Abstract: A high elongation cable and a tire having a tread belt with an extensible reinforcing cable are provided. The high elongation cable has a 3×7×m or a 4×7×m construction, wherein m is comprised of at least two layers, wherein the outermost layer is comprised of a plurality of twisted filaments, said filaments having a diameter d, wherein the spacing between said twisted filaments is less than the diameter d.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for cutting an elastomeric laminate that may include a layer of reinforcement cords, into a desired length without cutting through the cords. The method includes the step of cutting through the gum portion of the elastomeric composite material at a desired skive angle, and then opening up the skived cut. Next, the cord reinforcement layer is cut without severing the reinforcement cords. An elastomeric composite strip cut to the desired length is produced and has cut ends. One of the cut ends has the gum portion cut at a desired skive angle adjacent an overhang portion of the reinforcement layer. The opposite end of the elastomeric composite segment also has a skived portion to mate with the skived portion of the first cut end, and a gap in the cord ply to mate with the cord overhang of the first end, resulting in a splice. An improved anvil having independently controlled vacuum zones is also provided, as well as improved cutting mechanisms.

Abstract: A run flat safety support ring intended to be mounted on a wheel rim inside a tire equipping a vehicle for supporting the tire tread in case of loss of inflation pressure has a generally cylindrical crown intended to come in contact with the interior of the tire tread in the event of the loss of inflation pressure, but has a clearance from the tire tread interior at normal pressure. The ring also has an annular body located radially inward of the crown, the annular body comprising a grid of continuous reinforcement composite.

Abstract: A pneumatic run-flat tire has a bead configuration wherein the axially inner end is radially inward of the axially outer end of the bead. The sidewall of the tire, from the bead region to the upper sidewall is reinforced to form a pillar support in the sidewall. The bead configuration and the pillar reinforcement enable the tire to lock itself onto a tire rim during low pressure operation and be self-supporting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a calendering system is provided to allow for fine gauge adjustment of the product. The calender system has a first and second roller each having a first and second end mounted in opposed end supports. The end supports each have an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with one or more internal passages, wherein a heat transfer medium may be circulated through the one or more internal passages. The heat transfer medium may either heat or cool the internal passages of the end supports, resulting in the respective increase or decrease in the gauge of the product.

Abstract: A run-flat tire has a radial carcass reinforcement ply extending through a pair of opposing sidewalls and anchored in opposing bead portions. At least one of the bead portions having a bead heel and a bead toe wherein the bead heel is radially outward and axially inward from the bead toe. At least one of the bead portions has a bead composite and a bead apex therein. The bead composite has a maximum axial width WB, the axial width being measured perpendicular to the tire equatorial plane. The maximum axial width WB is greater than 50% of the maximum axial width W of the at least one bead portion, as measured from the opposing axial sides of the bead portion.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite belt structure for a tire is disclosed. The composite belt structure has cord reinforced layers including at least two radially outer zigzag belt layers. The cords per inch in the shoulder portion are greater than the cords per inch in the central portion as measured centered on the centerplane of the belt structure. The method discloses the steps of applying a multicord reinforced strip having a strip width SW onto a rotating crowned building drum, the strip being wound in a zigzag configuration to form at least two zigzag layers, wherein the crowned drum has non-overlapping portions of the strip placed in a central portion and extending in alternation to a pair of shoulder portions having portions of the strips overlapping to form belt layers.

Abstract: A two-piece tire assembly with a removable tread belt for installing about the circumference of a tire carcass is provided. The two-piece tire assembly includes a tread belt comprised of two or more belt layers, each layer having one or more belts, wherein at least one of the belts in each layer has a chord length less than about 25% of the circumferential length of the belt.

Abstract: A tire building drum and a method of building a tire carcass is disclosed. The tire building drum has a center section comprised of a plurality of segments that are radially and axially movable. The building drum further comprises shoulder sections that are axially movable. The shoulder sections include radially expandable bead locks. The method employs the steps of applying one or more carcass layers, locking the bead locks and moving the center section radially outwardly while moving the bead locks axially inwardly.

Abstract: A tire building drum and a method of building a tire carcass is disclosed. The tire building drum has a center section comprised of a plurality of segments that are radially and axially movable. The building drum further comprises shoulder sections that are axially movable. The shoulder sections include radially expandable bead locks. The method employs the steps of applying one or more carcass layers, locking the bead locks and moving the center section radially outwardly while moving the bead locks axially inwardly.

Abstract: A segmented annular mold for forming a tread belt having a reinforcing belt structure, the belt structure having a radial thickness (t) is disclosed. The mold has a plurality of radially movable and outwardly expandable inner segments for forming the inner surface of the tread belt and a plurality of radially movable and contracting outer segments for forming the outer tread belt surface. The radially inner and radially outer segments form a mold parting line at a location radially outward of a midpoint of the belt reinforcing structure of the tread belt at a location greater than 50% (t) as measured from the radially innermost surface of the belt reinforcing structure. The radially inner segments have upper and lower lateral edge forming portions extending outwardly to the parting line. Similarly, the radially outer mold segments have upper and lower lateral edge forming portions extending inwardly to the parting line.

Abstract: A blocking member for use in a vent bore in a mold for the manufacture of technical rubber products, in particular to the manufacture of vehicle tires, wherein each blocking member has a tubular hollow body which can be fixed in force-transmitting manner in the respective bore, the hollow body having a sealing part formed thereon in one piece with it. The sealing part has a plate element disposed at the inner side of the mold which is provided in its plate surface with at least one slot opening and the peripheral rim of the plate element projects at least regionally beyond the bore diameter of the associated vent bore and contacts the inner side of the mold.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial ply tire 100 for use on aircraft has a radial reinforced carcass 20 having at least one axially inner ply 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D of textile cords 21 wound around a pair of bead cores 33. The improved bead structure 30 has a flipper 50 having an axially inner leg LI and axially outer leg LE. The ends LI, LE of the flippers 50 are above the bead core height Bh and below the apex A of an elastomeric strip 40 satisfying the relation Bh<LE<0.7D and Bh<LI<0.7D. Additionally, the tire carcass 20 has at least one axially outer ply 2E, 2F of textile cords 21 extending from bead 30 to bead 30 along the turn-ups 20A, 20B, 20C and 20D of the axially inner plies 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D. The plies 21 are closely spaced along the natural ply path.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial ply tire 100 for use on aircraft has a radial reinforced carcass 20 having at least one axially inner ply 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D of textile cords 21 wound around a pair of bead cores 33. The improved bead structure 30 has a flipper 50 having an axially inner leg LI and axially outer leg LE. The ends LI, LE of the flippers 50 are above the bead core height Bh and below the apex A of an elastomeric strip 40 satisfying the relation Bh<LE<0.7D and Bh<LI<0.7D. Additionally, the tire carcass 20 has at least one axially outer ply 2E, 2F of textile cords 21 extending from bead 30 to bead 30 along the turn-ups 20A, 20B, 20C and 20D of the axially inner plies 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D. The plies 21 are closely spaced along the natural ply path.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial ply tire 100 for use on aircraft has a radial reinforced carcass 20 having at least one axially inner ply 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D of textile cords 21 wound around a pair of bead cores 33. The improved bead structure 30 has a flipper 50 having an axially inner leg LI and axially outer leg LE. The ends LI, LE of the flippers 50 are above the bead core height Bh and below the apex A of an elastomeric strip 40 satisfying the relation Bh<LE<0.7 D and Bh<LI<0.7 D. Additionally, the tire carcass 20 has at least one axially outer ply 2E, 2F of textile cords 21 extending from bead 30 to bead 30 along the turn-ups 20A, 20B, 20C and 20D of the axially inner plies 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D. The plies 21 are closely spaced along the natural ply path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus 100 for correcting tire nonuniformity is disclosed. The invention is particularly suited for correcting tread runout and connicity problems for large off-road tires. Multiple measurements are taken in multiple circumferentially spaced planes which enable data to be fed into a computer which predicts an optimal profile to correct tire non-uniformities using preset rules. A virtual template directs correction of the tire profile.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of characterizing the fluid content of chemicals in a reaction line comprises a rheometer. The apparatus can be connected to or included in a reaction flow stream, and has a retractable wall 26 that opens to provide an opening 28 that permits a portion of the reaction flow steam to enter into sampling chamber 12. The sample is isolated from the flow stream and rheometric data is obtained from the sample. In the method of the invention, data on the sample is collected and transferred to a computer. The computer is used to analyze the data, and optionally can be used to control reaction parameters in the reaction flow stream.

Abstract: An improved method of shipping and storing tires having a removable tread belt mounted to a tire carcass which are typically used on large vehicles such as earthmovers. The method includes shipping the tread belt separately from the tire carcass; and holding two opposite sides of the tread belt in mating engagement during shipping.

Abstract: An annular mold for curing an annular ring tread is disclosed. The annular mold has a plurality of radially movable and outwardly expandable inner segments for forming the inner surface of the tread and a plurality of radially movable and inwardly contracting outer segments for forming the tread outer surface. The radially outer segments are parallelograms. Each outer segment when in a closed molding position spans across one full radially inner segment and portions of two adjacent inner segments. The radially outer segments have inclined laterally extending edges relative to the axial direction of the mold while the circumferentially extending axially outer edges are perpendicular to the axial direction of the mold. The inclined laterally extending edges are inclined at least 5°, preferably about 10° relative to the axial direction. In the preferred embodiment the mold has 12 outer segments, each segment being of an arc length of about 30°.

Abstract: An All Terrain Vehicle Tire (10) for the drive axle positions has a tread (12) having three circumferentially continuous channels (61 62, 63). Two of the channels (62, 63) divide the elongated lugs (40, 42) into an axially inner portion (40A, 42A) and an axially outer portion (40B, 42B). The channels (61, 62, 63) and soil discharge channels (60) between elongated lugs (40, 42) facilitate mud cleaning of the tread (12).