US3999907A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable tire retread curing matrix
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-04-05
•
Granted: 1976-12-28
•
Expires: 1996-04-05
Abstract
Abstract An adjustable tire curing mold or matrix suitable for retreading tires of varying diameter. A plurality of rigid mold segments with adjacent segments joined to form a continuous annular mold of variable diameter, and means for compressing the mold segments inwardly about a tire positioned within the mold.
Inventors
- 👤 Constantine G. Pappas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:07
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D30/00; B29D30/06; B29D30/0601; B29D30/0606; B29D30/0629; B29D30/52; B29D30/54; B29D2030/0607; B29D2030/0612
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
In an adjustable tire curing mold, the combination of: a plurality of rigid mold segments with adjacent segments having segment interengaging means forming a continuous annular mold both circumferentially and across the tire tread face and of variable diameter and fixed width for positioning around a tire; and compression means for urging said segments inward about a tire positioned in the mold.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
In an adjustable tire curing mold, the combination of: a plurality of rigid mold segments with adjacent segments having segment interengaging means forming a continuous annular mold both circumferentially and across the tire tread face and of variable diameter and fixed width for positioning around a tire; and compression means for urging said segments inward about a tire positioned in the mold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An adjustable tire curing mold as defined in claim 1 wherein said interengaging means includes opposed overlapping projections on adjacent segments in sliding engagement with each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
An adjustable tire curing mold as defined in claim 2 including a flange on one segment cooperating with the projection thereof defining a groove for slidingly receiving the projection of the adjacent segment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An adjustable tire curing mold as defined in claim 1 wherein said interengaging means includes variable width tire tread forming means providing continuity of a tread groove.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
An adjustable tire curing mold as defined in claim 4 wherein said variable width tire tread forming means includes first and second links pivotally joined together and to tire tread forming elements in said segments.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
An adjustable tire curing mold as defined in claim 4 wherein said variable width tire tread forming means includes opposed ridges on adjacent segments with a gap therebetween, and a cover carried on one of the segments enclosing the ends of said ridges and said gap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
An adjustable tire curing mold as defined in claim 4 wherein said variable width tire tread forming means includes retainer means carried on one of the segments defining an opening between the tire tread forming elements of the segments, and a compressible member positioned in said opening between said tire tread forming element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
An adjustable tire curing mold as defined in claim 4 wherein said variable width tire tread forming means includes an elastic member connected between the ends of tire tread forming elements in the adjacent segments.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
An adjustable tire curing mold as defined in claim 1 including: a base plate having a plurality of radial guides; means for mounting a mold segment on a guide; and means for moving a mold segment along a guide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
An adjustable tire curing mold as defined in claim 9 wherein said base plate is in two sections, each carrying a plurality of mold segments, with means for moving one section away from the other section for insertion and removal of a tire.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
An adjustable tire curing mold as defined in claim 9 including spring means interconnecting a mold segment and said base plate urging the mold segment radially outward against the urging of said compression means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
An adjustable tire curing mold as defined in claim 1 wherein said compression means includes: a rigid housing about said segments; an expandable bag between said housing and said segments; and means for introducing a fluid under pressure into said bag.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
64 words
An adjustable tire curing mold as defined in claim 1 wherein said interengaging means includes: opposed overlapping projections on adjacent segments in sliding engagement with each other; and a unitary elastomer flange on one segment cooperating with the projection thereof defining a groove for slidingly receiving the projection of the adjacent segment and incorporating tire tread forming means providing continuity of a tread groove.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
An adjustable tire curing mold as defined in claim 1 wherein said interengaging means includes a unitary elastomer member positioned in the gap between adjacent segments.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
An adjustable tire curing mold as defined in claim 14 wherein said unitary elastomer member incorporates tire tread forming means providing continuity of a tread groove.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
An adjustable tire curing mold as defined in claim 1 wherein said interengaging means includes an elastomer band for positioning about a tire and having tire tread forming means on the inner surface thereof, with the outer surface thereof engaging the inner surface of said segments.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
An adjustable tire curing mold as defined in claim 16 wherein said band includes a plurality of lugs projecting outwardly into the gaps between said segments.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1482325A
Cited
US1634047A
Cited
US1984768A
Cited
US2030861A
Cited
US2372217A
Cited
US2567985A
Cited
US2898659A
Cited
US3056183A
Cited
US3158089A
Cited
US3137909A
Cited
US3460197A
Cited
US3609819A
Cited
US3704082A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-12-28 | 1980-06-28 | 1980-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-12-28 | 1984-06-28 | 1984-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-12-28 | 1988-06-28 | 1988-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |