Method and apparatus for use in the production of pneumatic tyres

942,185. Shearing. DUNLOP RUBBER CO. Ltd. April 11, 1960 [May 8, 1959], No. 15793/59. Heading B3W. A shear for severing from a continuous strip of rubberized fabric A having parallel cords 12 but no weft a tyre-building ply having inclined ends, comprises a pair of tungstencarbide &c. blades 2, 3 one of which has a notch 8 in its cutting edge 7 for each cord, the notches having stopfaces 10 perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the cutting edge, and a clamp 4 for securing the strip, movement of one blade relatively to the other forcing each cord into a notch, bending it until it contacts the stop-face 10, and then shearing the cord. After shearing, the bent ends of the brass-plated steel cords return to their original position, providing fabric (only the cords are shown) with inclined ends in which the cord ends are square. The cutter 3 has components of movement in the horizontal and vertical to deflect the cord ends against the straight or curved stop-faces 10. Downward bending of the cords may be avoided if the bases of the notches 8 are level with the table 1 and the stop-faces 10 project above the table. A disc-cutter may replace cutter 3.