Method for vulcanizing pneumatic vehicle tires

A method of vulcanizing pneumatic vehicle tires in a mold for vulcanizing the tires when the mold is closed, the mold being provided with radially movable sections distributed over the periphery of the tire as well as adjoining axially movable side sections and where the tire beads, in the mounted state, are disposed on the radially inner periphery of a rim next to the essentially radially inwardly extending rim flanges having a final bead seating surfacing therewith;

• said method comprising the steps of:
• providing two, respectively radially segmented, bead-forming rings that have molding-surface portions and that have a variable diameter and can be displaced axially as to location thereof in the mold including the radially movable sections and the axially movable side sections;
• for the purpose of vulcanizing the sealing surfaces disposed in the interior of a tire so that these surfaces will rest on a rim in an airtight manner, introducing said bead-forming rings, in a radially retracted state, into the interior of a tire blank;
• radially extending the segements of said forming rings to an annular diameter whereby the molding-surface portions of said forming rings can be moved axially outwardly over said tire beads without deforming the latter;
• moving said molding-surface portions of said forming rings axially outwardly over said tire beads;
• vulcanizing said tire blank in a vulcanizing mold so that the resulting tire essentially has the proper driving contour including a closed surface formed smoothly corresponding to final bead seating surfacing.