Abstract: A cargo bed liner system for use in pickup trucks, four-wheel drive vehicles, light utility vehicles and the like, in which rigidified carpeting material made of needle-loomed staple fibers of polypropylene and polyester have been thermoformed to form a floor covering piece, a tail gate covering piece, and two side covering pieces, with flaps on the floor piece being folded upwards to cover the forward panel and any areas of the side panels which have not been covered by the side panel cover pieces. The system is affixed to the vehicle's cargo bed by means of several velcro-type fasteners.

Abstract: An airspring sleeve and airspring that each have a chamber portion and rolling lobe portion reinforced with successive layers of embedded cord where cord in one layer is wound at opposite helical angles from cord of a second successive layer and where the cord is wound at inconstant helical angles in an annular band portion of least one of the sleeve portions.

Abstract: A surface of an elastomer mass subject to stress by a force supplying member is protected from abrasion and cracking by interposing a silicone rubber layer between the elastomer mass and force supplying member.

Abstract: An elastomeric belt and hose conductivity testing device incorporating a comparator network to verify that a belt or hose is either conductive or nonconductive (resistive) of the flow of static electricity. The device indicates whether the article being tested has a resistivity or conductivity which meets the industry standard of resistivity or conductivity for that particular article. The testing device is battery powered so that it is easily portable for use in the field.

Abstract: A nonwoven textile panel for use as a fire retardant and sound deadening barrier in the interiors of aircraft, comprised of five layers of nonwoven textile fibers of polyphenylene sulfide fibers and Nomex brand aramid fibers that have been carded, cross-lapped, needle punched and thermally bonded by heating the panel to the temperature softening point of the polyphenylene sulfide fibers, whose panel exterior is comprised of a skin of polyvinyl chloride that has been adhered to the outermost fibrous layer. The fibers are capable of being thermoformed and retaining a permanent shape due to the thermoplastic properties of the polyphenylene sulfide fibers. An important alternative embodiment uses a layer of polyester polyurethane foam underneath the vinyl to shield it from the heat radiating properties of the polyphenylene sulfide and prevent puckering of the vinyl material during the processing.

Abstract: A collapsible generally cylindrical storage vessel having a flattened ramp end portion which accommodates driving upon by a vehicle or the like to pressurize the vessel and dispense fluid, as required. The ramp end is internally reinforced with a bridging insert which inhibits blowout upon pressurization.

Abstract: An annularly shaped elastomeric core type joint packing having a fiber reinforcement, having a radial reinforcing effect with respect to a longitudinal axis of the core.

Abstract: A reformable, shape retentive hose having a precured tube located in a hose sidewall, and a reformable rod inserted in the precured tube. A method for making hose by placing at least one precured tube in the sidewall of a hose during the time that the hose sidewall is formed, curing the hose assembly with the precured tube in the sidewall, and inserting a reformable rod in a portion of the precured tube.

Abstract: A circuit for supplying energy from a battery to the load of an energy-using device is provided wherein the circuit provides for notification to the operator of the device that the remaining energy of the battery is low. The notification is provided at a time when sufficient energy remains in the battery for the operator to perform certain essential tasks. The circuit includes a battery having a plurality of cells connected in series, a first portion of which have a higher deliverable energy capacity than a second portion of the plurality of cells. The circuit further provides for sensing a characteristic of the battery indication of the remaining deliverable energy capacity lower deliverable capacity cell portion and for switching the circuit from a first mode of operation wherein energy is delivered to the load from all of the cells in the plurality to a second mode of operation wherein the energy is delivered to the load from only the higher capacity portion of cells.

Abstract: A rack system for the display or storage of articles, which uses a hanger fabricated of a heavy gauge steel wire, so as to form a Z-shaped hanger having an article carrying portion in the middle, a retaining hook leg on one end, and a seating leg on the other end, which is seated within a trough that is attached to the front of a rack plate. The hanger is capable of sliding longitudinally back and forth along the front of the rack plate, but is prevented from upward escape by a channel, which has been affixed to the front of the rack plate, which channel holds identification tags, which are also able to freely slide back and forth along the front of the rack whenever the hangers are moved back and forth along the front of the rack. Also, there is described a method of rearranging articles by longitudinally sliding a hanger and its attendant identification tag whenever an inventory change occurs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for manufacturing an electrode for a rechargeable electrochemical cell by electrodepositing a metallic active material on a continuously moving metallic strip emmersed in an electrolytic bath containing an anode of the metal to be deposited. After depositing the metallic active material on the strip, the strip is passed through a second electrolytic bath wherein the metallic active material is at least partially oxidized.

Abstract: A safety hose having a stretchable elastomeric tube and cover that sandwich a twined reinforcement that exhibits a circumferential reinforcement component and a weaker longitudinal reinforcement component that breaks when the hose is stretched.

Abstract: An elastomeric switch control element for push button switches and the like, including first and second annular spring portions formed of elastic material, one of the spring portions adapted to undergo a rolling action upon depression of the switch control element, and the other annular portion adapted to flex and undergo a snap transformation to provide a tactile feel to the operator.

Abstract: A hose article for carrying volatile fluids, which can conduct and dissipate the accumulation of static electrical charges that are associated with such volatiles, which includes an elastomeric tube and outer sleeve and at least one reinforcement layer of fiber bundles sandwiched between the tube and the cover. Sandwiched between the tube and the reinforcement layer is a nontwisted yarn of fibers of carbon that runs in a direction generally lengthwise to the axis of the tube, and at the end of the tube makes electrical contact with a staple-shaped metallic connector, which in turn electrically contacts a metallic hose coupling, leading from there to an electrical ground.

Abstract: A reformable, shape retentive hose having a precured tube located in a hose sidewall, and a reformable rod inserted in the precured tube. A method for making hose by placing at least one precured tube in the sidewall of a hose during the time that the hose sidewall is formed, curing the hose assembly with the precured tube in the sidewall, and inserting a reformable rod in a portion of the precured tube.

Abstract: A reinforced hose and coupling assembly is disclosed that will withstand very high pressures without bursting. A modified seal ring eliminates shear planes in the wire reinforcement near the fitting end of the coupling and thereby reduces the possibility of failure of the hose coupling at high pressure. The assembly also incorporates the use of a fluoroelastomeric tube liner and fluoroelastomeric seals to prevent the permeation of H.sub.2 S gas into the anchoring matrix.

Abstract: A double-acting power transmission belt having a plurality of elastomeric teeth positioned along both its inner and its outer peripheral surfaces, each such tooth possessing a certain spring rate, and inner and outer jackets, respectively, formed over the teeth and over the land portions between the teeth at each of the inner and outer peripheral surfaces, said inner jacket cooperating with the associated teeth such that the spring rate of each jacketed tooth on the inner one of the peripehral surfaces is from 1.2 times to 3 times the spring rate of a corresponding non-jacketed tooth.

Abstract: A coupled hose assembly of the type including a coupling attached to a polymeric hose by pinching part of a hose end portion. A pliable adhesive is disposed in part of the coupling to define a substantially leakproof seal between the hose and coupling at an environment temperature falling at least within the range of about 135.degree. C. to about -40.degree. C.

Abstract: A toothed belt that has a tensile member of spirally wound cord where the operating pitch line of the belt is at least partially established by the cord which is made by twisting together at least two substantially zero twist, unequal denier yarn ends to form a ply, and twisting at least two of such piles together in the opposite direction to form the cord.

Abstract: A precompounded formulation that acts as an adhesive layer when subjected to heat and pressure in contact with thermoplastics such as polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride and elastomeric materials such as EPDM or chlorobutyl rubber. The formulation incorporates a formaldehyde donor/acceptor system such as resorcinol and hexamethoxymethylmelamine. The formulation is further comprised of a blend of thermoplastic materials, the composition of which varies depending upon the type of material that the bonding layer is required to adhere to. The formulation will also adhere to thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) making it feasible to manufacture a hose article with elastomeric and thermoplastic layers bonded together by the formulation without the need to vulcanize the article. Heretofore, thermoplastic elastomers were thought to be incapable of adhering to dissimilar materials without the application of a tackifier or an adhesive or glue-like material.