Abstract: A system and method for detecting wear and the beginning of the mechanism of belt failure. A sensor (5) detects when a self tracking drive belt (1) tracks off center due to the asymmetrical wear (3) of the belt (1). The sensor (5) may be a simple mechanical or optical switch which is activated upon contact or a complex system which can detect the relative movement of the belt (1) when the belt (1) tracks to either side of the pulley (4). An audible or electrical signal indicates that the belt (1) needs to be changed.

Abstract: A resonant cavity frequency sensing device is used to sense the moisture content of a substrate. Data obtained by the sensing device can be used in a feedback loop in the apparatus employing the device, to help control the operation of the apparatus in order to obtain consistent results. The sensor may employ one pair of sensing plates or an array of pairs of sensing plates to obtain data from each part of the substrate. In an illustrated embodiment, the device is used to monitor and control dip uptake in a fabric adhesive dipping process.

Abstract: The air spring of the present invention combines both traditional air spring characteristics and components with internal hydro damping. The air spring has an upper retainer, a piston, an elastomeric sleeve secured to the upper retainer at a first end and secured to the piston at the lower end, and a damping device. The damping device has an upper and a lower variable volume chamber and a channel connecting the two variable volume chambers, and a damping fluid contained within the damping device.

Abstract: A v-ribbed belt has a compression section, a tension section, and a load carrying section comprising longitudinal reinforcing cords intermediate of the compression section and the tension section. The compression section has at least one fabric layer and a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves forming longitudinally extending ribs. The fabric layer is distanced from the outermost surface of the longitudinally extending ribs and the untreated gauge of each fabric layer is in the range of 0.20 to 1.0 mm, with a preferred range of 0.25 to 0.75 mm.

Abstract: A storage carriage for longitudinal components. The storage carriage has a pair of continuous belts. The belts are arranged to form a nested zigzag pattern. As the component is feed through the nested zigzag pattern, substantially the entire length of the component within the storage carriage is subjected to the same tension and compression. The component is fed into one corner of the carriage and is removed from the opposing corner of the carriage. The component travels through the carriage in a “first-in/first-out” system.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire with a folded belt structure comprises a cut belt and an overlay encompassed by folded over edges of the folded belt. Low aspect ratio tires for high performance automobiles having this structure can be made using a variety of materials.

Abstract: A tire 10 has a composite ply 40. The composite ply 40 has a primary ply 40A reinforced with parallel inextensible cords 41 and a pair of ply extensions 40B having synthetic cords. The method of manufacturing the tire 10 is described. The tire 10 can be made as a runflat type tire.

Abstract: A hose comprising a core layer, at least one reinforcement layer, and a cover layer, the core layer is comprised of inner and outer core layers, the hose being characterized by the inner core layer and the outer core layer being formed from different non-plasticized polyamides and are co-extruded at the time of formation. The hose has a permeation rate of less than 0.5 g/m/day.

Abstract: A hose and clamp assembly wherein the clamp is affixed to the hose in a single location, with limited circumferential movement of the clamp. The hose and clamp assembly is comprised of a hose, an annular hose clamp, and a clip. The clamp has an aperture therein and, in the hose and clamp assembly, is placed around the hose in a predetermined location and orientation. The clip has a protrusion that extends through the clamp aperture for securing the clip to the clamp. The clip is secured to the underside of the clamp and the clip is secured to the hose.

Abstract: A vehicle body mount comprised of a lower rebound mount and an upper load mount provides a method to fasten the rebound mount to the load mount in preparation for accommodation of a vehicle frame and vehicle body which may be radially eccentric mismatched. While continually maintaining the interlock function, the integral rebound mount and flexible interlock feature allows radial float of the rebound mount relative to the load mount, until the securing bolt seeks, engages, and is aligned with the body mounted nut, during assembly of the body to the frame. The rebound mount is defined by an extending interlock which is expandable at its outermost portion in order to engage the central opening of the upper load mount.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire that is designed primarily for use on paved surfaces, but may have application off-road, has extended chamfers aligned in a portion of the tire. In the illustrated embodiment, the chamfers are on leading and trailing portions of the lugs, are aligned axially in the tread, and together with acutely angled grooves in the tread, create an open, teeth like appearance in the tread.

Abstract: A device (5) and a method for determining alignment of any component in a belt drive system (1) is disclosed. The device (5) is two sets (7, 8) of lines (9, 10) placed on separate carriers (11, 12). The second set (8) is placed over the first set (7) so that some of the lines (9, 10) are coincident. The second set (8) is secured to the first set (7) at one end of the device (5). To determine any misalignment, even minute misalignment, of the belt drive system (1) the device (5) is secured to the belt surface (6) of the drive belt system (1). The belt (4) is rotated until the device (5) is fed into a pulley (2). Any misalignement of the system (1) is visually indicated by the resulting misalignment of the lines (9, 10).

Abstract: An improved agricultural belting (1) formed of multiple fabric by layers (2, 3 or 4), interposing rubber layers (5, 6) and rubber cover layers (7, 8). The fabric plies are a woven of warp yarns (10) extending in the longitudinal direction of the belt (1) and fill yarns (11) extending in the transverse direction of the belt (1). To optimize the transverse stiffness of the belting and other properties of the belt, any of the fabric plies (2, 3, or 4) are formed with selective replacement of the multifilament fill yarns (11) with monofilament cords (13). The fabric ply (2, 3, or 4) formed with monofilament cords (13) has at most fifty percent monofilament fill cords (13).

Abstract: A device (10) for determining the movement or elongation of an article, particularly a belt (28), is disclosed. The device (10) is comprised of two different pitched length scales (12, 14) which when laid upon one another form a vernier scale. When the scales are laid upon one another, a small area of visible contrasting color (24) is seen. A large movement of the visible contrasting color (24) indicates the miniscule movement of either scale (12, 14), relative to the other. The device (10) disclosed may also be partially imprinted onto a belt (28) wherein minute elongation of the belt (28) is obvious.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a dust plug for insertion into a fluid conduit system. The dust plug is comprised of an insertion end, removal means, and a hollow central body located between the insertion end and the removal means. The insertion end of the plug is formed as a solid flat end so that when the plug is inserted into the fluid conduit system, the hollow interior of the plug does not communicate with the interior of the system. Additionally, the removal means is preferably formed as a continuous lip about the end of the hollow central body.

Abstract: The loss of tire contact patch area along the tire's inside shoulder, relative to an oval race course, which occurs during chassis roll and lateral deflection, is reduced by providing an asymmetrical molded tire. The tires are defined by an asymmetrical outer tread profile and the tires are mounted on the rear axle of the race vehicle such that the axially outer portion of the asymmetrical tread region of each tire, relative to the race course, has a greater shoulder drop, wherein the shoulder drop is the difference between the maximum radial diameter of the tread measured on the outer tread contour and the diameter of the tread at the tread edge, than the opposing tire shoulder.

Abstract: An improved crimped swivel fitting (10) for a gasoline hose (11) is disclosed. The fitting is a three-piece assembly (10). A male stem (30) is provided with a shoulder (39) at one external end (31A) and a series of barbs (35) at the opposing end (31B). A swivel nut (50) with an external threading, is slid over the stem barbs (35) and abuts directly against the shoulder (39). The barbed stem end (31B) is inserted into a hose (11) to which a ferrule (60) with internal notching (64) has already been attached. An internal shoulder (63) of the ferrule (60) rests in a groove (33) on the stem (30) and directly abuts against a shoulder (55) of the swivel nut (50). The ferrule (60) is crimped onto the stem (30), thereby securing the fitting to the hose, and locking the swivel nut (50) onto the assembly (10).

Abstract: A radial medium truck (RMT) tire has belt or breaker plies which are reinforced by organic reinforcement cords or filaments. In one embodiment, organic monofilaments are used in the belt or breaker plies which have the following characteristics: at least 2,000 denier (2,200 dTex), a tenacity of at least 3.5 g/denier (31 cN/Tex), an initial modulus of at least 30 g/denier (265 cN/Tex) and a shrinkage of at most 6%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for injecting material into a substrate. The apparatus 10 comprises a needle assembly having a needle 14, a movable central portion 26 and a substantially stationary top portion 26. The material to be injected 17 is threaded through apparatus 10 into needle 14, and is cut to the desired length by cutter 18. When needle 14 penetrates a substrate, an additional portion of material 17 is fed into the apparatus 10, and when needle 14 is removed from substrate 12, the additional material pushes into needle 14, forcing cut portion 16 to remain in the substrate. In the method of using the apparatus, additional steps for orienting the angle of the apparatus, and steps of controlling the concentration of the injected material in the substrate may be included.

Abstract: A method for temporarily storing a plurality of endless, intermediate articles of manufacture being characterized by: (i) placing an endless, intermediate article of manufacture in a load/unload position on the storage device 10; (ii) indexing the article out of the load/unload position and into a storage position; and (iii) repeating these steps with additional articles. In the preferred method, the step of indexing the article into a storage position being further characterized by the steps of: (i) detecting the presence of the article in the load/unload position; (ii) moving the article away from the load/unload position; and (iii) stopping the article when the presence of the article in the load/unload position is no longer detected.