Patents Assigned to The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
  • Urethane compositions
    Patent number: 4579928
    Abstract: Urethane elastomers are produced by initially adding at least one incremental amount of a curing agent to a urethane prepolymer, having free polyisocyanate therein. Generally, free polyisocyanate-curing agent adducts are precipitated. Subsequently, the remaining amount of curing agent is added. Chain extension, accordingly, is favored which produces hard segment domains more evenly distributed in the polymer chain and imparts improved physical properties such as hardness, tear strength and high-low strain modulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Edward L. Kay, Kenneth B. Roskos
  • Urethane compositions prepared via preformed adducts
    Patent number: 4579929
    Abstract: Urethane compositions are prepared which contain preformed adducts. The preformed adducts are prepared by reacting a polyisocyanate with various polyols or amine analogs thereof whereby a product insoluble in the urethane prepolymer is produced. An intermediate polyol is added to produce a prepolymer. The cured urethane compositions have high low-strain moduli.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Edward L. Kay, Kenneth B. Roskos
  • Coextrusion apparatus
    Patent number: 4578024
    Abstract: A coextrusion head for producing a generally tubular elastomeric ply made up of first and second concentric tubular streams of elastomeric material having interposed, adjacent to their interface, a closely spaced array of parallel reinforcing elements wherein the coextrusion head includes a reinforcing element guide subassembly including a generally annular guide element as well as a mechanism for individually and independently directing and accurately positioning a circular array of uniformly spaced individual reinforcing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Richard W. Sicka, Dale A. Tompkins
  • Apparatus for automated crack growth rate measurement
    Patent number: 4574642
    Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring and measuring the growth of a crack in an elastic specimen. The specimen is repeatedly flexed by a piston at a set frequency and periodically slowed to a substantially lower frequency during which time a line scan camera monitors the length of the crack. The camera is positioned such that the specimen is drawn through the scan line thereof. The camera is calibrated such that the output signal from the camera correlates directly to the cracklength. This output signal is digitized, received, and stored by a digital processor for use in determining the crack growth rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Thomas S. Fleischman
  • Pivot mounted cutting knife
    Patent number: 4572046
    Abstract: A apparatus and method for applying a stabilizer ply to a tire building drum and more particularly a apparatus and method for cutting and applying the stabilizer ply material and specifically apparatus for cutting the stabilizer ply material between cords disposed therein and correcting for variations of the cord angles during the application process in order to provide an improved splice between the leading and trailing edges of the stabilizer ply material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Donald O. Still, Hubert T. Hovance
  • Mixing procedure for obtaining filled rubber vulcanizates containing aromatic furazan oxides
    Patent number: 4570690
    Abstract: Filled rubber vulcanizates containing aromatic furazan oxides exhibit many improved properties such as increased filler-rubber interaction and decreased hysteresis. Useful furazan oxides have both carbons of the furazan ring as part of a fused aromatic ring. Typical examples are benzofurazan oxide and its methyl and methoxy analogs. Tires made from the inventive vulcanizates show lower running temperatures and improved rolling resistance. The desirable effects of the aromatic furazan oxides may be improved by mixing the rubber, filler and furazan oxide in a conventional mechanical compounding device at specific temperatures and time periods such as about 200.degree.-400.degree. F. for 2-20 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Daniel F. Graves
  • Synergistic additive combination for guayule rubber stabilization
    Patent number: 4568711
    Abstract: Combinations of para-phenylene diamines and para di(nitroso) arenes act synergistically in guayule rubber-based compositions to protect them against oxidative degradation. A typically useful diamine is N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-phenyl-p-phenylene diamine and a useful arene is para-di(nitroso)benzene. Vulcanizable compositions, as well as articles made therefrom, are within the scope of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Edward L. Kay, Richard Gutierrez, Walter R. Hausch
  • Naphthalenic derivatized plasticizers for polyphosphazene polymers
    Patent number: 4567211
    Abstract: Plasticized polyphosphazene compositions exhibiting excellent flame resistance and low smoke output are disclosed. The plasticizers are resinous alkylated naphthalenes condensed with formaldehyde which are characterized by methylene bridges between naphthalenic rings with softening points ranging from 28.degree. F. to 158.degree. F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Arthur E. Oberster, John C. Vicic
  • Clamp for non-beaded pneumatic assemblies
    Patent number: 4564177
    Abstract: A multi-part clamp holds the end of an airspring bellows and also serves to fasten it to its support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Daniel J. Leonard
  • Method and apparatus for dynamic balance detection of a calender strip
    Patent number: 4562730
    Abstract: A method and apparatus which dynamically determines the location of a fabric layer bonded within a moving calender strip of elastomeric material by passing opposed surfaces of the strip partially about a respective one of a pair of measuring rolls forming a part of a two pair over-under rolls. Sensors are connected to each of the measuring rolls and provide a signal in relationship to the rotational speed of each of the measuring rolls. The two signals are compared and provide a third signal indicating the relative position or balance of the fabric layer with respect to the two outer strip surfaces. Since the fabric layer when under the same dynamic tension and conditions will achieve a specific elongation its radial position with respect to the surfaces of the measuring rolls will control the rotational speed of the rolls when contacted by the moving surfaces of the calender strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Jerry A. Gowman
  • Composites and size coated glass fibers used therein
    Patent number: 4562115
    Abstract: A composite which has a high flexural strength to density ratio and which is resistant to strength loss incident to exposure to water, is formed by reinforcing unsaturated thermosetting resin with glass fibers sized with selected maleic anhydride adduct of polybutadiene utilized in critical amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: William L. Hergenrother
  • Method of preparing high cis-1,4 diene polymers having good green strength and tack
    Patent number: 4562172
    Abstract: Diene polymers having a high content of cis-1,4 addition are prepared by polymerizing a 1,3-diene monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising (a) a carboxylated metal oxy borate compound in which the metal is nickel or cobalt, (b) an organometallic compound of a metal of Groups I, II, and III of the Periodic System, and (c) one or more fluorine containing compounds selected from the group consisting of boron trifluoride complexes with ethers, alcohols or mixtures thereof; hydrogen fluoride; hydrogen fluoride complexes with ethers, alcohols, or mixtures thereof and mixtures of said compounds.The resultant polymers exhibit good green strength and tack and are particularly suitable for use as tire rubbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Jung W. Kang, James E. Hall
  • Method of preparing high cis-1,4 diene polymers having good green strength and tack using a catalyst composition containing a carboxylated metal oxy aluminate component
    Patent number: 4562171
    Abstract: Diene polymers having a high content of cis-1,4 addition are prepared by polymerizing a 1,3-diene monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising (a) a carboxylated metal oxy aluminate compound in which the metal is nickel or cobalt, (b) an organometallic compound of a metal of Groups I, II, and III of the Periodic System, and (c) one or more fluorine containing compounds selected from the group consisting of boron trifluoride complexes with ethers, alcohols or mixtures thereof; hydrogen fluoride; hydrogen fluoride complexes with ethers, alcohols, or mixtures thereof and mixtures of said compounds.The resultant polymers exhibit good green strength and tack and are particularly suitable for use as tire rubbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Jung W. Kang
  • Tire
    Patent number: D282455
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Manuel G. Balbis, Gayle M. Hardy
  • Tire
    Patent number: D282456
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Gary R. Larsen, Harold C. Gray
  • Tire
    Patent number: D282457
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Gary R. Larsen, Harold C. Gray
  • Tire
    Patent number: D283212
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Michael E. Martini, Bill J. Wallet
  • Tire
    Patent number: D283214
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Donald J. Sladky
  • Tire
    Patent number: D283215
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Gary R. Larsen, Harold C. Gray
  • Tire
    Patent number: D283216
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Harold C. Gray, Gary R. Larsen