second coupling sections of the drum segments, and

by means of the tool removing the drum segments from the manufacturing device.

Because the mutual positions of the third coupling sections of the tool are a direct reflection of the mutual positions of the second coupling sections of the drum segments the tool can easily be aligned when coupling the third coupling sections to the second coupling sections, so that all drum segments can be coupled fast and easily to the tool.

In one embodiment, in a third condition between the first condition and the second condition of the coupling members, the drum segments are coupled to both the segment holders and the tool. In that way it can be prevented that the drum segments would already be uncoupled from the segment holders before they are coupled to the tool, which could result in a situation in which the drum segments fall down and get damaged.

In one embodiment the termination of the coupling between the first coupling sections of the segment holders and the second coupling sections takes place when the third coupling sections of the tool are coupled to the second coupling sections. In that way it can be prevented that the drum segments would already be uncoupled from the segment holders before they are coupled to the tool, which may could result in a situation in which the drum segments fall down and get damaged .

In one embodiment in the second condition the tool keeps the drum segments in the same mutual positions as in the first condition in which the drum segments were coupled to the segment holders, wherein the method further comprises the following steps:

placing the drum segments or similar drum segments that in the second condition are coupled to the tool or a similar tool, according to the steps described above in reverse order. By fixating the positions of the drum segments with respect to the tool, the drum segments can later on be placed back fast and easily in the same mutual position as the position they were in when they were removed. In that way it is no longer necessary to align or position each drum segment individually, which could result in gaining time.

In one embodiment the steps of effecting and terminating the couplings are successively carried out per drum segment. Preferably, however, the steps of effecting and terminating the couplings are carried out for all drum segments simultaneously. By carrying out the actions for all drum segments simultaneously, time can be gained.

In one embodiment the method further comprises the following steps:

conveying the tool with the removed drum segment coupled thereto to a magazine, and

storing the tool with the removed drum segments coupled thereto in the magazine. By keeping several of such sets of drum segments ready in the magazine, the tool with the removed drum segments can easily be exchanged for another similar or identical tool with another set of drum segments from the magazine .

The aspects and measures described in this description and the claims of the application and/or shown in the drawings of this application may where possible also be used individually. Said individual aspects may be the subject of divisional patent applications relating thereto. This particularly applies to the measures and aspects that are described per se in the sub claims.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments shown in the attached schematic drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows an isometric view of a bead wire bundle manufacturing device and a separate tool for removing parts of the bead wire bundle manufacturing device, according to a first embodiment of the invention;

figures 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A show the steps of a method for by means of the tool according to figure 1 removing parts of the bead wire bundle manufacturing device according to figure 1;

figures 2B, 3B, 4B and 5B show cross-sections according to the line IIB-IIB in figure 2A, the line IIIB-IIIB in figure 3A, the line IVB-IVB in figure 4A and the line VB-VB in figure 5A, respectively; and

figures 6-8 show alternative tools according to automated embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a tool 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention, for removing parts to be further described of a drum 6 of a bead wire bundle manufacturing device 4. In figure 1 the tool 1 is shown separate from the manufacturing device 4. The relation between the separate tool 1 and the manufacturing device 4 is shown in figures 2A-5B, in which a method is shown for by means of the tool 1 removing the parts of the drum 6.

The manufacturing device 4 is a part of a tyre building machine that is not further shown for manufacturing unvulcanized tyres or green tyres. For manufacturing bead wire bundles bead wire cores are wound around the outer circumference of the drum 6 into a bead wire bundle or bead. Subsequently an apex of rubber material is integrally formed on the bead wire bundle. The assembly of bead wire bundle and apex is removed from the drum 6 and transferred to the other part of the tyre manufacturing machine. The assembly of bead wire bundle and the apex will be arranged there in a turn-up area of a carcass package for a green tyre in order to impose a specific shape on the turn-up edge, with which the green tyre when used will connect to a rim of a wheel.

As shown in figure 1 the manufacturing device 4 is provided with a drive unit 40 and a rotation disc 45 driven about a rotation centre line S by the drive unit 40. The manufacturing device 4 comprises four translation drives 41-44 which are distributed around the rotation centre line S of the rotation disc 45 in steps of ninety degrees over the main surface of the rotation disc 45. The translation drives 41-44 jointly form a contraction device 46.

The manufacturing device 4 further comprises a first segment holder 51, a second segment holder 52, a third segment holder 53 and a fourth segment holder 54 that are each coupled to the rotation disc 45 via a respective translation drive 41-44. The contraction device 46 is adapted for with respect to the rotation centre line S moving the segment holders 51-54 in the radial direction inward and outward between a contracted position and an expanded position. In the expanded position the segment holders 51-54 are situated at a greater distance from the rotation centre line S than in the contracted position.

The segment holders 51-54 are distributed in steps of ninety degrees around the rotation centre line S of the rotation disc 45. Each segment holder 51-54 is provided with a support pin 55, a positioning pin 56 and a first coupling section in the form of a first continuous coupling opening 57. The first coupling opening 57 is defined by a substantially circumferential, bounding wall 58 with a circular shape that at least at one location, in this example at two locations, is interrupted by a recess 59 extending beyond the circumference of the bounding wall 58. In an alternative embodiment that is not shown, the bounding wall 58 is interrupted by inwardly oriented protrusions. In both cases the first coupling opening 57 has a key or index in the form of a recess or a protrusion as a result of which an object having a contour similar to the first coupling opening 57 only fits through the first coupling opening 57 in one or a limited number of orientations.

The manufacturing device 4 comprises a first drum segment 61, a second drum segment 62, a third drum segment 63 and a fourth drum segment 64 that in the placed condition in figure 2A jointly form the drum 6. Each drum segment 61-64 defines a circular arch of approximately ninety degrees along the outer circumference of the drum 6. Along the circular arch each of the drum segments 61-64 is provided with a contour or profile 65 that as regards cross-section corresponds with the desired bead wire bundle shape.

The drum segments 61-64 are dimensioned such that - when the segment holders 51 are kept in the contracted position by the contraction device 46 - they connect to each other. When the contraction device 46 keeps the segment holders 51 in the expanded position, the drum segments 61-64, considered in the circumferential direction, are situated at an intermediate distance D from each other. As a result the drum segments 61-64 span a larger outer circumference of the drum 6 in the expanded position than in the contracted position. After manu acturing the bead wire bundle on the drum 6 the drum segments 61-64 are contracted into the contracted position and the manufactured bead wire bundle can easily be removed from the drum 6 because of the reduced outer circumference of the drum 6. Unless stated otherwise, the description of the figures below relates to the situation in which the contraction device 46 keeps the segment holders 51 and the drum segments 61-64 connected thereto in their expanded position.

In the radial inner area of the drum 6 the drum segments 61-64 are each provided with a hollow pin 66 in which the support pins 55 of the segment holders 51-54 are accommodated. The support pins 55 bear the weight of the drum segments 61-64. The positioning pins 56, hidden from view in figure 2A, are accommodated in positioning recesses that are not shown at the rear side of the drum segments 61-64. The positioning pins 56 counteract rotation of the drum segments 61-64 with respect to the support pins 55.

In this example the drum segments 61-64 are formed like wedges of cake or circle sectors. A circle sector means a part of the surface of a circle that is confined between the circular arch and both radii extending from the centre of the circle towards both ends of the circular arch. In this example the drum segments 61-64 do not fully extend to the centre of the circle but only to the pins 66. In this case there is question of truncated circle sectors. In an extreme case the drum segments only form a narrow circumferential ring having a limited radial width. The segment holders 51-54 will then extend further outward for the drum segments to be attached to them.

As shown in figure 2A each drum segment 61-64 is provided with a second coupling section in the form of a second coupling opening 67 which, as shown in figure 1, is aligned with the first coupling opening 57 of the corresponding drum holder 51-54. The second coupling opening 67 is defined by a substantially circumferential, bounding wall 68 with a circular shape that as opposed to the first coupling opening 57 is not interrupted by a recess.

As shown in figures 1 and 2B in an isometric view and in cross-section, respectively, each drum segment 61-64 is provided with a coupling member 7. The coupling member 7 comprises a bolt 70 having a first outer end 71 and a second outer end 72. The bolt 70 is accommodated in the second coupling opening 67 and projects on both sides thereof with the first outer end 71 at the rear side of the drum 6 and the second outer end 72 at the front, respectively, of the drum 6. The bolt 70 is able to rotate within the second coupling opening 67 in a direction of rotation M about a rotation centre line R.

The coupling member 7 has furthermore been provided with locking elements in the form of a first locking pin 73 and a second locking pin 74 that extend perpendicular to the rotation centre line R of the bolt 70 and transverse to each other through the first outer end 71 and the second outer end 72, respectively, of the bolt 70. The locking pins 73, 74 project on at least one side, and in this example on two sides of the contour of the bolt 70, as a result of which at the location of the locking pins 73, 74 the coupling member 7 does not fit through the second coupling opening 67. The distance between the locking pins 73, 74 substantially equals the thickness sizes of a drum segment 61-64 and a corresponding segment holder 51-54 added together. The coupling member 7 is provided with a spring 75 that, at the side facing away from the segments holders 51-54, is confined between the main surface of the drum segment 61-64 and a spring ring 76 that is fixedly attached to the bolt 70 for with respect to the main surface of the drum segment 61-64 providing a bias on the bolt 70 in the spring pressure direction V.

As shown in figure 1 the tool 1 is provided with a support body in the form of a plate 10 having a thickness equalling the thickness of the segment holders 51-54 of the manufacturing device 4. In this example the plate 10 has an octagonal outer circumference. The outer circumference of the plate 10 may however also be shaped differently, for instance like a rectangle or a circle. In this example a recess has been milled in the centre of the plate 10 in order to reduce weight and to provide the user of the tool 1 with a good view on what is behind the plate 10. The plate 10 may however also be fully closed. The tool 1 comprises two handles 11 with which the tool 1 can be managed by a person.

In figure 1 the tool 1 is aligned by means of the manufacturing device 4 in a manner to be further described, wherein the main surface of the plate 10 extends parallel to the main surface of the drum 6. The tool 1 is provided with hollow, conical bushes 12. The mutual positioning of the conical bushes 12 is a direct reflection or the image of the mutual positioning of the pins 66 of the drum segments 61-64. The conical bushes 12 are open at the rear side for in a centred manner accommodating the pins 66 of the drum segments 61-64 therein. At the side of the plate 10 facing the drum segments 61-64 the tool 1 is provided with fixation blocks 13 having a width B that substantially corresponds with the intermediate distance D between the drum segments 61-64 when they are in the expanded positions . As shown in figure 1 the tool 1 further comprises third coupling sections in the form of third continuous coupling openings 17. Each of the third coupling openings 17, just like the first coupling openings 57, is defined by a substantially circumferential, bounding wall 18 that has a circular shape which in this example is interrupted at two locations by two recesses 19 that extend beyond the circumference of the bounding wall 18. In a projection parallel to the rotation centre line S, the shape and orientation of the third coupling openings 17 correspond with the shape and orientation of the first coupling openings 57. The rotation positions in which the assembled contour of the coupling member 7 fits through the first coupling opening 57 or the third coupling opening 17 are not the same so that the coupling member 7 at all times locks with either the segment holder 51-54 or the tool 1.

In the situation according to figure 1 the third coupling openings 17 of the tool 1 are situated straight across from or with the centre lines in the extension of the first coupling openings 57 and passages 67. The mutual positioning of the third coupling openings 17 of the tool 1 thus is a direct reflection or the image of the mutual positioning of the first coupling openings 57 and the second coupling openings 67 of the drum holders 51-54 and the drum segments 61-64, respectively.

As is shown in figure 1 the tool 1 is provided with a separate spanner 2 for operating the coupling member 7 of the drum segments 61-64. The spanner 2 is provided with a hollow cylinder 20 having a spanner centre line K. The hollow cylinder 20 has an inner diameter that is larger than or equal to the outer diameter of the bolts 70 of the coupling members 7. At a first outer end of the cylinder 20 the spanner 2 is provided with a handle or lever 21 for exerting a rotary force in a rotary direction L about the spanner centre line K. At the opposite outer end of the cylinder 20 the spanner 2 is provided with two recesses 22 that are adapted for accommodating the second locking pins 74 in there in a form-closed manner.

The method for by means of the tool 1 removing the drum segments 61-64 of the manufacturing device 4 will be explained below on the basis of figures 2A-5B.

Figure 2A shows a situation in which the manufacturing device 4 is operative. The rotation disc 45 is driven by the drive unit 40 in a rotation about the rotation centre line S. The drum segments 61-64 are arranged on the segment holders 51-54. The segment holders 51-54 are kept in the expanded position by the contraction device 46, as a result of which the drum segments 61-64, considered in the circumferential direction, are situated at the intermediate distance D from each other. In this situation the tool 1 is kept ready spaced apart from the manufacturing device 4 for after switching off the manufacturing device 4 removing the drum segments 61-64 in a manner to be further described .

In figure 2B the coupling between the first segment holder 51 and the first drum segment 61 is shown in cross-section. Said coupling is representative of the couplings between the other segment holders 52- 54 and the other drum segments 62-64. By means of the bolt 70 the coupling member 7 is inserted through the second coupling opening 67 of the first drum segment 61. The first outer end 71 of the bolt 70 extends through the first coupling opening 57 of the first segment holder ^" 51. The first locking pin 73 is situated at the side of the first segment holder 51 facing away from the drum segment 61. In the rotary direction M about the rotation centre line R, the bolt 70 is rotated until in a position in which the first locking pin 73 is not situated straight across from the recesses 59 of the first coupling opening 57, but instead, spaced apart from the recesses 59, abuts the main surface of the first segment holder 51. The first locking pin 73 of the coupling member 7 in this situation cannot pass through the first coupling opening 57, as a result of which there is question of a locking of the coupling between the first segment holder 51 and the first drum segment 61. The spring 75 pre-loads the coupling member 7 in the spring pressure direction V with respect to the first drum segment 61, as a result of which the first locking pin 73 holds the first segment holder 51 against the first drum segment 61 in a clamping manner.

Figure 3A shows a situation in which the manufacturing device 4 has been switched off. The rotation disc 45 has come to a standstill. The plate 10 is arranged in direction A on the front of the drum 6. The conical bushes 12 of the tool 1 extend over the pins 66 of the drum segments 61-64. As shown in cross- section in figure 3B the second locking pin 74 is situated on the side of the plate 10 that faces away from the drum segment 61. The second locking pin 74 in one position is straight across from the recesses 19 of the third coupling opening 17, as a result of which the second outer ends 72 of the coupling members 7 are able to pass through the third coupling openings 17 without being obstructed. In this situation there is not yet question of a coupling between the tool 1 and the first drum segment 61. The tool 1 is only arranged in an aligned manner on the pins 66 of the drum segments 61- 64.

As shown in figure 3B the spanner 2 is arranged with the cylinder 20 over the second outer end 72 of the coupling member 7. The recesses 22 extend over the second locking pin 74. In this situation the spanner 2 can be rotated about the spanner centre line K in the rotary direction L in order to rotate the coupling member 7 in the rotary direction M.

Figure 4A shows a situation that substantially corresponds with the situation as shown in figure 3A, the difference being that one of the coupling members 7 has been rotated over ninety degrees in the rotary direction M about the rotation centre line R by means of the spanner 2. As shown in figure 4B the bolt 70 has been rotated in the rotary direction M about the rotation centre line R into a position in which the second locking pin 73 is not situated straight across from the recesses 19 of the third coupling opening 17, but instead abuts the main surface of the plate 10. The second locking pin 74 of the coupling member 7 can in this situation no longer pass through the third coupling opening 17, as a result of which there is question of effecting and locking the coupling between the tool 1 and the first drum segment 61.

Simultaneously the first locking pin 73 has been rotated into a position straight across from the recesses 59 of the first coupling opening 57, as a result of which the first outer end 71 of the rotated coupling member 7 is able to pass through the first coupling opening 57 without being obstructed. In this situation there is no longer question of a coupling between the first segment holder 51 and the first drum segment 61. The coupling member 7 is biased in the spring pressure direction V by the spring 75, resulting in the bolt 70 shifting onwards in the spring pressure direction V and the first locking pin 73 passing through the first coupling opening 57. In this condition the first drum segment 61 is detachable from the first segment holder 51.

Figures 5A and 5B show the situation in which the steps of figures 4A and 4B have been repeated for the other coupling members 7 in order to uncouple all drum segments 61-64 from the corresponding segment holders 51-54 and transfer them onto the tool 1. The tool 1 has subsequently been moved away from the segment holders 51-54 in direction C, wherein simultaneously all drum segments 61-64 have been removed. The tool 1 with the drum segments 61-64 coupled thereto can subsequently be stored in a magazine for later use.

De drum segments 61-64 coupled to the tool 1 can be transferred from the tool 1 onto the segment holders 51-54 of the manufacturing device 4 by carrying out the steps described above in reverse order. As the tool 1 keeps the drum segments 61-64 in the same position they had on the segment holders 51-54, they can easily be aligned with the segment holders 51-54 when being placed back.

In the magazine several similar or identical tools can be kept ready, that have already been coupled to a set of four drum segments. Each set of drum segments may have different characteristics, such as a different circular arch as a result of which bead wire bundles having a deviating diameter can be manufactured, or having another profile for manufacturing bead wire bundles having deviating shapes. By keeping several of such sets of drum segments ready in the magazine, the tool 1 with the removed drum segments 61-64 can easily be exchanged for another similar or identical tool with another set of drum segments from the magazine. Alternatively the drum segments 61-64 can also be transferred to simple dummy holders in the magazine that are identically shaped to the segment holders 51-54 of the manufacturing device 4. The transfer takes place by carrying out the steps described above in reverse order, but then in relation to the dummy holders. By using dummy holders the tool 1, 101, 201, 301 can be kept free to be used for removing another set of drum segments 61-64 from other dummy holders. In that way only one tool 1, 101, 201, 301 is required.

The tools 1, 101, 201, 301 can be arranged on a carriage traversing a pre-programmed path through the factory between the magazine and the manufacturing device . The carriage may be provided with a robotic arm placing the tool 1, 101, 201, 301 with the drum segments 61-64 attached thereto or just the drum segments 61-64 in the magazine and exchanging them for another tool 1, 101, 201, 301 or another set of drum segments 61-64 kept ready on dummy holders.

Figure 6 shows an alternative tool 101 for removing the drum segments 61-64 of the manufacturing device 4 according to a second partially automated embodiment of the invention.

The alternative tool 101 according to figure 6 comprises substantially the same parts as the tool 1 according to figure 1, which are therefore indicated with the same reference numbers. The alternative tool 101 is provided with four sets of gear wheels 181-184 that are bearing mounted on the plate 10 of the alternative tool 101. The sets of gear wheels 181-184 are connected one to the other by a geared belt 180. The sets of gear wheels 181-184 have each been provided with a spanner recess 185 in one of the gear wheels that is situated in the extension of the third coupling opening 17 and has the same shape as the third coupling opening 17. The coupling member 7, which in figure 6 is hidden from view, can be accommodated in the spanner recess 185. The alternative tool 101 is provided with an alternative spanner 102 that is provided with a head 122 that is complementarily shaped to the spanner recess 185 which head can be fittingly inserted into the spanner recess 185. The alternative spanner 102 can in this way be used to rotate one of the sets of gear wheels 181 in rotary direction M, after which the rotation of the one set of gear wheels 181 is transferred to the other sets of gear wheels 182-184 via the geared belt 180. The advantage of the alternative tool 101 according to this second embodiment is that manual rotary action with the alternative spanner 102 only needs to be carried out once, whereas all sets of gear wheels 181-184 and the coupling members 7 accommodated therein are automatically rotated synchronously with the single rotary action.

Figure 7 shows a further alternative tool 201 for removing the drum segments 61-64 of the manufacturing device 4 according to a third, fully automated embodiment of the invention.

The further alternative tool 201 comprises substantially the same parts as the alternative tool 101 according to figure 6, which are therefore indicated with the same reference numbers. The further alternative tool 201 is provided with a drive motor 290 replacing the manual spanner operation. The drive motor 290 is operationally connected to one of the sets of gear wheels 181 in order to drive it in rotary direction M and driving the other sets of gear wheels 182-184 via the geared belt 180. The advantage of the further alternative tool 201 according to said third embodiment is that the rotation of the sets of gear wheels. 181-184 is automated as a result of which it can take place faster and is less dependent on the strength or skill of an operator.

Figure 8 shows a further alternative tool 301 for removing the drum segments 61-64 of the manufacturing device 4 according to a fourth fully automated embodiment of the invention.

The further alternative tool 301 according to figure 8 comprises substantially the same parts as the tool 1 according to figure 1, which are therefore indicated with the same reference numbers. The further alternative tool 301 is provided with four engagement bushes 381-384 that are bearing mounted on the plate 10 of the further alternative tool 301. The engagement bushes 381-384 have each been provided with an engagement recess 385 that is situated in the extension of the third coupling opening 17 and has the same shape as the third coupling opening 17. The coupling member 7 that is hidden from view in figure 6, can be accommodated in the engagement recess 385. Next to each engagement bush 381-384 actuators in the form of pneumatic control cylinders 390 have been arranged. Each control cylinder 390 is individually operationally connected to one of the engagement bushes 381-384 by means of one or more mechanical arms. The mechanical arms 391 convert the translatory motion of the control cylinder 390 into a rotary motion in the rotary direction M. The advantage of the further alternative tool 301 according to this fourth embodiment is that the rotation of the engagement bushes 381-384 is individually automated, as a result of which it can take place faster and is less dependent on the strength or skill of an operator.

The above description is included to illustrate the operation of preferred embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Starting from the above explanation many variations that fall within the scope of the present invention will be evident to an expert.