Abstract: A method for molding articles, particularly tires, of different diameters/circumferences including a plurality of pitches defining a mold cavity, the pitches having transverse faces in generally face-to-face abutment in a closed position of the mold cavity, and at least several of the pitches being of different lengthwise sizes. The pitches in the closed position of the mold cavity defining a predetermined mold configuration which includes portions at angles to the length of the article molded in the mold cavity. The mold configuration matches lengthwise across all of the transverse faces irrespective of the location of the pitches relative to each other and irrespective of the number of the pitches. The latter arrangement permits articles, such as new or retread tires, of different lengths but of the generally same predetermined mold configuration to be molded in a single mold.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding articles, particularly tires, of different diameters/circumferences including a plurality of pitches defining a mold cavity, the pitches having transverse faces in generally face-to-face abutment in a closed position of the mold cavity, and at least several of the pitches being of different lengthwise sizes. The pitches in the closed position of the mold cavity defining a predetermined mold configuration which includes portions at angles to the length of the article molded in the mold cavity. The mold configuration matches lengthwise across all of the transverse faces irrespective of the location of the pitches relative to each other and irrespective of the number of the pitches. The latter arrangement permits articles, such as new or retread tires, of different lengths but of the generally same predetermined mold configuration to be molded in a single mold.

Abstract: A convertible ladder-clamp combination as disclosed which includes first and second sides each having upper and lower end portions and a plurality of rungs therebetween. Each upper end portion carries a clamping member between which an object can be clamped when the lower ends of the sides are moved apart. The sides are preferably selectively adjustably connected to each other at the upper portions to thereby vary the spatial relationship between the clamping members to effect clamping of different size objects. At least one of the clamping members may be mounted in a slidable biased relationship to the other of the clamping members to provide a yielding clamping force to an object clamped therebetween which is particularly advantageous when clamping fragile, brittle or like objects.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a tire retreading machine which includes a chamber adapted to receive therein a plurality of stacked tires adapted to be retreaded therein, the chamber having an inner surface, and inwardly therefrom there being a radiant heater, a porous or perforated shield, and an imperforate or nonporous shield with the latter being axially shorter than the former and both shields being spaced from a bottom surface of the chamber such that upon heat being generated by the radiant heater, hot air convection currents are set up within the chamber flowing generally upwardly adjacent the chamber inner surface and flowing generally downwardly between the imperforate shield and tires within the chamber to create substantially uniform curing or retreading temperature throughout the chamber, lessening temperature gradients or hot spots, and also allowing radiant heat to pass through a lower portion of the porous shield adjacent the bottom surface of the chamber to augment temperature uniformity thro

Abstract: A tire retreading bladder which includes a generally angular member of a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration defined by a bight portion and a pair of legs with the annular member defining an interior volume, each leg terminating in a terminal edge of a generally circular configuration, each leg having interior and exterior surfaces, a plurality of pairs of closely adjacent ribs along the exterior surfaces for venting air from between such exterior surfaces and an interior surface of an associated tire adapted to receive therewithin the bladder, each pair of ribs setting off a venting groove therebetween, and venting means further including transverse venting slots disposed lengthwise along the ribs.

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: This disclosure includes a novel method of and apparatus for utilizing dry pulverulent heated material for curing a tire by positioning a tire encased in a pervious cover within a chamber, filling the chamber with dry pulverulent heated material, utilizing adjustable heating panels in exterior surrounding relationship to the pulverulent material within the chamber to heat the pulverulent material and thus cure the tire, and providing a circulation system for the pulverulent material for feeding the same into and removing the same from the chamber.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a retreading mold which includes first and second relatively movable platens carrying respective first and second bead aligner wheels and shafts with the shafts having opposing end portions threaded into a threaded coupling member which is in turn surrounded by a sleeve having axially opposite end portions slidably received in axial openings of the bead aligner wheels, the sleeve being normally biased axially away from one of the bead aligner wheels toward the other of the bead aligner wheels to form a sealed chamber defined by matrices carried by the platens in different closed positions of the platens, and an adjusting mechanism utilized when the matrices are open to drivably connect one of the shafts to the threaded connecting member to axially adjust the latter for locking the platens in any one of a variety of different distances in closed positions thereof.

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: This disclosure relates to a retreading mold which includes first and second relatively movable platens carrying respective first and second bead aligner wheels and shafts with the shafts having opposing end portions threaded into a threaded coupling member which is in turn surrounded by a sleeve having axially opposite end portions slidably received in axial openings of the bead aligner wheels, the sleeve being normally biased axially away from one of the bead aligner wheels toward the other of the bead aligner wheels to form a sealed chamber defined by matrices carried by the platens in different closed positions of the platens, and an adjusting mechanism utilized when the matrices are open to drivably connect one of the shafts to the threaded connecting member to axially adjust the latter for locking the platens in any one of a variety of different distances in closed positions thereof.

Abstract: A tire retreading bladder of a generally annular configuration which is U-shaped in cross section as defined by a bight portion and a pair of legs, each terminating at an axially outwardly directed annular sealing bead and having at each terminal edge a plurality of circumferentially spaced valleys through which pressurized air may be introduced into and exhausted from the bladder, means disposed along each of exterior surfaces of the legs for venting air from between such exterior surfaces and an interior surface of an associated tire, and each exterior surface defining between radially inboard portions of each venting means and the associated sealing bead a generally smooth uninterrupted annular sealing surface adapted to form a hermetic line of sealing with an associated bead aligner wheel.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a heating device particularly adapted for tire treading and/or retreading matrices and includes a body having a continuously unending channel formed in an exterior peripheral surface of the matrix body in which is disposed an electric or steam heating element having opposite end portions in lapping relationship with the heating element being generally encased in a body of cast metallic material, and means in the form of a generally Z-shaped spacer traversing the channel and separating the solid material encasing the end portions on each other to permit the heating element to expand and/or contract.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method of retreading a tire by inserting a tire and an annular bladder between a pair of open matrices with marginal portions of the bladder projecting beyond beads of the tire and resting upon peripheral edge portions of axially opposed bead aligner wheels; the annular bladder being disposed within the tire; inflating the bladder to form an annular vacuum gap between an annular terminal edge of each bladder marginal portion, an annular outboard portion of each bladder and opposing annular portions of the bead aligner wheel peripheral edge portions; radially foreshortening the tire by moving the bead aligner wheels away from each other while the tire is held thereon by the bladder, and thereafter closing the matrices, and further inflating the bladder to urge the tire into intimate conformity with the matrices.

Abstract: A press having press members movable between open and closed positions and wherein when the press is in its closed condition there is an internal force urging separation of the press members. Locking means are provided for retaining the press members in their closed positions, the locking means being in the form of short stroke, large force fluid motors which serve to prevent accidental separation of the press members during the operation of the press.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a novel process of and molds for applying rubber, preferably precured rubber, to tires and other objects, wherein in a preferred form of the invention a generally annular matrix is provided defined by a pair of relatively movable annular matrix portions, the pair of movable annular matrix portions defining an annular housing in a closed position thereof in which a tire is adapted to be retreaded, a bladder within the housing, the bladder including opposite annular edges, means for securing both annular edges to but one of the matrix portions whereby the bladder and the one matrix portion define a pressurization chamber, and means for pressurizing the interior of the chamber augmented by ancillary heating to achieve retreading of the tire.

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: This disclosure is directed to a mold particularly adapted for applying pre-cured tread rubber to a tire, the mold including a pair of generally annular mold bodies which collectively define a chamber adapted to receive a tire, the mold bodies being capable of relative axial adjustment whereby axial dimensions of the chamber may be varied to accomodate tires of different widths, an annular band for locking the mold bodies to each other at a particular position of axial relative adjustment, and axially shiftable means for maintaining the mold bodies at a desired position of relative axial adjustments.Preferably an annular resilient rubber or like envelope surrounds the tire as well as its sidewalls to prevent steam or an equivalent heating medium from permeating between the tire and the pre-cured rubber glue thereto.

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 mechanism for maintaining alignment between two relatively movable members, specifically platens or supports for retreading molds, although not limited thereto, and includes a pair of generally parallel screws .Iadd.having a common feed mechanism, the screws being fixed to the members against axial movement relative to each other .Iaddend.with .[.means for axially shifting.]. one of the screws .Iadd.being shiftable .Iaddend.relative to the .[.other.]. .Iadd.feed mechanism .Iaddend.to maintain alignment between the two platens or supports.