Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprising a radial carcass reinforcement and a tread reinforcement imparting to the tread a meridian curvature less than the circumferential curvature is improved by having the percentage of sculpting of the tread increase from the edges of the tread in the direction towards the equatorial zone of the tread.

Abstract: An edge protector and anchor member for the upper edge portion of the side wall of a pick-up truck box is formed as a generally U-shaped channel member. One leg of the member extends into the interior of the box to protect the upper inside portion of the side wall. The other leg extends downwardly on the outside of the side wall and has a plurality of spaced apart anchor means along the marginal edge thereof. Each anchor means comprises a tab flanked by notches struck from the leg with the tab being bent inwardly of the channel member. A rope or other tie-down device may be connected to the tabs for securing a load in the box.

Abstract: A combination safety strap and handle for ski poles wherein the strap is arranged to be releasably disconnected from the wrist of a skier under adverse conditions, the strap having at least one end thereof attached directly to the handle member and formed having an enlarged loop, the loop being defined by the strap looped over itself and held in this configuration by means of two opposing, cooperating, fastening-sheet-material tape members which will disconnect under stress, thus freeing the ski pole from the skier.

Abstract: A steering lock device comprises a locking bolt capable of locking a steering shaft of a motor vehicle when moved in a first direction, a spring for biasing the bolt to move in the first direction, a lifting mechanism for moving the locking bolt in the opposite direction against the force of the spring and finally holding the locking bolt in the unlocking state wherein the locking bolt unlocks the steering shaft, and a solenoid disposed about the locking bolt to cause the bolt to be kept in the unlocking state, under energization of the solenoid, even when the lifting mechanism ceases to hold the locking bolt in the unlocking state.

Abstract: A sole plate construction for a ski. The sole plate is pivotally secured to the ski about a centrally located pivot axis with respect to the sole plate. Front and rear holding parts are provided on the ski to hold the sole plate in a fixed position relative to the ski during a normal downhill skiing position of use. One of the holding parts incorporates a locking element which yieldingly holds the sole plate in a longitudinally aligned relationship relative to the ski. In order to minimize the number of fastening elements required to hold the components to the ski, the holding parts are secured to centering plates, each of which has an elongated slot therein receiving the pivotal support part pivotally holding the sole plate to the ski. Any flexing of the ski will cause the centering plates to shift with respect to one another and to the pivotal support part. A single fastening element serves to secure each centering plate to the ski.

Abstract: A shopping cart for carrying groceries between a store and a persons home, and which includes snow runners which are movable between a stored away and utility positions so that in normal use the cart rides upon its wheels, and during winter snow and ice it travels upon the runners, each runner including a wear plate for sliding on the ice or snow surface and a flange along each side of the wearplate through which the cart axle extends for attachment of the runner to the cart.

Abstract: A bicycle tire, notably tubular tire, includes a flexible reinforcing structure added to the tread, the reinforcing structure consisting of high tensile strength yarns assembled beforehand in the form of a knitted sheath or tubular member, and intimately bonded to the rubber by causing the rubber to penetrate into the open meshes of the reinforcing structure during the tire vulcanization.

Abstract: A safety support mounted on a rim inside a tire chamber to resiliently support the tread portion of the tire in the deflated condition and maintain the bead portions of the tire in a separated condition. The support is in the form of a ring member of flexible resilient material with an inner portion at the inner periphery having a diameter not greater than the diameter of the rim and a width substantially the same distance between the bead portions when mounted on the rim. The ring member also has an outer portion at the outer periphery with an outer diameter less than the diameter of the tread portion of the tire in the inflated condition and greater than the diameter of the bead portions. The outer portion and inner portion of the ring member are connected by an intermediate portion which includes a plurality of radially extending webs spaced apart circumferentially of the ring member. The outer portion and inner portion are reinforced by annular plies which may be of bias fabric and helically wound cords.

Abstract: A ski brake made of spring wire and pivotally secured to a mounting plate which is in turn secured to the upper surface of a ski. The spring wire contains multiple bends therein with the spring wire being pivotally secured to the mounting plate about two axes which are spaced in the longitudinal direction of the ski. One of the pivot axes is centrally located on the mounting plate and movably supports the spring wire therein for movement toward the tip and tail of the ski. The other pivot axis of the ski brake is defined by a pair of laterally spaced axles which are located forwardly from the first-mentioned pivot axle and each are housed in bearing structures which will facilitate a pivoting of the axle about a vertical axis. This pivotal movement about the vertical axis can be by either making the axle housing the spring wire therein loose or by mounting the spring wire in a member which is in turn pivotally secured to the upper surface of the mounting plate.

Abstract: A discarded automobile tire is utilized as a part of a mobile toy or exercising device. A tire riding vehicle is provided with a base support extending parallel to the space between the two tire beads of the automobile tire. Two spaced axles extend normal to and are supported by the base and in turn support spaced apart rollers which ride on and are supported by the automobile tire beads. Flanges are associated with the rollers, are disposed inside of and abut against the tire beads, and thus maintain the rollers against lateral displacement from the tire beads. A platform is supported by the axles and supports a rider on the vehicle. A platform is preferably provided for each foot of a rider and carries a spring loaded brake and also pole supports. Poles so supported may be used by a rider to guide, steer, and brake the vehicle. The poles are spring loaded and normally in non-braking positions. Rollers or tongues are employed resisting release of the vehicle from the automobile tire.

Abstract: A wheel for lessening rolling resistance and other forces that retard the rolling of the wheel consisting of a circular wheel rim, a hub member positioned concentrically within the wheel rim and a spoke arrangement connecting the wheel rim with the hub member for storing and releasing externally applied energy to provide propulsive torque to the wheel. The spoke arrangement is formed from a single strand of wire that is wound around the hub and is extended to the rim to form spoke loop portions. As the wheel is rolled over a supporting surface, each spoke loop portion is flexed as the portion of the wheel adjacent thereto engages the roadway. As that portion of the wheel approaches a point where it breaks contact with the roadway the spoke portion closest thereto unflexes imparting a torque on the wheel in the direction in which it is being rolled.

Abstract: An open top gondola railway car of depressed center design having stub sills and an end panel at each end of the car body which slopes outwardly and upwardly from an intersection with a generally permanently closed bottom having horizontal plate portions and at least one centrally located depressed curved portion in cross-section. Wheeled multi-axle trucks adjacent each end are provided with the horizontal plate portions extending over them. An upwardly directed step portion located intermediate the ends of the curved portion and reinforced openings having a smoothly curved perimeter in the horizontal plate portions located over the wheels, provide an increase in the clearance distance between the bottom and any concave or convex contoured portion of track upon which the car is located. The openings may be circular with rings or flanged conical members bolted to them to provide the reinforcing. The sloped ends have support sheets directing lading forces exerted on the ends to the stub sills.

Abstract: A microprocessor based system for remote starting of an automobile engine includes circuitry for automatically actuating an accelerator of the automobile to effect starting of the engine, circuitry for energizing the starter motor for a predetermined number of seconds, repeating energizing of the engine a predetermined number of times if the engine does not start, and providing a predetermined delay between each energizing of the automobile engine. A remote transmitter transmits a start command to a receiver located in the automobile, causing the receiver to cause an algorithm stored in the microprocessor to attempt to start the engine and control certain accessories.

Abstract: A tread reinforcing construction of a pneumatic radial tire for heavy-load vehicles is disclosed. The tread reinforcing construction comprises a combination of a rubberized belt superimposed about a rubberized carcass ply and at least one additional rubberized reinforcing layer interposed between the belt and a tread rubber. The additional rubberized reinforcing layer is composed of a reinforcing element embedded therein and formed of a helically formed filament or a bundle of at least two helically formed filaments assembled together without twisting at random.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire for use in a lubricated tire and wheel assembly which has a braced tread, wider than its rim and sidewalls reinforced by radial cords. The thickness of the sidewalls is at least 5% of the maximum width of the tire and at least 30% of it comprises rubber on the inside of the tire carcass.

Abstract: A track extends longitudinally inboard an occupant seat and mounts a belt carriage which slidably receives lap and shoulder belts having their outboard ends attached to the door and their inboard ends attached to the vehicle structure forwardly of the occupant. A spring urges forward movement of the carriage to stow the belts forwardly of the occupant. A lever arm associated with the door is connected with the carriage by a cable and pulley arrangement which retracts the carriage in the rearward direction as the door is closed to establish the lap and shoulder belts in their respective restraining positions without necessity of a latching arrangement to maintain the carriage in the rearward position during emergency restraint of the occupant.

Abstract: In a ski boot heel binding comprising a heel supporting body slidably mounted on a base plate, a transverse shaft is rotatably supported by the supporting body and has fixed thereto a ski brake and a lever to rotate together with the shaft. The lever is operatively connected with a stationary part of the base plate in such a manner that when the supporting body slides back or forth along the base plate, the lever rotates about the stationary part of the base plate.

Abstract: Accessory equipment for road vehicles.The trailer comprises a chassis, whose side members 4 define, as from the rear cross-member 3, two clearances 5 for the clearance of wheels 12 of two running gears, mounted on cross-members 4 by adapting fitting 16 assuming a bearing support function and articulation--folding down function of said running gears.A trailer is provided which can be folded up within the boot of a car.

Abstract: An apparatus which can automatically start and warm up a vehicle by means of a remote control signal. A remote control transmitter sends a signal of a predetermined frequency which is detected by a receiver located in the vehicle. The receiver produces an output signal in response to receiving the remote control signal which starts the operation of a starting circuit to provide an electrical energizing signal for operating the vehicle starter as well as a gas flow signal for sending a supply of gas to the vehicle carburetor. An operating circuit also starts which provides an electrical operating signal to the vehicle ignition system to continue the running of the vehicle once it is started. The operating circuit continues for a predetermined amount of time whereupon the car stops operating after it is sufficiently warmed up.

Abstract: In a multi-piece rim arrangement having a tapered base member and an associated tire bead seat band, the bead seat band is constructed to prevent tire inflation if the rim is improperly assembled. Included is a portable puller tool, adaptable to existing rim assemblies, that functions to pull the bead seat band against the lock ring of the multi-piece rim arrangement with sufficient force to insure proper positioning of the various rim members and establish air tight integrity with a mounted tire.