Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire 1, comprising at least one pair of parallel annular beads 3; at least one carcass ply wrapped 5 around said beads 3; a tread 7; and first and second sidewalls 9 disposed between said tread 7 and one of said at least one pair of beads 3. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the tread comprises tread blocks 11 and/or tread ribs 12, wherein the tread blocks 11 and/or tread ribs 12 comprise sipes 13 extending essentially in an axial direction A of the tire 1, the sipes 13 consisting of an upper portion 15 essentially aligned with the radial direction R of the tire and a lower portion 17 inclined in the direction of rotation D of the tire 1.

Abstract: The invention provides a tire tread, the tread having at least one circumferentially extending or laterally extending main groove, the maximum radial depth of the at least one main groove defining a non-skid tread depth, the at least one main groove partially forming at least one tread element, the at least one tread element having a sipe therein, wherein the sipe has a first portion having a first and second opposed side, and a third side joining said first and second side, and said sipe further including a continuous tubular pathway bordering said first, second and third side. The invention further includes a blade for molding a tire, the blade comprising a first portion having a first and second opposed side, and a third side joining said first and second side, and said blade further including a continuous tubular pathway extending along the third side and partially extending along at least one of the first and second side.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire 1, comprising at least one pair of parallel annular beads 3; at least one carcass ply wrapped 5 around said beads 3; a tread 7; and first and second sidewalls 9 disposed between said tread 7 and one of said at least one pair of beads 3. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the tread comprises tread blocks 11 and/or tread ribs 12, wherein the tread blocks 11 and/or tread ribs 12 comprise sipes 13 extending essentially in an axial direction A of the tire 1, the sipes 13 consisting of an upper portion 15 essentially aligned with the radial direction R of the tire and a lower portion 17 inclined in the direction of rotation D of the tire 1.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire 1, comprising at least one pair of parallel annular beads 3; at least one carcass ply wrapped 5 around said beads 3; a tread 7; and first and second sidewalls 9 disposed between said tread 7 and one of said at least one pair of beads 3. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the tread comprises tread blocks 11 and/or tread ribs 12, wherein the tread blocks 11 and/or tread ribs 12 comprise sipes 13 extending essentially in an axial direction A of the tire 1, the sipes 13 consisting of an upper portion 15 essentially aligned with the radial direction R of the tire and a lower portion 17 inclined in the direction of rotation D of the tire 1.

Abstract: The invention provides a tire tread, the tread having at least one circumferentially extending or laterally extending main groove, the maximum radial depth of the at least one main groove defining a non-skid tread depth, the at least one main groove partially forming at least one tread element, the at least one tread element having a sipe therein, wherein the sipe has a first portion having a first and second opposed side, and a third side joining said first and second side, and said sipe further including a continuous tubular pathway bordering said first, second and third side. The invention further includes a blade for molding a tire, the blade comprising a first portion having a first and second opposed side, and a third side joining said first and second side, and said blade further including a continuous tubular pathway extending along the third side and partially extending along at least one of the first and second side.

Abstract: A tread for a pneumatic tire includes a first circumferentially continuous groove, a second circumferentially continuous groove, a central rib interposed between the two circumferentially continuous grooves and extending continuously around a circumference of the tread, a first circumferentially extending shoulder rib disposed laterally outside of the first circumferentially continuous groove, and a second circumferentially extending shoulder rib disposed laterally outside of the second circumferentially continuous groove. The central rib has a plurality of circumferentially spaced sipes arranged in a first circumferential row and a second circumferential row. The sipes of the first row originate at the first circumferentially continuous groove and the sipes of the second row originate at the second circumferentially continuous groove. The sipes of both the first and second rows extend axially inward to a circumferentially extending and continuous variable center groove.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire 1, comprising at least one pair of parallel annular beads 3; at least one carcass ply wrapped 5 around said beads 3; a tread 7; and first and second sidewalls 9 disposed between said tread 7 and one of said at least one pair of beads 3. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the tread comprises tread blocks 11 and/or tread ribs 12, wherein the tread blocks 11 and/or tread ribs 12 comprise sipes 13 extending essentially in an axial direction A of the tire 1, the sipes 13 consisting of an upper portion 15 essentially aligned with the radial direction R of the tire and a lower portion 17 inclined in the direction of rotation D of the tire 1.