Abstract: A tire curing apparatus in which a number of mobile curing units, each designed to house a respective green tire, are selectively and independently fed along a loop circuit having at least two parallel branches, the ends of which branches are connected to a common section extending through a station for loading and unloading tires on and off respective curing units; each curing unit incorporating a mold for a respective green tire, a closed pneumatic circuit designed to receive, at the loading/unloading station, a given supply of curing medium under pressure, a fan device for force circulating the curing medium supply inside the pneumatic circuit, and individual elements for heating both the mold and the curing medium supply.

Abstract: A method and device whereby an automatic device for feeding and setting beads onto a tire building drum provides for the loose hanging of two beads and, after centering them in relation to a first axis through expansion of a hanging and automatic centering device, provides for transferring them parallel with the aforementioned first axis and coupled with respective annular transfer and setting bodies, which bodies are spaced a given adjustable distance apart and are transversely mobile between a first position, coaxial with the first axis, and a second position coaxial with a second axis coincident with the drum axis; the feeding and setting device being designed to move along the second axis for positioning the beads on the drum.

Abstract: A grinder for removing a predetermined amount of rubber at a predetermined angle from a raised or recessed area on the sidewall of an inflated tire as the tire rotates. A pair of spaced sensors engage the sidewall area of the tire at predetermined radial spaced locations on opposite sides of the area to be worked. The sensors generate a pair of electrical signals in relationship to the profiles of the sidewall areas engaged thereby. The signals are fed to a microprocessor which calculates the average angle of the raised or recessed area by the difference between the outputs from the two sensors along with the known spacing therebetween and generates a third signal. This third signal is supplied to a servo mechanism which automatically adjusts the grind angle of the grinding wheel to match the average angle of the area to be ground.

Abstract: A coextrusion head for producing a generally tubular elastomeric ply made up of first and second concentric tubular streams of elastomeric material having interposed, adjacent to their interface, a closely spaced array of parallel reinforcing elements wherein the coextrusion head includes a reinforcing element guide subassembly including a generally annular guide element as well as a mechanism for individually and independently directing and accurately positioning a circular array of uniformly spaced individual reinforcing elements.

Abstract: A segmented matrix cure press retreads pneumatic tires by vulcanizing a tread strip onto a tire casing. The press centers the tire and provides a tailored support to the entire casing periphery of the tire. A bottom mold cavity forming member having a ring with a contoured surface matched to the bead and sidewall areas of one side of the tire is mounted on a vertically movable base plate of the press. A top mold cavity forming member has a similarly shaped contoured ring and is movable into and out of engagement with the bottom member. A standard inflatable inner tube and flap are inserted within a tire which is placed on the contoured surface of the bottom cavity forming member which centers the tire within the press. The top member is lowered onto and locked with the bottom member forming a mold cavity therebetween with the contoured surfaces coinciding with and trapping the bead and sidewall areas of the tire therebetween.

Abstract: A mechanical fastening system for securing a flexible sheet within a channel member via an insert member wherein the latter is made of flexible resilient material having a central longitudinal flex notch that serves to define two adjacent wing portions and permits a temporary elastic deformation of the insert member into an inverted V-shape for insertion of the insert member, together with the flexible sheet, into the channel member. A method for securing the flexible sheet within the channel member, via the resilient insert member, is also presented.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial ply tire in which the body ply is formed of a low twist yarn having between three and six turns-per-inch. The body ply terminates in relatively low turn-up ends extending along the side walls a distance between 10% and 30% of the tire section height and out of the area of cyclic stress and oscillation in the side walls of the tire. A relatively high, wide and hard bead filler is located within a bead portion of the tire and has a height between 20% and 50% of the tire section height with a width of between 15% and 35% of the bead filler height. The bead filler has a hardness of between 75 and 98 on the Shore A scale. The ply yarn preferably is polyester and the individual low twist strands are arranged in a parallel relationship and is preferably free of transverse cross strands known as wefts or picks. The combination of low twist yarn, low turn-up body ply ends and bead filler size and hardness provides a tire having increased durability and uniformity at a lower cost.

Abstract: A penetrating mechanical roofing fastening and sealing system for securing a flexible sheet, provided with a plurality of apertures, to the upper surface of a roof via the use of a plurality of spaced penetrating fastening and sealing devices, each of which includes upper and lower retainers, wherein the latter are anchored to the roofing surface and the elastomeric sheet is thereafter spread thereover, with cutting portions on the lower retainers being utilized to produce the sheet apertures, rigid upper retainers overlie and completely cover the apertures and the retainers are clamped together in a sealing relationship with the interposed sheet portion. A method for securing and sealing a flexible sheet to the roofing substrate is also presented.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial ply tire in which the body ply is formed of a low twist yarn having between two and five turns-per-inch. The body ply terminates in relatively high turn-up ends extending along the side walls a distance between 35% and 65% of the tire section height and out of the area of cyclic stress and oscillation in the side walls of the tire. A relatively high, narrow and hard bead filler is located within a bead portion of the tire and has a height between 20% and 50% of the tire section height with a width of between 5% and 25% of the bead filler height. The bead filler has a hardness of between 75 and 98 on the Shore A scale. The ply yarn preferably is Nylon and the individual low twist strands are arranged in a parallel relationship and is preferably free of transverse cross strands known as wefts or picks. The combination of low twist yarn, high turn-up body ply ends and bead filler size and hardness provides a tire having increased durability and uniformity at a lower cost.

Abstract: A penetrating roofing fastening and sealing system for securing a flexible sheet, having a plurality of apertures, to the upper surface of a roof via the use of a plurality of spaced penetrating fastening and sealing devices, each of which includes upper and lower retainers, wherein the latter are anchored to the roofing surface and the elastomeric sheet has a continuous peripheral portion, adjacent each aperture, confined between opposing flange portions of the upper and lower retainers, the retainers being clamped together in a sealing relationship with the interposed sheet portion. A method for securing and sealing the flexible sheet to the roofing substrate is also presented.

Abstract: A non-penetrating mechanical fastener for securing a flexible sheet of an elastomeric material to the upper surface of a roof via the use of a plurality of such fasteners, each of which includes upper and lower members, wherein the latter are anchored to the roofing surface. The upper member includes an inner resilient retainer and an outer locking cap which clamp the sheet about an annular knob formed on the lower member. The locking cap is engaged by a compression fit with the resilient retainer to secure the retainer in position about the annular knob. A bolt and nut securely attaches the locking cap to the retainer to prevent their disengagement from the annular knob of the lower member. A method for securing the flexible sheet to the roofing substrate also is presented.

Abstract: A non-penetrating mechanical fastener for securing a flexible sheet of an elastomeric material to the upper surface of a roof via the use of a plurality of such fasteners, each of which includes upper and lower members, wherein the latter are anchored to the roofing surface. The upper member includes a snap-ring which clamps the sheet within an annular boss formed on the lower member and a locking cap which is engaged by an interference fit with the snap-ring to lock the ring in position within the boss. A method for securing the flexible sheet to the roofing substrate also is presented.

Abstract: A tire manufacturing process of the type which employs a reusable rubber or the like curing bag or bladder. The process includes deflating, between curing cycles of the tire manufacturing process, the curing bag or bladder; preventing oxygen bearing medium entering the curing bag or bladder; and supplying a non-reactive medium upstream of the curing bag or bladder to maintain the bag or bladder in its unstretched state until the bag or bladder is next inflated.