Abstract: A multi-layer circumferentially reinforced radial pneumatic light truck tire having a belt structure of at least two layers of 2.degree.2x.30HT cord for both Load Range C and D.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for increasing the rate of vulcanization of a rubber composition comprising adding to a sulfur vulcanizable rubber a methyl trialkyl ammonium salt of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are independently alkyl radicals having 8 to 10 carbon atoms and M is selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, CH.sub.3 SO.sub.4 and HSO.sub.4. Addition of a methyl trialkyl ammonium salt of the above formula significantly increases the rate of vulcanization of the rubber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for buffing a tread is described. The method comprises mounting a tread on an apparatus capable of bufffing the casing engaging surface of said tread, the apparatus buffing the tread such that the grooves are formed on the buffed tread surface. The grooves angularly intercept a tread edge.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has an integrated circuit transponder which, upon interrogation by an external RF signal, transmits tire identification and/or other data in digitally-coded form. The transponder has a coil antenna of small enclosed area as compared to the area enclosed by an annular tensile member comprising a bead of the tire. The annular tensile member, during transponder interrogation, acts as the primary winding of a transformer. The coil antenna is loosely coupled to the primary winding and is the secondary winding of the transformer. The coil antenna is substantially planar in shape, and, when positioned between the innerliner of the tire and its carcass ply, the transponder may include a pressure sensor responsive to tire inflation pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pneumatic rubber tire having an integral innerliner characterized by a top layer and a rubber laminate having at least three additional layers. At least two of the three layers are barrier layers and comprise a sulfur cured rubber composition containing, based on 100 parts by weight of rubber, 100 parts of an acrylonitrile/diene copolymer rubber having an acrylonitrile content ranging from about 30 to about 45 percent and from about 25 to about 150 parts by weight of a platy filler selected from the group consisting of talc, clay, mica or mixtures thereof. The thickness of each acrylonitrile/diene barrier layer ranges from about 25 microns to 380 microns.

Abstract: A directional pneumatic tire having improved wet traction is provided. The tire has an annular aqua channel and curved lateral grooves to direct water from the footprint to the shoulder area of the tire to help prevent hydroplaning. It has been found that the tire has a unique footprint which appears to characterize its stability. The footprint comprises two substantially trapezoidal contact patches which are oriented base to base and are separated from each other by 10% to 22% of the total tread width.

Abstract: A tire assembly comprising outer and inner tires having at least one vent and one plug is described. The vents and plugs mate in the assembly providing an air tight seal in the bead seal region of the tires. The vents or plugs permit air to escape from the outer tire if an attempt is made to mount the outer tire on a rim without a mating inner tire.

Abstract: A display device illustrates the ability of a tire which is designed for rain traction to move through a fluid as compared to a standard tire. The display device comprises a sealed rectangular box having a bottom, two sides, two ends and a lid. Pivoting means is associated with the box which is adapted to alternately rotate one end of the box higher than the other. A fluid contained within the box to provide resistance to the movement of objects through the box and means are provided for observing the movement of objects in the box. In the illustrated embodiment, an object made to resemble a standard radial tire, and an object in the shape of a tire with a deep, wide center groove (a rain tire) are enclosed in the box. In its operation, the box is tilted on the pivot so that one end of the box is raised higher than the other, and the objects are observed as they traverse to the lower end of the box.

Abstract: The marking of an uncured or partially cured rubber surface with a marking, or identifying coating, which basically, disappears upon curing the rubber. In one aspect, the coating is applied as a suspension or solution in a specified solvent mixture. An article can be produced thereby as a cured assembly of rubber components.

Abstract: A tire having a tread of a cap/base construction where the base rubber is comprised of at least one selected diene rubber and a trans 1,4-polybutadiene rubber.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a process for synthesizing random styrene-isoprene copolymers having a medium vinyl microstructure. These random styrene-isoprene rubbers have physical properties which make them highly desirable for utilization in tire tread rubber compounds. The utilization of such random styrene-isoprene rubbers in tire tread rubber results in improved tread wear, rolling resistance and traction characteristics. This invention more specifically relates to a process for preparing a random styrene-isoprene rubber having a medium vinyl microstructure which comprises copolymerizing isoprene and styrene in the presence of (a) at least one organolithium compound and (b) at least one modifier slected from the group consisting of 1,2-dipiperidinoethane, dipiperidinomethane, and tripiperidinophosphine oxide.

Abstract: A cut resistant pneumatic tire is provided. The tire has embedded in its sidewalls and/or tread, short lengths of adhesive coated monofilament nylon fibers. Adhesion between the rubber of the tire and the adhesive coated fibers provides a stiffer, more cut resistant composition.

Abstract: It is sometimes desirable to cure rubber compositions utilizing non-sulfur curing agents. The subject invention reveals rubber compositions which can be cured without utilizing sulfur or sulfur containing compounds. The subject invention more specifically discloses a rubber composition which can be crosslinked by heating which is comprised of (1) at least one rubber having pendant blocked isocyanate groups bound thereto; and (2) at least one compound which contains at least 2 Zerewitinoff active hydrogens.This invention also discloses crosslinking of elastomer compounds containing (1) at least one rubber having functionalized groups containing at least one Zerewitinoff active hydrogen and (2) at least one compound which contains at least two blocked isocyanate groups. This invention also discloses self-curing elastomers containing both blocked isocyanate groups and groups containing at least one active Zerewitinoff hydrogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a free radical emulsion polymerization process. The latex is prepared by polymerizing (a) at least one conjugated diene, (b) at least one non-carboxylic vinyl aromatic or aliphatic comonomer selected from the group consisting of styrene, .alpha.-methyl styrene, p-methyl styrene, vinyl toleuene, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, vinylidene chloride, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, vinyl pyridine, methylmethacrylate, hexylacrylate, 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate or mixtures thereof, and (c) at least one ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, 3-carboxyethylacrylate, itaconic acid or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to poly(oxydiphenylamines) of the formula: ##STR1## wherein n is an integer ranging from about 1 to 100. The poly(oxydiphenylamines) are useful as a rubber additive and have shown improvement in the tear strength of the rubber as measured by increased peel adhesion.

Abstract: A self-emulsifiable resin powder can be dispersed in water without utilizing additional surfactants or expending large amounts of mechanical energy. Such self-emulsifiable resin powders offer numerous distinct advantages over conventional latices. One of the most important benefits that is realized by utilizing self-emulsifiable resin powders is that they can be shipped dry which is the equivalent to shipping a latex with a 100 percent solids content. In other words, such self-emulsifiable resin powders eliminate the necessity for shipping water in latices. The self-emulsifiable resin powders disclosed herein also have the advantage of having low carboxyl contents and of being dispersible into aqueous systems which contain virtually no surfactants. These self-emulsifiable resins contain a relatively small proportion of repeat units which are derived from both acrylic acid and methacrylic acid.

Abstract: This invention reveals steel alloys which are particularly suitable for use in manufacturing reinforcing wires for rubber products, such as tires. The steel filaments made by this process have an outstanding combination of strength and ductility. Additionally, the steel alloys of this invention can be patented in a low cost process due to their having a very fast rate of isothermal transformation. This allows the steel in the steel wire being patented to transform from a face centered cubic microstructure to an essentially body centered cubic microstructure within a very short period. This invention more specifically discloses a steel alloy composition which is particularly suitable for use in manufacturing reinforcing wire for rubber products which consists essentially of (a) about 92.8 to about 99.18 weight percent iron, (b) about 0.4 to about 1.5 weight percent carbon, (c) about 0.05 to about 1 weight percent silicon (d) about 0.05 to about 1.2 weight percent manganese, (e) about 0.01 to about 1.