Patents by Inventor Kohtaro Matsushita

Kohtaro Matsushita has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10500903
    Abstract: In a pneumatic tire, land portions have a plurality of sipes and at least one row of land portions in an inner side region is provided with sipes having a 3D structure. Also, the snow traction index (STI) with respect to the tire circumferential direction throughout the entire tread portion is in the range of 100?STI. Also, the sipe component (STI_s_out) of the snow traction index (STI) in an outer side region and the sipe component (STI_s_in) of the snow traction index (STI) in the inner side region have the relationship of 1.1?STI_s_in/STI_s_out. Also, the peripheral length ratio PLR_out of the three-dimensional structure portion in the outer side region and the peripheral length ratio PLR_in of the three-dimensional structure portion in the inner side region have the relationship of 1.1?PLR_in/PLR_out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Kohtaro Matsushita
  • Patent number: 9038680
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes first and second side members at first and second sides and a tread section between the first and second side members. The tread section has a tread pattern including a pair of main grooves extending linearly in a circumferential direction of the tire and a land section extending in the circumferential direction between the main grooves. The land section includes a sub groove extending in the circumferential direction without connecting to the main grooves, and a first sipe connecting between the sub groove and one of the main grooves. The sub groove includes a first groove section extending diagonally toward the first side at 0 to 30 degrees with respect to the circumferential direction and a second groove section connecting to the first groove section and extending diagonally toward the second side at 10 to 45 degrees with respect to the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kohtaro Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20150041034
    Abstract: In a pneumatic tire, land portions have a plurality of sipes and at least one row of land portions in an inner side region is provided with sipes having a 3D structure. Also, the snow traction index (STI) with respect to the tire circumferential direction throughout the entire tread portion is in the range of 100?STI. Also, the sipe component (STI_s_out) of the snow traction index (STI) in an outer side region and the sipe component (STI_s_in) of the snow traction index (STI) in the inner side region have the relationship of 1.1?STI_s_in/STI_s_out. Also, the peripheral length ratio PLR_out of the three-dimensional structure portion in the outer side region and the peripheral length ratio PLR_in of the three-dimensional structure portion in the inner side region have the relationship of 1.1?PLR_in/PLR_out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Kohtaro Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20120261045
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes first and second side members at first and second sides and a tread section between the first and second side members. The tread section has a tread pattern including a pair of main grooves extending linearly in a circumferential direction of the tire and a land section extending in the circumferential direction between the main grooves. The land section includes a sub groove extending in the circumferential direction without connecting to the main grooves, and a first sipe connecting between the sub groove and one of the main grooves. The sub groove includes a first groove section extending diagonally toward the first side at 0 to 30 degrees with respect to the circumferential direction and a second groove section connecting to the first groove section and extending diagonally toward the second side at 10 to 45 degrees with respect to the circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kohtaro MATSUSHITA
  • Patent number: 8281828
    Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire capable of providing improved lateral sliding resistance on snow, improved traction on snow, and improved uneven-wear resistance. The provided tire includes: at least one circumferential main groove formed in a tread portion and extending in the tire-circumferential direction; and plural columns of land areas defined in the tread portion by the circumferential main groove. Plural lug grooves and plural sipes are formed in at least one of the plural land-area columns. Each of the lug grooves extends in the tire-width direction. At least one end of each lug groove is formed as a dead end located in the corresponding land area. Each of the sipes extends so as to surround the corresponding lug groove. Each sipe intersects with the lug groove in question, and is communicatively connected to the corresponding single one of the circumferential main grooves at the two ends of the sipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kohtaro Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20090301621
    Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire capable of providing improved lateral sliding resistance on show, improved traction on snow, and improved uneven-wear resistance. The provided tire includes: at least one circumferential main groove formed in a tread portion and extending in the tire-circumferential direction; and plural columns of land areas defined in the tread portion by the circumferential main groove. Plural lug grooves and plural sipes are formed in at least one of the plural land-area columns. Each of the lug grooves extends in the tire-width direction. At least one end of each lug groove is formed as a dead end located in the corresponding land area. Each of the sipes extends so as to surround the corresponding lug groove. Each sipe intersects with the lug groove in question, and is communicatively connected to the corresponding single one of the circumferential main grooves at the two ends of the sipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kohtaro Matsushita
  • Patent number: D653194
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohtaro Matsushita, Takumi Morito, Izumi Kuramochi, Yukio Kuroda