Abstract: This invention relates to a cutting mechanism and its method of operation in "cutting side-lock" portions from "green state" roofing tiles. The tiles are manufactured in a conventional concrete roofing tile making plant in which mortar fed to a hopper extruder (18) of conventional design is formed as a continuous ribbon (26) on a series of pallets (P) conveyed beneath the hopper extruder (18). The ribbon (26) is thereafter cut by a knife (3) into discrete tiles (T) on said pallets (P) with a "side-lock" portion of each tile being blanked out by extension portions (32) (34) of the knife (30). The blanked out portions are thereafter removed from the remainder of the tiles by a blade 90 of removal means 14 such that no damage is caused to the tiles (T) and little or not detritus remains on the tile or the conveyors of the tile making plant.

Abstract: Two support assemblies for respectively supporting the tapered end and the cylindrical end of an elongated tubular elastomeric spring between two opposed spring seats are disclosed. The support assembly for the tapered end is made up of an elongated retaining member which is positionable generally transverse to and entirely inside the tapered end. This retaining member includes two inclined portions which bear down upon the inside of the tapered end when pulled in an outward direction by a bolt thredably secured to a convetional spring seat. The support assembly for the cylindrical end is made up of a second retaining member which is positionable generally transverse to and entirely inside the cylindrical end. The second retaining member includes a plurality of expandable flange portions which engage the inside of the cylindrical portion as the retaining member is pulled in an outward direction by a second bolt threadably secured to the second spring seat.

Abstract: The spring includes a tubular elastomeric body and an embedded coil spring composed entirely of active coils. The ends of the body are contoured with respect to the ends of the coil spring, and provide for control of the orientation of the composite spring with respect to spring seats. An end seal for composite or other tubular elastomeric springs also is disclosed.

Abstract: Two support assemblies for respectively supporting the tapered end and the cylindrical end of an elongated tubular elastomeric spring between two opposed spring seats are disclosed. The support assembly for the tapered end is made up of an elongated retaining member which is positionable generally transverse to and entirely inside the tapered end. This retaining member includes two inclined portions which bear down upon the inside of the tapered end when pulled in an outward direction by a bolt threadably secured to a conventional spring seat. The support assembly for the cylindrical end is made up of a second retaining member which is positionable generally transverse to and entirely inside the cylindrical end. The second retaining member includes a plurality of expandable flange portions which engage the inside of the cylindrical portion as the retaining member is pulled in an outward direction by a bolt threadably secured to the second spring seat.

Abstract: The strut includes a telescoping load bearing assembly that extends through a composite spring and a frictional damping assembly. The damping assembly includes one, two three or more movable damper wedges that are urged by two wedge rings against a sleeve bearing that normally provides for low friction extension and contraction of the load bearing assembly. In response to application of an axial load on the load bearing assembly, however, the damper wedges press or squeeze the sleeve bearing into gripping engagement with the load bearing assembly, which causes the sleeve bearing to apply a frictional damping force to the load bearing assembly. Elastomer layers interposed between the interactive faces of the damper wedges and the wedge rings are placed in visco-elastic shear in response to movement of the damper wedges and, hence, provide essentially frictionless movement of the damper wedges under such conditions. This enhances the sensitivity of the strut to certain road conditions.

Abstract: The assembly includes three damper shoes that are guided by and wedged transversely between two wedge rings, one having three curved flats and the other having three planar flats that respectively contact conforming contact surfaces of the damper shoes. The assembly is particularly useful in a frictionally damped suspension strut.

Abstract: A railcar shock insulated suspension system is provided with unique variable rod springs and co-related variable rate friction damping means. Each rod spring includes an elongated solid body of elastomeric material which, when subjected to radially directed compression loads and allowed to deform freely without rotation, produces a non-linear or variable spring rate proportional to the ratio of the areas of its loaded to unloaded surfaces. Rod springs constitute the main suspension spring elements, and additionally may constitute the damping means spring elements, if desired.

Abstract: A shock insulated suspension system is provided with unique variable rate rod springs and co-related variable rate friction damping means. Each rod spring includes an elongated solid body of elastomeric material which, when subjected to radially directed compression loads and allowed to deform freely without rotation, produces a non-linear or variable spring rate proportional to the ratio of the areas of its loaded to unloaded surfaces. Rod springs constitute the main suspension spring elements, and additionally may constitute the damping means spring elements, if desired.

Abstract: A mobile vehicle shock insulated suspension system is provided with unique variable rate elastomer springs and co-related variable rate friction damping system.