Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting an electronic monitoring device to a pneumatic tire includes the steps of providing a green tire and attaching the electronic monitoring package to an anchoring patch. The anchoring patch having the electronic monitoring package is then mounted to the green tire and cured during the green tire cure process. A battery is then provided and a direct electrical connection between the electronic monitoring package and battery is then formed by plugging the battery into the electronic monitoring package. The electronic monitoring package may also be mounted in the green tire itself and cured with the green tire. The battery is connected to the electronic monitoring package after the cure process.

Abstract: A tire tread has a total of four circumferential ribs and three circumferential grooves. The four ribs include two intermediate ribs and two outer ribs, and the three grooves include a center groove and two outer grooves. The two intermediate ribs are between the center groove and the two outer grooves, and the outer ribs are on the opposite sides of the outer grooves from the intermediate ribs. Rib cross slots and cross sipes extend outwardly from the outer grooves into the intermediate and outer ribs in herringbone patterns. The cross slots and cross sipes extend less than the full width of the ribs to provide the intermediate ribs with circumferential inner portions adjacent the center groove that are devoid of cross slots. These circumferential inner portions of the intermediate ribs have a plurality of circumferentially-spaced cross sipes that do not intersect the center groove.

Abstract: A friction testing machine and method for measuring friction characteristics between a test sample and a friction surface. The machine and method are particularly suited for measuring the coefficient of friction between a rubber specimen or a tread element and different friction surfaces at different sliding velocities, contact pressures and orientations. A preferred embodiment of machine is self-contained and portable, configured for easy and quick changing of the friction surface, and provides for rotating the test sample about an axis normal to the sliding surface and the direction of movement of the sample relative to the friction surface. In general, a friction test machine according to the invention comprises a sample holder configured to hold a sample in frictional engagement with a friction surface, and a motion device for effecting relative movement between the friction surface and sample holder in a first direction.

Abstract: A tire cure control system and method characterized by a computer-based data acquisition and process control unit that uses non-invasive, direct cure measurements to adjust the length of cure so that all cured articles such as tires will be cured to the same extent in the minimum amount of time, thereby to maximize production while providing uniformly cured products. The unit generally includes at least one microwave probe, although preferably multiple microwave probes, placed in the mold and a processor to process probe data and to initiate a control action principally initiating a mold opening sequence at the optimal time. Initiation of the mold opening sequence at least in part is based upon a measurement of the time rate of change of the attenuation of microwave energy caused by the curing rubber compound in the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus for curing a tapered airsleeve has a bladder curing chamber into which a rigid tapered sleeve cartridge is inserted to form the airsleeve thereon. The bladder curing chamber is formed by a rigid bladder support tube positioned between upper and lower plates and joined by strain rods. A straight cylindrical bladder is positioned within the bladder support tube and the ends are sealed by flipping them from the inside of the bladder support tube 180.degree. over each end of the tube for sealing the curing chamber. The hollow tapered sleeve mold or cartridge is inserted into the bladder curing chamber and will be dimensionally similar to the airsleeve to be molded therein. A preshaped uncured green sleeve is positioned over the tapered sleeve cartridge before inserting it into the curing chamber. The straight cylindrical bladder is inflated and expands radially outwardly causing the uncured sleeve to conform against the tapered sleeve cartridge.

Abstract: A portable machine for testing on site the uniformity of a tire or other components of a tire/wheel assembly. A compact rigid frame has a base formed by a plurality of longitudinal and transverse frame members for supporting the machine on a planar surface. A box-like subframe is mounted on the base and supports a mounting plate for the tire/wheel assembly. The mounting plate is slidably mounted on a pair of slide rods extending upwardly from the subframe. A road wheel and drive motor are mounted on the base, with the motor being mounted within the subframe and the load wheel being located beneath the tire/wheel assembly mounting plate. An air spring raises and lowers the mounting plate for placement and removal of a tire/wheel assembly thereon. A loading mechanism applies a force on the tire/wheel assembly mounting plate to forceably move a tire into contact with the road wheel, and is measurable by a first load cell.

Abstract: A vibration damping device includes axially spaced first and second end members adapted to be mounted on spaced apart structures. An intermediate member is mounted within an open end of the second end member. A center member consisting of a rigid tube having a hollow bore and a lower piston is connected to the first end member and extends through the interior of the intermediate member. The tube forms an annular orifice which extends about a rigid electrode rod which extends through the rigid tube and which is also connected to the first end member and piston but electrically isolated therefrom. A pair of elastomeric sleeves extend between the intermediate member and first end member and between the intermediate member and the piston to form a pair of fluid chambers communicating with the orifice and adapted to contain an electrorheological fluid. Each of the sleeves has a rolling lobe with circular centers and different radii of curvature.

Abstract: A vehicle tire (1), particularly for motor vehicles, defined by an outer tread (2) and two beads (3), each connected to the tread (2) by a respective annular sidewall portion (5); each sidewall portion (5) presenting an inner reinforcing cord assembly (6) defined by at least two layers (7) of reinforcing cords (8) on opposite sides of an extending outwardly of the respective bead (3), and a layer (16) of a lightweight elastomeric sponge filler material located between the two layers (7) of reinforcing cords (8), the thickness of which depends on the rigidity required of the respective sidewall portion (5).

Abstract: A curing press for tires or other curable articles, has a fluid inlet line for supplying curing fluid into an inflatable elastomeric bladder mounted within the press cavity for curing a green tire or article in the cavity. The spent curing fluid is removed from the bladder after a curing operation by a pump through an exhaust line. A venturi ejector in the exhaust line causes a vacuum to be created within the bladder as the fluid is being removed during an unload cycle. A vacuum sensor is connected to the exhaust line and if a predetermined vacuum strength is not reached within a predetermined time, which indicates that leak exists, appropriate control circuitry is actuated to prevent loading of the next green tire or article into the press. The invention also incorporates the method for detecting a leak by measuring the strength of the vacuum created upon removal of the spent curing fluid after each curing cycle.

Abstract: An air spring for providing a variable spring rate for a suspension system has an auxiliary fluid reservoir formed within a hollow interior of one of the spaced end members of the air spring. A flexible elastomeric sleeve extends between the end members and forms a main air chamber therebetween which is in communication with the auxiliary fluid reservoir. A fluid supply line communicates with the auxiliary fluid reservoir for changing the volume of fluid within the reservoir. In one embodiment, one end of the flexible sleeve is closed and forms a flexible membrane which extends across an entrance of the auxiliary reservoir and separates the air chamber from the auxiliary reservoir. In another embodiment, a separate inflatable bladder is mounted in the hollow interior of the end member and provides the flexible membrane which separates the air chamber from the auxiliary reservoir.

Abstract: A tire building drum has a pair of drum sections axially movable along a center shaft which form an internal tire inflation chamber for inflating the carcass of a green tire when mounted between the drum sections. Each of the drum sections has a plurality of bead lock segments controlled by a plurality of straight links moved by an annular piston. The piston is mounted in an annular cylinder surrounded by an annular manifold ring, an annular sealing ring and an annular bladder ring. The annular manifold provides for the distribution of pressurized air to various components of the drum and functions as an air seal for the tire inflation chamber. A plurality of air passages are formed in the manifold ring and connect to a source of pressurized air for supplying the control air from a remote source to an inflation turn-up bladder mounted on each of the drum sections and to a control assembly mounted within each of the drum sections for actuating the bead lock segments.

Abstract: A toroidal road vehicle tire carcass comprises two annular beads connected by a substantially tubular toroidal reticulated structure defined by a number of elongated reinforcing elements extending between and substantially radially in relation to the beads. The carcass is produced using at least one continuous cord for forming a first and a second continuous series of oppositely-oriented U-shaped loops, wherein the loops in both series are connected so as to weave the substantially tubular reticulated structure enclosing the two beads.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing road vehicle tires, whereby a toroidal forming mold, housing a finished green tire, is fed successively through a first preheating station where peripheral heating elements preheat the tread portion of the green tire; through a second curing station where the tire is cured; and through a third postinflation station where the tire, fitted to a tubular support and removed from the mold, is engaged by a cooling element for cooling the bead portions of the tire.

Abstract: A method and device for producing a toroidal road vehicle tire carcass, the carcass presenting an annular frame rotated about its axis in relation to a knotting device located outside the frame and employing two continuous cords for producing, on the frame, a number of substantially radial, elongated reinforcing elements, each defined by a loop. Each loop is formed by winding in a U, an intermediate portion of a respective cord, wound about a respective annular bead forming part of the frame, and which is drawn towards the other bead and connected to a corresponding loop in the other cord to form with the same a reticulated "boucle" structure enclosing the two beads.

Abstract: An air spring has a pair of axially spaced end members and an intervening elastomeric flexible sleeve extending therebetween which forms a fluid pressure chamber. A pair of recesses are formed on an inner surface of an annular clamp ring which cooperate with a pair of corresponding annular projections formed on an outer surface of each of the end members to positionally locate the ring on the end member and to form a pair of pinch areas sealingly clamping the sleeve therebetween. Expansion grooves are formed between the projections and on opposite sides thereof to receive portions of the sleeve therein to form three elastomeric bead-like members, and to change the direction of reinforcing cords within the sleeve. The clamp ring seats upon a shoulder of each of the end members to reduce movement of the clamp ring during operation of the air spring.