Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a curved hose. The method is comprised of the steps of forming a hose pre-assembly, partially curing the hose on a linear mandrel, and then completing the curing of the hose pre-assembly on a curved mandrel.

Abstract: An improved composite air spring with a simplified construction is disclosed. The piston is has a series of internal floating ribs. The ribs extend from the underside of the piston platform to the lower end of the piston. Circumferential forces acting on the piston when the sleeve rolls down onto the piston are absorbed by the piston and the floating ribs.

Abstract: A method for constructing an elastomeric composite ply comprises using parallel S and Z twisted cords to reinforce an elastomeric matrix. The S and Z cords are made inexpensively by using a yarn twist that is less than the cord twist. Composite plies made by the method can be used in elastomeric articles such as tires.

Abstract: A spray coating process combines an oil mix spray unit with a low air pressure nozzle to deliver minute quantities of ultra-fine spray of corrosion inhibitor onto a wire surface during a wire processing step. Utilizing a low air pressure nozzle, corrosion inhibitor may be sprayed at a pressure less than one pound per square inch, preventing the formation of spray mist. This system enables an accurate, clean delivery of corrosion inhibitor fluids to the steel cord surface without environmental contamination.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having improved wet traction has two annular aquachannels. The tire has a wide, substantially square footprint, a distinctive tread pattern, and a new tread compound, and exhibits good QGL wet traction in addition to excellent hydroplaning properties. The tire also has good handling and wear properties.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method of building a tire having at least one cord reinforced belt ply. The method is comprised of layering various tire components on a tire building drum. Prior to placing the belt ply on the building drum, at least one belt ply is longitudinally cut, forming a plurality of belt ply segments. The belt ply segments are placed onto the building drum and the cords in each belt ply segment are oriented in the same direction. Also disclosed is a longitudinal cutter for dividing belt ply material into the plurality of belt ply segments. The cutter has at least a pair of shear cutters and a cutting surface against which the shear cutters rotate to cut the continuous belt ply. The shear cutters are mounted on a rail and are moveable along the length of the rail.

Abstract: A method of removing waste material from an annular, elastomeric article 10. The method includes the steps of: securing at least a portion of the annular, elastomeric article 10; securing at least a portion of the waste material; penetrating the waste material with a cutting tool 52; and guiding the cutting tool 52 through the waste material. The method is characterized by the step of stretching the waste material prior to guiding the cutting tool 52. In the preferred method, the waste material is stretched a distance sufficient to simultaneously apply some degree of tension to the unsecured portions of the waste material.

Abstract: A belting (10) reinforced with at least one fabric ply (16). The fabric ply (16) is a composite fabric (26). The fabric (26) has two woven layers (28, 30) and an intermediate third layer of straight warp yarns (34). The woven layers (28, 30) and straight warp yarns (34) are bound together by a plurality of binder yarns (38). Each layer (28, 30, 34) of the fabric (26) contributes substantially 25-40% to the overall strength of the fabric (26). The composite fabric (26) may be used in a multi-ply belting (10) for heavy duty applications; wherein the fabric ply (26) is the center ply (16) and provides approximately 50 to 75% of the overall belting strength. The fabric (26) may also be used as a single reinforcing ply for light duty application belting.

Abstract: The air spring is comprised of a flexible airsleeve, a retainer, and a main piston. The airsleeve is secured at one end by the retainer and at the opposing end by the main piston. A hollow restraining piston extends from the retainer and into the main piston. The restraining piston acts as a lateral stabilizer, over extension restraint and height control. The hollow region in the restraining piston communicates through at least one passage with an air chamber formed between the airsleeve and the outer surfaces of the restraining piston and the main piston. Fluid is admitted to or exhausted from the air spring through a valve which functions relative to the displacement of the restraining piston and the main piston.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a winding bay and a method of winding to provide for a high quality wind of a viscoelastic material. A viscoelastic material and a supporting liner are wound onto a roll. After unwinding the liner from a liner let-off roll, the liner is guided under high tension. Before guiding the viscoelastic material onto the liner, the tension in the liner is isolated to reduce the tension in the liner. The viscoelastic material is guided onto the liner, and the viscoelastic material and the supporting liner are wound onto a windup roll.

Abstract: An improved hose coupling is disclosed. The coupling is comprised of a fitting and a ferrule to be radially crimped about the end of the fitting, securing a hose end. The coupling is provided with an extension against which the hose end abuts prior to crimping of the coupling. The extension also enables the hose material to flow axially during crimping.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a pneumatic radial tire. The tire is comprised of a reinforcing belt structure wherein the belt plies are divided into at least three segments. The reinforcing cords in each segment of a ply are oriented in the same inclination direction. By maintaining the same cord inclination in the segments, dividing the belt ply into segments creates hinge points for the belt ply, reducing the stiffness of the ply across the width of the tread from the centerline of the tire to the tread edges. If the belt structure has more than one reinforcing ply, the segments of the adjacent plies are staggered by a distance at greater than the radial height between the radially inner side of the adjacent belt plies.

Abstract: A hose/clamp combination wherein the clamp is oriented axially and circumferentially in its radially open position and held in place by a glued fabric overlay.

Abstract: A combination rubber injection gate system (24) and method of injection molding rubber to produce desired flow patterns in the rubber is disclosed. The combination gate (24) directs rubber through a first region (26) to flow at cross angles (38, 40) through the injection gate (24), relative to the direction of flow of the rubber (22) through the injection gate (24). The rubber (22) is then directed through an adjacent region (28) to flow through the injection gate (24) at a direction parallel to the direction of flow of the rubber (22) through the entire injection gate (24). The combination gate (24) yields a highly mixed and uniform flow of rubber (22) that is particularly useful when injection molding fiber-loaded rubber where it is desired to orient the fibers in a particular direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite flexible hose, preferably for use in automotive air conditioning systems, with improved thermal resistance. The hose consists of an innermost core layer, a friction rubber layer, an intermediate reinforcement layer, and an external cover layer. The innermost layer is a non-plasticized polyamide mixed with a minor portion of polyolefin corresponding to the main rubber constituent of the friction coat layer. The friction coating is formed of a rubber composite of two EPDM rubbers at a weight ratio of 50/50 and 75 parts by weight of carbon black. The intermediate fibrous reinforcement layer is formed of aramid. The external layer is an acrylate rubber comprising a blend of two ethylene acrylates at a weight ratio of 50/50 and 80 parts by weight of carbon black.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a belt having a load-carrying surface located between transverse edges of the belt. The load-carrying surface is comprised of a plurality of ribs arranged in a plurality of overlapping columns extending along the length of the belt. Each rib has a leading edge and a trailing edge extending across the transverse width of the belt, and each rib is defined by a centerline located midway between the leading and trailing edge of the rib. The rib centerline has a non-linear configuration over a majority of the belt's useful lifetime.

Abstract: An air spring wherein the spring constant of the air spring can be readily tuned to achieve a desired ride performance is disclosed. The air spring has a cylindrical elastomeric sleeve, bead plates, and support rings. The sleeve is secured at each end to a bead plate. The support rings are secured to the bead beads, extending radially outward from the bead plates. The support rings have an inner shoulder, an outer shoulder, and a tracking surface extending between the shoulders. When the air spring is at design height, the sleeve contacts only the inner shoulders of the support rings. By limiting the initial contact of the sleeve with ring and determining where this contact occurs, the movement of the sleeve during jounce can be modified, altering the effective area rate of change.

Abstract: A method of converting at least one strip of flexible material 12 into at least one stack of folded members 46. The method includes the step of conveying a number of festoons 20 formed from a strip of flexible material 12. The method is characterized by the step of depositing the respective festoons 20 into a stack of folded members 46. In the preferred method, the step of depositing the respective festoons 20 into a stack of folded members 46 can be characterized further by the steps of: (i) laying an initial flap 36 of flexible material 12 on a stacking surface 24; (ii) creating a first folded member 44 by placing a first festoon 42 on the initial flap 36 of flexible material 12; and (iii) creating additional folded members by placing each festoon upon a preceding festoon.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an improved method for delivering a continuous strip material to a spool upon which it is to be wound. The method includes the step of reducing the effective width of the continuous strip material prior to its being wound on the spool by shaping the strip material into an arcuate cross-section. The shaping means is rotatable about an axis parallel with the axis of the spool. The method includes moving the shaping means axis of rotation while winding the strip material on the spool and maintaining the shaping means axis of rotation parallel with the spool.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rubber hose wherein the reinforcing layers are formed from ebonite rubber. The ebonite rubber has a thickness sufficient to provide the desired reinforcing characteristics to the hose. The hose may be formed with integral hose flanges wherein the hose flanges are also formed from ebonite rubber.