Abstract: The tire of this invention has a belt package with a combination of a steel refinforced inner belt ply and an aromatic polyamide reinforced outer belt ply. The strength per unit width of the aromatic polyamide reinforced ply is made to be within 30 percent greater than the strength per unit width of the steel reinforced belt ply. The tire of this invention has angles of the aromatic polyamide reinforcing members from the mid-plane greater than the angles of the steel reinforcing members from the same mid-plane by 1 to 8 degrees. High impact endurance values are disclosed to be a function of the difference in bending stiffness values for each ply as well as a function of the composite shear stiffness values.

Abstract: Apparatus for distributing yard care material is disclosed using a yard blower having a hand held blower tube. A dry material feed system is affixed to a tube section of the blower tube which introduces dry material into an air flow generated by the blower by a feed opening formed in the tube section. An injection gate controls the amount of dry material dispensed from the feed hopper into the air flow. By using a slopping wall, a gravity feed of the dry material is made possible. Additionally, a liquid feed system may be provided which is secured to the dry material feed hopper to feed a liquid yard treatment material also by gravity feed. Advantageously, a liquid feed conduit is formed on the exterior of the blower tube and has an outlet end disposed a distance from the air exit end of the blower tube so that the liquid is injected into the air flow as it exits the blower tube for atomization and distribution to a treatment area.

Abstract: The tread of a rib type tire is modified to provide draft angles in lateral grooves of selected ribs to compensate the tire's residual aligning torque (RAT). This allows the vehicle to have straight ahead motion with no steering pull. The draft angles are achieved by inclining the radial centerline of the lateral grooves to be sloped forward on one side of the midcircumferential plane and sloped backward on the other side of the midcircumferential plane. The centerline draft angle results in tread blocks sloped forward and backward during forward motion of the vehicle. The sloping tread blocks produces an effective rolling radius change on selected ribs of the tread pattern. Effective rolling radius of selected ribs is a concept introduced to explain the physical relationships that exist in the contact patch of the tire with the ground surface.

Abstract: The correction system of this invention simulates a power steering leak which the driver can manually adjust or automatically tune to offset vehicle drift and/or pull generated by road crown, wind, vehicle alignment, and tires during straight ahead driving. The drift and pull correction system taps into the bypass line of a vehicle's power steering system and can be added to the vehicle as an aftermarket device. For example, the standard rack or power gear, the power steering pump and reservoir and the steering assembly of the power steering system can be used in combination with the addition of correction lines and correction valves of the steering correction system to correct the vehicle's steering system for "straight ahead driving" without operator assistance. The magnitude of the drift and/or pull is a direct function of the magnitude of the leak and the back (parasitic) pressure in the system.

Abstract: A molding apparatus and process is described in which a side wall mold insert is accessible and releasable from the interior of the molding apparatus. A fastener reversibly seats the side wall insert to the mold frame, the insert having an inclined rim wall for engaging a complementary-shaped wall of an adjacent tread mold piece. The process and apparatus facilitates the rapid replacement of a side wall mold insert without disassembly or cooling of the molding components.

Abstract: A device and process for monitoring the condition of the tires of a vehicle and of their environment is disclosed. The device uses a central unit and a wheel module with at least one measuring sensor for each wheel. The module is electrically connected to a rotating antenna firmly attached to the hub of the wheel, as well as a stationary antenna firmly attached to the hub housing of the wheel and connected to the rotating antenna. The stationary antenna is electrically connected to the central unit for transmitting to the driver the results of the measurements and/or an alarm if an abnormal condition of the tires is detected and the antennae being laid out in the environment of the braking mechanisms of the wheel and characterized in that it includes a sensor for estimating the temperature of the braking mechanism. The sensor includes one of the antennae being sensitive to variations in temperature.

Abstract: A tire having a decreased percentage of void and superior wear abilities, yet still having improved wet traction ability is disclosed. The improved wet traction ability is enhanced by the flow isolating characteristic of the minor grooves of the tire. By reducing the amount of water flow between the major and minor grooves for a prescribed period during which the major grooves evacuate water away from the tire, there is a reduction in the volume and nature of turbulence due to the intersecting water flows exiting the minor grooves into the major grooves. This reduction of turbulence allows for fluid to be properly channeled away from the contact patch area by their major grooves.

Abstract: The electrical connector of this invention is for terminating the wires of a cable into an electrical insert positioned within a connector backshell at an angle to the direction of the cable. A wireing space at the rear of the backshell is provided to terminate the wires within the insert. The connector is used to provide a connector interface for a cable running along one surface of a bulkhead and turning at an angle through the bulkhead to a receptacle or connector face extending from the other face of the bulkhead. The connector face receives an associated electrical interface device. The electrical connector of this invention provides the connector in a minimum amount of clearance space on both sides of the bulkhead. Grounding and shielding of a shielded portion of the cable to the connector is also provided within the minimum clearance space. A tie cord attaches the wires of the cable to a neck of the hollow shaft of the connector backshell to provide stress relief for the wires.

Abstract: Under-inflation of a tire caused by natural deflation is subject to specific monitoring: a series is established consisting of all the averages of inflated air volume in each tire, calculated with each acquisition of pressure and temperature measurements; the maximum of the most recent averages is determined; an alarm is activated if this maximum value is lower than a threshold.