Abstract: A process and apparatus for the manufacture of pneumatic tires comprising a carcass formed of reinforcing plies and bead cores are disclosed. The tire carcass is built up around a first drum in cylindrical configuration and bead cores are applied to the carcass. The carcass is transferred telescopically to and around a second expandable drum. The carcass is then torically shaped and the ends of the plies turned-up around the bead cores.

Abstract: A multi-layer circuit board laminate is disclosed having a controlled thermal coefficient of expansion which is particularly useful in conjunction with leadless components. The subject invention includes incorporating one or more stabilizing metal sheets into a composite multi-layer circuit board laminate assembly. The stabilizing metal sheets function to significantly reduce the circuit board laminate's thermal coefficient of expansion, thereby enabling the laminate to be used in conjunction with leadless electronic components. In addition, a novel method is disclosed for fabricating one embodiment of the subject invention and includes a unique two-step lamination process which permits apertures to be provided in the metal stabilizing layer and allows the bonding epoxy resin to solidify within the apertures, while simultaneously preventing the entrapment of air.

Abstract: The tire building apparatus was an axially elongated drive shaft which is rotatable about its center axis. The tire building drum of the apparatus includes an axially elongated retainer sleeve which is interchangeably received on the drive shaft and rotatable with the drive shaft about the center axis of the drive shaft. A slider sleeve is slidably received on the retainer sleeve and is rotatable with the drive shaft about the center axis of the drive shaft. A plurality of link members are provided each being pivotally connected at its one end to the slider sleeve. A plurality of arcuate drum segments are provided each being equiangularly spaced apart from one another about the center axis of the axially elongated drive shaft and pivotally connected with the other end of each of the link member.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire is provided with a tread having from 1 part by weight of hydrated amorphous fine-particle silica per 3 parts of carbon black tread reinforcing filler, to about 3 parts by weight of the silica to 1 part of the carbon black. The amount of silica present is preferably in the range from about 18 parts to about 50 parts by weight per 100 parts of natural or synthetic rubber. When such a tread is compounded with a mercaptosilane in which the mercapto group is reversibly blocked, the tread provides reduced rolling resistance without loss of traction. Such reduction in rolling resistance without loss of traction is not observed when the silica is not coupled with the mercaptosilane coupling agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to reinforced tire utilizing polyurea or polyurethane formulations having low hysteresis. The polymer having low hysteresis is formed by reacting a prepolymer of an aromatic isocyanate and a high molecular weight difunctional polyol with a chain extender mix comprising an aromatic diamine and difunctional polyol. In these compositions the aromatic diisocyanate and aromatic diamine are selected so that there is substantial symmetry between the molecules. The reinforcement used is preferably an aromatic polyamide.

Abstract: Simplified means for connecting skidder rings to the tag chains that hold the skidder rings in spaced positions around a tractor wheel. Each skidder ring has four hooks spaced approximately 90.degree. apart, two at each side, of novel construction. Each hook is so shaped as to permit easy attachment thereto of the end link of a tag chain but which will positively preclude disconnection of the link from the hook when the parts are in operating position on the wheel.

Abstract: A filling gas for a tire having one or more hollow chambers, especially vehicle tires with a body of rubber or rubber-like material having suitable reinforcement inserts. Sulfur hexafluoride (SF.sub.6) is used as the filling gas, which can also be a mixture of sulfur hexafluoride and one or more other gases, such as air. The tire hollow chamber, in comparison to the air, contains a greater quantity of sulfur hexafluoride. The ratio of air quantity to the quantity of sulfur hexafluoride is in the range of approximately 1:1 to 1:8.5. A relief or venting conduit is provided that extends into the vicinity of the highest location of the tire hollow chamber. Optionally, the rim breakthrough or valve leading to the tire hollow chamber is closed or sealed off. The valve for filling the tire hollow chamber, and the venting device may be arranged as a combined unit with respect to the rim body.

Abstract: A gripping device for motor vehicle tires is provided and consists of a band of flexible material that has a plurality of ground gripping outward deformations and a worm-gear hose clamp type drive assembly for securing the band in place across the tread of the tire.

Abstract: A spacer, such as a block, upon which a tire is driven and positioned upon. Engaged with the spacer is a bracket means for temporary holding an open link. The tire chain is draped over the tire and the end links of the innerside segment of the tire chain are joined by slipping them into the gap of the open link which is held in place by the bracket and clip means. The outerside segment end links are joined and tightened conventionally. The invention is then disengaged from the open link and the tire is driven off the spacer means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in the manufacture of pneumatic tires, in which a pair of tire bead assemblies are held in accurately spaced relationship against opposite ends of a tube. Tire carcass material carried on an expansible former is located within the tube and expanded to engage the bead assemblies, projecting ends of the carcass material being turned radially outwardly around the bead assemblies while the bead assemblies are supported by the tube.

Abstract: A pneumatic vehicle tire having a belt and a radial carcass. Located laterally outwardly in the bead region are end portions of the carcass ply or plies which are guided upwardly, i.e. radially outwardly. Bead reinforcers are also provided. In order to achieve a great dynamic resilience along with sufficient stiffness of the bead regions, it is proposed pursuant to the present invention that the filaments of the bead reinforcers, and the strength carriers of the end portions of the carcass, be disposed at opposite inclines relative to the radial direction. Furthermore, in the vicinity of their outer ends, these filaments and strength carriers form a smaller angle with the circumferential direction of the tire than do those portions thereof in the bead core region, so that these reinforcing inserts are thus disposed in such a way that they extend in a curved manner.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pneumatic tire comprising a carcass composed of at least one cord ply extending between a pair of bead portions, an inner liner adhered to the inner surface of the carcass, and a rubber reinforcing layer made of a rubber composition different from and having a Shore A hardness higher than that of the inner liner and disposed at a lower part of the bead portion including a bead toe portion and a bead heel portion to form an outermost bead rubber at least at that region of the bead portion which comes into contact with a rim.

Abstract: An electrical circuit element (16) is maintained in place within the drop center (24) of a vehicle wheel (10) by encasing the circuit within a cylindrical plastic housing (14) which is formed into an arcuate shape. The housing is held in place by wires (18, 19) which are connected to the ends of an extension spring (22) which applies sufficient tension to keep the housing from moving during heavy braking or due to centrifugal force. The mounting assembly is configured to move to an out of the way position when contacted by a tire iron or by elements of a tire mounting machine to prevent damage to the circuit when a tire is mounted or demounted. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the circuit (16) is encased within a unitary annular member (56).

Abstract: A lightweight device for obtaining improved traction efficiency of rubber tired vehicles without adding ballast weight. The device has high-strength, thin-gauged traction intensifying means secured to a driving tire, providing higher drawbar pull at higher rate of travel speed by utilizing stronger sub-surface soil and extended tire life; and includes actuating means, for engaging and disengaging the traction enhancing means for convenient conversion to allow travel on pavement.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pneumatic radial tire having an improved bead portion durability, which comprises a main tire body reinforcement of a radial carcass ply and a bead portion reinforcement of a metal cord layer arranged along the turnup portion of the carcass ply wound around the bead core of the bead portion from the inside to the outside. In the tire of this type, the bead portion reinforcement is composed of a support reinforcing layer and a turnup-end protecting layer independently arranged on the inside and outside of the bead core, and the turnup-end protecting layer has a modulus of elasticity at 1% elongation in cord direction smaller than that of the support reinforcing layer.

Abstract: A non-skid device for motor vehicle tires comprises at least two strands of cable joined at their ends and having adjustably threaded thereon a plurality of pairs of half-brackets separated from one another by cross pieces in contact with the tread of the tire. The half-brackets are symmetrically disposed and have two branches, a first branch of each half-bracket resting against the tire tread. The second branch of one of the half-brackets in each pair rests against one of the flanks of the tire, and the second branch of the remaining half-bracket rests against the other flank of the tire.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for building annular tire components such as steel cord tread reinforcements, in which a measuring drum is employed to receive strip material and simultaneously to feed it to a component building former. The strip material laps a portion only of the measuring drum, and a measured length of the strip is severed on the measuring drum and the major portion of the length of strip is transferred to the building former by rotation of the measuring drum through substantially a whole revolution.

Abstract: A pattern of transparent conductive material, such as tin oxide, is formed on a transparent vitreous substrate using a polycrystalline material, such as cadmium or zinc sulfide, to mask the substrate surface while depositing material forming the transparent conductive layer. The polycrystalline material and any overlying transparent conductive material are easily removed by a chemical etch, leaving the desired pattern of transparent conductive material adhering to the substrate. Two electrically conductive patterns may be formed in intersecting relationship and isolated, one from the other. The degree of electrical connection between the two patterns will be a function of the resistance of the polycrystalline material therebetween at points of crossing. In some instances, electroluminescence may be obtained by selecting the proper crystalline material wherein an electrical display may be created by selectively energizing crossing electrical conductors.

Abstract: A pneumatic rubber tire having an integral innerliner comprising a compounded rubber composition comprised of a sulfur cured blend of a halobutyl rubber and an unsaturated copolymer of propylene oxide and copolymerizable monomer.

Abstract: An onboard tire inflation system (10) for controlling and/or monitoring the inflation pressure of a tire (18) from a remote control (22, 24) is provided. The system includes automatic valve means (32, 88) for isolating the interior chamber (20) of the tire and relieving fluid pressure on the rotary seals (78, 80, 82) during system steady state ("off") operating conditions.