Abstract: An apparatus for cabling wires into a predetermined stranded configuration has at least one first pay-off bobbin rotatably supported inside a carrier, in its turn freely rotating inside a cage-type device and coaxial with it.The cage is supported to rotate about its own axis.Part of the wires constituting the produced cord can be drawn through the apparatus coming from a second, external to the apparatus, pay-off bobbin.The carrier comprises means for guiding the wires along a path developed from one extremity and/or from the first pay-off bobbins to the other extremity of said carrier, said path being not coincident with the axis of the apparatus, and means, disposed along said path, for permanently deforming the wires by bending.

Abstract: An extruder head for extruding an elastomeric composition to form a reinforced elastomer article such as a conveyor belt has a substantially rectangular die opening and a guide member disposed in the opening of the die for directing the reinforcing elements into the composition as it is shaped by the die.A device is provided for restricting the streams of composition, which flow on opposite sides of the guide member, to have said flow meet said reinforcement along two parallel fronts.

Abstract: A direct current cable, sealing end installation, the cable having a bared conductor end, a first semi-conductive screen around the conductor, a layer of insulating material around the screen, a second semi-conductive screen around the insulating layer and a conductive sheath around the second screen. The sheath the second screen and the insulating layer are stripped back to expose a portion of the second screen, a portion of the first screen and an intermediate length of the insulating layer. A hollow, cylindrical container with an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the cable extends lengthwise of the cable and from adjacent the bared conductor end to adjacent the sheath; and the container end adjacent the sheath has a liquid-tight connection to the sheath. The container is filled with liquid having a resistivity in the range from 10.sup.8 to 10.sup.6 ohm-meter to below the bared conductor end.

Abstract: A stranding machine comprising a plurality of stands, each carrying a pair of bobbins disposed on opposite sides of the stand, wire on a bobbin being fed through a hollow, rotatable shaft on the stand along with a core, such as an electric cable core, and to a stranding unit. The number of stands is equal to the number of wires to be stranded, and each stand carries means for paying-off wire from either bobbin and means for loading either bobbin with wire, the wire guiding means of the latter being movable from adjacent one bobbin to adjacent the other bobbin, whereby one bobbin may supply the wire for stranding while the other bobbin is being loaded with wire. Drive means, separate from means which rotates the hollow shaft, rotates the bobbin being loaded and can drive either bobbin.

Abstract: An elastomeric or plastomeric power transmission belt is reinforced with longitudinally extending wires or threads which are flexible and substantially inextensible. Longitudinally uniformly spaced rigid members which are embedded cross-wise in the belt with one surface adjacent to the longitudinally extending reinforcing members support the wires or threads during vulcanization or curing of the elastomer or plastomer and resist transversal deformation of the belt during use.

Abstract: A device for storing and later releasing mechanical energy has an elongate body, preferably cylindrical, at least one elastic strip or band wound helicoidally about the body and fastened thereto at each end thereof. A rigid rod extends longitudinally through and supports the body. The strips are wound about the body by rotating one end of the body on the rod. The strips of elastic material are subjected only to tensile stress and can be greatly deformed to accumulate a large amount of energy. The dimensions of the device are relatively small and need not be varied to accumulate a large amount of energy. The device is useful for starting an internal combustion engine, a rechargeable element as a substitute for a motor or as an accumulator of braking energy of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire for motor vehicles having a generally trapezoidal section with a top portion which is generally convex towards the outside and wider than any other part of the tire, beads, and two sidewalls. The sidewalls spread outwardly from the beads to zones which connect the sidewalls with the top portion. The top portion has a central tread portion which is normally in contact with the ground when the tire is under load, and lateral shoulders which are spaced from the ground during rectilinear running of the vehicle. The sidewalls have zones which are less resistant to bending adjacent to the shoulders and adjacent to the beads than the parts which are intermediate the shoulders and beads. The less resistant zones act as hinges under load on the tread. A generally annular reinforcing structure for the tread, which is substantially inextensible in the axial and circumferential direction, is folded at its ends about reinforcing annular straps arranged in each shoulder.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating segments of an endless belt made from a heat cross-linkable elastomer has a frame comprising a flat rectangularly shaped base member and a generally "C-shaped" heated enclosure supported above the base member. The C-shaped enclosure has a second base member and a top member disposed in vertically spaced relation with an upstanding side member supporting the top member above the second base member. Facing heated plates are supported by the second base member and the top member and can be moved together. A box-like housing has a pair of longitudinally spaced grooved cylindrically shaped members to support a looped belt to be cured. The box-like housing is mounted on wheels supported on rails on its first base member for moving a belt supported thereon into the enclosure with the upper reach of the belt between the heated plates for cross-linking. The belt while supported on the cylindrically shaped members is shielded from heat when disposed outside of the box-like housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a cord to be used for reinforcing an elastomeric article such as a tire for a motor vehicle are disclosed. The cord has a core formed by twisting together a group of wires and a series of radially disposed crown layers of wires wound helically about the core or next innermost crown layer side by side and parallel to each other. The apparatus has two machines each having a cage and a shuttle disposed in the cage for winding crown layers from bunches of wires. A device for flexing the wires used to form the crown layers to deform them before winding is included. The two machines are coupled together by a device which determines the relative speeds of rotation of the first and second cages at a 2:1 ratio, respectively.

Abstract: A clamp for feeding an elastomeric strip to a flat platten press without substantial tensile stress has a frame slidably mounted on its supporting members. The clamp has two facing jaws disposed on opposite sides of the path followed by the strip as it is moved to between the jaws. The clamp is moved relative to its support members by a plurality of hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies disposed with their axes disposed in two planes which are parallel to the plane of the path followed by the strip.

Abstract: A device for automatically loading a bead core to an apparatus which associates an elastomeric filler with the bead core and for unloading the bead core with the filler.The device has two jaws for loading the bead core and means for controlling the opening of the jaws. The jaws are opened when the bead core is locked in the apparatus and the jaws are moved from the apparatus towards the loading position of a new bead core.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for receiving a length or section of a tire tread or the like and transferring it to a storage truck. The apparatus has a cylindrical member which receives the section from an extruder or other source, inverts the section and deposits it on a first endless conveyor. A second conveyor is looped about the downstream roller of the first endless belt and receives the section from the first belt. A vertically movable carriage has an endless belt which carries the section from the second belt to a storage truck. A slide member movable in the same direction as the endless belts is provided for transferring a section from the carriage to a storage surface.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a radial carcass which is adapted for use on heavy duty motor vehicles such as trucks and buses is provided with an annular reinforcing structure in the crown of the tire between the carcass and the tread band having at least three layers of metal cords with the two layers which are radially inner of the third layer being of cords having an ultimate elongation of about 3% and the cords of the third layer having an ultimate elongation of about 4% to about 8%. The cords of each of the two radially inner layers are substantially parallel to each other and inclined with respect to the direction of travel of the tire but the cords of one of the two layers cross those of the other layer. The cords of the third layer are substantially parallel to each other and to the direction of travel of the tire.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire for a motor vehicle has a removable tread fastened to the casing by annular projections on one locked in annular grooves in the other when the tire is inflated. The tread is supported by a breaker structure underlying the tread in the crown portion of the casing. The breaker has an annular strip of metallic fabric and an annular tape of metallic fabric on each side of the strip and between the annular strip and underlying carcass. There is a free annular central zone between the tapes astride the center plane of the tire.

Abstract: A process is provided for manufacturing radial tires for a motor vehicle having a radial carcass, a reinforcing structure with at least two layers of criss-crossed symmetrically arranged metallic cords forming a belt, and a tread. The process involves a series of steps which comprise: building up a carcass in a cylindrical configuration on a first expandable building drum and shaping the carcass into a toroidal configuration. A reinforcing belt is also formed by winding two layers of metallic cords on an auxiliary expandable drum with a diameter equal to the external diameter of the toroidal shaped carcass. The belt is maintained in slidable contact on the drum and shaped toroidally by expanding the auxiliary drum. The belt is then removed from the auxiliary drum and transferred with a tread band to the carcass on the first drum. The carcass is toroidal shaped again to assemble the carcass and belt. The assembly is vulcanized under pressure in a mold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for receiving a length or section of a tire tread or the like and transferring it to a storage truck. The apparatus has a cylindrical member which receives the section from an extruder or other source, inverts the section and deposits it on a first endless conveyor. A second conveyor is looped about the downstream roller of the first endless belt and receives the section from the first belt. A vertically movable carriage has an endless belt which carries the section from the second belt to a storage truck. A slide member movable in the same direction as the endless belts is provided for transferring a section from the carriage to a storage surface.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for electrolysis of an aqueous sodium chloride solution is provided with a closure for its open side which is resistant to degradation by chlorine and ozone. The cover has an external elastomeric layer which is stable when exposed to ozone and a polytetrafluoroethylene layer facing the aqueous solution which resists attack by chlorine, and intermediate polyamide, polyester or fiberglass mesh on synthetic rubber layers. The synthetic rubber layer is chloroprene vulcanized with lead oxide.

Abstract: A solar roof for a building which is transparent to sunlight and protects the building from weather has a synthetic resinous thermal insulating pad disposed on a rigid substrate which closes the top of the building. Laterally spaced plate members are disposed on the pad. Each plate member has conduits therein for carrying a fluid to be heated by solar energy. Means are provided for circulating fluid through the conduits and to a vessel for storing the fluid after it is heated. A generally U-shaped support member having a closed bottom which rests on the pad is disposed in each space between the plate members. The two upstanding legs of the support member terminate in ends having longitudinally extending flanges. A sheet transparent to solar energy is disposed on the flanges and seals the spaces between adjacent U-shaped support members.

Abstract: The tread of a pneumatic tire is bonded to a toroidal shaped radial tire carcass and a reinforcing structure which has discontinuities in its thickness in two planes parallel to the equatorial plane of the tire by a stitching process wherein the annular central portion of the tread while unvulcanized is first rotated against a brush. The lateral portions of the tread which overlie the thickest edge portions of the reinforcing structure are also pressed by rotating brushes commencing while the central portion is being pressed and the annular areas of the tread intermediate the center and lateral areas are pressed with metallic discs. The lateral portions of the tread overlying the thickest parts of the reinforcing structure are then pressed with metallic discs. The process and apparatus having two sets of brushes to achieve the sequence of pressing steps adhere the unvulcanized tread to the underlying structure without air bubbles being trapped therebetween.

Abstract: A mold for molding a boot or similar footwear from an elastomeric composition and simultaneously lining the footwear with a fabric, has first and second shells each having a cavity which complements the cavity of the other to form a large cavity which corresponds to the upstanding sides of the footwear and a third shell which has a cavity corresponding to the sole thereof. The three shells are assembled together with a rigid core member enclosed therein which defines the inside of the boot. The core member has an elastically expandable casing. Conduits are arranged in the core member for conveying a fluid under pressure to expand the casing.