Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming contoured tire carcass strips having a body ply consisting of two strips of elastomeric material containing individually spaced reinforcing cords sandwiched therebetween, an innerliner, a pair of abrasive gum sections, and pairs of first and second sidewall sections. The carcass strip and reinforcing cords have a contour configuration with a wider central portion and a pair of outwardly flared end portions connected to the central portion by two intermediate portions. The transverse distances between the cords are equal, with the distances being greater at the central portion than the intermediate and end portions. A grooved forming plate has a plurality of grooves in one surface in the configured pattern that the cords will take when sandwiched in the body ply. The cords are placed in the grooves of the forming plate and have two strips of elastomeric material applied thereto by a pair of vacuum transfer plates and a press.

Abstract: A product and process for imparting decorative appliques to the sidewalls of tires during the curing operation are presented. In one embodiment, a spool of applique composite material is maintained for feeding into a tire mold or onto a transfer device, thereby defining a ring for vulcanization to a tire. The applique consists of a laminate received upon a carrier, the laminate having a first barrier layer and a congruent second decorative layer. The laminate is received by a tire sidewall between two grooves which serve to isolate the decorative layer from the tire itself. In another embodiment a laminate of white and barrier rubber stock is formed and then configured into a cylinder. A plurality of bands are cut from the cylinder then transferred to a fixture by reorienting the bands to conform to the angle of the sidewall of the tire at the point with which the band is to be adhered.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a pneumatic tire includes a cured tread area, an outer sidewall area connected to the tread area, and an outer bead connected to the sidewall area at an end thereof and defining an opening for receiving a wheel. The tire also includes a pre-cured, elastomeric, decorative applique and an applique-contacting adhesive layer positioned between the sidewall and the applique. A method according to the present invention, of providing a cured pneumatic tire with a decorative outer sidewall, includes the step of bonding to the outer sidewall of the cured pneumatic tire a cured, elastomeric, decorative applique with an adhesive layer.

Abstract: A product and process for imparting decorative appliques to the sidewalls of tires during the curing operation are presented. In one embodiment, a spool of applique composite material is maintained for feeding into a tire mold or onto a transfer device, thereby defining a ring for vulcanization to a tire. The applique consists of a laminate received upon a carrier, the laminate having a first barrier layer and a congruent second decorative layer. The laminate is received by a tire sidewall between two grooves which serve to isolate the decorative layer from the tire itself. In another embodiment a laminate of white and barrier rubber stock is formed and then configured into a cylinder. A plurality of bands are cut from the cylinder then transferred to a fixture by reorienting the bands to conform to the angle of the sidewall of the tire at the point with which the band is to be adhered.

Abstract: A mechanical fastening system for securing a flexible sheet within a channel member via an insert member wherein the latter is made of flexible resilient material having a central longitudinal flex notch that serves to define two adjacent wing portions and permits a temporary elastic deformation of the insert member into an inverted V-shape for insertion of the insert member, together with the flexible sheet, into the channel member. A method for securing the flexible sheet within the channel member, via the resilient insert member, is also presented.

Abstract: A non-penetrating mechanical fastener for securing a flexible sheet of an elastomeric material to the upper surface of a roof via the use of a plurality of such fasteners, each of which includes upper and lower members, wherein the latter are anchored to the roofing surface. The upper member includes an inner resilient retainer and an outer locking cap which clamp the sheet about an annular knob formed on the lower member. The locking cap is engaged by a compression fit with the resilient retainer to secure the retainer in position about the annular knob. A bolt and nut securely attaches the locking cap to the retainer to prevent their disengagement from the annular knob of the lower member. A method for securing the flexible sheet to the roofing substrate also is presented.

Abstract: Apparatus for compressing an elongated strip of resilient material and inserting the strip, together with a flexible membrane, into a channel member supported on a substrate wherein the apparatus includes a frame assembly, supporting and moving structure for the frame assembly; pairs of converging roller assemblies for receiving and temporarily elastically deforming the strip of resilient material into an inverted V-shape; a grip wheel for gripping the apex portion of the inverted V-shaped strip and pushing at least a portion thereof, together with abutting portions of the flexible membrane, into the channel member; and a pressing tool for inserting the strip fully into the channel member and thereafter returning the strip to approximately its natural shape to thereby frictionally retain adjacent portions of the flexible membrane within the channel member.

Abstract: An attachment device for securing a flexible sheet within a channel member via an insert member of generally inverted V-shape wherein the latter is made of a ductile but rigid material having a central longitudinal portion of reduced rigidity that serves to define two adjacent wing portions and permits the subsequent plastic deformation of the insert member into its installed shape after its insertion, together with the flexible sheet, into the channel member. A method for securing the flexible sheet within the channel member, via the ductile but rigid member, is also presented.

Abstract: A channel end cap for use, in a mechanical fastening system for mechanically securing a flexible sheet, with a channel member of generally rectangular form, in transverse cross section, wherein the end cap is comprised of a flexible resilient material of a shape generally corresponding to that of the channel member and having first bottom, side and top wall portions separated by an intermediate abutment means from second bottom, side and top wall portions, extending from their corresponding first wall portions, axially outwardly of the channel member axial outer end surface, with the abutment means acting as stop means and abutting the channel member axial outer end surface.

Abstract: A channel connector for channel members, used in mechanical fastening systems for mechanically securing a flexible sheet relative thereto, each channel member being of generally rectangular form, in transverse cross section, and each channel connector being comprised of a flexible resilient material of a shape generally corresponding to that of the channel members and having bottom, side and top wall portions; transverse spacer means, having opposed sides, on the bottom wall, at about the midpoint of the channel connector axial extent; a channel connector bottom wall having a first aperture of a first predetermined size and shape centered a first predetermined axial distance from one of the spacer means sides and a second aperture of a second predetermined size and shape centered a second predetermined axial distance from the other of the spacer means sides.

Abstract: A centrifugal casting machine (20) has a first rotatable shaft (33) and a second rotatable shaft (45) as well as a rotatable core member (100) having a central opening, with at least one of these shafts being adapted for reciprocal movement so as to extend into the core member central opening and adjacent to the other one of the shafts (33) and (45). First (73) and second (83) mold halves are located on opposite sides of the core member (100) and each is adapted to move inwardly and outwardly between open and closed positions. The mold halves (73) and (83) are rotatably supported on bearing means (75) and (85) and in closed position are adapted to rotate with the core member (100) and define a cavity (128) in combination therewith. The improvement takes the form of the addition of mold isolator means (130) and (132) between the bearing means (75) and (85) and the mold halves (73) and ( 83).