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.

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 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 hub, position the chain section across the tire tread, traverse the outside of the tire, recross the tire tread and be 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.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel attachment offers an increased tread to support the vehicle on soft ground, snow or sand. A rigid version has a body (5) of revolution which is clamped co-axially against the wheel (1) using a screw device (7,19) anchored to the studs which mount the wheel. The body is generally frusto-conical and may be made buoyant or be ballasted. There are also inflatable (29) and telescopic versions which can be collapsed and stowed against the wheel.

Abstract: An electrically operated device such as a duplicating machine has a recptacle for accommodating a fluid for the chemical treatment of sheet material and like objects. The receptacle may be in the form of a dip tank designed for passing sheet material therethrough. This dip tank is connected via a supply conduit to a storage tank and the supply conduit includes a pump controlled by an automatic charging and metering unit for supplying fluid to the dip tank. A drain conduit leading to the storage tank is connected to the dip tank. This drain conduit includes a solenoid valve for stopping or allowing the flow of fluid through the drain conduit.

Abstract: A traction device for use with automobiles which comprises a wedge shaped bag filled with sand or a sand like material which when placed under the wheels of a car provides increased traction so that the car can be moved from a slippery place.

Abstract: A tubular band of pre-decorated heat shrinkable material is positioned over the bulbous or central portion of a seasonal ornament and the ornament-band assembly is then subjected to a heat source and the band is permanently shrunk onto the outer surface of the ornament, thus providing a surface decoration therefore.

Abstract: A contrasting color is imparted to the decorative surface of a decorative laminate by inserting a pigment coated release sheet between the molding caul and the decorative surface during the molding operation, with the pigment facing the decorative surface. Upon application of heat and pressure during the formation of the laminate, color is transferred from the release sheet to the decorative surface. A suitable technique is also used to emboss or impart surface texture to the decorative surface during molding. Thereafter, the textured surface is subjected to rubbing or brushing to remove more color from the embossed or raised areas than the debossed areas, thereby highlighting or imparting a shaded effect to the textured surface.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire wherein the tread portion comprises a plurality of independent projections arranged so as to provide a plurality of substantially axially extending grooves from the centerplane of the tire to the tread edge. The independent projections have a rigid portion and at least one flexible portion such that when a braking force is applied the flexible portion deforms so as to improve water drainage from the tread portion of the tire.

Abstract: A traction device surrounding the tread and sidewalls of a tire. The device includes several elongated, molded plastic traction members having fastening strips secured to opposite ends. The traction members are secured about the periphery of the tire by a flexible belt or strap extending through the fastening strips at opposite sides of the tire so that the traction members extend across the tire tread from one side of the tire to the other. The traction members have a generally planar outer face. The inner face is formed with a plurality of suction cavities surrounded by sidewalls which abut the tread surface of the tire.

Abstract: A traction device includes traction arms each having a traction finger extending transversely to the treadwall portion of a tire while supported by a shank portion extending to a carrier plate. Pivotal support arms on the carrier plate engage the hub section of the wheel rim by projecting through openings through spoke portions of the rim. The free ends of the support arms engage a hub with a threaded opening received on a threaded shaft that is moved into contact with the axle member of the vehicle and supported by the carrier plate.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire for a heavy duty vehicle including a tread surface divided along circumferential directions by at least two tread zigzag grooves to form a plurality of circumferential zigzag ribs comprises stress releasing apertures formed at least in zones of the circumferential ribs which are within distances approximately 30% of widths of the circumferential ribs from the side of the ribs to mitigate stress concentrations in corners of the ribs extending in the tread grooves by reducing rigidities of the corners for preventing railway wear which would otherwise occur in the tire of this kind.

Abstract: A removable, non-skid tire fitting for use in snow and ice which includes a number of shoes on chains which are to be attached to the tire. Each shoe is of plastic material and is formed with a plurality of bosses in which flanged studs are located, the flange aiding to retain a stud in a boss. Selected studs of a shoe, preferably those to be located closer to the center of the tire tread, can be provided with tungsten carbide tips. A preferred range of dimensions for the shoes, studs and bosses is given.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire and wheel rim assembly of the type in which support means extends circumferentially around the rim between the bead seats to support the tire when in a deflated condition.The support means is rotatable relative to the rim when the tire is in a deflated condition and lubrication means is provided to release lubricant to facilitate said relative rotation.The lubrication means comprises a sealed container located in a recess in the radially inner surface of the support means which ruptures to release lubricant between the radially inner surface of the support means and a confronting running surface on the rim when the tire is in a deflated condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tire assembly capable of use with a tire rim of a tube tire having a valve hole with a first diameter and capable of use with a tire rim of a tubeless tire having a valve hole with a second diameter, the first diameter being less than the second diameter, the tire assembly including an inner tube provided with a threaded air valve stem having an outer diameter less than the first diameter, and a tightening nut provided with a thread for threading engagement with the threaded valve stem, the tightening nut provided on one end with a flange portion having an outer diameter substantially equal to the second diameter.

Abstract: A method of fixing trim on an object to be bake-painted and a device for carrying out said method are disclosed. The device for fixing trim on the object to be bake-painted has a depression from therein and the depression is filled with a thermosetting synthetic adhesive. A strong bond between said trim-fixing device and an object is obtained by temporarily attaching the device with a suitable means to the object at a prescribed position and heat-treating the painted object with the device temporarily attached and thereby, curing the paint and the adhesive and at the same time, bonding the trim-fixing device fast to the object by the adhesive.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anti-skid device for vehicle wheels, formed by a plurality of U-shaped elements adapted to radially fit on the wheel tire and rim, said elements being connected with one another by spacers allowing the device to be put flat on the ground and to be automatically mounted on the wheel by simply advancing said wheel on the device.

Abstract: Means for improving the traction of wheeled equipment used in the logging industry comprising an improved skidder ring with clevises to which the connecting tag chains are fastened by a pin preferably secured in place by a spot of welding material. When a tag chain breaks and must be replaced, the pin is severed by a torch permitting the remaining two pin parts to be removed from the clevis. The end link of the replacement or repaired tag chain is secured by a new pin placed in the clevis. A spot of welding material is applied to the pin to hold it in place.

Abstract: A plurality of small articles, such as beam-lead semiconductor devices, are precisely positioned by placing them on the ends of tubular members which are centered in cavities having the form of inverted, truncated, pyramids. The smallest cross section of the cavities is smaller than the smallest article to be positioned. The members slide vertically within the cavities and are resiliently supported by a vacuum chamber for movement therewith. The chamber is lowered with a vertical oscillatory motion, while a slight vacuum is applied, to lower the articles into the cavities and engage them intermittently with the walls of the cavity. This orients and centers the articles in the cavities. A substrate, having sites to which the articles are to be bonded, is coated with a liquefiable substance to render the sites adherent. The substrate is then positioned over the cavities.

Abstract: Material-handling apparatus is illustrated in a tire-recapping plant where tires of various sizes are automatically fed to a cluster of recapping machines by a feed conveyor in proper sequence for loading each machine with a tire of the proper type and size. The tire is automatically centered for engagement by the gripping arms of a transfer apparatus which transfers the tire from the feed conveyor to the proper recapping machine. At the completion of the recapping operation in each machine, the recapped tire is picked up by the transfer mechanism and is deposited on the discharge conveyor, and the transfer mechanism then automatically reloads the machine with a tire of the proper size and type which is centered on the feed conveyor. The machine is controlled automatically to eliminate manual handling of the tires in the immediate vicinity of the recapping machine.