Abstract: An actuator is provided that includes an operating shaft positioned within a chamber for movement between a first position and a second position, and a longitudinal bore for delivering air to an air chuck. A piston is disposed around the operating shaft and is reciprocally mounted in the chamber. When pressurized air is applied to the first side of the chamber, the piston is shifted against a second stop surface at the second side of the chamber allowing pressurized air to flow through the bores in the operating shaft to the air chuck. When pressurized air is applied to the second side of the chamber, the piston moves away from the second stop surface to move the piston to the first position from the second position, while air within the operating shaft is depressurized allowing the air chuck to decouple the operating shaft and chuck from the object being rotated.

Abstract: A tire for use on a vehicle capable of spinning the tire relative to the ground surface that the vehicle is operable upon. The tire includes a plurality of ground engagable tread elements. Each of said tread elements at least partially defines a transversely extending groove. The improvement comprises a relief located at the intersection of the groove and the ground engaging portion of the tread element. The relief reduces the propensity of chunking of a leading edge of the tread element during operation of the tire.

Abstract: A mold for curing a green tire which is made of an elastomeric material capable of flowing prior to curing. The mold includes a surface defining a cavity in the mold for receiving the green tire. A passage communicates the cavity with the exterior of the mold. A vent plug is located in the passage. The vent plug has an opening extending therethrough communicating the cavity with the passage. Elastomeric material may flow into the opening to form a projection extending from the tire as the green tire is pressed against the surface defining the cavity during a molding operation. The vent plug has a portion extending into the cavity a predetermined distance from the surface to form a recess in the tire adjacent the projection. The recess provides a space that the projection may deflect into to prevent shearing off of the projection during removal of the tire from the mold.

Abstract: A dichroic plate for microwave energy includes an array of interlaced crossed slots or dipole elements. Each of the elements includes first and second crossed arms that are at approximately right angles to each other and aligned with X and Y axes. The elements are arranged so that the centers thereof are aligned parallel to the X and Y axes to form columns and rows, and the interlacing is such that a line between the centers of all adjacent elements has non-zero, differing components relative to the X and Y axes. In one embodiment, the spacing between adjacent arms of different, adjacent elements is the same along the X and Y axes, while in a second embodiment, the spacing between similarly directed arms of adjacent elements differs from the spacing between oppositely directed arms of adjacent elements.