Abstract: A tire press and loader includes a tire chuck supporting, horizontal elevator frame which is vertically movable and maintained horizontal under normal operating conditions by drives connected to respective opposite ends of the frame. The loader also includes a safety device operative to cause canting of the frame from such horizontal position upon failure of one of the drives and a control responsive to such canting to render the loader drives inoperative and further to interrupt automatic operation of the press until the fault causing such failure is corrected. The safety device includes holding devices at opposite ends of the horizontal frame which yield to downward driving movement of such ends by respective drives. The holding devices are characterized by flexible elements trained over sprockets connected by slip clutches to a common safety shaft which may rotate in only one direction corresponding to upward movement of the horizontal frame by reason of a one-way clutch or the like.

Abstract: A tire loader for supplying a green tire into a vulcanizing press, comprising a plurality guide tracks extending radially outwardly, a plurality of grippers movably mounted on the guide tracks, respectively, for gripping a bead of the green tire in contact therewith, a plurality of fluid cylinders having rods connected respectively to the grippers and actuatable for moving the grippers along the guide tracks, and a stop for limiting the radially outward movement of the grippers along the guide tracks.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading or unloading tires for a tire vulcanizing machine is disclosed which essentially comprises a pair of vertically extending guide rods fixedly secured to a housing of the tire vulcanizing machine, a common board slidably fitted onto said guide rods so as to be displaced in the vertical direction with the aid of driving means, a pair of booms adapted to be displaced in the vertical direction together with said common board, each of said booms being turnable about the guide rod, tire grasping means including a plurality of grasping pawls at the one end of each of the booms, and means for limiting the extent of turning movement of the boom.

Abstract: A tire press, loader and method wherein a green tire is positioned by the loader between vertically separated mold sections and then engaged and held at the top bead thereof in registered contact with an upper bead ring of the press mold by a green tire bead elevator in the press head. While such registered contact is maintained, the upper bead ring and bead elevator raise and hold the green tire to the upper mold section as the loader axially clears the green tire and withdraws from the press. After such transfer of the green tire to the press head, the press partially closes to bring the bottom bead of the green tire against the lower bead ring of the press mold for subsequent shaping of the green tire and final closure of the press. The bead elevator includes a radially expandable chuck mounted for vertical movement in the press head which operates, when expanded, to engage and move the top bead of the green tire into registered or fully seated contact with the upper bead ring.

Abstract: A radial tire having an annular cavity is built with precision and positioned between the upper and lower mold sections of a tire press. An upper center mechanism has an inflatable clamping bladder for gripping the upper bead of the tire which is suspended from the center mechanism to insure orientation of the tire components in substantially the built condition of the tire. The upper center mechanism including the upper bead ring and clamping bladder is lowered to grip and center the upper bead on the upper bead ring. The lower bead is positioned over the lower bead ring and sealing air may be utilized to provide the necessary centering and seating. The sealing air in the tire cavity is maintained at a pressure sufficient to hold the beads in seating engagement with the bead rings while the curing bladder is being inserted in the tire cavity and while the clamping bladder is deflated and retracted with the center support assembly from the tire cavity.

Abstract: A chuck assembly for use in a loader of a tire vulcanizer including a ring-shaped chuck main casing having an inner cylinder of a bore long enough to allow entry of a press center mechanism including a center post, a bladder and so forth, an outer cylinder concentrically surrounding the periphery of the inner cylinder and an upper cover connecting the inner and outer cylinders, rails radially aligned between the inner and outer cylinders in the main casing, a plurality of chucking paddles held by sliders slidably extending on a respective one of the rails for movement along the rails, and a ring-shaped chuck cam rotatably disposed about a rotational axis of the inner cylinder in the chuck main casing, wherein slider shafts of one of the respective paddles are slidably engaged with working cam grooves radially aligned in the chuck cam.

Abstract: A tire curing press has a loader assembly comprising a bead grip for engaging and lifting the axial interior of the upper bead of a green tire and a tread positioning ring movable axially to an adjusted position to engage the tire tread shoulder and to force a predetermined distance between the upper bead and tread to identify precisely the transaxial middle or crown plane of the tread. The loader includes means to swing the bead grip and tread register from a tire pick-up position to a load position centered in the press and to position the lower bead of the green tire on or close to a movable toe ring, and then to lower the bead grip, tread register and toe ring uniformly with the green tire held open and firmly therebetween to match the transaxial middle plane of the tread to that of a bladder mounted in a center mechanism in the press by independently movable top and bottom bladder bead clamps.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading unvulcanized tires on a tire vulcanizing machine of the sort which has a vertically movable loader arm with a contractibly expansible paddle at the fore end thereof, an oscillating cylinder cooperative with a movable arm for oscillating the loader arm in a horizontal plane, and a stand-by station for temporarily holding unvulcanized tires to be loaded on the vulcanizing machine, the loader arm being adapted to load the unvulcanized tires one after another in a mold on the machine by lifting, oscillating and paddle-expanding operations. The loading apparatus is characterized by the provision of a plural number of stand-by stations on a locus of oscillatory movement of one loader arm, and a plural number of oscillating cylinders cooperative with a corresponding number of movable arms for oscillating the loader arm between the center of the mold and a selected one of the stand-by stations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for unloading a tire from a tire vulcanizer wherein following the vulcanization of the tire within upper and lower molds the tires withdrawn from a bladder through tire support arms travelling in a given trajectory and is then transferred on to a device which in turn conveys the tire to the next succeeding step, the method utilized in accordance with the apparatus including the steps of forwarding the tire support arms in a horizontal direction to correspond to sides of the bottom of the tire to be removed, elevating the arms in a vertical direction together with the tire for removing the tire therefrom and transfering the tire onto the conveying device via a path different from that for the forwarding arms while the tire is being held in a horizontal position.

Abstract: An apparatus for vulcanizing a vehicle tire comprises upper and lower platens supporting mold shell sections which when mounted one on the other form a mold enclosing a mold cavity. The upper platen is moved first vertically and then laterally with respect to the lower platen by a bull gear crank. A vulcanizing bladder is stretched by a piston rod of a fluid-dynamic piston-cylinder assembly through the opening of a vehicle tire casing disposed in the mold cavity to facilitate loading of the casing in the mold cavity.The apparatus is also provided with a second fluid actuated piston-cylinder assembly to move the upper platen while maintaining the bladder standing sufficiently, in relation to the lower plane of the mold, in such a way as to adapt the press even for unloading tires having dimensions larger than those of the usual tires for which the apparatus was originally built.

Abstract: A tire press bag well is insulated with at least one envelope. The envelope extends substantially around the bag well within the bag well housing and can be inflated. The envelope, in addition to its insulating properties, can have insulation thereon and the ends of the envelope can be fastened to itself. The configuration of the envelope, once installed, desirably conforms to the shape of the bag well housing. Since heat is applied to a tire press via the bag well, insulation thereof considerably reduces heat loss as well as reduces cure time.

Abstract: A tire curing press has a loader assembly comprising a bead grip for engaging and lifting the axial interior of the upper bead of a green tire and a tread positioning ring movable axially to an adjusted position to engage the tire tread shoulder and to force a predetermined distance between the upper bead and tread to identify precisely the transaxial middle or crown plane of the tread. The loader includes means to swing the bead grip and tread register from a tire pick-up position to a load position centered in the press and to position the lower bead of the green tire on or close to a movable toe ring, and then to lower the bead grip, tread register and toe ring uniformly with the green tire held open and firmly therebetween to match the transaxial middle plane of the tread to that of a bladder mounted in a center mechanism in the press by independently movable top and bottom bladder bead clamps.

Abstract: A loader safety device for a tire curing press that has a frame with a pair of vertically extending side members and a support platform operatively mounted on the side members for vertical movement, and a tire-engaging device mounted on the support platform, wherein a cylinder with a piston rod operatively extending therefrom is positioned on the frame and its piston rod operatively engages a carriage movably mounted on the frame for movement laterally thereof, the cylinder-piston rod unit control the position of the carriage on the top portion of the frame; and a rotary device is mounted on the carriage with a flexible device being operatively anchored at one end to the frame and extending to and engaging the support platform at its other end, which support device operatively engages the rotary device so as to raise and lower the support platform with respective extension and retraction of the piston rod by pressures in the control cylinder.

Abstract: A segmented mold for molding tire casings has a fixed lower mold part for molding one side wall of the tire, a series of molding segments for molding the tread movably mounted on the lower mold part to be slidable and swingable along radial planes, an axially movable upper mold part for molding the other side wall of the tire, and means cooperating with the segments to effect the movement thereof along the radial planes. The mold also has elastic members interposed between the fixed lower mold part and the segments for continously urging each of said segments toward an open position in which the segments are radially retracted and swung upward and to the outside of the mold to free a passage for the tire when the upper mold part is lifted off. These members include a first spring for pulling each segment radially outward and a second spring for tilting each segment vertically upward toward an open position.

Abstract: A loader for tire machinery such as tire presses is disclosed, which loader is supported from a vertically and horizontally movable frame and which includes a vertical shaft or sleeve journaled with respect to the frame with a horizontal plate secured for rotation therewith. Loader shoes are mounted on the frame for radial movement and respective links interconnect the plate and each loader shoe, each link extending at a common angle with respect to a radius from the center of rotation of the plate, and rotation of the plate in one direction will reduce the angle accordingly moving the shoes radially outwardly and rotation of the plate in the opposite direction will increase the angle moving the shoes radially inwardly. Each link is adjustable in length and the extent of rotation of the plate in one or both directions is limited by adjustable stops. The loader shoes remain parallel throughout their movement and are supported for radial movement by self-aligning slider blocks.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for injection molding solid steel-banded industrial rubber tires wherein a steel band is inserted in the bottom mold member cavity when the top mold member is in open position. Bite ring and knockout member components are contained in mold member cavity recesses. Closing movement of the mold members to mated position seals the bite ring and knockout member components against the steel bank and mold member recess surfaces to prevent leakage of injected rubber compound from the cavity during injection and curing. The mold has an internal wedge member which expands a split ring against the steel band when the mold is closed to prevent band distortion from pressure existing when the mold is injected and the rubber is cured therein to form the tire tread portion which is bonded to the steel band during curing. Mold components knock the cured tire out of the top mold member upon opening the mold.

Abstract: A tire support stand for holding and fully supporting the bead and sidewall portions of partially toroidally shaped uncured tire bands or green tire carcasses preparatory to loading into shaping and vulcanizing presses or molds is disclosed. The stand comprises a first fixed truncated cone member with its apex downward and a second concentric truncated cone member with its apex opposite or upward, the second member being mounted on a threaded shaft journaled in the base to which the first member is fixed, whereby the second member is adjustable in relation to the first. The first member is adapted to support the tire sidewall region; and the second, the tire bead. The tire stand is compatible with a wide range of tire sizes by virtue of the adjustment feature, and the full circumferential support of both the bead and sidewall portions prevents deformation and resultant adverse effects upon tire quality, performance and safety.

Abstract: A tire curing press and method are characterized by a center mechanism operative first to center the top bead of a green tire carcass with respect to the top mold section and then the bottom bead with respect to the bottom mold section, and to hold the beads centered and axially separated as the press closes to cause the beads to register and seat with the toe rings of the top and bottom mold sections simultaneously as the press closely approaches its closed condition. The center mechanism comprises top and bottom segmented annular clamping rings adapted to engage and shape the axial interior of the bead area of the tire and respective chuck assemblies including a multi-faceted linear cam and respective followers for each ring segment operative to collapse each alternate ring segment and then each other ring segment. The clamping rings achieve automatic loading, centering and unloading and may be used individually or paired in bladder or bladderless curing.

Abstract: A system for transferring raw covers for motor vehicle pneumatic tires to vulcanizing autoclaves arranged in at least one row thereof from an overhead conveyor having a plurality of trolleys each carrying one raw cover, comprising a secondary conveyor branch of the overhead conveyor, onto which the trolleys can be diverted to a wait unloading, and a transfer mechanism comprising a plurality of transfer devices running on an overhead track system and each having a support column suspended from a trolley which runs on the track, the support column serving to guide a first frame for vertical displacement and the first frame itself supporting and guiding a second frame for horizontal movement, the second frame carrying at least one gripper device at the end of an arm which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis to position the gripper device pointing upwardly, in which position it is able to remove a cover from a trolley, or downwardly, in which position it is able to deliver the cover to the selected autoclave

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning a partially shaped, uncured tire carcass and a tire curing bladder of a lower half-section of a vulcanization mold relative to one another, is disclosed. The apparatus includes the lower half-section of a vulcanization mold from which an inflatable, tire curing bladder extends axially upwardly, the bladder being axially and radially expansible and contractible. A bladder-controlling piston rod is associated with the lower half-section and is used to axially elongate the bladder and thereby radially contract the latter. A circumferentially expansible-contractible tire carcass transporter is associated with the lower half-section and is effective to position a generally toroidally shaped, uncured tire carcass concentrically around the bladder, with the lower bead of the tire in contact with the upper inner surface of the lower half-section. A downwardly projecting cylinder and piston rod assembly is carried concentrically in and by the tire carcass transporter.

Abstract: A tire press unloader for a tire curing press of the upstanding bladder type includes a pivoting tire platform mounted for vertical movement on a horizontally movable unloader frame. The platform includes a pivot control member to keep the same from pivoting during initial upward movement and then require the same to pivot during the final vertical movement. The control member also requires the platform to return to its horizontal position as it starts downwardly. Obstructions in the path of the control member require such pivotal movement. The tire platform is mounted on a pivoting horizontal shaft disposed in vertical slots in the unloader frame and the pivot control member is secured to the shaft for common pivotal movement. When the press is opened and the cured tire has been elevated by the bladder mechanism, the tire platform is positioned beneath the cured tire to support the tire as the bladder is stripped therefrom.

Abstract: A trunnion type post cure inflator includes a pre-positioning platform and a loader to pick up a tire and bring it to a precise center and in parallelism with an open inside multi-stepped PCI ring, one of a pair capable of sealing different bead diameter tires. The loader works partly in conjunction with the PCI opening and closing mechanism so that the PCI is cleared for loading and the loader cleared for locking, each simultaneously. Tire holding devices are provided to permit cooling without inflation and dump unloading when the trunnion is rotated. Precision centering is obtained minimizing "no PCI" defects and enabling use of multi-step rings so that such rings do not require changing for different tire bead diameters.

Abstract: The production of a very large tire by expanding the uncured unrestrained carcass of the tire to engage its crown region with the radially inward surface of a rigid circumferentially continuous centering ring. The ring and the uncured carcass together are transported from the carcass expanding location to the tire curing mold which is adapted to receive and locate the ring and carcass together so as to prevent the mid-circumferential region of the carcass from shifting out of symmetry with the mold. The ring forms a part of the mold for molding and curing the tire carcass. The inward surface of the ring is provided with a pattern of grooves and ridges; the method and apparatus disclosed are particularly useful in the manufacture of a cured tire carcass adapted to combine with an endless tread assembly cured apart from and independently of the tire carcass to make the complete tire.

Abstract: A dual cavity tire press having side by side mold sections incorporate vertically extending center mechanisms which include a shaping bladder. The center mechanisms are moved vertically after the press opens while the bladder is within the tire to strip the tire from the bottom mold sections. Vertical movement of the center mechanisms is obtained by a single floating horizontally disposed piston-cylinder assembly which is mounted at the front of the press outside of the base, each end of the piston-cylinder assembly being connected through a lever arrangement to move the respective bead lift posts of the center mechanisms vertically. When the piston-cylinder assembly is pressurized, its entire force is applied simultaneously to each center mechanism to move the same vertically and such force is maintained throughout the vertical height movement of both center mechanisms. By a removable stop or lock, one of the center mechanisms may be made inoperable without affecting the movement and operation of the other.

Abstract: Apparatus for accurately aligning two elements of a press which have relative movement between them is provided in the form of a pair of interconnected levers and a cooperating tooth. The pair of interconnected levers are mounted on one of the two elements with each lever having a tooth engaging face, the pair of tooth engaging faces forming a vise which selectively engages the tooth located on the other element. Accurate alignment between the two elements is achieved by relative movement between the two elements caused by the vise engaging the tooth.

Abstract: A press for the vulcanization of tires comprising a horizontal cross-member which is mounted in a cantilever fashion at one of its ends on a support having a vertical axis, and which is able to both pivot about and to slide along the vertical axis of said support. In order to control both the pivoting and sliding movements of the horizontal cross-member, there is provided a single control means associated with guide means comprising a cam follower member and a groove forming a cam having two end portions which extend vertically and which are one another offset vertically and angularly in relation to axis of support, and an intermediate portion progressively connecting the two end portions of the groove.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying pre-formed, uncured tread material at an elevated temperature to tire casings is disclosed wherein a number of tires may be processed simultaneously so as to utilize the advanced state of heat of the tread material to assist in curing of the tread, and bonding the same to the casing. The apparatus includes a plurality of stations and interconnecting conveyor means, whereby the uncured tread material can be applied to the tire casing and the assembled tire indexed into a curing mold for final curing, while simultaneously a separate station accomplishes application of tread material to a second casing which is then moved to a second station for curing purposes. The number of stations will be dictated only by the length of time involved in final curing, in that the time required for applying the treads to the casings is only a fraction of the time required for final curing.

Abstract: A tire curing press which includes a center mechanism projecting from the bottom mold section, such center mechanism including a top movable clamping plate supporting the open upper end of a shaping bladder, and a chuck in the top mold section interfitting between the bead ring on the top mold section and the top plate on the center mechanism, when the press is closed, the chuck including toe portion adapted to fit under the bead of the cured tire, a conical skirt portion centering the I.D. of the tire bead shortly after the press begins to open, and a heel portion adapted to bear against the bladder as the chuck opens. The cured tire is then under the control of the chuck and is maintained centered as the tire is stripped from the mold sections and the bladder from the tire. The bladder may be stripped from the tire by vertically elongating the bladder with the chuck remaining in contact with the top plate.

Abstract: Device for centering and positioning the upper bead of a horizontally disposed crude tire around a bead ring provided centrally of the upper, vertically movable portion of the mold in a vulcanizing press of the type comprising a set of radial segments disposed in a central cavity in the upper mold portion, said segments having their operative ends shaped to constitute together a tapered centering member; a vulcanizing bladder is firstly inflated moderately in order to push said upper bead against said tapered centering member, whereafter said segments are allowed to retract radially and rise in said cavity under the bladder pressure until the upper bead is force fitted around the bead ring.

Abstract: A charging device for a vulcanizing press has a cylinder disposed concentrically with a vulcanizing mold, a movable piston vertically movable through the cylinder, a piston rod secured to the piston, and a gas-tight cylindrical bladder of a flexible material held between the upper end of the piston rod and the top of the cylinder.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to retread molds adapted for manual, semi-automatic, or full automatic operation particularly in bag or bladder retreading operations, and includes the following novel features:A. bead aligner wheels with circular continuous uninterrupted sealing ribs for forming annular chambers in conjunction with an associated bladder which upon pressurization of the latter results in a partial vacuum in the chambers such that the bladder will be maintained as desired during opening and closing of the matrices as well as relative movement between the bead aligner wheels;B. bladder locating means on the bead aligner wheels for centering the bladder and projections on the bead aligner wheels for preventing bladder pinching;C. cooperative means on the exterior surface of the bladder and the bead aligner wheels for venting air from between the bladder and an associated tire to atmosphere;D.

Abstract: A curing press for tires having relatively movable upper and lower mold sections, a center mechanism, a housing in the center mechanism, a hub attached to the housing, a bead ring carried by the hub for engaging the lower bead of a tire, a lift mechanism operatively engaging the housing for moving the hub relative to the lower mold section, and mold blow out apparatus on the hub for directing pressurized fluid into contact with the lower mold section during the movement of the hub relative to the lower mold section to remove residual foreign matter therefrom.

Abstract: Vulcanizer lock means for a vulcanizer of the type wherein a tire carcass is shaped and cured in a mold cavity defined between top and bottom mold sections which are respectively mounted on a vertically movable support member and a fixed support member characterized in the provision of a mold-embracing lock ring which at its lower end has a rotatable, but axially fixed, connection with said fixed support member and which at its upper end has radially inwardly extending lugs with bottom helical surfaces engaged with top helical surfaces of radially outwardly extending lugs of said movable support member when said lock ring is rotated to locking position, said lugs being circumferentially offset when said lock ring is rotated to unlocking position to permit vertical movement of said movable support member and top mold section for unloading of the cured tire and for loading of the next uncured carcass.

Abstract: A tire press unloader for use with a tire press of the standing bladder type which includes a vertically extensible elevator stanchion pivoted at its lower end at the back of the press and pivotally supporting a conveyor platform. When the press is opened and the cured tire has been elevated by the bladder mechanism, the conveyor platform is positioned beneath the cured tire on firm supports to provide an unyielding horizontal platform engaging and supporting the tire as the bladder is stripped therefrom. When the green tire is on the platform clear of the bladder, the platform elevates and then tilts backwardly to lift the cured tire over the top of the standing bladder mechanism. The tire then rolls down to a tire stop and the platform retracts. Cam stop means may be provided as the platform descends with the tire causing the platform to tilt at least partially to clear the motor housing or other parts of the press.

Abstract: Sectional molds for tires wherein radially movable sectors are mounted in a permanent way on a fixed lower casing of the mold in such a way that the sections do not have to be lifted and pulled up with a movable upper platform, when the press of the mold is opening. The sectors are connected to the lower casing which supports them by connecting means such as linked struts that are operatively associated with the sectors, at the beginning of the opening of the mold, having at the same time a slight lifting movement parallel to the lower casing and a slight radial backward movement assuring the detachment of the sectors with respect to the tread of the molded tire.

Abstract: The apparatus is so constructed that the manipulator thereof, successively positionable over a series of tire vulcanizing presses, has mounted directly thereon a plunger that can be lowered vertically to push the bladder into the well in the bottom mold section of the press and to spread radially the segments clamping the bead of a cured tire. The same manipulator supports the rod of a mechanism for removing cured tires, movable vertically upward in opposition to the plunger.Each bladder is provided at the center thereof with a ball valve closing off the hole for the plunger after the exit of the plunger therefrom, the latter being actuated by a rack-and-pinion transmission preventing rotation of the plunger.

Abstract: A method for discharging a cured tire from a mold in which method the lower sidewall of the tire is disengaged from the lower section of the mold by raising the tire with respect to the position in which it had been cured while maintaining the sections of the mold at its tread and upper sidewall in contact with the tire, then disengaging the section at its tread by moving said section radially outwardly while simultaneously pushing the tire and section at its upper sidewall downward to a level lower than that corresponding to the lower surface of the section of the mold for the tire's tread, displacing the section for the tire tread inwardly until its diameter is less than the outer diameter of the tire and finally raising the tire and the upper section for the upper sidewall until the tire is disengaged from the upper sidewall section.

Abstract: Replaceable tread or track belts on tube tire carcasses can be changed in the field and elsewhere by venting the pressure within the tube tire carcass, subsequently creating a partial vacuum within the tire carcass sufficient to cause it to commence collapsing, and then, while maintaining the vacuum constant in the carcass, physically depressing the periphery thereof at circumferentially spaced intervals to convert the outer circular surface of the carcass to a polygonal configuration that allows the circular belts to be conveniently changed.

Abstract: This press comprises a frame structure, an unloading station on one side of said frame structure, a mold, a cross member extending over said frame structure and movable in relation thereto between a molding position in which the upper portion of the mold is vertically aligned with the lower portion of the mold, and an unloading position in which said upper mold portion is vertically aligned with said unloading station. The cross member is mounted in cantilever fashion at one end to a support having a vertical axis and is adapted to pivot about this vertical axis and slide along said support. The press is intended notably for vulcanizing tires and affords a considerable reduction in the mold loading and unloading time while being more reliable in operation.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1.

Abstract: The pneumatic tire vulcanizing apparatus includes a series of vulcanizing presses arranged in a row, the presses including mold assemblies each having a top mold section and a bottom mold section, and a manipulator for reloading of the molds. The manipulator includes a frame associated with drive means for moving the frame along the row of the presses, the frame supporting thereon a mold opening mechanism including a cross beam provided with clamping means adapted to engage the top mold sections, as well as a mechanism for loading green tires into bottom mold sections, associated with a carriage supporting green tire holders.