Abstract: A load-bearing member is positioned in a slot extending through a composite structure of laminated reinforced plastic having overlapping layers of fabric plies embedded in a thermoplastic material. A connecting means such as a shank of a bolt connects the load-bearing member with a second structure. The load-bearing member has a flat surface engageable with a flat surface of the slot which is generally parallel with the edge surface of the composite structure in abutting relationship with a surface of the second structure. The slot extends through the overlapping layers of fabric plies in such a manner that the load is distributed by the load-bearing member to avoid the concentration of forces which cause shear failure and delamination.

Abstract: A bead former (14) has a gripping mechanism (90,92) for gripping a leading end (106) of a bead ribbon (12) at a position recessed in the surface (18) of the former (14) during the initial rotation of the former (14). The gripping mechanism (90,92) has a seat member (92) movable radially outward of the former (14) into a supporting position at the surface (18) of the former (14) after releasing the leading end (106) for supporting the leading end (106) during the latter rotation of the former (14). A pressure roller (20) is rotatably supported in a guide cage (54) mounted on a dual arm (22,48) having a dual actuation system (34,60) for moving the guide cage (54) and pressure roller (20) into position for guiding and compacting the convolutions of bead ribbon (12) wrapped around the former (14) and for providing a high pressure force to crimp the splice area (124 ) of the bead (16).

Abstract: A machine for crimping tire bead rings in which an inner die member has grooves for holding the bead rings in the area of the bead splices and an upper die member engages the outer surface of the bead rings in that area. The die members are compressed with sufficient force for a sufficient period of time so that the strands of the bead rings are held together by the insulating material around the strands in the area of the bead splices. The side portions of the grooves control the spreading of the bead rings and may be flared to compress and then release the bead rings. The grooves of the inner die member may have movable inserts for ejecting the bead rings. The upper die member may also include grooves in mating engagement with the grooves of the inner die member for enclosing the outer portions of the bead rings at the splice area and provide for release of the bead rings after crimping.

Abstract: A riveting gun is mounted on a carriage for movement on a way to a plurality of positions over belt fasteners placed along the edge of a clamped belt. The gun is guided into the desired positions by an indexing member which permits actuation of the gun for driving the rivets through the fasteners and belt when in position. A rivet deforming member on the other side of the belt upsets the rivets. Resilient mounting of the carriage is provided to maintain alignment and absorb impact reaction stresses.

Abstract: A safety mat for a power driven machine which stops or prevents operation of the machine when a person is standing on the mat. The mat has at least one supporting plate held in an unloaded position by springs and actuating at least two limit switches when depressed as by a person stepping on the mat. The limit switches are part of a safety circuit interlocking a main circuit for disabling operation of the machine when at least one of the switches is actuated. The switches selectively energize relays having contacts which energize an output relay for opening or closing the circuit to be opened for safety reasons on the machine. The relays also have contacts which energize a timer relay when the safety mat is depressed as by a person stepping on the mat. The timer relay energizes a timer switch and this provides a self-checking function whereby if there is a defective component in the system the timer relay will not be energized and the main circuit will remain disabled.

Abstract: The diameter of a generally cylindrical roll is accurately measured by holding a gauge against the surface of an arc of the roll, determining the approximate variation in diameter from a standard diameter with a primary sensor located between two supports and determining corrections to the approximate variation in diameter through secondary sensors located adjacent to the supports. The gauge supports also indicate misalignment of the central plane of the gauge with a circumferential plane of the roll by lack of contact of the supports with the roll surface and by measurements of the secondary sensors over a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A caliper brake having a brake disc rotatable about an axis with a friction lining carrier mounted for sliding movement axially of the brake disc on a supporting caliper housing. The lining carrier has two circumferentially spaced ends with an opening at one end for receiving a torque pin mounted on the caliper housing for axial sliding movement of the carrier on the pin. A slot is provided at the other end for receiving a retention pin which is mounted on the caliper housing for axial sliding movement of the carrier on the retention pin. The retention pin is positioned in the slot with sufficient clearance to accommodate movement in the circumferential direction due to expansion and contraction of the carrier during braking.

Abstract: A brake disc mounting on a shaft in which a spacer is interposed between the disc and a pilot rib of the shaft to facilitate brake disc removal and reduce disc distortion effects. There may be an opening adjacent the spacer which provides for displacement of a portion of the spacer to accommodate the shrinkage. The spacer itself may provide for displacement caused by disc shrinkage. The spacer may be of a softer material than the disc or be resiliently deformable.

Abstract: A fluid-containing bag of sheet material mounted on the radially inner surface of a stabilizer ring as by an adhesive or metal clips for retaining fluid during normal inflated operation of the tire and releasing the fluid in response to rotation of the tire tread portion in engagement with the radially outer surface of the stabilizer ring. The fluid may be released by an increase in temperature softening a plug in the wall or the adhesive in a seam between walls of the bag. The fluid may also be released by the rupture of a flexible tube extending from the bag to the radially outer surface of the stabilizer ring.

Abstract: A torque plate in the form of a sheet metal disc having a central opening for positioning of the torque plate around a shaft and a peripheral flange on the outer edge of the disc with spaced-apart supporting surfaces for mounting a slider support on which the caliper and friction lining carriers are slidably mounted. The torque plate may have a mounting surface around the opening and a second surface offset from the mounting surface at intermediate positions between the opening and flange.

Abstract: A U-shaped brake slider support for the floating caliper and friction lining carriers having parallel rail members on which the caliper and carriers slide and a tie bar connecting the rail members. The tie bar is a plate member with end flanges for fastening to the rail members. The plate member may include a reinforcing flange and have recesses to provide clearance for other brake parts. The plate member may also have openings through which ends of the rail members extend.

Abstract: A rim for a wheel and brake assembly having a lug on the radially inner surface integral with the rim and positioned for torque transmission between axially slidable brake members and the rim. The lug has an inner face spaced from the radially inner surface of the rim and is recessed at a position along the lug with the thickness of the lug at the recess being less than at other positions along the lug to reduce the stresses in the lug and rim.