Abstract: Both a mold blade for forming sipes and the sipe so formed in a tire tread element have three dimensional portions. In the formed sipe, the three dimensional portion creates a constant interlocking of the opposing sipe faces. The blade and the sipe have at least one row of alternating polygonal shaped recesses and protrusions. The recesses and protrusions terminate in a vertex; the vertex has a planar, or two-dimensional, configuration that is parallel to either-the blade centerline or the sipe centerline.

Abstract: A tire tread for a pneumatic tire has a center rib and a series of steeply slanted grooves in each side region of the tread, the circumferentially adjacent grooves form blocks extending through the tread side regions. The center rib has a serrated configuration along each lateral side and a supporting chamfer extending from each serration point. Adjacent to each rib chamfer is a chamfer extending from the axially innermost point of the rib at the junction of two adjacent steeply slanted grooves. The rib is provided with high density siping. The tread blocks are siped wherein the siping density decreases from the tread center to the tread shoulders.

Abstract: An expandable bladder for shaping a pneumatic tire to be mounted inside a tire curing press has a pair of opposing annular beads and an expansion portion located between the pair of annular beads. The expansion portion of the bladder has a central portion, shoulder portions, and sidewall portions. When the bladder is in a mounted but uninflated mode, the shoulder portions have a radius of curvature less than infinity. At a distance (x) from each end of the central portion, the bladder has an increased thickness in the shoulder and upper sidewall portions.

Abstract: An expandable, toroidal shaped bladder for use in a tire curing press has a pair of opposing annular beads and an expansion portion location between the pair of annular beads. The expansion portion of the bladder has a central portion, shoulder portions, and sidewall portions. When the bladder is in a mounted but uninflated mode, the shoulder portions of the bladder have a radius of curvature R1 significantly less than a radius of curvature Rc of the central portion. The shoulder portions have a bubble or square-like configuration.

Abstract: A two-piece tire assembly has a removable tread belt 12 for installing about the circumference of a tire carcass 14. The tread belt has at least a pair of belt layers, and one layer comprising inextensible reinforcing cables inclined at substantially zero degrees relative to the circumferential direction of the tire assembly. The cables in zero degree ply have a tensile breaking load of at least 50,000 N.

Abstract: A self-supporting pneumatic tire is molded in such a manner that ride comfort is improved, durability is increased, and a greater run-flat capability can be achieved. The self-supporting run-flat tire is molded such that the molded bead base width is equal or less than the rim width of the intended rim upon which the tire is to be mounted. By molding the tire with a bead width less than or equal to the rim width, the sidewall inserts are not subjected to additional stress during and after inflation of the tire and the strain energy is more evenly distributed through the sidewall pillar construction.

Abstract: A two-piece tire assembly has a removable tread belt 12 for installing about the circumference of a tire carcass 14. The tread belt has at least a pair of belt layers, and one layer comprising inextensible reinforcing cables inclined at substantially zero degrees relative to the circumferential direction of the tire assembly. The cables in zero degree ply have a tensile breaking load of at least 27500 N.

Abstract: A strip of tire ply stock is reinforced with steel cords wherein the steel cords are constructed of high strength wire filament having at least a tensile strength of ?2000×D+4400 MPa where D is the filament diameter in mm. Tires are constructed with the ply stock in the belt and/or carcass.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a tread designed primarily for off-road activities, comprising large lugs. The tread can be defined as having a central tread width that is divided into a central tread zone and opposing lateral tread zones. The tire also has shoulder regions extending from each lateral tread zone. The tread itself has a plurality of tread elements separated by lateral grooves in the lateral tread zones. The lateral grooves in the lateral tread zones are protected by elongated pads, the pads extending from between a pair of the tread elements and into a shoulder region of the tire. Each pad has a radial height less than the adjacent tread elements and has a base width greater than 50% of the width of the lateral grooves.

Abstract: This invention relates to annular or endless elastomeric track 10 for use in vehicles for civil engineering, construction works and agricultural works. The track 10 has a thin belt 20 which includes a primary table 59 made of corrosion resistant galvanized steel. The track 10 further has a plurality of spaced rubber traction tread lugs 30, on the outer surface oriented generally inclined, transverse or substantially perpendicular to the circumferential direction and guide lugs 32 on the internal surface 31.

Abstract: A tire tread for a pneumatic tire has at least one circumferentially extending rib. The rib has a high siping density to provide flexibility to the rib. To provide support to the rib, circumferentially extending along, and attached to, the side of each rib is supporting chamfer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatic run-flat tire. The tire has at least one carcass reinforcing ply, at least one pair of sidewall wedge inserts, and a belt reinforcing structure. The belt reinforcing structure is formed from at least a pair of cross cord belt reinforcing plies. Located radially outward of the carcass reinforcing ply is a porous elastomeric layer. The porous elastomeric layer has a porosity level of 20 to 80%, preferably 40–70%, of the total volume of the porous elastomeric layer.

Abstract: A tire tread has at least one cavern formed in the sidewall of the traction elements of the tire. The cavern has a base with information therein to indicate the state of wear of the tire and a ceiling that is progressively worn away as the tread wears. Multiple caverns may be formed in the traction elements. If arranged in a series at progressively increasing or decreasing radial heights, the remaining tread life is communicated to an operator. If the caverns are located in different locations of the tread, relative wear patterns of the tire can also be indicated.

Abstract: A multi-ribbed power transmission belt has transverse grooves in the compression section which are oriented at angles other than perpendicular. The combination of longitudinal grooves and transverse grooves form a plurality of cogs on the belt surface, with a row of cogs being defined between adjacent transverse grooves. Each cog has a pitch length P extending from a location on the cog to the identical location on the longitudinally adjacent cog. The pitch lengths of the rows of cogs are randomized over the entire length of the belt to reduce the noise of the belt as it travels about its associated pulleys.

Abstract: A tire has a carcass reinforcement extending between a pair of opposing bead portion. At least one of the bead portions terminates axially to the outside by a tip and is intended to be mounted on a wheel rim having a bead seat that has an axially outer end closer to the axis of rotation than the axially inner end thereof. Within the bead portion are a bead ring and a bead apex. The radial carcass reinforcement ply is anchored in each bead portion and has at least one terminal end located in the bead portion. In the bead portion, the reinforcement ply passing radially inward of the bead ring, extending axially outward of the bead ring. The reinforcement ply terminates without passing back under the bead ring.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tread for a pneumatic tire. The tread has a plurality of grooves. The grooves have a base defining the depth of the groove relative to the tread surface, opposing groove walls, and a centerline equidistance from the opposing groove walls. The groove may extend in either a circumferential or a lateral direction of the tread when the tread is applied to a pneumatic tire. At least one of the grooves has a plurality of spaced projections in the base of the groove. The projections extend from one groove wall to the opposing groove wall and are inclined relative to the groove centerline at an angle of 10° to 50°. The projections have a pitch length measured at the groove centerline of 0.75–1.25 the projection length as measured along the groove centerline. The pitch length is the length as measured from one point of the projection along the centerline to the same point in the adjacent projection.

Abstract: A light weight cable bead core 30 is described having an inner core 33 made of a metal wire 34 with an outer sheath 35 of steel cord wires 36. Each cord 36 is made of a plurality of filaments 37. The bead core 30 is particularly suited for heavy-duty service conditions in tires 100 for aircraft, off-road equipment, and commercial trucks.

Abstract: A self-supporting pneumatic tire, capable of continued operation during under-inflation conditions, has at least one insert located in each tire sidewall. Forming the interior surface of the self-supporting tire is a stiffening layer of material having characteristics similar to that of the insert. In the tread region of the tire, and radially inward of the innermost carcass layer, and possibly in the interior bead region of the tire, is a partial inner liner layer of the bromobutyl rubber.

Abstract: A tire has a tread on the outer circumferential surface. The tread has circumferential and lateral grooves defining tread blocks. In at least one tread block, one of the circumferentially extending sides of the block has a multi-planar chamfer.