Abstract: A consolidated, rubber article such as a filler segment for composite solid rubber tires is made by reducing solid rubber articles to small pieces, placing the pieces in a mold having the configuration of the desired tire filler segment, and heating the pieces in the mold while applying pressure thereto.The mold assembly includes a filling chamber and a releasably attachable mold body. A press block fits slidably in the filling chamber and is operable to compress the rubber pieces into the mold. The press block then is locked to the mold body to close the mold, whereby the mold body and press block may be separated from the filling chamber while maintaining the closure. The pieces in the mold body are then heated, while compressed, sufficiently to consolidate the mold contents into a tire filler segment having a density of from 15 to 75 pounds per cubic foot. The consolidated product is then cooled and removed from the mold.

Abstract: A deck component for use in a highway railroad crossing. The component comprises a flat pad of molded, comminuted rubber dimensioned to lie with companion pads inside and outside the rails and spiked to the ties. Pad bearing is provided against the webs of the rails, as well as against the tie plates and the ties. The result is a stabilized crossing easily installed and of long life.