Abstract: A modular support assembly receives and/or stores elongated objects that may be primarily cylindrical in shape, such as fluid conduits including hydraulic tube, pipe and hose. The modular support assembly includes a plurality of interchangeable modules of differing or similar sizes to create an adjustable assembly whose overall shape and number of modules can change depending upon the intended use of the assembly. The modules comprise sliding engagement portions that are disposed along a periphery of the modules and allow interengageable attachment to other modules. The modules also comprise apertures that can vary in size to accommodate various sizes of objects. The modules can be disassembled by sliding module portion halves apart, facilitating easy assemblage of the modules either before or after the objects retained therein have been positioned, and subsequent removal of individual objects from the assemblage.

Abstract: A double-cogged V-belt with the upper and lower cog profiles symmetric and having lines (“L”) and arcs (“A”) connected according to a sequence from the center of a root to the center of an adjacent cog of L1-A1-L2-A2-L3 for the upper profile and A3-L5-A4-L6, and with at least one upper root and one lower root substantially aligned with each other, and with the sum of the length of L1 plus the radius of A1 equal to or within 20% of the radius of A3. The upper and lower pitches may be equal and all the roots aligned, or there may be more upper cogs than lower cogs. Some or all arcs and lines may be connected tangentially.

Abstract: A method of making a composite article includes providing an elastomeric composition with a blowing agent having an activation temperature and providing at least one structural member defining a fixed gap. The composition is formed below the blowing agent's activation temperature into a solid elastomeric member approximately the thickness of or larger than the gap. The elastomeric member is assembled into the gap, which may place the elastomeric member in a state of compression in the gap. The elastomeric member is then expanded by heating it above the activation temperature. During expansion, the escape of the gas produced is limited to increase the state of compression of the elastomer in the gap by means of confining any free surfaces or by including a platy filler such as nanoclay in the composition.

Abstract: A bathtub system, including a tub with a bather access opening in one sidewall and a door mounted on that sidewall. In the closed position, the door is adjacent the access opening, and in the open position the door is substantially clear of the access opening. The system includes a gray water reservoir under the tub of approximately the capacity of the tub and which can be connected to a sewer system. A high capacity tub drain conducts water from the tub into the reservoir by gravity alone very quickly.

Abstract: A double-cogged V-belt with the upper and lower cog profiles symmetric and having lines (“L”) and arcs (“A”) connected according to a sequence from the center of a root to the center of an adjacent cog of L1-A1-L2-A2-L3 for the upper profile and L4-A3-L5-A4-L6, and with at least one upper root and one lower root substantially aligned with each other, and with the sum of the length of L1 plus the radius of A1 equal to or within 20% of the sum of the length of L4 plus the radius of A3. The upper and lower pitches may be equal and all the roots aligned, or there may be more upper cogs than lower cogs. Some or all arcs and lines may be connected tangentially.

Abstract: A power transmission belt comprising a body comprising an elastomeric material and having tensile members running in a longitudinal direction, the body having a pulley engaging region having a profile; the pulley-engaging region comprising a fibrous nonwoven fabric material; characterized in that the fibers of the nonwoven material comprise acrylic fibers. The acrylic fibers are preferably micro-fibers of less than about 1.5 dpf and having an average diameter of 13.5 microns or less and an average length of about 1 to about 10 mm. The nonwoven material may be commingled with the elastomeric material in the pulley engaging region. Up to about 75% by weight of the fibers of the nonwoven material may comprise non-acrylic fibers such as other synthetic fibers, natural fibers, or cellulosic fibers.

Abstract: A plastic bathing fixture formed substantially or entirely of a laminated composite material comprising a show-surface layer of gel-coat or thermoplastic sheet material which may be non-magnetic; a magnetic or magnetizable layer which may coincide with the show-surface layer or be a subsurface layer; and a non-magnetic structural layer of fiber-reinforced resin material. The magnetic layer materials may be localized or strategically placed, and may comprise a resin with a particulate ferromagnetic filler.

Abstract: A neck jet pillow for a spa or whirlpool tub removably mountable. The pillow has a soft membrane area occupying a central portion thereof, a first mounting member fixedly mountable onto a fluid jet, a second mounting member fixedly attached to the pillow and slidably and removably mountable onto the first mounting member, and a hole in the second mounting member coinciding with the membrane area whereby the jet can direct a fluid stream onto the backside of the membrane area. The first and second mounting members, when mounted together and onto the pillow and jet, define a water-tight cavity there between having a jet inlet and a discharge opening whereby spent fluid from the jet is discharged downward into the tub or spa. The mounting members may be sliding members.

Abstract: A dual tensioner assembly for a two-belt drive system including a mounting bracket, a first and second cup coaxial and integrally formed on opposite sides of the mounting bracket with a common base wall having a hub formed therein, a first and second pivot arm each having an integral cylindrical member and each having a tensioner pulley journaled thereon, a tensioning mechanism in each cup biasing its respective pivot arm, a pivot shaft in each cup that is fitted into the hub, and a sleeve bushing on each pivot shaft pivotably supporting its respective cylindrical members.

Abstract: A torsional compensator having an inner hub, an outer sprocket, left and right grippers, and a resilient torsion sleeve. The torsion sleeve occupies a generally annular cavity between the inner hub and outer sprocket and each end of the sleeve is coupled to a gripper. One gripper is coupled to the inside of the outer sprocket and the other gripper is coupled to the outside of the inner hub and they are axially spaced apart. The inner hub supports the outer sprocket for coaxial rotation thereon.

Abstract: A power transmission belt with an embedded load carrier cord having a plurality of yarns and possessing a first twist corresponding to a first twist multiplier and a first twist direction, and possessing a second twist corresponding to a second twist multiplier in the opposite direction, such that the ratio of the first twist multiplier to the second twist multiplier is greater than about 1.5, and at least one yarn includes fibers of polyketone or polyvinylalcohol.

Abstract: A rubber composition having (A) an elastomer component in which the primary elastomer constituent is an ethylene-propylene elastomer polymerized in the gas phase with a metallocene catalyst and having a molecular weight of at least about 250,000; (B) a silicon-modified olefinic elastomer in an amount of from about 5 to about 50 parts per hundred parts of the elastomer component; (C) ground mica in an amount of from about 2.5 to about 30 parts per hundred parts of the elastomer component; and (D) a peroxide curative. The composition may be used in a vibration isolator which may be used in a belt drive system.

Abstract: A transmission belt (10) has a contact face (18a) which contacts a pulley when the belt (10) is wound around the pulley. Foreign matter (25) is embedded near the contact face (18a) in the belt (10). The contact face (18a) is worn by the pulley when the belt (10) rotates around the pulley, so that the foreign matter (25) is exposed at the contact face (18a). The foreign matter (25) contacts the pulley to make a warning sound. Due to this, a user of the belt (10) can determine the extent of the wear of the belt (10), and the decrease in the transmissibility of the belt (10) and the pulley.

Abstract: A shaft coupling with a flexible annular sleeve, a driver end piece, and a driven end piece. The end pieces have a plurality of axially projecting prongs arranged so that the driver prongs loosely interlock in the spaces between the driven prongs with a gap between each pair of prongs. The sleeve fits snugly around the periphery of the loosely interlocked prongs. Each prong has at least one prong groove in its outer periphery. Each of two peripheral edges may be shaped to form a groove flank, and each set of two adjacent groove flanks on adjacent prongs may form a gap groove. The sleeve has a plurality of inner teeth including a plurality of groove teeth in alternating arrangement with a plurality of gap teeth. The prong grooves and groove teeth mesh, and the gap grooves and gap teeth mesh. Groove teeth may be bigger than gap teeth.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper or other vibration damping device with a rubber vibration absorbing element. The rubber element is a peroxide-cured composition based on 100 parts of ethylene-alpha-olefin elastomer, and 5 to 100 parts of polyvinyl butyral polymer which may have a molecular weight from about 40,000 to about 250,000. The composition may also include a compatibilizer or homogenizer, such as chlorinated polyethylene. The polyvinyl butyral increases the damping of the composition, and the compatibilizer improves the temperature stability of the damping.

Abstract: A power transmission belt having a main belt body portion of elastomeric material, a tensile reinforcement such as carbon fiber cord, disposed in said body portion, and a sheave contact portion integral with said main body portion. The elastomeric material includes the reaction product of a polyisocyanate prepolymer composition and a chain extender. The polyisocyanate prepolymer composition is prepared by reacting a diisocyanate and a polyol substantially free of moieties oxidative at less than about 150° C. and at least one triol crosslinker selected from the same group of polyols. Either before or after reacting the prepolymer, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of alkyl-ether di-alkylesters such as polyethylene glycol di-alkylester is added thereto. The chain extender is an aromatic symmetric primary or secondary diamine chain extenders.

Abstract: A power transmission belt incorporating an adhesive treatment system and method for bonding fiber to rubber which includes an optional primer coat based on a low-molecular-weight isocyanate, followed by an overcoat including: (a) a prepolymer based on an isocyanate-terminated diene oligomer, and optionally (b) a low-molecular-weight isocyanate, and/or (c) a thermoplastic urethane comprising the reaction product of the same prepolymer with MDI and EHD. A polyester, aramid, or carbon fiber tensile cord for rubber reinforcement may be treated with the primer coat and the overcoat. A power transmission belt or other dynamic rubber product having ethylene-alpha-olefin elastomer as the primary rubber constituent may be reinforced by the tensile cord.

Abstract: A hose clamp kit having a coil of perforated band material marked at regular intervals to enable detaching of a desired length of band, and a housing assembly with a worm drive near one end of a housing plate which has near the opposite end one or more protrusions and a detent. One end of the length of band is held in place by the detent, while the perforations engage or snap onto the protrusions. The other end encircles a hose, engaging the worm-gear housing for tightening. A protrusion may be rounded, may be formed by pushing up the plate material residing between two slots in the plate, and/or may be sized for an interference fit into a perforation. The detent may be a raised tab, bent horizontal to the plate and in the direction of the protrusions. A hose clamp and a method of clamping are also described.

Abstract: A flexible shaft coupling sleeve comprising a sleeve shaped body having a central annular portion and a coupling receiving portion at each of two opposing sleeve ends, and a coupling device incorporating such sleeve. The sleeve's coupling receiving portions include axially extending teeth on their inner surfaces. The flexible shaft coupling sleeve is formed of a polyurethane elastomer composition.

Abstract: A halogen-free, fire-resistant rubber composition comprising: 100 parts by weight of elastomer comprising 50-100 parts of at least one olefin-type elastomer; at least one fire-retardant boron source; at least one phosphorous source; at least 75 parts of at least one fire-retardant metal-hydrate; and at least one selected from the group consisting of a fire-retardant nitrogen compound and a nitrile-containing elastomer. The composition is suitable for use in fire-resistant, low-smoke hose. The hose may be used in fluid-handling systems requiring flame resistance and/or low smoke generation in fire.