Patents Assigned to Firestone, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20030127169
    Abstract: A long chain crosslinked elastomeric composition of matter comprises 100 parts by weight of a rubber selected from the group consisting of polybutadiene, styrene-butadiene rubber, synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene, synthetic polyisoprene, cis-polybutadiene, butadiene-isoprene rubber, styrene-isoprene rubber, styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, neoprene, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, natural rubber, EPDM, terminal and backbone functionalized derivatives thereof, and mixtures thereof; from about 1 to about 15 parts by weight of a difunctional crosslinking agent, per 100 parts by weight of the rubber, having the structure Ym(SRS)nYm where Y is selected from the group consisting of H, SR′ and SiR′3; where R is selected from the group consisting of branched and linear C2 to C20 alkylene, C6 to C20 arylene, C7 to C20 alkyarylene and C4 to C20 cycloalkylene groups and R″XR″; where R′ is selected from the group consisting of branched and linear C1 to C10 alkyl, C6 to C10 aryl
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Hergenrother, James D. Ulmer
  • Publication number: 20030019586
    Abstract: An apparatus for seaming roofing membranes to one another, wherein one of the membranes is secured to an underlying support structure by at least one protruding fastener, the apparatus including a wheeled carriage having an upwardly extending push/pull bar, a power supply carried by the carriage, the power supply driving the wheeled carriage, a heating assembly carried by the carriage and powered by the power supply, the heating assembly including a fan and a heating element, wherein the fan blows ambient air over the heating element and generate a heated airflow sufficient to fuse the roofing membranes to one another, a nozzle coupled to the heating assembly for directing the heated airflow between the two membranes, the nozzle having a pair of outer channels and an elevated center channel disposed between the pair of outer channels, the elevated channel passing over the at least one protruding fastener, and a variable pressure roller assembly coupled to the carriage, the roller assembly having a pair of out
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Henegar
  • Publication number: 20020193490
    Abstract: The use of high density metal oxide fillers in vulcanizable rubber compounds is disclosed. The use of the fillers reduce or eliminate the need for conventional fillers, such as carbon black or silica, because viscoelastic performance properties of vulcanized rubber compounds with high density metal oxide fillers therein predict improved wet traction and rolling resistance, two key factors in the use of rubber compounds as vehicle tire treads. Methods of making and using such rubber compounds are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd M. Baranek
  • Publication number: 20020128355
    Abstract: A rubber-modified asphalt composition is provided. The asphalt composition includes asphalt, a rubber including at least high vinyl poly(conjugated diene), and at least one phenolic curing resin. The high vinyl poly(conjugated diene) has a vinyl content of at least 35%. The use of phenolic curing agents results in improvements to the softening point of the present asphalt composition while also improving toughness and tenacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark H. Wollum, Daniel F. Graves
  • Publication number: 20020108315
    Abstract: A roofing anchor plate secures a waterproof membrane to a surface of a roof structure. The roofing anchor plate includes a circumferential channel and radial channels. Air trapped between the anchor plate and a sealing tape is directed along the channels to vent holes positioned at inner ends of the radial channels. The trapped air passes through the vent holes into a cavity formed under the anchor plate between the plate and the waterproof membrane. The elimination of trapped air improves the strength and effectiveness of the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc
    Inventors: William A. Wasitis, Daniel L. Barksdale
  • Publication number: 20020095907
    Abstract: A method for constructing a ballasted roof system (20) includes the steps of installing a roofing membrane (14) onto a roof structure (12). A ballast (16, 32) is disposed on the roofing membrane, wherein the ballast has applied thereto a reflective paint (21) to improve the solar reflective properties of the ballasted roof system. The improved roofing system has solar reflective properties at least 35%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross H. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20020096242
    Abstract: A penetration pocket assembly and method of forming same for sealing the joint between a membrane covering a roof structure and an element projecting therethrough. A rigid ring is placed inside a polymeric boot which is equipped with an upper and lower flange. The ring is positioned so that an upper edge fits into the boot upper flange. The ring/boot assembly is then located on the membrane surrounding the projecting element. The ring is sealed to the membrane with an adhesive and a pourable waterproof sealant fills the area within the ring, bonding to the inside surface of the ring, the boot upper flange, the exterior surface of the projecting element, and the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Wasitis, Daniel L. Barksdale
  • Patent number: 6361028
    Abstract: A fluid device such as an air spring includes a pair of parallel spaced end members and an elastomeric sleeve interposed therebetween to define a fluid pressure chamber therein. A girdle hoop is formed of cold rolled solid steel in a toroidal configuration and is molded into the elastomeric sleeve parallel and preferably spaced equidistant from the end plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall R. Hubbell
  • Patent number: 6359075
    Abstract: A process of preparing a diblock/triblock composition in a single reaction vessel includes reacting a first monomer, such as styrene, with a first portion of an anionic catalyst in a suitable solvent to form a first polymer block of the triblock. A second step includes adding a second portion of the catalyst and a second monomer, such as butadiene (when the first monomer is styrene). A portion of the resulting living diblock polymer is then terminated by addition of a chain transfer agent, which forms a second anionic catalyst in the process. Further sequential additions of the second and first monomers copolymerize with both the remaining living diblock and with the second anionic catalyst to complete the triblock polymer and form a second portion of diblock polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark H. Wollum, Daniel F. Graves
  • Patent number: 6352143
    Abstract: A vibration damping system for absorbing shock loads includes a hydraulic damper containing a piston slidably reciprocating within an oil filled chamber and dividing the chamber into a pair of subchambers. A hydraulic motor is in fluid communication with and located between the subchambers and is controlled by a field responsive fluid, such as an electrorheological (ER) actuated device. The hydraulic motor transforms fluid motion into rotating motion by a pair of meshing gears. The ER device is a flow cell and is connected to a shaft of one or both of the meshing gears. The magnitude of an electric field applied to the ER fluid controls the flow rate of the hydraulic fluid passing through the hydraulic motor by controlling the resistive force to the rotary motion of the gears. A plurality of check valves controls the direction of flow of the hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic motor and the subchambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Niaura, Peyman Pakdel
  • Publication number: 20020016403
    Abstract: A method of preparing curable-rubber mixtures containing silica, for producing treads, wherein, in the course of a first step, at least a cross-linkable unsaturated-chain polymer base, a silica-based reinforcing filler, and a silane bonding agent are loaded simultaneously and mixed together inside a mixer, the first step being stopped on reaching a temperature ranging from 155° C. to 175° C.; wherein, in the course of a second step, at least one noncuring ingredient is added to and homogeneously dispersed in the mixture being prepared, the second step being stopped on reaching a temperature ranging from 145° C. to 175° C.; and wherein, in the course of a third step, at least one curing agent is added to and homogeneously dispersed in the mixture being prepared; the third step being stopped at a temperature below the curing temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Applicant: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Inventor: Mauro Pontecorvo
  • Patent number: 6328168
    Abstract: A supportive tire rack for green tire transfer and storage includes a base assembly that carries at least four support pins that are horizontally cantilevered from the base. A pair of upper support plates and a pair of lower support plates are carried by the pins. The upper support plates engage the bead rings of the tire while the lower support plates cradle the lower surface of the tire. Each support plate is pivotally carried on an arm that is pivotally carried on a pin. Each arm is also in the form of a damper that dampens oscillatory forces in the tire. The arms and plates are biased toward resting positions by springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Inventor: Neel K. Mani
  • Patent number: 6318521
    Abstract: A vibration damping device is mounted between two spaced portions of a vehicle for absorbing road forces exerted on the vehicle. A cylindrical housing forms an internal piston chamber and is connected at one end to one portion of the vehicle, with an outer end of the rod of a piston which is slidably mounted within the piston chamber, being connected to another portion of the vehicle. A fluid transfer duct is formed between the housing and piston and provides communication between fluid subchambers formed on opposite sides of the piston within the piston chamber. An electrode is attached to either the housing or piston for applying a voltage across the duct to affect the rheological response of an electrorheological (ER) fluid flowing therethrough to provide a controllable mechanism to modify the damping force characteristics of the device. Each end of the piston rod is slidably supported by a slide bushing assembly which is mounted within an end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Niaura, Peyman Pakdel
  • Patent number: 6298998
    Abstract: A supportive tire rack for green tire transfer and storage includes a base assembly that carries at least four support pins that are horizontally cantilevered from the base. A pair of upper support plates and a pair of lower support plates are carried by the pins. The upper support plates engage the bead rings of the tire while the lower support plates cradle the lower surface of the tire. Each support plate is pivotally carried on an arm that is pivotally carried on a pin. Each arm is also in the form of a damper that dampens oscillatory forces in the tire. The arms and plates are biased toward resting positions by springs. Alternatively, the lower support is a spring biased sling formed of a flexible material and the upper support is a pair of spring biased T-shaped arms which are pivotally mounted on two of the pins for engaging the bead rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone Inc.
    Inventor: Neel K. Mani
  • Patent number: D610480
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Firestone, Inc.
    Inventor: Heena Daswani
  • Patent number: D610933
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Firestone, Inc.
    Inventor: Sam Sandberg
  • Patent number: D617672
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Firestone, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel Sandberg
  • Patent number: D635480
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Firestone, Inc.
    Inventor: Nirav Modi
  • Patent number: D635481
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Firestone, Inc.
    Inventor: Nirav Modi
  • Patent number: D637936
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Firestone, Inc.
    Inventor: Nirav Modi