Abstract: Various embodiments of a tire having a three-dimensional tire sipe are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tire sipe used in a tire is provided, the tire sipe comprising: a radially inner sipe taper portion having a radially inner sipe width W3 and a radially inner sipe transition width W4, wherein the radially inner sipe width W3 is greater than the radially inner sipe transition width W4; a radially outer sipe taper portion having a radially outer sipe width W1 and a radially outer sipe transition width W2, wherein the radially outer sipe width W1 is greater than the radially outer sipe transition width W2; and a sipe radially central portion having a plurality of individual sipe radially angled portions oriented in a zig-zag pattern, wherein the sipe radially central portion is oriented radially between the radially inner sipe taper portion and the radially outer sipe taper portion.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a tire having a three-dimensional tire sipe are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tire sipe used in a tire is provided, the tire sipe comprising: a radially inner sipe taper portion having a radially inner sipe width W3 and a radially inner sipe transition width W4, wherein the radially inner sipe width W3 is greater than the radially inner sipe transition width W4; a radially outer sipe taper portion having a radially outer sipe width W1 and a radially outer sipe transition width W2, wherein the radially outer sipe width W1 is greater than the radially outer sipe transition width W2; and a sipe radially central portion having a plurality of individual sipe radially angled portions oriented in a zig-zag pattern, wherein the sipe radially central portion is oriented radially between the radially inner sipe taper portion and the radially outer sipe taper portion.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a tire having a three-dimensional tire sipe are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tire sipe used in a tire is provided, the tire sipe comprising: a radially inner sipe taper portion having a radially inner sipe width W3 and a radially inner sipe transition width W4, wherein the radially inner sipe width W3 is greater than the radially inner sipe transition width W4; a radially outer sipe taper portion having a radially outer sipe width W1 and a radially outer sipe transition width W2, wherein the radially outer sipe width W1 is greater than the radially outer sipe transition width W2; and a sipe radially central portion having a plurality of individual sipe radially angled portions oriented in a zig-zag pattern, wherein the sipe radially central portion is oriented radially between the radially inner sipe taper portion and the radially outer sipe taper portion.

Abstract: A method of mounting a tire to a wheel includes rotating a tire about an axis of the tire at a first rotation speed and moving a first tire engaging member into contact with the sidewall of the tire, thereby moving a proximate section of a bead of the tire into a well of the wheel. The method further includes moving a second tire engaging member into contact with the sidewall of the tire and rotating the second tire engaging member about the axis of the tire at a second rotation speed different from the first rotation speed. The method also includes moving the second tire engaging member out of contact with the sidewall of the tire and moving the first tire engaging member out of contact with the sidewall of the tire.

Abstract: A method of preparing a tire for mounting includes providing a tire having a central axis and at least two bead portions, including a first bead portion and a second bead portion. The method also includes providing a plurality of members and moving the plurality of members outward until each of the plurality of members engages the first bead portion of the tire and causes the first bead portion to deflect outwards at a plurality of locations. The method further includes rotating at least one of the tire and the plurality of members about the central axis of the tire while the plurality of members engages the first bead portion of the tire.

Abstract: A tire mounting device is configured to mount a tire to a wheel having a wheel well. The tire mounting device includes a plurality of tire engaging members including a first tire engaging member, a second tire engaging member, and a third tire engaging member. Each of the plurality of tire engaging members is configured to move into and out of engagement with a sidewall of the tire. The tire mounting device further includes a tire rotating device configured to rotate the tire about an axis. At least one member rotating apparatus is configured to rotate the second tire engaging member and the third tire engaging member about the axis.

Abstract: A method of preparing a tire for mounting includes providing a tire having a central axis and at least two bead portions, including a first bead portion and a second bead portion. The method also includes providing a plurality of members and moving the plurality of members outward until each of the plurality of members engages the first bead portion of the tire and causes the first bead portion to deflect outwards at a plurality of locations. The method further includes rotating at least one of the tire and the plurality of members about the central axis of the tire while the plurality of members engages the first bead portion of the tire.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to receive a tire having at least two bead portions, including a first bead portion and a second bead portion. The apparatus includes a plurality of members configured to engage the first bead portion of the tire, at least one expander configured to move the plurality of members outward, and a rotating device configured to rotate the plurality of members about an axis of the tire.

Abstract: A tire and wheel rim assembly comprising a wheel rim having flange portions and ledge portions, wherein each ledge portion has at least one circumferentially continuous groove with a circumferentially continuous surface. The assembly further includes a tire having bead regions comprising a ledge portion having a toe, a heel, and at least one circumferentially continuous rib with a peak, wherein the at least one circumferentially continuous rib of the tire extends radially into the at least one circumferentially continuous groove of the wheel rim.

Abstract: A tire comprising a circumferential tread, a circumferential tread, at least one circumferential belt, at least one carcass ply, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of bead portions. Each of the bead portions comprising a bead core, a bead filler, a toe region, a heel region, a ledge region, and a flange region. The ledge region is provided between the toe region and the heel region, wherein the ledge region comprises at least one circumferentially continuous groove. The flange region each extending circumferentially about the tire, the flange region provided radially above the ledge region, wherein the flange region comprises at least one circumferentially continuous groove.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to receive a tire having at least two bead portions, including a first bead portion and a second bead portion. The apparatus includes a plurality of members configured to engage the first bead portion of the tire, at least one expander configured to move the plurality of members outward, and a rotating device configured to rotate the plurality of members about an axis of the tire.

Abstract: A tire comprising a circumferential tread, a circumferential tread, at least one circumferential belt, at least one carcass ply, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of bead portions. Each of the bead portions comprising a bead core, a bead filler, a toe region, a heel region, a ledge region, and a flange region. The ledge region is provided between the toe region and the heel region, wherein the ledge region comprises at least one circumferentially continuous groove. The flange region each extending circumferentially about the tire, the flange region provided radially above the ledge region, wherein the flange region comprises at least one circumferentially continuous groove.

Abstract: A tire and wheel rim assembly comprising a wheel rim having flange portions and ledge portions, wherein each ledge portion has at least one circumferentially continuous groove with a circumferentially continuous surface. The assembly further includes a tire having bead regions comprising a ledge portion having a toe, a heel, and at least one circumferentially continuous rib with a peak, wherein the at least one circumferentially continuous rib of the tire extends radially into the at least one circumferentially continuous groove of the wheel rim.

Abstract: An improved method for determining an initial flat spot magnitude on a tire that has been resting for a period of time on a substantially flat surface uses regression analysis. In accordance with the method, values of a tire flat spot magnitude for a particular type of tire are determined at a number of measurement intervals by a uniformity machine that spins the tire. An equation having at least two exponentially decaying terms is then determined that corresponds to the measured data points. Regression analysis is then used to determine an estimate for an initial flat spot magnitude. The method can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of different tire designs with respect to flat spot recovery rates.

Abstract: The invention improves tire flat spotting by providing a bead assembly that has bead filler elements disposed outside the body cords so that the turn up portion of the ply of body cords is disposed immediately back against the main portion of the ply of body cords above the bead core. This carcass structure increases the stiffness of the lower sidewall and decreases the flat spotting experience by the tire. In one embodiment of the invention, a reinforcing ply is wrapped around the bead filler elements to further increases the stiffness of the lower sidewall. In another embodiment, a bead filler element is disposed inside the body cords so that an air pocket is not formed in the carcass during the manufacturing process.

Abstract: The invention improves tire flat spotting by providing a bead assembly that has bead filler elements disposed outside the body cords so that the turn up portion of the ply of body cords is disposed immediately back against the main portion of the ply of body cords above the bead core. This carcass structure increases the stiffness of the lower sidewall and decreases the flat spotting experience by the tire. In one embodiment of the invention, a reinforcing ply is wrapped around the bead filler elements to further increases the stiffness of the lower sidewall. In another embodiment, a bead filler element is disposed inside the body cords so that an air pocket is not formed in the carcass during the manufacturing process.

Abstract: The invention improves tire flat spotting by providing a bead assembly that has bead filler elements disposed outside the body cords so that the turn up portion of the ply of body cords is disposed immediately back against the main portion of the ply of body cords above the bead core. This carcass structure increases the stiffness of the lower sidewall and decreases the flat spotting experience by the tire. In one embodiment of the invention, a reinforcing ply is wrapped around the bead filler elements to further increases the stiffness of the lower sidewall. In another embodiment, a bead filler element is disposed inside the body cords so that an air pocket is not formed in the carcass during the manufacturing process.

Abstract: The invention improves tire flat spotting by providing a bead assembly that has bead filler elements disposed outside the body cords so that the turn up portion of the ply of body cords is disposed immediately back against the main portion of the ply of body cords above the bead core. This carcass structure increases the stiffness of the lower sidewall and decreases the flat spotting experience by the tire. In one embodiment of the invention, a reinforcing ply is wrapped around the bead filler elements to further increases the stiffness of the lower sidewall. In another embodiment, a bead filler element is disposed inside the body cords so that an air pocket is not formed in the carcass during the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A friction testing machine and method for measuring friction characteristics between a test sample and a friction surface. The machine and method are particularly suited for measuring the coefficient of friction between a rubber specimen or a tread element and different friction surfaces at different sliding velocities, contact pressures and orientations. The machine includes a carriage, a friction surface, a motion device, a sample holder, a variable weight loading device, and a force measurement device. The motion device to cause relative movement between the carriage and the friction surface in forward and reverse directions and the sample holder holds a sample in frictional engagement with the friction surface during this forward and reverse movement. The variable weight loading device loads the sample holder so that a selected load can be applied to the sample in a direction normal to the friction surface.

Abstract: A supportive tire rack for green tire transfer and storage includes a base assembly that carries at least four support pins that are horizontally cantilevered from the base. A pair of upper support plates and a pair of lower support plates are carried by the pins. The upper support plates engage the bead rings of the tire while the lower support plates cradle the lower surface of the tire. Each support plate is pivotally carried on an arm that is pivotally carried on a pin. Each arm is also in the form of a damper that dampens oscillatory forces in the tire. The arms and plates are biased toward resting positions by springs.