Abstract: A lightweight device for obtaining improved performance of rubber tired vehicles. The arrangement has high-strength, thin-gauged traction intensifying means secured to the driving member for a tire, having a smooth or shallow tread, providing improved drawbar performance in fields when said traction intensifying means are engaged and improved traction and riding characteristics on hard grounds and pavements when said traction intensifying means are disengaged; and includes actuating means for rapid and convenient conversion between "steel-drive" for fields and "rubber-drive" for hard surfaces, and vice versa.

Abstract: A tire chain adapted to be mounted on and readily removed from a vehicle tire includes an inner support extending, in the mounted state of the chain, circumferentially along and in engagement with an inwardly oriented tire side. The inner support has a spring steel yoke including adjacent opposite free yoke ends and a hook lock having cooperating first and second components mounted on the opposite yoke ends, respectively and adapted to selectively assume an interengaged, closed state or a disengaged, open state. The first component is a flat, quadrangular eyelet defining an eyelet plane oriented such that in the mounted state of the tire chain the eyelet lies flat against the side wall of the tire and further, the second component is a flat hook defining a hook plane oriented perpendicularly to the eyelet plane.

Abstract: A predetermined pattern is printed on a surface of a material on which a flock pattern is desired, using crosslinking type synthetic resin as the printing ink and utilizing the printing method such as the screen printing process. A solidly flocked paper is then applied on the pattern formed of the ink, and is heated and pressed together, so that the crosslinking reaction takes place in the synthetic resin. Thus, when the flocked paper is peeled off from the surface of the material, a flock pattern of the predetermined shape is formed thereon.

Abstract: A rack (28) which supports the beads (12) in a separated condition is transported to the storing and feeding apparatus (10) where the rack (28) is used to place the beads (12) around a plurality of continuous conveyors (20) which are expanded to grip the beads (12). After the rack (28) is removed from the feeding and storing apparatus (10), the conveyors (20) are actuated simultaneously and intermittently to feed the beads (12) to a bead transfer member. The apparatus (10) includes means (64,66,89) to adjust and level the conveyors (20) to accommodate a range of bead sizes and means (118) to insure feeding of one bead (12) at a time.

Abstract: A tire building drum (10) has a central shaft (13) and a pair of end drum assemblies (12) mounted for axial movement along the shaft. The end drum assemblies (12) include a main sleeve (19) slideable on the shaft (13), and an annular housing (24) mounted on the sleeve to form an annular chamber (32) surrounding the sleeve (19) which houses an annular piston (31). There is an annular expansion means (bead seating segments) (27) mounted on the housing (24) which are moved radially by a ramp means (35) attached to the piston (31). This ramp means (35) have a cam surface (29) thereon comprising an inclined radially outer portion (29a) and a convex arcuate radially inner portion (29b). Further, the end drum assemblies have annular bladders (39), (41), (42), and (44) thereon that each have solid annular lip portions (51, 52) (61, 62), (63), (64 ) respectively, by which they are secured to the end drum assemblies.

Abstract: A vehicle tire chain has an openable and closable inner and outer support engaging, in a mounted state of the chain, respective inner and outer sides of a vehicle tire, a plurality of runner chains each secured to the inner and outer supports and straddling, in the mounted state of the chain, a running face of the tire. The outer support has a first part supporting the runner chains jointly with the inner support and a deflecting member secured to an end of the first part. The outer support further has a second part including a closing linkage for closing the first part under tension. The closing linkage has a first end secured to another end of the first part, a second end passed through the deflecting member and a hook secured to said second end of the closing linkage and releasably attached to the first part of the outer support in the mounted state of the chain. The closing linkage is deflected by more than 90.degree. by the deflecting member.

Abstract: An automobile tire having retractable tread studs for increasing traction of the tire on slippery surfaces which are actuated by air pressure that is controlled by the automobile driver from the driver's seat.

Abstract: A bead lock device includes a plurality of bows and a frame for connecting the bows together to form an annular structure. The structure is placed in the interior of a tire which is placed onto a wheel. Wheel flanges compress the bows which, in turn, effectively lock the tire beads against the wheel flanges. A method of making a bead lock device by attaching bows onto a pair of flexible rods and joining the rods at their ends to form hoops is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting a coverslide from a solar cell includes a receptacle defining a cavity in which a rack is disposed which mounts a plurality of partitions in spaced, side-by-side relationship. The partitions define a plurality of extraction chambers therebetween which are open at their opposite ends. A screen is disposed below and underlies the rack for retaining solar cell modules received within the chambers in upright standing positions therein. The cavity is almost filled with a liquid solvent capable of detaching the coverslide of each module from its solar cell. A stirring device disposed below the rack on the bottom of the cavity can be actuated to create flow of the solvent along a circulatory path upwardly through some of the chambers and downwardly through other of the chambers and generally parallel to a plane of attachment of the coverslide to the solar cell of each module in the chambers.

Abstract: A chain net comprises a plurality of warp strands (1.1) with mutually equal links (1.2) which at intersections lock round links (1.5) of weft strands (1.4) having mutually equal links. The links of the warp strands have dimensions such that they first allow the insertion of weft strands and, after plastic or elastic deformation, lock links of the weft strands. The plastic deformation is provided by elongating the warp strands. The elastic deformation is provided by the warp strand links being first expanded to allow the insertion of weft strands, after which the warp links are elastically re-deformed for locking round weft links.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use at the stage of a radial tire building process at which a tread and breaker, and sidewall rubbers, are added to the expanded carcass. A tread assembly is built, comprising tread rubber breaker and sidewall rubbers and is then located around the carcass which is then expanded into the tread assembly. A tread assembly former has a central portion expansible to bring side portions to a frusto-conical shape.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a magnetic head, a magnetic layer is sputtered or evaporated on a surface of a first substrate of glass or nonmagnetic material and a nonmagnetic material such as glass is sputtered on one end face of the composite body formed by the substrate and the magnetic layer to form a gap filling layer. A second substrate of the same material and thickness as the first is bonded thereto with the magnetic gap filling being interposed therebetween. Magnetic material is sputtered or evaporated on the bonded substrates until a predetermined thickness is reached to form a second magnetic layer. The magnetic layers are then lapped to reveal an edge of the gap filling layer between adjacent edges of the two magnetic layers.Since the gap filling layer is formed by sputtering method, magnetic gap length can be precisely determined and since the thickness of the magnetic layers determines the track width, a magnetic head having a narrow width can be easily manufactured.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire is adapted to improve or reduce the rolling resistance and simultaneously to improve the steering stability and riding comfortability against vibration during running without adversely affecting the wet performance and durability by making higher the carcass maximum width position and the carcass curvature reverse position, or enlarging the curvature of the carcass in the radially outer zone of the carcass maximum width position and simultaneously the carcass curvature reverse extent in the radially inner zone of the sidewalls so as to intentionally deviate from the naturally equilibrated configuration.A method of manufacturing a reduced rolling resistance pneumatic radial tire uses a mold for vulcanizing and forming the tire therein, which mold has a particular shape of cavity having a foot width 20-50% wider than a rim width and diverging progressively from shoulder corresponding portions to the wider foot portion of the cavity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for applying a tread to a tire, whereby around a toroidal tire a layer of non-vulcanized rubber is applied, which will form the tread area of the tire after vulcanization in the vulcanization press; and whereby the thus prepared tire is vulcanized in vulcanization press. According to the invention, before the vulcanization of the thus prepared tire in a vulcanization press, portions of the layer of non-vulcanized rubber are removed by peeling or by forming peels of non-vulcanized rubber, so that the shape of the peeled tire is adapted to the shape of the vulcanization press. The invention also relates to a machine for carrying out the method according to the invention.

Abstract: A directional tire (10) having lateral grooves (15,16) arranged in substantially "V" shaped configurations around the tire. The lateral grooves (15,16) on each side of the mid-circumferential plane (M--M) form a series of circumferentially spaced lands (25,26) respectively therebetween, each of which extends from a mid-circumferential portion of the tire to the respective edge of the tread (12 or 13). Each land (25,26) has a first face (27) directed in one rotational direction and a second face (28) directed in the other rotational direction. In order to modify the directional properties of the tire one of said faces, preferably the trailing face (28) in normal use, is broken by axially extending grooves (31,32 and 33).

Abstract: A self-sealing pneumatic tire that has an inner surface provided with a layer of sealant and a plurality of edge strips that partially overlap the sealant layer to retain the sealant in position during construction and operation of the tire. Construction is simplified by utilizing a laminate structure incorporating such edge strips and also comprising an air impermeable elastomer strip, the center of which is coated with a layer of puncture sealant material and having the edge strips adhesively attached to the elastomer strip and partially overlapping the edges of the sealant layer. Also, a method of constructing this tire by attaching a tire body or carcass to this laminate structure prior to molding and curing the tire. During the molding process, the edge strips that partially overlap the sealant layer hold the sealant in place preventing it from flowing in an uncontrolled manner.

Abstract: The deformable driving band (3) or similar comprises passage means (2) passing through the band and opening out, towards the inside, at right angles to pockets (5) or similar provided in a compressible strip (6) extending over the whole driving band, the assembly being such that a suction phenomenon increasing grip is created by the compressible strip (6) and the packets (5) in deformation zone of the driving band (3) corresponding to an expansion phase of said pockets (5).

Abstract: A tube assembly for use in a process of vulcanizing a pre-cured tread onto a tire casing is disclosed. The tube assembly includes an elastomeric tubular wall having an inner periphery with a protective non-woven fabric layer covering a major portion thereof. The fabric layer includes a plurality of polyester cords extending in parallel relation in a single ply elastomeric matrix. Longitudinal edges of the fabric are covered by thin strips of elastomer bonded to the fabric layer and the tube wall. Superimposed fabric reinforcing swatches are bonded to the fabric layer around the valve stem. The tube assembly is resistant to being damaged prematurely by the rim which supports the tire casing in the tread vulcanization process.

Abstract: An antiskid traction device adapted to be attached to vehicle tires which comprises a right side frame member having a locking pin, a left side frame member having a pivotable locking member adapted to engage the locking pin, antiskid members disposed at each of the end portions of the right and left side frames, the antiskid members being provided with a plurality of studs thereon for improving the traction thereof, and an adjusting member for changing the length of at least one of the antiskid members so that the device can be adjusted for all tire size.

Abstract: An improved passenger car tire chain employing heat treated medium carbon steel is disclosed. The improved tire chain is approximately twice as durable as that presently furnished to meet NACM-5179(TC) for Type PL chains when AISI 1026 or 1029 carbon steel is employed at least for links of a cross chain meeting the road surface. The cross chain links are closed by welding prepared abutting link ends which have been previously beveled. After being welded closed, the cross chain links are case hardened, quenched, tempered and air cooled. The improved tire chain is then assembled in a conventional manner to include a pair of side members, fastening means to secure a end of each side member to the other end, and a plurality of cross chains extending between the sidewall members at preselected intervals.