Abstract: The known tire vulcanizing machine of the type in which upper and lower bolsters are disposed within a frame, upper and lower metal molds are respectively fixedly secured to the upper and lower bolsters, and a press mechanism for bringing the upper and lower metal molds into tight contact with each other under a pressure is disposed between the frame and either one of the bolsters, is improved so that a green tire loaded in the machine can be visually inspected up until just before the upper and lower metal molds come into tight contact with each other. In one preferred embodiment, a vertically movable pressure-receiving plate having a polygonal shape is rotatable between short-sized position in which it can vertically pass through a space between upper beams and a long-sized position in which it cannot vertically pass through the same. A rotary drive is provided for rotating the pressure-receiving plate about its center.

Abstract: A bladderless tire-curing press has upper and lower pressing disks cooperating with upper and lower bead rings. The pressing disks have circumferentially continuous outer surfaces engaging the beads and bounded inwardly by axial projections with conical centering surfaces which engage in recesses in the bead rings. The bead rings have projections engaging in grooves between the projections of the disks.

Abstract: A vented tire mold is provided that includes a segment member that has a surface that forms the tread surface of a tire and has integrally formed thereon projecting ribs. These ribs have side surfaces that extend perpendicular or at an angle to the surface of the segment member and serve to form a corresponding profiling in the tread surface of the tire. At least one venting gap having specific dimensions is formed in the segment member and extends along a line of intersection between the surface of the segment member and the side surface of the rib.

Abstract: In a tire vulcanizer, a single long-stroke cylinder is mounted at the central position of a top frame, and is supported to a mounting frame fixedly mounted on the top frame rather than being fixed directly to the top frame. Furthermore, a centering mechanism for a pressure plate is provided between the pressure plate and each of opposed side frames so as to adjust the levelness of the pressure plate with respect to both the longitudinal and transverse directions of the pressure plate.

Abstract: A method of making annular polymeric articles in which a workpiece is placed on a cylindrical shaping surface and is divided about the perimeter into alternating first and second portions. Moulding is done in two stages, the first stage including moulding the first portions, and the second stage including moulding the second portions interposed between the first portions at the same time maintaining the pressure exerted on the first portion, after which the workpiece is vulcanized. The mould includes a cylindrical core (1) having a shaped surface, mounted on a base and serving to accommodate the workpiece thereon, and elements (5, 6) for squeezing the workpiece arranged around the cylindrical core (1) alternately, the first elements (5) having each side surfaces (7) parallel with the axis of symmetry of this element (5), whereas the second elements (6) having each side surfaces (7) of the neighboring first elements (5) arranged at an angle (.alpha.

Abstract: An upper metal mold clamp device in a tire vulcanizing machine of the type that an upper metal mold is detachably fixed to a bolster by rotating clamp rods vertically penetrating through the bolster and provided with clamp claws at their bottom ends, is improved. Drive units rotate the respective clamp rods independently of rotation of the other clamp rods. Nuts are mounted onto the bolster plate in an unrotatable but vertically movable manner, and threadedly engaged with male screws at the upper portions of the clamp rods. Hollow spaces for accommodating the clamp claws are formed around the clamp rods on the bottom surface of an upper heat plate held in contact with the upper metal mold.

Abstract: A metal mold centering and clamping device in a tire vulcanizing machine has hydraulic cylinders each having a piston rod equipped with a non-directional bearing at its top portion. The cylinders are mounted on a vulcanizing machine frame close to an outer circumference of a metal mold. An outside portion of a centering member is connected to the vulcanizing machine frame via parallel links to form a parallel linkage, and a bottom portion of the same centering member is connected to the piston rod via a link. On the inside of the centering member and on the outer circumference of a lower metal mold are respectively formed centering surfaces opposed to each other. In addition, at an upper portion of the inside surface of the centering member is formed a clamp claw adapted to be engaged with the edge of the lower metal mold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retreading a tire includes a mold segment (14) having open ends (16) and (18). A tire carcass (10) has a layer of uncured rubber (12) built up on the surface thereof. The mold (14) is disposed therearound with ribs (20) resting on the surface thereof. A semi-flexible cap (24) is disposed over the ends (16) and (18) which are separated by a gap (20). An elastic strap (26) is then wrapped about the assembly to secure the mold (14) to the built up tire carcass (10). An envelope (28) is then wrapped about the assembled tire carcass (10) to provide a radially inward force thereto. The whole assembly is then cured in a curing oven.

Abstract: The invention relates to form carrier and actuating construction for the vulcanizing machine of rubber tires for motor vehicles, wherein the vertically moveable upper part contains a catch-ring connected to the dome of the vulcanizing machine, an upper plate fitting thereto, a locking ring, furtheron form-segments defining the daylight and upper form-half, while the fixed bottom part includes the base plate and the lower form-half fixed thereto. The construction according to the invention can be characterized in that the form-segments (16) are fixed exchangeably to the gliding segments (4) which can be guided ascew in the guide rails having been formed on the inner conical or pyramidal surface of the locking ring (3) and the gliding segments (4) are connected to the upper plate (1) with the insertion of horizontal guide elements and on the locking ring (3) there is a correction (11) provided with set-screws (10) and fixing screws gap between the catch ring (5) and the upper plate (1).

Abstract: A steam done type vertical tire press includes an upper dome for holding an upper mold through an upper mold mounting member and a lower dome for holding a lower mold through a lower mold mounting member. The upper dome and the lower dome are abutted at respective connection edges. A dome ring is engagable with the connection edges of the upper and lower domes. A central mechanism is vertically movably located at a central position of the lower mold mounting member. A mold clamping cylinder has a pressure rod connected to the lower mold mounting member. A cylinder support extends downwardly from the lower dome through a press base for supporting the mold clamping cylinder. A mold height adjusting device is provided outside a dome space defined by the upper and lower domes for adjusting a height between the upper and lower molds.

Abstract: A method of making a solid core locatable between a wheel rim and a tire fitted to the rim, includes introducing a foamable composition into a mould cavity having a substantially inflexible mould surface. The cavity is suitably shaped so that a core locatable between a wheel rim and a tire fitted to the rim can be moulded therein. The composition is allowed to foam, thereby to fill the mould cavity. Air and excess composition is allowed to vent from the cavity via an elongate vent slit extending along a major portion of the cavity. The foamed core thus moulded in the cavity is removed from the cavity on the composition having set at least partially.

Abstract: Apparatus for the pressure-forming and curing of polymer products incorporates two moulds (1) and a forming device, the moulds (1) being sturdily linked to each other with provision for setting the separating distance as required and for revolving on a fulcrum pin (9) so that the material of a circular product can be wound therearound. The moulds (1) are semicylinders which face each other with their flat sides and are sturdily interlinked by two parallel plates (2) so as to form integrally therewith a sturdy building core having a contoured outside surface. The forming device is a girdling structure which embraces the semicylinders (1) and the plates (2) circumferentially and is made up of at least two elements at least one whereof is located with provision for radial displacement in the course of pressure-forming.

Abstract: A mold for molding and vulcanizing a rubber tire comprises a rigid core defining an interior surface of the tire, two side parts and a peripheral ring divided into a plurality of segments. In order to be able to close the mold, all the members are designed to slide on each other during final phase of their closing movement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vulcanizing mold for elastomeric or plastomeric to toroidal articles, comprising, a first cheek and a second cheek being axially opposed to each other, the first cheek and the second cheek delimit the flanks of an article to be molded; and, a crown of radially contractile and expansible sectors interposed between the first cheek and the second cheek which delimit a radially outer surface of the article to be molded, the sectors comprising two connected pieces wherein a first connected piece is a matrix that has a radially inner surface substantially corresponding to a portion of the crown surface of the article to be molded, and a second connecting piece which is a support for the matrix that has a radially outer surface inclined with respect to an axis of the mold, the support having means for solidly locking the matrix onto the support and the matrix being freely movable with respect to a corresponding support in at least the axial direction along the coupling surface betw

Abstract: A split mold type tire curing mold includes a plurality of sectors mounted on the mold base and movable radially inwardly to a closed position wherein the sectors cooperate to form a closed ring for exerting an inwardly directed force on the periphery of a tire during curing of the tire, the outer surface of the ring being generally cylindrical in shape, and a closing ring carried by the mold top includes an annular base portion which is moved into engagement with the sectors as the mold top is lowered during closing of the mold, the annular base portion having movably mounted on the lower peripheral edge thereof a plurality of wedge members, one for each sector, which are positioned to engage the cylindrical outer surfaces of the sectors and are then driven radially inward by the closing ring to drive the sectors to and maintain them at their closed position during the tire curing process.

Abstract: A breach lock mechanism in a tire vulcanizing machine for clamping upper and lower metal molds under pressure is improved so as to reduce a number or parts, simplify a structure and lower a cost. The tire vulcanizing machine comprises a lower metal mold supported on a base, an upper metal mold supported from a bolster and adapted to be placed on the lower metal mold, an upper ring rotatably fitted around an outer circumferential portion of the bolster and having claws at its lower end, a lower ring supported from the base in a vertically movable manner and having claws at its upper end, first drive means for rotating the upper ring, and second drive means for vertically moving the lower ring.

Abstract: A vertically opening and closing type tire vulcanizer in which a plurality of vulcanizing molds installed on a vulcanizer frame are individually driven. A mold clamping mechanism and a mold height adjusting mechanism which are simplified in terms of construction are provided. A high rigidity heat insulating plate for transmitting a clamping force is interposed between a top slide and an upper mold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retreading a tire includes a mold segment (14) having open ends (16) and (18). A tire carcass (10) has a layer of uncured rubber (12) built up on the surface thereof. The mold (14) is disposed therearound with ribs (20) resting on the surface thereof. A semi-flexible cap (24) is disposed over the ends (16) and (18) which are separated by a gap (20). An elastic strap (26) is then wrapped about the assembly to secure the mold (14) to the built up tire carcass (10). An envelope (28) is then wrapped about the assembled tire carcass (10) to provide a radially inward force thereto. The whole assembly is then cured in a curing oven.

Abstract: A venting unit is inserted in a press fit within the air vent of a rubber article forming mold and is comprised of a cylindrical body member with an axial bore having a reduced outer end section forming an air inlet open to the mold cavity. Received for reciprocal axial movement within the bore between an inlet closed position in abutting engagement with the outer end section and an inlet open position removed from the outer end section is a heat absorbing piston or disc. The opposite or inner end section of the bore receives a vented plug in a press fit to form a radially inwardly projected shoulder and a spring is held in compression between the disc and the shoulder of the vented plug. During expansion of the rubber article, pressurized air in the mold cavity urges the disc to its inlet open position and is vented to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for making vehicle tires comprising filling a pair of discrete annular tire sidewall molds with uncured sidewall compound bringing the sidewall molds into contact, one on either side of a preshaped green tire carcass, positioning the assembly of sidewall molds and tire carcass in a tire curing mold, curing the tire and removing it from the curing mold and the sidewall mold.

Abstract: A vulcanizing mold for tires of vehicles. The mold includes an upper and lower sidewall part, and a closure ring that has a conical inner surface and is intended for a tread-molding ring. The guide mechanisms are provided on the conical inner surface for guiding, in a sliding manner, sliding shoes. Segments that form the tread-molding ring are rigidly connected to the sliding shoes. Sheets of sliding material are disposed on those portions of the conical inner surface that are subjected to pressure.

Abstract: A split vulcanizing die comprising lower and upper molding rings with the upper ring movable relative to the lower molding ring. A side molding ring composed of a plurality of arc-shaped segments is movable in the radial direction of the die, so that when all the segments are moved to their radially innermost positions, the side molding ring is placed in tight contact with the outside circumferential surfaces of the upper and lower molding rings moved toward each other. An outer ring having an inside circumferential truncated-cone-shaped surface is provided outside the side molding ring so that said outer ring can be moved in the axial direction of said die. Oblique dovetail couplings conjoin the segments to the outer ring. The oblique planar surfaces are provided on the circumferential outside of the segments.

Abstract: A mold clamp mechanism for a tire curing press, including a press base, a lower mold cavity provided on the press base, an upper mold cavity mounted opposingly to the lower mold cavity and vertically movable toward and away from the lower mold cavity, center mechanisms provided at the center of said upper and lower mold cavities, respectively, a lock means for releasably locking the upper and lower mold cavities to each other, and a mold pressing means located beneath the lower mold cavity for directly pressing same, the mold clamp mechanism comprising: means for resiliently supporting the lower mold cavity on the press base; means for fixing a lower mold in the lower mold cavity to the press base; and mold pressing means interposed between the lower mold cavity and the lower mold.

Abstract: A time curing press includes an upper mold part which is movably arranged by means of long-stroke cylinders relative to a lower mold part. Extending at a central area of the upper mold part and connected thereto is a vertical guide bar which is supported in a headpiece of the frame of the press. The guide bar is provided with a vertically adjustable not which is engaged by clamp jaws to lock the mold, i.e. the upper mold part with the lower mold part in the closed position of the press.

Abstract: A bar code configuration which may be molded in the sidewall of a tire and has even surface portions and uneven surface portions for selectively reflecting light from a light source toward a receiving sensor to define bars of a bar code. The uneven surface portions may have grooves or ribs with a sawtooth cross section and sloped faces for reflecting light to a receiving sensor at an angle to the sidewall surface. The bar code configuration for tires molded in a particular mold may be provided by an insert fastened to the mold and having even surfaces and uneven surfaces at the inner mold face to mold the even surface portions and uneven surface portions of the bar code configuration in the tire sidewall as the tire is being vulcanized. By changing the insert the bar code configuration can be changed to provide different information about the tire.

Abstract: A mold for molding tires having complimentary sidewall rings and mating with a split tread ring having two halves each being a single cast piece having the tire tread pattern indicia on the inside thereof and extending from the inside tread pattern all the way to the outside diameter of the mold.

Abstract: A mold clamp mechanism for a tire press with upper and lower molds, the clamp mechanism including a plurality of rod locking holes formed around the press center of the upper and/or lower mold; a corresponding plurality of clamp rods vertically received in rod receptacle holes in a fixed mold support structure, each clamp rod having a T-shaped head portion protrudable into a locking hole in the mold and lockable therein when the clamp rod is turned a 90 degree angle; a drive cylinder having rod operating arms connected to the piston rod thereof for movements toward and away from the clamp rod; rod rotating members mounted on the clamp rod and on one of the rod operating arms and engageable with each other when the piston rod is advanced toward the clamp rod to turn the same a 90 degree angle; and rod pull members mounted on the clamp rod and the rod operating arms and engageable with each other when the piston rod is further advanced toward the clamp rod after a 90 degree angle of rotation so as to clamp the

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retreading a tire includes a mold segment (14) having open ends (16) and (18). A tire carcass (10) has a layer of uncured rubber (12) built up on the surface thereof. The mold (14) is disposed therearound with ribs (20) resting on the surface thereof. A semi-flexible cap (24) is disposed over the ends (16) and (18) which are separated by a gap (20). An elastic strap (26) is then wrapped about the assembly to secure the mold (14) to the built up tire carcass (10). An envelope (28) is then wrapped about the assembled tire carcass (10) to provide a radially inward force thereto. The whole assembly is then cured in a curing oven.

Abstract: There is described a tire vulcanizing press, comprising a frame provided with a lower supporting plate for allowing a mold for vulcanizing the tires to rest upon, and an upper plate that is mobile with respect to the lower plate. The mold comprises a lower cheek, an upper cheek that is mobile with respect to the lower cheek, and a series of sectors, that are mobile with respect to an annular-containing element, each of which is radially mobile with respect to the upper cheek. The mold further comprises a connecting means for fixing the lower cheek to the lower plate, and the upper cheek and the annular element to the upper mobile cheek, and which comprises a series of rotating bodies on the lower and upper plates which are actionable from the outer side of the plates with respect to the mold.

Abstract: A mold clamping mechanism for a tire curing press, including a press base, a lower mold cavity provided on the press base, an upper mold cavity opposingly mounted to the lower mold cavity and vertically movable toward and away from the lower mold cavity, center mechanisms provided at the center of said upper and lower mold cavities, respectively, a lock mechanism for releasably locking the upper and lower mold cavities to each other, and a mold pressing mechanism located beneath the lower mold cavity for directly pressing same, the mold clamp mechanism a mechanism for resiliently supporting the lower mold cavity on the press base; mechanism for fixing a lower mold in the lower mold cavity to the press base; and a mold pressing mechanism interposed between the lower mold cavity and the lower mold.

Abstract: A tire vulcanizer wherein a movable upper mold is vertically moved and opened and closed relative to a fixed mold, and a ball-screw shaft construction is used as a vertically moving and opening and closing mechanism. Resilient buffer devices such as belleville springs or the like are resiliently supported on both upper and lower ends of the screw shaft. An improved slide guide construction for moving the upper mold up and down is also disclosed. A slide support is provided on an engaging end with respect to the guide of the slide, and the slide support is brought into engagement with the guide in such a way that a clearance therebetween may be adjusted.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention concerns presses for vulcanizing vehicle-wheel tires and in particular, those presses provided with a centripetal-type mold. For the purpose of optional heating of the sectors of the mold while avoiding heat-dispersion, heating-fluid losses, or any lowering of the temperature during the moving periods of the mold, there is provided, in the body of each sector, a network of channels that are connected, for example, through flexible tubing, to networks of the other adjacent sectors, in such a way as to realize a closed circuit with regard to the outside ambient, within which circuit the heating-fluid is permanently caused to circulate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming belt sleeves having grooves provided in either or both of the inner and outer surfaces thereof. The manufacture includes the provision of a preform laminate on an inner mold and the forcible urging of a constrictable outer mold radially against the laminate at elevated temperatures so as to effect curing of the rubber of the laminate in accurate conformity to the grooved configuration of the inner and outer molds. The entire assembly is carried on a central support post. Pressure plates are provided for urging the constrictable outer mold radially inwardly as the result of threaded advance of nuts on the central post. The grooves in the mold surfaces may selectively be arranged to extend parallel or circumferentially of the central axis of the post as desired to form either longitudinally or transversely extending ribs, grooves, etc., in the formed sleeve belt.

Abstract: A tire vulcanizing press which is constructed such that a die assembly is tightly closed by means of a press cylinder with a raising and lowering table disposed therebetween. A spacer is displaceably disposed between the press cylinder and the raising and lowering table so that a predetermined die closing force is transmitted from the press cylinder to the die assembly via the spacer and the raising and lowering table when the die assembly is tightly closed.

Abstract: An improved tire vulcanizing press includes an upper frame, a lower frame and side frames by way of which the upper frame and the lower frame are integrally connected to one another, wherein a lower die half is fixedly mounted on the lower frame and an upper die half is fixedly secured to a raising and lowering table adapted to be raised up or lowered by means of a raising and lowering mechanism fixedly attached to the upper frame in such a manner that the upper die half is displaced away from or toward the lower die half.

Abstract: A tire curing press (20) according to the concepts of the present invention includes a fixed base (12), a base beam (20) mounted on the fixed base, a lower mold section (L) for a tire supported by the base beam, a cross beam (25) supportingly mounting an upper mold (U), a beam lifting device (40) for effecting relative movement between the base beam and the cross beam, a connecting rod assembly (30) for aligning the upper mold section and the lower mold section, bolster assemblies (68, 80) positioned between the beams and the mold sections, and loading elements (75, 85) interposed between the beams and the bolsters for applying mold section squeeze forces at selected locations on the bolsters producing substantially uniform loading on the mold sections. The tire curing press may have in lieu of or in addition to the loading elements strain rod locking assemblies (100) selectively locking the strain rod (31) of each connecting rod assembly during the application of squeeze forces to the mold sections.

Abstract: A vehicle tire crown portion 10 including a tread 11 is injection molded and prevulcanized in a closed annular mold cavity 17 defined by a segmented outer mold 16 clamped together by a locking ring 22 and a segmented core 19 pressed against the outer mold by upper and lower pressure plates 25, 26. The core is then removed by disassembling its segments, whereafter a carcass 14 and prevulcanized sidewalls 12, 13 are placed in the central portion of the mold on an inflatable air bag 38 flanked by lateral mold section 39, 40. The vulcanization of the tire assembly is then completed, during which the sidewalls are joined to the retained crown portion.

Abstract: An improved tire vulcanizing press of the type including an upper frame, a lower frame and side frames by way of which said upper frame and said lower frame are integrally connected to one another, wherein a lower die half is fixedly mounted on the lower frame and an upper die half is fixedly secured to a raising and lowering table adapted to be raised up or lowered by means of a raising and lowering means fixedly attached to the upper frame in such a manner that the upper die half is displaced away from or toward the lower die half is disclosed, wherein the improvement consists in that a working cylinder, a spacer and a distance plate are arranged between the upper frame and the upper die half, said distance plate being adapted to move from the operative position in the vulcanizing press to the inoperative one located outward of the latter and vice versa, whereby vulcanizing operation is safely carried out with the minimized die opening in the event of malfunction caused with respect to the working cylinder.

Abstract: A vehicle tire crown portion 10 including a tread 11 is injection molded and prevulcanized in a closed annular mold cavity 17 defined by a segmented outer mold 16 clamped together by a locking ring 22 and a segmented core 19 pressed against the outer mold by upper and lower pressure plates 25, 26. The core is then removed by disassembling its segments, whereafter a carcass 14 and prevulcanized sidewalls 12, 13 are placed in the central portion of the mold on an inflatable air bag 38 flanked by lateral mold sections 39, 40. The vulcanization of the tire assembly is then completed, during which the sidewalls are joined to the retained crown portion.

Abstract: A dual cavity hydraulic tire press utilizes a single long stroke piston-cylinder assembly vertically positioned substantially in line with the center of gravity of the vertically movable upper mold sections, the latter being supported on the underside of the outer ends of a shallow V-shaped beam which is mounted for vertical movement on a readily removable column or post. In the closed position of the press the top mold cavities are locked to the base of the press by rotatable bayonet locks. Four short stroke hydraulic clamp piston-cylinder assemblies are positioned beneath each bottom mold section to achieve clamping pressure during cure. In one embodiment mechanical stops may be provided to achieve mold height adjustment and to preclude the molds opening significantly upon loss of fluid pressure to the clamping piston-cylinder assemblies. In another embodiment the clamp-piston-cylinder assemblies are mechanically adjusted to obtain the proper position for mold height adjustment.

Abstract: Multiple mold clamping apparatus comprising a plurality of mold clamping stations, each having a fixed die plate with a fixed die, a rest plate which is separated from the fixed die plate by a certain distance a movable die plate with a die opposingly facing the fixed die, and a moving device for moving the movable die plate, a hydraulic cylinder unit is slidably mounted beneath the rest plate and includes a piston rod defining an end surface portion for contacting the movable die plate, a power transmitting device mounted on the movable die plate for transmitting clamping force from the piston rod to the movable die, and a conveying device for conveying the hydraulic cylinder unit from one mold clamping station to another.

Abstract: An improved vulcanizing press for manufacturing tires is disclosed which is constructed such that a molding die assembly is clamped by means of a plurality of hydraulic cylinder units, wherein the respective hydraulic cylinder units are provided with a booster for serving to pressurize hydraulic liquid to actuate a ram slidably contained in a hydraulic chamber and a pilot operated check valve for controlling supply of hydraulic liquid into said hydraulic chamber or discharge of the same therefrom.

Abstract: A molding press comprises a stationary platen or die fixed in a machine frame and a cooperating movable platen or die positionable toward and away from the stationary platen for operation through a molding cycle. Cam slot and follower guide means direct the movable platen through a clamshell movement; and a scissors mechanism is connected between the machine frame and the movable platen with a reversible electric motor providing rotational force to the lead screw of the scissors mechanism.

Abstract: A dual cavity hydraulic tire press utilizes a single long stroke piston-cylinder assembly vertically positioned substantially in line with the center of gravity of the vertically movable upper mold sections, the latter being supported on the underside of the outer ends of a shallow V-shaped beam which is mounted for vertical movement on a readily removable column or post. In the closed position of the press the top mold cavities are locked to the base of the press by rotatable bayonet locks. Four short stroke hydraulic clamp piston-cylinder assemblies are positioned beneath each bottom mold section to achieve clamping pressure during cure and are provided with extended coolant passages between the clamp actuating fluid and the heat of the mold cavity to preclude degradation of the fluid employed.

Abstract: A hydraulic press having upper and lower hydraulically operated plates whereby the upper plate is movable with a long stroke cylinder and the lower plate is movable wth a short stroke cylinder. The press has a grooved load bearing rod which is attached to the upper moving plate and passes through the upper fixed plate of the press with a series of slots machined in the rod. A split ring and an especially ground shim are located on a bushing in the upper plate and in one of the ground grooves. A locking plate is attached to the lower part of the upper fixed plate and using a hydraulically operated cylinder has locking plates which move into and out of engagement with the grooved rod to accurately locate the position of the upper moving plate when the machine is stroked. This method of adjusting the horizontal position or parallelism of the plates enable very accurate positioning of the mold or dies which are mounted between the plates of the press.

Abstract: A quick release seal retainer (10,11) adapted for connecting a seal segment (13) to a base (12) has a clamp member (31) positioned within a slot (29) formed between a projection (28) of a mounting block (26) and the base (12). A pair of studs (38) slidably extending through a pair of bores (37) in the projection (28) have one end connected to the clamp member (31) and the other end connected to a bar (39). In one embodiment a cam clamp mechanism (51) is connected to the mounting block (26) for locking the bar (39) and hence the clamp member (31) at a position at which the seal segment (13) is clamped against the base (12). In another embodiment an over-center toggle link means locks the bar (39) and hence the clamp member (31) at a position at which the seal segment (13) is clamped against the base (12).

Abstract: A curing rim comprising two abutting, coaxial, relatively rotatable sleeves (11, 12), one having radially inward bosses (20) and the other having axially projecting hooks (21) which can rotate into engagement with the bosses to prevent axial displacement between the sleeves. A latch hook (30) is pivoted to one of the hooks and resiliently engages the apposed boss to prevent rotation between the sleeves. A push bar (24) is passed through a pair of loops (22 and 23) and has a projection (37) which can engage the latch hook to disable its function.

Abstract: A segmented mold for molding tire casings has a fixed lower mold part for molding one side wall of the tire, a series of molding segments for molding the tread movably mounted on the lower mold part to be slidable and swingable along radial planes, an axially movable upper mold part for molding the other side wall of the tire, and means cooperating with the segments to effect the movement thereof along the radial planes. The mold also has elastic members interposed between the fixed lower mold part and the segments for continously urging each of said segments toward an open position in which the segments are radially retracted and swung upward and to the outside of the mold to free a passage for the tire when the upper mold part is lifted off. These members include a first spring for pulling each segment radially outward and a second spring for tilting each segment vertically upward toward an open position.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding tires of vehicles, especially motor vehicles, comprises support means on which a multi-part form is mounted defining a cavity for molding a tire, wherein the inner surface of the cavity is defined by a split core and the outer surface is in part defined by an upper and lower mold part arranged at opposite ends of and coaxially with the core to define with the latter bead and side wall regions of the tire, with at least one of the mold parts axially movable with respect to the core, a plurality of mold segments respectively carried by segment carriers in which the segments have inner surfaces formed to define the tread surface region of the tire, and means for moving the segment carriers and therewith the segments carried thereon toward, respectively away from the core.

Abstract: A quick-release lock system for tire curing apparatus. The apparatus includes a lower matrix that receives the lower part of a tire to be cured, and an upper matrix that receives the upper part of the tire to be cured. The upper matrix is vertically separable from the lower matrix to receive the tire. A plurality of lock arms are interposed between the upper and lower matrices to secure such matrices together during a tire curing operation. The tire cannot be inflated unless the lock arms are each firmly secured in place.