13870 results about "Tread" patented technology

A process for obtaining a grafted diene elastomer having functional groups along the chain, a rubber composition containing this grafted elastomer and having in particular improved hysteresis properties in the cross-linked state, a preparation process for this composition, a tire tread made from this composition and a tire of reduced rolling resistance which incorporates this tread. A process for obtaining this grafted elastomer includes a radical grafting reaction carried out in solution or without a solvent by means of a reagent of the mercaptan type to graft functional groups on to the chain of a starting elastomer. The starting elastomer is treated with an antioxidant having at least one aromatic amine function before the grafting reaction, so that the grafted elastomer has a macrostructure which is practically identical to that of the starting elastomer. A rubber composition containing the grafted diene elastomer includes a reinforcing inorganic filler, and the grafted elastomer preferably has a molar ratio of units originating from conjugated dienes greater than 30%.

A structurally supported tire includes a ground contacting tread portion, a reinforced annular band disposed radially inward of the tread portion, and a plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and radially inward from the reinforced annular band and anchored in a wheel or hub. The reinforced annular band comprises an elastomeric shear layer, at least a first membrane adhered to the radially inward extent of the elastomeric shear layer and at least a second membrane adhered to the radially outward extent of the elastomeric shear layer. Each of the membranes has a longitudinal tensile modulus sufficiently greater than the shear modulus of the shear layer so that when under load the ground contacting portion of the tire deforms to a flat contact region through shear strain in the shear layer while maintaining constant the length of the membranes, the web spokes transmitting load forces between the annular band and the hub through tension in the web spokes not connected to the ground contacting portion of the tire.

A compliant wheel includes a compliant band and a plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and inward from the reinforced compliant band for attachment to a hub. The compliant band bends to comply with a contact surface and to envelope obstacles. The web spokes transmit load forces between the compliant band and the hub through tension in the web spokes not connected to the ground contacting portion of the wheel. The outer surface of the compliant band may be formed to include a tread, or a separate tread band may be attached.

Disclosed are a conjugated diolefin (co) polymer rubber formed from either a conjugated diolefin or a conjugated diolefin and an aromatic vinyl compound, wherein the (co) polymer rubber has a primary amino group and an alkoxysilyl group which are bonded to a (co) polymer chain; a process for producing the same; a rubber composition; a composite; and a tire. The (co) polymer rubber has satisfactory processability, and can give an automotive tire tread having a balance among wear resistance, failure characteristics, low hysteresis loss and wet-skid characteristics.

A four-wheel pool cleaner (20) motivated by water flow to move along a pool surface, and having: a body (24); the four wheels rotatably mounted thereon and including two sets of two wheels (22) each, one wheel of each set on each side; a drive mechanism (36) in position to be moved by water flow and having a rotatable drive member (76); a drive train extending to the first wheel set (22a, b) and to the second wheel set (22c, d), to drive all four wheels. Preferred embodiments include: wheel-to-wheel drive links (88) along the side; a turbine (36) as drive mechanism; a pair of spaced wheelgears (32, 34), preferably integrally formed with the wheel, facilitating drive linkages and steering; a pair of end-to-end drive shafts (80, 82) joined by a coupler (84c), one shaft end (80a) being a ball joint allowing fore-and-aft movement of a drive-shaft distal end; a spring (102) and cam (100) for alternately moving that distal end between a driving position engaging one of the spaced wheelgears (32), and a steering position engaging the other of the spaced wheelgears (34); wheel treads (108) with radial fingers (110), some (110a-c) of longer length; and a segmented articulated skirt (56) to help enclose a plenum beneath the pool cleaner.

An athletic shoe comprises an upper (3) for accommodating an instep of a foot, and outer sole (4) having a tread on bottom surface, and a midsole (1) interposed between the upper (3) and the outer sole (4). A shock absorbing groove (2) is formed in the midsole (1). The shock absorbing groove (2) is formed of a long transverse groove (20) and a short longitudinal groove (21) in a continuous manner. The transverse groove (20) is formed on the midsole (1) extending from a side face of a rear foot part (1B) of the midsole (1) on lateral side (10) of the foot to a back face of a heel part (1H) of the midsole (1) and has an end (22) on the heel part (1H). The longitudinal groove (21) is formed in such a manner as to cut out the heel part (1H) of the midsole (1) from a lower end face of the midsole (1) toward the end of the transverse groove (20).

A system and method for monitoring belt wear or tread wear of a tire includes at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) tag with unique identification embedded in the belt or tread of the tire at one or more wear points. An RF tag reader periodically monitoring signals from the at least one RFID tag. If the RF tag reader fails to obtain any signals from the at least one RFID tag, indicating a destroyed RFID tag, the user can be warned about a wear problem of that belt or tire. RFID tags can be distributed at different depths of the tire(s), or across the tread at the same depth, of the tire(s) to determine different wear problems. The same RFID tag can also be used for inventory tracking purposes.

A self-propelled battery-powered wheelchair replaces an ordinary wheelchair and provides improved access to homes. The wheelchair includes stair climbing, slope climbing, and reclining while requiring only minimal driver skill and strength. Operation on level ground is similar to the operation of a conventional wheelchair. Support for normal operation is provided by a rear caster and wheels on the front corners. Its compact width and length enable negotiating narrow doorways and turning in small spaces. To ensure stability on stairs, moveable skids are mounted to the four corners of the wheelchair. Parallelogram linkages move the front skids down and forward during climbing. Another parallelogram linkage moves the caster and rear skids up and at an angle during climbing. The wheelchair is steerable on stairs as needed to align with the stair path and accommodate slightly spiraling stairs. The wheelchair accommodates stair steps of different riser heights and tread lengths. A pair of spoked or spider wheels with small wheels at the ends of the spokes are rotably mounted to the sides of the wheelchair. The spider wheels engage the stairs to propel and stabilize the wheelchair during climbing of stairs. Methods are provided to monitor and control the pitch attitude of the wheelchair and nearness of wheelchair supporting components to the stairs. Motion and control are provided by electric motors, sensors, a computer, and driver inputs. Propulsion power for conventional level operation, slope climbing, and stair climbing operation is transmitted through the same motors and wheels.

A data processor (13) has a receiver for receiving measurement data on tires (21, 22) attached to an automobile (2) from a tire gauge (11, 12), and a data displaying portion for processing and displaying the received measurement data on a display (326) in a predetermined form. The received measurement data includes pressure value and tread depth of the tires (21, 22). The tread depth is measured on three points of inside, middle and outside in width direction of a tread surface of the tire. The received data is displayed in graphic representing positions of the tires (21, 22) of the automobile (2) and in a graph coloured corresponding to the measurement value.

A treadmill assembly comprising a substantially horizontal tread assembly including oppositely extending front and rear ends, a tread and a controller for controlling movement of the tread, a support structure extending proximate the rear end of the tread assembly to a distal top end substantially above the rear end of the tread assembly, a table top member mounted to the distal top end of the support structure, the top member including a substantially flat work surface and a front edge, the work surface having dimensions suitable to support a computer keyboard and a control assembly including at least one input button for providing command signals for controlling the controller, the control assembly supported by the table top member adjacent the front edge of the table top member.

The present invention relates to the preparation of rubber compositions for tire tread and tire sidewall component applications. A tire is provided having tread of such composition designed for relatively heavy loads such as, for example, truck tires. A tire having a sidewall of such composition is also provided. Such tire component rubber compositions are of rubber compositions reinforced with precipitated silica and selected carbon black in specified amounts and prepared with a prescribed order of addition to the rubber composition and composed of elastomers as a specific combination of natural or synthetic cis 1,4-polyisoprene rubber together with cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber or with a combination of cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber and trans 1,4-polybutadiene rubber.

A light-emitting diode (LED) lighting tube is of a disassembleable structure, which arranges those components that are susceptible to easy damage in an end cap that is located at an outer side. Thus, when the lighting device is malfunctioning, it only needs to replace the end cap module that is located at the outer side to resume normal operation of the lighting tube. Parts of long lifespan of the lighting tube are preserved so that the costs are reduced and the tread of environmental protection is met.

A tread depth measurement system for measuring a depth of a tread provided to a tire on a vehicle. The system includes an energy source for emitting a wireless signal to be transmitted to the tire; a sensor for detecting a return wireless signal emitted from the tire to be transmitted in response to the wireless signal from the energy source; and a housing over which the tire is to roll while attached to the vehicle, said housing separating the sensor from the tire while the tread depth is being measured. A control unit is operatively coupled to the sensor for determining the depth of the tread as a function of at least the return wireless signal detected by the sensor.

The present invention relates to a method for on-line detecting railway car wheel set diameter and its detection equipment. It is characterized by that it utilizes the projection information of light source of structure light on the wheel set tread and base point information detected by displacement sensor to detect wheel average diameter parameter and left-right wheels wheel-diameter difference parameter. Said method includes the following steps: speed detection, starting light source, starting inside surface detection and image collection, image treatment, fitting rolling circle and diameter parameter calculation.

This invention relates to preparation and use of nanocomposites formed in situ within an elastomer host wherein the nanocomposite is comprised of an elastomer matrix and a dispersion therein of at least partially exfoliated clay platelets. Rubber composites can be prepared by blending such nanocomposite with additional elastomer(s), additional reinforcing filler(s) and / or a coupling agent. The invention further relates to the preparation of articles of manufacture, including tires, having at least one component comprised of said nanocomposite or said rubber composite. Such a tire component may be selected from, for example, tire tread and tire innerliner.

An improved treadmill control system which adjusts the speed of a moving tread belt to follow user motions. Equipment includes a tread base supporting a moving tread belt upon which a user can run or walk, a motor assembly and motor driver to move the tread belt, a plurality of foot sensors, a tread belt motion sensor, a measurement system to estimate user motion based on foot and tread belt sensor signals, and a motor controller to adjust motor assembly speed based on estimates of user motion. The system is capable of making improved user motion estimates and of using them to provide improved belt speed control. In one embodiment, user position, speed, and acceleration are estimated at each user footfall while estimates are continually revised between footfalls. In one embodiment, foot sensors are capacitive proximity sensors which are effective, fully concealable, and economical.

A method and apparatus for carrying out a set of vehicle inspections including, but not limited to, wheel alignment measurement, brake testing, tire tread depth measurement, tire pressure monitoring, vehicle battery testing, and a review of vehicle diagnostic trouble codes in an efficient manner using a multi-function vehicle service system and a single vehicle service bay or inspection lane. Results of the vehicle inspections are incorporated into customized reports generated for a customer or for a technician, and which may be utilized to obtain approval from the customer to conduct necessary repairs and / or provide beneficial vehicle services.

The invention relates to a tire of a structural combination of tire tread and sidewall components with compositional limitations containing minimal, if any, of in situ formed alcohol and methyl isobutyl ketone byproducts. The tread component rubber composition contains pre-hydrophobated silica reinforcement. The sidewall component contains low unsaturation EPDM or brominated copolymer of isobutylene and p-methylstyrene and may contain pre-hydrophobated silica reinforcement. The silica reinforcement for said tread and sidewall components is a pre-hydrophobated precipitated silica. The pre-hydrophobated silica is prepared, prior to mixing with the elastomer(s), by reacting hydroxyl groups (e.g. silanol groups) contained on the surface of a precipitated silica with an alkoxyorganomercaptosilane or a combination of an alkoxyorganomercaptosilane and a substituted alkylsilane or with a bis-3(trialkoxysilylalkyl) polysulfide which contains an average of from 2 to 4 connecting sulfur atoms in its polysulfidic bridge to form a composite thereof. The alcohol byproduct therefrom is removed from the composite prior to its introduction into the rubber composition(s). In another aspect of the invention, the connecting sidewall rubber composition, and optionally the tread composition is free of N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine antidegradant (referred herein to as 6PPD) in order to prevent in situ formation of methyl isobutyl ketone byproduct from the reaction of 6PPD with atmospheric oxygen and / or ozone.

A tire assembly with integrated power generation features includes one or more piezoelectric devices configured to generate electric charge therein upon being subjected to mechanical strains associated with flexure of tire or wheel components. The piezoelectric device may be incorporated in a variety of tire structures and in many different locations. In pneumatic tire structures, the piezoelectric device and related electronics may be embedded in crown or sidewall locations among such selected components as the exterior tread portion, first and second steel belts of a belt package, carcass, cap ply portion, inner liner, zone base, etc. The piezoelectric device with optional rubber casing may also be attached to such locations as the inner liner and tire exterior. Piezoelectric devices may also be integrated with a tire and safety support combination that is configured to operate in an extended mobility mode when the tire structure loses air pressure. Piezoelectric devices may alternatively be integrated with a non-pneumatic structurally supported tire such as one including a reinforced annular band, a plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and radially inward from the annular band, a mounting band at the inner end of the web spokes and a tread portion disposed on the annular band.

A sealing preparation for tire problems is proposed which seals in wet conditions, at low and high temperatures and with defects at the transition between the tread and the side wall of the tire. The sealing preparation contains natural rubber latex or a combination of rubber latex and compatible adhesive resin. Furthermore, various devices are proposed for introducing the sealing preparation into the tire and for the pumping up. An air compressor, or liquefied dinitrogenoxide, or sulphur hexafluoride are preferably used with these devices as a pressure source.

A lightweight truck and passenger vehicle tire having an improved tread design that provides numerous biting edges for increased grip in mud, snow, loose debris, and when climbing rocks as well as providing increased protection from punctures and cuts to the tire's shoulder and upper sidewall regions.

A rubber composition usable for the manufacture of tires, based on at least one diene elastomer, a reinforcing inorganic filler and a coupling agent providing the bond between the inorganic filler and the elastomer, wherein said inorganic filler comprises a silicon carbide having the following characteristics: (a) a BET specific surface area of between 20 and 200 m<2> / g; (b) an average particle size (by mass), dw, of between 10 and 350 nm. Tires or semi-finished products for tires such as treads comprising said rubber composition.

Tread structures, wave motion navigational controls, and ramp up recovery controls are provided to an autonomous floor cleaner to reduce wheel slippage. The floor cleaner delivers liquid to the floor as part of the cleaning process. Wheels on the device are provided with relatively deep peripheral grooves to minimize the contact surfaces of a sprocket wheel and to accommodate the layer of liquid on the floor. In the event of wheel slippage, or to prevent wheel slippage, the device is designed to move forward with a slight side-to-side wave action caused by periodically altering the relative speeds of two drive wheels. There is also provided a slippage recovery mode where the drive wheels shut down or greatly slow when severe slippage is sensed, followed by a slow ramp up of speed.

A moisture repellant tread is provided for a positive displacement of moisture to secure the traction in the bottom of a shoe. The tread comprises a base plate and multiple short bundles of absorbent fibers. The base plate has a top surface locally bonded to the outsole with a lateral clearance between the base plate and outsole about the bonded areas, a bottom surface for contacting a floor and multiple closely arranged recesses open to the bottom surface and communicating through smaller openings formed at the top surfaces concentrically of the recesses. The fiber bundles are partially implanted in the recesses for displacing water absorbed from the floor upon contact through the openings at the top surfaces to the lateral clearance whereby the tread secures an increased traction as a wearer steps on the tread through the shoe even on a film of moisture.

This invention relates to a rubber composition which contains intercalated and at least partially exfoliated organophillic clay reinforcement formed in situ within the elastomer host from a hydrophilic clay. The invention particularly relates to an in situ modification of a hydrophilic clay to compatibilize the clay with a diene-based elastomer. The clay is converted from being hydrophilic in nature to being more hydrophobic in nature and therefore more compatible with the elastomer by bulk blending the elastomer host with a smectite clay, preferably a montmorillonite or hectorite clay, and a hydrocarbyl onium salt, such as for example a quaternary ammonium salt, and particularly in the absence of water addition to the elastomer host. Therefore, such in situ procedure of intercalation and at least partially exfoliation relies upon a bulk blending thereof with an elastomer host at an elevated temperature and under high shear conditions in contrast to pre-intercalating the clay in an aqueous based medium and in contrast to simple low viscosity melt processing of a thermoplastic polymer. The invention also relates to articles of manufacture, including tires, having at least one component comprised of such rubber composition. Such tire component may be, for example, a tire tread.

This invention relates to nanocomposites comprised of a functionalized elastomeric polymer, including oligomers which are elastomeric, which contains a particulate dispersion therein of an intercalated, and at least partially exfoliated, swellable clay, such as for example montmorillonite clay. Said clay may be pre-intercalated and thereafter blended with, or intercalated and at least partially exfoliated in situ within, a functionalized elastomer in an aqueous medium, wherein said functionalized elastomer contains at least one functional group selected from acid, acid-salt, anhydride, and protonated amine-modified epoxy groups. The invention further relates to articles of manufacture, including industrial belts and tires, having at least one component comprised of such nanocomposite where such component may be a coating thereon or other integral component. Such tire component may be, for example, a tire tread, tire sidewall and / or tire innerliner.