Abstract: An adaptive tire employable by a vehicle traveling upon a surface, so as to define a rolling resistance, and including at least one active material element operable to selectively modify the resistance when activated.

Abstract: A cord for reinforcing tires, comprising a core of at least one p-aramid filament that has a modulus greater than about 6.5 N/dTex and a sheath of steel strands that are helically wound around the p-aramid filament.

Abstract: A tyre having a radially internal surface of substantially toroidal conformation, includes: a housing mounted on the internal surface of the tyre and an electronic unit at least partially housed in the housing, the housing including at least two portions, each having a cavity in contact with a respective portion of the electronic unit and housing the same, each portion of the housing being mounted on the internal surface of the tyre, and a fastening element applied to the portions of the housing to maintain a constraint between such portions and the electronic unit. A method of installing the electronic unit into a tyre.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tire with a sidewall composition comprised of a combination of emulsion polymerization prepared styrene/butadiene rubber (referred to herein as emulsion SBR or E-SBR), an alkylphenol/acetylene based tackifying resin, cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber and a controlled minor amount of cis 1,4-polyisoprene rubber, preferably natural rubber.

Abstract: Deformation of a tire is measured by a paired sensor 11 consisting of a 1st and 2nd strain gauges positioned on an inner liner of a tire with sensors mounted therein located equally spaced from and symmetrically with the center in an axial direction. Peak values of deformation speeds at the time of entering into the leading edge occurring at the time when the tire tread enters into the contact portion with a road surface are detected from the deformation wave from by differentiating with respect to time the wave form detected by the paired sensor and thus obtained peak values are designated as indication of deformation speed. Then, based on the ratio of thus obtained deformation wave indication and the Map 15M containing relation between thus obtained deformation speed ratio and time slip angle obtained beforehand, the slip angle of a vehicle under running condition is estimated, thereby enabling estimation of tire slip angle under vehicle running accurately.

Abstract: A tire with a rubber containing component compound of a copolymer rubber having pendant hydroxyl groups; and a non-sulfur containing silane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tread rubber composition for a tire, which highly controls energy loss in a wide frequency range and has high frictional force especially on wet road surfaces, and a tire using the same. Specifically, the present invention provides a rubber composition for a tire comprising 5 to 100 parts by weight of a fatty acid obtained from a vegetable oil having an iodine value of at least 80, based on 100 parts by weight of a rubber component, wherein the ratio of tan? at 60° C. to tan? at 0° C. is at least 0.85, and a pneumatic tire using the rubber composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides for oxygen scavenging materials and uses thereof for reducing oxygen content in an air cavity of a mounted tire, such as to reduce oxidation of a tire. The oxygen scavenging material can include a metal or metal-based material, an antioxidant, or microorganism. In one example, the oxygen scavenging material may be situated or secured within a tire cavity or secured to the tire rim of a wheel prior to mounting of the tire on the rim. Accordingly, the tire is mounted on the tire rim to define an air cavity with the oxygen scavenging material being located therein. The air cavity is be filled with air comprising oxygen to a desired internal air pressure with the oxygen scavenging material being provided in an amount sufficient for reducing oxygen content in the air cavity, such as to reduce oxidation of the tire thereby increasing the lifespan thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a low-function vehicle tyre for driving training and to a method of producing a tyre. The tyke is characterized in that the contact surface of the tyre is a low-friction contact surface comprising grip-weakening material for enabling winter driving training.

Abstract: In a vehicle guideway having a vehicle track, a guidance system is provided comprising one or more guide curbs installed along a length of the guideway, and a low-friction coating or coatings presented by the curbs, a vehicle's tires, or both, the coating or coatings reducing friction and wear in the event of contact between the tires and the one or more guide curbs.

Abstract: There is provided a non-pneumatic tire which can eliminate a necessity of filling a pressurized air or other gases to obviate a possibility of decrease or loss of the internal pressure of the tire and which can easily provide desired vertical, longitudinal and lateral stiffnesses in a mutually independent state. The non-pneumatic tire has a rim member 1, a ring member 3 disposed at an outer circumferential side of the rim member 1 and provided with a tread 2 on a circumferential face, and a plurality of link mechanisms 4 coupling the rim member with the ring member.

Abstract: Provided is a process for producing a modified polymer, characterized by carrying out primary modification in which a hydrocarbyloxysilane compound is reacted with the active site of a polymer having an active site of an organic metal type in a molecule and then carrying out secondary modification in which the hydrocarbyloxysilane compound is further reacted therewith. This makes it possible to provide a modified polymer which enhances interactions with silica and carbon black when used for both of silica-blended and carbon black-blended rubber compositions and which elevates the fracture characteristic, the abrasion resistance and the low heat buildup property at the same time and can exhibit a good workability.

Abstract: An earth-friendly tire using raw materials derived from non-petroleum resources instead of all or part of raw materials derived from petroleum resources currently used for tires. The tire is prepared by using a natural rubber instead of a synthetic rubber; an inorganic filler and/or a biofiller instead of carbon black; vegetable oil instead of petroleum oil; and natural fiber instead of synthetic fiber so that the tire comprises a non-petroleum raw material in an amount of at least 75% by weight based on the total weight of the tire.

Abstract: An earth-friendly tire using raw materials derived from non-petroleum resources instead of all or part of raw materials derived from petroleum resources currently used for tires. The tire is prepared by using a natural rubber instead of a synthetic rubber; an inorganic filler and/or a biofiller instead of carbon black; vegetable oil instead of petroleum oil; and natural fiber instead of synthetic fiber so that the tire comprises a non-petroleum raw material in an amount of at least 75% by weight based on the total weight of the tire.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire of a structural combination of tire tread and sidewall components with compositional limitations containing minimal, if any, of in situ formed alcohol and methyl isobutyl ketone byproducts. The tread component rubber composition contains pre-hydrophobated silica reinforcement. The sidewall component contains low unsaturation EPDM or brominated copolymer of isobutylene and p-methylstyrene and may contain pre-hydrophobated silica reinforcement. The silica reinforcement for said tread and sidewall components is a pre-hydrophobated precipitated silica. The pre-hydrophobated silica is prepared, prior to mixing with the elastomer(s), by reacting hydroxyl groups (e.g.

Abstract: An elastomeric composition includes at least one elastomeric diene polymer, at least one thermoplastic polymer, and at least one polymer comprising functional groups. The at least one thermoplastic polymer comprises a main hydrocarbon chain. Hydrophilic groups are linked to the main hydrocarbon chain. The functional groups are reactive with the hydrophilic groups. The composition may also include at least one reinforcing filler. The at least one reinforcing filler may include carbon black, silica, or both carbon black and silica. The composition may further include a silica coupling agent, a sulfur-based vulcanizing agent, or both a silica coupling agent and a sulfur-based vulcanizing agent. A tire for vehicle wheels including at least one element including an elastomeric material, where the at least one element include the composition, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tire comprising a tread, where the tread includes a vulcanized rubber, from about 5 to about 80 parts by weight of a nylon-containing block copolymer per 100 parts by weight of the vulcanized rubber, and from about 1 to about 100 parts by weight filler per 100 parts by weight of the vulcanized rubber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rubber composition which contains starch/plasticizer composite, precipitated silica and carbon black reinforcement together with a coupling agent wherein the coupling agent is an organosilane polysulfide having an average of from about 2 to about 2.6 connecting sulfur atoms in its polysulfidic bridge. The invention provides for a chemical reaction between a coupling agent and silica which is substantially decoupled from a reaction between a coupling agent and starch/plasticizer to form a filler reinforcement network in situ within the elastomer host followed by a subsequent phase mixing of the carbon black therewith. The invention further relates to the resulting rubber composition and articles of manufacture, including tires, having at least one component comprised of said rubber composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to crosslinked rubber particles modified by secondary amino-(meth)-acrylate groups, a process for their production, their use for the production of rubber vulcanizates or rubber molded bodies of all kinds and also the rubber vulcanizates or rubber molded bodies that can be obtained from the rubber particles.

Abstract: A (metal/rubber) composite comprising a rubber matrix reinforced with a metallic body adhering to the rubber matrix by means of an adhesive interphase; the rubber matrix is based on diene elastomer; the metal is a carbon steel, the carbon content of which is between 0.35% and 1.2%; to constitute the adhesive interphase, the carbon steel is coated with a metallic layer bearing aluminium oxides or hydroxides, which itself is covered by an organosilane film providing, as coupling agent, the bond between the aluminium oxides-hydroxides on one hand, and the rubber matrix on the other hand. The invention also relates to articles or semi-finished products made of rubber which are reinforced with or formed by such a composite, in particular tires.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to thermoplastic blends having improved properties. Optionally, these blends may be dynamically vulcanized. More specifically, this invention is directed to a composition comprising a blend of chloromethylated(styrene-isobutylene) polymer and a thermoplastic resin selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyesters, polycarbonates, polysulfones, polyacetals, polyacetones, acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene resins, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, styrene-acrylonitrile resins, styrene-maleic anhydride resins, polyamides, aromatic polyketones, ethylene vinyl alcohol polymer and mixtures thereof. Tires and tire components such as air permeation prevention films comprising these compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A rubber composition for a tire comprising 100 parts by weight of diene rubber and 1 to 30 parts by weight of expandable graphite having a particle size of 30 to 600 ?m.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to thermoplastic blends having improved properties. Optionally, these blends may be dynamically vulcanized. More specifically, this invention is directed to a composition comprising a blend of chloromethylated(styrene-isobutylene) polymer and a thermoplastic resin selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyesters, polycarbonates, polysulfones, polyacetals, polyacetones, acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene resins, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, styrene-acrylonitrile resins, styrene-maleic anhydride resins, polyamides, aromatic polyketones, ethylene vinyl alcohol polymer and mixtures thereof. Tires and tire components such as air permeation prevention films comprising these compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A non-inflatable tire comprises a rim, an outer tire layer formed by rotational molding or injection molding to encircle the rim and having at least an injection orifice at a side surface thereof for injecting material of an inner tire layer, and an inner tire layer made of foamed material, wherein the material of the inner tire layer is injected into and foamed in the outer tire layer to form the inner tire layer such that the outer tire layer, the inner tire layer, and the rim are tightly connected with one another.

Abstract: The invention provides rubber composition usable for the manufacture of tires, comprising at least (i) one diene elastomer, (ii) one white filler as reinforcing filler and (iii) one coupling agent (white filler/elastomer), the white filler comprising a titanium oxide having the following characteristics: (a) it comprises more than 0.5% by mass of a metallic element, other than titanium, selected from the group consisting of Al, Fe, Si, Zr and mixtures thereof; (b) its specific BET surface area is between 20 and 200 m2/g; (c) its average particle size (by mass), dw, is between 20 and 400 nm; and (d) its disagglomeration rate, &agr;, measured by the ultrasound disagglomeration test, at 100% power of a 600-watt ultrasonic probe, is greater than 2×10−2 &mgr;m−1/s. The invention also provides for the use of a rubber composition according to the invention for the manufacture of rubber articles, in particular tires or semi-finished rubber products intended for these tires.

Abstract: A tire with magnetic strips integrated into the therein. The magnetic strips allow the tire to better grip the road due to the magnetic attraction of the magnetic poles of the Earth The tires provide better traction, less skidding, and better control of the vehicle on wet, muddy, icy, and snow laden, as well as, dry roads. The magnetic strips are embedded into the tire tread. The strips are formed as circumferential bands around the tire, or as bars perpendicularly disposed around the circumference.

Abstract: A buttress to fit inside a tire between its beads, said beads being abutted by respective wheel rims. The buttress is formed by joining a plurality of arcuate segments. Each segment has an arcuate central and two edge walls. Each one of a plurality of blades is integral with all of the walls. The blades are parallel so the entire segment can be made by an injection molding process.

Abstract: We have developed a process and product which provide thermoplastic articles featuring a permanent outer surface which has selectively varied chemical functionality while maintaining the inherent mechanical properties of the base fiber.

Abstract: This invention relates to preparation and use of a rubber/carbon black composite comprised of at least one elastomer which contains a dispersion therein of carbon black aggregates. Such carbon black is formed by preparing a pre-blend comprised of uncompacted carbon black aggregates and oil and/or aqueous latex of, preferably, a low molecular weight diene-based elastomer particles, followed by blending said pre-blend with an aqueous emulsion of diene-based elastomer particles and/or with an organic solution of a diene-based elastomer, and/or with solid diene-based elastomers, and recovery therefrom of a solid rubber/carbon black composite comprised of said diene-based elastomer, (which may include butyl rubber, EPDM rubber and thermoplastic polymers), which contains a dispersion therein of said carbon black aggregates having an apparent density significantly lower than the specific gravity of said carbon black aggregates and significantly lower than compacted carbon black aggregates.

Abstract: The quick change rims and wheels are designed to eliminate a lot of the hassles associated with changing a deflated bicycle tire. The rim has spoke locking holes for a single spoke (10) and spoke locking holes for a double spoke (15) wheel. Thus making the rim interchangeable. The spokes have locking springs (35) which keeps the rim securely attached to the wheel. Removal of the rim is accomplished by pressing the locking springs (35) inward. Replacement of a new tire (30) simply requires that you pushes the rim upward onto the spoke (45) until the locking springs (35) clicks. If the user is running tubes with his or her tire (30), the air stem (65) can be removed so that the inner tube stem may be inserted there. Double spoke (45) wheels are strong enough by themselves to stabilize the rim and maintain proper alignment. However, when using a single spoke (45) wheel, the alignment stabilizer plate (55) should be used. The plate has stabilizer locking springs (50) to hold one rim and tire close to the next.

Abstract: A rubber article, such as a tire, composed of at least two rubber mixes with different composition and properties, the said two mixes having a lap joint characterized in that at least one edge of at least one of the two mixes has an end with an oscillatory trace-line.

Abstract: Formation of a bell structure (2) takes place by laying down, directly on the carcass structure (3) of a tyre being processed (1), a laying layer (16) formed of a continuous strip-like element (16) of elastomer material directly coming from an extrusion die. The strip-like element (16a) has a differentiated thickness at its opposite edges to give rise to circumferential grip recesses (18) on the laying layer (16). Then, on the laying layer (16) a primary belt strip (6) is formed which is obtained by winding up of a continuous bare cord into coils (6a) disposed in axial side by side relationship. A cord of the high starting elongation type is preferably employed and it is wound up substantially in the absence of tensioning. A covering layer (19) made in the same manner as the laying layer (16) can be subsequently laid down on the primary belt strip (6).

Abstract: A tire, and an apparatus and method for forming a tire. The tire may either be a tubed or tubeless tire, and is filled with a mixture of virgin rubber and small rubber pieces. Preferably, a machine grinds the core of used flatproofed tires, or pieces thereof, into a finely communicated pulverulent. The pulverent is mixed with liquid virgin flatproofing material, such as a polyurethane. An injector introduces this mixture, into the core of a tire, typically through a valve. The core of the tire is preferably substantially filled with this mixture. The injector may take the form of one or more elongated screws and the mixing may occur as the ground rubber is being conveyed by the screw.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a camouflage tire suitable for use in various vehicle use environments, wherein it is desirable to reduce or eliminate a viewer's visual perception of the tire against the given environmental background.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fastening an electronic monitoring module onto a tire comprising a patch (12) of rubber mix, an upper surface of which bears at least one rigid insert (18, 19) having a threaded recess (181, 191) intended to cooperate with a screw (14, 15) and a lug (131, 132) on a casing (13) bearing the electronic monitoring module.

Abstract: The invention provides rubber composition usable for the manufacture of tires, comprising at least (i) one diene elastomer, (ii) one white filler as reinforcing filler and (iii) one coupling agent (white filler/elastomer), the white filler comprising a titanium oxide having the following characteristics: (a) its specific BET surface area is between 20 and 200 m2/g; (b) its average particle size (by mass), dw, is between 20 and 400 nm; and (c) its disagglomeration rate, &agr;, measured by the ultrasound disagglomeration test, at 100% power of a 600-watt ultrasonic probe, is greater than 2×102 &mgr;m1/s. The invention also provides for the use of a rubber composition according to the invention for the manufacture of rubber articles, in particular tires or semi-finished rubber products intended for these tires. The composition of the invention is particularly useful for the manufacture of colored tires or colored semi-finished articles such as tire treads or sidewalls.

Abstract: A crosslinkable elastomeric composition includes at least one elastomeric polymer including carboxylic groups, and at least one epoxidized elastomeric polymer including greater than or equal to 0.1 mol % and less than or equal to 20 mol % of epoxide groups relative to a total number of moles of monomers present in the at least one epoxidized elastomeric polymer. The composition is crosslinkable in a substantial absence of additional crosslinking agents. A tyre for vehicles includes a carcass structure, a belt structure extended coaxially around the carcass structure, and a tread band extended coaxially around the belt structure. The tread band comprises an external rolling surface intended to come into contact with the ground. In one embodiment of the present invention, the tread band includes at least one crosslinked elastomeric material. A process for producing the tyre is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a product based on rubber, of the type comprising at least one buffer zone provided in order to trap oxygen external to the said product so as to protect from oxidation at least one sensitive zone of the said product, in which the said or each such buffer zone contains a composition based on at least one elastomer containing at least one salt of iron (III) provided to activate oxidation in the said composition, characterised in that the said salt is an iron (III) salt of an aromatic mono-carboxylic acid comprising one or more aromatic rings which may or may not be substituted.

Abstract: The present invention is a tire comprising a tread and layers radially interior to said tread, wherein at least one layer comprises a dye or pigment that fluoresces when exposed to ultraviolet light. The fluorescent dye may be on the surface of the layer, or dispersed throughout the layer. The present invention also comprises a method of inspecting a tire for proper placement of components comprising shining an ultraviolet light onto a cut section of the aforesaid layer. The invention also includes a method of re-treading a tire where the fluorescent layer is interior to the tread, and detecting the fluorescence of the layer is a signal to cease tread removal operations. In one to embodiment of the invention, the tire has at least one steel belt, and the fluorescent layer is a tape covering the edge of the belt. In another embodiment of the invention, the tire is a non-pneumatic tire.

Abstract: A tire noise reducing system comprises a wheel rim, a pneumatic tire to be mounted on the wheel rim and a noise damper to be disposed in an annular tire cavity enclosed by the wheel rim and the pneumatic tire mounted thereon, wherein the noise damper is made of a multi-cellular material whose volume S2 is in a range of not less than 0.4% of the volume S1 of said annular tire cavity. Preferably, the specific gravity of the damper is set in a range of from 0.005 to 0.06.

Abstract: The invention concerns a tire comprising at least a first and a second bead radially extending to at least a first and a second sidewall, respectively, and the sidewalls being joined to a tread; said first bead having a seat the generatrix of which has its axially inner end on a circle of diameter greater than the diameter of the circle on which is located the axially outer end. The tire further comprises a carcass reinforcement formed of at least one carcass ply and anchored in the first bead to at least one annular bead anchoring element. When the tire is mounted on its operating rim and inflated to its recommended pressure, the meridian profile of the carcass reinforcement has a tangent to the point of tangency of the meridian profile with the anchoring element of the first bead that forms, relative to the axis of rotation, an angle open towards the outside and at most equal to 70°.

Abstract: The present invention relates to colored compositions used as coatings for tires. The present invention relates to a tire having an outer rubber surface based at least in part on essentially unsaturated diene elastomers, which is covered with the colored coating. The coating has at least one layer in contact with the air and comprises a composition comprising a majority proportion of polyurethane produced from a polyol selected from the group consisting of aliphatic polyethers, aliphatic polyesters, polyethers having a main chain that is semi-aromatic and polyesters having a main chain that is semi-aromatic, and flakes of mica in an amount of between 10 and 80 parts of flakes per hundred parts of dry polyurethane, phr, wherein the bond between the elastomer and the polyurethane being produced due to the polar functions. The present invention also relates to methods of producing the composition and the tire comprising the composition.

Abstract: A process for marking which enables a colored pattern formed by at least two different and contrasting colors to be created on a dark or black surface of a rubber article, which process includes preparing a light-colored rubber composition having at least one elastomer and at least two coloring agents of different light colors, giving the said composition its initial color, and then incorporating a dark or black masking agent into this colored composition in a limited proportion to darken or mask the initial color of the rubber composition. The process further includes causing a first laser beam of appropriate characteristics to interact in a first stage in order to reveal a first colored pattern part, followed in a second stage by a second laser beam of appropriate characteristics in order to reveal a second colored pattern part.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a camouflage tire suitable for use in various vehicle use environments wherein it is desirable to reduce or eliminate a viewer's visual perception of the tire against the given environmental background.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to systems and methods for controlling handling characteristics of a tire. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a tire having controllable handling characteristics.

Abstract: A pneumatic rubber tire having at least one visually exposed component comprised of a carbon black reinforced rubber composition which is exclusive of silica particularly synthetic amorphous silica, synthetic organo-silica material and silica coupler particularly organosilane polysulfide based silica coupler and contains a significant amount of at least one ester of a polyhydroxy alcohol, including ethoxylated esters thereof. Such tire component particularly including a film thereof on the visually observable outer surface of such tire component. Such tire component may be, for example, at least a portion of a tire sidewall. Such ester, particularly said film, may be, for example, a sorbitan ester, or mixtures thereof, and particularly, for example, sorbitan monostearate.

Abstract: A pneumatic rubber tire having at least one visually exposed component (e.g. sidewall) comprised of a carbon black reinforced rubber composition and contains a significant amount of at least one alkylphenoxypoly(alkyleneoxy) alkanol. Such tire component particularly contains a film thereof on a visually observable outer surface thereof Such tire component may be, for example, at a least a portion of a tire sidewall.

Abstract: A tire and a method of securing an object thereto includes a two-piece fastening system having a first portion which is applied to an innerliner of a green tire prior to the green tire being cured and a second portion which includes an object, such as a radio frequency identification chip, attached thereto. The first portion of the two-piece fastening system is attached to the innerliner of the tire with an adhesive or by curing. The green tire is then cured and the second portion of the two-piece fastening system with the object attached thereto is then attached to the first portion of the two-piece fastening system. In an alternative embodiment, the object may be sandwiched between the first and second portions of the fastening system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a motor vehicle tire, preferably a colored motor vehicle tire. The tire is configured so that a significant portion of the external surface of the tire displays colors. Preferably, the chemical composition of the tire is colored so that when the tire is formed the tire is colored throughout its depth and colorfast, and in the case of the tread portion does not change color significantly with wear. In a preferred embodiment, the chemical composition of the tire is provided with a coloring agent or additive such as a pigment or dye that will yield a desired color upon completion of the tire manufacturing process. Such dye or pigment may be enhanced by the use of reflective, luminescent or photochromic agents that will enhance certain effects and appearances of the tire including ease of visibility, other safety concerns including wear, puncture identification, and enhanced aesthetic appearance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tire the sidewalls of which comprise a vulcanized rubber composition. The composition comprises between 0.5 phr and 10 phr (weight parts per hundred parts of rubber) of at least one polymer which comprises an oxy group defined by the formula —O— and, linked to the one side of the oxy group, at least one polyoxyalkylene block according to the formula (CnH2nO)x, where n is equal to 2 or 3 and x is equal to from 2 through 15 and the at least one block is linked to a hydrogen atom at the chain end, so that the hydrogen atom forms an alcohol function with the terminal oxygen atom of the block. According to the invention, the polymer comprises, linked to the other side of the oxy group, an aliphatic moiety selected from the group consisting of a blend of aliphatic alkyl chains having an average number of carbon atoms of from 10 through 14, and an aliphatic chain which comprises an alkyl chain having 13 carbon atoms.