US 7,320,580 B2 | ||
Apparatus and method for loading and unloading a tire press | ||
John R. Cole, 1033 Top of the Hill, Akron, Ohio 44333 (US) | ||
Filed on May 10, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/431,298. | ||
Application 11/431298 is a continuation of application No. 11/318289, filed on Dec. 23, 2005. | ||
Application 11/318289 is a continuation of application No. 11/054568, filed on Feb. 09, 2005, granted, now 6,981,857. | ||
Application 11/054568 is a continuation of application No. 10/222742, filed on Aug. 16, 2002, granted, now 6,908,584. | ||
Prior Publication US 2006/0267248 A1, Nov. 30, 2006 | ||
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer. | ||
Int. Cl. B29C 35/02 (2006.01) |
U.S. Cl. 425—47 [425/195; 425/451.9] | 12 Claims |
1. A tire press, comprising:
a lower mold supported by a bottom plate;
an upper mold supported by a top plate;
the lower and upper molds being adapted for relative vertical movement;
at least one guide rod for guiding vertical movement between the upper and lower molds;
at least one locking mechanism connected to one of the top and bottom plates and having a split lock ring and a locking cylinder,
the split lock ring including first and second ring arms connected for pivotal relative movement about a hinge joint, and
the locking cylinder being adapted to pivot at least one of the first and second ring arms about the hinge joint to open and
close the split lock ring; and
at least one lock rod for holding the upper mold in engagement with the lower mold, each of the lock rods being separate from
each of the guide rods, each lock rod having a first lock rod end connected to one of the top and bottom plates and a second
lock rod end spaced longitudinally from the first lock rod end and adapted for clamping engagement with a respective one of
the split lock rings.
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