Patents by Inventor Xavier De Vos

Xavier De Vos has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6438932
    Abstract: A steel structure adapted for the reinforcement of elastomeric members has steel elements containing a plurality of steel filaments at least one of which filaments is provided with first and second crimps. The first crimp lies in a plane that is substantially different from the plane of the second crimp. Application of the both crimps can be carried out efficiently using two pairs of toothed wheels which are not externally driven. This arrangement renders it possible to obtain steel structures with an increased penetration of rubber or with an increased elongation at break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: N.V. Bekaert S.A.
    Inventors: Xavier De Vos, Yvan Lippens, Albert R. Somers, Frans Van Giel
  • Publication number: 20020062636
    Abstract: A steel structure adapted for the reinforcement of elastomeric members has steel elements containing a plurality of steel filaments at least one of which filaments is provided with first and second crimps. The first crimp lies in a plane that is substantially different from the plane of the second crimp. Application of the both crimps can be carried out efficiently using two pairs of toothed wheels which are not externally driven. This arrangement renders it possible to obtain steel structures with an increased penetration of rubber or with an increased elongation at break.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Xavier De Vos, Yvan Lippens, Albert R. Somers, Frans Van Giel
  • Patent number: 6311466
    Abstract: A steel structure adapted for the reinforcement of elastomeric members has steel elements containing a plurality of steel filaments at least one of which filaments is provided with first and second crimps. The first crimp lies in a plane that is substantially different from the plane of the second crimp. Application of the both crimps can be carried out efficiently using two pairs of toothed wheels which are not externally driven. This arrangement renders it possible to obtain steel structures with an increased penetration of rubber or with an increased elongation at break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: N. V. Bekaert S.A.
    Inventors: Xavier De Vos, Yvan Lippens, Albert R. Somers, Frans Van Giel
  • Patent number: 5968651
    Abstract: A steel cord (10) adapted for the reinforcement of elastomeric products comprises a core and a layer arranged around the core. The core comprises one to four core filaments (12) and the layer comprises three to ten layer filaments (14). At least one of the core filaments (12) have a first wave form and at least one of the layer filaments (14) have a second wave form such that the first wave form is substantially different from said second wave form.This allows to control the size of the micro-gaps and to guarantee rubber penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: N.V. Bekaert S.A.
    Inventors: Xavier De Vos, Yvan Lippens
  • Patent number: 5878564
    Abstract: A steel cord (114) comprises strength elements (100, 132) and having a length, a longitudinal central axis (112) and a cord pitch. At least one of the elements (100) has a projection on a plane YZ perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis (112). This projection takes the form of a curve with a radius of curvature which alternates between a maximum and a minimum. The curve further has a center of curvature. The radius of curvature and the center of curvature lie inside the curve so that a convex curve is obtained. The cord (114) is further characterized by one or both of following features:(i) the distance between two minimum radii of curvature of said curve measured along the longitudinal central axis (112) is different from half the cord pitch; or(ii) if all of said elements (100) provide a convex curve, at least one of said convex curves substantially differs from another convex curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: N.V. Bekaert S.A.
    Inventors: Xavier De Vos, Frans Van Giel
  • Patent number: 5687557
    Abstract: A steel cord (114) comprises strength elements (100, 132) and having a length, a longitudinal central axis (112) and a cord pitch. At least one of the elements (100) has a projection on a plane YZ perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis (112). This projection takes the form of a curve with a radius of curvature which alternates between a maximum and a minimum. The curve further has a center of curvature. The radius of curvature and the center of curvature lie inside the curve so that a convex curve is obtained. The cord (114) is further characterized by one or both of following features:(i) the distance between two minimum radii of curvature of said curve measured along the longitudinal central axis (112) is different from half the cord pitch; or(ii) if all of said elements (100) provide a convex curve, at least one of said convex curves substantially differs from another convex curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: N.V. Bekaert S.A.
    Inventors: Xavier De Vos, Frans Van Giel
  • Patent number: 5581990
    Abstract: A steel cord comprises steel filaments twisted around each other in a first direction about at least one steel core filament having a wave form. The twisted filaments are individually subjected to a rotation about their own axes. This steel cord is formed by deforming the core filament into a planar wave form and twisting the core filament in a second direction to a predetermined degree. The core filaments together with the other filaments are twisted in the first direction so that the twisted filaments are individually subjected to a rotation around their own axes in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: N.V. Bekaert S.A.
    Inventors: Frans Van Giel, Xavier De Vos, Luc Sabbe
  • Patent number: 5512380
    Abstract: A steel cord (10) adapted for the reinforcement of elastomers, comprises individual steel filaments (12, 14). Some of these steel filaments (12) have a difference in torsion saturation level in comparison with other steel filaments (14). All of the individual steel filaments have a predetermined number of residual torsions and are preferably free of residual torsions. Such a steel cord is manufactured by making use of two false twisters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: N. V. Bekaert S.A.
    Inventors: Xavier De Vos, Frans Van Giel