Abstract: A plant cover transformable between collapsed and expanded states and including: a frame including a plurality of rods; a foldable canopy secured to the rods; and a pivoting support assembly operatively coupled to the frame. The pivoting support assembly includes: a brace having a central base and a plurality of projections extending radially outwardly from the central base and defining a longitudinally extending socket, a pivot support defining a pivot axis, and a latch receiver; and a plurality of rod supports pivotally coupled to a respective projection of the plurality of projections of the brace. Each rod support including a split hearing collar at one end pivotally mounted to the pivot support of a corresponding projection and a latch member at the opposite end, the latch member engaging the latch receiver to secure the corresponding rod support in the open position.

Abstract: A plant cover transformable between collapsed and expanded states and including: a frame including a plurality of rods; a foldable canopy secured to the rods; and a pivoting support assembly operatively coupled to the frame. The pivoting support assembly includes: a brace having a central base and a plurality of projections extending radially outwardly from the central base and defining a longitudinally extending socket, a pivot support defining a pivot axis, and a latch receiver; and a plurality of rod supports pivotally coupled to a respective projection of the plurality of projections of the brace. Each rod support including a split hearing collar at one end pivotally mounted to the pivot support of a corresponding projection and a latch member at the opposite end, the latch member engaging the latch receiver to secure the corresponding rod support in the open position.

Abstract: A composite conductor assembly is configured as a core composed of polymeric elastomeric material and a conductive layer in intimate surrounding contact with the core. The polymeric material provides elasticity to the core to enable the core to elongate when subjected to strain forces within a tire. The conductive layer is fabricated from a low impedance material and may be configured as a composite wherein an inner base metal is selected as a strength member and an outer metallic layer is applied to the base for electrical performance enhancement.

Abstract: A steel cord, formed of a plurality of steel filaments, has a construction of N×(7×2) wherein N=1 to 7 and within the circumference of the cross-sectional area, not more than 60% of the cord area is comprised of the steel filaments. The steel cord has an elongation at break of at least 3%.

Abstract: high elongation cable and a tire having a tread belt with an extensible reinforcing cable is provided. The high elongation cable has a 3×7×m or a 4×7×m construction, wherein m is comprised of at least two layers, wherein the outermost layer is comprised of a plurality of twisted filaments, said filaments having a diameter d, wherein the spacing between said twisted filaments is less than the diameter d.

Abstract: A high elongation cable and a tire having a tread belt with an extensible reinforcing cable are provided. The high elongation cable has a 3×7×m or a 4×7×m construction, wherein m is comprised of at least two layers, wherein the outermost layer is comprised of a plurality of twisted filaments, said filaments having a diameter d, wherein the spacing between said twisted filaments is less than the diameter d.

Abstract: A wire drawing machine includes a frame; at least one die operatively supported by the frame; at least one drawing block rotatably supported by the frame for use in drawing wire through the die; and, a motor for use in providing power. A belt system connects the motor to the drawing block so that the drawing block can be rotated. To adjust the speed and torque of the drawing block, the belt is removed and one sprocket is replaced with a second sprocket.

Abstract: A composite antenna and method for tire monitoring systems is configured as a core composed of polymeric material and a conductive metallic layer in intimate surrounding contact with the core. The polymeric material provides elasticity to the core to enable the core to elongate when subjected to stress forces within a tire. The conductive layer is fabricated from a low impedance material and may be configured as a composite wherein an inner base metal is selected as a strength member and an outer metallic layer is applied to the base for electrical performance enhancement.

Abstract: A composite conductor assembly is configured as a core composed of polymeric elastormeric material and a conductive layer in intimate surrounding contact with the core. The polymeric material provides elasticity to the core to enable the core to elongate when subjected to strain forces within a tire. The conductive layer is fabricated from a low impedance material and may be configured as a composite wherein an inner base metal is selected as a strength member and an outer metallic layer is applied to the base for electrical performance enhancement.

Abstract: The methods according to the invention include converting the three digit decimal red, green, and blue values (000-255) to two digit decimal values (00-25), representing each two digit decimal value as an alpha character, and encoding the alpha character using the standard UPC alpha character codes. A rounding algorithm is provided for rounding up the least significant digit in different ways depending on the range of the value when encoding and decoding. The methods of the invention may be used to express RGB values as three alpha characters rather than as 24-bits (8-bit R, 8-bit G, and 8-bit B) in applications other than bar coding.