Abstract: A mold includes at least one axial member carrying at least one sidewall molding surface for molding a sidewall of a tire, radial segments each carrying at least one surface for molding a tread of the tire and locking surfaces for connecting the axial member with the radial segments. First radial and axial locking surfaces which are displaceable and carried by the axial member cooperate with second radial and axial locking surfaces. The sidewall molding surface is integral with a fixed portion of the axial member. The first radial and axial locking surfaces are integral with at least one locking member mounted in the axial member and are movable relative to the fixed portion.

Abstract: A mold includes at least one axial member carrying at least one sidewall molding surface for molding a sidewall of a tire, radial segments each carrying at least one surface for molding a tread of the tire and locking surfaces for connecting the axial member with the radial segments. First radial and axial locking surfaces which are displaceable and carried by the axial member cooperate with second radial and axial locking surfaces. The sidewall molding surface is integral with a fixed portion of the axial member. The first radial and axial locking surfaces are integral with at least one locking member mounted in the axial member and are movable relative to the fixed portion.

Abstract: A mold includes at least one axial member carrying at least one sidewall molding surface for molding a sidewall of a tire, radial segments each carrying at least one surface for molding a tread of the tire and locking surfaces for connecting the axial member with the radial segments. First radial and axial locking surfaces which are displaceable and carried by the axial member cooperate with second radial and axial locking surfaces. The sidewall molding surface is integral with a fixed portion of the axial member. The first radial and axial locking surfaces are integral with at least one locking member mounted in the axial member and are movable relative to the fixed portion.

Abstract: A mold comprises at least one axial member carrying at least one surface for molding a sidewall of a tire, radial segments each carrying at least one surface for molding a tread of the tire and means for connecting the axial member with the radial segments. First surfaces for radial and axial locking which are displaceable and carried by the axial member cooperate with second surfaces for radial and axial locking. Each surface for molding the sidewall is integral with a fixed portion of the axial member. The first locking surfaces are integral with at least one locking member mounted in the axial member and are movable relative to the fixed portion.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a track formed from a circumferentially continuous belt made of elastomeric material and including an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is provided with a plurality of drive blocks uniformly arranged on the circumference. The process includes a step in which a cylindrical inner mold formed by first and second cylindrical die-halves is assembled, the two die-halves being movable relative to each other in an axial direction to come into contact with each other at a joint surface. The inner mold includes a radially external laying surface provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced cavities for molding the drive blocks, each cavity being delimited in the axial direction by respective side walls of the first and second die halves. The joint surface of the two die-halves is axially closer to one side wall than to the other side wall. A device for stripping the track from the inner and outer molds is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire tread mould comprising a lower molding part (2) and an upper molding part (3) defining respectively the outer surface or the inner surface of a tread, at least one of the parts being movable between two positions corresponding to the opening and closure of the mould (1), in which the upper molding part (3) bears elements (6) for hooking one of the longitudinal ends of the tread.

Abstract: The tread wear on a tire is measured while the tire is mounted on a wheel. Electromagnetic energy is transmitted to an internal space of the tire via a transmission element disposed in a tire tread element. That transmitted energy is detected inside the tire, and an energy variable from the detected electromagnetic radiation is determined which is used to determine a wear variable representative of wear on the tire tread element. A signal transmitter disposed within the internal space sends signals representative of the wear.

Abstract: A process for cross-linking/expanding at least one cross-linkable, expandable blank, which is intended to form all or part of an elastomeric safety support for a tire in which: the cross-linking consists of curing the expandable or expanded blank in a bath of fluid at excess pressure which is contained in an enclosure, such that the blank interacts with the bath independently of the enclosure, the temperature of the bath having a maximum value of between 110° C. and 210° C. and the absolute pressure of said bath having at least a value equal to or greater than 14 bar, and the expansion consists of curing the cross-linkable or cross-linked blank in the bath, the temperature of the bath having a maximum value of between 110° C. and 210° C., and the absolute pressure of the bath having at least a value equal to or greater than 5 bar and a final pressure-relief value substantially equal to 1 bar, for expanding the blank such that its increase in volume is unlimited with respect to the enclosure.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a tread 21 comprising a running surface bounded axially by lateral faces, a groove 61 and a channel located radially below the tread and opening onto at least one lateral face of the tread 21 and into at least one sidewall 15 of the groove 61, this process comprising (a) the molding of the tread 21, the channel extending inside the groove 61 such that a plane 101 which is locally tangential to the part, radially external to the channel, of the sidewall 15 into which the channel opens divides the channel into two parts 115 and 215; and (b) the ablation of at least part of the mix molded around the channel inside the groove 61, with a cutting tool that follows the profile of the groove 61.

Abstract: Mold for molding a tread that comprises a running surface, lateral faces and at least one axial cavity opening onto at least one lateral face. The cavity is molded with the aid of a pin which, during molding, produces two rubber mix flows that envelop the pin and reunite to form a junction surface, such that the mean length of the trace of this junction surface in a section plane perpendicular to the mold face that molds the running surface and to the axial direction, is larger than the minimum distance between the cavity and the mold face that molds the running surface.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of measuring the wear on at least one tire (20) mounted on a wheel (10) and comprising tread pattern elements (27, 28), and a tire (20), wheel (10), and a tire/wheel assembly (1) for implementing this method. According to the invention, the wear measurement method includes detecting electromagnetic energy transmitted through a transmission element disposed in at least one tire tread element to an internal space of the tire, the energy detected representative of a wear condition of the tread element or elements (27, 28). A tire (20) according to the invention comprises at least one device for transmitting electromagnetic radiation (50, 60), which device is disposed in at least one of tread element (27, 28) to conduct incident radiation striking the external surface to the tire (20) to the internal space, the transmission devices (50, 60) becoming exposed to the external surface upon a predetermined amount of wear of the tread element (27, 28).

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire tread mould comprising a lower molding part (2) and an upper molding part (3) defining respectively the outer surface or the inner surface of a tread, at least one of the parts being movable between two positions corresponding to the opening and closure of the mould (1), in which the upper molding part (3) bears elements (6) for hooking one of the longitudinal ends of the tread.

Abstract: A process for cross-linking/expanding at least one cross-linkable, expandable blank, which is intended to form all or part of an elastomeric safety support for a tire in which:

Abstract: The invention relates to a mold and a process for molding a tread 11 and a tire having a tread, the tread including a running surface 12, lateral surfaces 13, axial recesses 15 opening axially on to at least one of the lateral surfaces, the process including steps of inserting into the uncured tread projections 5 which mold the axial recesses 15, and of then removing them from the vulcanized tread, the process being characterized in that the projections 5 are inserted in the direction of the thickness of the tread 11 and are removed in the direction of the width of the tread 11.

Abstract: A process for cross-linking/expanding at least one cross-linkable, expandable blank, which is intended to form all or part of an elastomeric safety support for a tire in which: the cross-linking consists of curing the expandable or expanded blank in a bath of fluid at excess pressure which is contained in an enclosure, such that the blank interacts with the bath independently of the enclosure, the temperature of the bath having a maximum value of between 110° C. and 210° C. and the absolute pressure of said bath having at least a value equal to or greater than 14 bar, and the expansion consists of curing the cross-linkable or cross-linked blank in the bath, the temperature of the bath having a maximum value of between 110° C. and 210° C., and the absolute pressure of the bath having at least a value equal to or greater than 5 bar and a final pressure-relief value substantially equal to 1 bar, for expanding the blank such that its increase in volume is unlimited with respect to the enclosure.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a track formed from a circumferentially continuous belt made of elastomeric material and comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface being provided with a plurality of drive blocks uniformly arranged on the circumference, the process comprising a step in which an inner mold (10) formed by first and second die-halves (11, 12) is assembled, the two die-halves being able to be moved relative to each other in the axial direction to come into contact with each other on a joint surface. The inner mold (10) comprises a radially external laying surface (100) provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced cavities (103) for molding the drive blocks, each cavity being delimited in the axial direction by two side walls (111, 121), the joint surface (13) of the two die-halves (11, 12) being axially closer to one side wall than to the other side wall. A device for stripping the track from the inner and outer molds is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mold and a process for molding a tread 11 and a tire having a tread, the tread including a running surface 12, lateral surfaces 13, axial recesses 15 opening axially on to at least one of the lateral surfaces, the process including steps of inserting into the uncured tread projections 5 which mold the axial recesses 15, and of then removing them from the vulcanized tread, the process being characterized in that the projections 5 are inserted in the direction of the thickness of the tread 11 and are removed in the direction of the width of the tread 11.

Abstract: A mold for vulcanizing a tire casing having two beads by direct action of a fluid on the inner walls of the casing, the mold including two crowns for respectively molding the outer surface of each of the beads, each molding crown including, successively and axially from the center of the mold to the outside of the mold, a first annular section having an outer surface supporting the corresponding bead, on shaping of the rough tire casing, and a second annular section for the molding the corresponding head and securing the tightness of the mold.

Abstract: A process for cross-linking/expanding at least one cross-linkable, expandable blank, which is intended to form all or part of an elastomeric safety support for a tire in which: