Abstract: The combination of a multi-layer instrument panel having a skin layer with an exposed surface and an opening therethrough and a first accessory that is mounted in the opening. The first accessory has an exposed surface that is substantially flush with the exposed surface of the skin layer with the first accessory mounted in the opening and operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel. The invention is also directed to a method of manufacturing the instrument panel with the first accessory.

Abstract: A method of treating a power transmission belt/belt sleeve of the type having an endless body with a length extending around an axis and a radially inwardly facing surface and a radially outwardly facing surface. The method includes the steps of wrapping at least one sheet of vapor-impervious film against and around the radially outwardly facing surface of the belt/belt sleeve body and vulcanizing the belt/belt sleeve with the at least one sheet of vapor-impervious film wrapped around the belt/belt sleeve body.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program for estimating noise generation for a synchronous belt having a length and teeth spaced along the belt length. The method includes the steps of: calculating belt displacement transversely to the belt length at or near a first location at which teeth on the belt mesh with teeth on a first cooperating toothed pulley; calculating a belt fluctuation velocity by correlating the belt displacement to a time frame; and calculating a radiated sound pressure level using the belt fluctuation velocity.

Abstract: A method of bonding an ethylene•&agr;-olefin rubber composition with a fiber material. The method includes the steps of adhesion treating the fiber material with a resorcinol-formalin-rubber latex with an ethylene•&agr;-olefin elastomer latex and vulcanization bonding the adhesion-treated fiber material together with an unvulcanized ethylene•&agr;-olefin rubber composition.

Abstract: A power transmission belt having a body with a length, an inside surface, an outside surface, and laterally spaced side surfaces. A plurality of laterally extending, discrete fibers are embedded in the body and have portions projecting from at least one of the side surfaces of the body. The side surfaces make with each other an angle of 42.degree.-50.degree..

Abstract: A composite material, suitable for use in a power transmission belt, having a rubber matrix and a plurality of short staple reinforcing fibers therein of methaphenyleneiso-phthalamide coated with one of a rubber latex and a rubber paste. The invention is also directed to a method of forming the composite material.

Abstract: A power transmisison belt having: at least one longitudinally extending rib having laterally spaced, first and second oppositely facing surfaces for reception within a complementary pulley groove; at least one fiber embedded in the one rib and having a length extending transversely to the longitudinal extent of the one rib, with the fiber having a portion projecting outwardly from the one rib beyond one of the first and second surfaces; and a noise suppressing material applied to the one of the first and second surfaces and a portion of the one fiber to inhibit noise generation between a power transmission belt and a cooperating pulley resulting from relative movement of one against the other.

Abstract: A chain-type force transmission belt for engagement with a pulley, which transmission belt consists of a plurality of link plates, a plurality of pins connecting the link plates so as to define an endless flexible belt with at least one of the pins having a lengthwise axis and axially spaced first and second ends, a first tip member/block for placement in an operative position at the first pin end and having a first surface for engagement with a pulley, a second tip member/block for placement in an operative position at the second pin end and having a second surface for engagement with a pulley, and structure separate from the one pin for connecting the first and second tip members/blocks together for holding the first and second tip members/blocks in their operative relationship.

Abstract: A power transmission belt having longitudinally spaced pairs of blocks on the opposite surfaces of a neutral belt portion thereof. The blocks are formed of hard synthetic resin materials having fibers distributed therein. The fibers may be provided in the form of distributed short fibers, fabrics, and one or more different types of fibers may be utilized in the respective blocks. The fibers include carbon fibers, aramid fibers, and silicon carbide fibers. The neutral belt is provided with longitudinally spaced projections on the upper and lower surfaces thereof and the blocks are provided with complementary recesses receiving the projections. The recesses are preferably deeper than the height of the projections, whereby the distal surfaces of the blocks may be urged with high frictional engagement against the flat surfaces of the neutral belt.

Abstract: A tire for a two-wheeled vehicle, particularly, a bicycle intended for a racing purposes having an improved running stability, superior durability and impact resistance, and reduced weight. The tire includes a carcass layer formed by arranging cord belts with a rubber paste coated thereon in such a manner that the cords of the cord belts cross each other. A tube is fitted to the inside of the carcass layer, and a rubber tread portion is bonded to the outer periphery of the carcass layer. The cord belt is produced in bias form with alternately arranged cords superior in durability and impact resistance and cords superior in adhesion with rubber. The two types of cords may be equal in number, or a majority of one of the two types of cords employed, depending upon the precise application of the tire and the conditions under which it is intended for use.

Abstract: A method of forming a long cogged power transmission belt including extending a continuous looped vulcanizable belt preform element about a pair of axially parallel spaced support members, press-forming a first preselected length portion of the element disposed between the support members to form a first longitudinally extending series of cogs therein, vulcanizing the press-formed portion, press-forming a second, similar length portion of the element extending from the first portion and disposed between the support members to form a second longitudinally extending series of cogs therein continuing from the first series, vulcanizing the second press-formed portion, repeating the press-forming and vulcanizing operations if necessary until a final unformed portion of the belt extending from the last formed series of cogs and disposed between the support members has a length less than the preselected length, longitudinally stretching the final unformed portion to cause it to have a length approximately equal to t

Abstract: An improved bicycle tire which can be folded for storage and transportation while maintaining the same running properties as a conventional tire. A plurality of bead cores made of a cord tensile member embedded in the bead section of the tire are provided by winding three to five turns of a cord tensile member having a low elongation ratio and high strength and which has been twisted one to two turns/10 cm in such a manner that the start and finish ends of the bead core overlap one another by 60 to 150 mm. The bead core preferably has a cut elongation of 5% or less and the strength of 300 kg/core.

Abstract: A rubber composition and a process for the preparation of rubber compositions comprising, in the presence of a metal oxide, vulcanizing, or vulcanizing after blending with another unsaturated rubber, of the reaction product of (1) an unsaturated rubber, sulfur and a sulfur cleaving agent, (2) an unsaturated rubber and a mercaptan compound, (3) a halogenated unsaturated rubber and a metal salt of a sulfur cleaving agent, or (4) an unsaturated rubber, a sulfur cleaving agent and a compound having a functional group such as a nitrile oxide, a nitroso or a thionylamine.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for manufacturing a bias fabric provided with characteristic physical properties by continuously varying the intersecting angle between the warp and the weft by a mechanical device. A fabric subjected to the invention can be any type of fabric woven on conventional looms such as satin, twill, plain and duplex fabrics.