Abstract: A pneumatic tire (10) has a tread portion (11) comprising a plurality of circumferentially extending grooves (21,22,23) which divide the tread into axially spaced lands (24,25,26,27). Each land is subdivided into blocks (32X,32Y) by cross-slits (31). The blocks in each land (24,25,26,27) are arranged so that circumferentially adjacent blocks (32X,32Y) are axially offset relative to each other. The cross-slits (31A,31B,31C) in each land alternate circumferentially between axially extending cross-slits (31B) and biased angle cross-slits (31A,31C). The axially extending cross-slits (31B) are sipes and the biased angle cross-slits (31A,31C) may be either sipes or grooves.

Abstract: The turn-up portion (217) of the carcass ply in the bead portion (219) of a pneumatic tire is interposed between the bead core (213) and a clamping member (231). The clamping member (231) comprises a heat shrinkable material that secures the turn-up in a desired location.

Abstract: Textile cables (10) used for reinforcing tires comprise a plurality of yarns (11, 12, 13) which each consist of a plurality of aramid filaments (14) and each yarn has a twist imparted thereto. The yarns (11, 12, 13) are twisted together with one another to form cables (10). The twist ratio and the twist multiplier of the cable are dependent upon the intended end use of the cable. If the cable (10) is to be used in a high flex application, such as a reinforcing element in a carcass ply of a tire, the twist ratio is in the range of 1.0 to 1.9, and the twist multiplier is in the range of 8 to 12. If the cable (10) is to be used as a reinforcing element in the tread reinforcing structure of a tire, where there is some flexing but strength is very important, the twist ratio is in the range of 1.0 to 3.0, and the twist multiplier is in the range of 5 to 7. A preferred spacing between the cables is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire (10) has adjacent carcass plies (13, 14, 15) which are reinforced by cables comprising aramid filaments. The amount of strength retained by the cables over a period of normal use of the tire is increased when for each pair of adjacent carcass plies: (a) the cables of the radially innermost of said carcass plies intersect the mid-circumferential plane (CP) of the tire at a first angle in the range of 75.degree. to 105.degree. and the cables of the radially outermost of said carcass plies intersect the mid-circumferential centerplane (CP) at a second angle in the range of 75.degree. to 105.degree.; (b) said second angle is nearer to 90.degree. than said first angle; and (c) the included angle between said first and second angles is not greater than 10.degree..

Abstract: A radial ply pneumatic tire (10) has carcass plies (13,14,15) reinforced by cables comprising only yarns of aramid filaments, and belt plies (31-35) reinforced by cables comprising at least two yarns of aramid filaments and a core yarn consisting of at least one polyamide or polyester filament which have at least a partially oriented structure, said aramid yarns being adjacent to one another and twisted about said core yarn but not being twisted together with one another.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire (10) has a preferred cross-sectional shape which acts in concert with a preferred tread structure to provide varying performance characteristics under varying operating conditions. The tread (11) has a directional tread pattern, with the net-to-gross ratio being higher in a central portion (CP) of the tread than in the laterally outer portions (OP.sub.1, OP.sub.2). The stiffness of the block elements (64,65,66,67,68,69,70,71) of the tread also varies across the width of the tread.

Abstract: Tire bead members (10) have radially superposed layers (11,12,13,14) of fibers (15) embedded in a polymeric matrix (16). Interposed between the layers (11,12,13,14) of composite material are thin layers (17,18,19) of a material that is not adhered to both of the adjacent layers (11,12;12,13;13,14) of composite material. Tires employing said bead members are also disclosed.

Abstract: A passenger car tire that combines a number of design features or parameters which yield a tire which has road noise, tread wear and handling performance characteristics which are equal to or better than those exhibited by comparable prior art tires, which possesses improvements in mud and snow performance not heretofore approached in prior art high performance tires, and in which heat dissipation characteristics are such that ornamental white sidewall lettering may be applied without in any way detracting from performance and durability characteristics. Moreover, and most surprisingly, the tire of the present invention is actually lighter in weight than is the most comparable prior art high performance tire, which does not possess the improved mud and snow characteristics of the invention.

Abstract: A radial ply aircraft tire (11) is mounted upon an H-type rim (10) which was originally designated for use with a bias ply aircraft tire. The ratio of the axial distance (WBF) between the rim flanges to the maximum cross-sectional width (CSWR) of the tire is in the range of 0.7 to 0.9. The ratio of footprint width to footprint length for the tire is in the range of 0.45 to 0.65. Preferably, the carcass (12) and the belts (14) are reinforced with aramid cords. A line (T) which is tangent to a carcass ply (12) and passes through the center of a bead (13) is inclined at an angle (.alpha.) of greater than 60.degree. with respect to the tire's axis of rotation.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire (10) has a tread portion (11) comprising a plurality of circumferentially extending grooves (21,22,23) which divide the tread into axially spaced lands (24,25,26,27). Each land is subdivided into blocks (32X,32Y) by cross-slits (31). The blocks in each land (24,25,26,27) are arranged so that circumferentially adjacent blocks (32X,32Y) are axially offset relative to each other. The cross-slits (31A,31B,31C) in each land alternate circumferentially between axially extending cross-slits (31B) and biased angle cross-slits (31A,31C). The axially extending cross-slits (31B) are sipes and the biased angle cross-slits (31A,31C) may be either sipes or grooves.

Abstract: A vulcanizable composition which comprises diene rubber, an EPDM that has been modified to crosslink with the diene rubber, and a polymeric antidegradant, while being substantially free of staining antidegradants. This composition has particular utility in the sidewalls of tires.

Abstract: A radial carcass, belted tire (10) comprises an overlay ply (18) which provides the tire with high speed endurance without adversely affecting the uniformity of the tire. The overlay ply (18) comprises textile reinforcing elements consisting of successively aligned cord sections (21) arranged in parallel rows. Each cord section has a length which is comprised between 1/4 and 1/2 of the corresponding circumferential development of the tire. The cord sections (21) in each row have substantially equal length and are separated by interruptions (22) of a width such that the total width of the interruptions per circumferentially extending row of cords is less than 4% of the corresponding circumferential development of the tire.

Abstract: A tire structure that is especially advantageous for an aircraft tire has a pair of annular elastomeric members (40,41) disposed axially inwardly of the carcass plies (13,14) to maintain the carcass plies in a desired configuration. A preferred arrangement of bead reinforcing strips (32,33,34,35) is disclosed for use in tires that are intended for mounting on H-type aircraft rims.