Abstract: A pressure regulating system having a tamper-proof safety feature. A pair of seats are mounted to an annular pipe. A first bleed pipe, with a fixed restriction, extends from an inlet conduit to a first chamber. The first chamber is separated from a second chamber by a second diaphragm. A second bleed pipe extends from the second chamber to an outlet pipe. A bleed off mechanism is sealed within the outlet conduit and includes a compressible bellows. When compressed, which occurs when a predetermined pressure level is attained in the outlet conduit, a third seat is moved out of sealing relation with the outlet conduit and the first chamber. This creates an imbalance of the pressures in the chambers that leads to the pair of seats being moved to seal off apertures in the inlet conduit, thereby inhibiting flow into the outlet conduit.

Abstract: The gas control assembly includes a housing threaded to a vessel neck to extend into the vessel containing pressurized fluid, a fitting threaded into the housing bore and a valve body threaded to the fitting outwardly of the neck with a valve body threaded thereto. The housing and fitting having a first passageway that opens to the ambient atmosphere and to a relief device at the housing inner end to permit fluid exhausting through the first passageway upon the temperature and/or pressure in the vessel exceeding a preselected valve. The housing, fitting and valve body provide a second passageway opening to the vessel interior and an outlet connection. The fitting and housing mount a main valve in the second passageway while a solenoid is mounted to the valve body and when energized, through a rod, operates the main valve to an open condition.

Abstract: A second stage pressure reducer for two-stage scuba regulators, comprising gas supply chamber; an elastic diaphragm; an inlet, connected to the gas supply chamber through an orifice; a tubular element, conveying breathing gas from the orifice to the gas supply chamber; a poppet stem, housed inside the tubular element; a poppet seat, affixed to the poppet stem and causing the orifice to open or close; a poppet spring, causing the poppet stem to slide; centering tabs, protruding from the poppet stem and maintaining the poppet stem in a constant axial position and further allowing the poppet stem to slide axially; a guide system for preventing axial rotation of the poppet stem but not axial sliding; and a demand lever, causing translations of the poppet stem as a consequence of diaphragm movements. The guide system may be a system of grooves, rails or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A fuel tank for a motor vehicle having a chamber delimited by a wall and having an activated carbon filter located to ventilate the volume of the fuel chamber located above the level of fuel in the tank.

Abstract: A control valve (10) for a fluid circulation circuit comprises a body (12) which is equipped with a fluid inlet (18) and at least two fluid outlets (20, 22 and 24) and which delimits a cylindrical housing for an adjusting member (26) able to rotate about an axis of rotation (XX) and to adopt various angular positions in order to control the distribution of fluid through the outlets. The body (12) comprises an end wall (14) into which the fluid inlet (18) opens and a cylindrical side wall (16) into which the fluid outlets open at axial heights and at angular positions that are chosen with respect to the axis of rotation (XX). The rotary member (26) comprises a truncated end (38) facing toward the end wall (14), this making it possible to have control over the fluid outlets using a law defined as a function of the angular position of the rotary member in the valve body.

Abstract: A proportional, pilot-operated flow control valve is disclosed which can include a cage, a hollow compensating spool slidably disposed within the cage, a hollow metering guide member slidably disposed within the compensating spool, a regulating spool slidably disposed within the guide member, a dampening guide slidably disposed inside the compensating spool to define a dampening chamber, a compensating spring disposed inside the dampening chamber and arranged to urge the dampening guide to engage the metering guide and the compensating spool to engage the cage, a regulating spring disposed inside the regulating spool and urging the regulating spool to abut the dampening guide, and a cartridge, the cartridge having a pilot valve assembly and an adaptor, the adaptor mounted to the cage, the pilot valve assembly mounted to the adaptor, the pilot valve assembly including an actuator.

Abstract: A modular center set faucet or bar spout in which the faucet trim or bar spout trim may be removed from or reinstalled from above the sink deck without affecting the waterway connections beneath the sink deck. Each faucet or bar spout assembly includes a valve body with a trim set. The valve body includes a pair of elongated tubular conduits spaced from each other to extend through the passages in the sink deck. A cartridge chamber is formed in each of the elongated tubular conduit with a cross conduit connecting the tubular conduits. A water outlet nipple leads from the cross conduit. The water outlet nipple has a slide-on fitting located above the sink deck when the pair of elongated tubular conduits are positioned to extend through the passages. The trim set may include a waterway and an escutcheon with the waterway positioned in the escutcheon.

Abstract: An assembly of a plurality of hydraulic control valves is housed in a single-piece body. For each control valve, a spool bore and an aperture for a pressure compensation valve are provided in the monolithic body. Each spool bore is connected to several return passages and a supply passage that extend through the monolithic body. A pair of workports also is connected to each spool bore. A relief valve return passage also extends through the monolithic body and where needed, apertures for pressure relief valves extend from a surface of the monolithic body intersecting the relief valve return passage and a given workport. A load sense passage and a second supply passage also are formed in the monolithic body.

Abstract: A fluid pressure regulator assembly includes a body having a first passageway extending from a first port to a second port, and a second passageway extending from a third port to a fourth port. A pressure regulator is coupled between the second and third ports for controlling the pressure of fluid flowing from the second port to the third port. The regulator assembly further includes a bypass valve and the body includes a housing for the bypass valve. A third passageway extends from the first passageway to the housing, and a fourth passageway extends from the housing to the second passageway. The bypass valve controls flow from the first passageway through the third passageway and the fourth passageway to the second passageway in response to a bypass control signal coupled to the bypass valve.

Abstract: A hose comprising an inner tube of a synthetic resin, a non-reinforcing, abrasion-resistant layer of monofilament strands overlying the inner tube and, a cover layer overlying the inner tube and encapsulating the abrasion-resistant layer, and, optionally, a reinforcing layer between the inner tube and the abrasion-resistant layer of monofilament strands. The monofilament strands can be arranged in a regular pattern, for example, in a loosely-woven net of the monofilament strands and can have a diameter greater or less than the spacing between the monofilament strands, with the spacing between the monofilament strands ranging from 50-200% of the diameter of the monofilament strands.

Abstract: This flexible tubular pipe comprises at least, from the inside outwards, an internal sealing sheath (1) made of a polymer material, a cylindrical pressure vault (2) having an external face and an internal face placed over the internal sheath (1), the vault (2) consisting of the winding, in a helix with a short pitch and with a gap between turns, of an interlocked metal profile wire (10), at least one ply (3, 4) of tensile armor layers wound with a long pitch and an external protective sealing sheath (5) made of a polymer; the fastener wire (20) has the same height has the profile wire and is fastened below the neutral fiber of the profile wire, the ratio of the cross section of the profile wire to the cross section of the fastening wire is between 1 and 2 and the ratio of the moment of inertia Iyy of the profile wire to the moment of inertia Iyy of the fastening wire is between 1 and 2.

Abstract: The gripping collet (10) for grasping a thread during the preparation of a woven seam is arranged at the end of a draw-through gripper and has a first and a second clamping element, the first and the second clamping element (20, 24) being able to be clamped against each other for grasping the thread using a pneumatic cylinder. The first clamping element has two cylinder surfaces (20) at a distance from each other and the second clamping element has one cylinder surface (24). The arrangement of the cylinder surfaces (20, 24) is such that the axes of the cylinder surfaces lie parallel to each other and essentially at right-angles to the axis of the pneumatic cylinder and, in the extended state of the pneumatic cylinder, the cylinder surface (24) of the second clamping element lies between the two cylinder surfaces (20) of the first clamping element.

Abstract: To provide a yarn end suction device of a loom, which can suppress a fluid consumption amount and prevent occurrence of a cutting error when sucking a weft yarn via a suction mouth disposed near the outside of a weaving end and discharging an unnecessary yarn end portion cut by a cutter to the exterior.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a device for regulating the tension of a thread unwound from a bobbin of a bobbin-holder for a leno selvedge apparatus, said device comprising a brake drum for receiving the bobbin-holder, said brake drum having a brake means and the device being provided with a guide arm for the thread of the bobbin, the brake means (4) comprising a pivotable brake lever (10) having a brake shoe (4) resting against the brake drum (1), with the brake lever (10) having a guide arm (20) provided with an eye (21) for passage of the thread (6) unwound from the bobbin (5).

Abstract: The heddle according to the invention is provided at the level of each of its ends with at least two sections for simultaneous bearing on corresponding surfaces formed on a traction bar fast with a crossbeam of a heddle frame. These sections and surfaces allow the transmission of an effort of traction exerted by one of the crossbeams on the heddle. They are offset in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the heddle and to an axis of the uprights of the frame.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for making a repetitive or non-repetitive modular weave design. The method described enables one to create the modular element bearing the image of woven string segments and to assemble a collection of these modules to create the overall weave design. Assembling a plurality of substantially identical modules to cover a surface creates the overall weave design. Aligning the modules similarly creates a repetitive weave design, and changing the orientation of one or more modules in the overall pattern changes the weave design while maintaining the woven relationship of the strings. Each module of area has the shape such as a polygon or a derivative thereof such that the collective placement of these modules side by side with their edges aligned forms a continuous covering of a surface. One type of shape is a regular polygon, such as a square.

Abstract: A fabric having top and bottom layers, with each layer having machine direction (MD) yarns and cross-direction (CD) yarns interwoven together. The fabric includes pairs of binder yarns that bind together the top and bottom layers. The binder pairs are interwoven so as to be an integral part of the first layer and contribute to a structure thereof. The binder pairs are a non-integral part of the second layer and do not contribute to a structure thereof. During a repeat pattern, at least one of the two binder yarns of a binder pair is integrally woven with the yarns of the first layer and passes over outer surfaces of two non-consecutive yarns in the second layer. As a result, a “double knuckle” binding structure may be formed which improves integrity of the resulting composite fabric by reducing the length of the binder yarn path through the fabric.

Abstract: A unidirectional textile reinforcing sheath (1) capable of being taped onto a mechanical structure to be reinforced, said sheath being formed from a tape produced by the weaving of high-strength warp threads (5) based on aramid, and having a central zone (2) bordered by two lateral zones (3, 4), the thickness of which is the lateral zones being less than that of the central zone.

Abstract: A device for inserting weft threads in an airjet weaving machine including at least one main blower and a respective thread clamp associated with the main blower. The thread clamp is constituted of an element configured in a modular form. Such modular form enables several such elements to be assembled in a modular configuration, including one on top og another. Pneumatically actuated elements are used to engage and disengage the thread clamps whereby the thread clamps may be engaged or disengaged by pressure and vacuum supplied through a single supply conduit. A method for inserting weft threads in the shed of an airjet weaving machine includes holding each weft thread at least temporarily in a thread clamp that moves with the sley of the weaving machine and using a thread tensioner outside the shed at a location between the thread supply and the thread clamp.

Abstract: A stop element (24) is used to open a gripper clamp (20) of a weaving machine (3) and is associated to the gripper clamp's stop piece (21) and the stop element during the slow mode operation of the weaving machine is transversely moved into the path of the gripper clamp's stop piece (21) after the clamp already has moved into the vicinity of the stop element (24).

Abstract: A fueling station is provided with apparatus for preventing accidental fires including communication with the person performing the fueling operation and preventing fuel delivery unless the person performing the fueling operation is safely purged of static electricity. Also a vehicle is provided with static discharge pad apparatus for safely discharging static electricity of a person leaving the vehicle.

Abstract: A medicament tablet dispensing system and method dispenses any selected number of tablets, up to a maximum number, with minimal dispensing delays. During fill operations, a preset number of tablets are counted and stored in dedicated storage compartments. Dispensing operations are performed in response to dispense request commands. The fill operations are performed in a manner independent from the quantity of tablets identified by the dispense request commands. During the dispensing operations for a particular dispense request command, the preset number of tablets are emptied from one or more of the dedicated storage compartments, thereby avoiding delays associated with counting all of the dispensed tablets. Moreover, the fill operations and the dispensing operations may be performed in parallel for high-throughput dispensing applications.

Abstract: A continuous strip bag feeder and loader that includes an integrated printer assembly for printing information on each individual bag of the continuous strip. The printer assembly is mounted to a support frame and receives a continuous strip of bags from a feed assembly. The printer assembly includes a print head that prints the desired information on each individual bag of the continuous strip. The printer assembly is positioned relative to the loading assembly such that after each individual bag is printed, the bag is immediately loaded with a product at the loading assembly. Thus, no printed bags are positioned between the loading assembly and the printer assembly, thereby assuring each bag is loaded with a product prior to the printing of another bag.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, an automated medication preparation system including automated syringe preparation that involves reconstitution of the medication is provided.

Abstract: A Dustless Stacker hood for suppressing dust generated during the stockpiling of materials such as coal. The Dustless Stacker hood receives coal from overhead chute; the received coal falls through Dustless Stacker hood to the top of a stockpile, and the Dustless Stacker hood confines dust inside Dustless Stacker hood. The dust-laden air swirls within the Dustless Stacker hood through a recirculation pipe and back to the overhead chute to enhance an agglomeration process which causes the dust particles stick together and fall to the top of stockpile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and determining fuel vapor recovery performance is disclosed. The dispensing of liquid fuel into a tank by a conventional gas pump nozzle naturally displaces a mixture of air and fuel ullage vapor in the tank. These displaced vapors may be recovered at the dispensing point nozzle by a vapor recovery system. A properly functioning vapor recovery system recovers approximately one unit volume of vapor for every unit volume of dispensed liquid fuel. The ratio of recovered vapor to dispensed fuel is termed the A/L ratio, which should ideally be approximately equal to one (1). The A/L ratio, and thus the proper functioning of the vapor recovery system, may be determined by measuring liquid fuel flow and return vapor flow (using a vapor flow sensor) on a nozzle-by-nozzle basis. The disclosed methods and apparatus provide for the determination of A/L ratios for individual nozzles using a reduced number of vapor flow sensors.

Abstract: A gas regulator includes a delivery valve assembly having a delivery outlet and a delivery valve member engageable with the delivery outlet for controlling flow of a gas from a gas source. A timing gas chamber receives gas from the gas source. Gas pressure within the timing gas chamber controls the operation of the delivery valve member. An adjustment system controls the amount of time required for the gas to fill the timing gas chamber so as to control the length of time that the delivery valve assembly is opened to conserve gas. In other embodiments, a capacity adjustment system can adjust the capacity of a gas reservoir system.

Abstract: A storage device for a liquid medium has a housing having an interior provided with at least one partitioning element dividing the interior into a first chamber for receiving the liquid medium and into a second chamber filled at least partially with a gas under pressure. The gas keeps the liquid medium in the first chamber under pressure. The at least one partitioning element is formed at least partially of an expandable bellows fastened pressure-tightly to a lid of the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an installation for the high-speed packaging of a viscous or pasty liquid product, which may be loaded or not. The inventive installation is of the type that comprises a tank (4), the lower part of which is fitted with a check valve-type delivery means (6), through which flow doses of the product (P) obtained under the force of a pig (5) that can move vertically along a stroke path, or a series of stroke paths, of a given length by means of control elements. The pig (5) comprises a valve which, in coordination with the movement of the pig (5), can open and close in order for the tank (4) to be filled through said pig (5). The valve comprises an opening (50) which is disposed in the pig (5) and a check valve (51) that can be used to close tile opening (50) from underneath when maneuvered by means of a jack, the rod (52) of which passes through the pig (5) axially.

Abstract: A funnel is disclosed that can be attached by a mounting device to a vehicle. This allows the motorist to have a funnel immediately available to make the job of pouring oil or other liquids into a vehicle easier. A mounting device is provided that can be attached by any common attachment means such as a peelable adhesive, to existing vehicles. In another embodiment a mounting clip can be permanently integrated onto the interior of a hood of a car when the car is manufactured. A funnel may be capable of being attached and detached from the mounting clip. The mounting device may include one or more clips. The mounting device may include a clamping device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system comprising a device (11) for transferring the product between the ship and the installation, which is supported at one end by a support structure and whereof the other end is capable of being connected to the ship's manifold device (8). The system is characterised in that the support structure comprises a berth (5) the ship, a boom (8) carrying a transfer pipe (10), and mounted on the berth (5), rotatable about a vertical axis above the ship, and a deformable transfer device (11) one end of which is connected to the pipe (10), while the other end is mobile between a stowed position advantageously proximate to the boom (8) and a position for connection to the ship's manifold device (15). The invention is useful for transferring liquefied natural gas.

Abstract: The liquid cargo mooring and fluid transfer system of the present invention includes a first column affixed to the ocean floor. The first column supports one end of an extended length space frame. At the opposite end of the space frame is a buoyant support. The buoyant support includes a flat tank and a buoyant column. Fluid transfer equipment is attached to the column portion of the buoyant support on the second end of the space frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to highly quenchable Fe-based rare earth magnetic materials that are made by rapid solidification process and exhibit good magnetic properties and thermal stability. More specifically, the invention relates to isotropic Nd—Fe—B type magnetic materials made from a rapid solidification process with a lower optimal wheel speed and a broader optimal wheel speed window than those used in producing conventional magnetic materials. The materials exhibit remanence (Br) and intrinsic coercivity (Hci) values of between 7.0 to 8.5 kG and 6.5 to 9.9 kOe, respectively, at room temperature. The invention also relates to process of making the materials and to bonded magnets made from the magnetic materials, which are suitable for direct replacement of anisotropic sintered ferrites in many applications.

Abstract: A chemical conversion treatment liquid which can stably form a phosphate-type chemical conversion film on a steel material for a joint portion of an oil well steel pipe containing 0.5-13% Cr is developed.

Abstract: A bulk amorphous alloy includes the approximate composition Fe(100-a-b-c-d-e-f)YaMbTcAldSneBf wherein: M comprises at least one of the group consisting of: Zr, Hf, Pb, Ti, Nb, Mo and W; T comprises at least one of the group consisting of Co, Ni and Cr; a is an atomic percentage, and a<5; b is an atomic percentage, and 2≦b≦25; c is an atomic percentage, and 1≦c≦16; d is an atomic percentage, and d<5; e is an atomic percentage, and e<5; and f is an atomic percentage, and 11≦f≦22.

Abstract: The present invention is a precious metal-based amorphous alloy having a Pt—Cu—P based structure including in atomic %: 50≦Pt≦75%, 5≦Cu≦35%, and 15≦P≦25% and is a precious metal-based amorphous alloy having a Pt—Pd—Cu—P based structure including in atomi %: 5≦Pt≦70%, 5≦Pd≦50%, 5≦Cu≦50%, and 5≦P≦30%. Preferably, cooling rates for manufacturing the alloys having these compositions are 10−1 to 102° C./sec. for the Pt—Cu—P based structure and 101 to 102° C./sec. for the Pt—Pd—Cu—P based structure.

Abstract: A high strength Mg based alloy and a Mg based casting alloy having a good fluidity and a good mechanical property, and are used to provide a molded article using the alloy. A high strength Mg based alloy, which contains 12 to 20% of Al by weight; 0.1 to 10% of Zn; 0.1 to 15% of Sn; and 0.05 to 1.5% of Mn is used by being injection molded.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the preparation and use of a substrate having an array of diverse materials in predefined regions thereon. A substrate having an array of diverse materials thereon is generally prepared by delivering components of materials to predefined regions on a substrate, and simultaneously reacting the components to form at least two materials. Materials which can be prepared using the methods and apparatus of the present invention include, for example, covalent network solids, ionic solids and molecular solids. More particularly, materials which can be prepared using the methods and apparatus of the present invention include, for example, inorganic materials, intermetallic materials, metal alloys, ceramic materials, organic materials, organometallic materials, non-biological organic polymers, composite materials (e.g., inorganic composites, organic composites, or combinations thereof), etc.

Abstract: A fixing element which comprises carbon-bearing steel and has a hardened functional tip is overall heated to the austenitisation temperature, held at that temperature and then quenched and is then subjected to an annealing operation which is effected by inductive heating and limited to the region of the fixing element, which lies outside the functional tip. In that way the structure of the fixing element comprises in part martensite and in part annealed martensite, wherein the functional tip comprises throughout martensite and the remainder of the fixing element comprises a martensite which is annealed by short-term inductive heating.

Abstract: An iron based, fine-grained, martensitic stainless steel essentially free of delta ferrite has a nominal composition of (wt. %): 0.05<C<0.15; 7.5<Cr<15; 2<Ni<5; Co<4; Cu<1.2; Mn<5; Si<1; (Mo+W)<4; 0.01<Ti<0.75; 0.135<(1.17Ti+0.6Zr+0.31Ta+0.31Hf)<1; V<2; Nb<1; N<0.02; Al<0.2; Al and Si both present such that (Al+Si)>0.01; B<0.1; P<0.1; S<0.03; and the balance essentially iron and impurities. This steel is different from other martensitic stainless steels because thermal mechanical treatment is used to refine the grains and precipitate a relatively uniform dispersion of fine, coarsening-resistant, MX-type particles. The steel combines high strength and impact toughness with good corrosion resistance.

Abstract: An iron based, fine-grained, alloy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ferritic stainless steel casting and a sheet thereof excellent in deep drawability, punch stretchability and ridging resistance and a method for producing the casting and the sheet. In the present invention, a chemical composition is controlled so that the amounts of C, N, Si, Mn, P and Ti may be reduced to the utmost for securing high workability and, on the basis of the chemical composition, the roping and ridging of a steel sheet product is reduced by adding Mg, thus dispersing Mg containing oxides that accelerate the formation of nuclei for solidification and, resultantly, suppressing the development of coarse columnar crystals in a casting.

Abstract: Disclosed are aluminum alloy hollow materials and processes for producing the same wherein an aluminum alloy hollow material is produced by subjecting an ingot of an aluminum alloy containing 0.3˜1.5 wt % Mn to port hole extrusion or port hole extrusion and drawing-elongation processing and wherein a difference in electric conductivity between individual portions in lengthwise direction of the hollow material is not more than 1.0 IACS %. According to the aluminum alloy hollow materials, preferential corrosion in welding potions in port hole extrusion can be prevented.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generating composition for an air bag in which carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides generated after combustion are suppressed at low levels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of gas-releasing pyrotechnical compositions that are intended primarily for use in gas-actuated car safety devices such as air-bag assemblies, safety-belt tighteners, inflatable neck supports, etc. and which can be recovered if they are not actively used. The invention also relates to these compositions themselves. The invention is mainly characterized by the use of guanidine dinitramide, possibly combined with guanyl urea dinitramide, as gas-generating substance(s) in products of the said type.

Abstract: A gas generating composition which can prevent formation of mist is provided. A gas generating composition comprising (a) glass powder, (b) aluminum hydroxide and/or magnesium hydroxide, (c) an organic compound as fuel, and (d) an oxygen-containing oxidizing agent. By the action of the component (a), combustion residues can be solidified to form a slag, thus preventing formation of mist.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lead-free, non-toxic priming composition, comprising: 20-40 wt % of a dinitrobenzofuroxan salt; 2-10 wt % of a sensitizer; 0-30 wt % of an oxidizer; and 45-70 wt % of an abrasive, wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of said composition.

Abstract: A combination wallet and tool holder which carries wallet contents including credit cards, identification cards, business cards, and money adjacent to a tool preventing the overlapping of the tool and the wallet contents.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method whereby when the tyre reaches a wear threshold level, acoustic wear indicators emit a sound signal by coming into contact with the ground. Magnetic, optical and mechanical embodiments are also disclosed. A detector consisting of a microphone placed beneath the vehicle and a processing unit switches on an indicator placed in the instrument panel. In a more sophisticated version, the detector by matching the acoustic signal phase with the ABS data, identifies the tyre concerned. The invention is useful for detecting tyre deterioration, or that of any, other type of surface such as pads, and the like, and for detecting the presence of snow chains or nails.

Abstract: A heavy duty radial tire which is provided with traverse grooves extending between the tread edges and longitudinal grooves extending between the traverse grooves so as to form shoulder blocks arranged along each of the tread edges and inner blocks each disposed on the axially inside of one of the shoulder blocks. The longitudinal grooves between the shoulder blocks and the inner blocks have a depth Wga of 0.7 to 1.0 times the depth Dy of the traverse grooves, and the longitudinal grooves are each inclined at an acute angle with respect to the circumferential direction to have an axial extent range Y whose axial width W1 is in a range of from 1.0 to 10.0 times the depth Wga. In a cross section of the tire under a normally inflated unloaded condition, the tread profile is made up of a center profile Si and a shoulder profile So. The shoulder profile So extends continuously from each of the axial ends of the center profile Si through an inflection point P to one of the tread edges.