Abstract: The aim of the disclosed solution is to present a method of inserting an insert to a tread a tire such that the insert, particularly a fragile insert such as an insert comprising electronic components, may be protected against gripping and impact forces during its insertion. The disclosed solution is premised on an insert being housed, at least partially, in a sleeve upon and during its installation to a tread of a tire. Thus, the sleeve may be employed to provide protection for the insert against gripping and/or impact forces during the insertion of the insert into the tread a tire.

Abstract: This invention discloses a tire having enhanced wet traction and ice traction characteristics. These tires are comprised of a generally toroidal-shaped carcass with an outer circumferential tread, two spaced beads, at least one ply extending from bead to bead and sidewalls extending radially from and connecting said tread to said beads, wherein said tread is adapted to be ground-contacting, wherein the tread includes at least one circumferential groove which separates circumferential ribs, each circumferential groove having two sides and a base therebetween, and wherein the sides of each circumferential groove are comprised of a rubbery composition that includes silicate microflakes which are substantially aligned in an orientation which is parallel with the sides of the grooves.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer terminated by using an isocyanato alkoxysilane terminating agent. A method of preparing a functionalized polymer comprising the step of contacting a living polymer with an isocyanato alkoxysilane terminating agent.

Abstract: A device for preparing a flat profiled element from an elastomeric thermoplastic gel includes: an extruder with at least one feed and a discharge; an extruder die having section configured to be suitable for a profile of the flat profiled element; a liquid cooling bath with a free surface for receiving and cooling the flat profiled element as the flat profiled element is discharged from the extruder die; and a flat moving support for receiving the flat profiled element. The free surface of the liquid cooling bath is arranged in an immediate vicinity of an outlet of the extruder die. Additionally, an angle of inclination of a plane of the extruder die to a horizontal plane is between 20 and 70 degrees.

Abstract: The invention relates to a studded air-filled vehicle tire having a rolling direction and comprising a rubber tread with pattern blocks and grooves that-separate the blocks. Premade stud holes are arranged in the tread. Anti-slip studs each include a hard cermet piece that has a substantially quadrangular shape with diagonal dimensions are in at least part of the stud holes. At least part of the anti-slip studs arranged in the stud holes are orientated so that one of the diagonal dimensions of the hard cermet piece is located in the rolling direction or forms an angle, not larger than a toe-out angle with respect to the rolling direction.

Abstract: A method and process for manufacturing tire treads embedded with hard materials formed over a tire foundation. The process includes the step of introducing a caoutchouc mixture as granulate in powder form that can be easily mixed.

Abstract: A tire having a circumferential tread is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of synthetic fibers are embedded in the circumferential tread such that a portion of at least one of the plurality of synthetic fibers is exposed to a surface of the circumferential tread, wherein the plurality of synthetic fibers have empty cavities configured to be at least partially filled with a liquid.

Abstract: A stud for vehicle tyres includes a central body, a tip connected to a first end of the central body, and a base provided on a second end of the central body. The first end of the central body is opposite the second end. The stud has at least one abutting shoulder arranged at a predefined distance from the tip. A method for manufacturing a tyre for vehicle wheels including the studs, a vulcanization mould for tyres including seats designed to retain the studs, a tyre for vehicle wheels including the studs, and a premoulded tread band containing the studs for retreading a tyre are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems associated with traction devices for vehicle tires are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a tire may include a tread material bonded with a casing, the tread material having a tread pattern and one or more tractive devices may be disposed within voids in the tread pattern. In some embodiments, a media passage may be disposed between the tread material and the casing substantially under one or more of the voids in the tread pattern, the chambers and/or channels being controllable to urge movement of a corresponding tractive device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tire (3), which includes a crown (5) having a molded tread pattern, and at least one insert (6) with a position that is set relative to the molded tread pattern. The method includes building an uncured tire around a core (1), positioning the at least one insert (6) within the uncured tire in a position set relative to the core (1), positioning the core bearing the uncured tire and the at least one insert (6) in an external mold (10) according to a set azimuth (?), and molding the tire.

Abstract: Bicycle wheels have integral reflective areas to increase visibility of the bicycle. These areas show through portions of the wheel tread, so that the tread protects the reflector material from wear. The reflecting areas are scattered over the wheel and situated at a variety of angles with respect to the plane of the wheel so that reflectors are always situated to reflect light from the sun, a street lamp, or car headlights. A bicycle tire of the conventional sort having a tube and removable outer tire having tread is used. The outer tire has holes formed in it interspersed among the raised areas of tread. Reflecting material in sheets is placed between the outer wheel and the tube. Preferably, the reflecting material is affixed to the outer tire, and is coated with a protective coating.

Abstract: A laminar “precured” or “replacement” tread for wheeled vehicles operating at night on retreaded tires is made more readily visible when grooves in the tires are provided with elastomeric strips or bands in which are embedded retroreflective elements such as transparent glass or synthetic resinous microspheres (referred to herein as “beads”). Upper surfaces of longitudinal ridges in a flat curing mold lend themselves to supporting the strips which are then precisely positioned in grooves defined by the ridges, when the flat tread is cured.

Abstract: The present invention, in one embodiment, is a method of making a tire with a skin covering at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the tire. In practicing the method, a partially cured tire and a partially cured skin are provided. The partially cured tire and the partially cured skin are installed in a tire mold with the skin engaging and covering at least a part of the outer surface of the tire and with the skin facing an inner surface of the mold. Heat and pressure are applied to the tire to press the skin and the tire against the inner surface of the mold. The heat and pressure are maintained for a predetermined time period to vulcanize and bond together the tire and the skin.

Abstract: A process for producing a tire having an expandable chamber utilized for extending and retracting studs provided in the periphery of the tire. In one embodiment, a non-stick film is strategically positioned between the casing and the tread prior to curing the tread onto the casing. The interface at either side of the film forms the sides of an expandable chamber. The tread side of the chamber is inset and studs are affixed thereto. Expansion of the chamber extends the studs out of the inset and into engagement with a road surface. Alternative processes provide a channel in the tread and the expansion chamber formed in the channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a studded air-filled vehicle tire having a rolling direction and comprising a rubber tread with pattern blocks and grooves that separate said blocks. In said tread, there are arranged premade stud holes and in at least part of said stud holes, there are anti-slip studs, having hard cermet pieces of that have a substantially quadrangular shape with diagonal dimensions At least part of the anti-slip studs arranged in the stud holes are orientated so that one of said diagonal dimensions of the hard cermet piece is located in the rolling direction or forms an angle, not larger than the toe-out angle, with respect to the rolling direction.

Abstract: A spike for the running surface of a motor vehicle tire, especially a snow tire, with, as seen from above, an out-of-round, elongated, plate-like spike root (2, 2a), the greatest extension of which defines a longitudinal axis (7a), and an out-of-round, elongated upper part (4, 5) of the spike, the greatest extension of which defines a longitudinal axis (6a). In order to be enabled to accept even greater forces from below, the spike root (2, 2a) and the upper part (4, 5) of the spike are twisted in relation to each other, so that the longitudinal axis (6a) of the upper part (4, 5) of the spike encloses an angle (15, 15a) varying from zero with the longitudinal axis (7a) of the spike root (2,2a).

Abstract: The invention relates to a combination for installing anti-slip studs in an air-filled vehicle tire provided with a tread and a number of premade stud recesses. The combination includes anti-slip studs with an inner head provided with a bottom flange and an outer head provided with a top bowl, and therebetween a narrower neck portion. In the anti-slip studs at least the shape of the bottom flange is composed of a number of two or more first side portions, the center regions of which are located at a shorter distance from the stud center line, and of a number of two or more edge portions and/or of a number of two or more second side portions, the center regions of which are located at a longer distance from said stud center line. In addition, the combination includes an installation tool comprising a number of jaw fingers, said number being equal to the number of said edge portions, or twice the number of the second side portions, by which installation tool the anti-slip studs are installed in said tread.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a tyre for vehicle wheels, of the type suitable for travelling on icy and/or snowy roads, comprising a tread band having an external surface containing a plurality of metal studs partially projecting from said external surface, comprising the steps of: manufacturing a green tyre; inserting and retaining said studs into specific seats provided in a vulcanization mould; inserting said green tyre into said mould; closing said mould; vulcanizing said green tyre, opening said mould to extract the cured tyre. Said seats are provided with a degree of clearance allowing the cured tyre to be extracted from the mould, at the opening of the latter, without interferring with said sectors and said studs to maintain their substantially perpendicular arrangement with respect to the external surface of the tread band.

Abstract: A method and equipment for mixing hard granules into tire tread bodies and into sundry rubber strips and tread stock. Rubber stock is extruded into tread bands of a suitable shape which are rolled under control, in a suitable thickness and number of layers, in a circular process over a pre-treated tire, or other object. The tire is subsequently patterned and vulcanized. The hard granules are distributed according to a predetermined configuration onto at least part of the surface of the extruded rubber tread band before the next layer is rolled in a circular process onto the pre-treated tire, using dedicated equipment so that the granules will be mixed into the patterned wearing surface of the tire after profiling and vulcanization.

Abstract: An assembly for manufacturing vehicle tires with light-reflective members has one or more plug inserts positionable inside a tire mold before vulcanization of the tire. The plug inserts each have a cutout in the back thereof corresponding to the portion of the tread design where reflective members are to be positioned. An elongated reflective member is placed in each of the plug inserts. When a vehicle tire is placed in the tire mold and treated under pressure, the tire expands conforming to the tire mold, while fusing the light reflective member into the tire body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle tire (50) comprising a tire carcass (51) and side walls (53); a layer or layers of rubber forming a tire tread (56) on top of the carcass; a tread pattern comprising a plurality of blocks (11) separated by grooves (22). There are anti-skid stud holes (12) in the blocks, said anti-skid stud holes having a total depth within said tread rubber layer and having a generally circular or oval cross-sectional form. Lamellar anti-skid studs (1) are inserted in the stud holes, the ratio of the total thickness (D1) of said lamellar studs to the width (L) of said lamellar studs in the orientation of the tread surface (20) being at maximum one-third. The diameter or respectively the main dimension of said circular/oval stud holes (12) is substantially smaller than the width (L) of the inserted lamellar studs.

Abstract: This invention relates to preparation of an elastomer which contains a dispersion of silica reinforcement by forming a silica reinforcement in situ within an unvulcanized elastomer host, the resulting elastomer/filler composite and tire having component which contains such reinforced elastomer. The invention includes a rubber composition of at least two elastomers wherein one of said elastomers is a pre-formed composite of elastomer/in situ formed silica reinforcement. A tire having a component of such rubber composition, particularly a tire tread, is specifically contemplated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rubber tire, and its preparation, composed of carbon black reinforced rubber carcass with an outer, circumferential rubber tread construction of a rubber composition having a relatively high electrical resistivity. The tire tread construction has an electrically conductive filamentary thread stitched through the tread construction and extending between the inner surface of the tread to its outer surface. An electrically conductive path is thereby created through the tire tread.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rubber tire composed of carbon black reinforced rubber carcass with an outer, circumferential rubber tread construction of a rubber composition having a relatively high electrical resistivity. The tire tread construction has electrically conductive filament stapled through the tread construction and extending between the inner surface of the tread to its outer surface. An electrically conductive path is thereby created through the tread.

Abstract: A method for making a vehicle tire comprising a tire carcass (3) and on top of this a cap (29) consisting of at least one rubber quality and forming the tread (7), the cap having anti-skid stud holes (5) extending from the tread to its inside. At the bottom (8) of the anti-skid stud holes (5) and thus under the bottom flange (21) of the anti-skid studs (20) elastic cushions (6) are provided, made of a material of an elasticity higher than that of the rubber quality forming the said cap (29).

Abstract: A method for producing a slippage preventing tire. Hard fine members and adhesives are mixed, thereby attaching the adhesives to the hard fine members. The hard fine members include at least one member selected from the group consisting of sand, ceramic particles and fiber reinforced resin particles. A silicone resin is mixed with a rubber material. The hard fine members and the attached adhesives are mixed with the rubber material and silicone resin prior to curing the adhesives. At least a tread surface of a tire is formed from the mixed hard fine members, adhesives, silicone resin, and rubber material, thereby providing the tire with excellent slippage preventing capacity.

Abstract: Sacks which are open on one side and which are preferably provided with side folds are gripped at their side sections in the area of their opening edges by pairs of grippers. The grippers can be displaced towards and away from each other. The lateral walls of the sacks are pulled apart in the area of the opening edges between the grippers by suction elements arranged on a rack. In the rack there are arranged filling necks which are lowerable into the open sacks. A sealing device closes the open edges of the sacks which are pulled taut by moving apart the grippers so that the open edges are laid on each other as a result thereof. In order to be able to detect the desired net weight of the filling quantity with high accuracy, the pairs of grippers and the drive for the opening and closing movements thereof and for the displacement of the grippers towards and away from each other are arranged on a frame which are connected with the rack by weighing devices.

Abstract: A stud for a tire to improve traction on a roadway which includes a hardened pin mounted in a steel jacket and extending therefrom to engage the roadway, wherein the stud is sized for insertion into openings in the tire tread. The pin is retractable into the jacket thereby removing the pin from contact with the road surface and providing non-studded as well as studded service from the same tire. A spring in the stud jacket is used to propel the pin out of the jacket into the extended position when the pin is released from the securing mechanism. The securing mechanism consists of a series of projections on the pin in interaction with a series of grooves in the interior of the stud jacket. The pin is released from the retracted position by manually pressing the pin further into the jacket until the securing mechanism releases it.

Abstract: A pneumatic vehicle tire with a tread strip having wood powder embedded therein and through the tread strip in the form of particles having a size within the range of from about 0.02 to 0.25 mm (mesh width of from 20 to 250.mu. according to German Standards DIN 4188). The wood particles are directly connected to and embedded in the tread strip mixture of which tread strip is made, e.g. rubber mixture, without the employment of adhesives. The wood particles amount to about from 2 to 10% by weight of the tread strip mixture.

Abstract: A tire having a layer of uncured rubber in its tread portion is fitted to a hub and an annular protective chain is placed over the uncured rubber. The tire is inflated and the protective chain is tensioned by chains connected to the lateral edges of the chain and extending radially inwardly to the axis of and axially away from the central plane of the tire by means of a telescopic jack aligned with the axis of the tire. The tire is vulcanised by sealably enclosing it in a cover, venting the space between the cover and tire, and curing the rubber in an autoclave in which the tire is a loose fit.

Abstract: A multilayer adhesive strip is adhered to the tread of an automobile or other vehicle tire transversely of the tread and generally axially of the wheel. Each layer has a different color, and wear on one part of the strip faster than another will expose a different color or colors that will indicate the wear pattern. Thin easily worn material may indicate the pattern in a mile or two of driving whereas thicker or tougher strips give results over a longer period of use. For example, differential wear in the center indicates over-inflation, differential wear at both ends indicates under-inflation, and differential wear at one end of the strip indicates wheel misalignment.

Abstract: An endless tire-mounted anti-skid belt is produced by spreading an endless fibrous mesh to the diameter of the vehicle tire on which the belt is to be mounted, impregnating the spread endless mesh with a hot-vulcanizable elastomer dissolved in a solvent, drying the impregnated spread endless mesh until at least 80% of the solvent has been removed, repeating the impregnation and drying steps several times until a desired thickness of elastomer has been deposited on the spread endless mesh, and curing the elastomer by vulcanization in an autoclave under hot steam.