Abstract: Disclosed in a coupling attachment for a MacPherson suspension shock strut having an elastic articulation for filtering and uncoupling on a path transmitting the shock absorber rod effects to the body, and a separate elastic block on a path transmitting the spring efforts to the body, wherein the device improves compactness without adversely affecting comfort.

Abstract: A tread for a tire having, on at least one lateral part, and radially to the inside of the running surface of said tread, a plurality of cavities oriented virtually transversely and opening onto at least one of the edges of the tread, the cavities being intended to form grooves and incisions opening radially towards the outside of the tread after wear of between 15% and 45% of the thickness of the tread when new. Also, a mold adapted for the molding of such a tread pattern and including, on at least one part molding one of the sidewalls, elements in relief for molding cavities radially beneath the running surface of a tread when new.

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: A tire with radial carcass reinforcement having a maximum axial width S0 and including a crown reinforcement composed of at least two working crown plies of inextensible reinforcing elements, crossing from one ply to the next at angles of between 10° and 45° to the circumferential direction, the said plies having axial widths equal to at least 80% of the width S0, and arranged radially between the said working plies, an additional ply of reinforcing elements essentially parallel to the circumferential direction, the working plies having widths greater than the width of the additional ply by at least 16% of the width S0, and being on both sides of the equatorial plane and in the immediate axial extension of the additional ply coupled over an axial distance equal to at least 3% of the width S0, thereafter being separated by a section of rubber mix having a thickness of at least 2 mm.

Abstract: A tire, the H/S form ratio of which is at most 0.6, formed radially from the inside to the outside by a triangulation ply of metal cables oriented at least 60°, two working crown plies formed of inextensible metal cables oriented at angles of between 10° and 45°, between which there is inserted a first additional ply of metallic elements which are oriented substantially parallel to the circumferential direction of the tire, a second additional ply being arranged, on either side of the tire, radially above the outermost working ply and substantially centered on the end of the first additional ply.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a rim preform or rim-element having an axis of revolution by the placing on a preforming matrix pre-assembled fibers along two orientations defining deformable meshes. A winding of a strip of fibers is fastened on a circumference of the preforming matrix with asymmetrical orientation of the fibers, whereupon it is applied progressively until covering the entire surface of the preforming matrix by subjecting it to tensions of substantially circumferential orientation.

Abstract: Rubber composition intended for the manufacture of tire casings which have improved hysteretic properties and scorch safety, based on at least one elastomer and silica by way of reinforcing filler enclosing a reinforcing additive consisting of the mixture and/or the product of in situ reaction of at least one functionalized polyorganosiloxane compound containing, per molecule, at least one functional siloxy unit capable of bonding chemically and/or physically to the surface hydroxyl sites of the silica particles and at least one functionalized organosilane compound containing, per molecule, at least one functional group capable of bonding chemically and/or physically to the polyorganosiloxane and/or the hydroxyl sites of the silica particles and at least one other functional group capable of bonding chemically and/or physically to the polymer chains.

Abstract: A valve for a tire and rim assembly equipped with a pneumatic support membrane designed to be deployed when the pressure difference between the cavity of the membrane and that of the tire exceeds a given threshold, so that every operation of inflation or deflation preserves the integrity of the membrane while preventing any deflation of the tire cavity alone.

Abstract: A process of coating a crown wall of at least one raised part of an extrusion screw which includes the following stages: a metal bead of hardness D1 is deposited on and in proximity to at least one edge of the crown part of each raised part to be coated, said bead occupying only a fraction of the width of said crown part; a second material of hardness D2 is then deposited on the rest of the uncoated crown part, said hardness D2 being significantly different from hardness D1; the deposits made in the preceding stages are ground in order to obtain the profile and the dimensions of each raised part on the screw.

Abstract: The invention concerns a white, light-colored tire rubber composition, devoid of carbon black, comprising at least a diene elastomer, a reinforcing white or colored filler, and an anti-photo-oxidizing system, wherein said protective system comprises (A) a 2,2′-methylene-bis-[4-alkyl (C1-C10)-6-alkyl(C1-C12)phenol]; (B) a dialkylthiodipropionate, the alkyl radicals thereof, which may be identical or different, are (C1-C20), radicals; (C) a 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl) benzotriazole; and (D) a “HALS” amine derived from 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine.

Abstract: The invention concerns a rubber sulfur-vulcanizable composition designed for manufacturing tire treads, comprising at least a diene elastomer, a white filler as reinforcing filler and as coupling agent (white filler/elastomer) a multifunctionalized polyorganosiloxane comprising per molecule: a) at least a first siloxyl unit bearing, on the silicon atom, at least one linear or branched C1-C15 alkoxyl radical; and b) at least a second siloxyl unit bearing, on the silicon atom, at least one radical of general formula Z—SH, Z being a linear or branched divalent hydracarbon, comprising preferebly 2 to 30 carbons.

Abstract: Process and device for treating vulcanized rubber surfaces before bonding by creating surface roughness and elimination of degraded surface particles through the use of a high pressure fluid jet.

Abstract: An assembly line of mounted assemblies, each composed of a tire and a wheel, which includes mounting the tires on the wheels by use of a mounter, correcting the position of the tire heels and balancing the mounted assemblies, as well as of storing and/or picking up the mounted assemblies by use of mobile units in and/or from a storage warehouse, characterized in that the production and delivery of assemblies are information-managed by a system of dedicated computers and robots, so that the assemblies can be delivered in sync to at least one manufacturer having need for the assemblies on the manufacturer's vehicle assembly line.

Abstract: A toric membrane of reinforced rubber, used as a supporting means for the tread of a tubeless tire, and forming with said tire and its mounting rim a traveling assembly, characterized in that, inflated to a pressure po greater than the pressure p1 of the cavity of the tire, it has, in the inflated state, a crown radius RM less than the loaded radius RE of the tire used at its recommended pressure, said membrane being reinforced, at least in its crown, by a crown reinforcement and a hooping reinforcement, composed of cords or cables oriented circumferentially.

Abstract: A mounted assembly of a mounting wheel, a tire provided with sidewalls between a tread and parts of the tire intended to come in contact with said wheel after mounting of the tire on the wheel and a wheel hubcap fastened to the wheel. The mounted assembly is characterized in that one of the sidewalls cooperates with the hubcap to secure a good angular position of the hubcap in relation to said sidewall as well as to maintain the angular position during the use of the assembly on the vehicle.

Abstract: A tire having a radial carcass reinforcement of low H/S ratio, at least one bead provided with an axially outer protuberance, the maximum axial width of which is greater than the space taken up by the rim, characterized in that the protuberance is provided with incisions of a width other than zero, of a depth of at most 5 mm and arranged circumferentially parallel to each other.

Abstract: A tire has a toroidal-shaped carcass and an airtight layer which contains at least one ductile metal layer. In one embodiment the airtight layer is a deformable metal layer having a thickness less than or equal to 5 &mgr;m applied on the interior surface of the tire carcass by a support carrier on which the metal layer has been deposited. The support carrier may be retained as part of the tire or removed after applying the metal layer on the interior surface of the tire carcass.

Abstract: The invention concerns a radially expansible assembly drum for the manufacture of tires, having a body mounted on a center shaft and presenting a receiving surface for the products to be assembled, the ends of which have different diameters; the drum contains retractable means capable of covering the end of the receiving surface of smaller diameter, and means of expansion of the drum to two different expanded positions.

Abstract: A shaping drum for a tire having two bead holding systems mounted facing one another on a central shaft. Each of the bead holding systems includes a support mounted to be movable axially relative to the shaft. On each support there is mounted an assembly which includes a plurality of rigid segments and an elastic membrane which surrounds them. The rigid segments are each mounted on the support and swing about an articulation, the axis of which is perpendicular to a radial plane. A seat is formed on each assembly, the seat being arranged axially on the inside of the articulations, the articulations forming a crown on the support. The elastic membrane is fixed to the support axially on the inside and on the outside of the crown of articulations.

Abstract: A tire for heavy loads and having beads intended to be mounted on flat rim seats or rim seats which are inclined at 5°, including at least one radial carcass ply formed of inextensible reinforcement elements and anchored in each bead to a bead wire to form an upturn, the end of which is located at a radial distance HRNC from the base of the bead. Each bead is reinforced by at least two additional reinforcement armatures, at least one first armature formed of at least one ply of radial textile reinforcement elements which is located axially to the outside of a second armature formed of at least one ply of inextensible elements forming an angle a with the circumferential direction such that 0°≦&agr;≦45°.