Abstract: A radial pneumatic light truck or automobile tire 10 having a tread 12 which has a plurality of traction elements 20,30 aligned in rows and separated by wide circumferential grooves 24 and a plurality of narrow laterally inclined grooves 26,36. Each traction element 20,30 is divided into at least three zigzag portions by a plurality of wavy patterned sipes 28,38. The wavy pattern of sipes 28 within the central rows of traction elements 20 are laterally extending. The wavy pattern sipes 38 in the shoulder rows are circumferentially extending. The preferred tire 10 has the laterally extending narrow grooves 26 being wavy and along with the wavy sipes 28 of a traction element 20 having peak amplitudes (A) aligned along a linear path (L) inclined at an angle .theta., relative to the equatorial plane (EP). Axially adjacent central rows of traction elements 20 are oppositely inclined.

Abstract: A radial pneumatic light truck or automobile tire 10 having a tread 12 which has a plurality of traction elements 20,30 aligned in rows and separated by wide circumferential grooves 24 and a plurality of narrow laterally inclined grooves 26,36. Each traction element 20,30 is divided into at least three zigzag portions by a plurality of wavy patterned sipes 28,38. The wavy pattern of sipes 28 within the central rows of traction elements 20 are laterally extending. The wavy pattern sipes 38 in the shoulder rows are circumferentially extending. The preferred tire 10 has the laterally extending narrow grooves 26 being wavy and along with the wavy sipes 28 of a traction element 20 having peak amplitudes (A) aligned along a linear path (L) inclined at an angle .theta., relative to the equatorial plane (EP). Axially adjacent central rows of traction elements 20 are oppositely inclined.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a tread with a block design suited for off-road use. The tire has a ground contacting tread portion with circumferentially extending grooves and laterally extending grooves comprising at least a portion of an S-shape, defining circumferentially extending rows of blocks. The blocks comprise a first, second and third portion; the laterally outer, first and third portions, having a trapezoidal shape, are linked together by the second portion, having a height which is lower than the height of said first and third portions. In a preferred embodiment the tread has six rows of blocks spaced by five circumferentially extending straight grooves.