Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a tire with a built in sealant is provided. The method includes the steps of mounting an inner liner onto a tire building drum, extruding a sealant composition into strips having tapered sidewalls, cutting the strip to a desired length, mounting the sealant over the inner liner in two or more zones, wherein each zone is separated by a circumferential divider which joins the inner liner to the a cover layer forming a barrier to prevent migration of the sealant from one zone to another.

Abstract: A pneumatic off-the-road (OTR) tire has a plurality of central and shoulder lugs. The central lugs are arranged in a circumferentially continuous row and extend across the equatorial plane (EP). Each central lug is similar in shape and orientation relative to each circumferentially adjacent central lug. The tire is conformed having a tread package that effects a low net-to-gross ratio of less than 40% as measured around the circumference of the tire. The low net to gross tread pattern is incorporated into a relatively low aspect ratio OTR tire for construction and industrial applications.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having improved snow traction and treadwear, and improved noise and handling properties, has 80 to 105 pitches and a sipe density of 1.0 to 1.1. The tire has a square footprint, and has a footprint shape factor (FSF) of 1.0 to 1.25. The tire has an open central and intermediate region, as compared to the shoulder region, and has lateral groove depths that vary from 50% to 100% of the tread depth; wherein the shallower grooves are disposed toward the central and intermediate regions of the tire.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having improved snow traction and tread wear, and improved noise and handling properties, has 80 to 105 pitches and a sipe density of 1.0 to 1.1. The tire has a substantially rounded footprint, and has a footprint shape factor (FSF) of 1.2 to 1.5. The tire has an open central and intermediate region, as compared to the shoulder region, and has lateral groove depths that vary from 50% to 100% of the tread depth, wherein the shallower grooves are disposed toward the central and intermediate regions of the tire.

Abstract: An acetabular alignment method and apparatus utilize natural landmarks available on a pelvis to guide the alignment of an acetabular device in connection with the implant of a prosthetic hip joint at an implant site in the pelvis. The acetabular device is engaged with a positioning shaft having a longitudinal shaft axis, and locators are mounted upon the positioning shaft for placement adjacent selected landmarks on the pelvis to orient the shaft axis relative to the acetabular axis of a prepared acetabulum at the implant site in order to place the shaft axis at a prescribed angle of abduction and a prescribed angle of anteversion, thereby orienting the acetabular device at the appropriate angle of abduction and the appropriate angle of anteversion.

Abstract: A highway trailer having rear wheels that are longitudinally adjustable along a slide rail also has when parked, a lift capability by use of an on-board jack. The bed floor at the rear of the trailer may be raised to match loading dock levels of varying heights and to allow the addition and removal of rail truck wheels without the need for special equipment at the site. A lift jack is attached to move fore and aft of the trailer along with a concomitant movement of the rear wheels and to bear against a horizontally extended flange portion of the slide rail that underlies the trailer bed floor.

Abstract: An elevating system for a vehicle load bed including a vehicle suspension system incorporating a support assembly pivotally mounted at one end to the load bed and releasably mounted at the second end. Selective release of the secured end allows pivotal separation of the load bed and suspension system and a corresponding elevation of the load bed. Jacks interposed between the load bed and the suspension system control the pivotal separation.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system augmenter includes one or more selectively actuatable hydraulic jacks positioned to elevate the frame of a vehicle with respect to its suspension system on at least one side in order to achieve a leveling function of the frame when the vehicle is on uneven terrain. The system contemplates appropriate brackets and mounting devices to enable the system to be applied during the original construction of the vehicle, or as an after-market item, and further contemplates employing fluid pressure systems already embodied in the vehicle or as auxiliary items. The fluid pressure system may be activated by the operator from the driver station and when in a non-use configuration, the hydraulic jacks are totally disconnected from at least one of the frame or suspension elements, whichever is appropriate.

Abstract: An elevating system for a vehicle load bed including a vehicle suspension system incorporating a .Iadd.suspension .Iaddend.support assembly pivotally mounted at one end to the load bed and releasably mounted at the second end .Iadd.thereof.Iaddend.. Selective release of the .[.secured.]. .Iadd.second .Iaddend.end allows pivotal separation of the load bed and suspension system .[.and.]. .Iadd.resulting in .Iaddend.a corresponding elevation of the load bed. Jacks interposed between the load bed and the suspension system control the pivotal separation. .Iadd.The elevating system is adapted to be installed on a conventional vehicle load bed and suspension system either during assembly of the vehicle or as an after market addition. .Iaddend.