Abstract: A tire tread is provided that in an unworn state includes one or more tread features having a layer of a relatively softer, higher grip rubber material. This layer is formed from a first rubber composition that is provided as a skim or relatively thin layer at the contact surface of the tread feature. This skim provides the grip needed as the tire starts to warm up but can then wear away after an initial period of use so that the contact surface is eventually formed from a second rubber composition. This second rubber composition, in turn, provides the desired level of grip and acceptable wear at the higher temperatures that occur as the tire heats up from use. The layer of skim can be profiled depending upon the application and performance characteristics needed.

Abstract: A tire suitable for extended-mobility travel includes sidewalls reinforced by a sidewall insert, namely an inner insert in the inner sidewall, and an outer insert in the outer sidewall. The inserts are made of rubber composition enabling the sidewalls to bear a load corresponding to part of the weight of the vehicle in a situation in which the inflation pressure is substantially reduced or zero. The inner sidewall, and more particularly the insert of this inner sidewall, has a substantially higher modulus of extension than the outer sidewall (and more particularly than the insert of this outer sidewall). The outer insert is subdivided into at least two zones; the inner insert can comprise one or more zones, but always fewer than the number of zones of the outer insert.

Abstract: A low or no pressure use indicator for use on a tire is provided. The tire has a crown and a pair of sidewalls that extend from the crown. Each of the sidewalls has a bead located on an end of the sidewall that is opposite from the crown. The low or no pressure use indicator is located on a wall of one of the sidewalls. The low or no pressure use indicator is configured for indicating by a permanent physical change whether the tire has been subjected to an operation condition of an undesirable amount of low tire pressure.

Abstract: The run-flat tire (10) of this invention includes spaced apart bead areas (30) having a unique design to include first (34) and second (36) bead fillers adjacent a bead core (32). The second bead filler (36) is bounded by the first bead filler (34) and bead core (32). The method for manufacturing the tire to eliminate voids at the bead core (32) of the cured tire is also provided. The bead fillers are made to be resilient so that the tire can be easily mounted on a rim, particularly improving the ability to mount a run-flat tire (10) on a rim (80). The bead core (32) and fillers (34, 36) are designed for helping to sustain the run-flat tire (10) on the rim (80) with a loss of inflation pressure and to improve the running performance of the tire.

Abstract: The run-flat tire of this invention includes a pair of bead regions, a crown region with a tread and a tread reinforcing package including a cap ply and self supporting sidewalls between each bead region and the crown region. An innerliner ply maintains air within the inflated tire. The self supporting sidewalls each include a first crescent-shaped reinforcing member, an inner carcass layer, an inner sidewall supporting complex and an outer sidewall and bead protecting complex. The supporting sidewalls effectively have a plurality of crescent-shaped reinforcing members and a plurality of carcass layers. The sidewall supporting complexes are realized by providing first and second partial carcass layers along with a filler rubber portion and a second crescent-shaped reinforcing member, which can be formed by a separate tire building operation. The sidewall protecting complexes can be formed in a similar operation.

Abstract: The run-flat tire has a tread for contacting a ground surface and a belt package with belt plies interior to the tread for support of the tread. A plurality of radially reinforced carcass layers are positioned interior to the belt plies and include at least one carcass layer that extends between spaced apart annular beads. The tire has a pair of sidewalls each extending radially inward from shoulders at lateral edges of the belt package to the annular beads. The sidewalls have a plurality of sidewall stiffening members to support the tire during a loss of inflation pressure. The carcass layers are disposed with the sidewall stiffening members to help support the run-flat tire with a loss of inflation pressure.

Abstract: The run-flat tire has a tread for contacting a ground surface and a belt package with belt plies interior to the tread for support of the tread. A plurality of radially reinforced carcass layers are positioned interior to the belt plies and include at least one carcass layer that extends between spaced apart annular beads. The tire has a pair of sidewalls each extending radially inward from shoulders at lateral edges of the belt package to the annular beads. The sidewalls have a plurality of sidewall stiffening members to support the tire during a loss of inflation pressure. The carcass layers are disposed with the sidewall stiffening members to help support the run-flat tire with a loss of inflation pressure.

Abstract: The run-flat tire of this invention includes a pair of bead regions, a crown region with a tread and a tread reinforcing package including a cap ply and self supporting sidewalls between each bead region and the crown region. An innerliner ply maintains air within the inflated tire. The self supporting sidewalls each include a first crescent-shaped reinforcing member, an inner carcass layer, an inner sidewall supporting complex and an outer sidewall and bead protecting complex. The supporting sidewalls effectively have a plurality of crescent-shaped reinforcing members and a plurality of carcass layers. The sidewall supporting complexes are realized by providing first and second partial carcass layers along with a filler rubber portion and a second crescent-shaped reinforcing member, which can be formed by a separate tire building operation. The sidewall protecting complexes can be formed in a similar operation.