Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle having a shock absorber strut with a reciprocal piston rod located within a cylinder, and attachments for securing the piston rod and cylinder to spaced parts of the vehicle. An air spring includes a rigid annular canister mounted on the piston rod by a resilient rotatable mount. The canister forms a fluid pressure chamber in conjunction with a flexible diaphragm, one end of which is sealingly connected to the cylinder by an annular rigid sleeve which forms an air spring piston. The flexible diaphragm has inner and outer radially spaced portions connected by a rolling portion. A rigid member resembling a cutaway can is mounted on the rigid canister portion of the air spring and extends about a predetermined portion of the outer portion of the flexible diaphragm and restrains outward expansion of said portion.

Abstract: A roofing system and method of securing insulation board to a roof deck free of mechanical fasteners includes the deck, a plurality of the insulation boards, and a flexible waterproof membrane which covers the boards. First and second embodiments of the invention include flexible polyisobutylene pads and strips respectively, which have opposite top and bottom pressure sensitive adhesive surfaces. A plurality of the pads are adhered to the insulation boards by their adhesive top surface at locations where mechanical fasteners otherwise would be necessary to secure the boards to the roof deck. A pair of the strips are adhered to the boards by their adhesive top surface at spaced locations. After removal of a release sheet from the bottom surface of the pads or strips, the boards are placed and pressed on the roof deck, and the exposed adhesive secures the boards to the deck free of mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: A conveyor of the type having a flexible endless belt with generally horizontal top and lower return levels is movably supported for delivering materials between load and unload stations. A plurality of transversely spaced pairs of wheeled trolleys or other types of slide mechanisms are movably mounted on spaced horizontal guide rails and are attached to opposite sides of the conveyor belt by brackets and small sections of flexible belt material. Each of the trolleys has a pair of horizontally mounted wheels and a pair of vertically mounted wheels which move with the conveyor belt along the guide rails to maintain accurate guidance and tracking of the conveyor belt. One of the trolleys of each pair is spring biased to compensate for possible variations in the guide rails.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for accurately delivering rubberized sheets from a supply roll of stock material containing an intervening liner to an assembly station for subsequent assembling into an air spring or similar article of manufacture by eliminating the heretofore formation of a "free loop" therein. The supply roll and a liner take-up reel are rotatably mounted on a carriage transversely movable with respect to the longitudinal motion of the stock material. A hugger device has a plurality of timing belts which frictionally engage the liner at the take-up reel and winds the liner onto the reel at a constant linear speed regardless of the diameter of the reel and collected liner to move the rubberized sheet at a controlled rate toward the assembly station. The motion profile of the timing belts is controlled by a servo drive motor and the belts engage an arcuate portion of the circumference of the take-up reel to provide positive frictional drive engagement therewith.

Abstract: An annular clamping band is concentrically engaged in an interference force-fit relationship with the outer annular surface of the sidewall of an end cap of an air spring primarily intended for use for motor vehicles. The band restricts outward movement and creep of the sidewall and retains an open end of a flexible sleeve which forms the fluid pressure chamber of the air spring, in a compressed state between an annular internal sealing ring and an annular recess formed on the inside surface of the sidewall, to maintain the airtight sealing engagement therebetween. The clamping band is forced axially about the outer surface of the end cap sidewall and is restrained from axial movement therealong by a plurality of retaining ribs projecting outwardly from the top surface of the end cap and by an annular outwardly extending rib on a lower end of the end cap sidewall.

Abstract: A reroofing system and method for weatherproofing the metal panels which are attached to an existing roof deck by series of fasteners. A tape laminate formed of butyl rubber and unvulcanized EPDM is applied over the series of fasteners and over the seams formed by adjacent and overlapping panels to provide a weatherproof seal therefor. The butyl rubber has sufficient natural tackiness to secure the EPDM to its top surface and to secure the bottom surface of the tape to the metal panels. The tape laminate has an elongation of approximately 600% and thus is unaffected by panel and building movements. A coating of an acrylic paint may be applied over the tape laminate and remaining surfaces of the roof panels to increase the weatherproofing effectiveness thereof and to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Abstract: A pitch pocket construction and method of forming the same for sealing the junction between an element projecting upwardly from a roof and through an opening in a waterproof membrane covering the roof. A plastic ring of PVC is placed on the membrane surrounding the projecting member and a strip of uncured EPDM rubber flashing is secured to the outside surface of the ring and over the top edge thereof and forms an annular flange over the membrane surrounding the outside of the ring by an adhesive applied to these areas after placement of the ring on the membrane. The inside surface of the ring, the exterior surface of the projecting member, and the intervening membrane within the ring, then are coated with an adhesive.

Abstract: A system for demagnetizing and subsequently selectively magnetizing a small portion of a ferrous member embedded in a green tire carcass in order to facilitate the rotational orientation of the tire carcass when it is transferred to a subsequent processing machine for the application of additional components. A magnetic probe associated with the second processing machine senses the portion of the magnetized area of the bead member and is able to rotationally orient the green tire carcass such that the component applied to the green tire carcass at the second processing machine may be rotationally oriented with respect to the components applied at the first processing machine.

Abstract: A device for guiding and applying innerliner material to a tire building drum and more particularly a device for cutting and applying the innerliner material is disclosed. The device further allows for measurement of the stock width and for precise centering of said stock without the possible edge distortion of known guiding systems.

Abstract: An air spring formed by an axially spaced end member and a piston member with an intervening elastomeric flexible sleeve therebetween which forms a fluid pressure chamber. An annular clamp ring having a recess on the inner diameter thereof coacts with a corresponding annular projection on the outer diameter of the rigid piston member to positionally locate the ring on the piston member. A pair of clamping surfaces are located on opposite sides of the projection and are separated therefrom by expansion grooves. The projection and clamping surfaces form a series of pinch areas with the intervening sleeve, which sealingly clamp the sleeve therebetween. The expansion grooves receive portions of the sleeve and change the direction of reinforcing cords within the sleeve. Another radially extending groove traps a partially compressed end of the sleeve therein and provides an additional material expansion area.

Abstract: A trimming apparatus and method which may be used in conjunction with an automated tire assembly system which automatically trims the edges of the stabilizer ply member. The apparatus uses a rotary cutter angled with respect to the axis of the stabilizer ply member in order to produce a uniform cut.

Abstract: A means and method for applying innerliner material to a tire building drum and more particularly to a means and method for cutting and applying the innerliner material and further allowing for stock width measurement and precise centering without the possible edge distortion of known guiding systems.

Abstract: A means and method for applying a stabilizer ply to a tire building drum and more particularly a means and method for cutting and applying the stabilizer ply material and specifically means for cutting the stabilizer ply material between cords disposed therein and correcting for variations of the cord angles during the application process in order to provide an improved splice between the leading and trailing edges of the stabilizer ply material.

Abstract: A means and method for applying a stabilizer ply to a tire building drum and more particularly a means and method for cutting and applying the stabilizer ply material and specifically means for cutting the stabilizer ply material between cords disposed therein and correcting for variations of the cord angles during the application process in order to provide an improved splice between the leading and trailing edges of the stabilizer ply material.

Abstract: A mold gate for an inner tube mold is provided with a plurality of apertures for selectively receiving valve stems therein for bonding to the inner tube. A plug is inserted into each of the nonselected apertures to enable the single gate to be used to cure inner tubes having different valve positions to eliminate changing the gate each time a different valve location is required for a given mold. When the valve stem receiving openings are in close proximity to each other an elongated plug is placed in an elongated gate aperture to selectively seal one of the two valve stem openings while enabling the other opening to remain unblocked for receiving a valve stem during the molding operation.

Abstract: A nonpenetrating roof membrane fastening system for covering and securing a waterproof flexible membrane on a roof deck. A plurality of flexible spot bonding pads are secured at spaced intervals to the roof by a smaller, more rigid, fastener plate or washer and a linear fastener which extends through the aligned centers of the pads and plates. An outer exposed peripheral area of each of the bonding pads has an adhesive applied thereto and bonds the pads to the underside surface of the flexible membrane which is laid over the secured pads avoiding any penetration of the membrane by the linear fastener. The membrane is a nonreinforced EPDM and the bonding pads are formed of a fabric reinforced EPDM.

Abstract: An air spring is formed by an axially spaced end cap and a piston member and has an intervening elastomeric flexible sleeve extending therebetween which forms a fluid pressure chamber. An annular clamp ring having a recess on the inner diameter thereof coacts with a corresponding annular projection formed on the end cap to positionally locate the ring on the end cap. A pair of clamping surfaces are located on opposite sides of the projection and are separated therefrom by expansion grooves. The annular projection and clamping surfaces form a series of pinch areas with the intervening sleeve, which sealingly clamp the sleeve therebetween. The expansion grooves receive portions of the sleeve and change the direction of reinforcing cords within the sleeve. The clamp ring abuts against a radially extending surface of the end cap to reduce axial movement of the ring during operation of the air spring.

Abstract: A pneumatic shock absorber used primarily as a die spring includes a piston formed with a base and an upstanding cylindrical body provided with an internal fluid reservoir. An outer housing is mounted on the base and extends about the cylindrical body. An inner housing is axially telescopically mounted for sliding movements within the outer housing. A flexible sleeve is enclosed at one end by a sealing cap and is sealingly connected at its outer end to the exterior of the piston body forming a fluid chamber therein which communicates with the fluid reservoir of the piston. An opening is formed in the piston body to fill the reservoir and chamber with a high pressure fluid which places the inner housing in an expanded position by the end cap pressing against an end wall of the inner housing upon axial expansion of the sleeve. Rolled end flanges formed on the housings engage each other to stop the movement of the inner housing at the expanded position.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting tires and the like. A series of tire transport apparatus are utilized to each selectively draw from a conveyor containing tires of a variety of types and sizes a specific tire type and size which is then transported to a storage apparatus wherein all tires of that particular type and size which have been sorted from the supply conveyor are stored. A series of tire transport apparatus are also utilized to remove the tires from the storage apparatus.

Abstract: A restriction insert adapted to be mounted on a spider of an extrusion die has a generally hollow body formed by integral first and second conical walls wherein the first conical wall has a larger inner diameter than that of the second conical wall. A pair of spaced axially extending material inner flow passages are formed concentrically about the axial bore opening in an outer end of the second conical wall and communicates with the interior of the body. A frustro-conical shaped groove is formed in the outer end of the second conical wall within the interior of the body to provide a tapered flow path for the material entering the inner flow passages. A pair of outer flow passages are formed concentrically in an annular shoulder at the junction of the conical walls. A generally pointed annular edge is formed on the interior of the second conical wall and in combination with the tapered inner surface of the first conical wall form tapered flow paths for the material entering the outer flow passages.