Abstract: An ornamental wheel device includes a sheet metal ring portion having an annular wall and inwardly turned first and second flanges to define open channels at the extremities thereof. A plurality of clips are circumferentially spaced around the annular wall and include extended toothed members adapted for biting engagement of the wheel. The ends of each clip are furcated so that a space is provided between the forks at each end for receipt of the flanges therein to secure the clip to the ring portion.

Abstract: This invention is a traction device for a vehicle wheel. It comprises a shoe member adapted to seat onto the tread of a tire. One side of the shoe has upstanding bars for supporting an inwardly extending curvilinear member for bracing against the side wall of the tire adjacent the rim of the wheel. The other side of the shoe is provided with upstanding bars which support a rectangular frame to which is pivotally hinged a base on which is mounted a laterally movable curvilinear member which is clamped against the outside wall of the tire adjacent the rim of the wheel. The clamping device includes a screw means having a head keyed to be rotated by a releasable crank. The clamp device of this invention incorporates screw means which moves to tighten and loosen the clamp member in small increments as well as hinge or pivot means which radially moves a substantial distance to position the clamp member adjacent the tire side wall.

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 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: Tires are typically inflated through an air conduit mounted on the tire carcass and extending through a hole in the metal rim on which the tire is mounted. Now and then relative slipping between the tire and rim has caused the air conduit to be sheared off, deflating the tire. The present invention overcomes this problem by moving the air conduit (26, 33, 37) completely away from the rim. The air conduit (26, 33, 37) extends from the air chamber (12) through the track wall (10) to the side wall (8) of the carcass (7) and terminates in an air valve receptacle (27) accessible at the side wall (8) of the carcass (7).

Abstract: There is disclosed in the specification an improved tire chain including at least one pair of tire gripper portions adapted at one of their ends to exert pressure on the tire at the tread of the tire, and at the other end on their respective sidewall near the rim of the tire. Such tire gripper portions are adapted to grip the tire independently, but by themselves do not have strength to resist the rotational forces of the tire.To add to the traction of the tire, and hold the individual tire gripper portions on the tire during rotation, a pair of connecting chains is employed between the two tire gripper portions. To resist disengagement from the tire during rotation by centrifugal force, a pin portion is provided on the inner end of each gripper portion which is adapted to press into the tire to a predetermined stop so that such pin portion is actually embedded in the sidewall of the tire. It is disclosed that such pin portion could also engage a preformed recess in the sidewall of the tire.

Abstract: A tire whose tread comprises as elastomer a styrene-butadiene or a styrene-isoprene co-polymer having a glass transition temperature above minus 50.degree. C., said composition having a rebound resilience of 55% or more.The glass transition temperature is preferably between minus 40.degree. C. and minus 25.degree. C. and the rebound resilience is preferably between 60% and 70%.

Abstract: A tire traction device includes at least two continuous circumferentially extending tread groove bead members adapted to nest within respective circumferentially extending tread grooves of selected vehicle tires. A plurality of circumferentially spaced transverse traction elements are integral with and connect the tread groove bead members. The traction elements are configured and dimensioned to overlie the tread of the tire and to thereby improve the traction thereof. Preferably a circumferentially extending traction element is provided intermediate the tread groove bead members and the transverse traction elements are arranged in circumferentially spaced pairs connecting the tread groove members and the circumferential traction element.

Abstract: A traction device which is adapted to be mounted on a tire is provided which comprises at least one ribbed strap. The strap is mounted with the ribs facing outwardly, and provides greater traction in snow.

Abstract: A composite cord for reinforcing a tire or other elastomeric article having at least one high strength, substantially inextensible yarn spirally wrapped around a core. The core at room temperature has sufficient strength and elasticity to resist and recover from tension forces on the core required during the processing of the cord and building of the tire. The core is composed of material which loses its tensile strength when subjected to temperatures of vulcanization to permit stretching out of the yarn to allow for substantial elongation of a part or all of the tire and then provide reinforcement of the elongated tire by the stretched out, high strength yarn.

Abstract: A vehicle tire with tractive elements for positive engagement with the ground surface is disclosed. The tire carcass has a tread including raised features. Means for positively linking tractive elements positioned radially outwardly of the tread to the raised features of the tread are provided in the form of a flexible but substantially inextensible belt positioned radially outwardly of the tread, and retainer elements positioned radially inwardly of the belt, the tractive elements being positioned radially outwardly of the belt and being releasably attached to the retainer elements for clamping the belt tightly therebetween. Inflation pressure within the carcass expands its crown region to maintain the belt in a taut condition. The retainer elements are sectionally constructed to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the tire.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture is herein disclosed for eliminating the need for pressurized air in a vehicular pneumatic tire. A resilient tubular insert is inserted and carried within a tire casing to simulate pneumatic conditions. The resilient material possesses a longitudinal bore which in combination with a particular range of durometers, enhances the "pneumatic" characteristics of the tire insert. Preferably, the tire insert is discontinuous and is designed to have a diameter greater than the internal diameter of the tire casing under deflated conditions.

Abstract: An anti-skid tire guard has three main components. The first component is a pair of spaced strips of material, each of the strips comprising three slats connected end to end by hinge pins. The strips are maintained in spaced relation by a plurality of metal or plastic tread members having studs projecting from one surface thereof. The ends of both of the strips are provided with female connectors. A plurality of blanks comprise each tread member and are connected by wires which are attached to the hinges by adjacent slats forming the strips. The second component comprises two slats attached end to end by a hinge, the free ends of each of these slats comprising male connector members designed to securely fit within the female members. A tread member similar to those used in the first component is provided, which is attached to the hinged portion between the two slats at one end and which has a hook at its other end.

Abstract: Elongated resilient sealing strips seal the spaces between pairs of adjacent articulated traction shoes of a removable track for tires. Each sealing strip is of chevron-or V-shaped cross-section and is integrally molded of the belt. Each leg of the chevron or V is provided with a surface for engagement with the surface of one of said traction shoes. Biasing means may be incorporated into the sealing strip to further assure sealing engagement. The composition of the strip may differ from that of the outer elastomer layer of the belt.

Abstract: A wire rope traction device or cable tire chain includes lateral cables and a plurality of cross cables for extending between the lateral cables across the sole of a tire. Flat metal members secured to the lateral cables and ends of the cross cables form low profile articulated connections therebetween substantially adjacent the sole of the tire and radially outwardly from the tire sidewall flexing point for enabling a tighter grip on the tire by the tire chain. A belt attachment is employed in securing the traction device to a tire and is provided with a hook which is readily released for removal of the traction device.

Abstract: A tire protector device with a covering, especially formed by plates, which exhibits at its ends next to the outside of the tire connector parts for fastening a chain net which covers the side wall of the tire. The edge of said chain net remote from the connector parts being connected to a holding strand via connection parts which are formed of tension devices which have at least one tension spring forming a store of tensional force and/or which exhibits each a connector member carried movably on the holding strand.

Abstract: Passive, self-energizing means for increasing the load carrying capabilities in the depressurized condition of a banded radial run-flat tire system. In this invention, an inner tube inflated to a pressure of about 3-5 psi is positioned on the wheel rim inside the tire which is inflated to its normal pressure of about 30 psi. Because of this pressure differential, the inner tube is compressed to about one-sixth its volume at ambient pressure and in normal operation it rides out of contact with the inside walls of the tire casing without interaction therewith. If the tire is depressurized because of a puncture or other cause, the release of tire pressure on the inner tube results in the expansion of the tube outwards to maintain the curvature in the sidewalls, which curvature enhances the load capacity of the tire in the depressurized condition.

Abstract: A veneer sheet and an adhesive coated sheet are placed on a piling table. Two vertically arranged conveyors each independently conveys one veneer sheet and stops at predetermined position, pressing member presses two sheets simultaneously vertically downwards onto the piling table where the sheets are placed.

Abstract: A retainer member is connected to a relief valve attached to a rim of an aircraft tire containing a fluid under pressure. The relief valve has a core made of a fusible material which is responsive to a predetermined temperature that causes the fusible material to change from a solid to a liquid. The pressure of the fluid in the tire causes the fluid to be expelled from the relief valve and thereafter allow fluid to escape from the tire to prevent damaging the tire through a pressure resulting from the predetermined temperature. The retainer member captures the core material to prevent injuring any person on the expulsion of the liquid from the relief valve.

Abstract: In cross-country vehicles where it is desirable to change the pressure in the pneumatic tires of the vehicle to fit the terrain, means are provided for changing the pressure on the tires without leaving the seat of the vehicle. The means provided in this disclosure comprise a source of compressed air, air control valves for each wheel of the vehicle, control keys including a magnetic valve, etc., for venting air from or forcing air to the tires, all somewhat similar to the arrangement disclosed in (Ger) DE-OS No. 2,141,553 but the sensitive throttle added to the latter disclosure is omitted and instead, a relief valve is provided for the air control valve of the wheels whereby the venting time is shortened and less of the apparatus as a whole is maintained under high pressure.

Abstract: A detachable, resilient shield is maintained in contact with the sidewalls of a tire for off-the-road vehicles to protect this critical area of the tire from damage due to contact with external objects such as rocks. The tire includes a removable tread or a lug traction band. The shield is manufactured separately from the tire. The shield includes criss-crossed reinforcements which extend at oppositely directed angles greater than zero but less than ninety degrees relative to the circumferential direction of the tire.