Abstract: A pneumatic tire tread with at least one circumferentially extending row of high stiffness blocks and one of low stiffness blocks where the low stiffness blocks are between 4 to 10% greater height than the high stiffness blocks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a set of tires for mounting on a vehicle which has at least two driven wheels and at least two steering wheels. The set of tires is characterized in that it comprises tires which have different tread designs for use on the left hand side and right hand side steering wheels. The different tread designs of the set of tires comprise a plurality of elongated relief element (6) which extend across the tread width (TW) with the direction of the major axis (8) of their central ellipse of inertia (7) making an angle .alpha.,.beta. with the mid-circumferential plane M--M of the tires. The present invention provides an optimum cornering stability for both left hand side and right hand side cornering for a vehicle being equipped with a set of tires according to the invention.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire (10) has a tread portion (11) which comprises a plurality of independent block elements. The block elements (17A,17B and 17C) can vary in size having different circumferential lengths and axial widths. The block elements are arranged in rows (18A,18B, and 18C) extending across the tread and each row comprises block elements having substantially the same circumferential length. The rows preferably contain different numbers of block elements such that a multiple of the circumferential length of the block elements in any row times the number of elements in that row is essentially a constant.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire (10) having a tread portion (11) including a continuous mid-circumferential rib (28), and primary grooves (22,23) on each side of said rib that form an "S" or "Z" shaped configuration diagonally across the tread portion. A plurality of blades (30) are arranged to extend in circumferentially spaced blade paths (34) across the tread. The blade paths (34) extend substantially continuously between the tread edges (12,13) in a diagonally opposite direction to the primary grooves (22,23) such that each primary groove is intersected by a plurality of blade paths.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a tread with a mid-circumferential plane and a plurality of circumferential grooves therein of two different configurations. The grooves of each configuration have differing widths and are interspersed together so that the total area of grooves on each side of said plane are equal.

Abstract: A tire having a tread pattern having a plurality of generally elliptically shaped grooves disposed such that one axis is substantially perpendicular to the mid-circumferential centerplane and the other axis is disposed closely adjacent the tread edge.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial passenger tire having a tread portion provided with a pair of tread edges spaced apart axially of the tire, the tread portion being provided with a plurality of main grooves associated with each tread edge spaced circumferentially apart. Each of the main grooves following substantially identical paths axially inwardly and circumferentially of the tire. Each main groove having an axially outer end which opens outwardly of the tread edge and an axially inner edge which terminates at a distance from its associated tread edge of at least forty percent (40%) of the tread width. Each main groove having a first branch and a second branch extending therefrom in a generally opposite circumferential direction from which said main grooves extend. The first branch extends from its main groove towards and terminating in communication with the next circumferentially adjacent groove.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial passenger tire having a ground-engaging portion, said tread portion being provided with a pair of substantially sinuous parallel grooves disposed in the central portion of the tire, one on each side of the mid-circumferential centerplane. Disposed axially outward of each of said grooves is an intermediate generally sinuous groove which extends about the circumference of said tire and is disposed such that alternate axially inner peaks coincide with the axially outer peaks of said central groove. An axially extending groove is provided at each of said axially outer peaks of each intermediate groove which extend out to the tread edge of said tire.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire wherein the tread portion comprises a plurality of independent projections arranged so as to provide a plurality of substantially axially extending grooves from the centerplane of the tire to the tread edge. The independent projections have a rigid portion and at least one flexible portion such that when a braking force is applied the flexible portion deforms so as to improve water drainage from the tread portion of the tire.