Tire vulcanizing machine

Abstract

The known tire vulcanizing machine of the type in which upper and lower bolsters are disposed within a frame, upper and lower metal molds are respectively fixedly secured to the upper and lower bolsters, and a press mechanism for bringing the upper and lower metal molds into tight contact with each other under a pressure is disposed between the frame and either one of the bolsters, is improved so that a green tire loaded in the machine can be visually inspected up until just before the upper and lower metal molds come into tight contact with each other. In one preferred embodiment, a vertically movable pressure-receiving plate having a polygonal shape is rotatable between short-sized position in which it can vertically pass through a space between upper beams and a long-sized position in which it cannot vertically pass through the same. A rotary drive is provided for rotating the pressure-receiving plate about its center. In another preferred embodiment, a cylindrical body is provided on the upper bolster, an adjust screw is threadedly engaged with the cylindrical body, and a pressure-receiving plate having a polygonal shape is coupled to the adjust screw via guide rods. In both embodiments, a clearance between the pressure-receiving plate and the upper beams is made adjustable.