Abstract: A pneumatic tire tread has tread elements formed by circumferential and/or lateral grooves. At least one tread element has a sipe that devolves from a constant width sipe having a three dimensional aspect in at least a portion of the radially outer portion of the sipe to a wider width groove at the base of the tread feature.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire tread has tread elements formed by circumferential and/or lateral grooves. At least one tread element has a sipe that devolves from a constant width sipe having a three dimensional aspect in at least a portion of the radially outer portion of the sipe to a wider width groove at the base of the tread feature.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire tread has tread elements formed by circumferential and/or lateral grooves. At least one tread element has a sipe that devolves from a constant width sipe having a three dimensional aspect in at least a portion of the radially outer portion of the sipe to a wider width groove at the base of the tread feature.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a tire tread, the tread comprising grooves therein, the grooves forming tread elements, the tread having a radially outer surface and a non-skid tread depth as measured from the radially outer surface of the tread, and a radially innermost surface of the grooves, and one or more sunken grooves located radially inward and below the surface of the unworn tread, the tread comprised of a base tread compound, a radially outer compound, and a radially inner compound, wherein the intersection of the radially outer compound and the radially inner compound is wavy.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved device for molding keyhole sipes larger in size, i.e. sipes having a wider passage, than currently being formed in treads that will avoid damaging the tread during formation and removal thereof from a mold. The device includes an elongated deformable body member having a blade extending in a direction away therefrom and substantially along the length thereof. The body member also includes a stiffening member securely fixed in position therein that extends substantially the length thereof. The stiffening member provides a desired rigidity to the deformable body member, thereby limiting flexion along its length under the stress of a rubber formulation when the mold is closed during the molding process. Also, the deformable body member provides low stress on the tread when a slit of the keyhole sipe is pulled around the body member during removal of the tread from a mold.

Abstract: A mold and molding device for forming a sunken groove in a tire is provided. The molding device includes a thin flexible wire having a desired cross-sectional shape. The wire thickness can range from about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm. The flexible wire is preferably hyperelastic. An optional molding element may be connected to the flexible wire.

Abstract: A mold and molding device for forming a sunken groove in a tire is provided. The molding device includes a thin flexible wire having one or more molded elastomer elements thereon. The flexible wire is preferably hyperelastic and the molded elastomer is preferably silicone rubber.

Abstract: A tire has a tread with a plurality of ground engaging tread elements. In at least one of the tread elements is a sipe having a depth in the radial direction of the tire. The sipe has a crossed configuration comprised of two sipes. At least one of the sipes of the crossed sipe has a radially outer portion having three dimensional elements and a radially innermost portion have a substantially linear configuration. A blade useful for manufacturing the sipe has a crossed blade configuration with a configuration corresponding to the formed sipe.

Abstract: A tire mold and a molding device for forming a sunken groove in a tire are provided. The molding device includes one or more rigid elements joined to a flexible member. The flexible member is formed from a flexible material, preferably a superalloy, or hyperelastic material. The molding device may further comprise a magnet. A portion of the flexible member is positioned in contact with a first surface of a relief forming element of a mold and the rigid element has a mating surface in mating contact with a second surface of the relief forming element. The mold further may further comprise a second relief forming element positioned adjacent the first relief forming element, wherein the rigid element further includes an outer surface in mating contact with a surface of said second relief forming element.

Abstract: A tire mold and a molding device for forming a sunken groove in a tire are provided. The molding device includes one or more rigid elements joined to a flexible member along an attachment point or line on the connecting surface of the rigid element. The flexible member is formed from a flexible material, preferably a superalloy, or hyperelastic material. If multiple rigid elements are utilized, the rigid elements are closely spaced together such that a portion of the opposed walls are in mating contact with an adjacent rigid element.

Abstract: A tire mold and a molding device for forming a sunken groove, sipe in a tire is provided. The molding device molding device comprises a flexible member and a blade element, the flexible member having a distal end for mounting to a tire mold, a radiused midsection and a second end, wherein a portion of the second end is embedded within the blade element, the blade element having a lower surface with a cutout to allow bending of the flexible member.

Abstract: A mold and molding device for forming a sunken groove in a tire is provided. The molding device includes a thin flexible wire having a desired cross-sectional shape. The wire thickness can range from about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm. The flexible wire is preferably hyperelastic. An optional molding element may be connected to the flexible wire.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a tread; the tread has a plurality of grooves, creating an initial tread configuration. The grooves and the tread elements formed thereby result in a tread have a net-to-gross ratio in the range of greater than 60%. Due to variations in the depths and variations in the heights and formations of the tread elements, after the tread has been worn, the tread has a net-to-gross ratio in the range of less than 60%.

Abstract: A tire mold and a molding device for forming a sunken groove in a tire are provided. The molding device includes one or more rigid elements joined to a flexible member. The flexible member is formed from a flexible material, preferably a superalloy, or hyperelastic material. The molding device may further comprise a magnet. A portion of the flexible member is positioned in contact with a first surface of a relief forming element of a mold and the rigid element has a mating surface in mating contact with a second surface of the relief forming element. The mold further may further comprise a second relief forming element positioned adjacent the first relief forming element, wherein the rigid element further includes an outer surface in mating contact with a surface of said second relief forming element.

Abstract: A tire mold and a molding device for forming a sunken groove in a tire are provided. The molding device includes one or more rigid elements joined to a flexible member along an attachment point or line on the connecting surface of the rigid element. The flexible member is formed from a flexible material, preferably a superalloy, or hyperelastic material. If multiple rigid elements are utilized, the rigid elements are closely spaced together such that a portion of the opposed walls are in mating contact with an adjacent rigid element.

Abstract: A tire mold and a molding device for forming a sunken groove, sipe in a tire is provided. The molding device molding device comprises a flexible member and a blade element, the flexible member having a distal end for mounting to a tire mold, a radiused midsection and a second end, wherein a portion of the second end is embedded within the blade element, the blade element having a lower surface with a cutout to allow bending of the flexible member.

Abstract: A mold and molding device for forming a sunken groove in a tire is provided. The molding device includes a thin flexible wire having one or more molded elastomer elements thereon. The flexible wire is preferably hyperelastic and the molded elastomer is preferably silicone rubber.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a tread with plurality of grooves creating tread elements therein and defining a non-skid tread depth measured from the radially outer surface of the tread to the radially innermost surface of the grooves. Groove voids are located radially inward of the tread surface. The groove voids do not extend to the unworn tread surface and have a primary axis of orientation along the circumferential length of the tread. The primary axis of orientation of the groove voids is 0°-35° relative to the equatorial plane of the tire. The groove voids are aligned such that, when the tire tread is worn to a depth wherein the groove voids are exposed, a groove is created in the tread. The created groove extends in the circumferential direction and has a circumferential length greater than the length between the leading and trailing edges of the tread footprint.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tire having an electrically non-conductive tread which contains an electrically conductive rubber strip which extends through at least a portion of the tread to its running surface in a wave configured shape, and therefore not a continuous straight line within said tread, in which at least a portion of the rubber strip is in a shape of, for example, a substantially sinusoidal, cycloidal and/or zigzag form, to thereby provide a mechanical self-locking configuration between tread segments through which the rubber strip extends and divides. In particular, said tread is composed of a cap/base configuration. The outer cap layer is of a relatively electrically non-conductive rubber composition having a running surface intended to be ground-contacting. The tread base layer, underlying the tread cap layer, is of a relatively electrically conductive rubber composition and is not normally intended to be ground-contacting.

Abstract: A tire has a tread with a plurality of ground engaging tread elements. In at least one of the tread elements is a sipe having a depth in the radial direction of the tire. The sipe has a crossed configuration comprised of two sipes. At least one of the sipes of the crossed sipe has a radially outer portion having three dimensional elements and a radially innermost portion have a substantially linear configuration. A blade useful for manufacturing the sipe has a crossed blade configuration with a configuration corresponding to the formed sipe.