Abstract: An aircraft landing gear assembly stop member is arranged to be coupled to a first part of an aircraft landing gear assembly and includes a pair of projections which control movement of a second part of the landing gear assembly.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade (80, 82) having a spanwise series of vortex generators (26, 28, 26P, 28P, 64, 66) and having a trailing edge (42) defining a waveform. The vortex generators are aligned with a predetermined position or phase (44, 46) of a respective period of the trailing edge waveform. Each vortex generator may be designed to create a vortex (27, 29) that crosses the trailing edge at an angle of less than 30 degrees from parallel to the trailing edge. The blade may include alternating ridges (52) and troughs (54) that end at the waveform trailing edge. A front end of each trough may form a V-shaped drop-off in the suction side of the blade that forms a pair (64, 66) of vortex generators to create counter-rotating vortices within the trough that entrain energy to the bottom of the trough.

Abstract: A two-piece tire assembly 10 has a removable tread belt 12 for installing about the circumference of a tire carcass 14. The tread belt 12 has a radially outer ground contracting tread 15 and a radially inner belt reinforcing structure 100 having ply layers forming tread belts 84, 86, 88, 92. Radially inward of the belt reinforcing structure 100 is a radially inner portion 70, the radially inner portion 70 has a radially inner surface 72 in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the carcass 14. In one embodiment of the invention the radially inner surface 72 of the tread belt 12 and outer circumferential surface 71 of the carcass 14 have circumferentially extending grooves 74, 78 and ribs 72, 76 that complimentarily interlock. Traversing the ribs 72, 76 of the carcass or the tread belt are fluid or gas venting subsurface passages 80, 82 that are open to one or more groove 74, 78. The venting subsurface passages 80, 82 provide a convective cooling system for the two-piece tire assembly 10.

Abstract: A track device for mounting on a pneumatic tire fitted to the wheel of a vehicle to improve the buoyancy and traction of the vehicle over very soft terrain, the pneumatic tire including a tread surface across the width of the tire, a pair of side walls and an axis of rotation. The track device includes a plurality of bridge-like longitudinal and rigid traction blades having an inside surface made to rest on the tire across the width of the tread surface and a ground engaging outside surface, the traction blades being disposed on the tire in generally closely spaced-apart and parallel relationship to form an endless track. Each traction blade includes an intermediate bridge-like portion made to conform to the general cross-sectional shape of the tire, essentially flat side portions outwardly projecting from either side of the intermediate portion and generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the tire.

Abstract: A vehicle drive wheel including a pneumatic tire mounted on a rim is provided with a track driven by the tire. The track comprises tire-supporting elements. At least those portions of the outer surfaces of the tire which come into contact with the inner portions of the tire-supporting elements comprise an outer rubber layer which has a high wear resistance and low-friction properties and 50-100% of the rubber is butadiene rubber. Also, an admixture of natural rubber and/or styrene-butadiene rubber can be added to the outer rubber layer in an amount of from 0 parts by weight of the admixture per part by weight of butadiene rubber to less than one part by weight of the admixture per part by weight of butadiene rubber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antiskid device for mounting on automobile tires, designed to have the form of a segmented plastic envelope. The envelope is composed of tread segments provided with inserted metal spikes, ribs and recesses. Each tread segment provides perforated binding lugs accompanied by appropriate binding elements for interconnection of the tread segments to each other and into an endless form thereof, and for mounting the envelope on a tire. The tread section is characterized by spikes and ribs which are arranged in alternating groups of three spikes and three pairs of ribs. A binding wire, preferably a stranded one is located at the inner side of the envelope and connects the envelope in endless form. Tightening, by outer binding elements of the envelope at the outer side of the tire is made possible by an optionally decorative elastic binding ring and an elastic tightening link.

Abstract: The invention is a flexible boot that wraps around a tire to vary the trave effect of a tire. The boot is a band with a different tread pattern on either side, and the treads may have different tractive effects depending on which way the tread rotates relative to the ground. Either tread pattern can be configured to hold the boot on the tire if that pattern faces radially inwardly on the tire.

Abstract: An anti-skid tire apparatus includes a cover structure having a plurality of sections, each of the sections having an outer tread surface, the each section having internal and external sidewalls, the external sidewall having a plurality of fastening slots, the outer tread surface having a plurality of grooves, the grooves having a first plurality of apertures, a plurality of cleats each having a plurality of jagged edges, the cleats being permanently affixed in the first plurality of apertures at fixed intervals along the outer tread surface of the sections, a plurality of straps affixed onto the plurality of fastening slots, a belt passing through the plurality of straps, the belt having a belt buckle to fasten ends of the belt, and a connecting hook and an eyelet located at the internal sidewall of each section, the connecting hook and the eyelet fastening the sections together.

Abstract: A tire chain which has a plurality of anti-sliding members, each of which is attached to a base plate and a pivot pin. Wing-shaped members are hingeably attached to the bases and the pivot pins are connected by chain links to form an endless linkage.

Abstract: An improved support track assembly for both protecting and improving the flotation and mobility of the resilient wheels of a vehicle is disclosed herein that comprises both a manually operable retention assembly for fastening the track into an endless belt around the vehicle wheel, and a track storage reel that conveniently positions the track under the wheel and in alignment therewith prior to installation. The improved support track is formed from a plurality of track members that are pivotally interconnected by means of connector pins, and the retention assembly is formed from a retaining pin having a first end that is transversely insertable into a track member in a connector-pin capturing position, and a second pin formed from a resilient loop of spring steel. When the retaining pin is inserted into a pin-capturing position, the terminus of the loop is resiliently biased in a latching position.

Abstract: A lightweight device for obtaining improved traction efficiency of rubber tired vehicles without adding ballast weight. The device has high-strength, thin-gauged traction intensifying means secured to a driving tire, providing higher drawbar pull at higher rate of travel speed by utilizing stronger sub-surface soil and extended tire life; and includes actuating means, for engaging and disengaging the traction enhancing means for convenient conversion to allow travel on pavement.

Abstract: An antiskid device and its fittings for a tire including a side chain, a cross chain, a connector, an end link, a hook and a stopper. The side chain includes a side link formed as a two-piece link having two links, one a long link and the other a short link, which are integral with each other. The stopper is angled in transverse cross section and formed with a transverse web of a width large enough to contact a lower portion of the end link and a groove of a width large enough to receive the hook. The cross chain is formed as a cross link of bar material, and the connector is in the form of a link on either end and in the form of a rod in its intermediate portion so that the connector is connected at one end to the cross link and at the other end to the side link.

Abstract: Tire protective or traction chain comprising a network of wearing plates 14 substantially perpendicular to the surface of a tire and connectors 12 substantially parallel to the surface of the tire interconnecting the wearing plates. Each wearing plate on the tread portion of tire comprises an assembly of multiple plates 16 that are relatively thin and that together form a wearing plate assembly of the required thickness. Alternate plates of an assembly may be of different heights or have sloping ground engaging edges arranged opposite to one another for increased traction.

Abstract: A wheeled vehicle flotation augmentation device is disclosed herein having at least elongated segments releasably connected together in a continuous and endless series of track block guides so as to form a circular tread about the periphery of a single wheel of the vehicle. The plurality of track block guides in the series are hingably coupled together and the adjacent ends of each segment of track block guides are joined by releasable pins. Each track block guide includes a flat base having outwardly projecting and spaced apart side horns which are separated by the wheel of the vehicle. The terminating tips of the side horns are rounded to aid in projecting a load bearing track block beyond full tire contact and so provide increased ground contact length or aspect ratio in soft-soil or snow environments.

Abstract: An anti-skid tire chain comprising a pair of parallel side chains, a series of traction rings extending medially between the side chains, and a network of connector chains interconnecting the traction rings with the side chains and with one another is characterized in that the connector chains are interconnected in threes by triradial connector plates. Each triradial connector plate consists of three plate elements welded together, each plate element providing a pair of opposite end portions, subtending an angle of 120.degree. to one another and an arcuate mid-portion defining a convex cylindrical surface, the plate elements being mutually welded together at the convex surfaces thereby defining a symmetrical triradial configuration providing three radially extending pairs of parallel arms, each pair of arms defining a clevis for receiving an end link of a respective connector chain, and including a removable clevis pin for retaining the end link.

Abstract: A detachable, resilient shield is maintained in contact with the sidewalls of a tire for off-the-road vehicles to protect this critical area of the tire from damage due to contact with external objects such as rocks. The tire includes a removable tread or a lug traction band. The shield is manufactured separately from the tire. The shield includes criss-crossed reinforcements which extend at oppositely directed angles greater than zero but less than ninety degrees relative to the circumferential direction of the tire.

Abstract: An improved wheel-mounted traction device comprising a plurality of molded plastic traction elements held in place about the periphery of a wheel or tire by belts or cables that engage the individual traction elements. Metal studs, integral plastic projections and suction cavities are disclosed as additional means for aiding in achieving improved traction results.

Abstract: A detachable, resilient shield is maintained in contact with the sidewalls of a tire for off-the-road vehicles to protect this critical area of the tire from damage due to contact with external objects such as rocks. The tire includes a removable tread or a lug traction band. The shield is manufactured separately from the tire. The shield includes criss-crossed reinforcements which extend at oppositely directed angles greater than zero but less than ninety degrees relative to the circumferential direction of the tire.

Abstract: A traction device surrounding the tread and sidewalls of a tire. The device includes several elongated, molded plastic traction members having fastening strips secured to opposite ends. The traction members are secured about the periphery of the tire by a flexible belt or strap extending through the fastening strips at opposite sides of the tire so that the traction members extend across the tire tread from one side of the tire to the other. The traction members have a generally planar outer face. The inner face is formed with a plurality of suction cavities surrounded by sidewalls which abut the tread surface of the tire.

Abstract: A tire for off-the-road vehicles, the tire is designed for a removable tread, or a lugged metal traction band. A pair of detachable resilient shields are maintained adjacent the sidewalls of the tire to protect this critical area of the tire from damage. The radially outer edges of the shields are secured adjacent the tread and the radially inner edges have circumferentially continuous inextensible reinforcements for interlocking engagement of the inner edges with the flanges of the wheel rim.

Abstract: A seal between the surface of a traction shoe and the belt of a removable track for a tire in which the belt-engaging surface of the shoe has a groove extending axially of the track. An elongated sealing member is located in the groove and has a thickness greater than the depth of the groove for sealing engagement with the shoe-engaging surface of the belt. The groove may extend along the side and end edges of the shoe and the sealing member may be an endless strip of material providing a seal completely around the belt-engaging surface of the traction shoe.

Abstract: A pneumatic spacer and cushioning tire assembly, having an armored peripheral track fitted thereto is provided for use on construction and earthworking equipment. The track assembly has a non-uniform cross section tapered belt of elastomer insulated inextensible filaments constrained between anchor plates and traction plates.

Abstract: The device is for attachment to a vehicle tire to improve traction on ice or snow. The device is constructed from a circumferential segment of preferably a used tire and includes a plurality of studs extending through the tread area of the tire, one end of each stud for interlocking with the tread of the vehicle tire and the other end of the stud for gripping. In an alternate embodiment, the used tire segment is from a studded snow tire and the studs are maintained in the tire with internally extending studs being added for interlocking with the tread of the vehicle tire.

Abstract: A tire for off-the-road vehicles. The tire is designed for a removable tread, or a lugged, metal traction band. A pair of detachable resilient shields are maintained adjacent the upper sidewalls of the tire to protect this critical area of the tire from punctures.

Abstract: The device is for attachment to a vehicle tire to improve traction on ice or snow. The device is constructed from a circumferential segment of preferably a used tire and includes a plurality of studs extending through the tread area of the tire, one end of each stud for interlocking with the tread of the vehicle tire and the other end of the stud for gripping.