Patent ID: 8303286

Claim:
A mold for vulcanizing a tire, the mold comprising: at least one axial member carrying at least one sidewall molding surface for molding a sidewall of a tire; radial segments each carrying at least one surface for molding a tire tread; means for connecting the at least one axial member with the radial segments, the connection means comprising first radial and axial locking surfaces carried by the at least one axial member and operable to cooperate with second radial and axial locking surfaces carried by each radial segment, the first and second radial and axial locking surfaces being complementary to each other and displaceable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position of the mold; wherein the complementary locking surfaces are separated in the open position of the mold and cooperate with each other in the closed position of the mold; wherein the complementary locking surfaces, when in the closed position, can be kept in the closed position under the sole effect of internal pressure of the mold; wherein the at least one sidewall molding surface is integral with a fixed portion of the at least one axial member, the first radial and axial locking surfaces being integral with at least one locking member mounted in the at least one axial member and being movable relative to the fixed portion; wherein the at least one locking member is mounted in the at least one axial member to be displaceable in rotation relative to the fixed portion between the open and closed positions of the mold; wherein the at least one locking member includes the first radial and axial locking surfaces, which are configured to cooperate with the second radial and axial locking surfaces in compliance with a bayonet type connection; wherein the first radial and axial locking surfaces are formed by an annular surface formed in the at least one locking member, provided with first axial projections that are circumferentially distributed over a radially outer portion of said annular surface; wherein the second radial and axial locking surfaces are formed by annular surface segments each provided in a corresponding radial segment, each of the annular surface segments being provided with second axial projections distributed circumferentially over a radially inner portion of the respective annular surface segment; and wherein the projections alternate with indentations.