Abstract: A tire press, loader and method employs a stationary bottom mold section and a vertically movable top mold section which moves upwardly to open the press clearing the area therebetween for discharge of the cured tire and loading of the green or uncured tire. The press loads the green tire initially into the top mold section centering and holding the top bead of the green tire on the bead ring of the top mold section. To position the uncured tire for such top loading there is provided a loader which engages the uncured tire at the lower shoulder of the tread area. The loader includes pivotally movable chuck sector assemblies, each mounted on a ring. The ring can readily be centered with respect to the axis of the mold sections and each assembly can be moved concurrently uniformly radially of the ring to accommodate tires of different sizes.

Abstract: An apparatus for consolidating an annular ring of uncured elastomeric material in a tread ring mould comprising a set of rigid segments in sliding end-to-end relationship to form a consolidation ring having a first small diameter for insertion of the segments into the elastomeric material in the tread mould and a second larger diameter at which the segments form a smooth, continuous consolidating surface, mechanical means for moving the segments from the first diameter substantially to the second diameter and a fluid pressure inflatable bag means which may be inflated behind the segments to apply consolidation force at the second diameter.

Abstract: Rubber tire curing bladder having a coating containing a polydimethylsiloxane, a silane a surfactant and optionally a metal salt of an organic acid.

Abstract: A tire curing press (20) according to the concepts of the present invention includes a fixed base (12), a base beam (20) mounted on the fixed base, a lower mold section (L) for a tire supported by the base beam, a cross beam (25) supportingly mounting an upper mold (U), a beam lifting device (40) for effecting relative movement between the base beam and the cross beam, a connecting rod assembly (30) for aligning the upper mold section and the lower mold section, bolster assemblies (68, 80) positioned between the beams and the mold sections, and loading elements (75, 85) interposed between the beams and the bolsters for applying mold section squeeze forces at selected locations on the bolsters producing substantially uniform loading on the mold sections. The tire curing press may have in lieu of or in addition to the loading elements strain rod locking assemblies (100) selectively locking the strain rod (31) of each connecting rod assembly during the application of squeeze forces to the mold sections.

Abstract: A vehicle tire crown portion 10 including a tread 11 is injection molded and prevulcanized in a closed annular mold cavity 17 defined by a segmented outer mold 16 clamped together by a locking ring 22 and a segmented core 19 pressed against the outer mold by upper and lower pressure plates 25, 26. The core is then removed by disassembling its segments, whereafter a carcass 14 and prevulcanized sidewalls 12, 13 are placed in the central portion of the mold on an inflatable air bag 38 flanked by lateral mold section 39, 40. The vulcanization of the tire assembly is then completed, during which the sidewalls are joined to the retained crown portion.

Abstract: A vehicle tire crown portion 10 including a tread 11 is injection molded and prevulcanized in a closed annular mold cavity 17 defined by a segmented outer mold 16 clamped together by a locking ring 22 and a segmented core 19 pressed against the outer mold by upper and lower pressure plates 25, 26. The core is then removed by disassembling its segments, whereafter a carcass 14 and prevulcanized sidewalls 12, 13 are placed in the central portion of the mold on an inflatable air bag 38 flanked by lateral mold sections 39, 40. The vulcanization of the tire assembly is then completed, during which the sidewalls are joined to the retained crown portion.

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: The specification describes a tire vulcanizer adapted for use in performing the shaping and curing operation of a green tire efficiently and safely. The vulcanizer is characterized by means for lifting or lowering an upper ring, which includes a rotary means consisting of a ball screw shaft and nut cylinder, and a mechanism adapted to render said ball screw shaft rotate freely upon receiving a signal which is generated upon the completion of the shaping and curing operation.

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: Separable mold sections of a tire forming machine are brought together to form a tire cavity within which a preformed tire band is expandable against the inner surface of the cavity side wall. During the tire shaping operation, air is forced by the expanding tire band from the cavity and into the atmosphere, through valve controlled air passages having terminal ends open to the cavity side wall. As the expanding tire band moves into conforming engagement with the inner surface of the cavity side wall, the final residual air in the cavity is forced therefrom concurrently with valves at the passage terminal ends being engaged and moved by the expanding tire band to passage closing positions wherein the valves form a smooth surface continuous with the inner surface of the tire cavity.

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 cylindrical expandable sleeve for use in a curing process wherein a pair of annular end portions and a cylindrical expandable body have a longitudinally extending splice with interlocking ribs and surfaces to firmly interconnect such body into a unitary whole for use in successive expansions and contractions.

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: An automatic press for tire retreading is described which comprises a basic fixed stamp or mold, a plurality of movable radial sectors cooperating with the stamp or mold, and a vertical axis frame jointed to the fixed stamp. The frame is substantially shaped as a double bell and has a suitable radial opening. Along the edges of the frame, the perimetrical borders of a band which is comparable to an opened air tube, are fixed by means of annular elements; the air tube is blown-up through the air space defined by the bell frame by means of a valve. A suction valve which allows the air to be exhausted from the chamber without the necessity of providing for a pump is also provided.

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: The apparatus utilizes a mandrel in a substantially ring or cylindrical shape about which is disposed inwardly pressure supplying means, an annular cavity disposed between the mandrel and pressure means, and means for supplying heat to the mandrel to initiate its thermal growth during curing of the belting. The metal of the mandrel has a high coefficient of thermal expansion which during use applies radial outward pressure against the belt body being cured.

Abstract: A method for making double angle V-belts is provided which comprises providing an uncured belt body, placing at least a portion of the length of such body in a mold comprising a pair of mating mold sections which, when closed, provide an elongated cavity having a double truncated V cross-section, closing the mold sections, applying uniform resilient pressure to opposite sides of the belt body while confined in the mold, curing the body portion, releasing the pressure, opening the mold and removing the resulting molded and cured belt portion.Also provided is a mold for simultaneously molding and curing a double angle V-belt which comprises a pair of mating mold sections, each section comprising an elongated, generally symmetrical trapezoidal cavity and having means for applying resilient pressure at the apex of the cavity.

Abstract: An upper half of a mold for vulcanization of tires mounted on a vulcanization press machine is composed of an inner mold portion and an outer mold portion. The contacting face of the outer mold portion to the inner mold portion is tapered to allow a downward movement of the inner mold portion independent of the outer mold portion. With the downward movement of the inner mold portion, the tire is easily separated from the outer mold portion due to deformation.

Abstract: A pressure fluid connector assembly for a system to mold an article using heat transfer pressure fluid media supplied and exhausted through valved conduits. An article is formed in a mold cavity having an expansible pressure forming member with a media chamber. An assembly is positioned through a media chamber wall to provide concentric circulation during supply and exhaust of the media. An assembly has a nozzle body with a conical outer surface for frictional engagement with the surface of a coaxial bore of a resilient grommet adapted for mating engagement with and secure attachment to a media chamber wall. The nozzle body has a coaxial bore housing a core tube providing that media supply is transversely from the assembly and that media exhaust is coaxially within the assembly. An exhaust conduit extension having a remote intake end may be connected to the nozzle body.

Abstract: A sinker unit for preparing an annular unvulcanized tread band comprises an annular mold for supporting the tread band and an expandable annular sinker member for forcing the tread band against the inner surface of the mold. The sinker member includes side walls which are resiliently biassed outwardly so that the sinker member is maintained in a tensioned condition when it is forced against the tread band. The sinker member may be forced against the tread band by means of an expanding air bag underneath the sinker member.

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: This disclosure relates to a venting retainer for a tire curing tube, bladder or the like including means for generally porously encapsulating a tire curing bladder exteriorly thereof whereby upon the upon the insertion of the encapsulating means and the tire curing bladder into a tire internal air is automatically vented to atmosphere. The encapsulating means is preferably composed of a plurality of criss-crossed strands, said strands are secured between a pair of plates, and said plates are relatively movable toward and away from each other to vary the configuration of the encapsulating means prior to and during the insertion of the encapsulating means into a tire adapted to be cured in an associated matrix.

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: This disclosure relates to retread molds adapted for manual, semi-automatic or full automatic operation and specifically is directed to a pair of relatively movable platens carrying matrix means for receiving a tire therein with bead aligner wheels associated therewith, the bead aligner wheels being in axially opposed relationship to each other, an annular bladder disposed between the platens, the annular bladder having innermost peripheral marginal portions, the marginal portions being in overlying relationship upon the bead aligner wheels, and means for creating an annular gap between a terminal edge of each bladder peripheral marginal portion, an outboard portion of each of the bladder peripheral margins and the associated bead aligner wheel, the annular gap creating means being defined by an annular bead carried by each outboard portion and/or terminal end of each bladder peripheral marginal portion in sealing contact with its associated bead aligner wheel.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to retread molds adapted for manual, semi-automatic, or fully automatic operation in either bag or bagless retreading operations, and includes a pair of bead aligner wheels which are retracted to permit tire beads to become self-adjusting or floating thereby seeking their own natural position permitting a wider range of tire sizes to be properly cured in the same matrix, the molds further including a seal in the form of at least a single O-ring seal contacting the exterior of each tire side wall to preclude pressurized fluid within the mold cavity from escaping to atmosphere, and in the automatic version means are provided for automatically inserting a bag in the tire, locking the mold, inflating the bag, and reversing these functions prior to the removal of the cured tire.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a retreading mold having relatively movable platens, a bead aligner wheel carried by each platen, a bladder disposed between the bead aligner wheels, a continuous uninterrupted rib carried by each bead aligner wheel for hermetically sealing against the exterior surface of the bladder, the bladder including a pair of innermost edges, and each of the edges being in further hermetic sealing contact with its associated bead aligner wheel at a point radially inboard of the sealing rib whereby an annular portion of each bead aligner wheel is spanned by a portion of the bladder to form therewith a hermetically sealed annular chamber.

Abstract: An expandable bladder for shaping a pneumatic tire, comprising a thick, substantially cylindrical center section having a multiplicity of convolutions perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical section on the inner surface of said section, said convolutions providing local reductions in thickness and additional axial extensibility to the bladder, a pair of annular, beaded end sections extending inwardly from each end of the cylindrical center section, and reinforcing material extending through the center section and end sections to limit the axial extensibility of the bladder. This abstract is not to be taken either as a complete exposition or as a limitation of the present invention, however, the full nature and extent of the invention being discernible only by reference to and from the entire disclosure.

Abstract: Apparatus for making power transmission belting from an uncured body which apparatus includes two concentric cylindrical members of substantially the same length which are interpositioned between two generally flat parallel plates clamped together by a press means. A bladder assembly disposed within and together with the innermost cylindrical member define a mold concavity for receiving, molding, and curing power transmission belting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in curing vehicle tires including a tire support rim possessing a first inlet to introduce an initial pressure into an inner tube to seat a tire on the rim. The curing rim further includes a second inlet for introducing a second pressure between the inner tube and the casing of the vehicle tire to deflate the inner tube and maintain the vehicle tire in proper position during a curing operation.