Abstract: An operating mechanism for tire press that includes upper and lower sidewall molds and a segmented tread mold assembly for forming the tread portion of a tire. The sidewall molds and tread mold assembly define a molding cavity with a central vertical axis. The press may be operated to move the upper sidewall mold together with the tread mold assembly upwardly and laterally away from the vertical axis to permit loading of an uncured tire carcass in the lower sidewall mold section and for removing a cured tire from the upper sidewall mold section. The operating mechanism or center mechanism includes a bearing sleeve, coaxial with the central axis and mounted on the mold carrier beam for the press. An outer tubular sleeve is slidably received in the bearing sleeve and extends there-through so that the lower end may be operatively connected to the tread mold assembly for operating the same.

Abstract: A tire curing press has a cross beam that carries the upper mold section and is moved to open and close the press. When the press is closed, a cross beam locking mechanism located in the middle of the cross beam holds the cross beam to the tire press base that carries the bottom mold section. The locking mechanism prevents bending or bowing of the cross beam which would otherwise adversely affect the quality of the tires produced in the press.

Abstract: A tire loader basket assembly for a tire press includes a frame; a plurality of loader shoes mounted for radial movement on the frame; an adjusting plate mounted for rotation with respect to the frame and connected to each of the shoes by a respective link such that rotation of the adjusting plate causes radial movement of the shoes; an actuating plate mounted for rotation with respect to the frame by operation of an actuating means connected to the actuating plate; and means for releasably connecting the adjusting and actuating plates together so that when the plates are connected, they rotate together by operation of the actuating means, and when the plates are unconnected, the adjusting plate can be rotated to set a movement limit for the shoes.