Abstract: A reinforcing aluminum-based filler which can be used for reinforcing diene rubber compositions intended for the manufacture of tires, comprising an aluminum (oxide-)hydroxide corresponding, with the exception of any impurities and the water of hydration, to the general formula (a and b being real numbers): Al(OH)aOb, with 0<a?3 and b=(3?a)/2, ??(I) the specific BET surface area of which is between 30 and 400 m2/g, the average particle size (by mass) dw of which is between 20 and 400 nm and the disagglomeration rate, ?, of which, measured via an ultrasound disagglomeration test at 100% power of a 600-watt ultrasonic probe, is greater than 5×10?3 ?m?1/s is provided. A rubber composition suitable for the manufacture of tires comprising said aluminum-based filler as reinforcing filler.

Abstract: A safety insert designed to be mounted in an assembly comprising a tire and a rim of a vehicle and device for detecting the bearing of the tire on an insert, so that the insert generates signals oriented parallel to the axis of rotation of the tire and rim assembly and so that the device detects and analyzes the vibrating signals of the chassis of the vehicle.

Abstract: A reinforcing aluminum-based filler which can be used for reinforcing diene rubber compositions intended for the manufacture of tires, comprising an aluminum (oxide)hydroxide corresponding, with the exception of any impurities and the water of hydration, to the general formula (a and b being real numbers): Al(OH)aOb, with 0<a?3 and b=(3?a)/2,??(I) the specific BET surface area of which is between 30 and 400 m2/g, the average particle size (by mass) dw of which is between 20 and 400 nm and the disagglomeration rate, ?, of which, measured via an ultrasound disagglomeration test at 100% power of a 600-watt ultrasonic probe, is greater than 5×10?3 ?m?1/s is provided. A rubber composition suitable for the manufacture of tires comprising said aluminum-based filler as reinforcing filler.

Abstract: A tire having a tread composed of two non-conductive layers, each layer containing a circumferential insert of conductive mix, the inserts having a wider interface at the interface of the two layers. An apparatus for extruding a layer, provided with a conductive insert, including a main extruder for extruding a non-vulcanized, non-conductive layer, and a micro-extruder having an extrusion head, provided at its end with a nozzle, for extruding a conductive insert in the layer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a shock strut for a MacPherson wheel suspension comprising a shock absorber with a body (21) and a rod (22). A coil spring (24) is mounted on a lower spring retainer (23) integral with the shock absorber body (21). The first turn of the spring (24) of the MacPherson strut can be immobilized on and relative to the lower spring retainer (23) in various predetermined positions on the lower spring retainer (23).

Abstract: A tire having a tread consisting of two circumferential layers of non-conductive material, each layer containing a circumferential insert made of a conductive mix and having on the contact surface between the two layers a circumferential footprint, the first of these layers having on the said surface a circumferential footprint with a circular path of width e, the second layer having on the said surface a circumferential footprint of width e′ lying across and having crests on either side of the circular path of the first layer, such that circumferentially between the two paths there are numerous points of contact which ensure electrical connection between the two conductive elements. The second layer with its insert is extruded from a main extruder for the extrusion of the portion of a tread in the unvulcanized condition, and a micro-extruder whose extrusion nozzle is fitted with a cutting edge and whose extrusion orifice is directed against a conveyor associated with the main extruder.

Abstract: A tire, designed to carry heavy loads, having a radial carcass reinforcement formed of at least one ply of inelastic reinforcing elements and anchored in each bead to a bead wire so as to form a turn-up whose end is a radial distance HRNC away from the base of the bead, each bead being reinforced by at least two additional reinforcement armatures, at least one first armature being formed of radial reinforcement elements and at least one second armature being formed of elements that make with the circumferential direction an angle &agr; such that 0°≦&agr;≦45°, the first reinforcement armature being formed of radial elements and being wrapped around the bead wire outside the carcass reinforcement while the second armature is not wrapped around the said bead wire.

Abstract: A tire having a carcass reinforcement, a crown reinforcement and a tread joined to two beads by means of two sidewalls, the axially outer edges of the single mix of the tread being folded over on to the radially outer edges of the rubber mixes of the sidewalls, and the circular junction J between the sole rubber mix of the tread and the rubber mix of the sidewall being positioned such that its radius RC on the axially outer wall of the tire lies firstly between 0.9 RS+0.1 RB and 0.8 RS+0.2 RB and secondly between RSS and 0.9 RSS+0.1 RB, RS being the equatorial crown radius of the tread, RSS the equatorial radius of the center line of the carcass reinforcement and RB the radius of the bead seat.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of manufacture of tires and a tire assembly drum having a body with a receiving surface for the products to be assembled, the body being mounted on a center shaft, and at least one lifting device situated at one of the ends of the receiving surface, the lifting device including a plurality of lifting fingers distributed circularly around the center shaft, the fingers extending appreciably radially and presenting a bearing surface for the products to be assembled, the fingers being controlled to be deployed essentially radially toward the outside of the drum.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing a modified carbon black with an adhering layer of aluminum oxide and/or hydroxide. This process involves (a) impregnating a starting carbon black with a colloidal suspension formed by hydrolysis of a solution of aluminum alkoxide in an alcoholic solvent, (b) removing the alcoholic solvent by evaporation, and (c) heat-treating the black thus impregnated so as to transform the aluminuous layer present at its surface into an adhering layer of aluminum oxide and/or hydroxide. The modified carbon black prepared by the process is also provided.

Abstract: The invention concerns a shock strut for a Mac Pherson wheel suspension comprising a shock absorber with a body (21) and a rod (22). A coil spring (24) is mounted on a lower spring retainer (23) integral with the shock absorber body (21). The first turn of the spring (24) of the MacPherson strut can be immobilized on and relative to the lower spring retainer (23) in various predetermined positions on the lower spring retainer (23).

Abstract: A vehicle axle crosspiece includes inner and outer tubes extending crosswise of the vehicle, with the axially outer end of the outer tube being connected to a wheel arm on one side of the vehicle and the axially outer end of the inner tube being connected to a wheel arm on the other side of the vehicle. The inner and outer tubes are joined together by at least two axially-spaced antiroll articulations of elastomeric material housed between the inner and outer tubes. Each of the two antiroll articulations has its own radial stiffness and is assigned a coefficient proportional to its radial stiffness. The center of inertia of the antiroll articulations is closer to the wheel arm connected to the outer tube than to the wheel arm connected to the inner tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rubber-based product, having at least one buffer zone to trap oxygen external to said product in order to protect at least one sensitive zone of said product from oxidation, said buffer zone comprising a composition containing at least one elastomer and at least one iron (III) salt selected from iron (III) acetylacetonate and an iron (III) salt of a carboxylic acid having the formula Fe(CnH2nO2)3 in which n is between 13 and 23. This product is produced by incorporating, by mechanical working, said iron (III) salt into the composition in order to obtain said buffer zone. The buffer zone composition is advantageously used in a tire and imparts improved rolling resistance.

Abstract: A hybrid steel cord and method of making such cord which includes, in contact with one or more carbon steel wire(s), at least one stainless steel wire whose microstructure contains less than 20% of martensite (% by volume). Articles made of plastic and/or rubber, in particular tire envelopes or the carcass reinforcement plies of such envelopes embodying such cords.

Abstract: A tire with radial carcass reinforcement, having a crown reinforcement which includes at least two working crown plies made of inextensible cables, crossed from one ply to the other, and an additional ply, axially continuous and formed of undulating metallic elements orientated essentially parallel to the circumferential direction and positioned between the working plies.

Abstract: A reinforcing aluminum-based filler which can be used for reinforcing diene rubber compositions intended for the manufacture of tires, comprising an aluminum (oxide-)hydroxide corresponding, with the exception of any impurities and the water of hydration, to the general formula (a and b being real numbers):

Abstract: A tire wherein the reinforcing cords of the carcass, in the part situated between the anchoring zone of the carcass and the sidewall, are in contact with at least one layer of cushion compound having a high modulus of elasticity on the axially outer side and a low modulus of elasticity on the axially inner side and in the sidewall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel tire having beads of a specified structure. In particular, the tire, when viewed in meridian section, has a radial carcass reinforcement and a bead of specified structure. The bead features a reinforcement ring that is able to move axially. The tire also features structures that are responsive to axial movement of the reinforcement ring, which modify clamping of the bead on its rim causing the clamping to increase with increasing tension of the carcass reinforcement.

Abstract: A tire, designed to carry heavy loads, having a radial carcass reinforcement formed of at least one ply of inelastic reinforcing elements and anchored in each bead to a bead wire so as to form a turn-up whose end is a radial distance HRNC away from the base of the bead, each bead being reinforced by at least two additional reinforcement armatures, at least one first armature being formed of radial reinforcement elements and at least one second armature being formed of elements that make with the circumferential direction an angle &agr; such that 0°≦&agr;≦45°, the first reinforcement armature being formed of radial elements and being wrapped around the bead wire outside the carcass reinforcement while the second armature is not wrapped around the said bead wire.

Abstract: The invention concerns a shock strut for a McPherson wheel suspension comprising a shock absorber with a body (21) and a rod (22). A coil spring (24) is mounted on a lower spring retainer (23) integral with the shock absorber body (21). The shock strut comprises means capable of blocking the first turn of the spring (24) on and relative to the lower spring retainer (23) in various predetermined positions on the lower spring retainer (23).