Patents Issued in December 28, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170368848
    Abstract: A printer that partially cuts roll paper to leave an uncut portion prevents paper jams from reversing the roll paper. A printer 1 has a print unit 41 for printing images on roll paper R; a cutter unit 46 disposed downstream in the conveyance direction from the print unit for cutting the roll paper and leaving an uncut portion; a conveyance unit 42 for conveying the roll paper in the conveyance direction or a reverse direction that is the opposite of the conveyance direction; and a controller 40 that executes a reversing process conveying the roll paper in reverse by the conveyance unit 42 when the roll paper is separated from the paper roll at the uncut portion after the cutter unit 46 cuts the roll paper, and not executing the reversing process in specific circumstances in which the roll paper remains connected through the uncut portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki MOTOYAMA, Norio TSUCHIYA
  • Publication number: 20170368849
    Abstract: A medium-cutting device includes a medium-conveyance section to convey a medium in a medium-conveyance direction, a cutter to cut the medium conveyed by the medium-conveyance section, and a pushing part to push up a piece of the medium that is cut from the medium with the cutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Suguru MASUNAGA
  • Publication number: 20170368850
    Abstract: A method of editing a print job to be printed on a flatbed printer including a flatbed surface for placing a piece of media to be printed upon, the flatbed surface having a vacuum zone connected to a vacuum source for attracting the piece of media to the flatbed surface, is performed on a job editor including a processor and a display. The processor performs the steps of: reading vacuum zone data specifying at least a size of the vacuum zone; constructing and displaying an image of the vacuum zone on the basis of the vacuum zone data; and superposing, on the display, an image to be printed and the image of the vacuum zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: Océ Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Frédérik EVEILLEAU
  • Publication number: 20170368851
    Abstract: A conveying roller unit comprises a first unit, a second unit, and a lock mechanism. The first unit comprises: a roller section; and a hollow cylindrical holder section. The second unit can be removably mounted to the first unit, and comprises: a second connection section; a rod section inserted into the holder section. The lock mechanism includes: a first engagement section provided on the inner circumferential surface of the holder section; a second engagement section provided on the outer circumferential surface of the rod section; and a urging member for pressing the second unit in the direction in which the rod section comes out of the holder section. The urging member maintains the first engagement section and the second engagement section in an engaged state and restricts the position of the second unit relative to the first unit in both the circumferential direction and the rotation axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Tetsuro KAWASHIMA
  • Publication number: 20170368852
    Abstract: A tape cartridge, to be installed in a tape printing apparatus having a cartridge installation portion, includes a tape-shaped member having a plurality of label portions provided along a length direction of the tape-shaped member and a plurality of detection target portions provided along the length direction of the tape-shaped member so as to correspond to the plurality of label portions on one side thereof in a tape width direction projecting in the tape width direction. The tape cartridge further includes a cartridge case in which the tape-shaped member is accommodated so as to be capable of being paid out. The cartridge case has a slit-shaped delivery port. A detection target passage of the tape delivery port, through which the respective detection target portions pass, has a chamfering portion at a corner on an inner surface side of the cartridge case of an edge thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Taishi Sasaki, Kenichi Nakajima
  • Publication number: 20170368853
    Abstract: Power required for a printing operation can be supplied while supplying power to a connected external device. A printer 1 connects to a smart device 2, and has: a power circuit 14; a USB interface 15 capable of supplying power to the smart device while communicating by wire with the smart device 2; a print unit 16 that prints; and a controller 11 that controls the print unit 16 to print in a power conservation mode when information instructing printing by the print unit 16 is received by the interface 15 from the smart device 2 while supplying power from the power circuit 14 to the smart device 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eiji SATAKE
  • Publication number: 20170368854
    Abstract: A printing unit includes: a line feed plate moving with a carriage in a line feed operation area; and guide members provided on a unit frame, engaging with the line feed plate, and guiding the carriage and the line feed plate toward one side in a left-right direction as the carriage and the line feed plate move toward one side in a front-back direction in the line feed operation area. Each guide member includes: a line feed guide extending toward one side in the left-right direction as it goes toward one side in the front-back direction and guiding the carriage toward one side in the left-right direction as the carriage moves toward one side in the front-back direction in the line feed operation area; and regulating sections continuing at least to one end in the front-back direction of the line feed guide and regulating the movement of the carriage in the left-right direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: Koji EHARA
  • Publication number: 20170368855
    Abstract: Examples include estimation of pen to paper spacing (PPS). Examples include an alignment pattern printed on a medium at a target speed, an optical scan procedure performed on the printed alignment pattern to determine values of cross-media misalignment for first and second portions of the alignment pattern, determination of a dynamic swath height error (DSHE) effect value based on the values of cross-media misalignment, and estimation of an amount of PPS based on the determined DSHE effect value and the target print speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Jordi Sender Beleta, Montserrat Sorano Pallarol, Marcos Casaldaliga Albisu, M. Isabel Borrell Bayona
  • Publication number: 20170368856
    Abstract: A method for determining a printing position, such as for image-on-paper registration in a printer or photocopying machine, is disclosed. A fiducial mark pattern comprising a plurality of fiducial marks at predefined relative distances is provided on a printing medium, and is scanned. The fiducial marks and a first edge of the printing medium are identified in a scanned representation of the printing medium. A first distance between the first edge and a first fiducial mark is determined, and a second distance between a second fiducial mark and a third fiducial mark are likewise determined from the scanned representation of the printing medium. The distance between the fiducial mark pattern and the first edge is computed based on both the determined first distance and the determined second distance. The invention also relates to a corresponding system and a computer-readable medium for determining a printing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Rodolfo Jodra Barron, Sagi Refael, Eyal Bodinger, Pavel Blinchuk
  • Publication number: 20170368857
    Abstract: While the described ink pad can include any suitable component, in some cases it includes a lid, a base, and an absorbent material. Additionally, in some cases, the lid and the base define a cavity that houses the absorbent material and the lid and the base each comprise one or more magnets and/or magnetic materials that are configured to magnetically couple with each other to releasably couple the lid and base together. In some instances, the ink pad further includes one or more seals that are configured to extend between the base and lid to limit air movement into the cavity when the lid and base are coupled together in a closed position. Additional implementations are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Ross Chiles, Tai-Yu Han, Jamie Hascall
  • Publication number: 20170368858
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of applying a pattern onto a web with improved uniformity are provided. One or more micro-contact printing stamps are disposed onto a roll with a seam between each adjacent stamp edge. The micro-contact printing stamps are configured and arranged such that the web always contacts the micro-contact printing stamps to provide a consistent contacting pressure to drive the roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Tyler J. RATTRAY, Mikhail L. PEKUROVSKY, Jonathan J. O'HARE, Richard W. GREGER, Larry L. JOHNSON, Matthew H. FREY
  • Publication number: 20170368859
    Abstract: A heat-sensitive recording material has a web-shaped substrate, having a front side and a reverse side opposite the front side, a heat-sensitive recording layer disposed to the front side of the web-shaped substrate, including at least one dye precursor and at least one (color) developer reactive with this at least one dye precursor. A front-side surface of the heat-sensitive recording material is formed dehesively with respect to layers of adhesive applied to the reverse side of the web-shaped substrate. The dehesive front-side surface includes a furnish which is disposed above the heat-sensitive recording layer and comprises at least one release agent. A diffusion layer is formed between the furnish and the heat-sensitive recording layer. A method for producing a heat-sensitive recording material of this kind, and possibilities for its use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Andreas JAGIELLO, Matthias MARX, Martin SCHREER
  • Publication number: 20170368860
    Abstract: Printed matter that includes a light-transmissive substrate, a laminated clear layer, and a light adjustment layer. The laminated clear layer is disposed above a main surface of the substrate, and is composed of clear element layers that are light-transmissive. The light adjustment layer has a function of adjusting an amount of light transmitted therethrough and is disposed on the laminated clear layer and/or interposed between a plurality of the clear element layers. The adjustment layer includes light reflective particles and covers a portion of a surface of a layer thereunder. Each of the light reflective particles is granular and has a light reflective surface. The light adjustment layer, in terms of surface area ratio in plan view, covers from 2% to 50% of the surface of the layer thereunder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: Shunichi ASANO
  • Publication number: 20170368861
    Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to coated print media, a method of preparing print media, and a printing system. The coated print media can comprise a substrate and a coating applied to the substrate. The coating can include, by dry weight, 5 wt % to 60 wt % of a polymeric binder having a Tg below 50 C, 10 wt % to 60 wt % of cationic latex having a Tg from 50 C to 130 C, 5 wt % to 30 wt % of a multivalent cationic salt, and 2 wt % to 25 wt % of a high density polyethylene wax.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Bor-Jiunn Niu, Tao Chen, Haigang Chen, Haowen Yu, Silke Courtenay
  • Publication number: 20170368862
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a cliché for offset printing and a cliché for offset printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Yong Goo SON, Seung Heon LEE
  • Publication number: 20170368863
    Abstract: Provided are a flexo printing plate, which makes it possible to print an image without unevenness by inhibiting bouncing that occurs in a case where the distal end of an image portion of a printing plate contacts a printing target, and a method for producing a flexo printing plate. A region that extends 0.5 mm to 5 mm from a distal end side of the image portion in a printing direction is a lowered region having a height shorter than a height of the image portion other than the region, and the lowered region is gradually lowered toward a non-image portion in a direction orthogonal to the edge on the distal end side of the image portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Seiichiro MORIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20170368864
    Abstract: A method for producing a multilayer body, with the steps of: a) providing a substrate film with a replication layer; b) molding a surface relief appearing to the observer in the form of a three-dimensional free-form surface, which is formed in particular by structures with a lens-like design generating a magnifying, demagnifying or distorting effect, into a surface of the replication layer; c) applying a first metal layer to the surface of the replication layer forming the surface relief; d) wet-chemically applying an at least partially transparent spacer layer to the metal layer; e) applying a second metal layer to the spacer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicants: LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG, OVD Kinegram AG
    Inventors: Harald Walter, Ludwig Brehm, Sebastian Mader, Wayne Robert Tompkin, Eser Alper Unal
  • Publication number: 20170368865
    Abstract: A security device that elicits at least one dynamic response upon acceleration, or upon change of orientation with respect to gravity, wherein the dynamic response continues after cessation of the acceleration or the change of orientation. In addition, the dynamic response can be optical, such that it is visually observable by an unaided human eye. Alternatively, the response can be machine readable. In some cases, the dynamic response has duration of from about 0.01 s to about 100 s, or from about Is to about 10 s.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Charles D. MACPHERSON, Daniel BRASSARD, Lidija MALIC, Keith J. MORTON, Teodor VERES, Theodoros GARANZOTIS
  • Publication number: 20170368866
    Abstract: An article including at least one first metallic layer, at least one dielectric layer; and at least one second metallic layer is disclosed. The at least one dielectric layer can include at least one of (i) a photo-initiator, (ii) an oxygen inhibition mitigation composition, (iii) a leveling agent, and (iv) a defoamer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Johannes SEYDEL, Paul Thomas KOHLMANN, Mark TEVIS, Jeffrey James KUNA
  • Publication number: 20170368867
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate generally to relief sculptures, and more particularly to methods of creating relief sculptures, kits for creating relief sculptures, and the relief sculptures themselves. A relief sculpture may include, for example, a transparent plate, a sculpting medium contacting a portion of the transparent plate, and a pliable sheet having a first surface comprising an image and a second surface that is adhered to the transparent plate, the sculpting medium, or both, wherein the image comprises an image feature that corresponds to the portion of the transparent plate to which the sculpting medium is contacted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: Marla Burke
  • Publication number: 20170368868
    Abstract: The card comprises a first translucent or transparent substrate layer, preferably in PVC, and a second substrate layer, and a cracked layer of ink between the two substrate layers so as to allow the second substrate layer to show through the cracks of the layer of ink. The cracked layer of printing ink comprises mirror-effect ink, that reflects light through the first translucent or transparent substrate layer. The cracking of the layer of ink is achieved when the card is manufactured by laminating it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: Gemalto SA
    Inventors: Stephane KARAFOTIS, Gilles KODJAGUEUZIAN
  • Publication number: 20170368869
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire (101) having a hub (201) and a compliant outer band (109) connected by connecting members (129) that are intersected by an intermediate band (120) positioned between the hub (201) and compliant outer band (109) forming a plurality of connecting element segments (331,333), each segment having a predominant curvature extending in the same longitudinal direction said direction coinciding with the preferred direction of rotation of the tire (101).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Steven M CRON, Timothy Brett RHYNE
  • Publication number: 20170368870
    Abstract: A motor vehicle wheel bearing assembly includes a hub configured to be supported by at least one rolling-element bearing and to provide a seat for a wheel. The hub includes a first hollow-cone-shaped element manufactured from light metal and having a first axial end section having a first diameter and a second axial end section having a second, larger, diameter and at least one bearing raceway or raceway support at the first axial end section. The hub also includes a second element extending radially from an end of the first hollow-cone-shaped element, the second element having a radially inner section and a radially outer section. The second axial end section of the first element is connected to the radial outer section of the second element, for example, at a joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Volker Wendt, Padelis Katsaros, Dominique Shah
  • Publication number: 20170368871
    Abstract: A bicycle having a rear wheel including an axle, a hub shell, a torque element including a torque output portion and a torque input portion, and a rear cog coupled to the torque input portion. The torque output portion is a first radial distance from the torque input portion. The position sensor measures a rotational position of the torque input portion relative to the torque output portion. In one embodiment, the position sensor includes a displacement indicator (e.g., a radial tab mounted to the torque output portion) and a displacement sensor (e.g., an inductive sensor mounted to the torque input portion). The inductive sensor preferably has two sensing coils positioned on each side of the displacement indicator. The hub assembly can further comprise a wireless transmitter adapted to transmit data from the position sensor. The hub shell preferably includes a window that facilitates data transmission from the wireless transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: Wolfgang Ebersbach
  • Publication number: 20170368872
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus, incorporating a wheel speed detecting apparatus, has a mounting portion (17) on a cover body (15). It includes an insertion portion (17a) formed with a bottom insertion bore (22), and a cylindrical securing portion (17b). A wheel speed sensor unit (18) is secured in the insertion portion (17a) by a securing bolt (21), via a mounting member (20). The insertion portion (17a) of the mounting portion (17) is arranged at a horizontal position through the center of a bottom 15c of the cover body (15). The securing portion (17b) is arranged at a position vertically below the insertion portion (17a). The wheel speed sensor (18) and a pulser ring (14) oppose each other, via a bottom (22a) of the insertion bore (22). A discharging portion, with an axially extending slit (24) or discharging groove (26), is formed at a road surface-side of the insertion bore (22) to communicate the insertion bore (22) with the outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: Ryo KONISHI
  • Publication number: 20170368873
    Abstract: A wheel bearing device has a vehicle-body-mounting flange 5b with a plurality of ears 10 discontinuously formed in a circumferential direction on an outer circumferential surface of the outer member 5. An outer circumferential surface 11 on the outer side of the outer member is tapered and formed such that a diameter of the outer member gradually decreases in a direction to an outer side. Ridges 16 protrude from a fitting surface 12 toward the outside in a radial direction. The ridges 16 are formed between the plurality of ears 10. The ridges 16 are forged to smoothly connect to the outer circumferential surfaces of the plurality of ears 10. Ribs 15 are forged on inner-side outer circumferential surfaces of the plurality of ears 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Yuta NAKATSUJI, Hiroto SUMA
  • Publication number: 20170368874
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein generally relate to an electronic communication module suitable for incorporating into a tire or tire retread, where the electronic communication module comprises a radio device having at least a portion of its outer surface surrounded by a rubber composition. Certain embodiments also relate to tires or tire retreads containing the electronic communication module. In addition, certain embodiments relate to methods for improving the readability of a radio device incorporated into a tire or tire retread.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Craig R. Balnis, Amy M. Randall, Paul B. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20170368875
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein generally relate to an electronic communication module suitable for incorporating into a tire or tire retread, where the electronic communication module comprises a radio device having at least a portion of its outer surface surrounded by a rubber composition. Certain embodiments also relate to tires or tire retreads containing the electronic communication module. In addition, certain embodiments relate to methods for improving the readability of a radio device incorporated into a tire or tire retread.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Craig R. Balnis, Amy M. Randall, Paul B. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20170368876
    Abstract: As a rubber composition excellent in fatigue resistance and a method for producing the same, this disclosure provides a rubber composition containing a zinc oxide, wherein: a total volume of aggregates of the zinc oxide with a diameter of 20 ?m or more is 0.008 or less in the rubber composition by volume fraction; and a method for producing the rubber composition, comprising: preparing a wet masterbatch by using a carbon black with a surface average acidic functional group amount (?eq/m2) of 0.15 or more and less than 3.00, preferably 0.40 or more and less than 1.50; and compounding a zinc oxide with the wet masterbatch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki MARUYAMA, Kazuya MURATA, Seiichi KATO, Tomokatsu IKUTA
  • Publication number: 20170368877
    Abstract: A structurally supported, non-pneumatic wheel is provided. The wheel includes a hub constructed from a polymeric material, which can more readily resist deformation during an impact event and provide improvements in noise generation and manufacturing cost. A plurality of tension-transmitting web elements connect the hub with a compliant, load supporting band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Ryan Michael Gaylo, Timothy Rhyne, Steven Cron
  • Publication number: 20170368878
    Abstract: Tire-type device having bearing elements (7) within annular space (5) between inner and outer coaxial structures of revolution, the latter contacting the ground in contact patch (A). The bearing elements are independent in pairs and buckle under compression in contact patch (A). The smallest characteristic dimension E of the section S of any bearing element (7) is at most equal to 0.02 times the mean radial height H of the inner annular space (5), the surface density D of the bearing elements (7) per unit area of the radially outer structure of revolution, expressed in 1/m2, is at least equal to Z/(A*?Fr/n), where Z is the nominal radial load, expressed in N, A is the area of contact with the ground, expressed in m2, and ?Fr/n is the mean force at break under tension of the n bearing elements made to buckle under compression, expressed in N.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: Florian VILCOT
  • Publication number: 20170368879
    Abstract: A structurally supported tire includes a ground contacting annular tread portion, an annular shear band and at least one spoke disk connected to the shear band, wherein the spoke disk has at least one spoke, wherein the spoke extends between an outer ring and an inner ring in a first parabolic curve. The spoke disk may further includes a second spoke having a second parabolic curve different from the first curve, and overlapping with the first spoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph Carmine LETTIERI, Robert Allen LOSEY, James Alfred BENZING, II, Addison Brian SIEGEL, Andrew Brent MENDENHALL, Timothy Michael ROONEY, Rani HARB, Kenneth Wayne RUDD, Mahdy MALEKZADEH MOGHANI
  • Publication number: 20170368880
    Abstract: A tire is configured to be received by a wheel having at least one angled surface. The tire includes a tread portion, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The first sidewall has a first outer surface, a first inner surface, and a first projection extending inwardly from the first inner surface. The first projection has a first angled surface configured to engage a first corresponding surface of a wheel. The second sidewall has a second outer surface, a second inner surface, and a second projection extending inwardly from the second inner surface. The second projection has a second angled surface configured to engage a second corresponding surface of the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: Andrew V. Haidet
  • Publication number: 20170368881
    Abstract: There is provided a non-pneumatic tire (1), which includes an attachment body (11) that is attached to an axle, a ring-shaped body (13) that surrounds the attachment body (11) from an outside in a tire radial direction, a connection member (15) that displaceably connects the attachment body (11) and the ring-shaped body (13) to each other, and a cylindrical tread member (16) that is externally mounted on the ring-shaped body (13), in which the tread member (16) includes a base rubber portion (41) that is positioned at an inside in the tire radial direction, and a cap rubber portion (42) that is positioned at an outside of the base rubber portion (41) in the tire radial direction, and in which the rigidity of the base rubber portion (41) is lower than the rigidity of the cap rubber portion (42).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takanori SHOJI
  • Publication number: 20170368882
    Abstract: A tire includes a tread portion being provided with a circumferentially and continuously extending outboard shoulder main groove, a circumferentially and continuously extending outboard crown main groove disposed between the outboard shoulder main groove and a tire equator, and an outboard middle land portion disposed between the outboard shoulder main groove and the outboard crown main groove. The outboard middle land portion is provided with a plurality of first outboard middle lug grooves extending from the outboard crown main groove and terminating within the outboard middle land portion, and a plurality of second outboard middle lug grooves extending from the outboard shoulder main groove and terminating within the outboard middle land portion, wherein the second outboard middle lug grooves are larger than the first outboard middle lug grooves in length in a tire axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki MUKAI, Naoya NAGAHARA, Shingo NOBUKUNI, Eiki OSAWA
  • Publication number: 20170368883
    Abstract: A tire comprises a tread portion 2 having an outboard tread edge To and an inboard tread edge Ti and provided with an outboard shoulder main groove 3 and an outboard crown main groove 4 extending continuously in the tire circumferential direction so as to define an outboard middle land region 10 therebetween. The outboard middle land region 10 comprises outboard middle blocks 17 circumferentially divided by outboard middle lateral grooves 16. Each of the outboard middle blocks 17 is provided with outboard middle sipes 20 extending zigzag in the tire axial direction, wherein each of the outboard middle sipes 20 has an axially outer end terminated within the outboard middle block 17, and the above-said a plurality of outboard middle sipes 20 include at least one outboard middle sipe whose axially inner end is connected with the outboard crown main groove 4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuki KIGAMI
  • Publication number: 20170368884
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire is provided with, in the tread surface, land portions that include a rib or a plurality of blocks. The land portions are provided with a plurality of narrow shallow grooves and a plurality of recessed portions in a contact patch. Additionally, the opening area ratio Sc of the recessed portions in the central portion region in the tire lateral direction of one continuous contact patch and the opening area ratio Se of the recessed portions in the end portion regions in the tire lateral direction have the relationship Se<Sc, where the central portion region is defined as the region in the central portion in the tire lateral direction occupying 50% of the continuous contact patch of the land portions, and the end portion regions are defined as the regions in the left and right end portions in the tire lateral direction occupying 25%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Furusawa
  • Publication number: 20170368885
    Abstract: A tire comprises a tread portion having an outboard tread edge To and an inboard tread edge Ti. The tread portion is provided with: an outboard shoulder main groove extending continuously in the tire circumferential direction; an outboard crown main groove extending continuously in the tire circumferential direction and disposed between the outboard shoulder main groove and a tire equator; and outboard lateral grooves extending from the outboard crown main groove to the outboard tread edge To. The groove width of each of the outboard lateral grooves is decreased toward the outboard crown main groove 4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuki FUJIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20170368886
    Abstract: A tire comprises a tread portion 2 provided with a first main groove 3 and a second main groove 4 each extending in a zigzag manner and a land region 10 defined between them. The land region 10 is provided with a longitudinal sipe 15 extending in a zigzag manner in the tire circumferential direction, first lug grooves 16, and second lug grooves 17. The land region 10 comprises first blocks 21 divided by the longitudinal sipe 15 and the first lug grooves 16, and second blocks 22 divided by the longitudinal sipe 15 and the second lug grooves 17. Each of the first blocks 21 and the second blocks 22 is provided with not less than three transverse sipes 25 extending across the entire width of the each of the first blocks 21 and the second blocks 22.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Naofumi KITANI
  • Publication number: 20170368887
    Abstract: A tire has a tread having a first tread edge, a second tread edge on the opposite side, and multiple inclined main grooves formed such that each inclined main groove is obliquely extending from one of the first and second tread edges toward a tire equator and is terminated without reaching the other one of the first and second tread edges. The inclined main grooves are formed such that each of the inclined main grooves includes a tire axial direction outer side portion obliquely extending in an inclined direction, a tire axial direction inner side portion inclining in the inclined direction, and a middle portion formed between the tire axial direction outer side portion and the tire axial direction inner side portion and inclining in the opposite inclined direction with respect to the inclined direction of the tire axial direction outer side portion and tire axial direction inner side portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki ISHINO
  • Publication number: 20170368888
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a tread having a pair of crown grooves, a pair of shoulder grooves, a crown land, a pair of middle lands, and a pair of shoulder lands. No grooves having width of 2 mm or more are formed in the crown and middle lands, the tread has first and second halves and has first sipes in the first half such that each has width of less than 2 mm and extends from the crown to shoulder lands via the grooves, second sipes in the second half such that each has width of less than 2 mm and extends from the crown to shoulder lands via the grooves without reaching the ground contact edge, and third sipes in the middle land in the second half such that each has width of less than 2 mm and extends in axial direction between second sipes adjacent in circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi WAKASUGI, Yoshifumi KAWAGOE
  • Publication number: 20170368889
    Abstract: A method for installing a stud in a tyre. The method includes identifying a stud hole for the stud in the tyre; imaging the vicinity of at least the stud hole, whereby information is received about the pattern in the vicinity of the stud hole, and using the received information to determine [i] the stud type suitable for the stud suitable in the stud hole and/or [ii] the suitable stud orientation of the stud suitable in the stud hole. The method includes providing a stud and installing it in a stud hole. The stud type of the stud is the same as the suitable stud type of a stud suitable in the stud hole; and/or the stud is installed in the stud hole in such a way that the main direction of the stud is parallel with the suitable stud orientation. Further a tyre studded by the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Tommi AJOVIITA, Mikko LIUKKULA, Esko KUKKONEN, Jukka ALAJUUMA
  • Publication number: 20170368890
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: a tire monitor, located in a wheel arch and configured to: project beam(s) onto a tire, measure reflection(s) of the beam(s); memory, processor(s) configured to, based on the reflection(s): build a two-dimensional (2D) profile of the tire, compare depths of the built profile to depths of a preloaded profile, assess tire wear based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Jorge Manuel Rodriguez Vazquez, Jonatan Leff Yaffe, Carlos Emilio Merino, Luis Manuel Garcia
  • Publication number: 20170368891
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a plurality of protrusions that are provided in a range that includes the tire maximum width position of the tire side portion, and that extend in a direction intersecting the radial direction. The plurality of protrusions are separated from each other in the tire circumferential direction by spacings, pass through the center of rotation of the tire, and extend in the tire radial direction. In a case where a first straight line and a second straight line with different tire circumferential direction positions each cross the protrusions, a ratio of a sum of masses per unit length of the protrusions the first straight line crosses to a sum of masses per unit length of the protrusion the second straight line crosses is not less than 0.8 and not greater than 1.2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Yuji Kodama, Yuji Minami
  • Publication number: 20170368892
    Abstract: A device for measuring and/or monitoring tire-related variables of a vehicle, having a sensor unit for transmitting, receiving and processing signals, wherein a transmission signal is emitted by an antenna unit of the sensor unit in the direction of an object being measured and wherein a reflection signal reflected by the object being measured is received and analysed, the sensor unit having a transceiver device, via by means of which a reflection factor, formed as the quotient from the reflection signal reflected by the object being measured and the transmission signal, is measured and via which a resonance frequency and/or a phase difference between the transmission signal and the reflection signal is determined, wherein the transceiver unit comprises a vector network analyser and an analysis unit, so that a distance to the object being measured is established by detecting the phase difference between the transmission signal and the reflection signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Holger Heuermann, Thomas Harzheim
  • Publication number: 20170368893
    Abstract: A tire state monitoring system includes: tire state acquisition devices installed on tires of a host vehicle, each of the tire state acquisition devices being configured to acquire a tire state quantity; a monitoring device configured to receive an output signal from each of the tire state acquisition devices and perform predetermined processing; and an alerting device configured to issue an alert to a following vehicle. In addition, the monitoring device causes the alerting device to operate when a predetermined abnormality has arisen in the tire state quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Yuji KODAMA, Koji NAKATANI
  • Publication number: 20170368894
    Abstract: A device for measuring the pressure of a two wheeler tire comprises: a connector to connect the device to a valve of the two wheeler tire; a valve opener to open the valve, so that in the connected state with the valve, pressurized air flows out of the two wheeler tire through the valve into the device, until the pressure in the device corresponds to the pressure in the two wheeler tire; a pressure measuring device to measure the pressure in the device; and a transmitter to wirelessly transmit information about the measured pressure. A method for monitoring the pressure of a two wheeler tire includes: determining the actual pressure and desired pressure of the two wheeler tire; comparing the actual and desired pressures; and indicating the actual pressure and/or the desired pressure and/or the difference between the desired and actual pressures of the two wheeler tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Sven KORDES, Karsten GRABSKI
  • Publication number: 20170368895
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for mounting a tyre on a rim or demounting a tyre from a rim. The method includes the steps of rotating the wheel (tyre/rim assembly) by an electric motor about an axis, checking the current consumption of the electric motor during the mounting and demounting operation, and continuously and automatically adjusting a specific combination of torque and speed of the electric motor during the mounting/demounting operation. The apparatus for mounting a tyre on a rim or demounting a tyre from a rim comprises an electric motor for rotating the wheel (rim/tyre assembly) about an axis, a sensing device for sensing the motor current and transmitting corresponding signals to a control device and an adjustment controller for continuously and automatically adjusting a specific combination of torque and speed of the electric motor during the mounting/demounting operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Paolo SOTGIU, Francesco BRAGHIROLI
  • Publication number: 20170368896
    Abstract: A wheel valve assembly having a body portion coupled with a cover portion. A diaphragm disposed between the body portion and the cover portion. A first biasing member disposed between the cover portion and the diaphragm in a cover cavity defined thereby. A control cavity defined by the body portion and the diaphragm, and at least one control port defined by the body portion and in fluid communication with the control cavity. A tire port defined by the body portion and in selective fluid communication with the control cavity. A first and second conduit disposed in the body portion in fluid communication with a third and fourth conduit disposed in the cover portion. An equalization valve assembly disposed in one of the conduits to control fluid communication between the cover cavity and the control cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Lucas A. Balistreri, Christopher D. Blessing, Philip M. Molloy, Jason M. Sidders
  • Publication number: 20170368897
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to data collection and communication related to after-market and external vehicle systems, such as towing systems, cargo carrying systems, trailer breakaway systems, brake systems, braking control systems, and the like. Data is sensed, processed, shared, and further leveraged throughout the discrete components of the system, and possibly via internet and other communications' links, to effect various beneficial actions with minimal driver/user interaction or intervention. In the same manner, data from the system may be used for diagnostic reasons, safety controls, and other purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Fred Brickley, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Francis Bernart