Patent ID: 6382943
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: B29C,B29D,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A tire mold comprising:a cylindrical tread forming outer ring, a plurality of tread forming insert members supported by said outer ring characterized by: said outer ring having a radially inner surface for engagement with a radially outer surface of each of said insert members, a circumferentially extending slot in said radially inner surface of said outer ring, said outer ring having an opening extending in axial direction in communication with said slot for access to said slot by said insert members in an axial direction, each of said insert members having a radially extending rib for sliding engagement in said slot in a circumferential direction after movement through said opening, said slot having a circumferentially extending flange at a position spaced from said inner surface of said outer ring; and, said rib having a corresponding circumferentially extending lip at a position spaced from said radially outer surface for retaining each of said insert members in said outer ring while permitting circumferential sliding of said insert members in said slot for assembly and disassembly of said tread forming outer ring.