Unusual Tools: Tire Buildup Tool

The roller on the tool pictured above has a flat surface around its circumference.  Founded in the late 1930's, the Sivon  Manufacturing Company still exists as "Specialists to the Rubber Industry" but now out of Perry, Ohio.  I emailed the above pictures to them, asking if they could identify the tool.  Here is the response I received:

"Hello. I have been told it was for tire build-up. Probabaly (sic) made for BF Goodrich. Of course it is no longer made by us-or wonder if it is even used. We manufacture equipment for the rubber industry now.They did that in the 40's also."


I don't know what "tire build-up" is and unfortunately the company representative didn't respond to my follow-up request for further clarification.  So, I don't know if this tool was actually used to mold tires, or was somehow used when fitting tires to rims.