Patent ID: 7258829

Claim:
A segmented tire mold comprising a top mold half and a bottom mold half including a plurality of segments and self-locking means for selectively locking said top mold half to said bottom mold half, said self-locking means comprising: a lock frame, a first lock motor supported by said lock frame, a first lock rod rotatably connected to said first lock motor, and including a quick connect coupling, a lock ring for use in preventing said segments from sliding outwardly, said lock ring being selectively connected to said first lock rod at said quick connect coupling, wherein said first lock motor is adapted to rotate said first lock rod and disconnect said first lock rod from said lock ring at said guick connect coupling, and, a lock cylinder operatively connected to said lock frame for use in selectively raising and lowering said lock frame, said first lock motor, said first lock rod and said lock ring, said lock cylinder thereby selectively placing said lock ring around said segmented tire mold.