Abstract: A process for reducing micro-voids in cross-linked cable insulation without reducing the voltage breakdown strength thereof in which process the insulation, after cross-linking, is heated at a temperature in the range from about 120.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. and under a pressure less than 10 mm. Hg for a period from about 8 hours to 48 hours. Also, a cable having such insulation which has micro-voids less than about 10.sup.2 per mm.sup.3 and a perforation gradient greater than the perforation gradient of a cable which has not been so treated.

Abstract: A lock for a casement window sash, door or the like has a pneumatically actuated bolt which holds the sash in its closed position. The locking device has a chamber enclosed by a fluid impervious housing supported below the bottom of the sash. A slidable piston is disposed in the chamber with a rod projecting upwardly therefrom and against the sash when it is closed. A spring biases the piston upwardly to dispose the rod against the sash. A squeeze bulb for charging air under pressure into the chamber above the piston to move it in opposition to the spring is provided in an accessible location external of the chamber and is squeezed when it is desired to move the rod from against the sash so the sash can be swung into an open position.

Abstract: Metal cord, for reinforcing articles of an elastomeric material, such as tires, conveyor belts and so on of the single strand type, in particular made up of a plurality of 3, 4 or 5 wires, wherein the said wires are twisted together loosely, so as to result as being spaced apart from each other but in such a way that the ratio between the diameter of the circumference circumscribing the swollen cord and the diameter of the circumference circumscribing the corresponding compact cord, is comprised between 1.06 and 1.20. A thus realized cord consents for an optimum penetration of the elastomeric filler material but at the same time a tensile behavior, and in particular an elongation in the field of low values of loads applied, which does not differ in any appreciable way from that of the corresponding compact cord.

Abstract: A floating breakwater has two closed buoyant cylindrical members spaced laterally from each other and joined together in their spaced positions by longitudinally spaced flexible and inextensible strips such as rubberized fabric. Closed elongated tubular members are mounted on the cylindrical members where they will be above water. The breakwater is anchored to the bottom of the waterway by chains or the like and conventional anchors.

Abstract: An apparatus for associating an elastomeric filler with a bead core of a vehicle tire has a fixed frame and two discs which contact each other and rotate together. Each disc has an annular groove with one for encasing the core and the other for applying the base of the filler to the core. The apparatus has means for blocking the opposite sides of the filler in proximity of each end of the "V" and for butt-splicing the ends of the filler strip.

Abstract: A process and a device are disclosed for forming a tennis ball which comprises the formation of two semispherical bowls in crude elastomeric material each having on its border a structural shape that is deformed by compression when the two semispherical bowls are pressed one against the other while a depressurization is effected in the joining zone of the two semispherical bowls on the outside of them.

Abstract: A submarine cable and an electric power line using such cable for transmitting electric power at high voltge from a first point adjacent the surface of a water body to a second point adjacent the surface of a water body, a portion of the cable lying in great water depths where the hydrostatic pressure is high. The cable comprises at least three sections, each section having its insulation dimensioned or selected for operation at the high voltage when subjected to the ambient pressures. The section, or sections, lying at great depths has insulation with a voltage breakdown strength which varies with pressure, the strength increasing with pressure, so that the insulation thereof may be less than would be required if the such sections were to be used under pressures less than those at the great depths.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire is disclosed having a carcass with cords lying in radial or substantially radial planes, a strip of metal cords in the bead zone and the lower part of the sidewall extending radially from the core zone to from 25 to 45% of the tire section height with the cords inclined at an angle of 5.degree. to 15.degree. with respect to the circumferential lines of the tire and an axially outer situated second strip of cords of tension and compression resistant material, the cords of the second strip being inclined in an opposite sense to the cords of the first strip angled at 45.degree. to 90.degree. with respect to the circumferential lines of the tire. The tire structure permits the elimination of sidewall deformations when the tire runs at high speed along a curved trajectory, making for good riding comfort.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing elements for an optical cable, such elements including a tube of an elastic material, e.g. a synthetic resin or an elastomer, which loosely encloses one or more optical fibers. Preferably, the fiber or fibers are longer than the enclosing tube and the tube is filled with a material which prevents the migration of water, etc. The tube in mechanically stabilized form and the optical fiber or fibers are advanced toward a traction zone where the tube is pulled. Prior to the traction zone, the tube is slit or cut longitudinally through one thickness of the wall, the cut edges are spread apart and the optical fiber or fibers are inserted into the tube through the gap between the cut edges. Optionally, filling material is also inserted into the tube through such gap or a downstream gap subsequently formed. The tube-optical fiber assembly follows a straight line downstream of traction zone to a collecting point.

Abstract: An assembly of apparatus is provided for curing or vulcanizing an elongated elastomeric belt such as a conveyor belt reinforced with a fabric or other strengthening member while preventing the reinforcing member from shifting in the softened belt from its desired position. The assembly has a curing apparatus comprising a rotating curing drum, a device for continuously feeding an uncured ribbon-like belt to the drum and a device for maintaining tension on the belt as it is fed to the curing drum and for preventing lateral drift of the belt.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a generally trapezoidal section and sidewalls which are predominantly under compression under load is provided with non-reinforced sidewalls made of an elastomeric composition having a dynamic modulus of elasticity between 8 and 13 megapascal units and the tangent of the loss angle is between 0.03 and 0.15. By controlling the ratio between the absolute value of the modulus and the relative loss angle, the tire has optimum mechanical characteristics.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for making a bead wire and bead zone filler for a vehicle tire. The apparatus has a rotatable drum and deformable tubular member disposed on the drum. The external surface of the tubular member is adapted to receive a strip of elastomeric material to be shaped into the bead zone filler. The tubular member is changed from tubular to annular shape with a fluid under pressure.

Abstract: An electric power cable having a Milliken-type conductor comprising at least four sectors, the conductor being paper-insulated and oil filled and each sector comprising metal wires stranded together. Each wire is covered with a layer of a cross-linked synthetic resin having a thermal classification of 120.degree. C., a CEI resistance to abrasion of at least 50 cycles, a CEI thermal pressure value higher than 170.degree. C. and an insulating oil contaminating effect of substantially zero, such resin also being substantially completely volatizable by the heat used for joining cables by welding. Preferred resins are a polyvinyl-acetal resin, such as a polyvinyl-formal resin, cross-linked with a phenol resin and, optionally, a melamine resin and such with the addition of a blocked isocyanate.

Abstract: An expandible tire-building drum for making toric shaped tire carcasses built in the form of cylindrical sleeves is provided. The cylindrical sleeves have at their extremities, annular bulges which are circumferentially inextensible and are radially developed towards the inside. These bulges form the beads on the carcass. The height of the bead is one-half the difference between the internal diameter of the said sleeve and the internal diameter of the said bead. The drum comprises two co-axial discs, constituted substantially by a hub and an annular flange fixed to the hub, axially slidable reciprocally and fixed with each other in rotation. The said discs are supported on a rotating shaft which projects in cantilever fashion from a driving device. The discs comprise a radially external surface having a first part, capable of receiving the beads of the sleeve, and being defined as "bead-seat".

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for injection molding a pneumatic tire having corresponding symmetrical parts such as the sidewalls of the tire which are geometrically symmetrical and have substantially the same physical characteristics. The apparatus involves means for providing a feed stream of suitable plastic or elastomeric compound such as rubber, separating the feed stream into intermediate streams and remixing the intermediate stream before injection into the mold. The compound is injected into the mold cavities at uniformly spaced points along at least one of the annular zones of the cavity. The feed stream is preferably separated into two streams, one of which comes primarily from the outer portion of the stream and the other predominantly from near the center of the stream and then these streams are intermixed to provide a stream which is substantially uniform in composition throughout.

Abstract: A process is provided for injection molding a vehicle tire such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,805,868 having a bead of elastomeric material. The mold has an outer envelope and an inner body having a core formed of radially collapsible sectors which combine to enclose a mold cavity. The inner body member has at least two annular elements, an upper and lower one, which are separable from one another and from the core along the direction of the core axis. The annular elements have surfaces which form axially inner surfaces of the tire's beads. The inner body member is also provided with members for blocking the annular elements with the core and with the envelope. The core of the mold is divided into two series of alternate collapsible sectors which are displaced radially inwardly when the tire is released from the mold.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for molding vehicle tires. Component parts of the tire are molded separately in molds having different shells but using the same core. The parts of the tire are at least partially vulcanized at the same time as they are molded.

Abstract: A method is provided for making metal cords to be used as reinforcing elements in elastomeric structures which comprises arranging the wires in groups with the wires of each group being arranged coplanar and side by side, permanently deforming the wires by bending to wind the wires in a regular and uniform helical arrangement, with the helexes of all the wires having the same geometrical characteristics. The resulting cord is free from residual tensions which might loosen the mutual strand.

Abstract: A flow-meter having a sliding lamina interposed between two chambers and movable to vary the flow therethrough in response to deviations in the pressure difference between the chambers to maintain a constant preset pressure difference for accurate measurement of instantaneous flow rates over a wide range. A cam surface relates linear variation in flow rates to non-linear variation in the area of the opening for fluid passage.

Abstract: A drive belt adapted for use in a continuous speed variator has an elongated annular body member reinforced with inextensible cords which are embedded along the longitudinal axis of the body member. A series of teeth is disposed along one side of the body member and rigid wedge-shaped members connected to the teeth have a trapezoidal cross-section perpendicular to the plane of symmetry of the body member.