Abstract: A pneumatic spring 10 with inner 20 and outer 22 chambers which may be pressurized independently to give variable spring rates which are independent of load carrying capacity of the spring. The chambers 20, 22 are formed by gas-impervious membranes 16, 18 sealably attached to an axially spaced apart retainer 12 and piston 14. The effective diameter of the inner chamber is greater than the outer chamber allowing the spring to exert compressive or extensive force depending upon pressures in the chambers. The spring 10 may be used as a vehicle suspension component.

Abstract: An improved form of conductor wires utilizing a jacketing envelope for inclusion into a conveyor belt. Low coefficient of friction envelopes form small voids in the conveyor belt carcass to allow the conductors to freely move during flexing of the belt in service. The movement minimizes stress and breakage of the conductor. The belt with arrays of these conductors spaced along the length of the belt may be used in electrical or magnetic rip detection systems for sensing rips in long haul conveyor belts. When an array is damaged the conveyor system can be shut down to minimize the length of the longitudinal rips.

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: A coupling, a reinforced hose and coupling assembly and a method of making such an assembly is disclosed. The coupling includes an internal recess which in the assembly is filled with elastomeric material to provide a fluid tight seal between the hose and the coupling.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of pressure hose is described. An uncured tubular structure including one or more sub-units each having a radially inner tubular layer of uncured elastomer and an outer tubular layer of filamentary reinforcing elements is subjected to fluid pressure in its bore. The fluid pressure forces uncured elastomer material into the interstices of the filamentary layer of each sub-unit and consolidates the uncured structure. A cover layer of elastomer material is thereafter applied and the covered structure is cured into an integral hose.

Abstract: A mailbox which includes a hollow supporting base extending therefrom. The base and mailbox are integrally molded into a unitary structure which positions the box at the correct delivery height. The box may have a false bottom to support the articles of mail, integrally formed handle, and means for supporting/positioning a flag. The integral base and box are stable and self-righting when the hollow base is filled with ballast.

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: Thin walled thermoformed articles of partially crystallized polyethylene terephthalate containing a minor component of a polyolefin which exhibit improved impact resistance and high temperature dimensional stability are disclosed herein. A method for thermoforming such articles using polyethylene terephthalate/polyolefin blends which provides improved mold release is also revealed.

Abstract: The coupling has a stem and a ferrule. The stem is placed against an uncured hand-built steel cable reinforced hose. The steel reinforcement cable is spiraled onto a smaller diameter portion of the stem. The ferrule is then slid over the stem and over the reinforcing cable layers. Epoxy resin is injected through ports in the ferrule to embed the reinforcing cables and securely fix the hose structure to the stem and ferrule of the coupling. A cover is applied over the ferrule. The hose-coupling assembly is subjected to heat and pressure to cure the elastomeric portions of the hose and securely bond them to the surfaces of the coupling. The hose-coupling assembly is useful in very heavy duty applications where the assembly must withstand large end load strains when the hose is not under internal pressure, such as hose for use on a jetting sled.

Abstract: Mandrel-cured, curved elastomeric hose is provided with an indexing mark that is formed prior to or during curing of the hose on the mandrel. The rigid curved mandrel has an exterior hose-bearing surface and an interior cavity. The cavity and exterior surface are connected by a small passageway or hole which is located where the index mark is to be made on the hose. A sleeve having a wall of uncured elastomeric material is mounted on the mandrel such that a portion of the sleeve covers the passageway. The mandrel having the sleeve mounted thereon is placed in an autoclave and subjected to steam pressure. The steam pressure forces elastomer material into the passageway and thereafter cures the elastomer sleeve into a hose. The pressure inside the cavity is approximately atmospheric at the introduction of the steam pressure. The cavity within the mandrel may be sealed except for the passageway or the cavity and the passageway may be vented to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: This invention provides a rubberized stud (10), preferably the molded configuration has a ball shape with a rubber height (28) to thickness (29) ratio of 2.0 to 3.0 and preferably 2.2 to 2.7 which can be compressed sufficiently to be inserted into a smaller diameter shaped socket to maintain the rubber under compression of 20 to 30% of its thickness and thereby produce a spring effect when the ball rod is rotated or twisted.

Abstract: Side by side pairs of flexible rubber belts having molded driving lugs on the bottom surface and at least one row of molded cleats with a bore in each cleat on the top surface. The belts are transversely spaced apart with many transverse connecting links positioned in the cleat bores extending between the belts to form a conveying assembly. The conveying assembly is useful in drag or raddle chain conveyors in combines or in round balers to form and compress the large bales.

Abstract: A flexible hose adapted to regain its original shape after crushing due to a novel braided-spiral reinforcement layer containing one braid member which is a relatively stiff, uncrimped monofilament and a second braid member which is a flexible textile material 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. This hose is particularly useful as a gasoline pump dispensing hose which is subject to frequent crushing by vehicle wheels during service.

Abstract: A polyvinyl chloride composition fabric reinforced belt said composition comprising a blend of 100 parts of polyvinyl chloride with about 10 to 30 parts of a copolymer of butadiene acrylonitrile.

Abstract: This invention discloses a novel class of polymeric diphenylamine compounds. The compounds are produced by reacting diphenylamine with a dialkylalkenylbenzene or dihydroxyalkylbenzene having either meta or para orientation in the presence of an acid catalyst.

Abstract: A method for continuously producing tapes in rubbery vulcanizable material, adapted to the manufacture of hoses, includes causing a rubbery composition to pass and be calendered into a tape between rollers, cooling the calendered tape on a set of internally cooled hollow cylinders adding an anti-adherent powder, and slitting the tape longitudinally into a plurality of narrower tape portions.

Abstract: A flat belting includes a plurality of individual layers of fabric that extend throughout the length and width of the belting. The layers are joined together by reinforcing elements which extend substantially in the direction of the thickness of the belting. The individual layers and reinforcing elements are encapsulated in a matrix of polymeric elastomeric resin, for example, polyvinylchloride. The individual layers are saturated with a liquid elastomer-forming polymeric resin prior to their being joined together. The reinforcing elements may be inserted, for example, by tufting, sewing, or stitch-bonding. One or more of the individual fabric layers may be a woven or other cloth having a plurality of substantially parallel yarns which extend in the lengthwise direction of the belting. One or more of the individual fabric layers may be a non-woven fabric.

Abstract: A fluid inflatable plug for interiorly cylindrical conduits includes a rigid cylindrical mandrel having an elastomeric tubular sleeve about the outer curved surface of the mandrel. The sleeve includes reinforcements which extend in opposite sense helical paths throughout the longitudinal extent of the sleeve. The sleeve is folded back over one of its ends to form a loop region upon assembly to the mandrel. The ends of the sleeve are sealingly retained to the outer surface of the mandrel. A passage are provided for admitting and exhausting pressurized fluid between the sleeve and the outer curved surface of the mandrel. The plug may include a fluid passage therethrough independent of the passage for admitting an exhausting pressurized fluid between the sleeve and the surface of the mandrel.