Abstract: A tire has an axis of rotation. The tire includes two sidewalls extending radially outward and a tread disposed radially outward of the two sidewalls and interconnecting the two sidewalls. The tread includes a main portion comprising a first compound and a reinforcing structure comprising a second compound having reinforcing short fibers oriented between ?20 degrees to +20 degrees to a circumferential direction of the tread. The main portion of the tread includes at least one circumferential groove separating circumferential ribs. Each circumferential groove has two sides and a base therebetween. The reinforcing structure includes a layer of the second compound secured to the sides of each circumferential groove.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire is capable of operation during underinflated condition and the construction of sidewalls are configured to compensate for negative cambers acting upon the tire. The inboard side of the tire is softened in comparison to the outboard side of the tire. This is achieved by either forming an asymmetrical tire in either the tire profile or the internal construction.

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: The present invention relates to a radial ply tire (230) with a tread (232) subdivided transversely into a central portion (250) having central ribs (260a,260b), shoulder portions (254a, 254b) having shoulder ribs (270a,270b) and intermediate portions (252a, 252b) having intermediate ribs between the central portion and the shoulder portions. The tread has intermediate grooves (262a,262b) between the central ribs and the intermediate ribs (266a,266b) and shoulder decoupling grooves (264a,264b) between the intermediate ribs and the shoulder ribs (270a,270b). The shoulder decoupling grooves having a depth (D1) being less than the intermediate decoupling grooves whereby the footprint width of the tread surface can expand from first width (NLFPW) under normal load to a second width (HLFPW) under heavy load.