US3956546A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Zero degree belted tires, and high soft stretch belt-forming tapes therefor
Assignee: UG Licensing Services Inc
•
Filing: 1971-07-08
•
Granted: 1976-05-11
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Expires: 1991-07-08
Abstract
Abstract The single-stage building of 0° 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. The belt-forming structure is built by helically winding such tape circumferentially of the building drum in the medial region of the still cylindrical or flat band carcass at an angle of substantially 90° to a plane including the common axis of the carcass and the building drum, with the undulations of the cords "on end", i.e. in planes generally normal to the surface of the building drum. Upon the raw tire then being radially expanded into its toroidal form, the stabilizing and stitching yarns break and the cords are straightened out, resulting in the formation of a mono-ply, plural-lead, helical cord 0° belt in the shaped tire. The "soft stretch" of the tape used, i.e. the ratio of the length of the component cords when fully straightened without stretching, to the length of the unextended tape, may be as low as about 20% or as high as about 400%, depending on the extent to which, for any given tire, the belt-forming structure will have to expand radially from its starting diameter on the building drum to the final belt diameter in the toroidally shaped tire. Each cord may additionally be locally weakened at a multiplicity of longitudinally spaced points to facilitate a possible stretching or elongation of the cords after the same have been fully straightened out during the radial expansion of the belt. In any such tape, the component cords must be phased relative to each other to dispose the respective weakened portions of each cord out of lateral alignment with the weakened portions of at least each next adjacent cord, and the weakening interval should preferably be so selected that in the final belt the weakened portions are out of lateral alignment with each other in directions parallel to the tire axis. The full nature and extent of the invention is discernible, however, only by reference to the entire disclosure.
Inventors
- 👤 James J. Neville
- 👤 Wesley Ferrell
- 👤 Daniel Schichman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:16
CPC Classifications
D; D04; D04B; D04B23/00; D04B23/12; B; B60; B60C; B60C9/00; B60C9/0042; B60C9/18; B60C9/20; B60C9/22; B60C9/2204; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T152/00; Y10T152/10; Y10T152/10495; Y10T152/10765; Y10T152/10783; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/12; Y10T156/17; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/15; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24628; Y10T428/24669; Y10T428/24686; Y10T428/24694; Y10T428/24711; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2913; Y10T428/2922; Y10T428/2933; Y10T428/294; Y10T428/296
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 68
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A high "soft stretch" tape of reinforcing cord for a molded elastomeric article intended to undergo an expansion of at least about 20% after incorporation of the tape therein, comprising: A. at least one reinforcing cord, 1. said cord having a multiplicity of undulations therein 2. which in any given straight length of the tape are substantially planar, 3. whereby the tape can be elongated, without any stretching of said cord, by straightening of the latter to remove said undulations therefrom, and 4. said cord being locally weakened at a multiplicity of longitudinally spaced portions thereof; and B. relatively weak tying means 1. acting on said cord and 2. releasably holding the same in the undulating state thereof,
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A high "soft stretch" tape of reinforcing cord for a molded elastomeric article intended to undergo an expansion of at least about 20% after incorporation of the tape therein, comprising: A. at least one reinforcing cord, 1. said cord having a multiplicity of undulations therein 2. which in any given straight length of the tape are substantially planar, 3. whereby the tape can be elongated, without any stretching of said cord, by straightening of the latter to remove said undulations therefrom, and 4. said cord being locally weakened at a multiplicity of longitudinally spaced portions thereof; and B. relatively weak tying means 1. acting on said cord and 2. releasably holding the same in the undulating state thereof,
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
183 words
said tying means being constructed a. to hold said cord against straightening out under moderate forces such as are applied to the tape in normal handling thereof b. but to yield and permit said cord to straighten out under appreciably higher forces such as are applied to the tape when the same is incorporated in said article and the latter undergoes an expansion; C. the magnitude of said undulations of said cord being predetermined to provide a tape stretch ratio, defined as the ratio of the length of said cord when unstretched but fully straight to the length of the tape when said cord is undulated, which is 1. at least about 1.2, 2. no greater than substantially equal to the expansion ratio of said article, defined as the ratio of a given dimension of said article after the same is expanded to the corresponding dimension of said article before the same is expanded, and 3. no smaller than said expansion ratio less approximately the capability of said cord to elongate by strain, by partial untwisting, and by rupture at said weakened portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
183 words
said tying means being constructed a. to hold said cord against straightening out under moderate forces such as are applied to the tape in normal handling thereof b. but to yield and permit said cord to straighten out under appreciably higher forces such as are applied to the tape when the same is incorporated in said article and the latter undergoes an expansion; C. the magnitude of said undulations of said cord being predetermined to provide a tape stretch ratio, defined as the ratio of the length of said cord when unstretched but fully straight to the length of the tape when said cord is undulated, which is 1. at least about 1.2, 2. no greater than substantially equal to the expansion ratio of said article, defined as the ratio of a given dimension of said article after the same is expanded to the corresponding dimension of said article before the same is expanded, and 3. no smaller than said expansion ratio less approximately the capability of said cord to elongate by strain, by partial untwisting, and by rupture at said weakened portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A tape according to claim 1, wherein the extent of weakening of said cord is sufficient to reduce the tensile strength thereof at each of said weakened portions to between about 5% and about 20% of its full tensile strength.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tape according to claim 1, said cord being provided with a plurality of nicks spaced from each other along said cord, each of said nicks constituting a respective one of said weakened portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A tape according to claim 3, wherein the depths of said nicks are sufficient to reduce the tensile strength of said cord at each of the nicked portions thereof to between about 5% and about 20% of its full tensile strength.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
A tape according to claim 3, wherein the spacing of adjacent nicks from one another is equal to at least the stress transfer length of said cord, defined as the length thereof over which the adhesion of the surrounding elastomer material to the cord in the fully molded article is equal to the breaking strength of the cord.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A tape according to claim 1, wherein said cord has a body made of a material selected from the group consisting of metallic and nonmetallic fibers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A tape according to claim 6, wherein said cord has an individual coating of rubber on said body over the entire length thereof, each of said weakened portions extending through the rubber coating and into said body of said cord.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
A tape according to claim 6, wherein said cord material is rayon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
A tape according to claim 6, wherein said cord material is glass.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
A tape according to claim 6, wherein said cord material is metal wire.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
A tape according to claim 6, wherein said cord material is nylon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
A tape according to claim 6, wherein said cord material is polyester.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tape according to claim 1, wherein said stretch ratio of said tape is between about 1.2 and about 4.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tape according to claim 1, wherein said stretch ratio of said tape is between about 1.5 and about 1.9.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
A tape according to claim 1, said tying means comprising at least one frangible stitching yarn defining at least one series of loops coextensive with the length of the tape, said loops embracing respective portions of said cord at said undulations and releasably confining adjacent ones of said portions against longitudinal separation from each other.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
68 words
A tape according to claim 15, further comprising a frangible stabilizing yarn extending longitudinally of the tape in an almost straight condition, said stabilizing yarn being held in the tape jointly with said cord by said loops of said stitching yarn, the strength of said stabilizing yarn being sufficient to prevent a premature opening of said loops under said moderate forces but insufficient to withstand said higher forces.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tape according to claim 15, wherein said stitching yarn defines a single series of loops disposed substantially along the longitudinal midline of said undulations.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
A tape according to claim 17, wherein said stitching yarn is warp-knitted in a 1-0/0-1 pattern to define said series of loops, said cord being laid into said loops.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
A tape according to claim 18, wherein said undulations of said cord are generally sinusoidal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
77 words
A tape according to claim 19, further comprising a frangible stabilizing yarn extending longitudinally of the tape in an almost straight condition, said stabilizing yarn being held in the tape jointly with said cord and substantially along the longitudinal midline of said undulations by said loops of said stitching yarn, the strength of said stabilizing yarn being sufficient to prevent a premature opening of said loops under said moderate forces but insufficient to withstand said higher forces.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tape according to claim 20, said stabilizing yarn being tensioned to about 70-80% of its full tensile strength.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
48 words
A tape according to claim 1, said tying means comprising a strip of frangible sheet material coextensive with the length of the tape, said cord being secured to a face of said strip with the plane of each of said undulations parallel to the plane of said strip.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tape according to claim 22, said cord being secured to said strip by sewn stitches of a frangible stitching yarn.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
A tape according to claim 22, said cord being adhesively secured to said strip.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
A tape according to claim 22, wherein said sheet material is a gauze-like fabric.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
86 words
A tape according to claim 22, wherein the tape comprises at least two cords with substantially identical generally sinusoidal undulations and with corresponding weakened portions, said cords being arranged in nesting relation to each other with each undulation of each cord in a common plane with the interfitting undulation of each other cord, all cords being secured to said face of said strip, and said weakened portions of each cord being out of lateral alignment with the weakened portions of at least each next adjacent cord.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
A tape according to claim 26, wherein the extent of weakening of each cord is sufficient to reduce the tensile strength thereof at each of said weakened portions to between about 5% and about 20% of its full tensile strength.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
41 words
A tape according to claim 26, each of said cords being provided with a plurality of nicks spaced from each other along the respective cord, each of said nicks in each cord constituting a respective one of said weakened portions thereof.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
41 words
A tape according to claim 28, wherein the depths of said nicks are sufficient to reduce the tensile strength of each cord at each of the nicked portions thereof to between about 5% and about 20% of its full tensile strength.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
73 words
A tape according to claim 1, wherein the tape comprises a plurality of cords with substantially identical undulations and with corresponding weakened portions, said tying means being secured to all of said cords for both holding them in their respective undulating states and binding them together into a unitary structure, and said weakened portions of each cord being out of lateral alignment with the weakened portions of at least each next adjacent cord.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
40 words
A tape according to claim 30, wherein each of said cords has an individual coating of rubber thereon over its entire length, each of said weakened portions extending through the rubber coating and into the body of the respective cord.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
A tape according to claim 30, said cords being arranged in side by side relation with the plane of each undulation of each cord being substantially parallel to the plane of the corresponding undulation of each next adjacent cord.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tape according to claim 32, said undulations of each cord being out of lateral alignment with the undulations of each next adjacent cord.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
A tape according to claim 32, said undulations of each cord being in lateral alignment with the undulations of each next adjacent cord.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
38 words
A tape according to claim 32, wherein the tape at at least one end thereof is effectively skived across its width at an angle of between about 3° and about 30° to the longitudinal dimension of the tape.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
44 words
A tape according to claim 32, said tying means comprising a frangible stitching yarn defining a series of loops coextensive with the length of the tape, each of said loops embracing a respective set of laterally adjacent portions of said cords at said undulations.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
123 words
A tape according to claim 32, said undulations being generally sinusoidal, said tying means comprising a frangible stitching yarn warp-knitted in a 1-0/0-1 pattern into a chain stitch formation of loops coextensive with the length of the tape, each of said loops embracing a respective laid-in set of laterally adjacent portions of said cords at said undulations, and the tape further comprising a frangible stabilizing yarn extending longitudinally of the tape in an almost straight condition, respective portions of said stabilizing yarn being embraced by said loops jointly with the laterally adjacent portions of said cords, the strength of said stabilizing yarn being sufficient to prevent a premature opening of said loops under said moderate forces but insufficient to withstand said higher forces.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
A tape according to claim 37, said undulations of each cord being out of phase with the undulations of each next adjacent cord.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
38 words
A tape according to claim 30, wherein said cords are arranged in nesting relation to each other so that each undulation of each cord is in a common plane with the interfitting undulation of the next adjacent cord.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
56 words
A tape according to claim 39, said tying means comprising a frangible stitching yarn defining a series of loops coextensive with the length of the tape, each of said loops embracing at said undulations a respective set of cord portions which are in coplanar overlying relation with each other in the longitudinal direction of the tape.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
137 words
A tape according to claim 39, said undulations being generally sinusoidal, said tying means comprising a frangible stitching yarn warp-knitted in a 1-0/0-1 pattern into a chain stitch formation of loops coextensive with the length of the tape, each of said loops embracing at said undulations a respective laid-in set of cord portions which are in coplanar overlying relation with each other in the longitudinal direction of the tape, and the tape further comprising a frangible stabilizing yarn extending longitudinally of the tape in an almost straight condition, respective portions of said stabilizing yarn being embraced by said loops jointly with the adjacent ones of said mutually overlying cord portions, the strength of said stabilizing yarn being sufficient to prevent a premature opening of said loops under said moderate forces but insufficient to withstand said higher forces.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
93 words
A tape according to claim 1, wherein the tape comprises a plurality of cords each having a respective set of undulations and a respective multiplicity of weakened portions, and said tying means comprises an adhesion-producing substance applied to at least one of each two adjacent cords at least at a plurality of spaced points, said adjacent cords being in contact with and adhesively secured to each other at least at said points, and said weakened portions of each cord being out of lateral alignment with the weakened portions of each next adjacent cord.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
30 words
A tape according to claim 42, wherein said adhesion-producing substance is in the form of a coating of a tacky material applied to each cord individually over its entire length.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
23 words
A tape according to claim 1, wherein said cord is entirely severed or cut through at a plurality of points along its length.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
56 words
A tape according to claim 44, wherein the tape comprises a plurality of cords each having a respective set of undulations and being entirely severed or cut through at a plurality of points along its length, the cuts in each cord being out of lateral alignment with the cuts in at least each next adjacent cord.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
37 words
A tape according to claim 1, wherein said cord is treated over its entire length with a coating of a material effective to enhance the adhesion of said cord to the elastomeric material to be reinforced thereby.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
43 words
A tape according to claim 46, wherein the tape comprises a plurality of cords each individually treated over its entire length with a coating of a material effective to enhance the adhesion of said cords to the elastomeric material to be reinforced thereby.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
152 words
A high "soft stretch" tape of reinforcing cord for a molded elastomeric article intended to undergo an expansion of at least about 20% after incorporation of the tape therein, comprising: A. a plurality of reinforcing cords disposed in side by side relation, 1. each of said cords having a respective multiplicity of substantially identical undulations therein 2. which in any given straight length of the tape are substantially planar and both substantially parallel to and out of lateral alignment with the undulations of each next adjacent cord, with the plane of said undulations in each cord being substantially perpendicular to the two parallel planes which are tangent, respectively, to the top and bottom peaks of said cords, 3. whereby the tape can be elongated, without any stretching of said cords, by straightening of the latter to remove said undulations therefrom; and B. relatively weak tying means 1. acting on said cords and
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
152 words
A high "soft stretch" tape of reinforcing cord for a molded elastomeric article intended to undergo an expansion of at least about 20% after incorporation of the tape therein, comprising: A. a plurality of reinforcing cords disposed in side by side relation, 1. each of said cords having a respective multiplicity of substantially identical undulations therein 2. which in any given straight length of the tape are substantially planar and both substantially parallel to and out of lateral alignment with the undulations of each next adjacent cord, with the plane of said undulations in each cord being substantially perpendicular to the two parallel planes which are tangent, respectively, to the top and bottom peaks of said cords, 3. whereby the tape can be elongated, without any stretching of said cords, by straightening of the latter to remove said undulations therefrom; and B. relatively weak tying means 1. acting on said cords and
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
167 words
releasably holding the same in the undulating states and relative positions thereof, 3. said tying means being constructed a. to hold said cords against straightening out under moderate forces such as are applied to the tape in normal handling thereof b. but to yield and permit said cords to straighten out under appreciably higher forces such as are applied to the tape when the same is incorporated in said article and the latter undergoes an expansion; C. the magnitude of said undulations of said cords being predetermined to provide a tape stretch ratio, defined as the ratio of the length of each unstretched cord when fully straight to the length of the tape when said cords are undulated, which is 1. at least about 1.2, and 2. no greater than substantially equal to the expansion ratio of said article, defined as the ratio of a given dimension of said article after the same is expanded to the corresponding dimension of said article before the same is expanded.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
167 words
releasably holding the same in the undulating states and relative positions thereof, 3. said tying means being constructed a. to hold said cords against straightening out under moderate forces such as are applied to the tape in normal handling thereof b. but to yield and permit said cords to straighten out under appreciably higher forces such as are applied to the tape when the same is incorporated in said article and the latter undergoes an expansion; C. the magnitude of said undulations of said cords being predetermined to provide a tape stretch ratio, defined as the ratio of the length of each unstretched cord when fully straight to the length of the tape when said cords are undulated, which is 1. at least about 1.2, and 2. no greater than substantially equal to the expansion ratio of said article, defined as the ratio of a given dimension of said article after the same is expanded to the corresponding dimension of said article before the same is expanded.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
40 words
A tape according to claim 48, each of said cords being at full strength throughout its length, and said stretch ratio of the tape additionally being no smaller than said expansion ratio less the elastic strain capability of said cords.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
38 words
A tape according to claim 48, wherein the tape at at least one end thereof is effectively skived across its width at an angle of between about 3° and about 30° to the longitudinal dimension of the tape.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
44 words
A tape according to claim 48, said tying means comprising a frangible stitching yarn defining a series of loops coextensive with the length of the tape, each of said loops embracing a respective set of laterally adjacent portions of said cords at said undulations.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
128 words
A tape according to claim 48, said undulations being generally sinusoidal, said tying means comprising a frangible stitching yarn warp-knitted in a 1-0/0-1 pattern into a chain stitch formation of loops coextensive with the length of the tape, each of said loops embracing a respective laid-in set of laterally adjacent portions of said cords at the regions of intersection of said undulations, and the tape further comprising a frangible stabilizing yarn extending longitudinally of the tape in an almost straight condition, respective portions of said stabilizing yarn being embraced by said loops jointly with the laterally adjacent portions of said cords, the strength of said stabilizing yarn being sufficient to prevent a premature opening of said loops under said moderate forces but insufficient to withstand said higher forces.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
22 words
A tape according to claim 52, wherein each of said cords has an individual coating of rubber thereon over its entire length.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
28 words
A tape according to claim 48, wherein each of said cords has a body made of a material selected from the group consisting of metallic and non-metallic fibers.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tape according to claim 54, wherein each of said cords has an individual coating of rubber on said body over the entire length thereof.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
12 words
A tape according to claim 54, wherein said cord material is rayon.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
12 words
A tape according to claim 54, wherein said cord material is glass.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
13 words
A tape according to claim 54, wherein said cord material is metal wire.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
12 words
A tape according to claim 54, wherein said cord material is nylon.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
12 words
A tape according to claim 54, wherein said cord material is polyester.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tape according to claim 48, wherein said stretch ratio of said tape is between about 1.2 and about 4.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tape according to claim 48, wherein said stretch ratio of said tape is between about 1.5 and about 1.9.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-05-11 | 1979-11-10 | 1980-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-05-11 | 1983-11-10 | 1984-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-05-11 | 1987-11-10 | 1988-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |