Abstract: A tire tread for a vehicle tire is disclosed wherein the tread has at least one tread element projecting from the base of the tread and having a defined tread depth, with at least one tread element having a first hole and having a first outer cross-sectional shape that is constant for a first depth. A molding device for forming a tread wear indicator in a tread is also disclosed. The molding device includes a mold blade, the mold blade having a solid first portion having a defined depth, wherein the solid first portion has a cross-sectional shape that is constant for the defined depth.

Abstract: A tire includes a carcass, a tread band having a radially outer tread surface and a plurality of radially extending recesses, and an anti-slip structure disposed in one of the radially extending recesses. The anti-slip structure includes a first circular inner portion, a second outer portion, and a third core portion. The third core portion comprises an assembly of three pin structures for providing traction over ice. Each pin structure has a wedge-shaped base portion secured within the first circular inner portion and a pin extending through the second outer portion to the tread surface. The three wedge-shaped base portions combine to form a circular base portion for the assembly.

Abstract: A tire includes a carcass, a tread band having a radially outer tread surface and a plurality of radially extending recesses, and an anti-slip structure disposed in one of the radially extending recesses. The anti-slip structure includes a first end portion, a second triangular middle portion, and a third triangular end portion. The third end portion includes three radially extending projections for providing traction over ice. The shape of the radially extending recess corresponds to the shape of the anti-slip structure such that the anti-slip structure is both radially and rotationally secured within the recess relative to the tread band of the tire.

Abstract: A tire includes a carcass, a tread band having a radially outer tread surface and a plurality of radially extending recesses, and an anti-slip structure disposed in one of the radially extending recesses. The structure includes a cylindrical housing with a cylindrical flange and a central channel and a stud portion with a shaft and a flange. The shaft is slidingly disposed within the central channel such that a radially outer tip of the shaft may selectably extend radially outward from the cylindrical housing and from the radially outer tread surface in order to enhance traction for the tire. The radially outer tip extends from the cylindrical housing and from the radially outer tread surface when a predetermined air pressure is introduced into the radially extending recess thereby forcing the flange of the stud portion radially outward to abut the cylindrical flange of the cylindrical housing.

Abstract: A tire mold is described that includes a plurality of tread molding segments having an inner surface for molding the tire tread. The mold further includes a plurality of sidewall plates having an inner surface for molding the tire sidewall. The tread mold segments together with the sidewalls cooperate to form a tire molding cavity. The sidewall plate further comprises a slot that extends from the outer surface of the tread segment to the inner mold surface, and has a piston having a head slidably received in the slot. A pin is positioned between the piston head and an end of the slot. The mold further includes actuating means for actuating the piston in the slot when the mold is closed.

Abstract: A tire has at least one tread wear indicator. Each wear indicator is a single mark that provides continuous information to the consumer, while changing its presentation based upon the amount of tread wear. The mold blade employed to form the ear indicator has a series of stacked portions, each portion having a different configuration, the configuration being constant for the length of each portion.

Abstract: A retractable stud pin assembly is described for use in a conventional tire. The stud pin assembly includes a housing having an elastomer compartment and a spring in cooperation with the elastomer. A stud pin is mounted to the spring. The assembly may further optionally include a fluid compartment in cooperation with the elastomer compartment and the spring. The assembly may further include a second compression spring, which cooperates with the first spring and stud pin. An optional adjustment nut may be used to manually raise and lower the pin height as desired. An optional adjustment pin may also be used to extend into an optional fluid compartment to fine tune the pin height.

Abstract: A tire tread 2 for a vehicle tire has a plurality of tread elements 10 extending radially outwardly from a tread base 24 to a radially outer surface. Each tread element 10 is defined by adjacent grooves 12, 14. The tread 2 has at least one tread element 10 projecting from the tread base 24 and having one or more tread wear indicators TWI 20. Each TWI 20 is located at the intersection of two grooves 12, 14 adjacent or integral to the at least one tread element 10.

Abstract: A tire has at least one tread wear indicator. Each wear indicator is a single mark that provides continuous information to the consumer, while changing its presentation based upon the amount of tread wear. The mold blade employed to form the ear indicator has a series of stacked portions, each portion having a different configuration, the configuration being constant for the length of each portion.

Abstract: A tire has at least one tread wear indicator. Each wear indicator is a single mark that provides continuous information to the consumer, while changing its presentation based upon the amount of tread wear. The mold blade employed to form the ear indicator has a series of stacked portions, each portion having a different configuration, the configuration being constant for the length of each portion.

Abstract: A vent for a mold having a mold cavity comprises a valve member housed within a main body sleeve and reciprocally moveable therein in an axial direction between open and closed positions. The sleeve is mounted within a mold wall and contains an expansion agent such as silicon. An increase in mold temperature causes the expansion agent to expand and move the valve member from the closed position into the open position. An external annular groove is provided within the sleeve to receive displaced mold wall material as the sleeve is press inserted into the mold wall. A tight fit of the sleeve within the mold wall results. The sleeve and valve are configured to allow air to escape in the open position. The valve member is moved to the closed position by material within the mold cavity pressing against the valve member.