Abstract: A die rib for a tire mold defines the inlets to vent passages of the mold through the sides of the die ribs so that the vent passages do not open through the contour surface of the mold. In one exemplary configuration, the invention provides a die rib having a vent inlet disposed along at least one side of the die rib. The vent inlet may be disposed along up to 80 percent of the length of the die rib with at least one foot disposed against the contour surface of the tire mold section.

Abstract: A die rib for a tire mold defines the inlets to vent passages of the mold through the sides of the die ribs so that the vent passages do not open through the contour surface of the mold. In one exemplary configuration, the invention provides a die rib having a vent inlet disposed along at least one side of the die rib. The vent inlet may be disposed along up to 80 percent of the length of the die rib with at least one foot disposed against the contour surface of the tire mold section.

Abstract: A mold for a pneumatic tire includes a plurality of mold sections that cooperate to form an annular mold. Each of the mold sections has a body with an inner surface. The body defines at least one longitudinal groove that opens at the inner surface. The body defines at least one longitudinal groove that opens at the inner surface. The groove has a mouth and a body with the width of the mouth being smaller than at least the largest width of the body. In one embodiment of the invention, the groove has a female dovetail cross section. The grooves in the mold sections cooperate to form a continuous, 360 degree groove about the tire mold. A plurality of die ribs are slidingly disposed in the grooves. Each die rib has a base that corresponds with the cross section of the groove. Thus, the die rib in the above-embodiment has a male dovetail cross section that is configured to slide within the groove.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved hat with interchangeable patches that can be selectively attached to the hat. In the preferred embodiment, the hat is a standard, billed, baseball-style cap with some portion of a phrase or logo printed on its front surface, and a strip of fastening material or adhesive secured to the hat just below the incomplete phrase. A plurality of separate patches, each printed with a different completion to the hat's printed phrase or logo, and each with a back surface that is attachable to the fastening material on the hat, is provided. Thus the user can select the completion of the phrase with the patch of his choice. In this way a single hat can be used to carry a variety of different, and changing, phrases and logos.