Tire upper-bead positioning device for use in a curing press

Device for centering and positioning the upper bead of a horizontally disposed crude tire around a bead ring disposed centrally of a vertically movable upper portion of a mold in a vulcanizing press of the type comprising a set of segments regularly angularly disposed around a vertical axis of symmetry of the mold in a central cavity in the upper mold portion, each segment being movable both vertically and radially under control of an actuator common to all the segments of the set, and an inflatable vulcanizing bladder disposed centrally of a lower fixed portion of the mold wherein said segments have their outer ends shaped to form a tapered centering surface having a taper directed downwardly and radially inwardly with its axis merging with the vertical axis of symmetry of the mold, said actuator having a place connected thereto to extend radially of the axis of symmetry with said segments mounted thereon and located in a first position to be remotely below said bead ring and in abutment with an outer edge of the upper bead of the crude tire, said segments being movable to a second position by the vertical movement to be closely adjacent and below said bead ring to cooperate with said bladder for guiding the upper bead around said bead ring.