Abstract: A safety tire comprising a tread (11), spaced beads (12) and sidewalls connecting the beads to the sides of the tread by forming under the tread a central inflatable chamber, each sidewall comprising an outside wall convex towards the outside and an inside partition convex towards the inside delimiting between each other lateral chambers distinct from the central inflatable chamber, characterized in that said lateral chambers are filled with a flexible cellular material rendering the sidewalls suitable to support the load of the wheel with a limited sagging of the tire in case of the deflating of the central chamber.

Abstract: A transmission belt which has a portion possessing tensile strength that consists solely of a thin, flat strip (sheathing) and that contains no reinforcing cord or cable. This strip comprises at least two thin, superposed layers bonded together and consisting of a flexible elastomer or plastomer matrix reinforced with irregular, elongated fibrils dispersed in the matrix with a dominant orientation in the longitudinal direction of the strip such that the strip has a tensile strength of at least 20 kg/cm.sup.2 with 1% elongation.

Abstract: Sectional molds for tires wherein radially movable sectors are mounted in a permanent way on a fixed lower casing of the mold in such a way that the sections do not have to be lifted and pulled up with a movable upper platform, when the press of the mold is opening. The sectors are connected to the lower casing which supports them by connecting means such as linked struts that are operatively associated with the sectors, at the beginning of the opening of the mold, having at the same time a slight lifting movement parallel to the lower casing and a slight radial backward movement assuring the detachment of the sectors with respect to the tread of the molded tire.

Abstract: A low profile tire having a reinforcing belt, positioned under the tread of the tire. The belt is made up of at least two superposed layers of cord fabric, the lateral edges of which are folded together. The outer folded edges of one layer are wider than the inner folded edges of another layer so as to completely enclose the edges of the other layer while extending towards the median plane of the tire. The width of these outer folded edges are equal to or less than one quarter of the width of the belt.

Abstract: This invention relates to inflatable structures, that is to say, to an assembly of parts of which some at least are inflatable and joined one to another in such a fashion that the assembly assumes a specific rigid form after the inflation of the inflatable parts. In accordance with the invention, the inflatable structure comprises a plurality of inflatable enclosures joined together with pressure contact and these inflatable enclosures are located between two layers of flexible material to which they are fixed, placing the said layers under tension. Various shapes are described for the inflatable enclosures and the points of attachment of these enclosures to the upper and lower flexible layers may be the same where it is required to make a flat structure, or different where it is desired to make a curvilinear structure.

Abstract: A self-floating flexible pipe for use with off-shore petroleum installations, which includes an inner reinforced pipe for conducting fluids which is surrounded by a layer of cellular material for assuring permanent floatation of the pipe. In order to protect the cellular layer, an outer reinforcing sheathing formed of helically wound metallic cables embedded in a rubber layer is provided. These helically wound metallic cables are wound at a setting angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the pipe in the range of 56.degree. to 68.degree. so as to minimize the effect of these armoring cables on the flexibility of the overall pipe construction. These armoring cables are also preferably resilient in a longitudinal direction, with preferred embodiments including undulated cables so as to further lessen the impact of these cables on the flexibility of the pipe. An outer covering layer of polychloroprene is provided on the rubber layer within which the cables are embedded for protecting this rubber layer.

Abstract: A rubber shock absorber for a mooring guard comprising a hollow rubber element of revolution having a generally truncated conical shape adhering to a base plate with an angle of inclination A of its conical wall in the order of 60.degree. - 85.degree.. The rubber element has a hollow section with an axial length H and a conical wall with a radial thicknes E so dimensioned that the outer diameter D of the small base of the rubber element at right angles to the hollow section is substantially equal to the inner diameter d of the large base of the section. In this arrangement, the conical wall of the rubber element operates essentially through bending and extension towards the outside under a crushing stress comprising an axial component and provides lateral stability to counteract the tangential components of this stress.

Abstract: A tire of the type having a radial carcass formed of meridian arcs or hoops of individual cords in which the ends of the individual cords are bent in the area of each bead, and are extended by portions that are circumferentially directed and juxtaposed with the like circumferential portions of the adjoining hoop in the form of longitudinal bundles which make up the reinforcing structure of the beads.