Abstract: A method to increase and enhance tire mold height capability of various mechanical tire presses. The method accomplishes mold hold enhancement without imparting appreciable jarring and vibration during press operation. For presses with crank pins pressed into crank gears, the method utilizes removal of the existing crank pin and replacement with an eccentric pin thereby effectively reducing the distance of crank throw by a certain predetermined amount. Side link length is enhanced by a corresponding amount with the result being the repositioning of the press beam by an amount equal to a total of the foregoing. Thereafter, a tire mold of that enhanced height may be accommodated between the beam and base members of the press.

Abstract: A tire press, loader and method wherein a green tire is positioned by the loader between vertically separated mold sections and then engaged and held at the top bead thereof in registered contact with an upper bead ring of the press mold by a green tire bead elevator in the press head. While such registered contact is maintained, the upper bead ring and bead elevator raise and hold the green tire to the upper mold section as the loader axially clears the green tire and withdraws from the press. After such transfer of the green tire to the press head, the press partially closes to bring the bottom bead of the green tire against the lower bead ring of the press mold for subsequent shaping of the green tire and final closure of the press. The bead elevator includes a radially expandable chuck mounted for vertical movement in the press head which operates, when expanded, to engage and move the top bead of the green tire into registered or fully seated contact with the upper bead ring.