Patent ID: 8308468

Claim:
An apparatus for loading tread onto a tread press, the tread press having a top mold element and a bottom mold element, the tread press defining longitudinal and lateral directions, the apparatus comprising: a clamp column that is selectively positionable along the longitudinal direction relative to the top and bottom mold elements; a clamping mechanism connected to said clamp column, said clamping mechanism configured for selecting the tread and holding the tread as said clamp column is moved longitudinally so as to position the tread between the top and bottom mold elements; and at least one support column that is selectively positionable along the longitudinal direction relative to the top and bottom mold elements, said at least one support column configured for supporting the tread and moving longitudinally into a position between the top and bottom mold elements while suspending the tread therein to prevent permanent stretching of the tread.