Abstract: Mold clamping apparatus (30) for selectively detachably securing a lower mold plate (20) mounting a lower mold section (M) relative to the lower platen (21), lower bolster (22) and lower housing (12) of a tire curing press (10) comprising, a plurality of bores (21', 22', 12') extending through the lower platen, the lower bolster and the lower housing, a tapered bore (71) in the lower mold plate, a locking rod (31) positioned in each of the bores and extending into the tapered bore, a contractible member (40) affixed to the lower platen and extending into the tapered bore when the lower mold plate is seated on the lower platen, a jam nut (33) mounted on the locking rod movable into and out of engagement with the contractible member, and a biasing assembly 55 urging the jam nut into contact with the contractible member for locking the contractible member in the tapered bore to secure the lower mold plate to the lower platen.

Abstract: A loader basket (20) for gripping, transporting, and precisely positioning a tire (T), including a framework (21) having a spider (30) with a plurality of radially extending arms (33), a plurality of shoes (40) mounted for radial movement on the arms, a spine plate (41) on each of the shoes for engaging the tire, an actuating assembly (60) for moving the shoes radially inwardly and outwardly on the arms, individually adjustable stop assemblies (70) on each of the arms limiting the extent of radially outward movement of each of the shoes, and a synchronizing mechanism (90) mechanically interconnecting the stop assemblies for uniformly simultaneously adjusting the extent of radial outward movement of each of the shoes.