Abstract: A tire with certain tread features and a method for manufacturing the tread for such a tire are provided. More particularly, a tire and method for manufacturing a tire having a tread portion with sipes that can be of minimal thickness and varying geometries, densities, and profiles may be provided. The sipes can also be hidden until after a period of tread wear has occurred.

Abstract: Tire reinforcement (10) having a bi-material structure of reinforcing elements that consists of at least a plurality of extensible first reinforcing elements (1) and at least a plurality of inextensible second reinforcing elements (2), these first and second reinforcing elements being mutually parallel and distributed alternately in appropriate proportions in order to achieve the desired level of reinforcement, these first and second reinforcing elements lying within the same mean plane, this reinforcement being such that the extensible first reinforcing elements (1) are coupled to the inextensible second reinforcing elements (2) over a coupling length Lc which is shorter than the length L1 of the extensible first reinforcing elements (1) so that, with each of the first and second reinforcing elements having two ends, at least one of the ends of the extensible first reinforcing elements (1) is offset in relation to the two ends of the inextensible second reinforcing elements (2).

Abstract: This invention relates generally to treads having a configuration and/or properties for improving or preventing irregular wear on the tread of a tire, and, more specifically, to a tire that has a tread with a gradient of properties that helps to prevent or improve irregular wear, especially suitable for tires that are free rolling such as steer or trailer tires used on trucks.

Abstract: A tire measurement system includes a computer with various memory/media elements for storing raw and transformed tire measurement data (e.g., a data set of measured radial or lateral run-out values) as well as software in the form of computer-executable instructions, which are executed by a processor to filter selected run-out values within the obtained data set that spike above adjacent measurements, identify selected ones of the filtered run-out values that lie on a convex hull surrounding the entire set of values, and perform interpolation of the identified selected ones of the run-out values that lie on the convex hull to obtain a final data set of filtered run-out measurements. Similar steps can be performed on an inverted data set to better detect sidewall deformation features such as sidewall depressions.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the angular rolling position of the plane of a motor vehicle wheel, in which the wheel is mounted on a vehicle so that the plane of the wheel can present a static angular position and a safety angular position, the method providing for the plane of the wheel to be maintained in the static angular position when the wheel is rolling and, in case of detection of at least one critical rolling parameter, for the wheel plane to be shifted to a safety angular position for a predetermined time period before the plane of the wheel is returned to the static angular position. A wheel mounting of a motor vehicle in which the method can be implemented is provided.

Abstract: In the method for manufacturing a bead wire intended for producing a tire, the bead wire comprises a coating that forms a region that overlaps itself in a circumferential direction of the bead wire. The bead wire is pressed using at least three jaws (8, 10, 12, 14) in contact with an entire perimeter of a section of the region.

Abstract: A tire testing apparatus and method for detecting anomalies in the surface of a tire is disclosed. A high voltage probe having a conductive spring electrode is placed adjacent a portion of a tire surface such that the conductive spring electrode is compressed against the surface of the tire. Relative motion is imparted between the high voltage probe and the surface of the tire. An electrical discharge occurs between the high voltage probe and a reference electrode at the location of an anomaly on the surface of the tire. The apparatus and method are configured to determine a precise azimuthal and radial position on the tire of the electrostatic discharge. The conductive spring electrode can have a length sufficient to ensure contact with a given point on the tire surface during a charge cycle for the high voltage probe at increased tire surface speeds.

Abstract: A tire surface anomaly detection system and method are disclosed. The system and method are generally based on the principle that a tire surface anomaly will have a different heat transfer rate than that of the uniform mass surrounding the tire surface anomaly. Embodiments of the present disclosure apply thermal energy to the surface of a tire and monitor the infrared energy at the surface of the tire to generate one or more infrared images of the surface of the tire. The infrared images are analyzed by an image processing system to determine and locate thermal gradients on the surface of the tire. The presence of a thermal gradient in the infrared images generally indicates the presence of an anomaly in the surface of the tire. In this manner, the present disclosure provides an objective technique for identifying, locating, and classifying tire surface anomalies.

Abstract: A motor vehicle wheel set-up via a wheel holder is provided, which wheel holder is associated with the vehicle via at least one pivot in such a way that the plane of the wheel can exhibit first and second angular running positions. The set-up further has a binary actuator that has a fixed component and a moving component capable of translational movement with respect to the fixed component, moving component being secured to the wheel holder and the actuator comprising a device for the binary control of the moving member placing it in one of two stable states each allowing the wheel holder to be moved into an angular position corresponding to one angular position of the wheel plane.

Abstract: Storage or handling device comprising at least one pair of rollers (11), the axes (rr?) of which are mutually parallel and are arranged a suitable distance (d) apart such that they can support a carcass (2) of substantially cylindrical shape of a tire that is in the process of being manufactured. The rollers (11) are mounted on a chassis (12) and are driven in rotation in the same direction (R) about their respective axes (rr?). One of the rollers (11) of the said pair has a radial profile of sinusoidal overall shape comprising a succession of crests and of troughs, and the other roller of the said pair has a cylindrical overall profile.

Abstract: A molded article comprises an outer interface element, an inner interface element, and a plurality of web spokes positioned therebetween. The common surfaces of the inner and outer interface elements and a pair of adjacent web spokes form a void space. The surface of at least a portion of an interface element common to one of the voids has an edge radius with a variation from a maximum radius at a circumferential location corresponding to a mid point between a pair of adjacent web spokes to a minimum radius at a circumferential location corresponding to the intersection of the interface element with the web spoke.

Abstract: A rubber composition for the manufacture of tires, based on one or more diene elastomers, on one or more reinforcing fillers and on a vulcanization system, characterized in that the said vulcanization system comprises one or more 1,2,4-triazine compounds of formula:

Abstract: A 1,2,4-triazine of formula (I): and its process of manufacture and use.

Abstract: A rubber composition for the manufacture of tires, based on a blend of at least one diene elastomer chosen from natural rubber and synthetic polyisoprene and of one or more diene elastomers chosen from the group consisting of polybutadienes, butadiene copolymers and isoprene copolymers, on one or more reinforcing fillers and on a vulcanization system, the said vulcanization system comprising one or more thiazoline compounds of formula:

Abstract: A rubber composition for the manufacture of tires, based on one or more diene elastomers, on one or more reinforcing fillers and on a vulcanization system, characterized in that the said vulcanization system comprises one or more thiadiazole compounds of formula:

Abstract: A thiadiazole of formula (I):

Abstract: A mold twist lock apparatus comprising a securing pin having a distal end and a proximal end on a longitudinal axis of the securing pin, the proximal end having a hole therethrough, a coaxial spring positioned about the proximal end of the securing pin, a cross pin disposed through the hold in the proximal end of the securing pin, the cross pin having an enlarged end and a second spring positioned between an extension of the securing pin and the enlarged end of the cross pin.

Abstract: A navigation method allowing a centralized server to supply guidance functions, in which a plurality of mobile terminals is provided with a central server and in which, following the receipt of a request from a terminal, the central server determines at least one itinerary between a given departure point and a given arrival point, defines a guidance zone making it possible to progress from this departure point to the arrival point, determines a plurality of guide points and, for each of these points, a guidance instruction, these guide points and the associated instructions being capable of allowing the user to move in the zone by receiving guidance instructions for the purpose of allowing the terminal to come gradually closer to the arrival point, the server transmits these guide points to the requesting terminal and the terminal receives the guide points.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods and apparatus for adjusting the inflation pressure of a pneumatic tire. Particular methods include the step of arranging a tire in fluid communication with an inflation pressure source on a vehicle. Further steps may include arranging a rotational fluid passage between the tire and a vehicle axle and arranging along the rotational fluid passage an inertia valve that is biased in a closed arrangement while the valve is stationary or rotating below a desired speed about a rotational axis. Such methods may further include the steps of opening the inertia valve when the valve is rotating about the rotational axis at or above the desired speed and adjusting automatically the inflation pressure of the tire through the rotational fluid passage while the valve is open. Other embodiments comprise a system for adjusting the inflation pressure of a pneumatic tire.