Abstract: An expandable bladder for shaping a pneumatic tire to be mounted inside a tire curing mold, the expandable bladder having a toroidal configuration and having a pair of opposing annular beads, wherein the bladder has an expansion section that is formed from a plurality of waves.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a composite is provided. A bottom release layer is disposed within a cavity of a volumetrically restraining body structure for supporting a cast material. An air bag is disposed between the bottom release layer and one or more surfaces of the volumetrically restraining body structure within the cavity. An air compressor connected to the air bag pressurizes the air bag. The pressurized air bag compresses the cast material against the bottom release layer. The resin inlets disposed on the cast material infuse resin into the cast material. A vacuum outlet insertably connected in the cavity of the volumetrically restraining body structure, in communication with the cast material, draws a vacuum through the cast material and draws the resin into the cast material. The compression of the cast material reduces excessive resin rich areas in the composite created from the resin infused cast material.

Abstract: A textile fabric which has been coated with an elastomer-forming silicone-based composition, comprising an organopolysiloxane polymer having a siloxane backbone being end-blocked with at least two silicon-bonded reactive groups, preferably alkenyl, a cross-linking organosilicon material having at least 3 silicon-bonded reactive groups, preferably SiH, a catalyst, a first reinforcing filler, preferably silica or a silicone resin, and at least 2 parts by weight for every part of the first filler, of a second substantially laminar filler, preferably talc, pyrophillite, vermiculite, smectite or mica. The coated fabric may have among other benefits, a lower friction value and limiting oxygen index. Fabrics are specifically useful for inflatable safety restraints.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel airbag coating compositions comprising at least two separate and distinct layers. The first layer (base coat), being in contact with the airbag surface. comprises a composition of at least one coating material which may comprise up to 30% by parts of the total amount of material in the first layer of a silicone resin which provides excellent adhesion, excellent tensile strength, and overall lower cost than standard silicone airbag coating materials. The second layer, being a coating for the first layer, provides excellent reinforcement and aging characteristics to prevent degradation of the first layer. Such a second layer (topcoat) is preferably a silicone material. This two-layer system permits excellent strength and aging properties to prevent seam combing at relatively low cost due to the inexpensive basecoat materials and the relatively low amount required for the topcoat.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel airbag coating compositions comprising at least two separate and distinct layers. The first layer (base coat), being in contact with the airbag surface, comprises a non-silicone composition of at least one coating material, provides excellent adhesion, excellent tensile strength, and lower cost than standard silicone materials. The second layer, being a coating for the first layer, provides excellent reinforcement and aging characteristics to prevent degradation of the first layer. Such a second layer (topcoat) is preferably a silicone material. This two-layer system permits excellent strength and aging properties to prevent seam combing at relatively low cost due to the inexpensive basecoat materials and the relatively low amount required for the topcoat. An airbag fabric coated with this inventive two-layer system is also contemplated within this invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel airbag coating compositions comprising a mix of polyurethane and polyacrylate constituents which provides a highly effective low permeability treatment on a target fabric surface. This inventive composition also provides a low-cost alternative to other standard airbag coatings and exhibits excellent aging stability as well. An airbag fabric coated with this inventive composition is also contemplated within this invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are expandable bladders for use in curing presses for rubber compositions such as pneumatic tires. The bladders are a crosslinked elastomer comprising an isobutylene rubbery polymer. The bladder composition includes corn oil which improves the release characteristics of the cured bladder from a tire innerliner cured in contact with said bladder. The improved release characteristics have been observed to allow rubber compositions such as tires to be molded with fewer defects caused during release of the bladder from the tires or caused by abraded or deformed bladders. The use of corn oil also has been observed to increase the useful life time of the bladder allowing more tires to be cured without changing bladders. A preferred isobutylene rubbery polymer is a brominated copolymer of isobutylene and p-methylstyrene. The bladder compositions have also been observed to have an enhanced flexibility due to the corn oil.

Abstract: An improved tire section repair unit for the repair of a damaged section of a tire. The repair unit includes two curved side walls pivotally connected to the base of the unit. A locking arm is provided that securely encloses the entire system of curved walls, base and internal air bag and heat pad arrangement situated about the tire under repair. The pivotable side wall design permits the repair of tires of varying sizes. A locking arm arrangement permits the use of lightweight side walls to enclose the system. As a result, the repair unit of the present invention is more transportable and less cumbersome to use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vulcanizing a rubber repair patch on a tire incorporating an internal fluid pressure bag placed within the interior of the tire and against the patch, an inflatable mandrel within the tire and against the internal bag, an external fluid pressure bag engaging the exterior of the tire radially opposite the internal bag, and a retainer device, such as a retainer strap radially encircling and engaging the external bag and the mandrel to cause the internal and external bags to be forced toward each other to squeeze the patch and tire between them, upon inflation of the mandrel.This invention is paticularly characterized in utilizing internal and external fluid pressure bags having walls of two-dimensional flexibility and utilizing a heat-conductive hydraulic fluid within both bags having a boiling point greater than the vulcanizing temperature.

Abstract: A tube assembly for use in a process of vulcanizing a pre-cured tread onto a tire casing is disclosed. The tube assembly includes an elastomeric tubular wall having an inner periphery with a protective non-woven fabric layer covering a major portion thereof. The fabric layer includes a plurality of polyester cords extending in parallel relation in a single ply elastomeric matrix. Longitudinal edges of the fabric are covered by thin strips of elastomer bonded to the fabric layer and the tube wall. Superimposed fabric reinforcing swatches are bonded to the fabric layer around the valve stem. The tube assembly is resistant to being damaged prematurely by the rim which supports the tire casing in the tread vulcanization process.

Abstract: As arc section of the casing 11 of a tire 10 to be retreaded is engaged on the outside by a mold element 15 defining a hollow mold chamber 17 and on the inside by a mushroom shaped counter mold element 16 configured to the inner contour of the casing. The relatively movable elements 15 and 16 are pressed towards each other to seal the chamber 17, and tread rubber is injected into the chamber and vulcanized to the casing. The mold elements are then retracted and the casing is rotated to a fresh arc section to thus retread the entire casing circumference in a stepped or successive manner.

Abstract: A tire repair device which vulcanizes an uncured rubber repair plug built in a damaged area of the tire. The frame of the device is in the form of a C-clamp having a heated backing plate which opposes a heated pressure pad. The pad is carried in a cylinder which also receives a sealing piston forming a pressure chamber behind the pad. Air under pressure is applied to the pressure chamber to force the pressure pad against the damaged area of the tire during vulcanization. The pressure pad is flexible in order to conform to the tire surface against which it is pressed in opposition to the backing plate.

Abstract: A device for making a pneumatic tire including an outer mold and a core for making tread rubber having a high lug or deep tread pattern and an inflatable bladder for use in joining the tread rubber to the tread portion of a green case when the green case is shaped and vulcanized.

Abstract: Apparatus for curing a tire repair wherein an electrical heater pad is placed against the repair area on the inside of the tire, and is supported by a flat air bag which lies against the inside of the tire, and is supported by a sausage-shaped air bag. Another electrical heater pad is placed against the repair area on the outside of the tire, and is held against the tire by another flat air bag which is held against the tire by straps passing around the tire cross-section. A buckle is shown which allows the straps to be pulled up as tight as possible by hand; the bags are then inflated to hold the heater pads firmly against the tire. The repair is then cured by passing currents through the heater pads.