Abstract: Disclosed herein, a pneumatic tire having a tread portion is described. The tread portion includes a generally circumferentially extending groove defined therein. The groove has a groove cross-section defined by a groove bottom, a first groove sidewall, hand a second groove sidewall. The second groove sidewall is opposite and substantially parallel to the first groove sidewall. The groove has a groove width defined between the first groove sidewall and the second groove sidewall. A plurality of stone rejectors extend between the first groove sidewall and the second groove sidewall. Each stone rejector in the plurality of stone rejectors is circumferentially spaced from an adjacent stone rejector. Each stone rejector includes a raised platform and a protrusion. The raised platform extends axially from the first groove sidewall to the second groove sidewall. The protrusion extends from a top surface of the raised platform.

Abstract: A tire includes a pair of sidewalls and a circumferential tread having a zigzag circumferential groove. The zigzag circumferential groove is defined by a groove bottom, a pair of groove walls, and a pair of groove edges defining an intersection between each groove wall and a top surface of the circumferential tread, wherein each of the groove edges smoothly widens and narrows along the groove. The circumferential tread has a first circumferential pitch with first and second circumferential pitch lengths. The first circumferential pitch includes a first zigzag circumferential groove segment and a second zigzag circumferential groove segment that form a first intersection angle. The second circumferential pitch includes a third zigzag circumferential groove segment and a fourth zigzag circumferential groove segment that form a second intersection angle different from the first intersection angle.

Abstract: A tire can include a three-dimensional sipe formed into a tire tread. The three-dimensional sipe can be formed in a tread element of the tire tread and can include a three-dimensional pattern. The three-dimensional sipe can have a first frequency of oscillation at a top end of the three-dimensional sipe and a second frequency of oscillation at a bottom end of the three-dimensional sipe with the first frequency of oscillation being different from the second frequency of oscillation.

Abstract: A tire includes a tire tread having a plurality of tread elements positioned thereon, and a plurality of grooves provided therebetween. A first set of sipes extend from a circumferential axis of the tire tread towards a first axial end of the tire tread at a non-zero angle with respect to an axial axis of the tire tread. A second set of sipes extend from the circumferential axis towards a second axial end of the tire tread opposite the first axial end at the non-zero angle such that a first sipe end of each of the first set of sipes may be positioned proximate to a second sipe end of each of the second set of sipes. Each of the first and second set of sipes extend beyond 50% of a half width of the tire, and have a sipe depth greater than 50% of a height of the plurality of tread elements.

Abstract: A tire includes a pair of sidewalls and a circumferential tread having a zigzag circumferential groove. The zigzag circumferential groove is defined by a groove bottom, a pair of groove walls, and a pair of groove edges defining an intersection between each groove wall and a top surface of the circumferential tread, wherein each of the groove edges smoothly widens and narrows along the groove. The circumferential tread has a first circumferential pitch with first and second circumferential pitch lengths. The first circumferential pitch includes a first zigzag circumferential groove segment and a second zigzag circumferential groove segment that form a first intersection angle. The second circumferential pitch includes a third zigzag circumferential groove segment and a fourth zigzag circumferential groove segment that form a second intersection angle different from the first intersection angle.

Abstract: A tread for use in a tire retread process includes a first side and a second, flat side. A plurality of lugs is formed on a first side of the tread and arranged along in a periodically repeating tread pattern. A set of marks is formed in at least one outer lug and defines a finite linear distance along the tread within which the tread is adapted to be cut into the length of tread, such that when the length of tread is deposited around the casing of the tire and the ends of the length of tread are placed in abutting relationship one relative to the other along a seam, the periodically repeating tread pattern appears substantially continuous. The set of marks is predetermined in advance of retreading to be located in positions where at least some of the performance and processing characteristics of the tread may be improved.