Abstract: A roller for supporting the rotating drum of a clothes drier or similar appliance includes a hub which is molded from a suitable polymer and a rubber tire which fits around and is interlocked with the hub. The tire is of uniform cross-sectional configuration and is stressed so that it remains in intimate contact with the hub rim, even after substantial use. To manufacture the roller, the tire, which is molded in a separate operation, is placed in a mold cavity that is configured to seal against the side walls of the tire and yet permit the tire to expand radially, maintaining the seals along the tire side walls throughout the expansion. Once the mold is closed, a polymer in a plastic state is injected into the region of the cavity surrounded by the tire, there being enough polymer forced into the mold to expand the tire radially against an outer surface of the cavity.

Abstract: A roller for supporting the rotating drum of a clothes drier or similar appliance includes a hub which is molded from a suitable polymer and a rubber tire which fits around and is interlocked with the hub. The tire is of uniform cross-sectional configuration and is stressed so that it remains in intimate contact with the hub rim, even after substantial use. To manufacture the roller, the tire, which is molded in a separate operation, is placed in a mold cavity that is configured to seal against the side walls of the tire and yet permit the tire to expand radially, maintaining the seals along the tire side walls throughout the expansion. Once the mold is closed, a polymer in a plastic state is injected into the region of the cavity surrounded by the tire, there being enough polymer forced into the mold to expand the tire radially against an outer surface of the cavity.

Abstract: Rigid nylon articles are provided with a chamber therewithin and water is sealed within the chamber. The water is in continuous contact with the nylon and is absorbed by the nylon over a long period of time to increase and maintain the maximum impact resistance of the nylon article.

Abstract: A multipart plastic hub assembly includes a pair of hub members each having an annular inner rim portion, a tire support portion, and a radially extending web portion therebetween. The inner rim of each hub member is notched at circumferentially-spaced intervals therearound in order to facilitate radial flexure thereof and radially inwardly directed detents are positioned on the axial outermost end of each rim portion. A tire of rubber or the like is placed between the two hub members and a center core is inserted through each of the inner rims. The hub members are then brought together in abutting relationship so that the tire is captively retained within the tire support portions and the inwardly directed detents are received in annular grooves formed in the center core adjacent respective ends thereof, to thereby form and retain the integrity of a composite wheel assembly.

Abstract: An adapter for connecting a corrugated hose, e.g., a washing machine drain hose, to a standpipe has an elongated tube with a bell at one end for holding and retaining the corrugated hose. A curved support extends from the bell end of the tube and selectively supports the hose in a desired curve of from 0.degree. to 180.degree.. A sliding annular retainer ring slides on the curved support and selectively locks the corrugated hose in the chosen position. Outwardly extending ears on the end of the curved support hold the retainer ring on the adapter. The tube has longitudinal ribs over at least a portion of its length. The ribs provide additional strength and tapered portions on the ribs prevent the tube from jamming in a standpipe and provide for easy release. The ribs have enough friction to retain the tube in the standpipe in cooperation with the weight of the assembly and the water therein to prevent the hose from being forced from the standpipe by the jet effect of water moving therethrough.

Abstract: An appliance foot formed of molded polypropylene has a shaft and an enlarged head affixed at one end of the shaft. The shaft is threaded so that it may be threadingly engaged and adjusted in the base of a domestic appliance with the head depending downwardly from the appliance. The head has a hexagonal periphery adapted to be received in a wrench for adjustment of the shaft into and out of the body of an appliance. The center of the head has an annular recess into which the depending edge of a resilient non-slip pad is received. The pad extends outwardly beyond the head so that the pad is the weight bearing surface. The edge of the annular recess is crimped tightly over the pad to tightly engage the periphery thereof and to hold it firmly in the annular recess.