Including Distinct Means To Engage Tire-type Bead Patents (Class 425/36)
  • Patent number: 11318693
    Abstract: A tire vulcanization mold disclosed herein includes sectors 13 divided in a tire circumferential direction and molding a tread portion 1 of a tire, and a pair of upper and lower side plates 11 and 12 molding a sidewall portion 2 of the tire. Mold parting lines 16a and 17a formed by the sectors 13 and a pair of the upper and lower side plates 11 and 12 are located in the tread portion 1 and a distance from a tire equator CL to the mold parting lines 16a and 17a changes periodically in the tire circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: TOYO TIRE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaaki Ohara
  • Patent number: 10766215
    Abstract: An adjustable tire mold for use with molds of various diameters and widths is provided. In one embodiment, an adjustable tire molding system is provided, the adjustable tire molding system, comprising: an annular mold assembly including at least one mold segment; an adjuster ring assembly including at least one adjuster engaged with the at least one mold segment, wherein the adjuster ring assembly is oriented radially outwardly of the annular mold assembly; and an outer side plate, wherein the at least one mold segment and the adjuster ring assembly are operatively connected to the outer side plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Edward L. Smeltzer
  • Patent number: 10603856
    Abstract: The curing press for a tire blank includes a frame and a plurality of circumferentially distributed segments which are capable of forming a tread for the tire. Each of the segments has at least one opening. For each segment, at least one tie rod is mounted slidably and rotatably in the opening of the segment on the one hand and hinged to the frame on the other hand. The mounting and hinging form the only connections of the tie rod to elements of the press other than the tie rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventors: Michaël Massoptier-David, Stéphane Chaland
  • Patent number: 9895783
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel positioning device, including a frame, a jacking cylinder and two sliding sleeves fixed on a bottom plate, the outputting end of the jacking cylinder is connected with a top plate, and a belt pulley connected to a servo motor via a shaft. A vehicle wheel may be positioned via the top plate during a vehicle wheel finish turning automation processing, without switching programs for automation production of the wheel with different wheel widths and different offset distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: CITIC Dicastal CO., LTD
    Inventors: Bowen Xue, Donghui Zhang, Jiandong Guo
  • Patent number: 9113772
    Abstract: A hand operated sweeping mop applicator with a unique disposable cloth retaining assembly where the cloth is retained by cloth retaining members attached to the bottom of a top plate which extend perpendicularly away from a bottom of the top plate and extend through aligned openings in a bottom plate to retain a cleaning cloth against a bottom surface of the bottom plate. Separation force members such as force springs are sandwiched between the bottom of the top plate and the top of the bottom plate and retained in a compressed state buy a force from a shotgun closing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Worldwide Integrated Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred I. Morad, William P. Camp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8939486
    Abstract: A system for handling an object comprises a guide plate, a center hub rotatable relative to the guide plate, a plurality of slots disposed in the guide plate, and a plurality of arms each having first and second ends. The first end of each of the plurality of arms is coupled to the center hub, and the second end of each of the plurality of arms is coupled to an associated slot of the plurality of slots. Rotation of the center hub in a first direction causes the second end of each of the plurality of arms to move radially outward within the associated slot in an extended state. An outer surface of a first arm of the plurality of arms may be nested against an inner surface of a second arm of the plurality of arms in a retracted state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: The Steelastic Company LLC
    Inventor: Eric William Gorham
  • Publication number: 20140342026
    Abstract: Equipment for moulding and curing a green tyre includes a curing mould including a first bead moulding ring including a first surface for contacting a radially inner and axially inner surface portion of an annular fixing structure of the green tyre and a first sidewall plate including a second surface for contacting a radially inner and axially outer surface portion of the annular fixing structure. The first bead moulding ring is radially extendable from a contracted operating position to an expanded operating position so as to delimit a portion of the annular fixing structure between the first sidewall plate and the first bead moulding ring, and the first bead moulding ring is translatable towards the first sidewall plate for generating a first squeezing pressure on the annular fixing structure. The equipment further includes an inflatable bladder associated for operation with the curing mould.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Pier Giuseppe Piantanida, Gianni Mancini, Gaetano Lo Presti
  • Patent number: 8876508
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a pneumatic tyre has a building unit designed to form a green tyre having a pair of beads. Each of the pair of beads is defined along a respective inner circumferential edge of the green tyre. The apparatus further includes bead moulding devices to tighten each bead between two axially opposite clamping surfaces. A moulding unit of the green tyre has a moulding cavity with an inner wall substantially conforming in shape to an outer surface of a moulded tyre. The apparatus further includes devices for vulcanising the green tyre, and actuating devices for transferring the green tyre together with the bead moulding devices into the moulding cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianni Mancini
  • Patent number: 8876507
    Abstract: A tire mold comprising a pair of side plates, a pair of bead rings abutting on the side plates, and a gas venting passage, wherein each of the bead rings has: a cavity surface; an outer side surface; and an outer peripheral surface having two regions, wherein a first and second outer peripheral surface adjoins the cavity surface. A first gap is lying between the first outer peripheral surface and the side plate by the presence of a knurled groove. A second gap is lying between the second outer peripheral surface and the side plate. A third gap is lying between the outer side surface and the side plate by the presence of a plurality of vent grooves. The first to third gaps function as the gas venting passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiichi Hakoshima
  • Patent number: 8807976
    Abstract: Disclosed is a machine for rotation of the bead area of a green tire so that the bead areas are parallel and concentric in order to remove potential anomalies that can occur to a green tire bead portion during pre-cure handling, storing or during shaping in the tire press. The tire apparatus orients the beads of the green tire parallel and square to one another and also rotates the bead area of the tire into the proper configuration prior to cure. The bead portions of the tire maintain the parallel position as the tire is loaded into a tire mold. Also disclosed is a tire loader that has a bead support ring and paddles to grip the outer crown portion of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Andres Ignacio Delgado, Eugene Andrew Bator
  • Patent number: 8784717
    Abstract: A process for molding and curing tires, includes introducing a green tire into a curing mold, the mold including a first sidewall plate and a second sidewall plate, a ring of circumferential sectors circumscribing a mold cavity, an expandable bladder delimited by a membrane, and at least one bead molding ring which is movable between a first contracted operating position and a second extended operating position; and molding and curing the green tire in the curing mold; and between introducing the green tire and molding and curing it, the process includes extending the at least one bead molding ring from the first contracted operating position to the second extended operating position; forming a circumferential bearing surface which bears against a first axially inner surface portion of a first annular fixing structure of the green tire; pressing a second axially inner surface portion of the first annular fixing structure by expanding the membrane at a pre-molding pressure which is lower than a molding pressur
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.
    Inventors: Pier Giuseppe Piantanida, Gianni Mancini
  • Patent number: 8696970
    Abstract: Along a building line, a green tyre is built on a rigid toroidal support having an outer surface substantially conforming in shape to an inner surface of the green tyre. The green tyre is then transferred to a bead moulding and prevulcanisation station where each bead of the tyre is moulded by tightening it between a surface portion of the toroidal support and an annular clamping surface carried by a removable tightening flange. The tightened beads are prevulcanised through a heat supply by means of electric resistors integrated into the tightening flanges. The tyre with the prevulcanised and tightened beads is transferred into a moulding cavity having an inner wall of a shape substantially conforming to that of the outer surface of the moulded tyre, to carry out moulding of the tyre and complete vulcanisation of same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianni Mancini
  • Patent number: 8662871
    Abstract: A tire vulcanizing device including: an upper annular mold attaching member and a lower annular mold attaching member that respectively attach side portion forming molds for forming side portions of a tire; a plurality of segments that respectively attach a plurality of segmented tread molds for forming a tread portion of the tire; and a mold closing mechanism for radially moving the segments to close the tread molds at an advanced end. The respective segments are respectively independently provided with heat medium passages for applying heat for vulcanization to the tread molds when supplied with a heat medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignees: Fuji Shoji Co., Ltd., Fuji Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chikara Takagi, Shigeaki Nomura, Yuichi Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20140004216
    Abstract: A green pneumatic tyre is built on a rigid toroidal support externally having a forming surface of a conformation corresponding to the inner shape of a tyre. The green tyre engaged on the expandable toroidal support is introduced into a vulcanisation mould and submitted to a vulcanisation cycle. During vulcanisation, axial moving apart of side portions of the toroidal support is caused so as to press the beads and sidewalls of the tyre against the vulcanisation mould.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: PIRELLI TYRE S.p.A.
    Inventors: Maurizio MARCHINI, Marco CANTU', Pierangelo MISANI
  • Patent number: 8535031
    Abstract: A solid tire mold includes upper and lower pneumatic tire molds. The pneumatic tire molds have adapter receiving surfaces disposed radially inwardly. The pneumatic tire molds are joined at the pneumatic mold receiving portions. The pneumatic tire molds form tread molding surfaces and at least a portion of the shoulder molding surfaces. The solid tire mold also includes toroidal adapters, each having an annular pneumatic mold receiving surface, an annular solid tire curing surface, and a toroidal flange. The flange extends axially inwardly from the lateral wall toward an inner end. The inner end of the flange can be tapered. A toroidal rim extends laterally from one toroidal adapter to the other. The rim is disposed radially outwardly from the toroidal flanges in the assembled solid tire mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Larry E. Speck, Josef Kostelenski
  • Patent number: 8518317
    Abstract: A green tire is built on a forming drum and then transferred to a bead molding and pre-vulcanization station where each bead of the tire is molded by tightening it between two axially opposite clamping surfaces respectively carried by an axially external annular locating element and an axially internal annular locating element consisting of radially expandable circumferential sectors. The tightened beads can be pre-vulcanized through heat supply by means of electric resistors integrated into the axially external annular locating elements. The tire with the tightened and possibly pre-vulcanized beads is transferred to a molding cavity having an inner wall substantially conforming to the shape of an outer surface of the molded tire to carry out molding and complete vulcanization of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianni Mancini
  • Patent number: 8282372
    Abstract: Provided are a apparatus and a method for vulcanizing a pneumatic tire, where are capable of: smoothly releasing a vulcanized pneumatic tire from multiple sectors separated from one another in a circumferential direction in each of an upper mold and a lower mold; and thereby lightening load on each mold. In addition to springs for biasing the sectors to always move into a smaller diameter, respectively, pushpins for moving the sectors into larger and smaller diameters are actuated by the respective cylinder rods of drive cylinders, and thereby the movements of the individual sectors into the larger and smaller diameters are controlled. Accordingly, even though the sectors would otherwise move abruptly into the smaller diameter due to biasing forces of the springs after the vulcanized tire is released from the sectors at the larger diameter, a radius-reducing movement speed of the sectors is control led by the cylinder rods in contact with rear ends of the push pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akikazu Seko
  • Patent number: 8105062
    Abstract: A system for curing tires that does not require a traditional bladder is described. The system disclosed has top and bottom assembly rings that are coupled to modified mold rings. The bottom assembly ring has a curing medium delivery system, which has ports and a diverter that disperses the curing medium thereby reducing the momentum of the curing medium striking a liner of the tire being cured. The system is adapted for easy installation to existing center post presses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Curing Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: Don Cain
  • Patent number: 8100678
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to prevent or suppress the occurrence of a temperature difference between upper and lower portions of a green tire in a vulcanizing process carried out by a tire vulcanizing machine 1 and thereby stabilize the tire quality. The tire vulcanizing machine 1 comprises a tire vulcanizing bladder 20 disposed inside a green tire 4, a jet section 90 for jetting a heating/pressurizing medium to the interior of the bladder 20, a medium supply path for supplying the heating/pressurizing medium to the jet section 90, and a holding section 14 for holding an edge portion of the bladder 20, the edge portion being located on the side close to the medium supply path. Further, there are disposed heat insulators 7, 11, 8 and 6 so as to suppress the transfer of heat from the heating/pressurizing medium jetted from the jet section 90, to a lower edge portion of the green tire 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Kuwabara, Kazuto Okada, Hisashi Mitamura, Tomomichi Murata, Masatake Toshima, Yasuhiko Fujieda
  • Patent number: 7914270
    Abstract: A method may include the steps of: (a) providing a tire mold; (b) providing an extruder operatively connected to a head with a die assembly; (c) inserting at least a first compound into the first extruder; (d) forming an extrudate from the die assembly; (e) applying the extrudate directly from the die assembly into the tire mold to form a tire tread component; and, (f) controlling movement of the tire mold to correspond to the extrudate delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Robert Burg
  • Patent number: 7819647
    Abstract: A bead ring locking mechanism restricts the relative turning of a tubular lifter moved upward or downward on the outside of a central mechanism outer casing with respect to an annular bead ring attached to the outer circumference of the lifter to form a part of a die. The locking mechanism includes a stopper member installed at the bead ring and attached so as to move back and forth with respect to the lifter, and an actuating member which moves the stopper member from the bead ring to the lifter. A recessed portion is formed at the lifter, a raised portion is formed at the stopper member, and the raised portion is fitted into the recessed portion by pressing the stopper member to the lifter using the actuating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiichi Tomoto
  • Patent number: 7740462
    Abstract: The invention provides a tire vulcanizer having a vulcanizer body and a shaping unit and configured to be able to accurately mount a green tire in the shaping unit and shape it accurately when shaping the green tire in the shaping unit. As a result, the green tire can be placed and set accurately in a lower container of the vulcanizer body when the shaping unit is placed in a container of the vulcanizer body. In order to mount the green tire in the shaping unit (B) outside the vulcanizer body, the tire vulcanizer includes outside the vulcanizer body (A) a tire mounting device (D) which mounts the green tire in the shaping unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Ichimaru Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hironobu Ichimaru
  • Patent number: 7740788
    Abstract: The shapes of the upper tire bead Bu and the lower tire bead Bl of a green tire G and the axial distance between the tire beads Bu and Bl are corrected in a short work time. The green tire G is placed in horizontal attitude on a green tire support table 3 provided with a lower tire bead correcting unit 10. Radially movable pressing members 13 included in the lower tire bead correcting unit 10 are engaged with the inner side of the lower tire bead Bl of the green tire G and stoppers 29 of the upper tire bead correcting unit 20 are engaged with the inner side of the upper tire bead Bu of the green tire G placed on the green tire support table 3. The pressing members 13 of the lower tire bead correcting unit 10 are moved radially outward to shape the lower tire bead Bl into a completely round shape of a predetermined diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Toshikatsu Yoshino, Tsuyoshi Imaizumi
  • Publication number: 20100032873
    Abstract: A green pneumatic tyre is built on a rigid toroidal support externally having a forming surface of a conformation corresponding to the inner shape of a tyre. The green tyre engaged on the expandable toroidal support is introduced into a vulcanisation mould and submitted to a vulcanisation cycle. During vulcanisation, axial moving apart of side portions of the toroidal support is caused so as to press the beads and sidewalls of the tyre against the vulcanisation mould.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Maurizio Marchini, Marco Cantu, Pierangelo Misani
  • Patent number: 7648668
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a pneumatic tire including a rigid core for forming a green tire on an outer face and a vulcanizing mold which can transport the green tire together with the rigid core such that the vulcanizing mold is closed to form a vulcanization space for sealing and storing the green tire between the vulcanizing mold and the rigid core so that the green tire is vulcanized in the vulcanization space, an annular movable seal supported by either one of the vulcanizing mold or the rigid core, and an urging means for urging the movable seal from the one of the vulcanizing mold and the rigid core that supports the annular movable seal toward a surface of the other of the vulcanizing mold and the rigid core, the movable seal being urged by the urging means toward the surface of the other of the vulcanizing mold and the rigid core so as to prevent generation of a gap between the vulcanizing mold and the rigid core when the vulcanizing mold is closed, and to absorb a change in shape of the rigid co
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Takehiro Kata
  • Publication number: 20090142432
    Abstract: The A bead ring locking mechanism restricts the relative turning of a tubular lifter moved upward or downward on the outside of a central mechanism outer casing with respect to an annular bead ring attached to the outer circumference of the lifter to form a part of a die. The locking mechanism includes a stopper member installed at the bead ring and attached so as to move back and forth with respect to the lifter, and an actuating member which moves the stopper member from the bead ring to the lifter. A recessed portion is formed at the lifter, a raised portion is formed at the stopper member, and the raised portion is fitted into the recessed portion by pressing the stopper member to the lifter using the actuating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Keiichi Tomoto
  • Publication number: 20090035404
    Abstract: In a tire mold 10, in which a tread molding section 12 for molding of a tread comprises a plurality of segments 18 divided in a tire circumferential direction and the respective segments are provided movably in a tire radial direction, ridges 20 for molding of transverse grooves T2 on a tread surface are protrusively provided at least at circumferential ends 23 of the segment 18 in a posture (more specifically, a posture in parallel to a direction M of movement of the segment) inclined outward to a direction toward a center Om of the segment so as to be away from a circumferentially central portion 22 of the segment as it goes toward tip ends thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Hana, Masahiro Segawa
  • Patent number: 7473386
    Abstract: A mold (22) includes a bead ring (32). The bead ring (32) includes a side forming surface (34), a bottom forming surface (36), a support surface (38) for a bladder, and a guide surface (40) for a bladder. The support surface (38) is positioned on an inside in a radial direction of the bottom forming surface (36). The support surface (38) is extended in the radial direction. A distance (L2) of the support surface (38) is equal to or smaller than 5.0 mm in the radial direction. The guide surface (40) is positioned on an inside in the radial direction and an outside in an axial direction from the support surface (38). The guide surface (40) is inclined inward in the axial direction from the inside in the radial direction toward an outside in the radial direction. An angle ? of the guide surface (40) to the radial direction is equal to or greater than 15 degrees and is equal to or smaller than 75 degrees. In an expansion, a bladder (B) is erected by the guide surface (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Sakamoto, Ryo Ono
  • Publication number: 20080299240
    Abstract: A metal mold for vulcanizing tire treads reliably preventing incorrect assembling of split pieces. The metal mold 1 for vulcanizing tire treads to form a tread of a tire, comprises a plurality of sector molds 3 equipped with a plurality of pieces 6 which are arranged on the inner circumferential surface of a casing 5 and are split in the circumferential direction in which a tread pattern of the tire is formed, wherein among the adjacent pieces 6 in the sector molds 3, a protuberance 8 is formed on the contact surface of the one piece 6, a dent 9 corresponding to the protuberance 8 is formed in the contact surface of the another piece 6, and the positions for forming the protuberance 8 and the dent 9 are differed for each of the adjacent pieces 6 in the sector molds 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaki Hyodo
  • Patent number: 7172396
    Abstract: Two opposed coaxial discoidal elements (35, 37) are diametrically dilatable and are able to move independently of each other axially and pass axially into the tire (P) when the tire is positioned in the mold, in such a way as to dilate each of said discoidal elements (35, 37), for engaging a corresponding annular bead (P1, P2) of the tire and positioning it exactly against the edge of the respective pan (13, 15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Cima Impianti S.p.A.
    Inventors: Tiziano Galigani, Daniele Brogi, Massimo Capecchi
  • Patent number: 6896836
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprising a tread portion, a pair of sidewall portions and a pair of bead portions is manufactured by conducting the venting in a portion of a green tire placed in a vulcanization mold prior to vulcanization and corresponding to the sidewall portion in at least one place in a radial direction of the tire during the vulcanization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroo Matsunaga, Takeshi Hamachi, Miyoji Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 6854963
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for molding a tire (110) with a radially expandable bead molding ring (252). When expanded, the bead molding ring has a circumferentially continuous radially outward-facing surface (259) for molding the bead. The bead molding ring comprises a plurality of segments (254, 256), half of the segments being first segments (254) that are complementary to, and circumferentially alternated with second segments (256). The first segments are wedge shaped, having circumferentially lateral faces (255) that converge towards the radially outward-facing bead molding surface of the bead molding ring, the first segment lateral faces being planar and oriented in the axial direction; and the second segments have lateral faces (257) that are complementary to the first segment lateral faces, such that radially outward movement of the first segments (254) causes radially outward movement of the second segments (256). Guide rods (260) restrict first and second segments to radial movement (310) only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Girard, Brett Alan Kasper
  • Publication number: 20040208945
    Abstract: A tire mold 2 for curing new or retreaded tires 20 has an upper platen 4, a lower platen 6, and a central rim 30 with a frangible member 50 designed to open when a predetermined pressure P1 in excess of the normal curing pressure Pc is observed. The frangible member 50 preferably includes a rupture disk 60 that breaks upon exposure to the pressure P1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Clifford Jack Ciesa, Jean-Marc Francois Fortin, Joseph Alan Incavo, Michael Eugene Porter
  • Patent number: 6733702
    Abstract: A tire mold 2 for curing new or retreaded tires 20 has an upper platen 4, a lower platen 6, and a central rim 30 with a frangible member 50 designed to open when a predetermined pressure P1 in excess of the normal curing pressure Pc is observed. The frangible member 50 preferably includes a rupture disk 60 that breaks upon exposure to the pressure P1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Clifford Jack Ciesa, Jean-Marc Francois Fortin, Joseph Alan Incavo, Michael Eugene Porter
  • Patent number: 6726460
    Abstract: A collapsible mechanism for molding the bead of a tire includes a series of sectors configured for radial and diagonal movement to selectively apply a continuous, uniform surface for molding and shaping the bead. The sectors collapse into a retracted, release position to allow for placement of the tire within and removal of the tire from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: David William Bailey, William George Steiner, Kevin James Peck
  • Patent number: 6702977
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for molding a tire (110) with an expandable bead molding ring assembly (250) having a two-stage movement from a retracted and disengaged state, to a radially expanded state, to an expanded and engaged state for molding a tire bead (112b). The two-stage movement is accomplished using a simple assembly of easily manufactured parts, and is driven by a simple continuous downward (axially outward) movement (320) of a hub (209) of a mold press (220). A combination of annular elements with springs converts the hub movement to the desired two-stage movement of segments (254, 256) of a segmented bead molding ring (252). Frustraconical cam surfaces (258, 266) are used to divide axially directed forces (420a, 420b) from the mold press movement (320) into radial force components (410a, 410b) and axial force components (415a, 415b) for causing corresponding radial movements (310) and axial movements (315) during the two stage movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Girard, Brett Alan Kasper
  • Patent number: 6689304
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for improving a concentricity of a pneumatic vehicle tire having a bead. The process includes subjecting at least a portion of the bead, after vulcanization, to a plastic deformation post-treatment. The post-treatment improves the concentricity of the tire. The apparatus includes a drum having a surface which engages a radially inner bead seat surface of the tire. The drum includes at least one of an internal heating mechanism and an internal cooling mechanism. The drum is adapted to plastically deform at least a portion of the bead of the tire so as to affect at least one of a first, a second, and a third harmonic. The plastic deformation improves the concentricity of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Continental Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Günter Homt, Michael Glinz, Horst Sergel
  • Publication number: 20030141629
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for molding a tire (110) with an expandable bead molding ring assembly (250) having a two-stage movement from a retracted and disengaged state, to a radially expanded state, to an expanded and engaged state for molding a tire bead (112b). The two-stage movement is accomplished using a simple assembly of easily manufactured parts, and is driven by a simple continuous downward (axially outward) movement (320) of a hub (209) of a mold press (220). A combination of annular elements with springs converts the hub movement to the desired two-stage movement of segments (254, 256) of a segmented bead molding ring (252). Frustraconical cam surfaces (258, 266) are used to divide axially directed forces (420a, 420b) from the mold press movement (320) into radial force components (410a, 410b) and axial force components (415a, 415b) for causing corresponding radial movements (310) and axial movements (315) during the two stage movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Girard, Brett Alan Kasper
  • Publication number: 20030141627
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for molding a tire (110) with a radially expandable bead molding ring (252). When expanded, the bead molding ring has a circumferentially continuous radially outward-facing surface (259) for molding the bead. The bead molding ring comprises a plurality of segments (254, 256), half of the segments being first segments (254) that are complementary to, and circumferentially alternated with second segments (256). The first segments are wedge shaped, having circumferentially lateral faces (255) that converge towards the radially outward-facing bead molding surface of the bead molding ring, the first segment lateral faces being planar and oriented in the axial direction; and the second segments have lateral faces (257) that are complementary to the first segment lateral faces, such that radially outward movement of the first segments (254) causes radially outward movement of the second segments (256). Guide rods (260) restrict first and second segments to radial movement (310) only.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Girard, Brett Alan Kasper
  • Patent number: 6479008
    Abstract: A green tire manufactured on a toroidal support is closed in a vulcanization mould. Steam or another fluid under pressure is infed to a diffusion gap which is formed, following an expansion of the tire, between the inner surface of the latter and the outer surface of the toroidal support. Tire expansion is compensated for, by axially moving the beads away from the toroidal support, thereby eliminating too strong tensions on the cords forming the tire carcass structure. A pre-cured liner is previously applied to the inner surface of the tire, to prevent diffusion of water particles in the raw elastomer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Pirelli Pneumatici S.p.A.
    Inventor: Renato Caretta
  • Patent number: 6406282
    Abstract: A sealing ring and rim assembly for use with an outer curing envelope to retread a tire casing. The assembly includes a rigid annular rim having a fixed diameter and a resiliently expandable elastomeric annular sealing rim captured on the rim. An inflatable bladder is located between the rim and the sealing ring so that, when the bladder is inflated, the sealing ring expands into uniform sealing engagement with an inner peripheral bead of the tire casing. The use of an inflatable bladder ensures that sealing pressure will be uniformly exerted so that an endless band of seal is created about the entire circumference of the tire bead. In addition, one particular size of the assembly is capable of use on a variety of tires having a tire bead circumference within a range of circumferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Presti Rubber Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Darryl C. Presti
  • Patent number: 6402489
    Abstract: A tire mold has vent pins extending axially into the mold cavity for penetration of the lower sidewall bead area of the tire providing vents in the tire upon opening of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Dale Kenneth Dyer
  • Patent number: 6402490
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique, S.A.
    Inventor: Gilbert Menard
  • Patent number: 6398533
    Abstract: A mold for a pneumatic tire with an inflatable bladder is disclosed with a pair of axially spaced bead portions each with a bead bottom surface extending from a bead toe toward the axially outside of the tire. The bladder is disposed inside the green tire in the mold and inflated to press the green tire against the inside of the mold. The mold comprises a pair of bead rings and each bead ring is provided with a bead bottom molding face for molding said bead bottom surface. Each bead ring is provided radially inside the bead bottom molding face with a protrusion protruding axially inwardly from the axially inner end of the bead bottom molding face so that the axial extent of the protrusion from the axially inner end of the bead bottom molding face is in the range of from 0.05 to 0.4 times the axial distance between the axially inner ends of the bead molding faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Hanya, Emiko Yamamoto, Masayuki Sakamoto, Ryo Ono
  • Patent number: 6277317
    Abstract: The invention relates to the manufacture of a tire (10) in a bladderless tire mold (12) that incorporates sealing rings (16, 18, 70) that enable the tire (10) to be easily and quickly installed within the tire mold (12) so that the pressurized gas or fluid used to inflate and vulcanize the tire (10) does not leak around the tire bead sections (44, 46) of the tire (10) and escape into the mold cavity (60). An improved method of mounting the tire (10) into the bladderless tire mold (12) allows the tire (10) to be quickly and easily loaded in and unload from the tire mold (12) without the need of moving any mold parts into or out of the space between the tire bead sections (44, 46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Frederick Forbes Vannan, Jr., William Allen Rex, Albert James Yovichin, George Michael Stoila, Harold Aloysius Wolbert
  • Patent number: 6257292
    Abstract: A tire including beads 2 without bead points. Each bead's inner edge 22 is, for instance, of rounded shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Sedepro
    Inventor: Yves Herbelleau
  • Patent number: 6238193
    Abstract: A mold for molding a tire having beads of different diameters, ø0 being the minimum diameter of the tire area at the bead of smaller diameter, ø2 being the minimum diameter of the tire area at the bead of greater diameter. The mold has two shells for molding, respectively, the outer surface of the sidewalls and the outer portion of each bead up to a radially inner limit where the diameter of the tire area is ø0 and ø2, respectively, a continuous counter-molding ring to mold the bead of smaller diameter from the said radially inner limit where the diameter of the tire area is ø0 to an axially inner limit of diameter ø1, where ø1 is smaller than ø2, and a split counter-molding ring to mold the bead of greater diameter from the said radially inner limit where the diameter of the tire area is ø2 to an axially inner limit of diameter ø3. The split ring includes a plurality of retractable segments adjacent in molding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Bernard Bosseaux
  • Patent number: 6033507
    Abstract: A method of repairing windshields which are below room temperature, in the range from about 65.degree. F. to about 40.degree. F. repaired by using a resin whose viscosity ranges from a high end of a range of about 700 c.p.s. to about 400 c.p.s. to a low end of a range of about 150 c.p.s. Also, when the windshield is below about 40.degree. F., the method uses a first low viscosity resin of 10-100 c.p.s. and a second resin from about 150 c.p.s. to about 700 c.p.s. Also, when the crack is a floater, the resin is in the range from about 100 c.p.s. to about 90 c.p.s. and is heated prior to or during injection into the crack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: Richard A. Campfield
  • Patent number: 5961913
    Abstract: A process for vulcanizing tires in an automatically actuatable curing press, which has a vulcanization mold of two or more parts that can be opened and closed and has bead rings for positioning and shaping the tire beads, wherein the bead rings can be moved via actuation mechanisms in the axial direction with regard to the tire position in the curing press. A loading device takes the tire to be vulcanized and positions the tire on the lower bead ring. The press/mold/tire system is sealed inside the bead rings by the curing mold and/or the press and is sealed outside the bead rings by the tire. The automatically actuatable curing press, which is for vehicle tires, has a vulcanization mold of two or more parts that can be opened and closed, and has mold segments, side shells, and bead rings for positioning and shaping the tire beads of the tire. A loading device is provided for taking the tire to be vulcanized and positioning it on the lower bead ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Semperit Reifen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ralf Haase
  • Patent number: 5853526
    Abstract: A module (1) used for the manufacture of tires, comprising an inflatable flexible bladder (10) provided with two beads (11) which is used for the assembling and vulcanization of the tire on the bladder, each bead being anchored on a plate (30, 31). The module (1) has at least one rigid wall mounted on a plate (30, 31) which is adjacent said flexible bladder (10) when the latter is inflated and can be retracted so as to be able to separate the tire from said module (1) after vulcanization and can be spread out radially so as to constitute a reference surface for the assembling of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Sedepro
    Inventors: Daniel Laurent, Herve Mousty