Abstract: A track (10) for a vehicle is typically carried by a plurality of wheels (12, 14, 16). Tread-wheel vibration is created when the track (10) passes between a wheel and the ground over which the vehicle is traveling. A track (10) includes a plurality of external lugs (32) that engage the ground when the track (10) is in use. Each external lug (32) has a tread angle (a) indicating the angle at which the lug is disposed to the longitudinal axis (34) of the track (10), a tread pitch (P) and a lug width (H). A wheel (16) contacting the interior of the track (10) has a width (B). A tread design that minimizes tread-wheel vibration has the pitch (P) of the lugs (32) substantially equal to the wheel width (B) multiplied by the tangent of the tread angle (a).

Abstract: A portable test apparatus (and associated method) for measuring nonuniformity of a tire/wheel assembly in situ on a wheel bearing hub of a vehicle are characterized by a lightweight assembly of components including, in particular, a probe for monitoring deflections of a surface of the tire/wheel assembly during rotation of the tire/wheel assembly and producing an electrical output indicative of the surface deflections, and an indexing device for producing an electrical output indicative of the rotational position of the tire/wheel assembly during rotation thereof, the indexing device having an attachment mechanism for removable coupling to the tire/wheel assembly.

Abstract: A cutter clamp assembly for holding the elongated strip of tire material during the cutting process, whereby predetermined lengths of tire material are created to be formed into a tire. The cutter clamp is an air actuated clamp that is pivoted into engagement with a sidewall section of the elongated strip of tire material as air suction from an air manifold holds the entire elongated strip down so as to assure a uniform and even cut. The cutter clamp includes a clamp bar that is spring loaded by a tension bar such that during engagement the clamp bar evenly distributes a force along the entire sidewall adjacent to the cutter such that an even cut is started upon contact by the cutter with the elongated strip of tire material, whereby the air suction manifold holds down the entire elongated strip during cutting.

Abstract: A tire grinding apparatus includes at least one support arm pivotally connected to a base. A pair of grinding wheels are rotatably carried by the support arm and are adapted to engage the outer surface of a tire. The grinding wheels are disposed such that one of the grinding wheels is a leading grinding wheel and the other is a trailing grinding wheel. The grinding wheels rotate in opposite directions. The grinding wheels are partially disposed in a hood that is in fluid communication with a vacuum source. A source of pressurized air is in fluid communication with a blower head that is disposed between the grinding wheels such that it directs pressurized air against the surface of the tire being ground. The pressurized air removes dust from the tread grooves and sipes of the tire where it is collected by the hood and removed from the hood from the vacuum system. The position of the trailing wheel is adjustable with respect to the leading grinding wheel and the support arm.

Abstract: A high impact logo structure for a tire sidewall includes a pattern formed in the body of the sidewall. The structure of the pattern creates the appearance that the pattern is recessed into the tire sidewall without actually extending inwardly past the outer surface of the sidewall. The pattern has an interior wall that projects outwardly from the outer surface of the body of the sidewall above the reference plane of the outer surface of the sidewall. The interior wall defines at least part of the pattern. An outline wall projects outwardly from the outer surface of the body of the sidewall above the reference plane of the outer surface of the sidewall. The outline wall extends about at least part of the perimeter of the interior wall of the pattern. The outline wall is spaced from the interior wall by a groove that increases the visual impact of the pattern. The lower surface of the groove is substantially coplanar with the outer surface of the sidewall.

Abstract: A composite recovery board (10) containing a foam core (11) of polyisocyanurate, polyurethane materials or mixtures thereof; a facer (15), applied to one major surface (13) of the foam core, where the facer includes polymer materials, reinforced polymer materials, cellulosic materials, paper, aluminum foil or trilaminates thereof, wherein the reinforced polymer material and the cellulosic material are reinforced with glass strands, glass fibers, or mixtures thereof; and, gypsum board (14), applied to the opposite major surface (12) of the foam core. A method of reroofing a roof by applying composite recovery boards of the present invention to a roof deck; and, applying a weather protective layer over the recovery boards.

Abstract: An air spring has a pair of spaced end members and a fluid pressure chamber therebetween formed by an elastomeric flexible sleeve. The air spring is adapted to be mounted on a vehicle suspension system in close vicinity to one of the vehicle tires. The air spring and the vehicle tires each includes a monitoring device for sensing an engineering condition of the air spring and/or tire. The tire monitoring device transmits the sensed engineering condition of the tire to the air spring monitoring device which retransmits to received tire data and the collected air spring engineering condition data to a distance location with less power and more efficient signal than possible if transmitted directly by the monitoring device of the tire due to the reduced wall thickness of the sleeve of the air spring in contrast to the sidewall thickness of the tire.

Abstract: An air spring has a pair of axially spaced end members and an intervening elastomeric sleeve extending therebetween which forms a fluid pressure chamber. An annular clamp ring having a smooth inner diameter coacts with an annular wall on the end members, which has an outer diameter with annular indentations formed therein to clamp the ring thereto. The clamp ring is of a tear-drop shape which corresponds to the general conical shape of the end members so as to provide greater fabric displacement, ring/component interference as opposed to clearance, larger stress area, and a self-locking mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved tire design including a continuous annular band or a belt formed of a plurality of relatively flat rigid plates embedded in the rubber between the tread and body plies. The plates are curved to conform to the radius of the tire and are pivotally linked or otherwise pivotally connected together thereby creating a flexible annular belt that is extremely stiff in the in-plane or steering torsional direction due to the engagement of the side edges of the adjacent plates when experiencing an in-plane or steering torsional force but flexible in the radial direction due to the pivotal connection between the adjacent plates.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus permits the insertion and removal of an electronic monitoring device from a tire, while securing the electronic monitoring device to the tire so that stress, strain, impact, cyclic fatigue and vibration are minimized. After a rubber patch is vulcanized, the patch is permanently assembled to the inner liner of a vulcanized tire by affixing it to the tire inner liner. An electronic monitoring device, after having been encapsulated in a suitable rigid potting material to form a rigid tag, is fitted with a power source to form a tag assembly in a shape which allows for insertion into a cavity in the patch. The tag is carefully inserted into the cavity housing. The tag assembly is locked into place within the cavity using a suitable removable locking means.

Abstract: A bladderless former sleeve (100) is disclosed for a bladderless second stage tire building machine (102) having at least one bead lock assembly (116), the bead lock assembly (116) having an annular clamp (114) with an annular groove (112). The sleeve (100) includes an annular main body (104) having first (106) and second (108) ends, the main body (104) having a thickness. A bead (110) is attached to the annular main body (104) at the first end (106). The bead (110) has a thickness substantially greater than the thickness of the main body (104) at the second end (108). The bead (110) is sized to fit snugly within the groove (112) of the clamp (114). The main body (104) of the sleeve (100) is sized to substantially cover the bead lock assembly (116) or at least the bead lock shoes (120) of the machine (102) during operation of the machine when the bead lock shoes (120) are in a fully expanded position.

Abstract: A roofing primer composition including a bromobutyl rubber, a polyurethane, wherein the polyurethane is the reaction product of a phenolic resin and an isocyanate having more than two functionalities, the polyurethane being formed in the presence of a catalyst, and a solvent, wherein the solvent is preferably selected from the group consisting of parachlorobenzotrifluoride, 1-dodecene, toluene, hexane, heptane methylene chloride, 1,1,1-trichlorethane, xylene, methanol, 1-tetradecene, chloroform, tetrachloro ethylene and ethanol. This primer composition exhibits improved adhesion during application, exhibits improved shelf life, is not water sensitive, and can contain a low volatile solvent.

Abstract: A method for monitoring various engineering conditions of a pneumatic tire such a temperature, pressure, tire rotation and other operating conditions of the tire. A tire tag is mounted on the interior of the tire within the pressurizable cavity and contains the stored data and sensors for detecting certain conditions within the cavity. A separate transponding device is mounted on the tire rim. The tire tag contains a battery, an antenna and stored data pertaining to the tire. The transponding device uses electronic circuitry which collects data from the tire tag. The tire tag is actuated by transmitted radio frequency waves from the transponding device, which data is retransmitted by the transponding device to the remote location by an antenna which extends from the transponding device through the rim to a location externally of the tire.

Abstract: A process for preparing a lap seam for roofing comprising applying a butyl rubber-containing primer with a mesh pad to the EPDM membrane surfaces to be joined. The primer is applied with a long-handled applicator to permit the roofer to stand during priming. Thereafter a splice tape is positioned between the primed surfaces to form a seam structure and pressure is applied to the structure thus provided to form an adhesively-held lap seam characterized by being watertight and having superior peel strength when compared to other methods of making seam tapes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding an active tag to a patch and assembling the patch to a tire is set forth. A patch assembly and a method for securing an electronic monitoring device having electronic and mechanical components for monitoring at least one engineering condition within a tire, comprising an rigid tag assembly encapsulating the electronic monitoring device, bonded to a vulcanized rubber patch which is secured to the inner cavity of a tire utilizing a layer of dual cure bonding rubber.

Abstract: A vehicle tire and wheel assembly for use in high brake heat generated service has an overall tire diameter (TD) of approximately 43 inches and an overall wheel diameter (WD) of approximately 24.5 inches to provide a ratio of approximately 1.76. The tire section height (H) is approximately 9.2 inches and the tire section width (W) is approximately 11.5 inches. The tire is of a radial construction containing steel reinforcing cords.