Abstract: A vegetation mower incorporating a drive train using two mechanical transmissions to selectively drive the ground engaging wheels at different speeds. The drive train incorporates a single pulley belt to transfer power from the mower engine to the drive wheels.

Abstract: An extrusion apparatus for extruding visco-elastic materials includes an extruder head for preliminary shaping of a visco-elastic melt and a splice bar die assembly for final shaping of the visco-elastic melt. Both the extruder head and the die assembly have flow channels that include low elongational flow zones where elongational flow is reduced and controlled, thereby reducing and controlling the resulting shrinkage of the extrudate. Extrudate shrinkage can also be reduced and controlled by controlling the die swell of the visco-elastic melt by rotating the roller at a selected roller speed less than the melt speed.

Abstract: A paint applying roller is positioned over the sidewall of a tire rotating about a vertical axis and the roller is vertically movable into contact with the sidewall to apply and spread protective paint over white sidewall surfaces.

Abstract: An upper hood and a blower housing form an air induction cavity in the side of the mower hood, which draws the ambient air into the air intake and from there into the engine. Two shield members on the blower housing prevent the ambient air from mixing with the hot air of the engine. Forming an air induction cavity by connecting the upper hood to the housing, having the lower lip of the air induction cavity lower than the air intake of the blower housing, channeling the air into the air intake via channels on the blower housing, and preventing the hot air of the engine from mixing with the ambient air drawn through the air induction cavity.

Abstract: A tire apparatus (14) having nozzles (32) for directing air steams against layers (34) of uncured tire components applied to a tire building drum (19) for stitching and ejecting air from the layers.

Abstract: A method for sequentially forming teeth in a belt that is supported on two cylinders. The method avoids having to measure the neutral plane radius by dividing the uncured belt into discrete molding sections and adjusting the length of each section prior to molding. The adjustment to the length is made so that the belt section is equivalent to a required length necessary to accommodate the proper fraction of total teeth. The first section to be molded is marked and aligned with the mold. Sequential belt sections are marked and aligned in similar fashion until teeth are molded along the entire circumference of the belt. The inventive method eliminates cumulative error by positioning each section of teeth relative to the underlying belt structure and not relative to the previous section which may have position errors within its own position tolerance.

Abstract: A lawn mower has a mainframe, a sub-frame bolted onto the mainframe for ease of installation and removal and traction motors mounted on the sub-frame. The traction motors have shafts for driving engagement with drive wheels used in moving the lawn mower. Hydraulic pumps are mounted onto the sub-frame and have pump drive pulleys. Pump belts operatively connect the pump drive pulleys to the mower driven pulley. Preferably the sub-frame has end plates connected by tie rods. Each of the end plates supports one of the traction motors on one side and one of the frame pumps on the other side.

Abstract: A compression relief mechanism for a small four-cycle engine to facilitate cranking. The engine has a single cam actuating both the intake and exhaust valves. The cam has a primary cam surface and a boss extending from its side. The exhaust valve cam follower engages only the primary cam surface. The intake valve cam follower has a first cam follower surface engaging only the primary cam surface and a secondary cam engagement surface engaging only the boss to open the intake valve during a predetermined portion of the engine's compression cycle. The opening of the intake valve during the compression cycle provides compression relief facilitating cranking. The secondary cam follower surface may be provided on either the intake or exhaust cam follower to open either the intake or exhaust valve during the compression cycle to provide the desired compression relief during cranking.

Abstract: An article for holding freezable substances includes an individual disposable package for holding the frozen substance and a container therefore. The package is comprised of a bottom portion and a top portion. The frozen substance is placed in the bottom portion and the top portion is placed over the bottom portion to seal the package and prevent spillage of the freezable substance prior to its freezing. The package has a maximum inner width Wm, with Wm being less than or equal to 0.875 inches (22.23 mm). The width Wm is chosen so that a long, cylindrical ice cube is formed by the package. The ice cube so formed fits easily into original containers of beverages, such as soda cans and bottles, so that the beverages are cooled in their original containers.

Abstract: An article for holding freezable substances includes an individual disposable package for holding the frozen substance and a container therefore. The package is comprised of a bottom portion and a top portion. The frozen substance is placed in the bottom portion and the top portion is placed over the bottom portion to seal the package and prevent spillage of the freezable substance prior to its freezing. The package has a maximum inner width Wm, with Wm being less than or equal to 0.875 inches (22.23 mm). The width Wm is chosen so that a long, cylindrical ice cube is formed by the package. The ice cube so formed fits easily into original containers of beverages, such as soda cans and bottles, so that the beverages are cooled in their original containers.

Abstract: A riding lawn mower having zero turn capabilities has the engine mounted on the front of the frame. A drive system includes first and second hydrostatic transmissions for use in driving the back wheels. A grass bag may be mounted to the back portion of the frame and provides a counter balance to maximize the weight distribution. A discharge chute transfers cut vegetation from a mower deck to the grass bag and provides rear center discharge.

Abstract: A wire capable of operating at high temperatures and a method of making the same is disclosed. The high temperature wire comprises fiberglass, which surrounds the conductor. The fiberglass insulates the conductor and enables it to operative at relatively high temperatures. The fiberglass is heat-treated without any additional, or in lieu of, other chemical treatment and is sufficiently frangible to be easily removable from the conductor. The frangible fiberglass may be easily stripped away from the conductor without leaving strands which need to be individually removed.

Abstract: A biodegradable penetrating lubricant, comprised of: (A) at least one triglyceride oil of the formula: wherein R1, R2, and R3 are aliphatic hydrocarbyl groups containing from about 7 to about 23 carbon atoms; (B) an organic solvent selected from the group comprising: (1) ethyl lactate, (2) soy methyl ester, (3) at least one mineral spirit, and (4) combinations of 1, 2, and 3; and, (C) an antioxidant. Optionally, the lubricant may further include an additive selected from the group comprising: (D) an anti-wear inhibitor; (E) a corrosion inhibitor; (F) a pour point depressant; and, (G) a component chosen from the group comprising: (1) a food grade tackifier; (2) molybdenum disulfide; and (3) a combination of 1 and 2.

Abstract: A tire bead holder assembly for centering and gripping a circular tire bead before placement on a bead setter has circumferentially spaced radially moveable fingers actuated by a chain drive for simultaneous controlled movement of the fingers and application of centering pressure without distortion of the bead.

Abstract: A biodegradable penetrating lubricant, comprised of: (A) at least one triglyceride oil of the formula: wherein R1, R2, and R3 are aliphatic hydrocarbyl groups containing from about 7 to about 23 carbon atoms; (B) an organic solvent selected from the group comprising: (1) ethyl lactate, (2) methyl ester, and (3) combinations of 1 and 2; (C) an antioxidant; and, (D) a corrosion inhibitor. Optionally, the lubricant may further an additive selected from the group comprising: (E) a viscosity modifier; (F) an anti-wear inhibitor; and, (G) an emulsifier.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tire curing system (10) having a plurality of molds disposed in side by side relation, transporting means (91) for transporting green tires (20) to the tire curing system, loading means (71) for loading a green tire (20) into a bottom mold half (14) of one of the molds, mold closing means (34) for closing a top mold half (13) over the bottom mold half (14), self-locking means (15) for locking the top mold half to the bottom mold half, curing means (18) for curing the green tires, mold opening means (35) for opening the top mold half from the bottom mold half, unloading means (72) for unloading the cured tire (22) from the bottom mold half (14) and take-away means (17) for carrying the cured tires (22) away from the curing system (10). The loading means (71) and the unloading means (72) include a movable robot (40) and the mold closing means (34) and the mold opening means (35) include a movable manipulator (30). The robot and the manipulator move in straight lines.

Abstract: A Zero Turn Radius vehicle is provided that utilizes a drive system including a single hydraulic variable displacement pump and dual variable displacement hydraulic motors connected respectively one to each of two ground engaging wheels for use in steering and propelling the vehicle. The configuration of the drive system allows for proper ZTR steering of the in the forward and reverse directions.

Abstract: A lift gate assembly particularly adapted for use in a vehicle having a side opening. The assembly includes a platform that folds and pivots to the interior of the vehicle when in a stored mode. When deployed, the platform pivots to the exterior of the vehicle and unfolds. A telescoping column allows movement of the unfolded platform between upper and lower levels. Movement of the platform may be accomplished by employing hydraulic means.

Abstract: A method of making a tire mold segment with a porous metal tread surface for a tire mold wherein an annular segmental tire model of refractory material is formed with tire model segments which are used to shape and form each tire mold segment from powdered metal by applying heat and pressure to sinter the powdered metal as it is shaped by the tire model segment. Blades may be mounted in the tire model segments for transfer to the tire mold segments for molding slits a tire tread.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly adapted for use with a foldable liftgate assembly on a truck. The trailer hitch assembly is able to be pivoted out of the way of the liftgate assembly as the liftgate is deployed from a stowed position beneath the truck chassis. The liftgate assembly may include a foldable platform including a main platform member and a platform extension.