Abstract: A shear-controlled tire tread includes a plurality of narrow channels disposed generally perpendicular to a rolling direction. Each narrow channel includes a heel side, a toe side, and a valley connecting the heel side and the toe side, and a first plurality of ridges disposed on a heel side and a second plurality of ridges disposed on a toe side. The first plurality of ridges disposed on a heel side and the second plurality of ridges disposed on a toe side are offset and form interacting friction surfaces when a heel side of collapses toward a toe side or a toe side collapses toward a heel side.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic or pneumatic tire includes an area for tire indicia or markings. The tire includes a hub region and a tread layer. The tread layer of the tire has a shoulder with a cut out extending either partially or entirely around the shoulder of the tire tread layer. The angle of the notched or beveled portion is 45-135° with respect to an axial direction along the tread layer shoulder, and at least one indicia disposed on the at least one flat surface. The placement of the markings may be radially along the surface of the cut out portion or axially along the surface of the cut out portion. The markings may be recessed, stamped, molded, painted or applied with ink to the cut out portion. Alternatively, the indicia or marking may be applied to a decal and applied to the cut out portion.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a tire tread having one or more flexible gate apparatuses are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tire having a tread is provided, the tire comprising: a groove comprising a groove base and at least one groove sidewall; at least one flexible gate apparatus comprising a plurality of adjacent flexible gate elements oriented in a single row across at least a portion of the groove; wherein the plurality of flexible gate elements extend from the groove base; wherein the at least one flexible gate apparatus comprises a rigidity such that the at least one flexible gate apparatus does not substantially deflect at the application of an air pressure during operation; and wherein the at least one flexible gate apparatus comprises a rigidity such that the at least one flexible gate apparatus deflects at the application of a water pressure during operation.

Abstract: A noise damper, noise attenuation device, and tire and noise damper assembly are disclosed. The noise damper, noise attenuation device, and tire and noise damper assembly mitigate sound produced by a moving tire. The noise damper and noise attenuation device fit within a tire cavity and expand in reaction to a stimulus.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a tire, and other objects, having an aerodynamic and/or hydrodynamic surface treatment are disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a tire and tire tread having a static charge dissipation element are provided.

Abstract: A noise damper, noise attenuation device, and tire and noise damper assembly are disclosed. The noise damper, noise attenuation device, and tire and noise damper assembly mitigate sound produced by a moving tire. The noise damper and noise attenuation device fit within a tire cavity and expand in reaction to a stimulus.

Abstract: A shear-controlled tire tread includes a plurality of narrow channels disposed generally perpendicular to a rolling direction. Each narrow channel includes a heel side, a toe side, and a valley connecting the heel side and the toe side, and a first plurality of ridges disposed on a heel side and a second plurality of ridges disposed on a toe side. The first plurality of ridges disposed on a heel side and the second plurality of ridges disposed on a toe side are offset and form interacting friction surfaces when a heel side of collapses toward a toe side or a toe side collapses toward a heel side.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a tire tread having one or more flexible gate apparatuses are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tire having a tread is provided, the tire comprising: a groove comprising a groove base and at least one groove sidewall; at least one flexible gate apparatus comprising a plurality of adjacent flexible gate elements oriented in a single row across at least a portion of the groove; wherein the plurality of flexible gate elements extend from the groove base; wherein the at least one flexible gate apparatus comprises a rigidity such that the at least one flexible gate apparatus does not substantially deflect at the application of an air pressure during operation; and wherein the at least one flexible gate apparatus comprises a rigidity such that the at least one flexible gate apparatus deflects at the application of a water pressure during operation.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a tire and tire tread having a static charge dissipation element are provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a tire, and other objects, having an aerodynamic and/or hydrodynamic surface treatment are disclosed.

Abstract: A tire testing apparatus that includes a test drum and at least one tire station. The test drum has an outer radial surface and a plurality of sectioned plates having outer radial test surfaces, wherein the plurality of sectioned plates mount on the outer radial surface of the test drum. The tire testing apparatus further includes at least one tire station having a selected tire with a tread, wherein the tread of the selected tire presses against the outer radial test surface of the plurality of sectional plates, and wherein the at least one tire station applies a force against the tread of the selected tire. Further, a tire testing method includes providing a selected tire having a circumferential tread and moving the selected tire against a rotating test drum having a plurality of sectional plates having a test surface.

Abstract: A tire testing apparatus that includes a test drum and at least one tire station. The test drum has an outer radial surface and a plurality of sectioned plates having outer radial test surfaces, wherein the plurality of sectioned plates mount on the outer radial surface of the test drum. The tire testing apparatus further includes at least one tire station having a selected tire with a tread, wherein the tread of the selected tire presses against the outer radial test surface of the plurality of sectional plates, and wherein the at least one tire station applies a force against the tread of the selected tire. Further, a tire testing method includes providing a selected tire having a circumferential tread and moving the selected tire against a rotating test drum having a plurality of sectional plates having a test surface.

Abstract: A runflat tire is provided that may be used in applications currently requiring a large aspect ratio tire. The runflat tire of the invention may be substituted in these applications while providing desirable ride characteristics. The runflat tire includes a sidewall with a radial portion and a cantilever portion. The cantilever portion may be fabricated by extending a sidewall insert in the axially inward direction or by extending the bead filler in the axially outward direction. In other embodiments, the cantilever sidewall portion is formed by a combination of the sidewall insert and the bead filler. The resulting runflat tire has desired durability in the uninflated operating condition while having desired ride characteristics in the inflated condition. The sidewall structure allows the tire to be used in applications presently requiring a tire with a high aspect ratio.

Abstract: The invention provides a tire and a method for analyzing the temperature exposure to the tire. The tire and the method allow an investigator to determine the maximum temperature the tire experienced during its operation. This information offers a potential cause for the tire failure by allowing the investigator to determine a maximum temperature experienced by an area of the tire by reviewing a non-reversible, temperature-indicating label positioned at a location in the tire. The information may be used to identify a potential cause of a tire failure after the failure has occurred. The information may also be used to identify a damaged tire before the tire fails.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for conducting indoor hydroplaning tests on a tire. A tire is supported by a frame above a test surface and a load is applied to the tire tread against the test surface. A stream of high pressure fluid is discharged from a nozzle against an area of contact of the tire tread and the test surface. A device detects a change in the loaded contact of the tire as the pressure of the fluid stream increases which provides an indication that hydroplaning is beginning to occur in comparison with a previously tested tire under actual driving conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a tire and a method for analyzing the temperature exposure to the tire. The tire and the method allow an investigator to determine the maximum temperature the tire experienced during its operation. This information offers a potential cause for the tire failure by allowing the investigator to determine a maximum temperature experienced by an area of the tire by reviewing a non-reversible, temperature-indicating label positioned at a location in the tire. The information may be used to identify a potential cause of a tire failure after the failure has occurred. The information may also be used to identify a damaged tire before the tire fails.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for conducting indoor hydroplaning tests on a tire. A tire is supported by a frame above a test surface and a load is applied to the tire tread against the test surface. A stream of high pressure fluid is discharged from a nozzle against an area of contact of the tire tread and the test surface. A device detects a change in the loaded contact of the tire as the pressure of the fluid stream increases which provides an indication that hydroplaning is beginning to occur in comparison with a previously tested tire under actual driving conditions.

Abstract: A method of testing a tire for rain groove wander is provided which allows a tire to be objectively tested in a laboratory wherein the objective test results closely correlate with subjective field analysis type data, thereby allowing for the subjective tire performance to be predicted while precluding the need for subjective field analysis of the particular tire. The method also allows objective testing of a single tire size by varying the radial loading in the laboratory test set, thereby precluding the construction of multiple tire sizes each having the same tread design. The method simulates rain groove road conditions and correlates objective analysis data obtained via the laboratory test methodology with subjective field analysis data of rain groove wander tire performance of other tires, thereby providing a substantially accurate technique for identifying the subjective performance of the tire without having to conduct the field testing to obtain such subjective field analysis data.

Abstract: A portable machine for testing on site the uniformity of a tire or other components of a tire/wheel assembly. A compact rigid frame has a base formed by a plurality of longitudinal and transverse frame members for supporting the machine on a planar surface. A box-like subframe is mounted on the base and supports a mounting plate for the tire/wheel assembly. The mounting plate is slidably mounted on a pair of slide rods extending upwardly from the subframe. A road wheel and drive motor are mounted on the base, with the motor being mounted within the subframe and the load wheel being located beneath the tire/wheel assembly mounting plate. An air spring raises and lowers the mounting plate for placement and removal of a tire/wheel assembly thereon. A loading mechanism applies a force on the tire/wheel assembly mounting plate to forceably move a tire into contact with the road wheel, and is measurable by a first load cell.