Abstract: This disclosure relates to the manufacture of sponge rubber spheres, such as spheres (10) used for cleaning tubes internally, and the shapes made thereby. The sponge rubber is initially cut into cubes approximating the shape of the final product. Next the sponge rubber is frozen by means of liquid nitrogen. Then while in the frozen state it is machined to the final shape. This machining could be performed by a centerless grinding technique involving a grinding wheel (41), a regulating wheel (42), and a work rest (43). Additionally, a plurality of shapes may be formed at one time from a single block of sponge rubber (30) as shown in FIG. 2.

Abstract: A storm window is made of two or more panes of non-shatterable plastic hinged together so that the window can be reduced in one dimension sufficiently to permit the edges to enter permanent channels in the frame. The panes are straightened and held in a plane position by latches operated from the inside.

Abstract: A bowling ball is made with a shell and a core of different compositions, with the core having a greater density than the shell so that the finished ball will have a predetermined weight; and the core also having a maximum dimension along an axis passing through the top of the ball where the finger holes are to be drilled, and a minimum rotational inertia around the same axis. The core is temporarily supported on a pin while the shell is cast around it, and the hole left by the pin is filled with a material of distinctive appearance to designate the top where finger holes should be drilled.

Abstract: A versatile exercise device designed particularly for running in place, against the restraining force of an anchored belt, includes a single piece of rope, one end of which is arranged for anchorage to a fixed object, and the other end of which is formed into an adjustable belt by a simple and convenient loop forming device.

Abstract: A mower of the centrifugal cord type is provided with an automatic adjustment of the length of cutting cord, in which the centrifugal force of the rapidly whirling cord end acts on an arm which snubs the cord and prevents further cord from being paid out, until the wearing away of the cord end reduces the force and permits further cord to be paid out by the centrifugal force until the force again reaches the critical value for snubbing the cord.

Abstract: Selected portions of a tire, either before or after assembly with other components of the tire, are exposed to electron irradiation to effect at least a partial cure of a portion thereof. This tire, with its precuring treatment is then molded and the curing of the tire is completed by conventional heat curing methods with sulfure present in the rubber.

Abstract: Strands of steel bead wire or the like are individually surrounded with rubber and the rubber is then partially cured sufficiently by irradiation so that the rubber remains moldably plastic and the final cure will completely cure the rubber. Each bead core when completed is often enclosed in fabric. The completed bead assembly is incorporated in the carcass of a tire. When the tires, including the carcass, tread, etc., are cured, the rubber in the beads is completely cured and the beads are securely bonded to the balance of the tire.

Abstract: A puncture sealing tire has an inner layer consisting of closed cell cellular rubber, in direct contact with the inflation gas. The inner layer is preferably coated with a solid fluent material capable of flowing into punctures at operating temperatures.

Abstract: Tread stock is partially cured by irradiation before assembly in the tire, so as to shorten the curing time of the tire in the mold and thereby create substantial savings.Tires are retreaded by applying ribbons of tread stock over the carcass prepared in any conventional manner, and then completing the cure without the use of a mold.Curing or partial curing may be effected by electron irradiation or other irradiation which changes the molecular structure of the rubber. Progressive irradiation is disclosed by which an object is repeatedly irradiated to attain a desired cure. Shielding of one or more portions of a green tire or tire element is disclosed to prevent the irradiation from curing the shielded rubber. Other methods of curing may be preferable in some operations.Curing (1) a portion of the area of tread stock and (2) curing a portion of the thickness of tread stock are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The inner surface of a green tire provided with an air-sealing liner, is cured or partially cured to produce a steam- and water-resistant surface, and the tire after such treatment is cured in a usual press without an air-bag or bladder.One or more plies of a tire, usually the outer fabric plies, are partially cured before assembly in the tire, to insure that plies so located are cured, without over-curing inner and outer portions of the tire.New tires are made by placing a carcass, whether green or partially cured, in a mold and extruding rubber over the outer surface of this carcass to fill the mold, and then giving the final cure to the resulting tire.Tires are retreaded by applying ribbons of tread stock over the carcass prepared in any conventional manner, and then completing the cure without the use of a mold.Retreaded tires are cured by placing a carcass prepared in any conventional manner, in a mold, extruding tread stock into the mold around the carcass, and then curing.

Abstract: The inner surface of a green tire provided with an air-sealing liner, is cured or partially cured to produce a steam- and water-resistant surface, and the tire after such treatment is cured in a usual press with or without an air-bag or bladder.One or more tread layers or outer fabric plies, are partially cured before assembly in the tire, so as to shorten the curing time of the tire in the mold and thereby create substantial savings.New tires are made by placing a carcass, whether green or partially cured, in a mold and extruding rubber over the outer surface of this carcass to fill the mold, and then giving the final cure to the resulting tire.Tires are retreaded by applying ribbons of tread stock over the carcass prepared in any conventional manner, and then completing the cure without the use of a mold.Retreaded tires are cured by placing a carcass prepared in any conventional manner, in a mold, extruding tread stock into the mold around the carcass, and then curing.

Abstract: A bowling ball has a surface made from a material containing a minor quantity of functionally terminated liquid elastomer combined with a major quantity of resin-forming material reactive with the functional end groups of the elastomer, and has a greatly enhanced coefficient of friction against ordinary bowling lane surfaces, permitting superior control of the path of the ball and therefore better scores by the bowler. Such surface compositions are preferably made from a liquid polyester resin of the type which is hardenable by a peroxide, with addition of a liquid vinyl-terminated diene polymer or copolymer in a quantity amounting to about 10% to 35% of the mixture.

Abstract: An internal tire lubricant which minimizes or prevents injury to a pneumatic tire when it runs flat, and which also assists in sealing small punctures, consists of a mixture of liquid or easily fusible materials, one of which is a partially crystalline solid olefine polymer, and another of which is an essentially noncrystalline liquid or solid hydrocarbon or analogous material.

Abstract: Liquid crystal preparations, for examination of objects by visualizing temperature differences, are made in the form of highly stretchable elastomeric films by dispersing cholesteric liquid crystal esters in a solution of a thermoplastic elastomer such as plasticized polyvinyl butyral solution, and casting a thin film from the solution. Preferably, a light-absorbing lamina is included to enhance the color contrast.

Abstract: X-ray equipment for nondestructive testing and particularly for mechanized testing of the integrity of welds along the length of the welds includes means for mechanically traversing an X-ray source along one side of the weld and a grainless fluorescent screen along the other side, with the screen coupled to an image-isocon video camera, preferably through a light intensifier. The equipment includes means for display of the X-ray shadow picture from the video camera and for super-imposing identifying indicia, along with means for recording the composite of the indicia and the picture. The image is preferably integrated over at least several frames so as to minimize "noise" and intensify contrast. In addition, a signal from an ultrasonic transducer may be provided to indicate to the operator the existence of a probable flaw in the weld metal.

Abstract: Snowplow blades can be immediately varied in length at one or both ends by providing extensions of the same shape as the blade, which extensions carry studs which are received in sockets, preferably lengthwise of the back of the blade. The studs are pinned in the sockets for quick and easy fastening and removal.

Abstract: Heat formable elastomer products are made by vulcanizing block polymers having a central block of thermoplastic and terminal blocks of vulcanizable elastomer, preferably after addition of separately prepared compatible vulcanizable elastomer. The products when heated, shaped, and cooled, will retain the new shape until reheated, but with altered physical properties. When reheated, they tend to return to their vulcanized condition of shape and physical properties.

Abstract: Snowplow blades can be immediately varied in length at one or both ends by providing extensions of the same shape as the blade, which extensions carry studs which are received in sockets, preferably lengthwise of the back of the blade. The studs are pinned in the sockets for quick and easy fastening and removal.