Importance

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Abstract

A center split, segmented mold for curing a complete tire is provided, comprising a mold container top containing a top mold sidewall plate and a plurality of top tread segments disposed generally equidistant from a central axis and adjacently abutting each other when the mold is in a closed position; and a mold container bottom containing a bottom mold sidewall plate and a plurality of bottom tread segments disposed generally equidistant from the axis and adjacently abutting each other when the mold is in a closed position. Each of the top and bottom tread segments are resiliently biased toward the mold centerline by spring mechanisms, and are slidably coupled to respective frustoconical surfaces of the mold container, such that vertical movement of the mold container top along the axis from a closed position to an open position is translated into outward radial movement of the top and bottom tread segments away from the axis. The top and bottom tread segments mate when the mold is in the closed position in a plane which may be offset from the mold centerline. The top mold sidewall plate mates with the top tread segments and the bottom mold sidewall plate mates with the bottom tread segments at respective seating joints which limit inward radial movement of the top and bottom tread segments toward the axis. Pin assemblies for each tread segment limit outward radial movement of the tread segments away from the axis.

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First Claim