Abstract: A tire including a tread wear indicator is provided. The tire includes a pair of sidewalls extending to a tread, and the tread includes a plurality of angular circumferential grooves comprised of circumferential groove segments. The tread wear indicator is formed in a selected one of the circumferential groove segments and extends across the groove segment. The indicator includes a plurality of step elements descending from a radially outward surface of the tread toward the bottom of the groove segment. Each step element includes an axially-extending surface approximately parallel to and radially inward of the radially outward surface of the tread, and a radially-extending surface approximately perpendicular to the axially-extending surface. The axially-extending surface of each step element is formed with indicia that are visible before tire wear commences.

Abstract: A tire including a tread wear indicator is provided. A first cutout is formed in a wall of a first selected tread element and faces a selected segment of a circumferential groove. A second cutout is formed in a wall of a second selected tread element and is opposite the first cutout. An indicator is formed in and extends across the selected circumferential groove segment and the first and second cutouts. The indicator includes a plurality of step elements descending from a radially outward surface of the tread toward the bottom of the groove segment. Each step element includes an axially-extending surface approximately parallel to and radially inward of the radially outward surface of the tread, and a radially-extending surface approximately perpendicular to the axially-extending surface. The axially-extending surface of each step element is formed with indicia that are visible before tire wear commences.

Abstract: The invention is directed to pneumatic tires for heavy vehicle service that include a carcass, a tread disposed radially outward of the carcass, a sidewall intersecting the tread at a shoulder, and a belt reinforcing structure positioned radially between the carcass and the tread. The belt reinforcing structure includes four belt layers, each layer reinforced by parallel cords the four belts characterized by their cord orientation and angles. A first radially inner belt layer, an adjacent second belt layer overlaying the first belt layer and a third belt layer overlaying the second belt layer are all oriented directionally extending right (R) relative to an equatorial center plane of the tire, a fourth radially outer belt layer overlaying the third belt layer has cords directionally extending left (L). The pneumatic tires of the invention containing these belt layers have improved crown durability and stiffness while maintaining the same overall tire weight.

Abstract: The invention is directed to pneumatic tires for heavy vehicle service that include a carcass, a tread disposed radially outward of the carcass, a sidewall intersecting the tread at a shoulder, and a belt reinforcing structure positioned radially between the carcass and the tread. The belt reinforcing structure includes four belt layers, each layer reinforced by parallel cords the four belts characterized by their cord orientation and angles. A first radially inner belt layer, an adjacent second belt layer overlaying the first belt layer and a third belt layer overlaying the second belt layer are all oriented directionally extending right (R) relative to an equatorial center plane of the tire, a fourth radially outer belt layer overlaying the third belt layer has cords directionally extending left (L). The pneumatic tires of the invention containing these belt layers have improved crown durability and stiffness while maintaining the same overall tire weight.

Abstract: The invention is directed to pneumatic tires for heavy vehicle service that include a carcass, a tread disposed radially outward of the carcass, a sidewall intersecting the tread at a shoulder, and a belt reinforcing structure positioned radially between the carcass and the tread. The belt reinforcing structure includes four belt layers, each layer reinforced by parallel cords the four belts characterized by their cord orientation and angles. A first radially inner belt layer, an adjacent second belt layer overlaying the first belt layer and a third belt layer overlaying the second belt layer are all oriented directionally extending right (R) relative to an equatorial center plane of the tire, a fourth radially outer belt layer overlaying the third belt layer has cords directionally extending left (L). The pneumatic tires of the invention containing these belt layers have improved crown durability and stiffness while maintaining the same overall tire weight.

Abstract: The invention is directed to pneumatic tires for heavy vehicle service that include a carcass, a tread disposed radially outward of the carcass, a sidewall intersecting the tread at a shoulder, and a belt reinforcing structure positioned radially between the carcass and the tread. The belt reinforcing structure includes four belt layers, each layer reinforced by parallel cords the four belts characterized by their cord orientation and angles. A first radially inner belt layer, an adjacent second belt layer overlaying the first belt layer and a third belt layer overlaying the second belt layer are all oriented directionally extending right (R) relative to an equatorial center plane of the tire, a fourth radially outer belt layer overlaying the third belt layer has cords directionally extending left (L). The pneumatic tires of the invention containing these belt layers have improved crown durability and stiffness while maintaining the same overall tire weight.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to light weight tire devices comprising a plurality of layers of steel belts. The layers are each a predetermined fraction of the footprint width, and the width of each layer can vary from one layer to another. Some embodiments also include a pair of wedge strips disposed between two reinforcing layers. Furthermore, some embodiments can include a split belt, wherein the gap between the split belts is substantially occupied by a gum strip. Additionally, the belt ply cords can be angled according to one or more patterns.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to light weight tire devices comprising a plurality of layers of steel belts. The layers are each a predetermined fraction of the footprint width, and the width of each layer can vary from one layer to another. Some embodiments also include a pair of wedge strips disposed between two reinforcing layers. Furthermore, some embodiments can include a split belt, wherein the gap between the split belts is substantially occupied by a gum strip. Additionally, the belt ply cords can be angled according to one or more patterns.

Abstract: A medium truck tire (10) and more specifically a super single truck tire (10) includes belt plies (23, 24, 25) reinforced with steel cords which make an angle comprised between 0° and 5° with respect to the equatorial plane. Disposed radially outermost over the belt plies (23, 24, 25) is at least one substantially full spiral helically wound layer (22). The steel of the reinforcing cords comprises high elongation steel. The spliced belt plies (23, 24, 25) are in a RLL configuration making angles comprised between 45° and 75° with respect to the equatorial plane angular direction of the inwardmost ply (25) oppositely disposed relative to the outer plies (23, 24). The helically would layer(s) (22) are disposed over the outermost L ply (23) and have a width substantially 100% of the footprint width of the tire tread.

Abstract: A medium truck tire (10) and more specifically a super single truck tire (10) includes belt plies (22, 23, 25) reinforced with steel cords which make an angle comprised between 0° and 5° with respect to the equatorial plane. Disposed between in embedded fashion between two of the belt plies (23, 25) is a pair of substantially full spiral helically wound overlays (24). The steel of the reinforcing cords comprises high elongation steel. The spliced belt plies (22, 23, 25) are in a RLL configuration making angles comprised between 45° and 75° with respect to the equatorial plane angular direction of the inwardmost ply (25) oppositely disposed relative to the outer plies (22, 23). The helically would layers (24) are disposed between the inwardmost R ply (25) and a radially outward L ply (23).