Tire press

A tire engaging apparatus comprising segmented annular ring means for engaging the axial interior of the bead area of a tire, said segmented annular ring means including a plurality of ring segments arranged in two sets of alternating segments, and actuator means for expanding and collapsing the segments of the ring radially to clear the inner diameter of the tire bead, said actuator means including axially movable multifaceted linear cam means and respective radially movable followers for each segment of said segmented annular ring means for collapsing under positive control one set of alternating segments while holding the other set radially extended and then collapsing under positive control the other set of segments, and vice versa for expansion of said segments.

In a tire curing press having relatively movable top and bottom mold sections, a center mechanism comprising top means and bottom means respectively for first engaging and centering the top bead of a green tire with respect to the top mold section and then for engaging and centering the bottom bead with respect to the bottom mold section, and then together for holding such beads centered and axially separated as the press closes to cause the beads to register with the top and bottom mold sections.

In a tire curing press having relatively movable top and bottom mold sections, segmented annular clamp ring means for engaging the axial interior of a bead area of a tire, and bead centering means for centering precisely a tire on said annular clamp ring means during loading of the tire into the press, said bead centering means being radially retractable with respect to said clamp ring means as the press closes.

The press of claim 41 comprising a bell crank for each segment, and said shoe and bell crank for each segment have a common pivot.

A tire press comprising top and bottom mold sections, a loader in and concentric with said top mold section, said loader including radially expandible and collapsible bead engaging members, means in said press to elevate and lower said loader, means in said press to collapse said members to permit insertion of same into a green tire and to expand said members to a diameter sufficient to engage the inside of the top bead of the tire when the press is open and the loader is elevated, and means in said loader to center the top bead of the tire on said members when expanded and thus to said top mold section when the loader is elevated, said means to center being radially retractable relative to said members as said press closes.