Patent ID: 6733712
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: B29D

Abstract:
A center post assembly for a tire curing press comprising:a center post having an upper component disposed above a lower component, said upper component being movable between a first position wherein said upper component is adjacent to said lower component and a second position wherein said upper component is axially displaced away from said lower component and substantially adjacent to an upper bead of a green tire assembly; said lower component having a shape and said upper component including a cavity in a bottom surface thereof corresponding to the shape of said lower component so that at least a portion of said lower component slidingly engages said cavity; said upper component including a stop mechanism that limits the upward travel of said upper component; said lower component being hollow and including an opening on an upper surface thereof having a smaller diameter than an inner diameter of said lower component and said stop mechanism comprising a rod extending from an upper surface of said cavity and slidingly engaging said opening; a bladder sealingly clamped to said upper and lower components, said bladder in fluid communication with a fluid supply; and, said upper component being movable between said first and second positions by expansion of said bladder caused by introduction of fluid into said bladder from the fluid supply.