Abstract: A process for producing a tire reinforcement is characterized by the fact that each reinforcement cord is projected individually into its place in the reinforcement. For this purpose, a machine is used which comprises laying members comprising essentially a rotary conduit which projects the cord by a radially outer extremity of the conduit and rollers which impose a linear speed of laying of the cord.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure and a manufacturing method of a pneumatic radial tire, especially a radial tire for aircraft, and it is hence a primary object of the present invention to improve the structural durability of a tire in high speed running. The pneumatic radial tire comprises a belt layer (4) composed of a center belt (BC) and two shoulder belts (BS), wherein a cord or cords (6) of each shoulder belt is substantially parallel to the central circumferential line of the tire, and the diameter (D3) of the shoulder belt on the center side is longer than the diameter (D2) on the shoulder side, and the shoulder belt is formed by using a belt drum having taper portions.

Abstract: A method and device for securing the ends of a single reinforcement cord to the unvulcanized core (7) of a tire utilizing two jaws (10, 11) which clamp the cords arranged at the starting end (41, 42) and terminating end (43, 44) of the reinforcement. A cutting blade (13) cuts the cord which then, without loosening the jaws, are pressed against the core (7) in order to immobilize the cord (4) due to the layer of raw rubber with which the core (7) has been previously covered.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tire comprising a three-dimensional wound reinforcement formed from a continuous sheathed filament running diagonally over the region upon which the tread is located and alternating from one tire foot to the other, said filament (i) crossing back and forth over said region, (ii) running into the tire foot tangentially, (iii) running for a relatively long distance in the tire foot, and (iv) crossing over itself over the entire tire shape, said reinforcement resisting forces radially and circumferentially, and an elastomeric material surrounding said reinforcement and to a method of manufacture thereof.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire (1) comprises a radial carcass (2), a tread portion (7) and a belt reinforcing structure (8) extending circumferentially around the carcass (2). Disposed radially outwardly of the belt reinforcing structure (8) is a textile reinforced overlay structure (9) having substantially circumferentially extending cords (10). The overlay structure (9) is composed of a series of helical convolutions of a textile ribbon (11) whereby adjacent helical convolutions of the textile ribbon (11) overlap. There is further disclosed a method of applying multiple layers of a single continuous helically wound textile ribbon (11) in a single continuous operation from one axial side to the other axial side of the belt reinforcing structure (8).

Abstract: A heavy duty low-section pneumatic and a process for manufacturing the same are disclosed. This tire comprises a radial carcass toroidally extending between bead portions, a belt composed of a first and second belt layers successively superimposed around a crown portion of the carcass and a tread rubber having substantially the same width as the maximum width of the belt. In the belt, the first belt layer is composed of at least two cord plies each containing cords inclined at a small angle with respect to the equatorial plane of the tire, the cords of which being crossed with each other with respect to the equatorial plane, while the second belt layer is composed of at least one cord ply containing non-expansible or hardly expansible cords arranged in substantially parallel to the equatorial plane and extends over both sides of the first belt layer between the first belt layer and the carcass.

Abstract: A woven endless tire reinforcing belt for a pneumatic tire is provided, wherein the reinforcing belt comprises a first belt portion having a width W.sub.1, said first portion comprising at least one coated continuous cord reinforcement woven in a zig-zag pattern, and at least one additional belt portion having a width W.sub.2, W.sub.2 being substantially different from W.sub.1, said additional belt portion being woven from at least one coated continuous cord reinforcement, said additional belt portion being positioned adjacent the first belt portion and substantially centered therewith, whereby said endless tire reinforcing belt has increased uniformity of stiffness from one edge to the other. Also provided is a method for weaving such a reinforcing belt.

Abstract: A process for producing a tire reinforcement is characterized by the fact that each reinforcement cord is projected individually into its place in the reinforcement. For this purpose, a machine is used which comprises laying members comprising essentially a rotary conduit which projects the cord by a radially outer extremity of the conduit and rollers which impose a linear speed of laying of the cord.

Abstract: The manufacture of a reinforcement for a tire comprises the following ste s:(a) a continuous cord is hooked to retention means disposed in two circles which are a distance apart which corresponds to the length of the path of a cord from one side of the reinforcement to the other so that the cord, disposed in this way, defines a cylinder by a plurality of passes back and forth from one retention means to another,(b) by a suitable movement of the retention means, the cord which is disposed in this way is folded back on and around a core defining the shape of the inner surface of the tire,(c) the anchoring of the cord being assured, the retention means are released.

Abstract: This invention concerns the manufacture of a layer of elastomeric material to form part of a pneumatic tire, and the manufacture of a reinforced elastomeric layer.According to the invention a layer of elastomeric material is formed as a progressive helical winding along a mandrel. The layer may be transferred in cylindrical form to a tire carcass building former to constitute an inner lining for a tire carcass, or a reinforcement filament may be wound over the layer producing a cylindrical reinforced layer which is cut to produce a ply of coated fabric.

Abstract: Coextrusion from rubber of hollow tubular structures with filament reinforcement provides composites which can be formed into spliceless bodies for pneumatic tires. The composites can be formed from one, two, three or more rubber stocks and have portions or layers which can form the body plies, sidewalls, innerliners, stabilizer ply inserts and, optionally, abrasion gum strips of tire bodies. Tires made from the bodies formed from coextruded composite structures of this invention are seamless and more uniform than those made from convention tire structural components.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a ring-shaped body where linear material is fed to a curved constituent member for forming said ring-shaped body substantially along a normal line of the constituent member at a winding point where the linear material is wound around said constituent member. The linear material is helically wound with a predetermined tensile force around a periphery of said curved constituent member while rotating said constituent member.

Abstract: A modified fibrous material useful as a reinforcing material for rubber articles is produced by applying a cold plasma treatment to a fibrous material comprising at least one type of synthetic fibers selected from aromatic polyamide fibers and polyester fibers under a reduced pressure; by applying an ion-plating treatment with a polyamide vapor to the resultant cold plasma-treated fibrous material under a reduced pressure; by impregnating the resultant ion-plated fibrous material with an RFL adhesive composition comprising a resorcinol-formaldehye precondensation product and a rubber latex; and by curing the adhesive composition in the fibrous material.

Abstract: A tire breaker belt comprises a core ply preferably comprising rubberized cords extending longitudinally of the belt. One or more encasing plies are wrapped around the core ply. The cords of the encasing ply or plies extend at an acute angle to the length of the belt.The belt may be formed directly as an annulus or in a long length which is cut to a shorter length and subsequently wrapped around a carcass.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire produced of elastomers, especially cast or injection molded polyurethanes has an inner body in which a reinforcement is embedded and anchored by means of holding ropes. The inner body may be provided as a closed tubular body and is encased by an outer body which accommodates a belt and is outwardly provided with a tread. At its side walls, the outer body is provided with respective bead cores in which area, the inner body of the tire is connected to the outer body.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to simplify the production of woven, endless tire reinforcing belts by enabling rapid, economical changes in belt size and simplified removal of the belts from the weaving apparatus.The invention provides a method and apparatus for forming reinforcing belts which meet this objective by employing an endless weaving surface comprised of a flexible belt supported by means rotatable about spaced, parallel axes. By moving the supports apart, the weaving surface is tensioned for the weaving operation; and, by moving the supports toward one another, the weaving surface is relaxed to permit removal of the woven reinforcing belt. The circumference of successive reinforcing belts can easily be changed by changing the flexible belt comprising the weaving surface.

Abstract: A process for making a radial tire comprises steps of transforming a cylindrical tire carcass assembly into a toroidal shape, laying over a given number of belts, winding a plurality of synthetic fiber threads, laying over a tread cap, transforming the tire carcass assembly to such an extent that the upper surface thereof contacts substantially all over the lower surface of the belts, joining integrally these tire components to form a green tire, and subjecting the green tire to vulcanization in a vulcanizing mold.The synthetic fiber threads are wound over the belts in the circumferential direction with a space of 5 mm to 15 mm left between each adjacent thread in the range of more than 70% of the width of the belts.

Abstract: A rubber article, such as a vehicle tire, reinforced with steel filaments in the form of cables, cords or wefts. The corrosion speed of the steel is reduced by using rubber having a specific electrical resistance of at least 5.times.107 Ohm centimeter.

Abstract: This invention relates to reinforced tire utilizing polyurea or polyurethane formulations having low hysteresis. The polymer having low hysteresis is formed by reacting a prepolymer of an aromatic isocyanate and a high molecular weight difunctional polyol with a chain extender mix comprising an aromatic diamine and difunctional polyol. In these compositions the aromatic diisocyanate and aromatic diamine are selected so that there is substantial symmetry between the molecules. The reinforcement used is preferably an aromatic polyamide.

Abstract: A radial pneumatic tire and a method of making same. The tire has a discontinuous cord belt reinforcement comprising narrow strips of fabric wound around the tire in a plurality of circumferential overlapping turns. The tire is capable of being built in one stage and shaped into toroidal shape after the circumferential belt is applied.

Abstract: A method of making an air spring comprising spreading a fabric around a core having the shape of said air spring, anchoring edges of said fabric in overlap area to the core to form a reinforcing member thereon, placing the core having the reinforcing member thereon in a mold, closing said mold, injecting an elastomeric precursor into the mold and curing to form said air spring.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing tire breaker fabric comprising a cord feed unit, guide means for guiding a single cord between two sets of retaining means attached one to either edge of an endless belt to form an elongate sheet of parallel closely spaced cords laid in zig-zag fashion such that the edges of the sheet are formed by a series of folded cord edges which are held by the retaining means. Stepwise drive means advances the belt and cord assembly to elastomer applying means for applying elastomer to one surface of the cord assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of manufacturing tire breaker fabric comprising an elongated sheet of parallel closely spaced cords formed from a single cord laid in zig-zag fashion such that the edges of the sheet are formed by a series of folded cord edges. The apparatus comprises a cord laying head for laying a single cord in zig-zag fashion between a pair of spaced-apart edge forming units each comprising a holding pin engageable with a folded cord edge and a pincher head engageable around the pin to crimp the folded cord edge. A collector and holding unit collects the zig-zag cord assembly so formed and is operable to feed each traverse of cord in sequence to a device for applying elastomer to the cord assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding a tire with an annular reinforcement below the tread surface includes a first set of molding segments for molding a tire, a winding mechanism for winding a flexible reinforcement band or thread about the molded tire under tension and a second group of molding segments for molding a tread surface portion about the reinforced tire body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacture for making tire breaker cord fabric comprising a tire cord laying head to lay a zig-zag assembly of a single cord, edge loop holding units and drive means for relatively moving the cord assembly to an elastomeric material coating device.

Abstract: Tire breaker fabric for a pneumatic tire comprising a sheet of tire cords wherein the cords comprise a twisted package of high modulus material filaments having a twist angle of not more than 18.degree. and the cords are formed by one single continuous cord which extends back and forth across the sheet in a zig-zag formation. The cords are preferably closely spaced and held in the sheet by a thin sheet of elastomeric material. The invention provides in addition a tire including breaker fabric of this type.

Abstract: A shuttle driving assembly (10) including an open shuttle (22) rotatably driven on an automatically opened support frame (16) by a plurality of drive roller assemblies (85,87) carried by the frame (16). Each drive roller assembly (85,87) has a drive roller pulley (84) and at least one with plural belts (192,191,190,188,186) driving groups of the drive roller assemblies. The drive rollers contact a groove (115) on the shuttle (22) to provide a positive and responsive power transmission therebetween. The shaft (82) of each drive roller assembly (85,87) is mounted in a non-concentric bearing in a web (30) of the support frame (16) to provide adjustment of the position of the drive rollers (92) relative to the shuttle (22) for centering the shuttle (22) relative to the frame (16).

Abstract: A tape-applying apparatus (10) is advanced toward a body (15) upon which a strip of tape (16) is to be applied to urge a plurality of stitching rollers (72,74) against the body (15). Further advancing of the apparatus (10) will move an applicator roller (42) and the end of the tape (16) into engagement with the body (15). As the body (15) is moved past the tape-applying apparatus (10), the tape (16) is pulled over the applicator roller (42) and is stitched to the body (15) by the stitching rollers (72,74). When sufficient tape (16) has been applied, the housing (20) of the tape-applying apparatus (10) is urged away from the body (15) which moves the applicator roller (42) out of contact with the body (15). A brake apparatus (94) on the housing (20) is activated by a cam recess (80) on the holders (50) for some of the stitching rollers (72). The brake apparatus (94) engages the applicator roller (42) to arrest further feeding of tape (16) to the body (15).

Abstract: An apparatus (30) and method is provided for holding and tacking an elongate material (12) onto a body (14), which body (14) may be toroidal in shape. The material (12) is applied to the body (14) by means of a shuttle (22) rotating about the body (14) in a plane transverse to a plane containing the body (14). The apparatus (30) includes a tacker arm (76) having a clamping means (104) for clamping and unclamping the end of the material (12), extending from the shuttle (22), to the arm (76). The arm (76) is pivotally mounted on a carriage (58) for movement between a first position, wherein the material (12) clamped to the arm (76) is held against the body (14), and a second position, spaced from the body (14). In the first position of the arm (76), the body (14) will move the arm (76) until the clamping means ( 104) unclamps the material (12) whereupon the arm (76) is pivoted to the second position.

Abstract: A low pressure, pneumatic tire is provided with a flexible tread belt that extends outwardly beyond the sidewalls respectively adjacent thereto when the sidewalls are flexed under normal load. The configuration and stiffness of the belt is such that the load carried by the tire is effectively spread beyond the width of the flexed torus. At the same time, local deformation of the belt can take place in such a way to fold up over the flexed sidewalls to prevent them from damage by shock or abrasion caused by objects striking the sidewalls.

Abstract: In a process of manufacturing a tire for vehicle wheels, an annular crown reinforcement is placed around the carcass of the tire. As the crown reinforcement there is used at least one elastically deformable annular net formed of two superimposed plies of wires at least the outside of which wires is formed of an elastic and weldable material. At the points of intersection these wires are welded to each other. The wires may also be in the form of a cable, metallic or otherwise, enclosed in a sheath of an elastic and weldable material.

Abstract: The adhesion of brass plated steel cord to rubber is improved in many cases by treatment of the cord with a dilute aqueous solution of certain amino carboxylic acids and their corresponding ammonium, lithium, sodium and/or potassium salts and salt hydrates. After dipping in the treating solution, the cords may be rinsed with water, dried, combined with a vulcanizable rubber compound and vulcanized.

Abstract: A tape-applying apparatus (10) is advanced toward a body (15) upon which a strip of tape (16) is to be applied to urge a plurality of stitching rollers (72,74) against the body (15). Further advancing of the apparatus (10) will move an applicator roller (42) and the end of the tape (16) into engagement with the body (15). As the body (15) is moved past the tape-applying apparatus (10), the tape (16) is pulled over the applicator roller (42) and is stitched to the body (15) by the stitching rollers (72,74). When sufficient tape (16) has been applied, the housing (20) of the tape-applying apparatus (10) is urged away from the body (15) which moves the applicator roller (42) out of contact with the body (15). A brake apparatus (94) on the housing (20) is activated by a cam recess (80) on the holders (50) for some of the stitching rollers (72). The brake apparatus (94) engages the applicator roller (42) to arrest further feeding of tape (16) to the body (15).

Abstract: Carcass plies for radial-ply tires are prepared by coating individual reinforcing strands with a rubber composition, and winding the coated strands in a winding machine with relatively weak transverse circumferential strands into a continuous cylindrical tube in which the reinforcing strands are substantially parallel to the tube axis and circumferentially spaced, and are connected by the circumferential strands of weaker material. Axial sections are cut from the tube, and only the axially central, annular portion of each section is expanded radially during shaping of the carcass, thereby stretching or breaking the transverse, circumferential strands.

Abstract: The process for manufacturing pneumatic tires comprises as essential step the manufacture of a tire body by winding cords or cables (3, 23, 35). The cord or cable is withdrawn from a supply reel (7) under constant tension and laid around and anchored to the bead cores (2; 22; 36; 39) arranged at both sides of the tire. In addition a peripherally extending belt is applied which again can be formed by winding cords or cables, and the tire is completed by injection molding or die casting elastomeric material. An apparatus suitable for performing said process comprises in addition to an interior mold (1, 21, 38) two sets of outer molds, the first set allowing the shaping of an inner tire layer provided with protrusions serving as spacers for the winding of cables or cords and the second set corresponding to the external shape of the tire (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A reinforcing cord is positioned in a mold cavity for reinforcing an annular article such as a tire by wrapping the cord on an annular spacer band which is supported on a mold core and then placed in the mold. The mold is charged with a liquid polyurethane reaction mixture to form an outer polymeric ring of the annular article which is adhered to the cord and partially cured. The spacer band is removed, the mold closed and charged with additional liquid polyurethane reaction mixture to form an inner polymeric ring of the annular article adjacent the reinforcing cord carried by the outer ring. The partially cured outer ring and the inner ring are then cured to adhere the inner ring to the outer ring with the layer of reinforcing cord encapsulated between the rings. An additional layer of reinforcing cord may be positioned in the article by wrapping another cord around a second spacer band having a smaller diameter than the first spacer band.

Abstract: A method for molding a tire with an annular reinforcement below the tread surface in which first a tire body is molded and then a flexible reinforcement formed by bands or threads is wound, preferably under tension, in form of a helix about the circumference of the tire body, whereafter a tread surface portion is molded about the tire body and the reinforcement thereon; and an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method of forming a reinforcing fabric and in particular a body ply for a radial tire. A continuous narrow ribbon, which is formed of an uncured elastomeric material having a plurality of spaced substantially parallel reinforcing means, preferably individual steel filaments, embedded in the elastomeric material and extending along the length of the ribbon, is helically wound on a cylindrical drum with successive turns of the ribbon overlapping one another to form a cylinder whose wall thickness is greater than the thickness of the ribbon. The helical winding of the ribbon is continued until the length of the wound cylinder is approximately equal to the circumference of the bead of the radial tire to be produced.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for building a cord or wire wound carcass for a closed torus tire. An endless flattened inflatable tube providing a liner for the carcass and coaxially spaced bead rings are placed on a support comprising a cylindrical array of rolls. The bead rings are spaced axially to control the length of each turn of cord or wire wound in the flattened oval path around them. A single wire or cord is wound in a flat oval orbit about the liner and bead rings by orbiting a spool along a track having two straight parallel portions, one inside, the other outside the bead rings and liner. The parallel track portions are connected at their ends by semi-circular track portions. No rigid core is required. After winding the cord or wire about the liner and bead rings, the liner is inflated and the bead rings are shifted axially toward each other to the axial spacing appropriate for the inflated tire in use.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for building a cord or wire wound carcass for a closed torus tire. An endless flattened inflatable tube providing a liner for the carcass and coaxially spaced bead rings are placed on a support comprising a cylindrical array of rolls. The bead rings are spaced axially to control the length of each turn of cord or wire wound in the flattened oval path around them. A single wire or cord is wound in a flat oval orbit about the liner and bead rings by orbiting a spool along a track having two straight parallel portions, one inside, the other outside the bead rings and liner. The parallel track portions are connected at their ends by semi-circular track portions. No rigid core is required. After winding the cord or wire about the liner and bead rings, the liner is inflated and the bead rings are shifted axially toward each other to the axial spacing appropriate for the inflated tire in use.

Abstract: The single-stage building of 0.degree. belted pneumatic tires completely in flat band form on standard building drums, is disclosed. The feasibility of the process rests on the provision of the substantially inextensible metallic or non-metallic belt cords in the form of longitudinally extensible high "soft stretch" tapes. In a preferred version of the invention, the tape is composed of a plurality of cords each having formed therein a multiplicity of undulations which in any given straight length of the tape are substantially planar, the cords being disposed in side by side relation so that the planes of the undulations of each cord are generally parallel to the planes of the undulations of each adjacent cord, and the cords together with a relatively weak and frangible but only minimally undulated stabilizing yarn for the tape being secured to each other and held in their undulating state by a relative weak, chain stitch knitted, frangible stitching yarn or thread.

Abstract: The single-stage building of 0.degree. belted pneumatic tires completely in flat band form on standard building drums, is disclosed. The feasibility of the process rests on the provision of the substantially inextensible metallic or non-metallic belt cords in the form of longitudinally extensible high "soft stretch" tapes. In a preferred version of the invention, the tape is composed of a plurality of cords each having formed therein a multiplicity of undulations which in any given straight length of the tape are substantially planar, the cords being disposed in side by side relation so that the planes of the undulations of each cord are generally parallel to the planes of the undulations of each adjacent cord, and the cords together with a relatively weak and frangible but only minimally undulated stabilizing yarn for the tape being secured to each other and held in their undulating state by a relative weak, chain stitch knitted, frangible stitching yarn or thread.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of forming a tire carcass on a porous sand core in the shape of the toroidal member, such method comprising the steps of helically wrapping rubber material about the body of the toroidal member, applying a vacuum through the porous toroidal member to the inner surface of the helically wrapped rubber material, applying force to the outer surface of the rubber material, helically winding wire about the body of the toroidal member over the outer surface of the already-wrapped rubber material, and helically wrapping additional rubber material about and over the wire and first-mentioned rubber material. A vacuum probe is introduced into the area of the helically wound wire, and force is applied to the additional, outer rubber material to urge it against the wire and against the first-mentioned rubber material.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning a continuous strip on a movable support surface in a zigzag pattern including a traversing guide member having a slot passage disposed longitudinally of the movement of the support surface, means for reducing friction in the slot passage of the guide member, and positioning means between the guide member and the support surface movable into the path of the strip at the ends of each traverse to form the reversals of the zigzag pattern.