Patents Assigned to The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
  • Patent number: 4826422
    Abstract: A restriction insert adapted to be mounted on a spider of an extrusion die has a generally hollow body formed by integral first and second conical walls wherein the first conical wall has a larger inner diameter than that of the second conical wall. A pair of spaced axially extending material inner flow passages are formed concentrically about the axial bore opening in an outer end of the second conical wall and communicates with the interior of the body. A frustro-conical shaped groove is formed in the outer end of the second conical wall within the interior of the body to provide a tapered flow path for the material entering the inner flow passages. A pair of outer flow passages are formed concentrically in an annular shoulder at the junction of the conical walls. A generally pointed annular edge is formed on the interior of the second conical wall and in combination with the tapered inner surface of the first conical wall form tapered flow paths for the material entering the outer flow passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Stephen B. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4824515
    Abstract: A means and method for applying a stabilizer ply to a tire building drum and more particularly a means and method for cutting and applying the stabilizer ply material and specifically means for cutting the stabilizer ply material between cords disposed therein and correcting for variations of the cord angles during the application process in order to provide an improved splice between the leading and trailing edges of the stabilizer ply material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Donald O. Still, Hubert T. Hovance, George J. Burley
  • Patent number: 4824001
    Abstract: A means and method for applying innerliner material to a tire building drum and more particularly to a means and method for cutting and applying the innerliner material and further allowing for stock width measurement and precise centering without the possible edge distortion of known guiding systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Ronald L. Mick, Jr., Kent K. Kipling, Fred G. Edler
  • Patent number: 4822845
    Abstract: It now has been found that uncured rubber composition comprising rubbers having an unsaturated carbon chain and at least one carbon black can be improved by including therein, a minor property-improving amount of at least one aromatic heterocyclic di-N-oxide compound of the partial formula ##STR1## wherein the depicted carbon atoms are part of an optionally substituted aromatic ring, and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, halohydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy, hydrocarbyl sulfonyl, hydrocarbyl thio, hydrocarbylsulfoxidyl, halogen, amino,--CN--OH--CHO--CH(O hydrocarbyl)2--C(O)R.sup.3--C(O)OR.sup.3--C(N--OH)R.sup.3--C(O)NR.sup.3 R.sup.6--CH.dbd.N--NH--C(O)OR.sup.3--CH.sub.2 OC(O)CH.sub.3--R.sup.4 YR.sup.3--C(O)NHR.sup.4 OH--C(NH)NR.sup.7 R.sup.8,or--C(O)NHN(R.sup.3).sub.2wherein each R.sup.3 is independently hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group, R.sup.4 is a divalent hydrocarbyl group, R.sup.6 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, --R.sup.4 OR.sup.3, or --R.sup.4 COOR.sup.3 ; R.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber & Company
    Inventors: Daniel F. Graves, Hans-Wilhelm Engels
  • Patent number: 4814411
    Abstract: Increased reactivity of isocyanate terminated polyether prepolymers with metal halide salt complexes of methylenedianiline is obtained when the polyether intermediates are modified to contain an effective amount of ethylene oxide. A desired intermediate is poly(oxypropylene) diol or triol which are modified to contain ethylene oxide units therein and subsequently reacted with a polyisocyanate such as MDI, that is 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, or TDI, that is, toluene diisocyanate. A desired metal halide salt complex of methylenedianiline is the sodium chloride salt complex (MDA.sub.3 -NaCl), dispersed in dioctylphthalate (50/50 wt/wt).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignees: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Tristram W. Bethea, James Oziomek, Joseph H. Tazewell, Douglas K. Hillshafer, Louis W. Meyer
  • Patent number: 4813319
    Abstract: An apparatus and improved method for transversely cutting strips of deformable material with a rotating cutting blade which is moved generally transversely across the strip at a predetermined rake angle and bevel angle. A vacuum applied to certain chambers of a platen draws the strip firmly against a supporting structure at two locations on opposite sides of a cutting line during the cut cycle. A lubricant is sprayed through nozzles onto the blade as it cuts the strip and blow-off nozzles remove excess lubricant during the cut and return cycles of the blade to prevent contamination of the cut strip edges. A release bar assists in disengaging the strip from the platen after the strip is cut. Grippers remove the cut strip and then an input conveyor advances the remaining strip toward the cutting line where the grippers pull the strip forward to a predetermined position for the next cut cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Harley P. Weyand, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4810565
    Abstract: A fire retardant composite roofing material comprising an upper layer of a fire retardant EPDM material and a lower layer of a non-fire retardant EPDM material, wherein this composite material is a cured sheet membrane, a vulcanizable flashing material, or non-vulcanizing flashing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: William A. Wasitis, James L. Hoff
  • Patent number: 4809757
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a decorative applique on the sidewall thereof. The applique is protected from damage when the sidewall is curbed by the provision of a rib concentric with the applique and interposed upon the sidewall between the applique and the tire tread. A decoupling groove interconnects the applique and the rib and allows the portion of the sidewall maintaining the applique to decouple from the remainder of the sidewall, deflecting inwardly when the sidewall makes contacting engagement with a vertical surface such as a curb. The deflection of the applique prevents contact with the curb and allows the rib to draw inwardly and over the outer edge of the applique, further protecting it from scuffing action. The decoupling groove may undercut the rib to be hidden from view. Further, a rib may be provided about the applique between the tire bead and applique to protect the applique in manufacture and handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Louis W. Shurman
  • Patent number: 4806322
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing linear polyphosphazene polymers by direct synthesis under anhydrous conditions from NH.sub.4 Cl and at least one chlorophosporous compound selected from the group consisting of PCl.sub.5, XPCl.sub.4, or X.sub.2 PCl.sub.3 wherein X is one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of C.sub.6 H.sub.5 -, C.sub.6 H.sub.4 Cl-, C.sub.6 H.sub.4 F-, C.sub.6 H.sub.4 Br-, C.sub.6 H.sub.2 Cl.sub.3 -, C.sub.6 F.sub.5 -, C.sub.6 H.sub.4 CF.sub.3 -, C.sub.6 H.sub.4 NO.sub.2 -, Cl.sub.3 C-, F.sub.3 C-, F.sub.5 C.sub.2 -, F.sub.7 C.sub.3 -, or HC.sub.2 F.sub.4 -. Each of these compounds may be prepared in situ in a reactor. The instant process controls the pressure in the reactor through continuous venting of by-product HCl at elevated pressures. The instant invention also utilizes an excess of of reactive solvent such as PCl.sub.3, XPCl.sub.2, or X.sub.2 PCl as X is defined above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: William L. Hergenrother, James Oziomek
  • Patent number: 4805872
    Abstract: A means for transmitting logic information from two members which move relative to one another by means of fluid logic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Earl F. Loeffler
  • Patent number: 4803020
    Abstract: EPDM roof sheeting is prepared by ionizing radiation curing of a sheet calendered from 100 parts uncured EPDM elastomer, 40-150 parts carbon black, 30-100 parts process oil and an ionizing radiation crosslinking promoter. Preferably, the promoter is dicumyl peroxide, .alpha.,.alpha.'bis (t-butylperoxy) diisopropylbenzene, liquid high vinyl 1,2-polybutadiene resin or ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and an average dose of ionizing radiation of about 15 to about 35 megarads is used to produce sheeting meeting RMA (Rubber Manufacturers Association) Roofing Council tensile strength and elongation requirements for non-reinforced black EPDM rubber sheeting used in roofing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Joseph K. Valaitis, James A. Davis
  • Patent number: 4802556
    Abstract: A device for automatically lubricating the edges of the rims of a tire shaping drum including a pivoting arm member having disposed on the end thereof an absorbent member adapted to be positioned proximate to the rims of the tire shaping drum whereby lubricant may be metered to the absorbent material in order to allow the rim of the tire shaping drum to be automatically lubricated in response to control signals provided by a programmable controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Michael L. Lauber
  • Patent number: 4800651
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning axles with respect to the frame of a vehicle and for determining wheel camber thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: William C. Hanlon
  • Patent number: 4798369
    Abstract: An ultrasonic air spring system adapted to be mounted on a vehicle for absorbing road shocks exerted on the vehicle and for maintaining the vehicle body level with respect to the axles. An air spring includes an end plate and a piston sealingly connected to the open ends of the flexible elastomeric sleeve to form a pressurized fluid chamber therebetween. A transducer is mounted on the end plate within the fluid chamber and transmits ultrasonic signals through the fluid chamber toward the piston and picks up reflected signals therefrom. A signal is generated by the transducer in response to the reflected signals and fed to a microprocessor based control module. The control module determines whether the air requires fluid feed or exhaustion and will then implement control of inlet or exhaust valves to achieve a desired axial separation between the end plate and piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Wayne H. Geno, David A. Weitzenhof
  • Patent number: 4798640
    Abstract: A repaired elastomer article having a cut or crack entirely therethrough. A treating agent is located about the cut portion on the inner surface of the article and an amine curable polymer or prepolymer layer resides over said treating agent. A cured elastomeric patch resides over said curable polymer. Since the amine curable polymer cures at ambient temperatures, the repair of the elastomer article can occur on site. The invention is especially useful in the repair of tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Russell W. Koch, Douglas D. Snyder
  • Patent number: 4798276
    Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting logic information from two members which move relative to one another by use of fluid logic signals. A shaping turret employing an upper structure carrying a plurality of bladderless shaping drums or flanges which ae driven and controlled by apparatus requiring only one rotary coupling between the upper structure and its associated base is employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Earl F. Loeffler
  • Patent number: 4796870
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle having a shock absorber strut with a reciprocal rod located within a cylinder and an air spring having a fluid pressure chamber wherein the piston rod and cylinder extend through the chamber. The air spring includes a rigid annular canister and a flexible sleeve, one end of which is sealingly connected to the cylinder and the other end connected to the open bottom of the canister. An elastomeric isolator is bonded to a lower side of an end cap which is adapted to be secured to the vehicle. The isolator also is bound to and encloses the open upper end of the canister to close the pressure chamber of the air spring and to resiliently mount the air spring to the vehicle. An opening is formed in the isolator for sealingly receiving the upper end of the piston rod therethrough. The bonding of the end cap to the air spring canister by the isolator provides the fluid seal for the piston rod and dual path isolation for the suspension unit with a reduced number of parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Keith E. Hoffman, Wayne H. Geno
  • Patent number: D299328
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: William W. Lyle, Donald J. Sladky
  • Patent number: D299329
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Bill J. Wallet, Ronald I. Clunk
  • Patent number: D299711
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Bill J. Wallet