Abstract: Making a tire mold having a plurality of complete tire mold segments (20) of epoxy resin mold material formed in the chambers (18) of segmental shoes (10) and having reinforced stand alone ribs (56) formed in recesses in the tread models mounted in the shoes. The shoes (10) and models (50) are reusable and have standard shoe split diameters and chord lengths to reduce the time necessary to make the molds. The models (50) are of resilient material and are also reusable.

Abstract: A composite blade (10, 10A through 10F) for use in a tire cure mold and the method of fabricating the composite blade employs the steps of forming a blade blank (12) and encapsulating at least one end (14, 16) in a second material by placing the end (14, 16) in a die and molding an enlarged cross-section (20) of a second material around the end (14, 16). Preferably the second material is a powdered metal.

Abstract: Molds for injection molding tire components have controlled temperature passages leading to a manifold surrounding each mold cavity. The manifold is positioned to minimize weld lines in the injected tire component. In addition, a narrow gate opening between the manifold and mold cavity provides an elevated temperature of the injected material for decreasing the curing time of the tire component in the mold. Blade members may support and position tire components such as bead apex assemblies in the mold. These tire components may be unloaded by an unloader ring in communication with a source of vacuum for pulling the tire component out of the mold.