Abstract: The invention provides a pneumatic tire having a tire tread with a ground engaging outer surface. The tread further has a first or central tread zone located on the central or crown portion of the tread and formed of a first rubber compound. Additionally, the tread has a second or shoulder tread zone located axially outward of the first or central tread zone on each lateral end of the tread. The second or shoulder tread zone is formed of a second rubber compound. In one example, the first rubber compound has a G? (at 50% strain) in the range of 1.6 to 1.8 MPa. In another example, the second rubber compound has a G? (at 100% strain) in the range of 800 to 830 KPa.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire and wheel assembly including a wheel having a first and second bead ring, a non-pneumatic tire having a shear band and tread forming a tread band, and a first and second sidewall region; wherein the first and second sidewall regions each extend from the tread band and terminate into a first and second respective bead area, wherein the first and second bead area are each mounted on the first and second bead ring, respectively; wherein each bead area is located axially outward of the crown region of the non-pneumatic tire when mounted on the wheel, and wherein the first and second sidewall each have an upper sidewall region that is uncoupled from the outer lateral ends of the tread band.

Abstract: A tire having a jointless cut protector belt, wherein the jointless cut protector belt is continuously wound using a strip of one or more reinforcement cords, wherein the strip of one or more reinforcement cords is wavy, extending primarily in the circumferential direction, and preferably wound in a sine wave pattern.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly having a wheel having a first and second bead ring, wherein the non-pneumatic tire has a crown region and a first and second sidewall region; wherein the first and second sidewall regions each extend from the crown and terminate into a first and second respective bead area, wherein the first and second bead area are each mounted on the first and second bead ring, respectively; wherein each bead area is located axially outward of the crown region of the non-pneumatic tire when mounted on the wheel, and wherein the non-pneumatic tire further includes a reinforcement ply which extends from the first bead area to the second bead area.

Abstract: A die for a polymer mixing machine includes first and second opposing surfaces. Each defines first cylindrical portions and second V-shaped portions interspaced between each first portion. The first and second opposing surfaces produce a ply with first portions thicker than second portions and throated portions therebetween.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a carcass and a belt reinforcing structure, the belt reinforcing structure comprising: a zigzag belt reinforcing structure formed of a strip of one or more reinforcement cords, the strip of one or more reinforcement cords being inclined at 5 to 30 degrees relative to the centerplane of the tire extending in alternation to turnaround points at each lateral edge, wherein the zigzag strip of cords is formed from two different reinforcement cords made of different materials, and a low angle belt of the tire has a higher EPI than the zigzag belt.

Abstract: A tire includes a pair of axially spaced apart annular bead cores, a carcass ply extending around both bead cores, a tread for engaging a contact surface and being disposed radially outward of the carcass ply, and a belt structure disposed radially between the carcass ply and the tread. The carcass ply includes a plurality of cords embedded in a polymer matrix. The carcass ply has a first radially upper surface and a second radially lower surface disposed opposite the first surface. The first surface defines first portions and second portions interspaced between each first portion. Each first portion has a thickness greater than each second portion thereby forming throated portions between each cord of the plurality of cords.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a carcass and a belt reinforcing structure, the belt reinforcing structure comprising: a zigzag belt reinforcing structure formed of a strip of one or more reinforcement cords, the strip of one or more reinforcement cords being inclined at 5 to 30 degrees relative to the centerplane of the tire extending in alternation to turnaround points at each lateral edge, wherein the zigzag strip of cords is formed from two different reinforcement cords made of different materials, and a low angle belt of the tire has a higher EPI than the zigzag belt.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a carcass and a belt reinforcing structure, the belt reinforcing structure comprising: a zigzag belt reinforcing structure formed of a strip of one or more reinforcement cords, the strip of one or more reinforcement cords being inclined at 5 to 30 degrees relative to the centerplane of the tire extending in alternation to turnaround points at each lateral edge, wherein the zigzag strip of cords is formed from two different reinforcement cords made of different materials, and a low angle belt of the tire has a higher EPI than the zigzag belt.

Abstract: A method of building a tire on a second stage tire building drum is disclosed. The method employs the steps of mounting a green cylindrically shaped tire carcass onto a tire building drum so that each bead are seated in a respective bead pocket segment, inflating the carcass under low pressure and expanding the carcass into engagement with tread and belt assembly while allowing the one or more of the hubs or one or more of the bead pocket segments to freely slide in the axial direction.

Abstract: A method of forming a tire having a first and second bead on a tire building drum is disclosed. The method includes the steps of applying a green tire carcass onto the tire building drum, said tire building drum having a left and right hub, each hub having a bead pocket. The method includes the steps of placing the first and second bead onto a first and second respective bead pocket of the tire building drum and then inflating the carcass into engagement with a belt and tread package while moving at least one of the left and right hubs in the axial direction at a controlled velocity towards the other respective hub.

Abstract: A second stage tire building drum is disclosed. The second stage tire building drum comprises a first and second hub, wherein each hub is mounted on a central shaft of the second stage tire building drum. Each hub is axially movable and has a bead receiving mechanism. The bead receiving mechanism includes one or more bead segments, wherein each bead segment has a pocket.

Abstract: A second stage tire building drum is disclosed. The tire building drum has two hubs with an inner sleeve mounted to a central shaft of the tire building drum and configured for axial movement. At least one of the hubs is configured for free axial movement. Preferably, each hub further include a sliding sleeve mounted on the inner sleeve for unconstrained sliding in the axial direction relative to the inner sleeve. Preferably, each hub has a bead receiving mechanism mounted on the sliding sleeve and comprised of one or more segments that are radially expandable. Preferably, each segment has a pocket with a curved surface for receiving a bead.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a carcass and a belt reinforcing structure, the belt reinforcing structure comprising: a zigzag belt reinforcing structure formed of a strip of one or more reinforcement cords, the strip of one or more reinforcement cords being inclined at 5 to 30 degrees relative to the centerplane of the tire extending in alternation to turnaround points at each lateral edge, wherein the zigzag strip of cords may be formed from two different reinforcement cords made of different materials, and the lateral edges of the strip are preferably pointed or triangular in shape.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a carcass and a belt reinforcing structure, the belt reinforcing structure comprising: a zigzag belt reinforcing structure formed of a strip of one or more reinforcement cords, the strip of one or more reinforcement cords being inclined at 5 to 30 degrees relative to the centerplane of the tire extending in alternation to turnaround points at each lateral edge, wherein the zigzag strip of cords is formed from two different reinforcement cords made of different materials, and a low angle belt of the tire has a higher EPI than the zigzag belt.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire in accordance with the present invention includes two annular bead portions, a carcass, and a belt reinforcement layer. The carcass extends between the bead portions through sidewall portions and a tread portion. The carcass includes at least two axially inner plies which extend down from the tread and axially inward of the bead core, said at least two axially inner plies being wound around the bead core forming respective turn-ups, each turnup being located axially outward of the bead core. The carcass further including a first axially outer ply which extends down from the tread towards the bead core and positioned axially outward of the bead core, wherein the axially outer ply is separated from at least one of the turnups by a spacer layer.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a carcass and a belt reinforcing structure, the belt reinforcing structure comprising: a zigzag belt reinforcing structure formed of a strip of reinforcement cords, the strip of reinforcement cords being inclined at 5 to 30 degrees relative to the centerplane of the tire extending in alternation to turnaround points at each lateral edge, wherein the strip of cords is formed from two different cords made of different materials.