Abstract: A tire electronics assembly includes a base and a plurality of modules. The base is mechanically attached to the tire and includes an electronic device. A plurality of mechanical attachment elements are arranged on the base in a circular array. Each module includes an electronic device and a mechanical attachment element. Each mechanical attachment element on a module is configured to releasably mechanically attach to any one of the mechanical attachment elements on the base. In this configuration, the modules are interchangeably mechanically attachable to the base in the circular array. The base further includes a plurality of electrical terminals arranged in a circular array. Each module has an electrical terminal that is configured to releasably electrically connect with any one of the electrical terminals on the base, whereby the modules are interchangeably electrically connectable with the base in the circular array.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to tire tread blocks each having a sipe and cut-out portions that reveal a three dimensional sipe pattern on interior walls of the tread block. More particularly, the sipe defines the interior walls of the tread block and divides the tread block into first and second portions. The sipe further defines the sipe pattern on the interior walls of the tread block, on the first and second portions. The cut-out portions are located on the first and second portions, and expose the sipe patterns on the second and first portions, respectively.

Abstract: An electronics assembly includes a base and a plurality of modules. The base is configured for mechanical attachment to a tire. The base includes an electronic device, and also includes a mechanical attachment element. Each module includes an electronic device, a lower mechanical attachment element, and an upper mechanical attachment element. The lower mechanical attachment element on each one of the modules is configured for attachment to the upper mechanical attachment element on any other one of the modules. In this configuration, the modules are interchangeably mechanically attachable to each other in a stacked arrangement. Each lower mechanical attachment element is also configured for attachment to the mechanical attachment element on the base. The modules are thus mechanically attachable to the base interchangeably with each other, which enables any one of the modules to be installed as the lowermost module in the stacked arrangement.

Abstract: A tire electronics assembly includes a base and a plurality of modules. The base is mechanically attached to the tire and includes an electronic device. The base also includes a plurality of mechanical attachment elements arranged side-by-side in a row. Each module includes an electronic device and a mechanical attachment element. Each mechanical attachment element on a module is configured to releasably mechanically attach to any one of the mechanical attachment elements on the base. In this configuration, the modules are interchangeably mechanically attachable to the base in side-by side positions in row. The base further includes a plurality of electrical contacts arranged side-by-side in a row. Each module has an electrical contact that is configured to releasably electrically connect with any one of the electrical contacts on the base, whereby the modules are interchangeably electrically connectable with the base in side-by-side positions in a row.

Abstract: A tire electronics assembly includes a base and a plurality of modules. The base is mechanically attached to the tire and includes an electronic device. A plurality of mechanical attachment elements are arranged on the base in a circular array. Each module includes an electronic device and a mechanical attachment element. Each mechanical attachment element on a module is configured to releasably mechanically attach to any one of the mechanical attachment elements on the base. In this configuration, the modules are interchangeably mechanically attachable to the base in the circular array. The base further includes a plurality of electrical terminals arranged in a circular array. Each module has an electrical terminal that is configured to releasably electrically connect with any one of the electrical terminals on the base, whereby the modules are interchangeably electrically connectable with the base in the circular array.

Abstract: An electronics assembly is provided for use with a tire. The assembly includes a plurality of printed circuit boards, each of which includes an electronic device configured to sense a condition of the tire. Attachment pegs are provided to attach the printed circuit boards together in stacked positions that are spaced apart by the attachment pegs. Each attachment peg has a lower end portion configured to attach to any one of the printed circuit boards. Each attachment peg further has an upper end portion configured to attach to any other one of the printed circuit boards. This enables the printed circuit boards to be attached interchangeably between the stacked positions.

Abstract: A modular non-pneumatic tire includes a first annular tire module and a second annular tire module coaxial with the first annular tire module. The first annular tire module includes a first inner ring, a first outer ring coaxial with the first inner ring, first support structure extending between the first inner ring and the first outer ring, and a first circumferential tread extending about the first outer ring. The second annular tire module includes a second inner ring, a second outer ring coaxial with the second inner ring, second support structure extending between the second inner ring and the second outer ring, and a second circumferential tread extending about the second outer ring. The first and second circumferential treads are asymmetrical. The first circumferential tread has a first orientation and the second circumferential tread has a second orientation that is different from the first orientation.

Abstract: A tire and wheel assembly includes a wheel having a portal and a tire mounted on the wheel, thereby forming a cavity. The assembly further includes a deflection sensor mounted on the wheel over the portal, at a location outside the cavity such that no portion of the deflection sensor is inside the cavity.

Abstract: A tire comprising a tread is provided, the tread having a first rib and a second rib. A plurality of axial grooves traverse each rib, dividing each rib into a plurality of tread blocks. Further, each tread block includes one or more block sidewalls and a block tread surface. A circumferential groove is positioned between the first rib and the second rib, which includes a groove bottom bound by the one or more block sidewalls. In addition, a first protrusion is positioned on a first block sidewall of a tread block of the first rib, wherein the first protrusion has a first top surface, and the first top surface is radially offset from the block tread surface. Further, the first protrusion has a first radial surface that extends radially inward from the first top surface at a first angle.

Abstract: A tire is provided comprising a tread. The tread includes a rib having a first axially-facing side and a second axially-facing side. A plurality of axial grooves traverse the rib, dividing the rib into a plurality of tread blocks. Each tread block includes one or more block sidewalls, where the one or more block sidewalls of each tread block includes a first axially-facing block sidewall and a second axially-facing block sidewall. A first circumferential groove is positioned on the first axially-facing side of the rib and a second circumferential groove positioned on the second axially-facing side of the rib. Furthermore, a first circumferentially-extending channel is provided on the first axially-facing block sidewall of each tread block and having an opening at the first circumferential groove and a first corner within each tread block. The first channel is defined by two walls that extend from the block sidewall into each tread block and intersect to form the first corner having about a 90 degree angle.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatuses for creating a visual effect on a rubber article are disclosed. In one embodiment, a rubber article having a visual effect is provided, the rubber article comprising: a surface having at least one surface feature; and wherein the at least one surface feature comprises a plurality of linear elements creating a camouflage-shaped appearance.