Abstract:
A wheel, preferably adaptable for use with a skate, is provided having a semi-permanent stiffness-modulating insert. The wheel comprises a toroidal wheel component having a hollow toroidal core which can be filled with a stiffness-modulating material. The wheel is split along a line from the inner circumference of the toroidal wheel component to the inner circumference of the core so as to allow for insertion of the stiffness-modulating material. The toroidal wheel component is preferably molded with the split edges slightly spaced apart from each other. In use the edges are held together in abutment with each other or with a toroidal spacer placed between them, preferably by wheel hubs engaging with each other and with the toroidal wheel component of the wheel.
Abstract:
In a machine for covering a toroidal body with layers of elastomeric material wherein a cutting and stitching apparatus is provided for severing a scrap portion of a sheet of material (32) from a portion of the sheet that has been applied to a toroidal core (30) and stitching the applied portion to the core (30). The apparatus (16,18,20,22) includes actuators (45,54) for positioning the cutters (104) and the stitchers (105) in operative position on the outside periphery and the inside periphery of the core (30) with the rotatable cutters (104) in proper position for effecting a cut through the material without scoring the core (30) or other underlying material. The cutting and stitching apparatus (16,18,20,22) is rotated about the core (30) as the rotating cutter (104) severs the material. The cutter (104) is programmed to retract as the stitchers (105) continue to stitch the edge of the applied material to the core (30).
Abstract:
A method of bonding an all-elastomeric valve onto the base portion of a metal-core valve in a conventional inner tube to give an inflatable elastomeric tube which can be inflated to any desired size outside of a confining casing, so it can withstand extreme stretching, elongation, deformation, and twisting.