Abstract: This invention relates to a flexible endless conveyor for a harvester pickup apron made up of a number of side-by-side rubber belts. Each belt has an integrally molded series of main cleat attachments for rigid tines. Each tine is set astride a central cleat while the leading and trailing edges of the tines are held by undercuts in a pair of subcleats which are perpendicular to each main cleat. The subcleats prevent any debris from lodging under the body of the tine during crop harvesting.

Abstract: An airspring with plastic rigid components having a specialized coupling adapted for push-in engagement of the pneumatic tubing into the airspring is disclosed. The coupling requires no threading in the plastic structural component of the airspring and is composed of an outer ring through which a coaxial annular sleeve with jaws for tubing engagement slides axially. An O-ring seals the tubing against air leaks. The airspring may be used for vibration isolation or load suspension.

Abstract: This invention uses a unique tubular cutting tool in a method for separating individual cables from the elastomeric body of a cable-type conveyor belt. The tool bores a cylindrical path through the elastomeric body coaxial with the individual longitudinal reinforcement cables. A transverse cut is then made across the belt width which just intersects the cylindrical paths which have been made around the cables. The elastomeric material can then be removed leaving only the cables exposed. The prepared belt end is then ready for application of a mechanical or vulcanized splice. The tubular cutting tool features both circular and axial cutting edges. The tool can be utilized in a hand drill to allow on-site splice preparation of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A folding belt system having the head and tail pulleys twice the width of the support idler rolls and having a transition length of about 7 to 15 times the width of the belt between the fold or hinge lines, where transition width support rolls are located. The folding conveyor belt is composed of a central belt section which has specially constructed flexible areas at each edge extending longitudinally the length of the belt to which are attached cover flaps. The cover flaps completely enclose the load while it is conveyed. This reduces spillage, dust, and contamination while providing highly enhanced conveying capacity. The flaps may be of the same or different construction than the center section of the belt.

Abstract: This invention supplies an insulating conveying belt composed of a belt carcass having at least one embedded reinforcing ply, a pulley cover and a top cover, said top cover having a heat resistant member adhered to said top cover, said heat resistant member being selected from the class consisting of fibers of aramid, glass, ceramic or mixtures thereof. This member may be woven or non-woven such as a punched felt mat. Preferably the fibers of the heat resistant member are woven rather than being of the non-woven type. The elastomer preferably is EPDM or blends of EPDM and silicone rubber with carbon black or silica filler.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension strut incorporating an airspring around a hydraulic shock absorber is disclosed. The airspring design and orientation relative to the shock absorber axis creates a side acting force which counteracts the bending torque acting on the strut during operation in a vehicle and prevents binding of the shock absorber piston. The horizontal acting side load can be achieved by using an airspring piston eccentrically mounted on the shock absorber. Alternatively the airspring may be mounted offset and/or at an angle to the shock absorber axis. The flexible membrane of the airspring may also be cut in a plane oblique to the shock axis and mounted on the airspring piston to form asymmetric rolling lobes about the circumference of the piston.

Abstract: A hose structure of simplified construction suitable for rigorous high pressure applications such as rotary well-drilling apparatus is described. The hose includes a heavy-walled tube of elastomeric material having a measured stress of at least 600 psi at 20 percent elongation, an elongation at rupture of at least 150 percent and a Young's modulus of at least 2000 psi. The formulation of the tube material includes a reactive resin system capable of polymerizing in situ.

Abstract: Indefinite length tubular and sheeting products can be fabricated using either a continuous or step-wise method which uses a two-stage curing sequence. In the first curing stage, the center portion of a thermosetting web is fully cured leaving the lateral edges of the web in an uncured state. The uncured lateral edges are then spliced, either directly to one another, or spliced with a similar web having uncured edges to form either a flat sheet or a tubular preform having longitudinal uncured spliced seams. In the second curing stage, these uncured longitudinal splices are fully cured to form either tubular articles or flat sheeting having completely uniform physical properties throughout.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device having a supporting frame with a slot forming a gap in one leg of the frame. A stationary and a rotatable shaft are positioned in the frame on opposite sides of the gap. A belt sample is attached to the shafts and a ratchet assembly applies progressively greater strain on the belt sample. The level of strain is measured by a load cell placed across the gap in the frame to yield a value for the ultimate tensile strength of the belt being tested. The device is portable and provided with a handle serving as a lever for applying progressively greater strain through the ratchet assembly. The device is used to compare the relative strengths of conveyor belting samples at a field location.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a beadless flexible member for an airspring having a fully molded non-tubular shape. An axially segmented mold with tapered circular end bores is used with conically tapered end plugs which sealingly compress an uncured preform of the flexible member between the conical plugs and the tapered circular end bores. Compressed fluid is injected into the interior of the preform to radially expand it to the desired molded shape. At a rate determined by the radial expansion of the preform, the annular segments of the mold are axially moved together to accommodate the axial foreshortening of the preform during its radial expansion. After full axial closure of the mold, heat and pressure are applied to vulcanize the preform. The beadless, fully molded flexible member may be used for airsprings requiring zero pressure roll capability.

Abstract: Belting consisting of a compacted non-woven felt fabric embedded in a matrix of elastomer. The belting may be made by saturating a greige non-woven fabric with a liquid, elastomer-forming, polymeric resin and thereafter compacting the saturated fabric to permanently reduce the thickness thereof. Following compaction of the saturated fabric, the liquid resin is solidified and cured. Curing is preferably accomplished at a temperature above ambient and at a pressure above atmospheric. The non-woven felt may be a spun-bonded, needle-punched, or stitch-bonded bat of fibers.

Abstract: A flexible hose having a novel braided reinforcement layer wherein one braid member is a relatively stiff, uncrimped monofilament and the second braid member is a flexible textile material which is crimped around the stiff monofilament at each contact point in the braided spiral layer. The braided spiral imparts improved crush and kink resistance to the hose structure. The method of manufacture employs no mandrel and produces a balanced tension braided hose which may be preferably cured by open steam techniques.

Abstract: A flexible hose having a braided spiral reinforcement layers having one wire braid member which remains uncrimped during braiding and a second braid member which is composed of a relatively flexible, high tenacity material which is crimped or deformed around the wire braid member at each contact point in the braided-spiral layer. The hose may be made using a flexible mandrel technique to produce a light weight hose having improved flexibility for use in high pressure applications such as in hydraulic system components.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for cutting longitudinal channels or strips in the cover of a rubber conveyor belt using an apparatus which includes a U-shaped blade set at a specified angle relative to the surface of the conveyor belt and a sharp cutting edge. The apparatus skives a longitudinal strip from the conveyor belt rubber cover upon moving the belt or the cutting apparatus relative to the belt. The belt with the longitudinal strips removed is useful as a conveying device which can readily trough or fold over the load being conveyed.

Abstract: A composite piston 40 having a tapered outer sleeve 42 with a separately formed end plug 48 securely fitted into the larger diameter end of the sleeve for use in a rolling lobe airspring 20. Also a method of manufacturing the airspring 20 with a composite piston 40 in which the piston outer sleeve 42 is formed in a mold cavity using a solid inner core. The plug 48 is separately formed and then assembled into the composite piston for a rolling lobe airspring.

Abstract: A pivotal joint assembly including a socket housing having a cavity essentially of the shape of the bearing end of the stud member to receive the bearing member in operative relationship, said bearing member of said stud member being essentially cylindrical in shape and at least covered with sufficient elastomer to form a head and shoulder appearing elastomer ring thereon and to cause the elastomer in the head portion to be compressed 25 to 35% and preferably 27 to 32% in the assembled state.

Abstract: This invention relates to vehicle air suspensions featuring a hydraulic shock absorber mounted completely within an airspring on a pivotal mount which allows relative motion between the shock and the airspring. The preferred form utilizes a two piece airspring piston which has a removable center portion. The shock absorber is mounted on the removable center which allows easy removal and replacement of the shock absorber without disassembly of the airspring.

Abstract: A streamlined, self-cleaning, non-driven pulley having a center flange extending radially from a center hub which has axially extending radial ribs on either side of the flange. The space between adjacent ribs is filled by a web sloping radially inward toward the axis of rotation of the pulley and axially outward from the center flange. In operation with a belt having two parallel longitudinal rows of internal driving lugs, the pulley flange contacts the belt between the lug rows to support the belt. Each belt lug is supported by the ribs as it passes over the pulley to maximize the width of support to the belt tensile member while under working load.

Abstract: A shapable and photogellable liquid or fluid polyvinyl chloride composition comprising a blend of polyvinyl chloride with sufficient plasticizer and about 13 to 50 parts per hundred of a photopolymerizable polymer to give a liquid or fluid composition. Preferably said composition may contain a photoinitiator and a polyvinyl chloride stabilizer.

Abstract: A hay rake tooth assembly comprising an elastomeric body secured to a mounting bracket, an elongated rake tine having one end embedded in said elastomeric body. The end embedded in said elastomeric body having a bent around portion which provides an elastomeric linking member in said body. The bent around portion extending in substantially a circular arc of at least 270.degree.. The elastomeric body having a cross-sectional configuration as viewed in a plane parallel to the primary direction of deflection such that there is provided more elastomeric material on the side of the body which is placed in tension as opposed to the side which is placed in compression during deflection.