Abstract: A test fixture, test apparatus, and test method utilize a radially cut tire section that is mounted and sealed to a test jig in a airtight manner such that an air chamber is formed between an innerliner surface of the radial tire section and a recessed portion of the jig body such that the tire section may be pressurized on the test jig. A test surface is provided and either the test surface or the test jig is moveable relative to the other to the other to provide a dynamic load to the radial tire sections.

Abstract: A seal for a mass transit power transmission coupling. The seal is made at least partially of a polymeric material and configured such that the sealing surface moves radially outward under the centrifugal force created by rotation of the coupling beyond a predetermined speed. When the rotational speed of the coupling drops below the predetermined speed, the sealing surface moves radially inward and seals the coupling to prevent loss of the oil lubrication typically used on such couplings.

Abstract: An improved windshield wiper blade insert for mounting on a wiper blade carrier arm comprises a base portion, a shank portion and a wiping portion. The shank portion comprises an elastic response enhancing material. The material is preferably a metal that exhibits substantially total elastic recovery under the flexural stress and service conditions encountered by the wiper blade insert. In one embodiment, the shank portion contains a ribbon of spring metal with a thickness in the range of about 0.001 to about 0.004 inches. In a second embodiment, the elastic response member is an essentially rectangular solid formed from spring metal wire with a diameter in the range of about 0.001 to about 0.006 inches.

Abstract: A thin elastomeric sheet material with enhanced puncture resistance is prepared by embedding thin plate-like non-elastomeric particles in an elastomeric matrix so that the non-elastomeric particles form lamellae of overlapping plates. The interaction of the embedded particles and the matrix results in a composite sheet material have puncture resistance, at a load application rate in the relevant range for a surgical needle or the like, far superior to either the particles or an elastomeric sheet of equivalent thickness.