Abstract: A positioning arm (44) is provided with a plurality of elongated members carrying two combinations of a radiation source (46; 58) and a sensor (48; 60). Each sidewall is interposed between a radiation source (46; 58) and a sensor (48; 60). The radiation sources (46; 58) provide a collimated beam of radiation which is relatively unattenuated (absorbed) in passing through the elastomer in the tire sidewall, but will be reflected by the steel wire cords in the sidewall. Each combination of a radiation source and sensor scans a sidewall of the tire at a predetermined speed to detect sidewall defects such as missing or improperly spaced cords.

Abstract: A method and system for retreading tire carcasses (10) with precured treads utilizing time and temperature in conjunction with an envelope pressure system. A precured rubber tread (12), is applied to tire carcass (10) having a cushion gum (16) disposed therebetween. An envelope system is placed over the tread/carcass and this assembly is placed within a pressure chamber. Heat and fluid pressure are then supplied to the chamber. Fluid pressure is then supplied to the chamber after both a predetermined length of time and after a predetermined temperature of the chamber has been reached.

Abstract: A tire for tractors and other off-the-road vehicles which exhibits good traction, vibration and cleaning characteristics. The tire has a tread with two sets of primary lugs (34, 38) sets of secondary lugs (70, 72). The one set of primary lugs (34) are spaced about the tread (32) and extend from the first lateral tread edge (36) to an inner end which does not extend beyond the equatorial plane (EP). The other set of primary lugs (38) extend from the second lateral edge (40) and are opposite in hand to the first set of primary lugs. The first and second sets of secondary lugs are spaced from the first and second lateral edges respectively with the second set (72) being opposite in hand to the first set (70) of secondary lugs. Each lug of the first set of secondary lugs is located between a pair of primary lugs of the first set as are each lug of the second set of secondary lugs of the second set located between a pair of primary lugs of the second set.

Abstract: A low pressure radial ply tire (20) for light off-the-road use has tow radial carcass plies (22) oriented at a cord angle (CA) with respect to the Equatorial Plane (EP) from 65 to 85.degree.. The tire is not reinforced by a belt reinforcing structure to allow the carcass (22) to compensate within the footprint of the tire under varying conditions. The tread (26) is provided with a number of holes (38) having a very shallow depth and spaced uniformly across the tread surface to increase flotation and wherein the net-to-gross is in the range of 0.63 to 0.77.

Abstract: A tread element (314) is located between the axially outer end of the lugs of the tread and lateral tread edge (310) of the tire (300). The tread elements (314) provide a flexing action for breaking the soil bond or adhesion to the tread of the tire. The tread elements (314) are not located in the discharge path but are adjacent to the discharge area in order to eject or remove soil, mud, sand etc., therefrom.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire (10, 40) having a belt reinforcing structure (24) located between the carcass (12) and the tread portion (20) is reinforced with an overlay belt (30) located between the belt reinforcing structure (24) and the tread (20). The overlay belt (30) has a plurality of parallel cords (32) oriented at an angle with respect to the equatorial plane (EP) of the tire. The angle of the cords (32) is between 9.degree. to 24.degree. degrees. The overlay can be used by itself or in conjunction with a pair of belt reinforcing strips (42) located radially outwardly along both axial edges (46, 48) of one of the belts (26, 28) of the belt reinforcing structure (24). The belt reinforcing strips (42) also contain a plurality of cords (50) oriented at an angle of from 9.degree. to 24.degree. with respect to the equatorial plane of the tires.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire for agricultural use has a tread including an inner tread surface and a plurality of spaced tread lugs (170). The tread lug (170) for use with off-the-road or agricultural, has at least one sidewall in cross-section having two different angular inclinations. The sidewall has a first straight portion (202) which extends radially inwardly from an edge (204) of the ground engaging surface (200) of the lug (170) at a first angular inclination (b) with respect to the radial direction. A second straight portion (208) extends radially inwardly at a second angular inclination (c) with respect to the radial direction, while a first concaved curved portion (212) extends from the first straight portion (202) to the second straight portion (208). A second concaved curved portion (214) then extends radially inwardly from the second straight portion (208) to an inner tread surface (151).

Abstract: A multi-chambered tire assembly (10) is provided by a pneumatic outer tire (12) mounted upon a rim (16) of a wheel and having an inner tire (14) or shield which is also mounted upon the rim (16). The inner tire (14) has a crown portion (36) spaced from the outer tire and a pair of sidewalls (38) each extending from the crown to a bead portion (40, 42). At least one of the bead portions (42) of the inner tire (14) forms an air passage way (44) between it and the adjacent bead (22) of the outer tire and is provided with radially extending grooves (52) connecting the air passage way with the outer air chamber (32).

Abstract: A tread for a pneumatic tire featuring generally zig-zag ribs defined by wide grooves. Circumferentially extending slots in the ribs are located near the wide grooves. The circumferentially extending slots define an edge zone between the slots and the nearest wide groove and a primary-load zone on the opposite side of the slot. Located in the edge zone there is means for reducing the unit tread pressure in the edge zone as compared to such pressure in the primary-load zone. The circumferential slots together with the means for reducing the unit tread pressure act to provide a breakwater against the spread of irregular wear known as "river wear".

Abstract: A tire (10) is provided with a cast body (12). The cast body has an annular circumferentially extending isotropic portion (14) having a pair of anisotropic side portions (16,18) extending therefrom. The side portions are rendered anisotropic by geometric means. A reinforcing means (30) is attached to the inner or interior surface of the side portions and extends from the isotropic portion to a point radially inwardly of the maximum section width (SW) of the tire. The reinforcing means may include a number of alternating ridges and grooves (46,48). The body may be cast from an elastomeric material such as polyurethane. A tread (26) and belt package (28) is disposed over the body and may be either elastomeric or rubber.

Abstract: A radial-ply passenger or light truck tire (10) having an annular tread-reinforcing structure (24) located between the tread portion (12) and the carcass (18). The tread-reinforcing structure (24) has one belt ply of steel cords oriented at an angle A, with respect to the mid-circumferential centerplane, and a second belt ply of aromatic polyamide fiber cords oriented at an angle B with respect to the mid-circumferential centerplane of the tire. The angle B is less than the angle A and the difference between angle A and angle B is greater than zero and less than or equal to eight degrees.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a chine extending outwardly from at least one sidewall. The average thickness of the chine, between a point 50% of the width of the chine from the tire sidewall and the end of the chine, is at least 50% of the width of the chine.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire (10) having a tread (12), carcass (70), sidewalls (14), bead portions (18) and an annular reinforcing structure or belt structure (76). The tread (12) has two different types of circumferential grooves. Two circumferential straight grooves (20) divide the tire into three circumferentially extending portions (24,26,28). Each portion is further divided by a circumferentially extending zig-zag groove (22) or an "S" shaped groove. Each portion is then divided into blocks (30) by a plurality of axially extending grooves (32). The tread-reinforcing structure (76) has two belt plies (78,80) of steel cords (82), the cords of one are oriented at an angle A, with respect to the mid-circumferential centerplane (MC), while the cords of the other are oriented at an angle B, where angle B is less than angle A. The difference between angle A and angle B is greater than one degree and less than or equal to four degrees.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic radial carcass type tire for heavy duty use having an improved reinforcing structure for the bead region. In a tire comprising a four ply radial carcass (1), the two bead regions are each reinforced by a bead core (2) and an axially inner (6) and an axially outer (7) textile reinforcing layer and a rubber apex strip (8). As compared to the prior art, the relatively low rubber apex strip (8) and the resulting low separation point between the first (3) and second (4) set of carcass plies reduces the sheer stresses between these carcass plies while the specific arrangement of the axially inner (6) and axially outer (7) textile reinforcing layers, retains the required stiffness in the bead region (5). In a preferred embodiment of the invention the axially inner (6) and axially outer (7) textile reinforcing layers comprise square woven fabric which help towards reducing the ply waviness of both the reinforcing layers (6,7) and the carcass plies (3,4).

Abstract: An apparatus and/or method of measuring the height of a tread element 52 of a tire. The device 50 spans or straddles the tread element 52 to be measured. Two support members 65,66 are disposed to either side of the tread element to be measured in the adjacent grooves. A housing 54 has two horizontal members 56,58 each attached to the housing 54. The vertical members 64,66 are capable of slidable movement along the horizontal members and are releasably secured thereto. A measuring device 76 is carried by the housing 54 for measuring the height of the tread element with respect to the adjacent grooves.

Abstract: A tire has a tread with circumferentially extending ribs separated by a circumferentially extending zig-zag groove. The depth of the groove varies in the circumferential direction of the tire and is at a maximum at the vertex of each projecting angle of a rib, and at a minimum at the vertex of each reentrant angle of a rib.