Patents Examined by Bokan
  • Patent number: 4751952
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises an annular tread at a central portion, a pair of side wall portions, bead portions, a carcass extending between both bead wires, and a breaker composed of two or more cord layers with cords arranged at a cord angle of 5-60.degree. relative to the circumferential direction and between the tread and the carcass and intersecting in the adjacent plies. The cords constituting the carcass or the breaker are substantially made of polytetramethylene adipamide (4,6-nylon), and as buried in a rubber of the tire, have the following characteristics:5.0(%).ltoreq.E.sub.2 .ltoreq.9.0(%)E.sub.2 +.DELTA.S.ltoreq.13.0(%)where E.sub.2 is an elongation (%) at 2.0 g/d, and .DELTA.S is a heat shrinkability (%) when measured in the state that the cords are left at 177.degree. C. under application of load of 20 g/cord for 30 minutes and kept as it is. The burying rubber has the following characteristics:20 kg/cm.sup.2 .ltoreq.M.sub.100(%) .ltoreq.60 kg/cm.sup.2where M.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Isamu Imai
  • Patent number: 4749015
    Abstract: In a non-skid device for tire constituted by two parallel cable-like members, and a plurality of non-skid strips which are fabricated of a flexible resilient material and positioned in a ladder form between the two cable-like members, each of the non-skid strips is formed approximately in an L-shape as viewed from the side face thereof, and two ends of the non-skid strip are secured respectively to the cable-like members via mounting fixtures with a longer side section of the non-skid strip as a surface coming into contact with ground. The non-skid strip securely fits to the peripheral surface of the tire, and the non-skid device can be mounted on a tire easily regardless of changes in outer shape of the tire caused by tire inflation pressure and tire width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 4747437
    Abstract: A traction device for mounting on pneumatic tire to assist in extricating a motor vehicle from snow, ice or mud is disclosed. The traction device, generally U-shaped in cross section, is provided with a wide base having an upwardly-curving segment which results in greater gripping action when the device is mounted on a tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Inventor: James T. Magee
  • Patent number: 4747438
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved structure of an automobile tire auxiliary device, especially relates to such a device capable of holding the tire to step up the friction force of the tire through a recess and an adjustable lug on the claw plates so that the automobile can pass through the land of snow, sand, mud and swamp or upward slope by virtue of poking the sand and earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Inventor: Lai Fu Joung
  • Patent number: 4747436
    Abstract: A tire having a pair of axially spaced-apart bead regions each reinforced by an annular bead hoop around which one edge of a carcass reinforcing ply is wrapped and a filler strip positioned in the axially outer region of the bead. The filter strip which extends circumferentially around the bead, has one edge radially inwards of the bead hoop and one edge axially outwards of the bead hoop characterized in that the filler strips in both beads have their cords laid at an angle to the same specified direction circumferentially such that the cords of one filler strip are substantially parallel to the cords of the other filler strip. The tire has an external direction marker in the same circumferential direction to the specified direction so that in use the tire may be fitted to a vehicle with the marker in the opposite direction to the greatest torque force from the wheel. The filler strip may be cut edge tire cord fabric or a single cord laid in a zig-zag to form the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: SP Tires UK Limited
    Inventor: Arthur R. Williams
  • Patent number: 4747440
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire and wheel rim assembly of the type in which the wheel rim has retention means engageable with at least one tire bead to retain the tire bead at its bead seat under the action of road generated forces tending to dislodge tire bead wherein bead retention is improved by providing said at least tire bead with a bead reinforcement which has substantial resistance to deformation in an axial direction yet retains sufficient flexibility to a radial direction normal thereto to allow tire fitting to a one-piece rim. Suitable bead reinforcements are those having an axial rigidity factor `K` greater than 8.5 N.m.sup.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Dunlop Limited a British Company
    Inventors: Thomas Holmes, William S. Udall
  • Patent number: 4745993
    Abstract: A centrifugal chain assembly having a holder for a skid prevention device for a motor vehicle which can be put into operation when needed and which can be made inoperative again is formed by a plurality of elements which are axially movable and also pivotable relative to one another, which, by their construction and movability provided for adjustment can be employed equally at both sides of a motor vehicle and can be used for different types and models of motor vehicles. An adjustable ball joint is provided between a centrifugal wheel and the free end of a pivot arm, which pivots the centrifugal wheel, together with chain lengths secured to the centrifugal wheel, from a rest position into an operative position, in which the centrifugal wheel abuts against the side face, directed inwardly of the motor vehicle, of a driven motor vehicle wheel and is set in rotation by the wheel during travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Inventors: Gerd Schulz, Hans-Peter Hartleif
  • Patent number: 4745958
    Abstract: The free end regions of the carcass of the tire form bead regions by extending these free end regions around a bead core. Each bead region of the tire carcass is seated on a related seat or seat surface formed at the tire rim. A first end region of a bead ring anchors the associated bead region on the associated seat and a second end region of this bead ring is locked in a locking groove formed at the related edge region of the tire rim. The bead ring is preferably made of spring steel and may be provided with cuts or cutouts in its second end region to facilitate the mounting thereof at the tire rim. The first end region of the bead ring may be vulcanized into or otherwise connected with the tire carcass. The seat may be formed at the inner circumferential surface or at the outer circumferential surface of the tire rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Assignee: Semperit Reifen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Erich Kresta
  • Patent number: 4744399
    Abstract: A central tire inflation and deflation system which quickly inflates or deflates tires to any one of a plurality of pressures selected by the vehicle operator. Inflation pressure is greater than the pressure to which the tires are to be inflated. The system uses a tire valve which deflates the tires when a pressure less than the instantaneous tire pressure but greater than a minimum value is applied to the valve. Pressure on rotary seals which connect the tires to the system is relieved when the system is not operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc.
    Inventors: Rolland A. Magnuson, Robert G. Shires
  • Patent number: 4742857
    Abstract: A system for detecting the air pressure in each wheel and for effecting inflation or deflation in each wheel while the vehicle is operating including a controller (30) and a high pressure reservoir (34) mounted on each wheel. Each controller includes a magnet (45) that is positioned responsive to the pressure in the associated tire and a stationarily mounted solenoid detector (32) senses the position of the magnet and generates a signal which is fed to a data processor (97) for the generation of an output signal to the vehicle operator indicating the pressure in the tire. Additionally, through actuation of the control, a current is passed through a coil (62) on the solenoid detector to actuate the magnet (45) in an individual wheel for opening a valve and allowing air to flow through the tube (39) into the tire for raising the tire pressure, or to allow the exhaust of air to lower the tire pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Techni Guidance, Inc.
    Inventor: Shrikant A. Gandhi
  • Patent number: 4735248
    Abstract: A detachable anti-skid device for a vehicle wheel tire comprises a support bearing a series of anti-skid components extending transversely over the tread of the tire and at least one pneumatic jack fed from the air valve of the tire and making it possible to apply the anti-skid components against the tire. The support is formed by a ring having a diameter which is slightly less than that of the tire and on which the anti-skid components are pivotally mounted. The ring also comprises a hub with a compressed-air distribution chamber connected by a rotary connection to the inlet valve of the tire and to the control jacks of the anti-skid components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Inventor: Ivan Cizaire
  • Patent number: 4733706
    Abstract: A radial ply pneumatic tire has at least two carcass reinforcing layers, each of which comprises two discontinuous plies. Each discontinuous ply is anchored around a single bead core and extends through a sidewall into the crown portion of the tire where it axially overlaps the tread reinforcing belt structure. The two discontinuous plies of each carcass layer are separated by a circumferentially extending gap, and the gaps in each carcass layer are staggered relative to one another as well as relative to the circumferentially extending grooves of the tire's tread pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Georges J. Schmit
  • Patent number: 4733707
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel end assembly (10) is adaptable for use with an on-board central tire inflation system. The assembly provides a passage for the routing of air between a central source and the vehicle tire (25). The assembly comprises a stationary spindle (12) and a rotational hub (14) mounted thereon. A collar (34) is mounted on the inboard end of the spindle in interfacing relation with an inboard extension (50) of the hub. An air chamber, defined by the radial spacing of the collar (34) and hub extension (50), communicates air passages in the collar and hub (36, 44). The chamber is fitted with a pair of rotary seals (72, 74) to seal the air passage between the stationary collar (34) and rotating hub (14). The rotary seals (72, 74) each include an integral sealing lip (80) which responds to pressurization of the chamber by biasing into sealed relation with the outer surface of the collar (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: AM General Corporation
    Inventors: Fred L. Goodell, Michael J. Ellison
  • Patent number: 4732239
    Abstract: Anti-skid device especially for motor vehicle comprising elastic arms (2) assembled to a disc unit. In use the disc unit is brought close to the vehicle wheel, the friction of which is to be increased, and the outer ends (3) of the arms are successively drawn in between wheel and ground to increase the friction. Apart from their friction increasing portion (3) the arms (2) are extremely elastic and extend practically to the centre of rotation and bearing of the disc. Above the arms there is arranged a disc (5) extending out to the vicinity of the transition of the arms (2) into the friction increasing members (3). Moreover, beneath the arms a ring (6) is arranged which is attached between the arms (2) to the points (7) of attachment of the disc. In this way the disc is given a plane appearance ensuring that the friction increasing members (3) of the arms can obtain defined feed-in positions relative to the vehicle wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: Onspot AB
    Inventors: Ragnar M. Hardmark, Gote Torneback
  • Patent number: 4732638
    Abstract: Upper and lower rollers have grooves for a bead ring having a clamp area portion produced by a bead winding machine. The bead ring is placed in the groove of the lower roller with the beginning of the clamp area portion in position for pressing by lowering of the upper roller so that the bead ring is engaged by the groove in the upper roller. The rollers are oscillated between the pressing position at the beginning of the clamp area and the end of the clamp area to roll the top, bottom and sides of the clamp area portion during the movement of the bead ring. The pressure on the bead ring is released by raising the upper roller at the initial pressing position at the beginning of the clamp area so that the bead ring may be removed with the same orientation it had when it was placed in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Donald E. Baker, Gary L. Bowen, John R. Thiele
  • Patent number: 4730655
    Abstract: This invention relates to a tire chain device for automobiles travelling on snow-covered terrain and, in particular, to one having two steel hoops connected by a plurality short lengths of chains, a plurality of plastic tubes enclosing the steel hoops, two packings located between every two of the plastic tubes, a plurality of guide rings disposed between adjacent packings of one of the steel hoops, a ring member disposed at each end of the steel hoops and a binding chain connected to one ring member of one of the steel hoops. During use of the device the plurality of short lengths of chains are held tightly across the outside of the tire, disposed to be substantially parallel to the axis of tire rotation to enhance traction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Inventor: Ming F. Yang
  • Patent number: 4730656
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel end assembly (10) is adaptable for use with an on-board central tire inflation system. The assembly provides a passage for the routing of air between the on-board system and the vehicle tire. The assembly comprises a stationary spindle (12) and a rotational hub (14) mounted thereon. The hub is supported for rotation by first and second axially spaced bearing sets (16, 18), each having an inner race (20, 26) and an outer race (22, 28) associated with the spindle and hub, respectively. The inner race of the inboard bearing set (18) is formed with an axial air pressure (46) which communicates with an internal chamber (36) in the hub to form a portion of the air passage between the tire and on-board system. In another feature, rotary seals (60, 62) are seated in opposed faces of the bearing sets and include sealing lips (72) which have a sealed contact with the upper surface of the inner bearing races.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: AM General Corporation
    Inventors: Fred L. Goodell, Michael J. Ellison
  • Patent number: 4731136
    Abstract: The present process allows recycling used tires which are at present considered to be no longer suitable for restructuring according to known processes.According to the invention a preliminary control is carried out, also by scanning by means of a laser, to assess the seriousness of the internal ruptures and deformations due to impacts or other causes, discarding tires which are too damaged, while the thread and the metallic belts of the remaining tires which can be used are removed therefrom by scraping, the entire tire assembly being reconstructed, by vulcanizing before mounting the tread, and checking again with the laser to detect bubbles or other defects correcting the defects, obtaining a perfect assembly (FIG. 25) on which the tread which is vulcanized again, is lastly mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: T.R.S. Tyres Recycling System S.A.
    Inventor: Leandro Risi
  • Patent number: 4724880
    Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a spare tire in the trunk of a vehicle fully inflated. A conventional spare tire has a metal wheel with a rubber inflatable tire attached thereto and a valve stem extending out of the bottom on one side thereof. An extension tube sealingly attached at one end thereof to one end of the valve stem on one side of the wheel extends to the other side of the wheel through a rubber washer disposed in one of the lug holes. A one-way valve stem is disposed in the other end of the extension tube for permitting inflation of the tire through the extension tube. A pressure gauge is connected to the extension tube adjacent to the one-way valve for constantly showing the air pressure inside of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Inventor: Nicholas M. Voornas
  • Patent number: 4721144
    Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire for passenger car having an improved riding comfort against vibration without substantially degrading the cornering stability is disclosed, which comprises a bead filler disposed between the carcass and its turnup, at least a part of which has a complex modulus of elasticity of 1.times.10.sup.8 .about.8.times.10.sup.8 dyn/cm.sup.2 and a sin .delta. of not less than 0.28 under a strain energy of 10.sup.4 dyn/cm.sup.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Hara, Motonori Bundo, Yoshihiro Makino