Abstract:
An apparatus for feeding and setting beads onto an assembly drum of a pneumatic tire assembling machine, comprising a bead servicing mechanism to support thereon a supply of beads, and a bead separating mechanism to effect successive transfer of the beads from the servicing mechanism to the assembly drum. The servicing mechanism comprises a plurality of parallel rods arranged in a single circle, the rods being provided with vanes uniformly spaced longitudinally of the rods. The latter are associated with a drive effecting rotation of the rods about; their axes between a position whereat the vanes are projected beyond the circle to separate the beads from one another, and a position whereat the vanes are retracted into said circle, providing for forwarding of the beads longitudinally of the rods.