Abstract: A tire vulcanizer includes: a support structure (13) which includes a platen portion (14); a guide member (31) which includes a flanged portion (33) in an end portion thereof so as to cause the flanged portion (33) to be detachably supported by a peripheral edge portion of a through-hole (25) formed in the platen portion (14); and a bag head (37) which is slidably inserted into the guide member (31). The bag head (37) includes a restriction member (70) which abuts on the guide member (31) and restricts displacement of the bag head (37) in an insertion direction in a case where the bag head (37) is inserted to a predetermined position set in advance with respect to the guide member (31). The restriction monitor (70) is detachable mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the bag head (37) to protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface.

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.

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

Abstract: In a center mechanism of a tire vulcanizer of the present invention, in order to improve working efficiency and lower total height, after a green tire is vulcanized and patterned and becomes a vulcanized tire, a bladder well is lifted from a bottom position where a lower bead ring is positioned on a lower mold and a bladder is installed in the green tire to a top position where the lower bead ring is positioned above the lower mold and an upper clamp, and the upper clamp, a lower clamp, and the bladder are placed in the bladder well, while heights of the upper clamp and the lower clamp are fixed.

Abstract: A vulcanisation apparatus and method for vehicle wheel tyres, includes at least one prevulcanisation work station to conduct a prevulcanisation of a radially internal portion of the tyre and at least two vulcanisation work stations wherein the remaining part of the vulcanisation of the whole tyre is carried out.

Abstract: A rim 58, 83 of a post cure inflator 60 can be changed in an easy and safety manner, while the amount of energy consumption is reduced. A inflator body 61 having the lower rim 58 can be located at a lower position, and the upper rim 83 can be moved downward to a lower position. Thus, the lower rim 58 and the upper rim 83 can be changed at the lower position in response to the change of the type of the tire to be manufactured, whereby the changing operation is made easy and safety. Further, the upper rim 83 moves upward. With this configuration, a vulcanized tire T having a heavy weight only moves in a front and rear direction while being supported by the inflator 61 (lower rim 58), whereby the amount of energy consumption can be reduced easily.

Abstract: In a center mechanism of a tire vulcanizing machine, including an upper clamp ring for grasping an upper opening end part of a bladder, a lower clamp ring for grasping a lower opening end part of the bladder, a hub on a side of a lower mold for supporting the lower clamp ring, a spacer connected to the hub and supported on the side of the lower mold to be ascendable and descendable, and a center post supported by the spacer to be extensible and contractible, the hub and the spacer are formed as members separate from each other, and are divisibly bound to each other by bolts.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for disassembling, assembling and using a toroidally shaped segmented core configured to carry a tire during a curing process includes: a transport mechanism operatively moving the segmented core between a plurality of stations in a tire curing line; one or more segment removal devices for removing a plurality of core segments individually from a cured tire and from around a core central axis and placing the core segments individually in respective spaced apart storage locations; and one or more core segment assembly devices for removing the core segments individually from the storage locations and placing the core segments individually in respective core locations to form an assembled segmented core. The apparatus and method operatively sequences to place and remove differently structured core segments individually into and from the assembled core configuration.

Abstract: A center mechanism of a tire vulcanizer is provided with a screwing mechanism provided with a screw shaft and a screw nut screwed onto the screw shaft, a motor for rotating the screw shaft so as to raise and lower an upper ring body, an inverter for controlling the motor, and a mechanical brake for retaining a predetermined position of the upper ring body so that a bladder retains a shaping state. Within a time range from start of a closing action of the upper die to contact between the upper die and the upper ring body, an operation of the mechanical brake is released and position control of the upper ring body by the inverter is started, and at least after the release of the operation of the mechanical brake, a position of the upper ring body is controlled by the inverter. By such a configuration, even when there is an erroneous operation of the brake or incorrect setting, it is possible to prevent damage and breakage of constituent parts and have a simple structure.

Abstract: A method of producing a bicycle rim including, positioning a first quantity of woven fiber strips having a first width and a first length and a second quantity of strips of said woven fibers having a shape different from the first shape to form a first laminated band from the first quantity and the second quantity of strips. A second narrower laminated band is produced. The first band is re-shaped to a V-shaped band before the first band is inserted along the periphery of a mold interior. A core is positioned on the first band and the second band is positioned on the first band. Rim well rings are positioned from outside on the second band, to abut the sides of the second band. A spreader ring is inserted between the rings to join the material near the upper rim flanks and the rim flanges.

Abstract: A tire vulcanizer is provided in which upper and lower clamp rings can be positioned at a shaping position easily and smoothly with a simple engagement structure. The tier vulcanizer with a vulcanizer body (A) and a shaping unit (B) is configured that the upper and lower clamp rings (5, 6) are connected by an extendable shaft (5a) having an inner shaft (51) and an outer tubular shaft (61) so that the inner shaft is slidably fitted into an inside of the outer tubular shaft. A latch member (53) on the inner shaft is engaged with a step portion (63) on an inner surface of the outer tubular shaft, thereby positioning the upper and lower clamp rings at the shaping position.

Abstract: A center mechanism (10) for manipulating a bladder (20) in a tire curing press (12) includes a lower plate ring (28) for carrying a lower bead (22) of the bladder (20), and an upper plate ring (60) for carrying an upper bead (24) of the bladder (20). The center mechanism (10) may also include a first piston chamber (45) and a second piston chamber (105) positioned radially interior from the first piston chamber (45). An outer piston assembly (37) is operative to selectively raise the lower plate ring (28) and an inner piston assembly (71) is positioned inside the outer piston assembly (37) and is operative to selectively raise the upper plate ring (60) relative to the lower plate ring (28). A guide (120) is coupled to the outer piston assembly (37) and is adapted to slidingly contact the inner piston assembly (71) to prevent relative rotation therebetween. Operating fluid is provided through a single port (52) to selectively raise the outer piston assembly (37) and the inner piston assembly (71).

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).

Abstract: A bladder removing apparatus for a tire vulcanizer having a movable boom swiveled on a horizontally movable platform with a flexible connecting member carried by the boom for attachment to the bladder, whereby the platform is moveable and the boom is swingable into a centered position of the bladder, upon lifting of said bladder.

Abstract: A center post assembly for a tire curing press comprising a center post having a upper component disposed above a lower component. The upper component is movable between a first position wherein the upper component is adjacent to the lower component and a second position wherein the upper component is axially displaced away from the lower component and substantially adjacent to an upper bead of a green tire assembly. The center post assembly further includes a bladder sealingly clamped to the upper and lower components. The bladder is in fluid communication with a fluid supply. The upper component moves between said first and second positions due to expansion of the bladder caused by introduction of fluid into the bladder from the fluid supply allowing the bladder to evenly disperse on the inner surface of the green tire assembly substantially reducing the risk of the bladder being damaged by the mold as it closes.

Abstract: In a central mechanism for a tire vulcanizer in accordance with the present invention, after a tire has been vulcanized (a bladder is expanded), a clamp rod is elevated to elevate a lower ring and separate it from a housing. After that, the clamp rod is turned so that a claw of a claw mechanism between the lower ring and the clamp rod can pass through. Then, a pin fixing a post to an upper ring is pulled out, and a bladder assembly is hung and carried out of the vulcanizer to replace the bladder and O-rings. After the bladder and other parts have been replaced, the bladder assembly is hung and mounted to the vulcanizer so that the hole for the claw mechanism of the lower ring is aligned with the upper end of the clamp rod. At this time, when the claw of the claw mechanism passes through, the lower ring is supported by the elevated clamp rod, and the lower ring and a supply/discharge opening of the housing is aligned with each other.

Abstract: A tire vulcanizing system has a mold assembly M for vulcanizing a tire, which has a bladder assembly M300 which is supplied with a heating/pressurizing medium, a heating chamber C1a at the outer peripheral portion of a tire mold C, and upper and lower heating plates M100A and M200A of the tire mold, and is configured movably and so as to be capable of overcoming a force to open the mold by means of the pressure in a bladder BL; a plurality of mold opening/closing and vulcanizing stations 300 each of which receives the mold assembly M and opens and closes the same, and has a vulcanized tire unloader 302, a green tire loader 301, and a bladder operating/driving device 314; a changing/preheating station 200 which performs the change and preheating of the tire mold C incorporated in the mold assembly M and a bladder assembly 300; and mold transportation apparatus 100 which reciprocates between these two stations 300 and 200 to transport the mold assembly M.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and automatically moving a moving strand of fibers from a starting position to any one of a plurality of predetermined positions in a multi-grooved separator roll is disclosed. This apparatus is particularly in processes of making continuous fiber products from molten material and replaces a manual operation that presented safety problems.

Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating a bladder (25) relative to a tire (B) in a tire curing press (11) including, a lower plate ring (31) for carrying a lower bead (26) of the bladder, an upper plate ring (50) for carrying an upper bead (27) of the bladder, a first cylinder mechanism (35) for selectively moving the lower plate ring and the upper plate ring, a piston rod (56) attached to the upper plate ring and extending through the lower plate ring, a second cylinder mechanism (55) located within the first cylinder mechanism for selectively actuating the piston rod to move the upper plate ring relative to the lower plate ring, a stretch-height control mechanism (57) for controlling the position of the upper plate ring relative to the lower plate ring upon actuation of the second cylinder, and a bladder detector mechanism (110) for positioning the upper plate ring at a predetermined position relative to a tire in the tire curing press.

Abstract: A curing machine for pneumatic tires includes a bladder which is tightly held by upper and lower bladder rings, a vertically movable center post for holding the upper bladder ring, and an outer cylinder arranged on a radially outer side of the center post, for supplying a pressurized heat medium into the interior of a green tire. An upper lock mechanism is associated with the top end portion of the center post and serves to automatically lock the upper bladder ring in place by after the top end portion of the center post has been moved upwards and passed through a center through hole in the upper bladder ring. A lower lock mechanism serves to automatically lock and unlock the lower bladder ring, in which a lock region extending downwards from the lower bladder ring is engaged with, and disengaged from a first lock member secured to the outer cylinder by vertically moving a second lock member in opposite directions.

Abstract: A center mechanism of a tire press according to the present invention, wherein if the size of a lower mold and the size of a tire are changed, a nut member engaged with external thread of a cylindrical member is rotated and driven whereby a lower clamp portion is moved at a position adjusted to a height of the lower mold to thereby enable changing the lower clamp portion to a height position of a lower metal mold irrespective of the size of the lower metal mold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tire vulcanizing system of a type such that a mold assembly in which tire vulcanization is being carried out is transported to a mold opening/closing station, which is equipped with a central mechanism for operating a bladder, the central mechanism being configured so that a plurality of claws are provided which attach and detach a post cylinder of a central mechanism driving section incorporated in the mold opening/closing station to and from a center post of a central mechanism operating section incorporated in the mold assembly, a sensor for detecting the decrease in pitch circle diameter of the claws is provided, expanding/contracting means for the claws is incorporated in the central mechanism driving section, and the sensor is assembled to the expanding/contracting means.

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.

Abstract: Spacers for bladder assemblies for standing post tire curing presses and bladder assemblies for same are provided having a spacer with first and second parts biased by a spring, so that they are freely slidable relative to one another so as to cover the center post of the tire curing press during its operation.

Abstract: In a central mechanism for a tire vulcanizer in accordance with the present invention, after a tire has been vulcanized (a bladder is expanded), a clamp rod is elevated to elevate a lower ring and separate it from a housing. After that, the clamp rod is turned so that a claw of a claw mechanism between the lower ring and the clamp rod can pass through. Then, a pin fixing a post to an upper ring is pulled out, and a bladder assembly is hung and carried out of the vulcanizer to replace the bladder and O-rings. After the bladder and other parts have been replaced, the bladder assembly is hung and mounted to the vulcanizer so that the hole for the claw mechanism of the lower ring is aligned with the upper end of the clamp rod. At this time, when the claw of the claw mechanism passes through, the lower ring is supported by the elevated clamp rod, and the lower ring and a supply/discharge opening of the housing is aligned with each other.

Abstract: A center mechanism of a tire vulcanizer in accordance with the present invention has an upper clamp ring for holding the upper opening end of a bladder, a lower clamp ring for holding the lower opening end of the bladder, a lower ring on the lower mold side supporting the lower clamp ring, a spacer installed to the lower ring and having a ventilating portion, and a center post elevating cylinder installed to the spacer. The extending portion of piston rod of the center post elevating cylinder is made a center post, the center post is inserted, in such a manner as to be movable vertically, into a through hole formed in the center of the lower ring and the lower clamp ring, and the upper clamp ring is fixed to the upper end portion of center post protruding upward from the through hole of the lower clamp ring.

Abstract: A tire vulcanizing system includes a vulcanizing station in which a plurality of sets of tire molds for vulcanization are arranged; a mold opening/closing station having a mold opening/closing device for opening/closing the tire mold, a loader for inserting an unvulcanized tire into the tire mold, and an unloader for removing a vulcanized tire from the tire mold; and a transferring device for transferring a tire mold between the vulcanizing station and the mold opening/closing station.

Abstract: A bladder clamping device for a tire vulcanizing press is disclosed in which a lower ring on which a lower end portion of a bladder is fitted remains fixed to allow the lower end portion of the bladder to be clamped in a condition in which it has been fitted firmly by an operator. The bladder clamping device for a tire vulcanizing press comprises a lower ring and a clamping ring located on the inner side and the outer side relative to each other at a central portion of a lower mold of the tire vulcanizing press for cooperatively clamping a lower end portion of a bladder, and a hydraulic cylinder having a rod connected to the clamping ring for moving the clamping ring upwardly and downwardly relative to the lower ring.

Abstract: In a center mechanism of a tire press, which the tire size is changed, the lower limit position of an upper clamp ring is changed to a shaping height corresponding to the size of the exchanged tire only by changing a setting of a controller. Consequently, the work related to the tire size change is facilitated. A bladder is inflated and tightly comes into contact with the inner face of a green tire while lowering the upper periphery of the bladder to the shaping height corresponding to the tire size.

Abstract: A center mechanism for a tire vulcanizer having a first cylinder whose stroke can be detected with a simplified structure achieves reduction in cost and improvement in working efficiency upon maintenance. The center mechanism expands, while the first cylinder 1 moves downwardly, a bladder 5 into close contact with an inner face of a green tire. A downward stop position of the first cylinder 1 is set in advance by a linear sensor 14. The stroke amount of the first cylinder 1 is detected by a stroke bracket 12 having a stroke portion 12a extending downwardly in parallel to the first cylinder 1 from within a stem 8 and provided so as to advance into the stem 8 together with a cylinder rod 1a, and a linear sensor 14 for detecting the stroke amount of the first cylinder 1 from the stroke portion 12a of the stroke bracket 12 remaining outside the stem 8.

Abstract: A tire vulcanizing apparatus has a mold body divided into a first mold portion and a second mold portion by a line perpendicular to an axis of a tire. The apparatus includes a device for opening or closing the mold body to mount the tire on the mold body and remove the tire from the mold body. A heat pressure medium is supplied into the tire mounted on the mold body in a vulcanizing station to vulcanize the tire. The mold body is arranged to receive and vertically hold the tire therein. A plurality of vulcanizers are disposed side by side in the vulcanizing station to vulcanize the tire. Each vulcanizer detachably accommodates the mold body. The vulcanizer supplies the heat pressure medium into the tire held in the mold body. The device is movable to positions respectively opposite to the vulcanizers. The mold body is movable between the device and the vulcanizer opposite to the device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a center mechanism of a tire vulcanizing press, including a press frame; a guide member provided on the press frame, the guide member having a central hole and a peripheral hole formed around the central hole; a cylindrical member slidably guided in the central hole of the guide member in a vertical direction; a hub fixed to an upper end of the cylindrical member for holding a lower portion of a bladder, the hub having a central hole; a center post slidably inserted through the central hole of the hub for holding an upper portion of the bladder; and a cylinder unit provided between the hub and the center post so as to extend in parallel relationship to the center post, for vertically moving the center post relative to the hub, the cylinder unit having a cylinder body and a rod adapted to be advanced upwardly from an upper end of the cylinder body, the rod being inserted through the peripheral hole of the guide member.

Abstract: A bladder carrying and setting apparatus for tire vulcanizing press capable of automatically setting a bladder to a center mechanism of the tire vulcanizing press, wherein the setting apparatus is for setting a bladder assembly supported by a top ring and a bottom ring at the top and bottom of the bladder to the center mechanism, and comprises a closable chuck between the top end of a vertically movable center post of the center mechanism and the top ring, the chuck being operated by the vertical movement of a rod installed at center of the center post, and the rod being vertically moved by a hydraulic cylinder (a driving means) disposed on the bottom end of the center post; and in addition a releasable locking device between a hub located on the outer periphery of the center post of the center mechanism and the bottom ring.

Abstract: A die changer truck for use with a tire vulcanizer, including a self-propelled chassis adapted to halt in front of the tire vulcanizer, a swiveling table rotatably mounted on the self-propelled chassis, two mounting sections for respectively mounting two die assemblies, and two carrier units for respectively carrying two bladder assemblies. The two mounting sections and the two carrier units are provided as two sets on the swiveling table. The two sets are selectively positioned by rotation of the swiveling table. Accordingly, the carriage and change of not only the die assemblies but also the bladder assemblies with respect to the tire vulcanizer can be automated.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for tire press that includes upper and lower sidewall molds and a segmented tread mold assembly for forming the tread portion of a tire. The sidewall molds and tread mold assembly define a molding cavity with a central vertical axis. The press may be operated to move the upper sidewall mold together with the tread mold assembly upwardly and laterally away from the vertical axis to permit loading of an uncured tire carcass in the lower sidewall mold section and for removing a cured tire from the upper sidewall mold section. The operating mechanism or center mechanism includes a bearing sleeve, coaxial with the central axis and mounted on the mold carrier beam for the press. An outer tubular sleeve is slidably received in the bearing sleeve and extends there-through so that the lower end may be operatively connected to the tread mold assembly for operating the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a precured retreaded tire, etc., and the purpose of the invention is to produce the tire with saving space and power. Here, a precured retreated tire means a tire made by linking a plate rubber member, which has been vulcanized and molded so as to form tire grooves in advance, to a circumferential surface of a buffed abraded tire without vulcanizing said plate rubber member. A producing method according to the present invention comprises a step to insert a bladder (30) into a tire (T), a step to closely connect a plate of once vulcanized rubber member (T1) to a circumferential face of a buffed tire with an unvulcanized linking rubber (R) placed therebetween by attaching an envelope (48) to an outer circumferential face of the tire with fluid pressure, and a step to vulcanize the linking rubber by a heating device (46) and integrally combine the plate rubber member to the circumferential face of the tire, in order.

Abstract: Disclosed is a center mechanism of a tire curing press which is capable of easy installation and removal of a bladder assembly. The center mechanism comprises the bladder assembly with the upper and lower ends of a bladder supported with upper and lower support members, a piston rod vertically moving into, and out of, engagement with the upper support members, and a lift cylinder vertically moving into, and out of, engagement with the lower support members. In this center mechanism, there is provided a stepped projecting section formed large in diameter in the upper part and small in diameter in the lower part; the upper support members can easily be installed to, and removed from, the upper end of the piston rod by the use of a stepped block which engages the stepped projecting section and is horizontally divided into a plurality of segments, and a restricting member for restricting the horizontal movement of the stepped block, thereby enabling easy installation and removal of the bladder assembly.

Abstract: In a vulcanization press of the B.O.M. type, a vulcanization chamber has respective end edges (5a, 5b) connected to a disc (6) movable upon command of an actuator (8) and a disc (9) which is fixed relative to said actuator. The movable disc is fastened to a grasping head (17) provided with quick release pins (20), integral with the end of a drive rod (7) operable by a lower piston (11) contained in the actuator. The fixed disc is engaged by radially retractable latches (29) to a grasping ring (28) fastened to the actuator. The raising of the movable disc is stopped due to the chamber tensioning. The disc descent is stopped by two semi-cylindrical elements (12a, 12b) movable close to the drive rod, acting in abutment on an upper piston (15) contained in the actuator.

Abstract: A bladder carrying apparatus for a tire vulcanizing press by which a bladder assembly can be carried readily and rapidly onto and off of a center mechanism is disclosed. The bladder carrying apparatus includes an arm mounted on a chuck of a loader, which is mounted for upward and downward movement and also for turning movement for seating a green tire onto a lower metal mold of the tire vulcanizing press preferably mounted, for rotation motion between a center position on the center of the chuck and a retracted position outside of the perimeter of the loader, and a latch mounted on the arm for gripping an upper portion of a bladder assembly on a center mechanism of the tire vulcanizing press.

Abstract: A vulcanized rubber device to envelop a tire being recapped or retreaded, when place in an autoclave to vulcanize the rubber strip cemented between the new tread and the treated tire. This device, has an annular form, with a "U" section, whose lateral surfaces (5), are provided with a hole (2) and (4), and surrounding a circular opening (3), but has a new feature; a ring with grooves (1), on the inside of each internal lateral surface (4) and (5), forming radiating furrows.

Abstract: In a green tire charging apparatus for a tire vulcanizing machine according to the present invention, provision is made such that a vertically movable chuck body is inserted into a tire, chuck segments which are synchronously slidable in the radial direction are expanded to concentrically hold an upper bead portion by upper projections of centering rods, the chuck body is raised to insert the upper bead portion into an upper bead ring of a metal mold, subsequently the upper bead portion is held by holder arms of holders, the chuck body is lowered to hold a lower bead portion of the tire by lower projections of the centering rods, and the lower bead portion is inserted into a lower bead ring of the metal mold. Owing to the above-mentioned the upper and lower bead portion of provision, even a deformed green tire can be surely set on the upper and lower bead rings, respectively, of the metal mold.

Abstract: A bladder control mechanism of a tire vulcanizer includes an actuating mechanism for moving a bladder holder and a bladder gripping bowl of an upper bladder clamp relative to one another. A spring of the control mechanism imparts a gripping force to the bladder holder. Therefore, no re-tightening is required while a bladder is in use. When the bladder is to be changed, the actuating mechanism is actuated to forcibly separate the bladder holder from the bladder gripping bowl in opposition to the spring. As a result, the bladder holder frees the edge portion of the bladder. Further, due to a bayonet connection, the bladder can be readily changed in a short time by turning and removing the bladder holder.

Abstract: A curing unit (1) (40) wherein a mold (2) is defined by first and second releasable half molds (3,4) moving in relation to each other along a first axis (6); the first half mold (3) being designed to turn about a second axis (30) perpendicular to the first axis (6) by virtue of actuators (31) which, when the half molds (3,4) are released, can turn the first half mold (3) to and from a maintenance position wherein its concave side faces upwardly.

Abstract: A bladder bladderless-type dual-purpose tire vulcanizer wherein a lower center mechanism for the bladder type and a lower center mechanism for the bladderless type are interchangeably mounted on a lower platen which supports a lower half of a mold. An upper center mechanism for the bladderless type is vertically movably mounted, between an operating position and an upper waiting position, on an upper plate which supports an upper half of the mold. An upper bead ring for the bladder type and an upper bead ring for the bladderless type are interchangeably mounted on the upper half of the mold. Furthermore the lower center mechanism is provided with a lower bead ring, and upper and lower domes for enclosing and clamping the upper and lower platens.

Abstract: An apparatus for vulcanizing a pneumatic vehicle tire, the beads of which, in a mounted state, are disposed on the radially inner periphery of a wheel rim. A tire blank, with the beads displaced laterally outwardly, is vulcanized using a heating press that is provided with two axially displaceable contour rings for forming the inner regions of the tire beads, and a heating bellows. To facilitate introduction of the tire blank and to protect the heating bellows, it is proposed, for loading the heating press, to axially move the contour rings together, into a position above a vulcanizing position, in such a way that the evacuated heating bellows moves downwardly through a space defined by the lower contour ring. The tire blank is subsequently placed over the contour rings, accompanied by a slight oval deformation of the lower tire bead, and is subsequently fixed on the contour rings by increasing the axial spacing therebetween. At the same time, the heating bellows passes into the interior of the blank.

Abstract: In a center mechanism of a tire vulcanizing machine equipped with four kinds of hydraulic cylinders, lower end portions of a plurality of rods are made insertable into holes provided in a beam to transmit a pressing force generated by a pressurized hot medium to stoppers through the respective rods upon vulcanization of a tire. Upon completion of vulcanization of the tire, the stoppers are made to swing to lower the respective rods.

Abstract: A method of setting a crude tire into a space between upper and lower molds in a tire vulcanizing press having upper and lower mold units movable relative to each other includes the steps of pushing an upper bead of the crude tire into a bead of the upper mold by a vertically movable device which supports the upper bead of the crude tire, introducing gas into a bladder to expand the bladder while restricting the elevation of an upper portion fixing ring of a bladder holder mechanism attached to the lower mold unit, and pushing a lower bead of the crude tire into a bead of the lower mold by utilizing the expansion forces of the bladder. With the bladder enclosed air-tightly, the tire lower bead can efficiently be pushed into the lower mold bead.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a standing well post type center mechanism in a tire press which comprises a bladder well disposed vertically liftably in the center of the tire press, the bladder well comprising a bead ring at the upper end thereof, an upper clamp ring assembly for holding the upper end of a bladder, the upper clamp ring assembly disposed concentrically with the bladder well and being vertically liftable independently of the bladder well, and a lower clamp ring assembly concentrical with the upper clamp ring assembly and vertically liftable independently of the bladder well and the upper clamp ring assembly, wherein an air cylinder for lifting the upper clamp ring assembly is disposed liftably in the bladder well, the upper clamp ring assembly is fitted to the upper end of a piston rod in the air cylinder, the lower clamp ring assembly is fitted to the upper end of the air cylinder, and the lower end of the air cylinder is constrained engageably and disengageably through a stopper.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tire vulcanising press wherein a plurality of sectors provided for gripping the upper bead of a green tire loaded in position between a pair of upper and lower die elements to carry the green tire in a suspended condition will not form an obstruction to an elastic forming member for shaping. The tire vulcanizing press includes an inner cylinder mounted for up and down movement on the upper die element and having at a lower end portion thereof a bead ring which is capable of forming part of the upper die element, and a sector housing mounted for up and down movement in the inner cylinder and carrying thereon the sectors for movement between an open position and a closed position. The upper bead of the green tire can be gripped between the bead ring and sectoral portions of the sectors, and the sectoral portions of the sectors are accommodated in the lower end portion of the inner cylinder when the sectors are in the closed position.

Abstract: To obtain and expedite an automatic engagement and disengagement of the bladder with respect to the relative operating mechanism, in particular in presses used for curing pneumatic tires, the movable clamp and the fixed clamp, respectively, which block the beads of the flexible, elastically deformable sleeve constituting the bladder, comprise annular grooves, coaxial with the axis of the bladder, which, in operation interact with the heads of a plurality of pegs situated in the head to be assembled to the movable clamp and in the body of the support to be associated to the fixed clamp, the pegs being radially movable in both senses between two positions, i.e. a work position in the operating condition and a rest position in which said pegs are completely collapsed into the body of said head and of the support so as to allow the axial insertion of the bladder on the mechanism and its removal therefrom.