Abstract: An opaque article having a surface and substantially asymmetric striae extending along the surface. A portion of the striae reside in a first area and have an orientation. Another portion of the striae reside in a second area and have an orientation substantially opposite the striae in the first area. The first area striae and the second area striae create an optical contrast therebetween at a wide range of viewing angles and illumination angles. The opaque article can be a tire. The striae can reside at numerous locations on the tire, including, for example, the sidewall, tread ribs or blocks, and stone ejectors.

Abstract: A tire comprising a pair of beads; a carcass ply having ends, each ends anchored to a respective bead; at least one belt ply extending circumferentially around the tire and disposed radially outward of the carcass ply; and a tread portion disposed radially outward of the belt ply. The tread portion has a plurality of tread ribs or blocks and at least one groove disposed between adjacent tread ribs or blocks. In one aspect of the invention, the tread portion is formed from first and second rubber portions. The second rubber portion has a hysteresis value greater than the first rubber portion and a modulus value less than first rubber portion. In another aspect of the present invention, the tread portion is formed from a first and second tread compound. The hysteresis value of the second tread compound is greater than the hysteresis value of the first tread compound and the modulus value of the first tread compound is less than the modulus value of the second tread compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tire monitor retainer assembly and monitored vehicle tire. A module which monitors tire information is supported by a rubber ply affixed to the inside surface of the tire. The module has electrical components for monitoring tire information by collecting, storing and/or reading information about the tire. A fastener assembly is used to secure the module to the rubber ply such that the module is support within the tire's cavity. The module is mounted to be isolated from tire loads such that the durability of the monitoring system is improved. The fastener assembly has first parts carried by the rubber ply and second fastener parts built into the module. The first and second fastener parts cooperate to support said module from said rubber ply. The module is made with a retainer opening having edges to receive a fastener device having standoff or indexing elements.

Abstract: A priority valve for a compressed air system in a tire retreading plant includes a solenoid controlled, diaphragm operated valve connected at an inlet to an autoclave. A solenoid controls whether the valve is opened or closed. A switch has a pressure sensor connected to an inlet side. If the pressure falls below a low pressure limit, the switch activates the solenoid to close the valve, thus shutting off the air supply to the autoclave. With the inlet to the autoclave closed, the air compressor is able relatively quickly and easily to raise the pressure in the system above the low pressure limit. The valve remains closed until the sensed pressure rises to a value sufficient to supply both the other equipment and the autoclave.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a shoulder construction of the tread area of pneumatic tires which provides increased stability and reduced wear. The shoulder construction comprises a decoupling rib having an outer surface arranged circumferentially about the tire on an outer edge of the tread portion. A shoulder rib, which also has an outer surface, is arranged inwardly of an adjacent the decoupling rib. A groove, which is defined by the inner and outer side faces of the decoupling rib and the shoulder rib, extends from its base radially beneath the outer surface of the decoupling rib first diagonally toward and then away from the central radial axis of the shoulder rib. The groove configures the inner and outer side faces of the decoupling and shoulder ribs in conforming image and forms an unsupported outer surface area on the shoulder rib.

Abstract: A deformable structure is subjected to a plurality of reduced pressures, causing a bulge in the surface of the deformable structure above a separation in the deformable structure. The cross sectional area of the bulge is measured for each reduced pressure in a plane parallel to the surface of the deformable structure. When the cross sectional area of the bulge does not increase with a reduction in the pressure, the cross sectional area of the bulge approximates the area of the separation. The depth of the separation is calculated using the change in cross sectional area of the bulge per change in pressure.

Abstract: A deformable structure is subjected to a plurality of reduced pressures, causing a bulge in the surface of the deformable structure above a separation in the deformable structure. The cross sectional area of the bulge is measured for each reduced pressure in a plane parallel to the surface of the deformable structure. When the cross sectional area of the bulge does not increase with a reduction in the pressure, the cross sectional area of the bulge approximates the area of the separation. The depth of the separation is calculated using the change in cross sectional area of the bulge per change in pressure.

Abstract: A deformable structure is subjected to a plurality of reduced pressures, causing a bulge in the surface of the deformable structure above a separation in the deformable structure. The cross sectional area of the bulge is measured for each reduced pressure in a plane parallel to the surface of the deformable structure. When the cross sectional area of the bulge does not increase with a reduction in the pressure, the cross sectional area of the bulge approximates the area of the separation. The depth of the separation is calculated using the change in cross sectional area of the bulge per change in pressure.