Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition, the vulcanization rubber composition comprising: 1) 100 parts by weight of elastomer consisting of 25 to 35 phr of a styrene-butadiene rubber, 25 to 35 phr of a polybutadiene, and 35 to 45 phr of a natural rubber or synthetic polyisoprene, wherein the styrene-butadiene rubber is a functionalized solution polymerized styrene-butadiene elastomer having a glass transition temperature Tg(A) ranging from ?30 to ?10° C. and having at least one functional group; the natural rubber or synthetic polyisoprene has a Tg(B) ranging from ?60 to ?70° C.; and the polybutadiene is a cis 1,4 polybutadiene having a Tg(C) ranging from ?110 to ?90° C., wherein Tg(A)?Tg(B)?25° C., and Tg(B)?Tg(C)?25° C.; 2) 60 to 80 phr of a prehydrophobated silica; 3) 1 to 10 phr of carbon black; 4) 1 to 3 phr of rubber processing oil; and 5) 5 to 25 phr of at least one hydrocarbon resin having a Tg?20° C.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition, the vulcanization rubber composition comprising: 1) 100 parts by weight of elastomer consisting of 25 to 35 phr of a styrene-butadiene rubber, 25 to 35 phr of a polybutadiene, and 35 to 45 phr of a natural rubber or synthetic polyisoprene, wherein the styrene-butadiene rubber is a functionalized solution polymerized styrene-butadiene elastomer having a glass transition temperature Tg(A) ranging from ?30 to ?10° C. and having at least one functional group; the natural rubber or synthetic polyisoprene has a Tg(B) ranging from ?60 to ?70° C.; and the polybutadiene is a cis 1,4 polybutadiene having a Tg(C) ranging from ?110 to ?90° C., wherein Tg(A)?Tg(B)?25° C., and Tg(B)?Tg(C)?25° C.; 2) 60 to 80 phr of a prehydrophobated silica; 3) 1 to 10 phr of carbon black; 4) 1 to 3 phr of rubber processing oil; and 5) 5 to 25 phr of at least one hydrocarbon resin having a Tg?20° C.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a tread base comprised of a first material, a tread cap comprised of a second material, and a plurality of plugs comprised of a third material. The tread cap is disposed radially outward of the tread base and in operational contact with a ground surface. The plurality of plugs are disposed at least partially within the tread cap. The plurality of plugs yield a tread stiffness in one direction greater than stiffness in at least one other direction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pneumatic tire with an outer, running surface containing, circumferential tread comprised of a styrene/butadiene (SBR) rich rubber composition containing two SBR's with spaced apart glass transition temperatures (Tg's), one of which is a functionalized SBR with a functional group reactive with hydroxyl groups on a precipitated silica, together with a combination of at least three resins with spaced apart softening points. The filler reinforcement is a combination of precipitated silica and specialized rubber reinforcing carbon black.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a tread base comprised of a first material, a tread cap comprised of a second material, and a plurality of plugs comprised of a third material. The tread cap is disposed radially outward of the tread base and in operational contact with a ground surface. The plurality of plugs are disposed at least partially within the tread cap. The plurality of plugs yield a tread stiffness in one direction greater than stiffness in at least one other direction.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a rubber tread of a cap/base construction comprised of an outer rubber tread cap layer containing an outer running surface and an underlying rubber tread base layer, wherein said tread cap layer is comprised of a plurality of circumferential, longitudinal rubber tread cap zones of graduated physical properties, wherein said tread cap zones individually extend from said tread cap running surface radially inward to said tread base layer; wherein said tread cap zones are comprised of two primary tread cap zones and one central tread cap zone; wherein said central tread cap zone is positioned between said primary tread cap zones and spans at least 14 percent of the total running surface of the tread cap layer, wherein said primary tread cap zones are of substantially equal widths and collectively span at least 50 percent of the total running surface of the tread cap layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having a rubber tread of a cap/base construction comprised of an outer rubber tread cap layer containing an outer running surface and an underlying rubber tread base layer, wherein said tread cap layer is comprised of a plurality of circumferential, longitudinal rubber tread cap zones of graduated physical properties, wherein said tread cap zones individually extend from said tread cap running surface radially inward to said tread base layer: wherein said tread cap zones are comprised of two primary tread cap zones and one central tread cap zone; wherein said central tread cap zone is positioned between said primary tread cap zones and spans at least 14 percent of the total running surface of the tread cap layer, wherein said primary tread cap zones are of substantially equal widths and collectively span at least 50 percent of the total running surface of the tread cap layer; wherein the central tread cap zone comprises a vulcanizable rubber composition

Abstract: This invention relates to a pneumatic tire with an outer, running surface containing, circumferential tread comprised of a styrene/butadiene (SBR) rich rubber composition containing two SBR's with spaced apart glass transition temperatures (Tg's), one of which is a functionalized SBR with a functional group reactive with hydroxyl groups on a precipitated silica, together with a combination of at least three resins with spaced apart softening points. The filler reinforcement is a combination of precipitated silica and specialized rubber reinforcing carbon black.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pneumatic rubber tire having a puncture resistant rubber sidewall. The said tire sidewall is comprised of an outer, visible annular configured sidewall rubber layer and an inner (non-visible) annular configured sidewall rubber layer integral with and underlying said outer sidewall rubber layer, wherein said inner sidewall rubber layer contains a dispersion of short fibers, wherein said short fibers are substantially aligned in parallel relationship to each other and substantially parallel to the said annular configuration of said inner sidewall rubber layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire with a tread of a cap/base construction comprised of a two-ply (dual layered) tread cap rubber layer comprised of a combination of an outer tread cap layer and an inner tread cap layer together with an underlying tread base rubber layer which underlies the two-ply tread cap layer. The tread cap layer is of a lug and groove configuration with at least a portion of the grooves extending through the outer tread cap layer into the inner tread cap layer without extending to the tread base rubber layer. The outer tread cap rubber layer is comprised of a carbon black-rich rubber composition to promote dry traction for the tread running surface. The inner tread cap layer is comprised of a softer silica-rich rubber composition to promote wet traction for tread running surface as the outer tread cap layer wears away to expose the softer inner tread cap layer.

Abstract: A pneumatic rubber tire containing at least one electrically conductive cord extending between its bead and tread portions to provide a path of least electrical resistance. The electrically conductive cord is comprised of at least one electrically conductive metal filament spirally wound around a centrally disposed core of at least one organic fiber. The electrically conductive cord does not extend to, and is exclusive of, an outer surface of the tire.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pneumatic rubber tire having a tread of a cap/base layered construction wherein said tire contains a first component as a tread cap layer having a running surface and at least two additional tire rubber components, wherein said tire components are comprised of rubber compositions which contain a maximum of 50 phr of reinforcing filler comprised of a maximum of 30 phr of rubber reinforcing carbon black. In one aspect, a purpose of such maximum of 30 phr of rubber reinforcing carbon black for said plurality of tire components is to promote a relatively low hysteresis property within said tire via such components to thereby promote relatively low rolling resistance for a pneumatic tire which contains such components. In practice, such additional tire components may be, for example, outer sidewall rubber layer, apex, chafer, belt ply and carcass ply components.

Abstract: A pneumatic rubber tire with a sidewall having an outer visible layer of a rubber composition of a relatively high electrical conductivity, wherein the tire sidewall contains an internal rubber strip of relatively high electrical conductivity. Said internal rubber strip extends radially outward from a rubber chafer component of the tire to a tread base layer component of a rubber tire tread of a cap/base configuration, wherein said chafer and tread base rubber compositions are of a relatively high electrical conductivity. The rubber strip thereby provides a path of increased electrical conductivity relative to said outer visible layer of the tire sidewall extending from the tire chafer to the tread base layer tire components.

Abstract: A pneumatic rubber tire with rubber component which contains an electrically conductive carbon black and aramid pulp of fibrillated aramid fibers. Such rubber component is selected from at least one of sidewall, tread base for a tire having a tread of a tread/base construction and apex.

Abstract: The invention relates to a truck or bus tire with a rubber tread of cap/base construction where the tread cap is composed of an emulsion polymerization prepared styrene/butadiene copolymer elastomer with a relatively random styrene content (E-SBR-A). Such E-SBR-A, in its uncured state, also has a relatively low Tg. In one aspect, the tire tread's tread cap may also be a blend of elastomers such as cis 1,4-polybutadiene and/or natural rubber together with said E-SBR-A and wherein the tread base elastomer is composed primarily of natural cis 1,4-polyisoprene rubber. In another aspect of the invention, said tread cap has a tread design composed of at least three circumferential continuous ribs designed to be road contacting, said ribs independently separated by continuous, circumferential grooves.