Abstract: An improved clamping mechanism for clamping the cover to the base of a tire curing press is provided. The clamping mechanism includes a plurality of arms located at spaced intervals about the periphery of the base of the housing. Each arm is articulated about a joint located between its ends so that it is length adjustable between an extended configuration and a shortened configuration. A drive mechanism is provided for engaging the clamping arm to effect articulation about its joint to extend and shorten it as required in order to facilitate release of the cover from the base member in use.

Abstract: A molding machine in which first and second mold bodies which defines a chamber in a closed position thereof are carried by respective first and second supports and are moved along a predetermined path of travel with a locking post having a locking element being carried by a first of the supports and a second locking element being carried by the second support and being moved generally transversely to an axis of the locking post, the locking post having a threaded end portion and a nut rotatable thereon for axially adjusting the position of the locking post, and a stationary guide bar being embraced by a generally U-shaped guide element carried by the first locking element to prevent rotation of the locking post and the first locking element during the rotation of the threaded nut.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a novel molding machine which includes the usual matrices and bead aligner wheels but additionally includes an expandable chamber adapted to receive a pressurized medium therewithin and thereby to expand and urge the matrices into intimate face-to-face engagement, together with locking means in the form of a plurality of locking slides for locking the matrices in intimate engagement.

Abstract: A process is provided for injection molding a vehicle tire such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,805,868 having a bead of elastomeric material. The mold has an outer envelope and an inner body having a core formed of radially collapsible sectors which combine to enclose a mold cavity. The inner body member has at least two annular elements, an upper and lower one, which are separable from one another and from the core along the direction of the core axis. The annular elements have surfaces which form axially inner surfaces of the tire's beads. The inner body member is also provided with members for blocking the annular elements with the core and with the envelope. The core of the mold is divided into two series of alternate collapsible sectors which are displaced radially inwardly when the tire is released from the mold.

Abstract: A body having rubber material thereon is positioned on a lower member, and an upper member is moved toward the lower member, such relative movement causing tread-forming shoes to move to inward positions to form a tread on the rubber material. As an alternative, the upper and lower members may be brought together, and rubber material may be injected into position to have a tread formed thereon. Upon movement of the upper and lower member relatively apart, the rubber material is made to remain in contact with the shoes, and the body is removed, whereupon an annular core having rubber material thereon is disposed on the lower member, and the upper and lower members are again brought together to deposit the rubber material in contact with the shoes onto the rubber material on the core.

Abstract: A body having rubber material thereon is positioned on a lower member, and an upper member is moved toward the lower member, such relative movement causing tread-forming shoes to move to inward positions to form a tread on the rubber material. As an alternative, the upper and lower members may be brought together, and rubber material may be injected into position to have a tread formed thereon. Upon movement of the upper and lower member relatively apart, the rubber material is made to remain in contact with the shoes, and the body is removed, whereupon an annular core having rubber material thereon is disposed on the lower member, and the upper and lower members are again brought together to deposit the rubber material in contact with the shoes onto the rubber material on the core.

Abstract: An upper half of a mold for vulcanization of tires mounted on a vulcanization press machine is composed of an inner mold portion and an outer mold portion. The contacting face of the outer mold portion to the inner mold portion is tapered to allow a downward movement of the inner mold portion independent of the outer mold portion. With the downward movement of the inner mold portion, the tire is easily separated from the outer mold portion due to deformation.

Abstract: A mold is provided for injection molding a vehicle tire such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,805,868 having a bead of elastomeric material. The mold has an outer envelope and an inner body member having a core formed of radially collapsible sectors which combine to enclose a mold cavity. The inner body member has at least two annular elements, an upper and lower one, which are separable from one another and from the core along the direction of the core axis. The annular elements have surfaces which form axially inner surfaces of the tire's beads. The inner body member is also provided with members for blocking the annular elements with the core and with the envelope. The core of the mold is divided into two series of alternate collapsible sectors which are displaced radially inwardly when the tire is released from the mold. Apparatus is provided for actuating the mold parts to disassemble and assemble the mold.

Abstract: A machine for automatically forging and thermoforming of hollow thermoplastic biaxially oriented articles has a carrier assembly to carry, lock and unlock forging dies, indexing means to move the carrier assembly and dies past a series of work stations, and an article unloading means. Three work stations are in the automatic machine: forging where the die parts are locked together and the workpiece is forged into engagement with the die; thermoforming to which the die with the workpiece (now called a preform) gripped therein is moved into register with thermoforming mold means; and article ejecting means which include mechanical means for unlocking the die and removing the hollow article therefrom. The carrier assembly is so supported that the strains of forging and thermoforming are taken up by frame tie rods rather than the die mounting means.

Abstract: A mold base has an annular support plate secured thereto and formed with a plurality of equiangularly spaced radial slots and with an external peripheral guide groove. A support structure on the support plate carries an annular base plate mounting the lower half of a cylindrical radially inner chill whose upper half is carried by an annular closure plate. An arm on the base pivotally supports a radial arm pivotally connected to the closure plate, and a toggle linkage is connected between the base and the radial arm. An operating ring is guided in the guide groove for angular displacement by a hydraulic actuator. Radially outer chill sectors are positioned on the base plate and carried by respective die sectors guided in the radial slots of the support plate, and bent crank links connect the die sectors to the operating ring. The die sectors have beveled clamping surfaces engageable with beveled peripheries of the base and closure plates upon displacement of the operating ring in a mold closing direction.

Abstract: A flip-over PCI which includes a rotatable or oscillatable frame having pairs of tire engaging rims mounted thereon, the inner rim of each pair being fixed to the frame on opposite sides thereof and including an axially projecting and axially rotatable lock shaft, the outer rim of each pair including a housing for the lock shaft. The lock shaft and housing are constructed for alignment and safety so that the outer rim cannot rotate with respect to the inner rim and the lock shaft can rotate with respect to the outer rim only when the two rims are adjacent each other when the tire is not inflated. The rotation of the outer rim is precluded by an interference between the two rims when closely adjacent each other and by an interference between the shaft and housing when the rims are separated. One or the other of such interferences is always operative.

Abstract: Apparatus casting for injection-molding car tires whose internal contour is determined by a core and whose external contour is established by mold shells which are, at least partially, provided with lateral shells movable in an axial direction, thereby the various regions of the tires being cast or injected in separate operations. The mold shells, in addition to lateral shells, are provided with external segments and at least two external segments of different shape are pivotedly attached to segment holders positioned around the tire being produced so that the segment holders are radially adjustable with respect to the tire under production.

Abstract: A press for the vulcanization of tires comprising a horizontal cross-member which is mounted in a cantilever fashion at one of its ends on a support having a vertical axis, and which is able to both pivot about and to slide along the vertical axis of said support. In order to control both the pivoting and sliding movements of the horizontal cross-member, there is provided a single control means associated with guide means comprising a cam follower member and a groove forming a cam having two end portions which extend vertically and which are one another offset vertically and angularly in relation to axis of support, and an intermediate portion progressively connecting the two end portions of the groove.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for automatically disassembling a tread ring from a centrifugally cast vehicle tire and then reassembling the tread ring after the tire has been removed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a novel retread mold which includes the usual matrices and bead wheels but additionally includes a cylindrical mandrel which forms an annular chamber adapted to receive a tire to be retreaded which when pressurized brings one of the bead wheels into forceful engagement with a locking arm carried by one of a pair of platens other than the platen carrying the last-mentioned bead wheel. Novel locking means include a threaded shaft carrying a nut to which is pivotally attached a plurality of locking arms cammed to a locking position with adjustment means being provided both relative to the locking means and to means which move the platens relative to each other to accommodate tires of different sizes.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing tires suitable for use on vehicles from elastomers, especially from rubber by injection-molding is disclosed. The apparatus has a multi-part cord defining an inner side of a mold cavity for receiving separately prefabricated reinforcements of the tire. The cord can be reduced in size to define the external periphery by relative displacement of individual parts for the removal of the tire from the mold. The mold core with the reinforcements is inserted into a multi-part injection mold by which the core is completely enclosed.

Abstract: A mold cavity for producing a pneumatic vehicular tire is radially expandable to form successive coaxial annular layers, e.g. carcass, reinforcing belt and tread, of the tire body. The mold cavity is defined by a stationary core, several outer annular mold walls alternately juxtaposable with the core, and a pair of opposite cheeks axially bracketing the core and the juxtaposed segments. The segments of each mold wall are movably mounted on a respective carrier ring and are radially outwardly retractable thereon to clear the cheeks whereby they can be axially moved into and out of alignment with the core. With successive operative positioning of segment sets of progressively increasing inner radii around the core, the mold cavity is expanded after each molding step preparatorily to formation of the next layer after partial hardening of the elastomeric material of the layer previously formed therein.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a retreading mold which includes a pair of relatively movable platens, means for supporting the platens during relative movement therebetween, means for imparting relative motion to the platens between spaced open and closed positions thereof, a matrix carried by each platen, the motion-imparting means including a reciprocal member, and means between the reciprocal member and one of the platens for effecting self-centering between the platens in the closed position thereof, the self-centering means preferably being defined by a curved surface between one platen and the reciprocal member.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a retread mold assembly which includes a base and a plurality of matrix segments which are movable relative to the base and in the closed position thereof define a generally annular cavity, spring-biased guide means normally urge the matrix segments away from the base, and pin means are provided and secured to the base for quick-disconnect coupling and uncoupling of the matrix segments to the base.

Abstract: Vulcanizer lock means for a vulcanizer of the type wherein a tire carcass is shaped and cured in a mold cavity defined between top and bottom mold sections which are respectively mounted on a vertically movable support member and a fixed support member characterized in the provision of a mold-embracing lock ring which at its lower end has a rotatable, but axially fixed, connection with said fixed support member and which at its upper end has radially inwardly extending lugs with bottom helical surfaces engaged with top helical surfaces of radially outwardly extending lugs of said movable support member when said lock ring is rotated to locking position, said lugs being circumferentially offset when said lock ring is rotated to unlocking position to permit vertical movement of said movable support member and top mold section for unloading of the cured tire and for loading of the next uncured carcass.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a retread mold defined by a pair of relatively movable platens, means for imparting relative motion to the platens between spaced open and closed positions thereof, a matrix carried by each platen, biasing means between each platen and its associated matrix for biasingly urging the matrices and platens to a position of spaced relationship from each other in the open position of the platens, and the spaced relationship being reducible in opposition to the force of the biasing means upon movement of the platens to the closed position thereof.

Abstract: A vulcanizing mold for pneumatic vehicle tires with upper and lower mold segments distributed over the circumference of the mold, for molding the tread surface of the respective tire to be molded, while the mold segments cooperate with rings for selectively moving the segments toward the tire tread surface to be molded. The mold furthermore comprises rings which mold the tire side walls and are provided with seating surfaces for receiving and guiding the tire beads. The rings for moving the segments toward the circumferential tire surface consist of two rigid pressure rings which are movably guided in axial direction of the tire to be molded and by means of pressure exerted from the outside of the mold upon the pressure rings are movable toward each other for moving the segment sections together and toward the circumferential area of the tire.

Abstract: An adjustable tire curing mold or matrix suitable for retreading tires of varying diameter. A plurality of rigid mold segments with adjacent segments joined to form a continuous annular mold of variable diameter, and means for compressing the mold segments inwardly about a tire positioned within the mold.

Abstract: Sectional molds for tires wherein radially movable sectors are mounted in a permanent way on a fixed lower casing of the mold in such a way that the sections do not have to be lifted and pulled up with a movable upper platform, when the press of the mold is opening. The sectors are connected to the lower casing which supports them by connecting means such as linked struts that are operatively associated with the sectors, at the beginning of the opening of the mold, having at the same time a slight lifting movement parallel to the lower casing and a slight radial backward movement assuring the detachment of the sectors with respect to the tread of the molded tire.

Abstract: For quick release of a press type insert positioned at variable heights within a cylindrical open ended container, a set of peripheral quick release clamps is positioned around the outer rim of the container. Each clamp has a frame member affixed to the container and a single pivoted arm that pivotably moves from a release position outside the cylinder walls to an engaged position in forcible contact with the insert within the open end of the container. A quick release action is provided by a manually removable single retainer pin inserted in the engaged position. Balance of the forces about the insert and the force is adjustable by means of an adjustable screw threaded through the pivotable member to bear upon the insert.

Abstract: To permit moulding of a rigid breaker tire in a single-phase diaphragm press without damage caused by axial movement of the tread-forming segments relative to the tire carcass in the mould the tread segments are mounted to pivot about fixed longitudinal axes as the press is opened and closed so that they move simultaneously both radially and axially with respect to the mould cavity.

Abstract: The apparatus is so constructed that the manipulator thereof, successively positionable over a series of tire vulcanizing presses, has mounted directly thereon a plunger that can be lowered vertically to push the bladder into the well in the bottom mold section of the press and to spread radially the segments clamping the bead of a cured tire. The same manipulator supports the rod of a mechanism for removing cured tires, movable vertically upward in opposition to the plunger.Each bladder is provided at the center thereof with a ball valve closing off the hole for the plunger after the exit of the plunger therefrom, the latter being actuated by a rack-and-pinion transmission preventing rotation of the plunger.

Abstract: A tire tread moldin apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus, which produces an endless and seamless toroidal tire tread for use in retreading of tire carcasses, utilizes a central mandrel and a sectional retractable outer portion, defining the inner and outer sides of a mold. The mandrel and the outer mold sections are heated to cure the rubber stock as it is formed into a tire tread, and curing pressure is provided by the manner in which the outer mold sections converge upon the mandrel and by thermo-expansion.

Abstract: A method for curing tires especially adapted for curing very large-sized or so-called giant tires which have not been generally in such demand as to warrant mass production characterized by holding the curing mold in a stably closed locked condition during the curing process under purely mechanical force in contrast to hydraulic force such as heretofore employed, comprising the steps of placing a mold unit composed of upper and lower mold halves and containing a semi-shaped "green" tire upon a stand of a mechanical press having a plunger mechanism supporting an upper housing member moved by means of a crank gear, driving the crank gear to a first position located ahead of its lower dead center a predetermined amount whereby the plunger mechanism and housing section are smoothly and continuously moved through an arcuate path from a raised position to a lowered position at which the plunger mechanism and housing member are adjacent the upper mold half, adjusting the position of the plunger mechanism relative to

Abstract: A multi-piece mould, and a method of constructing it, for moulding wire reinforced rubber articles; the mould comprises material having a greater coefficient of expansion than said wire, and having a gasket of thermoplastic material which soften at the temperature of moulding, provided between at least two adjacent mould pieces, whereby during moulding the gasket is caused to flow by the expanding mould pieces and thereby compensate for the expansion of the mould material, of which the following is a specification.