Abstract: A system for a protective tire device including a cover assembly, strap assembly and a tire assembly is disclosed. The cover assembly includes a dome cover. The dome cover includes through holes reinforced with O-rings located equidistantly about a circumference of the dome cover. Each through hole receives one of a plurality of elastomeric straps having a hook at a distal end thereof. The dome cover is mounted over a tire sitting atop a tire stack. The elastomeric straps extend downwardly along the tire stack. The hooks of the elastomeric straps are extended towards a center of the tire stack such that the elastomeric straps are sandwiched between two tires of the tire stack. The hooks engage an inner liner of the tire from underneath, creating tension on the elastomeric straps and securing the dome cover to the tire to prevent access to the interior of the tire stack.

Abstract: A system for palletizing cargo includes a number of components that may be combined to produce an assembled pallet of cargo. A pallet base provides a cargo area where a payload may be stacked. The pallet base includes protective features such as feet that raise the payload above surface level, bumpers that prevent and absorb impacts to the pallet base, and a rim that encircles the cargo area. A pallet top is placed on top of the payload, opposite the pallet base, and a set of straps are used to connect the pallet base to the pallet top and friction fit the payload therebetween. Each of the base and top include a series of holes and spacers that allow airflow to pass around the bottom and top of the payload, while the bumpers allow airflow around the sides, even when the assembled pallets are surrounded by other cargo.

Abstract: A reusable packaging system for a gift, comprising: a decorative wrapping for wrapping around the gift so that the gift is concealed thereby, the decorative wrapping defining a plurality of mounting apertures; and a mount securable to the gift independently from the decorative wrapping, the mount being provided with a wrapping attachment insertable in each of the mounting apertures. The decorative wrapping is movable between attached and detached configurations. In the detached configuration, the decorative wrapping is detached from the mount. In the attached configuration, with the mount secured to the gift, the decorative wrapping is attached to the mount and encloses the gift, the decorative wrapping being secured to the wrapping attachment with the wrapping attachment inserted through at least some of the mounting apertures.

Abstract: A device for absorbing shocks of a liftable and lowerable object such as a spare tire includes a reeling device that contains a hoisting cable, the reeling device rotatably attached to the vehicle chassis, an arresting device that under normal conditions prevents the reeling device from rotating relative to the vehicle chassis but enables the reeling device to rotate relative to the vehicle chassis under crash conditions thereby absorbing significant part of the energy of the shock.

Abstract: A grass protection mat that includes a plurality of bodies formed with grass passing spaces and one or more contraction-expansion compensatory connectors connecting a plurality of bodies. The grass protection mat and compensating compensates for contraction or expansion of the mat units.

Abstract: The tire arrangement implement is employed to arrange a plurality of tires, each provided with a decorative portion located on a sidewall portion, in a row in the tire rotational axis direction. The tire arrangement implement comprises a spacer. The spacer is disposed between adjacent tires or between the tire and the floor, not in contact with the decorative portion, and separates the decorative portion of one tire from another tire or the peripherally located member.

Abstract: A vehicle tool box assembly includes a storage area disposed in a vehicle cargo space and a tool box disposed in the storage area. The tool box includes a body having opposite first and second end walls and an upper surface extending between upper ends of the first and second end walls. A plurality of cut-outs is formed in the upper surface and configured to receive tools. A first lip extends upwardly from the upper surface at the first end wall. A second lip extends upwardly from the upper surface at the second end wall. A cover member is received by the tool box. The cover member includes a first recess received by the first lip and a second recess received by the second lip, thereby substantially preventing movement of the cover member relative to the tool box.

Abstract: A commercial vehicle wheel cover including a frame having a locking door, at least two hinge points, at least two spring attachments, and at least two retaining features. The frame has a front side and a back side, with the at least two hinge points arranged integrally and circumferentially on the back side of the frame. The at least two spring attachments are rotatably connected to the at least two hinge points. The at least two retaining features are located adjacent to said at least two hinge points in the radial direction, and the at least two spring attachments are secured in the at least two retaining features. One of the at least two hinge points is located on the locking door. The locking door is used to install the final spring attachment on the drop center or hub of a wheel.

Abstract: A rimless tire cover system for protecting a wheel-less tire including a first annular cover on one side of the tire and a second annular cover on the other side of the tire and a tubular central connector for pulling the first and second covers against the sides of the tire. Each of the covers has an annular seal portion that conforms in shape to and engages and seals directly against the tire bends.

Abstract: A manufacturing facility includes a storage facility and a production facility. Workpieces are located in the storage facility in temporary storage accommodations, and are moved between the storage facility and stations in the production facility by mobile carrier units. The temporary storage accommodations may be units having a generally circular lading envelope, and an hexagonal optimal packing density. The mobile carrier units may be automated guided vehicles and may include self-navigating software, and interactive communication with other guided vehicles to permit suitable routes to be chosen, or to permit obstacles to be avoided. The facility may include a workpiece retrieval apparatus used for transferring workpieces between the storage accommodations and the automated guided vehicles, or to other locations. The workpiece retrieval apparatus may be mounted on a bridge, and may include a multi-element raising and lowering array that is biased to oppose torsional deflection of the lifting member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article of manufacture having a reflective design thereon, as well as a method for manufacture thereof. The article of manufacture, such as a tire cover, comprises a substrate having a display surface, at least one adhesive material disposed on the display surface, and a first pigmented material arranged in a first design pattern and adhered to the display surface by the adhesive material, where the first pigmented material includes a plurality of glass particles operative to reflect light received from a light source. A second pigmented material, such as a reflective or non-reflective material of a different color, may be adhered to the display surface in a second design pattern. The present invention also provides a transfer pattern, and method for forming the same, that is for use in transferring a reflective design to a display surface.

Abstract: A boot is positionable about a rotatable wheel having an axle extending therefrom. A pair of mating components include interconnecting elements for attaching the elements about the wheel preventing non-destructible detachment of the mating components. Flanges extend from the mating components to prevent attempts to rotate the boot about the wheel. The flanges which support the interconnecting elements are frangibly removable from the body to permit destructible detachment of the mating components from the wheel. The boot may support an electronic tag such as radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag.

Abstract: A manufacturing facility includes a storage facility and a production facility. Workpieces are located in the storage facility in temporary storage accommodations, and are moved between the storage facility and stations in the production facility by mobile carrier units. The temporary storage accommodations may be units having a generally circular lading envelope, and an hexagonal optimal packing density. The optimal packing density is such that supports for the accommodation units lies outside the lading envelope circle, but within the corner regions of the hexagons of the packing density pattern. The accommodation units have lifting fittings that are accessible from the corners of the hexagons, whether the same as those of the supports, or different ones. The mobile carrier units may be automated guided vehicles.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft tire with a tread having a running surface of a rubber composition which contains elastomers of which a major portion is a specialized cis 1,4-polybutadiene elastomer and a minor portion is cis 1,4-polyisoprene rubber and which contains reinforcement filler comprised of a combination of precipitated silica and defined rubber reinforcing carbon black.

Abstract: A method for handling scrap tires, includes a step of providing a compacting apparatus to a scrap tire generator, such as a tire retailer. Before compacting the tires, the tire can be marked with a unique identifier assigned to every tire generator. By marking the scrap tires with a unique identifier, the scrap tires can be tracked on their way to the final destination. The compacting apparatus provides volume reduction of the scrap tires individually into a form that can have a reduction of at least fifty percent of original cubic volume. The tires can be pinched to maintain the compacted tire in the compacted form and prevent the compacted tire from regaining its original shape. The compacted scrap tires can be accumulated inside a tire collection enclosure, such as a trailer or dumpster. The collected tires can be transported with much more weight efficient loads of the tires to a transfer station, a recycling facility, or an end user.

Abstract: A tire storage system is disclosed, for securely storing one or more tires. The tire storage system consists of two identical tire caps and a connecting spacer. One of the tire caps is placed horizontally on a flat surface. The used tire is placed upon one of the tire caps, such that part of the tire cap extends upward through the opening of the tire. The spacer is securely affixed to the tire cap, and generally fills the rest of the tire opening. The other tire cap is placed horizontally over the tire and is also secured to the spacer. The tire storage system seals the inside of the tire from outside access, so as to prevent mosquito breeding and infestation. The tire storage system can be used to stack multiple tires of different sizes, for efficient storage, and can be recycled with the tire at a later time. The tire storage system can be made from or treated with fire-retardant materials, to inhibit unwanted fires.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically loading tires into a tire transport frame is disclosed. The system stacks a plurality of tires in a herringbone pattern within a tire transport frame. The tire transport frame provides a structure that maintains the stacked tires in a stable, compressed state. Further, the tire transport frame may be adapted to withstand external loads so that multiple tire transport frames may be stacked atop one another for long term storage of tires. Further, the loaded tire transport frames may be easily loaded by forklift into a vessel for storage and/or transportation without requiring significant expenditures of manual labor, time, space, or cost. As a result, the instant invention enables significant improvements in reliability, cost, and capacity in the storage and/or transportation of tires.

Abstract: An improved method of shipping, storing, and changing very large tires having a removable tread belt mounted to a tire carcass which are typically used on very large vehicles such as earthmovers. By compressing both the tread belts and the tire carcasses, they can be shipped separately so that less shipping and storage space is required. Tire changing only requires changing the tire tread without removing the wheel or carcass from the very large vehicle making it economically feasible to store and change tread designs to accommodate a variety of very large tire/vehicle operating conditions.

Abstract: A robotic tire end effector apparatus and system including a method for picking up and placing tires positioned horizontally onto vertical stacks of tires. The apparatus and system includes a totem support assembly having a support housing and support bars capable of bearing against the inside diameter of a tire bead and a bottom assembly mounted to the support housing of the totem support assembly. The bottom assembly includes pivot arms and fingers. The fingers are capable of bearing against the inside diameter of the tire bead and supporting the weight of the tire. The support bars are also capable of supporting the weight of a tire. The system includes a computer and program capable of receiving data from the tires for identification, tracing tire location, allocation, pick optimization and continuous calculation of sorting and pick options.

Abstract: A tire protective cover for covering and protecting a static mounted tire from environmental hazards, wherein the environmental hazards include ultra-violet radiation and air-borne contaminants such , corrosive fluids or paint protection from dogs urinating on rims and tires. The tire cover includes a resilient casing for covering both one side of a tire, wherein the resilient casing covering the one side of the tire has a generally circular member having a radially adjacent series of sequentially raised concentric annular surfaces. Lugs are provided for gripping, and structurally reinforcing, the concentrically inner, center portion of the cover.

Abstract: The combination of a container having an emergency fuel therein for an internal combustion engine. The container is disposed in a trunk of a vehicle or in a storage compartment on a boat. A handle is formed on a body of the container. A closable outlet is formed on the body. A spout is adapted to be connected to the closable outlet. The container is manually releasably retained in the trunk of the vehicle. Also a method is disclosed of safely storing a stable emergency fuel in the trunk of a vehicle or in a storage compartment on a boat.

Abstract: A pallet for raw cover tire has a circular bottom plate, and a supporting portion provided to a periphery of the bottom plate and supporting one of outer side surfaces of side walls of a raw cover tire. The supporting portion has a first receiving surface of a cone form inclining downwardly toward the bottom plate at an angle .alpha. to the bottom plate, and a second receiving surface of a cone form extending upwardly from an upper edge of the first receiving surface at an angle .beta. smaller than the angle .alpha..

Abstract: A wheel separator and method for packaging vehicle wheels and the like comprises a multi-ply panel of corrugated fiberboard having at least three liner sheets and two filler layers therebetween. One of the panel faces is generally flat with a plurality of annularly shaped grooves arranged in a spaced apart pattern. Each of the grooves has a base, and opposite sidewalls which extend through at least two adjacent ones of the liner sheets and the associated intermediate filler layer. The groove base is an annular ring cut from the exterior one of the two liner sheets, and is supported by the remaining liner sheets and filler layers. The groove sidewalls are spaced apart a distance substantially commensurate with the thickness of the associated vehicle wheel rim to closely receive the same therein, such that adjacent wheels are prevented from laterally contacting each other, and axial rotation of the wheels is alleviated to avoid cutting vertically through the separator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a luggage compartment construction comprising a spare tire house provided under a luggage compartment to contain a spare tire, a spare tire board for closing an opening of the spare tire house, and a back panel trim for covering a back panel member disposed at the lower rear part of the luggage compartment, in which a box-shaped storage portion, which is used as a container, is integrally formed at the lower part of the back panel trim by extending the lower part of the back panel trim to the lower rear side of the spare tire board and by bending the extended portion.

Abstract: A cover for a spare wheel arranged externally at the rear of a motor vehicle has a clamping strap which covers the entire tread of the tire. In its lateral edge regions, the clamping strap is drawn in towards the center of the wheel. A round plate covers the free side of the wheel. Over the peripheral edge region of the plate, the drawn-in edge region of the clamping strap engages. In order to make such a cover easy to mount for a single person and to permit it to be used simultaneously for different tire widths, there is provided an outer, annular region of the plate bent to extend towards the spare wheel. A support body can be inserted into a vehicle-side receptacle as far as a stop. The support body is attached to the center of the rear of the plate. The length of the support body is dimensioned such that, when tightening the clamping strap, the plate, acting so to speak as a disc spring, presses the support body against its stop.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of using sidewalls from discarded automobile, truck, and other tires to manufacture drainage culverts. It also relates to the culverts manufactured by this process, and to assembly devices useful for assembling and holding together such culverts. These culverts are made by means of a simple cutting operation which removes both sidewalls from a discarded tire. The tread portion is made available for any other desired use, and is not further involved herein. The two sidewall portions are laid flat together and drilled with holes which allows them to be mounted on parallel bars which have been welded to a circular steel base plate having roughly the same dimensions as the sidewalls. When a suitable number of sidewalls (such as about 50 to 150) have been mounted on the bars, a steel closure plate having matching holes is slid onto the bars, pressed hard against the sidewalls using a press, and welded to the protruding bars.

Abstract: An annular article-wrapping member includes a shrinkable wrapping material which is wound on the outer periphery of an annular article to be wrapped in such a manner that the direction of shrinkage of the shrinkable wrapping material coincides with a circumferential direction of the outer periphery of the annular article. The overlapped portions of the wrapping material subsequently are joined together. The shrinkable wrapping material is heated to be shrunk to provide an intermediate wrapping member having sleeve openings having a diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the annular article. Sleeve forming portions of the intermediate wrapping member together in a ring-shape along an inner periphery of the annular article. The portion of the shrinkable wrapping material disposed inwardly of the joined portion is removed by cutting, thereby obtaining the annular article-wrapping member.

Abstract: A container for an uncured radial tire assembly having a tread portion and a sidewall joined at a shoulder and having a bead portion located axially outwardly of the sidewall. The container comprises a base and a frustoconical surface attached to the base. The frustoconical surface is for engaging the shoulder of the tire assembly to support the tire assembly with the bead portion and sidewall extending axially from the tire assembly substantially without deforming. The frustoconical surface is capable of supporting more than one size tire assembly. Two containers are stackable so a tire assembly is supported in one of the containers without being contacted by the other container.

Abstract: A two-part system for reinforcing a hollow structural member and its method of use are provided. Part A of the two-part system is formed by adding a filler and unexpanded, thermally-expandable microspheres to a liquid thermosetting resin, such as an epoxy resin, in a quantity sufficient to produce a dough-like mass which can be readily kneaded. Part B is formed by adding a filler and a colorant, such as carbon black, to a liquid curing agent, again forming a dough-like mass. The curing agent is compatible with the thermosetting resin to promote cross-linking of the thermosetting resin upon contact with the curing agent.A hollow structural member is cleared of debris of the like and may be preheated to enhance the rate at which the thermosetting resin cross-links. The two parts are blended together until a reactive third dough of substantially uniform mixture is formed.

Abstract: A protector for aircraft wheel assemblies comprises an annular upper main protective member and an annular lower main protective member, each extending in a radial direction over a respective tire sidewall for enclosing and sealing the hub, and for at least partially covering the tire sidewalls. Each main protective member includes one of a pair of mating portions so that wheel assemblies fitted with the protector may be stacked and transported horizontally. The main protective members are clamped to the wheel assembly using adjustable clamping means, including an externally threaded shaft member and a tubular shaft member for receiving the threaded shaft member. The threaded shaft member is further provided with a locking T-member which seats securely in a groove in a reinforcing member on the lower main protective member.

Abstract: A bicycle case having a pair of hinged container sections having opposed upper and bottom chambers for receiving the partially disassembled parts of a bicycle. The bottom chamber includes a pair of parallel longitudinal support bars secured to the opposite end walls of the bottom container section and a pair of transverse support bars having their end portions clamped to and slidably supported upon the longitudinal support bars. One or more tie devices, each including a clamp device for securing the tie devices to a corresponding transverse support bar and including a tie or strap member, are positioned along either or both transverse support bars for securing the strap member to a portion of the bicycle frame mounted upon the support bars. The bicycle case is uniquely adapted for containing all of the partially disassembled parts of a mountain bike to facilitate transportation of the mountain bike.

Abstract: A retreading envelope is produced by extruding an elastomeric material in substantially tubular form, with portions of the wall thickness of the circumference of the extruded tubing being of a thickness substantially greater than the wall thickness of the remainder of the tubing, cutting a length of the extruded tubing from the tubing as extruded, and butt-seaming the free ends of the cut length to form an annular tube substantially of circular cross-section, with the thickened wall portions of the extruded length in the area of its outer periphery. The elastomeric material in the thickened wall portions of the annular tube is then caused, e.g.

Abstract: A carrier for storing and/or transporting a partially disassembled bicycle is disclosed as including a rigid base section and rigid left and right side sections. Quick-release hinge devices detachably and pivotably connect each of the side sections to the base section. A mounting assembly detachably mounts an upright bicycle frame on the base section. Releasable devices are also provided for mounting the bicycle wheels on either of the two side sections.

Abstract: Bead protectors fittable to an opposed pair of tire bead portions are made of a thermoplastic resin. Each bead protector comprises a tubular portion fittable in the bead portion and a flange portion extending from the tubular portion via a curved portion and fittable to the outer side surface of the bead portion. The bead protector is integrally molded in an L-shaped radial cross section. Each of fastening bands comprises a stretchable portion and hooked plate-like metal members. When fitted to the tire bead portions, the bead protectors are interconnected by the fastening bands and elastically pulled toward each other axially of the tire by the stretchable portions, with the hooks in engagement with projections on the flange portions.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical wall member (14) of resilient material has an opening (22) extending axially of the container (10) for inserting beads (12) into individual compartments (54) in the container (10). Axially extending sides (30) of the wall member (14) are resiliently movable radially outwardly to grip and hold the beads (12) during transporting. The curvature of the sides (30) is such that a range of different diameter beads (12) can be accommodated. The wall member sides (30) are also resiliently yieldable radially outwardly to permit removal of the beads (12) during movement of the container (10) in a radial direction away from the beads (12) after they are placed around a bead support of a bead storing and feeding apparatus.

Abstract: There is disclosed a plastic bead protector and a method of packaging large tires having bead portions that are susceptible to damage by lifting hooks or fork trucks during shipment. The bead protectors are slideably inserted inside of the bead portions of a tire and are retained in position by a plurality of elastic tension members.

Abstract: A display carton for a replacement wheel assembly of the type used on a lawn mower, wheelbarrow, spreader, or other garden-type vehicle. The carton is provided with opposed sidewall panels which contain cutouts so that the wheel assembly protrudes beyond the carton sides enabling a purchaser to view the wheel tire prior to selecting the wheel assembly for purchase. Each sidewall panel has a tuck end panel inserted into the carton and secured in place by a tuck lock flap pivotably connected to the rear wall panel of the carton. The tuck lock flap includes a plurality of creases intermediate its edges so that it can be folded and positioned between the wheel assembly and a tuck end panel within the carton adjacent to the rear wall panel of the carton, between the rear wall panel and the wheel assembly, to preclude opening of the carton and removal of the wheel assembly on display.

Abstract: A wheel and bearing protector apparatus useful in protecting airplane wheels and bearings from damage or contamination and for preventing loss of bearings during handling prior to mounting on an airplane axle. The apparatus has two wheel and bearing protectors for being mounted on opposite sides of a wheel. Each wheel and bearing protector has an annular central concavity from which a central protrusion extends into the central bore of the bearing in position in a bearing-retaining region of the wheel. An adjacent, substantially radially, annular surface is positioned immediately adjacent to a bearing-retaining cavity in the wheel for holding the bearing snugly in the bearing-retaining cavity to prevent loss or damage. A peripheral rim fits snugly about the outer edge on one side of the wheel. A lock rod apparatus for clamping the two protectors together has a T-rod which is extended through a noncircular slot in the two protectors and through the center bore of the wheel.

Abstract: Discarded rubber automotive tires are processed into bales for disposal and use as landfill, fish habitats and other purposes by compressing a stack of such tires endwise into a compact annular bale and then securing the bale with ties at circumferentially spaced locations thereon. Preferably during compression of the stack, it is slit lengthwise from end to end at multiple circumferential locations between the wires. The resulting slits extend inwardly from the outer toward the inner periphery of the bale but terminate short of the inner tire bead and rim to permit the escape of air and water from the annular interior spaces of the tires and yet maintain the integrity of the bale. The compressed, tied and slit baled product is particularly useful in forming artificial reefs in bodies of water for use as fish habitats because of its lack of buoyancy and resulting ease and accuracy of placement.

Abstract: Discarded rubber automotive tires are processed into bales for disposal and use as landfill, fish habitats and other purposes by compressing a stack of such tires endwise into a compact annular bale and then securing the bale with ties at circumferentially spaced locations thereon. Preferably during compression of the stack, it is slit lengthwise from end to end at multiple circumferential locations between the wires. The resulting slits extend inwardly from the outer toward the inner periphery of the bale but terminate short of the inner tire bead and rim to permit the escape of air and water from the annular interior spaces of the tires and yet maintain the integrity of the bale. The compressed, tied and slit baled product is particularly useful in forming artifical reefs in bodies of water for use as fish habitats because of its lack of buoyancy and resulting ease and accuracy of placement.

Abstract: A loading plate structure adapted together with other loading plate structures of the same design to form a stack, which includes a preferably rectangular or square-shaped normally horizontal loading plate which at each of its corner sections has connected thereto a supporting post of square, rectangular or any other polygonal cross section. Each post has preferably detachably connected to its top and bottom section the free ends of the two arms of a U-shaped yoke. Each yoke projects from the post to which it is connected in the direction to the adjacent yoke, and the transverse section of each U-shaped yoke which interconnects the pertaining two arms is spaced from the pertaining post by a distance that is less than half the distance between the two adjacent posts between which the respective U-shaped yokes project.

Abstract: A machine with an open upstanding frame has a central space within which a stack of tires are placed. A hydraulic ram mounted on top of the frame, when retracted, supports a press platen slidable on vertical frame posts above the stack and a knife platen spaced above the press platen. Four tire-slitting knives project downwardly from the knife platen in alignment with slots in the press platen. When the ram extends, the knife and press platens move downwardly until the press platen engages the stack. Thereafter continued extension of the ram causes compression springs between the platens to contract so that the knife platen continues downwardly until it engages the press platen and the knives pass through the slots of the press platen into cutting engagement with the stack. Thereafter the knife and press platens continue downwardly together simultaneously compressing and slitting the stack.