Abstract: A material forming apparatus and method for shaping a material to a forming tool having complex contours. The material forming apparatus may comprise a bladder sealed to a support structure, cooperatively forming a hollow space therebetween into which air or another gas may be pumped to inflate the bladder. The forming tool may comprise a protrusion of any shape to which the material may conform. The material may be placed between the bladder and the protrusion and the support structure may be actuated toward the forming tool. As the support structure progresses toward the forming tool, an area of material pressed against the protrusion by the bladder increases in an outward direction. A pressure regulator may regulate an amount of pressure applied to the material by the bladder as the bladder presses the material against the forming tool.

Abstract: A system for allowing a pneumatic tire supported on a wheel rim of a vehicle to continue in operation after rupture of the tire. The system includes an air bag container which divides the interior tire volume into a radial outer chamber providing normal pressure for inflation of the tire and a radial interior chamber, within the air bag, which is inflated to a substantially higher pressure. The container is intended to rupture when the tire is deflated by a puncture or the like allowing the higher pressure air bag to escape from its container and fill the entire tire volume at a normal operating pressure.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a tire tube which has excellent air impermeability and such excellent durability that the occurrence of cracks in the tube main body is prevented in a contact surface between the tube main body and an inner circumferential surface of the tire. The tire tube of the invention includes a tube main body having a multilayer structure in which at least one rubber layer and at least one thermoplastic resin layer made of a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer composition obtained by blending an elastomer in a thermoplastic resin are laminated together. In at least a region where the tube main body is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the tire tread part, the rubber layer is placed as the outermost layer of the multilayer structure, and the thermoplastic resin layer is placed inside the outermost layer.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire that is provided with a first fastener of a separatable pair of mechanical fasteners on a tire inner surface, wherein, even in cases where a desired object is engaged/fixed using only one fastener, the object does not rotate having the fastener as a central axis when the tire is in use. A first fastener of the pair of mechanical fasteners is provided on a tire inner surface, and the mechanical fasteners are provided with a rotation preventing mechanism for preventing the fasteners from mutually rotating when the pair of mechanical fasteners are engaged.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire including a separatable pair of mechanical fasteners wherein a first fastener of the pair of mechanical fasteners is provided on a tire inner surface. In this pneumatic tire, the obtained engagement force of the pair of mechanical fasteners is great and is essentially free of variations (positional variation within the tire and variation from tire to tire); the engagement force deteriorates/declines minimally over time due to extreme usage conditions including repetitive deformation and compaction over an extended period of time caused by tire rotation at high speeds in a state of relatively elevated temperatures; and the desired engagement force can be maintained over an extended period of time.

Abstract: An improved tire provides an air-flow restrictor that may be installed inside a tire. The air-flow restrictor may restrict or prevent the flow of air in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the tire. Also, a method for saving fuel by inserting or retrofitting tires with air movement restricting inserts.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure an inner tube comprises an encasing configured to hold air. The encasing comprises a reinforcing structure configured such that, as the encasing is inflated, an overall major diameter of the inner tube is reduced. The inner tube also comprises an inflation valve coupled to the encasing and configured to allow inflation of the encasing. Further, the inner tube comprises a pressure valve coupled to the encasing. The pressure valve is configured to be biased closed and allow air to leave the encasing when a differential pressure between inside of the encasing and outside of the encasing reaches a threshold pressure level. In the same or alternative embodiments, the encasing also comprises a reinforcing structure configured such that, as the encasing is inflated, an overall major diameter of inner tube is reduced.

Abstract: An adjustable inner tube for a pneumatic tire includes a valve and a continuous tube. The continuous tube includes a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment covers a portion of the second segment and the second segment may slide relative to the first segment to alter the circumference of the tube.

Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a tool bar and at least one row unit carried by the tool bar. Each row unit includes a furrow opener arrangement with a gauge wheel. The gauge wheel includes a rim with an outer periphery and a tire mounted to the outer periphery. The tire includes an outer shell formed from a first resilient material and an inner core formed from a softer second resilient material. The outer shell is positioned radially outward from the inner core and axial outward from axial ends of the inner core. The inner core is mounted directly on the outer periphery of the rim and defines an annular hollow core therein. The tire is structured and arranged such that the softer inner core, the annular hollow core and the harder outer shell coact to provide good wear, good shock absorbance, and good mud shedding capabilities.

Abstract: An improved tire provides an air-flow restrictor that may be installed inside a tire. The air-flow restrictor may restrict or prevent the flow of air in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the tire. Also, a method for saving fuel by inserting or retrofitting tires with air movement restricting inserts.

Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire enabling an easy estimation of the presence or absence of an internal failure of the tire only by the observation of the external appearance of the tire, by interposing a detection layer mainly composed of at least one of a thermoplastic elastomer and a thermoplastic resin, which has a softening point of 50° C. to 150° C., in an interlayer between materials constituting the tire.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a heavy-duty pneumatic tire that is capable of suppressing deterioration by oxidation at a portion of a high heat generation in a bead portion, and that is excellent in sustainability of inner pressure holding performance as well as in durability. The heavy-duty pneumatic tire of the present invention includes a carcass and an inner liner disposed closer to the center of the tire than the carcass.

Abstract: The present invention provides an elastomeric composition processable in a curable, filled rubber formulation. The composition comprises a halogenated interpolymer of a C4 to C7 isoolefin and from 3 to 20 weight percent alkylstyrene and comprising from 0.2 to 2 mole percent haloalkylstyrene, a Mooney viscosity less than 37, a number average molecular weight less than 270,000, a weight average molecular weight less than 470,000, a z-average molecular weight less than 700,000, and a branching index (g?) from 0.4 to 1.1. Also disclosed are a method of making a cured, filled rubber article, comprising compounding the elastomeric composition with filler and curative, processing the compounded composition to form a shape of the article, and curing the composition to obtain the article in the formed shape, as well as a tire comprising an innerliner made by the method.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a tire tube which has excellent air impermeability and such excellent durability that the occurrence of cracks in the tube main body is prevented in a contact surface between the tube main body and an inner circumferential surface of the tire. The tire tube of the invention includes a tube main body having a multilayer structure in which at least one rubber layer and at least one thermoplastic resin layer made of a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer composition obtained by blending an elastomer in a thermoplastic resin are laminated together. In at least a region where the tube main body is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the tire tread part, the rubber layer is placed as the outermost layer of the multilayer structure, and the thermoplastic resin layer is placed inside the outermost layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reinforced lightweight air bladder for a safety tire which can effectively suppress a radial growth under the normal running condition even if it is used for a long tire and, on the other hand, to suppress an occurrence of a crack in a tube under the runflat running condition, thereby exhibiting a superior durability. A hollow toric reinforced air bladder 1 is to be accommodated in a tire 2 to form a safety tire. The reinforced air bladder 1 is filled with the air at an internal pressure determined in relation to a given air pressure of the tire 2 to form a cavity S1 in tire 2. When the internal pressure of the cavity S1 of the tire 2 is dropped due to getting punctured or the like, the reinforced air bladder 2 is radially expanded to take over load support from the tire 2. The reinforced air bladder 1 comprises an air-impermeable tube 6 and a reinforcing hoop layer 7 surrounding entirely an outer circumference of a crown portion of the tube 6.

Abstract: A tube-type tire to be mounted on the rim of a (e.g., spoke-type) wheel such as that commonly used by a bicycle or a motorcycle, whereby the tube-type tire will operate without a conventional inner tube and as if it were tubeless. The tire includes a main tire section that is seated upon the generally flat shelf of the rim and a pneumatic sealing ring having an inner tube that is seated upon the beadwell of the rim. An air chamber of the inner tube of the sealing ring is inflated to a greater pressure than an air chamber of the main tire section so as to isolate the air chamber of the main tire section from the rim and force the main tire section against the vertical lip of the rim. The sealing ring also has an outer inflatable liner that is located in surrounding engagement with the inner tube to separate the inner tube from the air chamber of the main tire section.

Abstract: A vee shaped Air Bladder for hermetically sealing the pressurized air chamber of tire liners that have vee shaped air chambers. The vee shaped Air Bladder being molded with a desired vee shape portion. The vee shaped Air Bladder precluding any pressurized gas from coming between the interior surface of the tire and the tire liner.

Abstract: A rubber-fiber composite material of the present invention comprises a non-woven fabric and a rubber which coats the non-woven fabric. At least a part of the non-woven fabric is made of an organic fiber having a single fiber diameter of 10 to 35 ?m, a fiber length of 30 to 100 mm and a tensile modulus of 50 GPa or higher. By the use of the non-woven fabric at least a part of which is made of the organic fiber having the above properties, a sufficient impregnation of rubber into the inside of the non-woven fabric is ensured to enable the production of the rubber-fiber composite material having a high stiffness. Using the rubber-fiber composite material of the present invention as the reinforcing material for rubber articles, the resultant rubber articles have enhanced stiffness, improved durability and reduced weight.

Abstract: An improved tire provides an air-flow restrictor that may be installed inside a tire. The air-flow restrictor may restrict or prevent the flow of air in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the tire. Also, a method for saving fuel by inserting or retrofitting tires with air movement restricting inserts.

Abstract: The invention proposes a technique of preventing a propagation of a damage in a reinforcing layer to a toric air bag even if the reinforcing layer arranged on an outer peripheral side of the toric air bag in a safety tire to suppress an unnecessary size growth of the toric air bag and allowed to a proper expansion deformation of the toric air bag in the puncture of the tire or the like is damaged by foreign matters entered through a puncture hole into the tire, in which the reinforcing layer separately arranged from the toric air bag is fitted on the outer peripheral side of the toric air bag having a hollow torus shape over its full periphery to suppress the propagation of the damage in the reinforcing layer to the toric air bag through an interface layer therebetween.

Abstract: The rubber composition of the present invention is used for producing an inner liner of a pneumatic tire, and is obtained by compounding a rubber component and a layered or plate-like mineral. The layered or plate-like mineral has an aspect ratio of 3 or more and less than 30. The present invention further provides a production method of the rubber composition and a pneumatic tire which is produced by using the rubber composition. The present invention is applicable to a tire of passenger vehicles, bus or truck, and a tire of airplane. According to the present invention, the air permeation resistance is remarkably improved and the workability is also improved. Therefore, the rapture and hole defect of a non-vulcanized sheet during the tire construction can be avoided. By using the rubber composition, the gauge of the inner liner of pneumatic tire can be reduced while maintaining the inner pressure of tire, thereby reducing the weight of tire.

Abstract: There is proposed a toric air bag for a safety tire capable of sufficiently and equally contacting with a full inner face of a tire in the expansion-deformation of the toric air bag by a drop of an internal pressure in the tire, wherein at least an expansion-deforming portion of the toric air bag having a hollow torus shape as a whole is constructed with a tension support member, and to the expansion-deforming portion is given a property indicating a characteristic of extension ratio-tensile force that tensile force per unit width is substantially and gradually increased with the increase of elongation through the expansion-deformation.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to thermoplastic blends having improved properties. Optionally, these blends may be dynamically vulcanized. More specifically, this invention is directed to a composition comprising a blend of chloromethylated(styrene-isobutylene) polymer and a thermoplastic resin selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyesters, polycarbonates, polysulfones, polyacetals, polyacetones, acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene resins, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, styrene-acrylonitrile resins, styrene-maleic anhydride resins, polyamides, aromatic polyketones, ethylene vinyl alcohol polymer and mixtures thereof. Tires and tire components such as air permeation prevention films comprising these compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to thermoplastic blends having improved properties. Optionally, these blends may be dynamically vulcanized. More specifically, this invention is directed to a composition comprising a blend of chloromethylated(styrene-isobutylene) polymer and a thermoplastic resin selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyesters, polycarbonates, polysulfones, polyacetals, polyacetones, acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene resins, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, styrene-acrylonitrile resins, styrene-maleic anhydride resins, polyamides, aromatic polyketones, ethylene vinyl alcohol polymer and mixtures thereof. Tires and tire components such as air permeation prevention films comprising these compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The invention proposes a technique of preventing a propagation of a damage in a reinforcing layer to a toric air bag even if the reinforcing layer arranged on an outer peripheral side of the toric air bag in a safety tire to suppress an unnecessary size growth of the toric air bag and allowed to a proper expansion deformation of the toric air bag in the puncture of the tire or the like is damaged by foreign matters entered through a puncture hole into the tire, in which the reinforcing layer separately arranged from the toric air bag is fitted on the outer peripheral side of the toric air bag having a hollow torus shape over its full periphery to suppress the propagation of the damage in the reinforcing layer to the toric air bag through an interface layer therebetween.

Abstract: A rubber-fiber composite material of the present invention comprises a non-woven fabric and a rubber which coats the non-woven fabric. At least a part of the non-woven fabric is made of an organic fiber having a single fiber diameter of 10 to 35 &mgr;m, a fiber length of 30 to 100 mm and a tensile modulus of 50 GPa or higher. By the use of the non-woven fabric at least a part of which is made of the organic fiber having the above properties, a sufficient impregnation of rubber into the inside of the non-woven fabric is ensured to enable the production of the rubber-fiber composite material having a high stiffness. Using the rubber-fiber composite material of the present invention as the reinforcing material for rubber articles, the resultant rubber articles have enhanced stiffness, improved durability and reduced weight.

Abstract: An inner tube cover (20) includes a cover unit (26) and a carry bag (56) coupled to the cover unit (26) and sized to accommodate storage of the cover unit (26). The cover unit (26) includes a top panel (22) and a side panel (24) coupled about a perimeter of the top panel (22). The side panel (24) includes a tubular hem portion (36). A cord (38) is directed through the tubular hem portion (36) and extends from an opening (44) in the tubular hem portion (36). A cord lock (48) fastens to the cord (38). When the cord (38) is drawn tight and cord lock (48) is secured, cover unit (26) substantially shrouds an inner tube (72).

Abstract: A low-section tire includes an air tube including an internal wall and two air tube sidewalls. The internal wall comprises a greater rigidity than the tube sidewalls so that, when a carcass and the tube are mounted on a rim, and during inflation, the tube sidewalls contact the carcass sidewalls no later than the internal wall contacts a crown portion of the carcass. A process for manufacturing the air tube includes moulding two tube sidewalls separated from each other, moulding a central core, arranging the tube sidewalls and central core in a single vulcanization mould, closing the vulcanization mould to form the tube, feeding pressurized fluid into at least two distinct circumferential portions of the tube, and vulcanizing the tube to join the central core and tube sidewalls. A mould for manufacturing the an air tube includes two axially-external cheeks, two axially-intermediate male dies, and two axially-inner spacers.

Abstract: A tube tire capable of simply, positively preventing the generation of a puncture due to contact of opposing portions of the wall surface of a tube. Double wall portions are formed at rim striking portions of a tube contained in a tire, and the internal spaces of the double wall portions are filled with a sealant. When the tire rides over an obstacle and the tire and the tube are clamped between the flange portions of a rim and the obstacle, the shock is damped by the double wall portions to prevent damage of the tube. Even if the double wall portions are damaged, the damaged portion is repaired with the sealant, thereby eliminating the generation of leakage of air.

Abstract: Tire bead rubber compositions and tire beads made therewith are provided having good dimensional stability, processability and wire adhesion Tire bead rubber compositions containing crosslinked styrene butadiene rubber are also provided having good dimensional stability, processability and wire adhesion. Methods for manufacturing tire beads and tires using dimensionally stale compositions are further provided.

Abstract: An improved pneumatic tube formed from a semi-rigid, air-tight rubber core encased by a plurality of thin, armoring Kevlar layers bonded to the exterior wall of the core. The composition can be used as inner tubing for cars, bikes, motorcycles, planes, and any kind of vehicle having a pneumatic inner tube. It can also be formed into a puncture proof rubber raft.

Abstract: In a tube whose internal space is partitioned by a partition wall to formed an air chamber filled with air and a sealant chamber filled with a sealant, the ratio R (R=B/A) of the length B of an outer circumference of the tube accommodated in the tire and expanded by filling of air to the length A of an outer circumference of the tube in an unexpanded is set in a range of 100% to 110%. Thus, the tension of the partition wall at the time when the tube has been expanded is suppressed to a small extent. Even if the partition wall of the tube gets a punctured wound, the partition wall having only a small tension applied thereto has a weak tendency to be intended to be contracted toward the air chamber. Therefore, little, if any, of the air in the air chamber flows into the sealant chamber and thus, a reduction in sealing performance of the sealant due to the mixture with the air is prevented.

Abstract: To make it possible to precisely bond a tube blank having thickened portions projecting from an outer wall surface of a retention mold. A tube blank is formed of natural rubber and is provided with an air chamber peripheral wall, a sealant chamber peripheral wall and a partition. The tube blank has ends held by the retention mold which are bonded in an annular shape. The retention molds include an upper mold and a lower mold having respective retaining surfaces. Indents are provided in the retaining surface of the lower mold for engaging with the thickened portions projecting from the air chamber peripheral wall of the tube blank. By forming the indents in the retention surfaces of the lower molds, it is possible to hold the two ends of the tube blank without warping the tube blank and to precisely bond the two ends of the tube blank together.

Abstract: A vehicle inner tube, which includes an inflatable tube formed of a plurality of air balls, the inflatable tube having an air chamber defined on the inside, two sets of curved grooves spirally arranged at two opposite side walls thereof around an air chamber, and a plurality of insertion slots spirally arranged around the curved grooves through the two opposite side walls, and a plurality of breaker members and side bumper members respectively mounted in the insertion slots and curved grooves at the inflatable tube, the breaker members and side bumper members each including a flexible base pad formed of a big number of air balls, and a breaker adhered to the base pad at one side.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel wheel which serves for equipping with a pneumatic tire and essentially realizes two apparently incompatible properties of solid rubber tires and pneumatic tires, namely strength and good shock absorption, in a single wheel. This wheel is distinguished by the fact that it has a toroidal hollow foam member enclosed by the pneumatic tire and comprising reversibly deformable material having a large number of enclosed cavities serving for the absorption of gas. The substantial advantage of the tire according to the invention is obvious. Damage to the tire skin by a stone or nail does not in fact inevitably lead to an immediate and complete loss of air, as is often the case with known tires. Thus, the toroidal hollow foam member can itself store air in its cells, which not only permits continued riding for a certain time but also reduces the risk of accidents in the event of damage to the tire.

Abstract: An inner tube for a vehicle tire, which includes a base having air chambers in two opposite side walls thereof and zigzag insertion slots around the periphery of each of the side walls, a multi-cell rubber tube mounted on the base between its side walls and defining a plurality of zigzag insertion slots arranged one over another around a center opening thereof and an annular insertion slot surrounding the zigzag insertion slots for mounting patching glue, and a plurality of breaker assembles respectively mounted in the zigzag insertion slots in the base and the multi-cell rubber tube.

Abstract: A tube tire capable of simply, positively preventing the generation of a puncture due to contact of opposing portions of the wall surface of a tube. Double wall portions are formed at rim striking portions of a tube contained in a tire, and the internal spaces of the double wall portions are filled with a sealant. When the tire rides over an obstacle and the tire and the tube are clamped between the flange portions of a rim and the obstacle, the shock is damped by the double wall portions to prevent damage of the tube. Even if the double wall portions are damaged, the damaged portion is repaired with the sealant, thereby eliminating the generation of leakage of air.

Abstract: An inner tube for a vehicle tire, including a base, the base having two outer walls, two inner walls, an annular air chamber connected between the inner walls, and a plurality of rubber coated breakers retained between the inner walls and the outer walls and arranged in a zigzag manner around the axial central axis of the base, and a multi-cell tube mounted around the annular master air chamber between the inner walls of the base, the multi-cell tube having arched cells of different sizes arranged around its center, a plurality of foamed rubber blocks and a plurality of glued breakers alternatively plugged into the arched cells, and a layer of patching agent covered over the arched cells to seal the foamed rubber blocks and the glued breakers in the arched cells.

Abstract: A vehicle inner tube includes an inflatable tube, a protective tube mounted around the inflatable tube for protection, the protective tube formed of a plurality of air balls and having recessed breaker seats equiangularly spaced around its inner diameter, a plurality of breaker units respectively mounted on the inner diameter of the protective tube and partially overlapped on one another and adhered to recessed breaker seats in the protective tube, the breaker units each including a flexible breaker holder having two reversely horizontally extended side insertion slots and a downwardly obliquely extended bottom insertion slot, two side breakers respectively directly inserted into the horizontal insertion slots and partially projecting out of the breaker holder at two opposite sides, and a bottom breaker inserted into the bottom insertion slot and secured thereto by glue means, an endless cover layer covered on the protective tube and adhered thereto by glue means, the endless cover layer comprising a pluralit

Abstract: Elastomer structures having exposed controlled surface release characteristics can be made by coating at least a portion of their surface with a releasing composition comprising (a) a chlorosulphonated polymer; (b) a reinforcing filler and (c) a green tackifying agent. Optionally, these compositions can also contain a chemical curing system and one or more volatile solvent/diluent viscosity-reducing vehicle. In a specific example, the coating are applied to flexible structures used in machines for the manufacture of articles having natural tack due to their rubber or elastomer content.

Abstract: A tubular tire for a bicycle having the carcass seamed on its inner periphery to enclose an inner tube. The seaming is covered by a hand of rubberized fabric that is bonded to and extends around the inner periphery of the tire carcass. The band has two fracture lines so that the band can be torn away to expose the seaming for removal of the inner tube. A non-bonded area on the band permits access to start the tearing.