Abstract: The present invention includes tire treads having a sipe (18) and a void feature (22) in fluid communication with the sipe. Particular embodiments of the present invention also include methods for forming the same. In various embodiments, the sipe has a length, a height, and a thickness that is variable across the length and height of the sipe. The thickness of the sipe includes a thick portion (24) and a thin portion (26), the thick portion at least partially extending around a perimeter of the thin portion. In particular embodiments, the void feature (22) which is in fluid communication with the sipe extends primarily in a direction of the sipe length and has a width extending in the direction of the sipe thickness equal to or greater than substantially 1 millimeter.

Abstract: Tire tread including one or more tread elements arranged between a pair of discontinuities extending in a direction of the tread width. The first and second longitudinally-spaced sides of the tread element are spaced-apart in a direction of the tread length. The first longitudinally-spaced side is oriented at an average first-side angle relative to the depthwise direction of the tread and the second longitudinally-spaced side is oriented at an average second-side angle relative to the depthwise direction of the tread. An average inclination angle comprising a combined average of the average first side-angle and the second side-angle for all of the one or more tread elements along the first and second longitudinally-spaced sides is substantially greater than zero.

Abstract: Embodiments include a tire tread having a plurality of tread elements and a plurality of lateral discontinuities arranged along the tread width and tread length, each of the plurality of tread elements being spaced apart by one of the plurality of lateral discontinuities. The tread width is divided into a plurality of regions, the plurality of regions including: (1) a pair of outermost regions, each outermost region being arranged closest to one of the pair of opposing lateral sides of the tread, and (2) at least one centermost region is arranged closest to the longitudinal centerline of the tread. Each of the lateral discontinuities have a thickness, where the thickness of one or more of the lateral discontinuities arranged in each of the outermost regions is smaller than the thickness of one or more of the lateral discontinuities arranged in the centermost region.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, a tire tread includes one or more lateral sipes (26s) arranged within the tread (20). As each such lateral sipe (26s) extends outward from within the tread thickness (T20) and towards the outer, ground-engaging side (22) of the tread (20), the lateral sipe (26s) is inclined towards the intended direction (R) of tire rotation. The lateral sipe (26s) also has a width (W26) (thickness) configured to, at an unworn stage, close along at least a portion of the sipe depth during operation of a loaded tire, and being configured to, at a worn stage, remain open during operation of the loaded tire. The lateral sipe (26s) has a width-to-height ratio associating the sipe width (W26) to the sipe height, the width-to-height ratio equaling 1:10 to 1:40. Providing a plurality of these lateral sipes (26s) may result in improved consistency of tread wear performance over the life of the tread (20).

Abstract: The invention includes a tire tread having one or more lateral discontinuities (26), each discontinuity extending into the tread thickness along a non-linear path. The lateral discontinuity extends from a first terminal end (40) to a second terminal end (42), the first terminal end being located closest to an outer, ground-engaging side relative to the second terminal end. The non-linear path can be described as extending from a first portion (A1, A2, A3), to an intermediate portion (B1), and then to a third portion (C1) when extending towards the second terminal end. The first portion has a low average inclination angle, the intermediate portion has a negative average inclination angle, and the third portion has a positive average inclination angle, each angle being measured relative to the depthwise direction of the tread. A positive angle is angled in the direction of intended tire rotation (R) as the tread thickness extends outward towards the outer, ground-engaging side.

Abstract: The invention includes tire treads, tires including the tire treads, and methods of forming a tire tread. The tire tread includes a length extending in a lengthwise direction, a width extending in a lateral direction, and a thickness extending in a depth-wise direction from an outer, ground-engaging side of the tread. The tire treads further include a sipe having a length, a height, a width, a thickness extending in a direction of the sipe width, and a cross-section taken along a plane extending in a direction of the sipe width and height, where the cross-section twists as the sipe thickness extends along the length of the sipe. Method of forming the tire tread includes molding into the tread a sipe and a void feature as recited herein.

Abstract: The present invention includes tire treads having a sipe (18) and a void feature (22) in fluid communication with the sipe. Particular embodiments of the present invention also include methods for forming the same. In various embodiments, the sipe has a length, a height, and a thickness that is variable across the length and height of the sipe. The thickness of the sipe includes a thick portion (24) and a thin portion (26), the thick portion at least partially extending around a perimeter of the thin portion. In particular embodiments, the void feature (22) which is in fluid communication with the sipe extends primarily in a direction of the sipe length and has a width extending in the direction of the sipe thickness equal to or greater than substantially 1 millimeter.

Abstract: Tire tread including one or more tread elements arranged between a pair of discontinuities extending in a direction of the tread width. The first and second longitudinally-spaced sides of the tread element are spaced-apart in a direction of the tread length. The first longitudinally-spaced side is oriented at an average first-side angle relative to the depthwise direction of the tread and the second longitudinally-spaced side is oriented at an average second-side angle relative to the depthwise direction of the tread. An average inclination angle comprising a combined average of the average first side-angle and the second side-angle for all of the one or more tread elements along the first and second longitudinally-spaced sides is substantially greater than zero.