Abstract: A heavy truck tire is provided that has a plurality of tread zones located at different locations in a lateral direction of the tread and configured for engaging a road. The first tread zone has a first max tan(?), and a second tread zone located next to the first tread zone in the lateral direction has a second max tan(?) is different than the first max tan(?). The second tread zone is between the first tread zone and a third tread zone. The third tread zone has a third max tan(?) that is the same as or close to the first max tan(?). The first, second and third max tan(?) are all within the range from 0.01-0.30. Also, either the first max tan(?) is at least 0.05 greater than the second max tan(?) or the second max tan(?) is at least 0.05 greater than the first max tan(?).

Abstract: A tire is described that includes a casing defining a cavity and equipped to receive an object, such as an electronic circuit, for example, through use of a two-part attachment, such as a touch-close attachment, of which a first part is fixed to a wall of the casing and a second part can be joined to the first part when placed in contact with the first part to keep the object on the casing in a service position. The first part of the attachment includes connection elements that are an integral part of the wall of the casing of the tire. The connection elements allow these two parts to have freedom to move relative to each other, thereby limiting the transmission of stresses, which affect the wall of the tire, to the object. The connection elements may be loops of flexible thread formed by the extremities of turns of a coiled thread integrated into the wall of the tire during the tire's manufacture.

Abstract: A tire is described that includes a casing defining a cavity and equipped to receive an object, such as an electronic circuit, for example, through use of a two-part attachment, such as a touch-close attachment, of which a first part is fixed to a wall of the casing and a second part can be joined to the first part when placed in contact with the first part to keep the object on the casing in a service position. The first part of the attachment includes connection elements that are an integral part of the wall of the casing of the tire. The connection elements allow these two parts to have freedom to move relative to each other, thereby limiting the transmission of stresses, which affect the wall of the tire, to the object. The connection elements may be loops of flexible thread formed by the extremities of turns of a coiled thread integrated into the wall of the tire during the tire's manufacture.

Abstract: A child's riding toy is provided having a vehicle body, at least one rotatable tire, and traction band. The at least one rotatable tire is configured to support at least a portion of the vehicle body and move the vehicle body from one location to another. The rotatable tire comprises a circumferentially-extending tread section, a sidewall, and a circumferentially-extending shoulder connecting to both the tread section and sidewall. The circumferentially-extending tread section comprises a tread surface configured to engage a ground surface while supporting at least the portion of the vehicle body. The tread section includes a channel equatorially located and circumferentially-extending. The traction band is sized to fit within the channel and have a top surface located about flush with the tread surface such that as the tread surface engages the ground surface so too does the band's top surface. Wherein both the traction band and tire tread simultaneously engage the ground to move the ride-on toy.

Abstract: Annular tire overlay (11) for drawing onto the rolling surface of tires (40), which has a tread (17) on its outside and a gripping surface (15) on its inside, which tire overlay (11) is so designed that contact between the rolling surface of the tire (40) and the surfacing of the road is prevented by the tire overlay (11) when the tire overlay has been drawn onto a tire. The said tire overlay (11) is provided with a flange (21) which stops the tire overlay (11) from shifting in the axial direction of the wheel. Advantageously, the tire overlay is additionally stiffened by a flange (21) of planar form to keep the contact area on the surface below small.

Abstract: A wheel for a non-motorized vehicle (e.g., a shopping cart) can include a housing assembly and a tread assembly. The housing assembly can be configured to sealingly house electronics or other components. The tread assembly can removably mate with the housing assembly such that the electronics or other components remain closed and/or sealed within the housing assembly when the tread assembly is mated or unmated with the housing assembly.

Abstract: A retreaded pneumatic truck tire includes a used carcass having a uniform annular attachment area and a retread element. The retread element secures to the attachment area of the used carcass. The retread element has a tread pattern comprising a first circumferential groove separating the tread pattern into a first shoulder rib and an intermediate rib and a second circumferential groove separating the tread pattern into the intermediate rib and a second shoulder rib. The tread pattern further comprises a first plurality of identical arcuate notches extending axially and circumferentially across the first circumferential groove and a second plurality of identical arcuate notches extending axially and circumferentially across the second circumferential groove. The first plurality of arcuate notches are offset circumferentially from the second plurality of arcuate notches.

Abstract: An armored tire and wheel assembly includes a wheel; a tire mounted on the wheel; a first annular support rail disposed on one side of the tire, the first annular support rail comprising a plurality of rail elements each pivotally connected to the adjacent rail elements; and a second annular support rail disposed on the other side of the tire, the second annular support rail comprising a plurality of rail elements each pivotally connected to the adjacent rail elements. There are a plurality of pads or shoes, each pad extending across the surface of the tire and secured adjacent one end to a rail element of the first annular support rail and adjacent the other end to a rail element of the second annular support rail.

Abstract: Both a “grip” run and a drift run of a remote control car are achieved by fitting rings to an outer peripheral surface of a tire or tires. In a drift tire, at least one annular groove is formed on an outer surface of an annular body of a tire main body in a circumferential direction, at least one ring made of a different material and/or shape from that of the annular body is fitted to the annular groove, and the ring is level with or protrudes from the outer surface of the annular body.

Abstract: A tire with a changing tread pattern is formed by first forming a tire having a tread, the tread having at least one circumferential or lateral groove. Formed separately is a wearable filler, the wearable filler having a configuration corresponding to at least a portion of the circumferential or lateral groove formed in the tire. After both the tire and the wearable filler have been cured, the wearable filler is located in the radially outer portion of the circumferential or lateral groove or a portion of the circumferential or lateral groove, and secured within the grooves so as to create a groove void radially inward of the wearable filler, the void being exposed upon wear of the tire tread.

Abstract: A tire with a changing tread pattern is formed by first forming a tire having a tread, the tread having at least one circumferential or lateral groove. A wearable filler, having a configuration corresponding to at least a portion of the circumferential or lateral groove formed in the tire, is located in the radially outer portion of the circumferential or lateral groove or a portion of the circumferential or lateral groove, and secured within the grooves so as to create a groove void radially inward of the wearable filler, the void being exposed upon wear of the tire tread.

Abstract: A two-piece tire assembly has a removable tread belt 12 for installing about the circumference of a tire carcass 14. The tread belt has a pair of lateral ends each axially extending beyond the inflated unloaded carcass 14 at the circumferential surface by a distance of at least 4% of the width as measured at the tread belt 12 and carcass 14 interface. The carcass 14 has an abrasion resistant rubber layer 82 at the tread belt interface. The tread belt 12 also has the abrasion resistance tread compound 82 at the carcass 14 interface. The tread belt 12 has a tread portion 80 that includes a tread cap 80A and a tread base 80B.

Abstract: A two-piece tire assembly has a removable tread belt 12 for installing about the circumference of a tire carcass 14. The tread belt has a pair of lateral ends each axially extending beyond the inflated unloaded carcass 14 at the circumferential surface by a distance of at least 4% of the width as measured at the tread belt 12 and carcass 14 interface. The carcass 14 has an abrasion resistant rubber layer 82 at the tread belt interface. The tread belt 12 also has the abrasion resistance tread compound 82 at the carcass 14 interface.

Abstract: A two-piece tire assembly has a removable tread belt 12 for installing about the circumference of a tire carcass 14. The tread belt has at least a pair of belt layers, and one layer comprising inextensible reinforcing cables inclined at substantially zero degrees relative to the circumferential direction of the tire assembly. The cables in zero degree ply have a tensile strength of at least 27,500 N.

Abstract: A two-piece tire assembly has a removable tread belt 12 for installing about the circumference of a tire carcass 14. The tread belt has at least a pair of belt layers, and one layer comprising inextensible reinforcing cables inclined at substantially zero degrees relative to the circumferential direction of the tire assembly. The cables in zero degree ply have a tensile strength of at least 50,000 N.

Abstract: A two-piece tire assembly 10 has a removable tread belt 12 for installing about the circumference of a tire carcass 14. The tread belt 12 has a radially outer ground contracting tread 15 and a radially inner belt reinforcing structure 100 having ply layers forming tread belts 84, 86, 88, 92. Radially inward of the belt reinforcing structure 100 is a radially inner portion 70, the radially inner portion 70 has a radially inner surface 72 in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the carcass 14. In one embodiment of the invention the radially inner surface 72 of the tread belt 12 and outer circumferential surface 71 of the carcass 14 have circumferentially extending grooves 74, 78 and ribs 72, 76 that complimentarily interlock. Traversing the ribs 72, 76 of the carcass or the tread belt are fluid or gas venting subsurface passages 80, 82 that are open to one or more groove 74, 78. The venting subsurface passages 80, 82 provide a convective cooling system for the two-piece tire assembly 10.

Abstract: An improved method of shipping, storing, and changing very large tires having a removable tread belt mounted to a tire carcass which are typically used on very large vehicles such as earthmovers. By compressing both the tread belts and the tire carcasses, they can be shipped separately so that less shipping and storage space is required. Tire changing only requires changing the tire tread without removing the wheel or carcass from the very large vehicle making it economically feasible to store and change tread designs to accommodate a variety of very large tire/vehicle operating conditions.

Abstract: An improved track belt tire is constructed of a removable tread belt assembly mounted to a tire carcass with an embedded carcass ply having ply turnup ends about the bead wires. First, second, third, and fourth apex elements are disposed about each of the bead wires. The first of the apex elements is located adjacent and radially outward from each of the bead wires. The second of the apex elements is located between the overlying sides of the turnup ply. The third of the apex elements is disposed against the axially inwardly facing sides of the turnup ends of the carcass ply and the fourth of the apex elements is located against outwardly facing sides of the ply turnup ends of the carcass ply to encase the end portions of the ply turnup ends between the second and fourth apex elements.

Abstract: A device for improving the winter road holding properties of automobiles is disclosed, which includes anti-skid members arranged in grooves in tire treads so as to surround lugs of the tread. A long working life of the anti-skid members may be attained if means are provided for moving the anti-skid members between non-retracted settings and retracted positions in which the anti-skid members are in the grooves.

Abstract: An improved track belt assembly wherein the anchor plates have fastening means which are disposed axially inward of the reinforcing belt structure.

Abstract: The annular tread belt body is assembled of uncured resilient material having reinforcing cords and is then mounted on a precured tire casing. The read belt body is assembled with a predetermined configuration at a radially inner surface and the precured tire casing has a matching predetermined configuration on the radially outer surface for mounting of the tread belt in a centered position on the tire casing. The tread belt body and precured tire casing are enclosed in a segmental mold where the tread belt is cured. After removal from the mold, the tread belt is separated from the tire casing. The tread belt is then mounted on the radially outer surface of a tire having reinforcing cords positioned in a generally radial direction relative to the axis of the tire.

Abstract: The track belt assembly of the present invention comprises a plurality of shoes spaced about the periphery of a load-supporting structure. A reinforcing belt structure is disposed on the side of the shoe opposite the ground-engaging side thereof. Each shoe is secured at its lateral ends to the belt reinforcing structure by two separate anchor plates disposed on the side of the belt opposite that which is adjacent the shoes.

Abstract: A vehicle tire with tractive elements for positive engagement with the ground surface is disclosed. The tire carcass has a tread including raised features. Means for positively linking tractive elements positioned radially outwardly of the tread to the raised features of the tread are provided in the form of a flexible but substantially inextensible belt positioned radially outwardly of the tread, and retainer elements positioned radially inwardly of the belt, the tractive elements being positioned radially outwardly of the belt and being releasably attached to the retainer elements for clamping the belt tightly therebetween. Inflation pressure within the carcass expands its crown region to maintain the belt in a taut condition. The retainer elements are sectionally constructed to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the tire.

Abstract: A vehicle tire with tractive elements for positive engagement with the ground surface is disclosed. The tire carcass has a tread including circumferentially spaced raised features. At least one flexible but substantially inextensible belt is positioned radially outwardly of the tread, and a respective plurality of retainer elements are positioned radially inwardly of the belt, the tractive elements being positioned radially outwardly of the belt and being releasably attached to the associated retainer elements for clamping the belt tightly therebetween. Inflation pressure within the carcass expands its crown region to maintain the belt in a taut condition, and at least one element of each set of associated tractive and retainer elements is positively mechanically linked to at least one of the raised features of the tread to limit circumferential displacement of the tractive elements relative to the tread.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire is made by applying a restricting member circumferentially around a cylindrical radial tire carcass. Shaping pressure inflates the carcass to a toroidal shape having a section height less than a predetermined section height so that the carcass can be enclosed by a mold for vulcanization. After vulcanization, normal inflation pressure is sufficient to further expand the restricting member and carcass to a shape having a section height greater than the predetermined section height so that the carcass may be pressed into gripping engagement with a replaceable tread belt.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire for a motor vehicle has a removable tread fastened to the casing by annular projections on one locked in annular grooves in the other when the tire is inflated. The tread is supported by a breaker structure underlying the tread in the crown portion of the casing. The breaker has an annular strip of metallic fabric and an annular tape of metallic fabric on each side of the strip and between the annular strip and underlying carcass. There is a free annular central zone between the tapes astride the center plane of the tire.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a carcass portion and a readily replaceable tread portion. The tread portion is provided with a zero ply steer belting and built-up edges. The carcass is of an elliptical cross-section. The interface between the carcass and tread is of a high radius of curvature, all of which when taken together, provides for an effective combination and practical replaceable tread tire.

Abstract: An improved fastener assembly includes an externally threaded member or bolt having a thread convolution with a relatively long trailing flank surface and a relatively short leading flank surface. An internally threaded member or nut also has a thread convolution with a relatively long trailing flank surface and a relatively short leading flank surface. The nut is grooved to provide an expandable section. When the nut and bolt are tightened, the relatively long trailing flank surfaces of the thread convolutions cause the grooved portion of the nut to expand to completely fill a hole. The opposite end of the nut is contracted to clamp against a thread convolution on the bolt. In one embodiment of the invention, a relatively short leading flank surface of the bolt extends at an acute angle to the relatively short leading flank surface of the nut to provide clearance between the internal and external thread convolutions.

Abstract: A removable track belt for installation around the outer surface of a tire carcass has on its inner surface a plurality of circumferential lands and grooves that interlock with lands and grooves on the tire carcass. The inner surface of the track belt also has a plurality of spaced axial grooves for receiving removable rigid keeper bars, to which grousers are attached. The underside of each keeper bar contains lands and grooves that also mate with those of the tire carcass.

Abstract: Replaceable tread or track belts on tube tire carcasses can be changed in the field and elsewhere by venting the pressure within the tube tire carcass, subsequently creating a partial vacuum within the tire carcass sufficient to cause it to commence collapsing, and then, while maintaining the vacuum constant in the carcass, physically depressing the periphery thereof at circumferentially spaced intervals to convert the outer circular surface of the carcass to a polygonal configuration that allows the circular belts to be conveniently changed.

Abstract: a replaceable tire tread belt has radially outer and inner peripheral surfaces and a pair of opposite side surfaces defining a preselected axial width. The tread belt is mounted on a tire carcass having a radially outer peripheral portion, a facing pair of sidewalls, and a radially inner base portion. A buttressed deflector of preselected cross sectional configuration extends axially outwardly from at least one sidewall of the tire carcass a distance axially beyond the tread belt of from 5 to 71/2% of the preselected axial width for deflecting external objects away from the sidewall.

Abstract: a replaceable tire tread belt has outer and inner peripheral surfaces and a pair of opposite side surfaces. The inner peripheral surface has a plurality of projections for interlocking engagement with a tire carcass, and the outer peripheral surface is axially divided into a smooth portion extending about the circumference and providing an extended service life, and a grooved portion extending about the circumference and defining the remaining portion of the outer peripheral surface and providing traction.