Abstract: A plow edge and a plow flap, for example, a snow plow edge and a snow plow flap, having improved durability and performance compared to prior art metallic or elastomeric edges or flaps. The plow edge and plow flap are fabricated from an elastomeric material, for example, a cord-reinforced elastomeric material. According to one aspect of the invention, the cord-reinforced elastomeric materials are elongated members fabricated from tire parts, for example, used treads from pneumatic tires. Tire treads having integral reinforcing cords, for example, metallic or polymer cords or belts provide enhanced strength and durability. The plow edges and flaps may be used on plows for transferring many types of media along a surface, for example, gravel, sand, water, or other liquids, but in one aspect of the invention, the edges and flaps are used for snow plows.

Abstract: A process for fabricating cord-reinforced-rubber structural materials from used tires and a cord-reinforced-rubber structural material. The process includes the following steps for handling and treating the tires: removing the side walls from the tires; removing at least some of the tread material from the tire to provide an essentially uniform tread thickness; cutting the tires in a transverse direction to provide elongated strips of tire material having at least some inherent curvature; removing at least some of the inherent curvature by compressing the strips to at least about 100 psi and heating the strips to at least 200 degrees F to remove at least some of the inherent curvature; mating the strips with a gum rubber adhesive; and bonding the strips and gum rubber adhesive by compressing them to about 100 psi and heating them to at least 200 degrees F. By removing at least some of the inherent curvature the strips of rubber material are more easily handled during subsequent processing.