Patents Examined by Justin R Fischer
  • Patent number: 10611194
    Abstract: A circumferential recess is formed on the outer surface of a tire side section, the circumferential recess being depressed inward in a tread width direction and extending in a tire circumferential direction. In a cross section along the tread width direction of the tire and the tire radial direction, a rim-side outer surface formed in an area from a rim separation point, which is the outermost point in the tire radial direction that is in contact with a rim flange, to an inner end of the circumferential recess in the tire radial direction, is formed along a first arc curve having a center of a curvature radius on the inside in the tread width direction. In the cross section, a sidewall surface formed in an area from the inner end of the circumferential recess in the tire radial direction to a bottom surface of the circumferential recess is formed along a second arc curve having a center of a curvature radius on the outside in the tread width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sayaka Mishima
  • Patent number: 10603965
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire (1) is provided with a cylindrical annular structure (10) that is disposed around the rotational axis and that has an outer surface and an inner surface, a carcass portion (12) at least a part of which is disposed on an outer side of the annular structure in a direction parallel to the rotational axis, the carcass portion (12) having a cord covered by rubber, a rubber layer (11) at least a part of which is disposed so as to face the outer surface of the annular structure, the rubber layer (11) including a tread portion, and a fiber (2) disposed between the annular structure and the rubber layer so as to suppress generation of a gas space between the annular structure and the rubber layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Tanno, Jun Matsuda, Yuji Sato
  • Patent number: 10603964
    Abstract: A back surface part (13) is arranged on an inner surface (35) facing an inner side of a rim flange part (32) in a tire width direction (H) or arranged closer to the inner side in the tire width direction (H) than the inner surface (35), in a no-load reference state where a pneumatic tire (10) is mounted on an applied rim (30) and the internal pressure of the pneumatic tire (10) is set to atmospheric pressure, and a flat surface part (20) extending linearly along a tire radial direction (R) in the reference state is formed in a connecting portion of the back surface part (13) connected with a heel part (14), thereby making it possible to prevent a large force from acting thereon from the applied rim (30) and to improve uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichiro Kawakami, Hiroshi Kawabe
  • Patent number: 10596859
    Abstract: Main ridges of a first direction ridge pattern 50 and a second direction ridge pattern 60 that are adjacent to one another are connected together. Due thereto, the main ridges are connected as one ridge from one end to another end of a decorative concave portion 48, and a continuous main ridge 51 is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sotaro Iwabuchi
  • Patent number: 10596857
    Abstract: First direction ridge patterns and second direction ridge patterns are lined-up alternately at a decorative concave portion 18. Plural main ridges 22A through 22D and sub-ridges 26A through 26D, which project-out from a bottom surface 18A, are formed at a first direction ridge pattern 20. The respective ridges are disposed in parallel such that ridge extending directions are a same direction. Light reflection patterns are different at a main ridge region 24, 34 and a sub-ridge region 28, 38.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sotaro Iwabuchi
  • Patent number: 10596861
    Abstract: A puncture resistant liner assembly for use with a tire having a tread layer and opposed inside and outside walls extending away from the tread layer so as to define an interior tire space includes a primary protection layer that includes a plurality of primary pockets each having an outer wall defining a primary interior area and having a primary air capsule situated in the primary interior area. An auxiliary protection layer includes a plurality of auxiliary pockets each having a continuous outer wall defining an auxiliary interior area and having an auxiliary air capsule situated in the auxiliary interior area. Similarly, the liner assembly includes inner and outer protection layers adjacent and operably coupled to an inside and outside ends of the primary protection layer and that include a plurality of inner and outer pockets, respectively, each having a continuous outer wall defining an inner and outer interior areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Inventor: Mario Calderon
  • Patent number: 10596858
    Abstract: First direction ridge patterns and second direction ridge patterns are lined-up alternately at a tire side portion. Plural main ridges 22A through 22D and sub-ridges 26A through 26D, which project-out from a bottom surface 18A, are formed at a first direction ridge pattern 20. The respective ridges are disposed in parallel such that ridge extending directions are a same direction. Light reflection patterns are different at a main ridge region 24 and a sub-ridge region 28.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sotaro Iwabuchi
  • Patent number: 10589571
    Abstract: A tire whose pressure-proofing performance and impact durability can be improved, is provided. The tire includes: a tire frame member which is made of resin and includes: a bead portion covering a bead core; a side portion extending outwardly in a tire radial direction from the bead portion; and a crown portion extending inwardly in a tire width direction from the side portion, and the tire also includes a reinforcing layer which includes plural cords covered by resin or rubber and which extends from the bead portion to the side portion of the tire frame member to cover at least an inner peripheral surface of the side portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seiji Kon, Yoshihide Kouno
  • Patent number: 10583696
    Abstract: A tire includes a bead portion with a bead core having a main bead filler and an auxiliary bead filler, and a carcass ply wrapped around a portion of the main bead filler. An end of the carcass ply is located axially outside the main bead filler and radially below an apex of the main bead filler. The auxiliary bead filler is located axially outside the carcass ply end, with an apex of the auxiliary bead filler being located above an apex of the main bead filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob L. Walters, Atsuo Suzuki, Adam K. Nesbitt, James F. Donahue
  • Patent number: 10576793
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a projection formed on a surface of a tire side portion. The projection includes a top surface, and first and second side surfaces respectively forming a side surface in a tire circumferential direction. A first side edge portion, where the top and first side surfaces intersect, has an inclination to a tire radial direction viewed in a tire width direction. A second side edge portion, where the top and second side surfaces intersect, has an inclination to the tire radial direction as viewed in the tire width direction. A first tip end angle made by the top surface and the first side surface on the first side edge portion, and a second tip end angle made by the top surface and the second side surface on the second side edge portion are 100° or less. The rotational direction of the pneumatic tire is not designated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: TOYO TIRE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Miyamoto, Hiroshi Nashio
  • Patent number: 10569603
    Abstract: This pneumatic tire (1) has a first profile (PL1) wherein land sections (3) located further inside in the tire width direction than right and left outermost circumferential main grooves (2) protrudes outward in the tire radius direction. In addition, the pneumatic tire has a second profile (PL2) wherein shoulder land sections (3) protrudes inward in the tire radius direction within a ground contact surface. The distance d in the tire radial direction from a line extending from the first profile (PL1) to the second profile (PL2) within the ground contact surface increases toward the outer side in the tire width direction. In addition, the distance (Gcc) from a tread profile (first profile (PL1)) within a tire equatorial plane (CL) to a tire inner circumferential surface and the distance (Gsh) from a tread end (P) to the tire inner circumferential surface have the relationship of 1.10?Gsh/Gcc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Kunugi
  • Patent number: 10562353
    Abstract: A tire constructed with a plurality of reinforcement belts is provided. At least one of the reinforcement belts extends along the axial width of the tire summit and is constructed according to an equilibrium curve that is flat throughout the summit. The reinforcement belts include cable reinforcements that are substantially parallel to the equatorial plane. Substantial reductions in the tension experienced by the cables can be achieved to provide, as a result, improvements in e.g., tread wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventors: William Bennett Clayton, Daniel McEachern Hicks, Timothy B. Rhyne
  • Patent number: 10556468
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes two plate-like members which have a plurality of through holes formed therein, and are adhered to each other by adhesion portions at least at two positions spaced apart from each other, and a supporting member which is inserted between the two plate-like members between the adhesion portions being adjacent to each other, wherein a part of an outer surface of one of the two plate-like members is attached to an inner surface of a tread portion so that a space is formed between the outer surface of the one of the two plate-like members that are adhered and the inner surface of the tread portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Toyo Tire Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 10549584
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a plate-like member in which a plurality of through holes and slits having both ends positioned within a plate surface are formed, and a supporting member which is inserted into the slits and supports plate-like portions in both sides of the slits in opposite directions to each other, wherein the plate-like member is attached to an inner surface of the tread portion by mounting portions which are respectively positioned closer to an outer side than both ends of the slits, so that a space is formed between the plate-like member and the inner surface of the tread portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Toyo Tire Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 10549583
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tubeless tire having a reinforced bead portion capable of reducing the stress applied to a portion contacting a rim flange and to an edge of a carcass. The tubeless tire includes a carcass turned up around a bead core, a bead filler filled in a space above the bead core surrounded by the carcass, a steel chafer disposed to contact an outer surface of the carcass, and a first reinforcing rubber layer provided between the bead core and the carcass in order to prevent a turnup portion of the carcass from being pulled downwards, the first reinforcing rubber layer being located around a portion of the bead core that is oriented toward a rim flange. The bead portion is improved in durability under a high-pneumatic-pressure condition by reducing the stress applied to interfaces of the edge of the carcass, the steel chafer and the nylon chafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: HANKOOK TIRE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jong Guk Kim
  • Patent number: 10543718
    Abstract: Tire comprising a crown reinforcement formed of at least two working crown layers each formed of reinforcing elements inserted between two skim layers of rubber compound. First layer S of polymer compound is in contact with a working crown layer and the carcass reinforcement. The crown reinforcement comprises a layer of circumferential reinforcing elements. The elastic modulus under tension at 10% elongation of a skim layer of a working crown layer is less than 8.5 MPa, the maximum value of tan(?) of the skim layer of a working crown layer is <0.100. First layer S comprises a filled elastomer blend having a macro dispersion coefficient Z?65 and a maximum tan(?) value <0.100 and its complex dynamic shear modulus G*, measured at 10% and 60° C. on the return cycle is >1.35 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: Hichem Rehab, Nathalie Salgues, Jacques Besson
  • Patent number: 10543719
    Abstract: A belt layer of a pneumatic tire includes a first main working belt, a second main working belt arranged at an outer side of the first main working belt in a tire-radial direction, and a reinforcement belt. A cord angle of the second main working belt differs from that of the first main working belt in a direction with respect to a tire-circumferential direction. A cord angle of the reinforcement belt is not smaller than 6 degrees and not larger than 9 degrees. A width of the reinforcement belt is equal to or wider than 50% of a tire-section width and not wider than either narrower one of the first and second main working belts. A width of a shoulder land portion is between 10% and 15% of a tread width which is a distance from a center of the tread portion to one end of the tread portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: TOYO TIRE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akinori Miyake
  • Patent number: 10532612
    Abstract: Tire comprising a crown reinforcement formed of at least two working crown layers of reinforcing elements. First layer C of rubber compound is placed between ends of the two working crown layers. Second layer S of polymer compound is in contact with at least one working crown layer and with the carcass reinforcement. The crown reinforcement includes at least one layer of circumferential reinforcing elements. The elastic modulus under tension at 10% elongation of first layer C is less than 8 MPa, the maximum value of tan(?) of first layer C is less than 0.100. The second layer S is made up of a filled elastomer blend having a macro dispersion coefficient Z greater than or equal to 65 and a maximum tan(?) value less than 0.100, and its complex dynamic shear modulus G*, measured at 10% and 60° C. on the return cycle, is greater than 1.35 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: Hichem Rehab, Nathalie Salgues, Jacques Besson
  • Patent number: 10525775
    Abstract: Tire comprising a crown reinforcement formed of two working crown layers having unequal axial widths, layer C of rubber compound between ends of the working crown layers, layer S of polymer compound in contact with at least one working crown layer and in contact with the carcass reinforcement and the crown reinforcement comprising a layer of circumferential reinforcing elements arranged radially between two working crown layers. Distance d between the end of the axially narrowest working layer and the working layer separated from the axially narrowest working layer by the layer C is 1.1ø<d<2.2ø, ø being the diameter of the reinforcing elements of the layer of circumferential reinforcing elements, in a meridian plane. The thickness of layer C is substantially constant and the complex dynamic shear modulus G*, measured at 10% and 60° C. on the return cycle, of layer S is greater than 1.35 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: Hichem Rehab, Jean-François Parmentier
  • Patent number: 10525776
    Abstract: An airless tire includes a tread ring having a cylindrical form and a ground contact surface. The tread ring has multiple through holes and a reinforcing body such that the through holes are penetrating through the tread ring in a thickness direction of the tread ring and formed at intervals along a tire circumferential direction and that the reinforcing body includes a first reinforcing body extending in the tire circumferential direction in regions between adjacent through holes, and the first reinforcing body is formed such that the first reinforcing body has end portions in the tire circumferential direction and that the end portions terminate without being exposed from inner peripheral surfaces of the through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Wako Iwamura, Makoto Sugiya