Abstract: A cap member is used in a shut-off valve including a valve head in which a through hole is formed, the cap member including: a cap member main body screwed into the through hole; a first engaging portion for engaging with a first tool for screwing the cap member main body into the valve head; a second engaging portion formed inside the cap member main body to engage with a second tool for unscrewing the cap member main body from the valve head; and a wall portion covering the second engaging portion so that the second engaging portion is not exposed when the cap member is viewed from the first engaging portion toward the second engaging portion.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a mould segment used in the production of premoulded and precured tyre thread in a flat moulding process wherein the mould segment (1) is provided with an indexing means to align adjacent mould segments to avoid discontinuity in thread pattern. In this invention the indexing means is provided on the opposing transverse edges (14, 15) of the mould segment (1). Various embodiments of the indexing means are described. The invention also relates to a method of aligning mould segments in a mould matrix using indexing means on the opposing transverse edges (14, 15) of the mould segments.

Abstract: The present invention provides a grommet configured of an elastic body, which is externally mounted on a group of electric wires spanned between a vehicle-body panel and a movable body coupled to the vehicle-body panel with a hinge. The grommet includes short large-diameter tubular sections having annular locking grooves inserted into and locked to through-holes respectively provided in the vehicle-body panel and the movable body at both ends in the lengthwise direction; long small-diameter tubular sections that are continuous with the large-diameter tubular sections; and a corrugated tubular section continuously provided between the small-diameter tubular sections at the both ends, the corrugated tubular section being bent into a U shape when the movable body is closed.

Abstract: The invention provides a heavy duty rim assembly (10) for use with a moulded or cast non-inflatable tyre, a wheel (100) including such a rim assembly and tyre (102), a mould (200) for such a tyre, and a method of manufacturing such a wheel. The rim assembly includes a nave (12) for mounting on a vehicle axle, a hollow barrel (14) around the nave, and a plurality of key members (16) around the barrel. The key members, in use, provide for effective bonding and keying of the rim assembly with the non-inflatable tyre. The key members define a belt (46) around the barrel, the belt being at least substantially concentric with and spaced apart from the barrel. The key members define holes (36) therethrough for tyre material to extend through in a completed wheel.

Abstract: The pneumatic tire according to the present invention has a roughness profile skewness (Rsk) of zero or greater on land portion surfaces 26S of the tread. A structure is thereby achieved in which gaps Z formed between the tread surface and the ground contact surface do not disappear when the tire contacts the ground. Consequently high braking performance and high pulling capacity can be secured even when the tire is initially used.

Abstract: A steering wheel (30) includes a steering wheel armature (32) that includes a rim portion (34). A composite portion (14) is formed by a composite material (52) molded onto the rim portion (34). The composite material (52) comprises a cellulose-based material (56). The composite portion (14) has an outer surface (74) and wood grain impregnations (72) molded in the outer surface. The wood grain impregnations (72) are configured to have a natural wood grain appearance.

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly, comprising: an insert comprising an armature, a rim portion and at least one spoke connecting the armature to the rim portion; a rim assembly comprising a first rim portion and a second rim portion, the first rim portion and the second rim portion each being configured to be disposed around a periphery of the rim portion of the insert and the first rim portion and the second rim portion are configured to be secured to each other about the rim portion of the insert, the first rim portion and the second rim portion each being separately formed from a polymeric material prior to the securement of the rim assembly to the rim portion of the insert; and a decorative cover disposed about an exterior surface of the rim assembly.

Abstract: A motor vehicle wheel frame is integrally molded in a split mold including a lower mold portion (12) and a complemental mold portion. Channel-like spoke forming formations (12.1) receive layers (24.1) of molding material wrapped around heat expanding, resilient intensifiers (20) which are inwardly checked by resilient locking inserts (22) partially within a hub cavity and abutting a cylinder (18). During demolding, after curing, the locking inserts (22) and thereafter the intensifiers (20) are removed by longitudinally stretching and cross-sectionally reducing them, leaving the spokes hollow. During curing, the heat expanding intensifiers pressurize the spoke forming layers of molding material against the mold portions.

Abstract: A display device including a plurality of display elements (500) arranged in a matrix, wherein each display element includes a display pixel (510) coupled to a switch (530), and each display element includes an addressable latch (540) having an output coupled to a controlling input of the switch. The addressable latch includes a row address input (532) and a column address input (556). In one mode of operation, at least some display elements are activated at a first rate, and other display elements are activated at a second rate less than the first refresh rate by selectively addressing the display elements.

Abstract: A casting apparatus for vehicle wheels includes a bottom core or face core mold segment affixed to a stationary bed and a top core mold segment affixed to a vertically movable head; a pivotally mounted side mold positioning arrangement of minimal bulk and mass is provided for each of the four, or greater number of side molds. Side mold segments are each connected by a linkage to the movable head to move vertically upwardly and downwardly while permitting independent lateral, typically arcuate, movement. Actuators in the form of hydraulic, pneumatic, or other linear actuators for each of the side mold segments are controlled to move each segment inwardly or outwardly; electro-mechanical or pneumatic actuators could alternatively be employed. A locator ring latching mechanism is provided for retaining the side cores in closed position which engages tabs on the bottom of the side cores to seat on and seal with the bottom core.

Abstract: A one piece cast wheel having a lightener recess formed in the wheel disc which extends axially beneath the wheel outboard tire bead seat. A method of casting such a one piece wheel which utilizes a multi-piece wheel mold having side members which include a plurality of components. A core for forming the lightener cavity is formed integrally with the side member components. The side member components are sequentially moved relative to each other to release the core from the lightener cavity.

Abstract: A molding apparatus and process is described in which a side wall mold insert is accessible and releasable from the interior of the molding apparatus. A fastener reversibly seats the side wall insert to the mold frame, the insert having an inclined rim wall for engaging a complementary-shaped wall of an adjacent tread mold piece. The process and apparatus facilitates the rapid replacement of a side wall mold insert without disassembly or cooling of the molding components.

Abstract: A light-alloy wheel is cast using an apparatus wherein cores are moved by a cotter via a sliding mechanism. A sliding portion is isolated from molten metal so that locking at the sliding portion is unlikely to occur. The sliding mechanism can be of a small size and is disposed in an interior of a mold top segment with a relatively large gap between the cotter and the mold top segment. The gap assures a good heat dissipation from the mold top segment. In a molding method conducted using the apparatus, the cores may be positioned at a retracted position and extended before the molten metal has solidified to thereby remove blow holes in a cast wheel.

Abstract: The die includes fixed or movable protuberances associated with die parts corresponding to the rim circumference. In the rim thus obtained the inner part of the spokes is hollow and communicates with the rim channel inside the tire but the hollow is spaced from the wheel hub.

Abstract: A method and mold for making a wheel of a roller skate including a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart generally axially extending curvilinear paths. A speed skater, traveling a predominately circular course with such wheels properly aligned on such skates, is able to use air moving past the skater to increase skating speed. As air enters the curvilinear paths of the wheel the direction of air flow changes. In this manner, momentum is transferred from the moving air to the spinning wheels, thus increasing the number of revolutions of the wheel and the speed of the skater. The mold may be formed of polyurethane and use flexible fingers to form the curvilinear paths of the wheel.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a wheel mold that has a top segment having a plurality of openings formed therethrough. Movable cores are carried in the top segment openings. A mechanism is mounted on the top segment to alternately extend the cores into the mold cavity and retract the cores into the openings. To form a wheel, the movable cores are extended and molten metal is introduced into the mold cavity. The movable cores form recesses in the resulting wheel casting. After casting has cooled sufficiently, the movable cores are retracted from the recesses allowing the top segment to be withdrawn from the wheel casting. The casting is then removed from the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming curing envelopes which apparatus enables the use of a conventional inner tube mold for making a curing envelope preform in the form of an envelope tube which may have a portion thereof easily removed to provide a curing envelope suitable for use in a tire retreading process. A curing envelope is made by placing an annular tube of uncured envelope material in a curing mold having a center core and a mold insert installed therein. The insert includes a pair of coaxial annular rings projecting radially outwardly from the center core and connecting straps for maintaining the axial spacing between the rings. The mold is closed and heat and internal pressure are applied to the envelope tube for curing the envelope tube and urging the tube against the interior cavity surface with the annular rings penetrating into the inner wall of the tube for forming therein corresponding annular grooves.

Abstract: Cast vehicle wheels are formed with a re-entrant portion or lightening pocket beneath the tire bead retaining seat. The mold has movable side portions enabling the formation of the re-entrant portion in the wheel. The re-entrant portion reduces the weight of the wheel without adversely affecting the wheel characteristics.

Abstract: In a casting mold, refractory filled segments are provided between adjacent riser seats to provide more uniform and more controlled cooling of the molten metal to reduce microporosity in the cast product.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding a composite metal-elastomer styled wheel in which a middle mold part includes a metal wheel disc and rim subassembly. A base mold part seats against the outboard face of the metal wheel in the closed condition of the mold and has a mold cavity surface to provide an ornamental configuration for the outboard face of the decorative plastic body of the composite wheel. A clamp seats against the inboard face of the middle mold part to urge the middle part into sealing engagement with the base mold part. The mold parts are axially separable from one another to open the molding apparatus to clear the middle mold part from said clamp and base mold parts. The clamp includes a funnel adapted for registry with a liquid reaction mixture injection nozzle coupled with injecting mixing apparatus. The funnel has a nozzle passage registering with a bolt-hole pour opening in the disc in the closed condition of the mold.

Abstract: A motor-vehicle steering wheel which is made of plastics material but looks like a wooden steering wheel is produced from a die having ribs such as to form in the moulded part indentations having a typical wood-grain pattern and arrangement. In the moulded part, the plastics material used for the moulding assumes a density of the same order of magnitude as that of a typical wooden steering wheel. A dark-colored ink is applied to the surface of the moulded part and penetrates the indentations to give them the wood-grain appearance, the ink subsequently being removed from the rest of the surface of the part and the part then undergoing a final varnishing step.

Abstract: Three-part vertical stack-up mold apparatus for molding a composite styled wheel wherein the middle mold part is metal disc and rim subassembly operable as metal street wheel when a pneumatic tire is mounted on said rim. The lower mold part has a mold cavity surface to define an ornamental configuration for the outboard face of a plastic body of the composite wheel. An upper mold part urges the wheel into sealing engagement with the lower mold part. The lower mold part includes cores adapted for individual registry with disc air vent openings so as to protrude therethrough into the mold cavity in the closed condition of the mold. The upper mold part includes an expansible lid seal juxtaposed in mold cavity sealing relation to the disc inboard face and the cores in the mold-closed condition.

Abstract: An improved composite metal-elastomer styled automotive-type wheel with a three-dimensionally contoured ornamental outboard face formed by a plastic overlay body permanently adhered or affixed to the outboard face, and an improved molding apparatus and method for constructing such a wheel. A plastic overlay body has an annular row of outboard pockets disposed in radially offset, axially overlapping relation with a annular row of inboard pockets which in turn register with vent openings in the disc to thereby provide air passages through the wheel for brake ventilation. The outboard pockets preferably are disposed radially remote from the center of the wheel close to the wheel rim, and a relatively thin cross-section of plastic material is molded so as to overlie the outboard rim flange to provide a full-face appearance to the wheel.

Abstract: A compression mold for manufacture of a fiber-reinforced composite vehicle wheel that has a circumferential array of radially reciprocable rim mold sections, a lower disc mold section affixed to a mold base, and an upper disc mold section axially reciprocable with respect to the lower disc mold section from an upper or retracted position to a lower or closed position in which opposing surfaces of the various mold sections form a wheel mold cavity. The radially reciprocable rim mold sections are slidably mounted on a retainer which is carried by springs above the mold base surrounding the lower disc mold section and are engaged by the upper disc mold section during downward motion of the latter so that the upper disc mold section and the rim mold sections move conjointly with respect to the lower disc mold section toward the closed cavity-defining position of all mold sections.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a composite styled wheel of the type including a metallic disc and rim and an ornamental plastic overlay permanently affixed to the disc. A disc and rim subassembly is placed in a mold. A retainer is formed as a separate part and releasable secured in the mold. A reactive plastic liquid mixture is injected into the mold cavity and the retainer is engulfed in the plastic material and permanently secured to the plastic overlay.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding a composite metal-elastomer styled wheel in which a middle mold part consists of a metal wheel disc and rim subassembly. A base mold part seats against the outboard face of the metal wheel in the closed condition of the mold and has a mold cavity surface to provide an ornamental configuration for the outboard face of the plastic body of the composite wheel. A clamp seats against the inboard face of the middle mold part to urge the middle part into sealing engagement with the base mold part. The mold parts are axially separable from one another to open the molding apparatus to clear the middle mold part from said clamp and base mold parts. The clamp includes a funnel adapted for registry with a liquid reaction mixture injection nozzle coupled with injecting mixing apparatus. The funnel has a nozzle passage registering with a pour opening in the disc in the closed condition of the mold.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding a fiber-reinforced wheel construction having an imperforate disc structure. The wheel comprises a disc portion having reinforcing fibers in substantially random orientation disposed predominantly in planes perpendicular to the wheel axis, and a rim portion having directional first reinforcing fibers substantially parallel to each other and oriented circumferentially of or substantially parallel to the wheel axis, or both, and second reinforcing fibers which are substantially randomly oriented circumferentially of the wheel axis. An apparatus for molding the wheel features radially movable rim mold sections and axially reciprocable disc mold sections all having mold surface contours for forming a molded composite wheel of desired configuration.

Abstract: A mold for making steering wheels by winding resin impregnated fibers. The mold includes a hub support pedestal to support a hub about which fibers are wound, means having a rim forming recess, a plurality of ramps connecting said means having said rim forming recess to said pedestal and means for pressing said fibers against said ramps.

Abstract: A mold for molding a wheel cover for a vehicle road wheel by injection molding of a synthetic resin or die casting of a light metal alloy, the wheel cover being a one-piece member having spoke-like portions extending obliquely with respect to both the center axis and radii of the wheel cover. To form the spoke-like portions each as a straightly extending portion, one of the two mold members which can be brought into contact with each other to provide cavities therebetween has a portion in the form of a truncated pyramid and the other is recessed to have a plurality of flat faces which are respectively opposite to and can mate with the flat side faces of the truncated pryamid, and these side faces or the flat faces in the opposite mold member, or both, are formed with elongate and straight grooves in which the spoke-like portions are formed.

Abstract: A method and a mold for the manufacture of a wheel construction (2) of plastic material for vehicles or the like, which comprises a number of spokes (2A-2H), a hub (2J) and a rim (2I) together constituting an integrated unit. The plastic material is injected in a mold (1), the cavity (7) of which exhibits a form corresponding to the one of the desired wheel construction, the design of the wheel being chosen to comprise an even number of spokes (2A-2H). The inlets (3-6) are located at such points near to every second one of the spoke portions (2A-2H) forming part of said mold (1), that the zones (7'), where the flows of material join each other, will be located near to points, where the spoke portions (2B, 2D, 2F, 2H), free from inlets, blend into the rim (2I).

Abstract: A vehicle wheel rim has a tire-engaging rim portion with two conical portions, one of which lies radially outwardly of a support ring having a conical surface for mounting the rim on a spider or the like. The outer ends of the conical portions terminate at tips and a drop center lies between the conical portions. A radial crosspiece extends from the support ring to about the center of the conical portion outside the support ring. The rim is cast in a mold having two mold halves and an annular core member defining the outer rim surface.

Abstract: A fiberglass reinforced plastics steering wheel is disclosed and a mold and method for making same. The wheel is made by disposing binder and the fiberglass in an annular cavity and in ramp-like radial cavities of a mold and are pressed into shape by a wedge-shaped member.

Abstract: A light-alloy vehicle wheel comprises a nave, a wheel disc with ventilation apertures, two opposed tire bead seats and a well lying between the bead seats. A plurality of external, equally-spaced webs extends between the outer face of the wheel disc and one of the tire bead seats on its outer face and a corresponding plurality of internal fillets lie between adjacent ventilation apertures. Each fillet has an inwardly-directed face preferably of convex cross-section such that the corners of the cross-section defining the adjacent ventilation apertures are closer to the neutral axis of the local cross-section of the wheel disc, than the convex face of the fillet.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a brake drum having a plurality of axially spaced, circumferentially extending ribs provided on the exterior surface thereof. The method includes casting molten grey iron into a mold cavity formed by a plurality of axially split external mold segments spaced radially outward from an internal mold member, spacing the radially inward portions of the interfacing lateral edge surfaces of the external mold segments to form a flash base free of white iron metal at the parting line between adjacent external mold segments and, after cooling the molten iron and removing the mold members, grinding away at least a portion of the flash metal formed between the interfacing lateral edge surfaces of the external mold segments radially outward of the flash base to provide an axially extending ridge free of white iron and traversing the axially spaced ribs.

Abstract: In a mold for casting an annular rim member for use in a vehicle wheel for mounting a pneumatic tire, the mold cavity is formed so that the casting has at least one of a radial overdimension or a radial underdimension and its outer surface which faces the tire has an unsegmented annular area. After the casting is solidified and removed from the mold, it is plastically deformed by radially directed cold forming or working to remove the radial overdimension or underdimension. An iron-carbon melt is used for the casting to provide a ductile structure whose yield point is exceeded in carrying out the plastic deformation.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding a fiber-reinforced wheel construction having an imperforate disc structure. The wheel comprises a disc portion having reinforcing fibers in substantially random orientation disposed predominantly in planes perpendicular to the wheel axis, and a rim portion having directional first reinforcing fibers substantially parallel to each other and oriented circumferentially of or substantially parallel to the wheel axis, or both, and second reinforcing fibers which are substantially randomly oriented circumferentially of the wheel axis. An apparatus for molding the wheel features radially movable rim mold section and axially reciprocable disc mold sections all having mold surface contours for forming a molded composite wheel of desired configuration.