Abstract: A pneumatic tire for use on trucks, the tire comprising: a tread which includes a belt reinforcement structure of only three belts, the belt structure including a pair of working belts, wherein the angle of the working belts range from about 10 degrees to about 50 degrees, wherein a zigzag or low angle belt is positioned preferably between the working belts or radially inward of the working belts. The belt structure further includes a rubber strip located between the radially innermost belt and the tire carcass, and preferably has a gauge that varies across the axial width of the tire.

Abstract: A structure for a tread pattern of a pneumatic tire includes a radially extending pedestal, a first set of cylindrical voids extending radially through the pedestal, a second set of cylindrical voids extending radially through the pedestal, and a radially extending void ring circumscribing the pedestal.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire tread has tread elements formed by circumferential and/or lateral grooves. At least one tread element has a sipe that devolves from a constant width sipe having a three dimensional aspect in at least a portion of the radially outer portion of the sipe to a wider width groove at the base of the tread feature.

Abstract: A structure for a tread pattern of a pneumatic tire includes a radially extending pedestal, a first set of cylindrical voids extending radially through the pedestal, a second set of cylindrical voids extending radially through the pedestal, and a radially extending void ring circumscribing the pedestal.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire tread has tread elements formed by circumferential and/or lateral grooves. At least one tread element has a sipe that devolves from a constant width sipe having a three dimensional aspect in at least a portion of the radially outer portion of the sipe to a wider width groove at the base of the tread feature.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire tread has tread elements formed by circumferential and/or lateral grooves. At least one tread element has a sipe that devolves from a constant width sipe having a three dimensional aspect in at least a portion of the radially outer portion of the sipe to a wider width groove at the base of the tread feature.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a tire tread, the tread comprising grooves therein, the grooves forming tread elements, the tread having a radially outer surface and a non-skid tread depth as measured from the radially outer surface of the tread, and a radially innermost surface of the grooves, and one or more sunken grooves located radially inward and below the surface of the unworn tread, the tread comprised of a base tread compound, a radially outer compound, and a radially inner compound, wherein the intersection of the radially outer compound and the radially inner compound is wavy.

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: The present invention provides for an improved device for molding keyhole sipes larger in size, i.e. sipes having a wider passage, than currently being formed in treads that will avoid damaging the tread during formation and removal thereof from a mold. The device includes an elongated deformable body member having a blade extending in a direction away therefrom and substantially along the length thereof. The body member also includes a stiffening member securely fixed in position therein that extends substantially the length thereof. The stiffening member provides a desired rigidity to the deformable body member, thereby limiting flexion along its length under the stress of a rubber formulation when the mold is closed during the molding process. Also, the deformable body member provides low stress on the tread when a slit of the keyhole sipe is pulled around the body member during removal of the tread from a mold.