Abstract: A tire tread pattern wherein all the ribs have a continuous structure in the circumferential direction, and more or less transverse notches provided in a given rib extend a predetermined distance beyond the center-line of that rib from a circumferential edge thereof.

Abstract: A tire traction device including a cylindrical cup member for attachment on a rim-securing nut of a vehicle wheel by a set screw, an elongated threaded shank extending coaxially with the cup member, an elongated link having an elongated slot for receiving the elongated shank, nuts threadably mounted on the elongated shank on opposite sides of the elongated link for tightening the elongated link in an axial position on the shank wherein the elongated link both extends perpendicularly to the shank and rests against the side of a tire, and a traction member extending perpendicularly from the end of the elongated link and having a first side for gripping engagement with the tread of the tire and an opposite side for gripping engagement with the ground.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multistrip insert, usually comprising three strips side-by-side, for a pneumatic tire, said insert being composed at least in part of a closed cell resilient material constructed and dimensioned to fit ring-like about a wheel rim within the tire. The insert normally fills less than the whole internal cross-sectional volume of the tire but can support the tire against total collapse when deflated. In use, should the tire become deflated, the insert expands to fill or substantially so the internal volume of the tire due to the increase in temperature caused by the increased flexing of the tire and insert. The consequent return to or towards the normal operative tire shape results in the tire subsequently running at or near normal running temperature.

Abstract: A tire which has an outer and an inner layer of compound in the non-skid portion of the tread thereof. The outer layer is composed of a lower rolling resistance compound than the inner layer is composed. The inner layer is composed of a compound which provides better traction than the compound of the outer layer provides.

Abstract: Methods for sign-making using dry transfer of letters from carrier sheets allow any of a number of different character sizes and row spacings to be provided. A carrier sheet bearing characters of a desired size is positioned relative to a carriage in dependence upon whether a row to be formed contains all upper case characters, or some or all lower-case characters. The carriage is movable smoothly in a horizontal direction to allow any desired horizontal spacing of characters, but movable vertically only in discrete increments. A plurality of row spacing indicators are positionable adjacent a sign blank to afford a preview of how characters of a given size having a given spacing will appear on a sign blank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel means placed internally of a tubeless type pneumatic tire, placed upon the drop center rim to effectively transfer heat from the crown and shoulder portions to the sidewalls and the mounting rim during rotational operation thereof by affecting puffs or forcing of the air adjacent the drop center rim up toward the tread and sidewall portions, effectively transferring heat from the tread and sidewall portions down into the heat sink provided by the rim.

Abstract: An anti-skid device, which can be detachably mounted on the wheels of a vehicle, is simple to handle, comparatively independent of wheel dimensions, and which poses a minimum of risk of damage to the wheel housing of the vehicle and its brake system, at the same time as the device effectively follows the movements of the tire without risk of losing its hold.An anti-skid device made according to the invention comprises a number of gripping elements (201) interspaced along the periphery of the wheel (6, 7) of the vehicle, and each having the shape of a frame open on one side and with two portions extending over the tread of the tire at a certain distance from each other, the frame having additional frame portions (204, 203), which extend along the plane sides of the wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A pneumatic bias tire for off-road vehicles is disclosed. This tire comprises a bias-structured carcass composed of plural plies each containing organic fiber cords embedded in rubber. In the carcass, the inner plies located near the inner surface of the tire have a rubberized cord arrangement of a more slackened state as compared with the outer plies and further medium plies existent between the inner and outer plies.

Abstract: A novel and improved traction device comprises a cable-type chain adapted to be mounted on radial tires for emergency use wherein a pair of lateral cables are adapted to extend cicumferentially along opposite sidewalls of the tire. A plurality of cross-members are arranged at spaced intervals transversely of and between lateral cables to which opposite ends of each of the cross members are connected. Each of the cross members is in the form of an elongated flexible member composed of a wire or wire-like material with an outer plastic coating in surrounding relation to the elongated flexible member. At least one sleeve member is slidably disposed in outer surrounding relation to each of the cross members, the sleeve members being composed of a high impact-resistant material in the form of a plurality of extruded tubular sections of limited length disposed in end-to-end relation to one another for extension along the length of each cross member.

Abstract: A motor vehicle tire chain system including a plate positioned between a tire rim and a wheel hub, extending outwardly past the tire rim and having a plurality of spaced-apart holes around an external circumference for attaching chain sections. A plurality of individual chain sections, each having a pair of ends adapted to hook in the holes in the plate, position the chain section across the tire tread, traverse the outside of the tire, recross the tire tread and are hooked in the holes on the inside of the tire at a position on the plate opposite the first attaching position. Each chain section is provided with a tensioning device which both tightens the chain and allows it to be easily installed and removed. The chain sections, after mounting on the wheel, are fastened together at their point of common intersection to hold the sections in their positions about the tire tread.

Abstract: An antitheft device adapted for attachment to the valve stem of an inflated vehicle tire may comprise: a plunger assembly including a plunger engageable with a valve core of the valve stem and axially movable relative thereto for forcing the valve core to an open position releasing air from the tire; and an actuator assembly including a cam member radially movable with respect to the axis of the plunger in response to rotation of the vehicle tire, from a passive position to an active position forcing the plunger toward opening of the valve core.

Abstract: Apparatus for sign-making using dry transfer of letters from carrier sheets allows any of a number of different character sizes and row spacings to be provided. A carrier sheet bearing characters of a desired size is positioned relative to a carriage in dependence upon whether a row to be formed contains all upper case characters, or some or all lower-case characters. The carriage is movable smoothly in a horizontal direction to allow any desired horizontal spacing of characters, but movable vertically only in discrete increments. A plurality of row spacing indicators are positioned adjacent a sign blank to afford a preview of how characters of a given size having a given spacing will appear on a sign blank.

Abstract: A safety wheel designed so that when air sealed within a tire is lost, the vehicle may be supported by a flat protector device in place of air pressure within the tire. The safety wheel comprises a split rim, a tubeless tire and a flat protector device which comprises a flat protector seat portion annularly fixed along the outer peripheral surface of the split rim, and a flat protector body formed of at least one pipe annularly fixed along the outer peripheral surface of the flat protector seat portion.

Abstract: An insert for tubeless tires to maintain vehicle control and prevent tire collapse in the event of puncture or other loss of air pressure. The insert has a toroidal center core of solid material, a foam casing of compressible but resilient foam material annularly surrounding the cylindrical core, and a thin outer flexible shell annularly surrounding the casing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an emergency running ring for pneumatic tires mounted on vehicle rims. A lubricant is contained in cavities formed by virtue of the shape of the ring, or is contained in auxiliary members mounted in openings in the ring or mounted on the surface of the ring. In all instances, the loss of tire pressure due to emergency conditions causes the lubricant to be released so as to reduce the friction between the inner face of the tire cover and the ring.

Abstract: Extremely cold gaseous nitrogen is used as a cooling medium in the highly exothermic reaction between a chemical etch solution and silicon. This greatly increases the throughput of silicon material through the etchant over prior art techniques, particularly where it is desired to maintain the temperature of the etchant solution below 25.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus (30) and method is provided for holding and tacking an elongate material (12) onto a body (14), which body (14) may be toroidal in shape. The material (12) is applied to the body (14) by means of a shuttle (22) rotating about the body (14) in a plane transverse to a plane containing the body (14). The apparatus (30) includes a tacker arm (76) having a clamping means (104) for clamping and unclamping the end of the material (12), extending from the shuttle (22), to the arm (76). The arm (76) is pivotally mounted on a carriage (58) for movement between a first position, wherein the material (12) clamped to the arm (76) is held against the body (14), and a second position, spaced from the body (14). In the first position of the arm (76), the body (14) will move the arm (76) until the clamping means ( 104) unclamps the material (12) whereupon the arm (76) is pivoted to the second position.

Abstract: A skid-resisting chain adapted to be attached to and removed from the tires of a vehicle with a minimum of effort to provide improved traction in snow, ice, mud or other slippery road conditions. The attachment-detachment means comprises a flexible metal cable adapted to tie the tire chain around the tire and wheel and a biased cam gripping means adapted to frictionally-engage the end of the cable in a manner which provides increased locking action when a withdrawal force is applied to the cable and yet permits easy release when a tightening force or a detachment force is applied to the cable.

Abstract: A cable-type tire chain comprises side members adapted to extend circumferentially around opposite side walls of a tire and cross members connected between the side members so as to extend over and across the tire tread, the cross members carrying traction means in the form of traction sleeves. A low profile articulated connection is provided between each end of each cross member and one of the side members, the connection comprising one connector element crimped on the cross member and another connector element crimped on the side member. One connector element has a T-shaped head and the other element has a bent-over tab with an opening through which the head is inserted. When the tab is flattened the head is trapped in the other connector element. The connection allows for hinging movement of a cross member both laterally and circumferentially of a tire.

Abstract: A cable-type tire chain comprises side members adapted to extend circumferentially around opposite side walls of a tire and cross members connected between the side members so as to extend over and across the tire tread. The cross members comprise cables connected to the side members in a manner permitting rotation of the cross members about their longitudinal axes. The cross member cables have sheaths of helically wound wire which are free to rotate on the cables, and traction sleeves are freely rotatable on the wire sheaths. The traction sleeves have cylindrical body portions and outwardly flared end portions. Notches in the end portions of the sleeves define sharp corners at the ends of the sleeves for biting into ice and the like.