Protrusion Bridging Between Walls (e.g., Tie Bar, Etc.) Patents (Class 152/209.22)
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Patent number: 8469069Abstract: A tread 1 having a tread surface 3 onto which there opens at least one cavity 2, this cavity being bounded by a cavity wall 20 comprising a bottom wall 21 extended by a side wall 22 intersecting the tread surface to form at least one edge corner 31, this tread being, over at least part of the wall of the cavity 2, provided with a plurality of supporting strands 4, each supporting strand 4 comprising two ends of which one end 41 is attached to the cavity wall 20, this tread being characterized in that the supporting strands 4 each comprise at least one branching formed by the attachment of at least one branching strand 5.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2008Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignees: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A., Compagnie Generale des Etablissements MichelinInventors: Masashi Igarashi, Masayuki Maesaka, Ludovic Greverie, Salvatore Pagano
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Patent number: 8453689Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic tire, in which a light is prevented from occurring on a wear indicator itself, edge portions and surfaces of a land portion located in the vicinity of the wear indicator, as well as a tire vulcanizing die therefor. In order to achieve the object, the main groove of the pneumatic tire includes on a groove bottom a wear indicator protruding by a predetermined height and in wall portions of the main groove located at both sides of the wear indicator as viewed in a width direction of the groove, at least one of the wall portions of the main groove is formed with at least one concave portion opening to a tread surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Toshikazu Yasunaga
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Publication number: 20130098519Abstract: A heavy duty tire includes a tread portion with a pair of circumferentially extending crown main grooves and a pair of circumferentially extending shoulder main grooves to form a crown land portion, a pair of middle land portions and a pair of shoulder land portions, wherein crown main grooves have groove widths of 2-5% of a tread half width, shoulder main grooves have groove widths of 6-9% of the tread half width, crown lateral grooves are provided on the crown land portion to form a plurality of crown blocks, middle lateral grooves are provided on middle land portions, shoulder lateral grooves are provided on shoulder land portions, crown and middle lateral grooves have groove widths of 0.4-2.0 mm, and shoulder lateral grooves have groove widths of 6-9% of the tread half width.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Inventor: Atsushi MAEHARA
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Patent number: 8413695Abstract: A heavy duty tire comprises a tread portion provided with a center rib, shoulder ribs and middle ribs therebetween. The middle ribs are provided with closed-end sipes. The sipe comprises: an axially inner segment and axially outer segment inclined at an angle of from 30 to 60 degrees with respect to the tire circumferential direction; and a middle segment therebetween inclined in a direction crosswise to the axially inner and outer segments. The angle ?1 between the axially inner segment and middle segment is from 90 to 110 degrees. The angle ?2 between the axially outer segment and middle segment is from 90 to 110 degrees. The axial length SW of the closed-end sipe measured from the axially inner end to the axially outer end thereof is from 0.50 to 0.90 times the axial width LW of the middle rib.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2009Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Keizo Shibano
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Publication number: 20130061993Abstract: A vehicle tire tread includes a circumferential spaced apart array of discrete tie-bar block elements within a circumferential tread groove, each tie-bar block element having a circumferentially oriented bisecting cut dividing the tie bar into opposed tie-bar components. The opposed tie-bar components operatively flex and converge axially when present within a rolling tire footprint to close the radially outward cut segment and resume a nominal separation dimension when outside a rolling tire footprint. The bisecting cut within each tie-bar block element further forms at a radially inward end a large diameter fluid conducting channel extending through the tie-bar block element to allow the passage of fluid along the circumferential groove, unobstructed by the array of tie-bar block elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2011Publication date: March 14, 2013Inventors: Vincent Benoit Mathonet, Philippe Joseph Auguste Muller, Laurent Luigi Domenico Colantonio
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Patent number: 8382135Abstract: An unmotorized sand-rideable bicycle utilizes oversized balloon tires that have an enlarged footprint to permit the bicycle to ride up over even loose sand to provide ease of pedaling as well as enhanced steering and stability over that associated with standard bicycles.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2011Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Inventors: William J Raike, III, Gene Langmesser
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Patent number: 8381782Abstract: It aims to provide a heavy duty pneumatic tire with block patterns and capable of improving deflected wear resisting performances without sacrificing wet grip performances or on-snow performances and that can particularly be favorably used for all seasons.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2008Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Shingo Takahashi, Satoshi Tsuda
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Patent number: 8371349Abstract: The tread band of a tire has two circumferential portions, a central one and an inner intermediate one, respectively, that are subdivided into center and intermediate blocks respectively; an inner-shoulder circumferential portion has first and second inner-shoulder cuts, axially offset from each other and distributed in an alternated sequence, to confine a continuous inner-shoulder rest surface with an undulated course; and an outer intermediate circumferential portion has first and second intermediate cuts, and an outer-shoulder circumferential portion has first and second outer-shoulder cuts. The first and second intermediate cuts and the outer-shoulder cuts, respectively, mutually converge at an angle of about 20° and are axially offset from each other and circumferentially distributed in an alternated sequence, to delimit continuous rest surfaces, an intermediate and outer-shoulder surface respectively, with an undulated course.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2007Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.Inventors: Gianfranco Colombo, Stefano Montesello, Roberto Sangalli, Nevio Zani
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Patent number: 8336590Abstract: It aims to provide a heavy duty pneumatic tire with block patterns and capable of improving deflected wear resisting performances without sacrificing wet grip performances or on-snow performances and that can particularly be favorably used for all seasons.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2008Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Shingo Takahashi, Satoshi Tsuda
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Patent number: 8322388Abstract: A tire having a tread wherein a first shoulder region includes a plurality of shoulder blocks that are circumferentially separated by shoulder transverse grooves. A central region includes a plurality of substantially transverse grooves extending from a first circumferential groove toward the equatorial plane, wherein two circumferentially consecutive substantially transverse grooves delimit a central area. The central area includes a first central block; a second central block having one side forming a part of the wall of the first circumferential groove; and a third central block circumferentially shifted with respect to the first central block and positioned at a distance from the first circumferential groove, the third central block being separated from the second central block by a central transverse groove which is inclined with respect to the equatorial plane. The substantially transverse grooves have respective end portions at a distance from the equatorial plane.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2004Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.Inventors: Maurizio Boiocchi, Vito Bello, Giuseppe Matrascia, Stephen Rowe
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Patent number: 8302644Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a rib sectionalized by main grooves extending along a tire circumferential direction in a center portion of a tread surface. Depressions are arranged in series in a center portion in a width direction of the rib so as to leave a space in the tire circumferential direction. The depressions extend in the tire circumferential direction and become wider from both end portions in a longitudinal direction toward a center portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Toshihiko Takahashi
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Patent number: 8281828Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire capable of providing improved lateral sliding resistance on snow, improved traction on snow, and improved uneven-wear resistance. The provided tire includes: at least one circumferential main groove formed in a tread portion and extending in the tire-circumferential direction; and plural columns of land areas defined in the tread portion by the circumferential main groove. Plural lug grooves and plural sipes are formed in at least one of the plural land-area columns. Each of the lug grooves extends in the tire-width direction. At least one end of each lug groove is formed as a dead end located in the corresponding land area. Each of the sipes extends so as to surround the corresponding lug groove. Each sipe intersects with the lug groove in question, and is communicatively connected to the corresponding single one of the circumferential main grooves at the two ends of the sipe.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kohtaro Matsushita
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Publication number: 20120247632Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a shoulder land zone provided with lateral grooves arranged at variable pitches in the tire circumferential direction and extending at an angle of not more than 30 degrees with respect to the tire axial direction. The domains defined between the shoulder lateral grooves include a smallest domain having the smallest circumferential length and a largest domain having the largest circumferential length. The domains are each provided with at least one sipe extending at an angle of not more than 30 degrees with respect to the tire axial direction. The number of the sipe(s) in the smallest domain is less than the number of the sipes in the largest domain.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Inventor: Koji HAYASHI
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Publication number: 20120241061Abstract: A heavy duty pneumatic tire is provided in the tread portion with six land portions (crown, middle and shoulder) divided axially by five main grooves. Each land portion is divided into blocks by axial grooves (crown, middle and shoulder). Each axial groove is provided with a tie bar. The tie bar in the shoulder axial groove is largest in the protruding height. The maximum widths Wcr, Wmi and Wsh of the crown, middle and shoulder land portions satisfy; 0.9=<Wmi/Wcr=<0.98 and 1.1=<Wsh/Wcr=<1.22.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Inventor: Atsushi MAEHARA
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Patent number: 8272415Abstract: A heavy duty tire (1) comprising at least three rib-like land portions (7) with a block row where blocks (6) defined by circumferential main grooves (3) extending in the circumferential direction and lateral grooves (5) are arranged in the circumferential direction, wherein the lateral grooves (5) are provided, in their bottoms (S), with a sipe-forming region (Sy) having a sipe (20) which extends along the groove center line and has a width of 0.5 to 2.0 mm, and wherein the depth (DY) in the sipe-forming region (Sy) of the lateral grooves (5) is from 0.5 to 0.75 times the depth (H) of the circumferential main grooves (3), and the depth (DS) of the sipe (20) is from 0.75 to 1.0 times the depth (H) of the circumferential main grooves.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2006Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Kuniaki Itou
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Patent number: 8261791Abstract: Provided is a low profile pneumatic tire for an SUV, which is capable of having its enhanced rut performance with its dry and wet performances being reconciled with each other. The pneumatic tire according to the present invention has a nominal width of not less than 255, an outside diameter of not less than 720 mm, and an aspect ratio of not more than 55%. The pneumatic tire has a designated direction of sides thereof for mounting the tire on a vehicle. In its tread portion, the pneumatic tire includes five main grooves extending in the tire's circumferential direction, and six land portions defined by the five main grooves.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroyuki Kojima
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Patent number: 8230890Abstract: A pneumatic tire is provided for enhancing its driving stability and braking performance on particular road surfaces. The pneumatic tire is provided with five main grooves, first and second lateral grooves, and first and second blocks. The five main grooves include a single first main groove, two second main grooves, and two third main grooves. The single first main groove is disposed on a tire equator. The first main groove is made of a see-through groove extending in the tire circumferential direction. The two second main grooves are disposed on two sides of the first main groove in the tire width direction. The first and the second lateral grooves are extending in the tire width direction. The first and the second blocks are formed in a center area of the tread surface between the two third main grooves. A sub-groove is disposed in each first block.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2009Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kenichi Matsumoto
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Patent number: 8225832Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes on a tread a plurality of circumferential main grooves extending in the tire circumferential direction, and a plurality of land portions formed by being partitioned by the circumferential main grooves. A protrusion is formed on a groove bottom of at least one of the circumferential main grooves. The protrusion continuously extends in a groove-length direction of the circumferential main groove, and a height h1 of the protrusion varies in a wavelike form along the groove-length direction. Moreover, junctions each of which couples the protrusion onto at least one of groove walls of the circumferential main groove are formed on the groove bottom of the circumferential main groove.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2007Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takayuki Suzuki
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Publication number: 20120160385Abstract: A pneumatic tire tread includes center lateral grooves inclined to the reverse direction of the belt cords of the outermost belt ply of the belt, a groove width Wyc of the center lateral grooves being from 1.0 to 6.0 mm, shoulder lateral grooves being inclined to the same direction of the belt cords of the outermost belt ply, the shoulder lateral grooves having a narrow-width portion having a groove width Wys1 of from 0.4 to 1.5 mm at a position where it connects to a shoulder circumferential main groove, and a wide-width portion having a groove width Wys2 of from 2.0 to 8.0 mm which is connected to the narrow-width portion and extends beyond the tread ground-contact edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2011Publication date: June 28, 2012Inventor: Susumu TANAKA
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Publication number: 20120145295Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion divided into a crown land region, two middle land regions and two shoulder land regions. The crown land region and middle land regions are each divided into triangular blocks by axial grooves arranged in a zigzag fashion. The shoulder land regions are each divided into shoulder blocks by axial grooves extending at an angle of not less than 70 degrees. The shoulder block is subdivided into an axially inner part and an axially outer part by a secondary groove extending at an angle of not more than 10 degrees. The outer part is provided with sipes extending at an angle of not less than 70 degrees, each angle with respect the circumferential direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2011Publication date: June 14, 2012Inventor: Hiroshi YAMADA
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Publication number: 20120080130Abstract: A tire tread region has a first block element and a second adjacent block element e spaced apart by a groove and a reinforcement bar is situated within the groove. The reinforcement bar extends between the first and second adjacent blocks at a prescribed inclination angle from a deeper surface end within the groove to a radially more shallow opposite surface end. The inclined surface includes a radially outwardly facing concave surface portion at the radially inward, deeper, inclined surface end.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Inventor: Daniel Scheuren
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Publication number: 20110259494Abstract: A heavy duty tire comprises a tread portion provided with a central circumferential groove, a crown circumferential groove on each side thereof and crown axial grooves extending therebetween so as to for crown blocks. The crown block is circumferentially subdivides into two block pieces by a crown narrow groove. The crown axial groove is provided in the groove bottom with a tie bar rising therefrom and connecting the circumferentially adjacent two crown blocks each other. The crown axial grooves are inclined at an angle ? of from 10 to 30 degrees with respect to the tire axial direction. The central circumferential groove and an axially inner part of the crown axial groove which part is axially inside the tie bar, are shallower than the crown circumferential groove.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Inventor: Keizo SHIBANO
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Patent number: 8042584Abstract: A pneumatic tire is provided in the tread portion (2) with a circumferential groove (3, 3b, 3c) extending continuously in the tire circumferential direction and having a pair of oppositely opposed groove walls (6). The circumferential groove (3, 3b, 3c) is provided in at least one of the groove walls (6) with radial grooves (9) arranged along the longitudinal direction of the circumferential groove (3). The radially outer end (9o) of the radial groove (9) is positioned in a range (a1) of from 0 to 20% of the depth (GDt) of the circumferential groove. The radially inner end (9i) of the radial groove (9) is positioned in a range (a2) of from 80 to 100% of the depth (GDt) of the circumferential groove. The radial groove has an opening width (g) of not less than 1.0 mm, but not more than 6.0 mm.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2007Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Shingo Takahashi
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Patent number: 8002005Abstract: A pneumatic tire including a plurality of grooves which extend at least in the circumferential direction, and which are formed in a tread portion and sipes which are formed in a plurality of blocks formed by the grooves. In the pneumatic tire, the groove width of the sipe formed in each of the blocks constituting a center region of the tread portion is greater than the groove width of the sipe formed in each of the blocks constituting edge regions of the tread portion. At least the sipes formed in the blocks constituting the center region are three-dimensional sipes each having a zigzag shape extending in the width, circumferential and radial directions of the tire. Each of the three-dimensional sipes is provided with, on the inner side thereof in the tire radial direction, at least one cutout which has a length, in the tire radial direction, of 50 to 90% of the length of the three-dimensional sipe in the tire radial direction, and which has a length, in the tire width direction, of 1 to 5 mm.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2006Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventor: Yuji Sakamaki
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Patent number: 7992608Abstract: A pneumatic tire where the positions of the groove deepest portions (33btm) in the circumferential grooves (33) vary in a predetermined cycle along the circumferential direction in a width direction of the tread within the circumferential grooves (33). Moreover, depth direction positions, where a groove bottom surface of the circumferential groove (33) contacts with each of perpendicular lines (perpendicular line P1, perpendicular line P2) which are perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to a tread surface and which pass respectively through edges (edge portion 11eg, edge portion 12eg) of the land portions on a side of each of the circumferential grooves of ribs, as well as angles which are formed by the perpendicular lines and a section line of a cross-section of the groove bottom surface in the width direction of the tread surface vary in the predetermined cycle along the circumferential direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2004Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventor: Arata Tomita
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Patent number: 7980281Abstract: A groove bottom of a circumferential groove formed in a tread surface is provided with a protruding stripe extending along an extending direction of the circumferential groove. The protruding stripe is provided with a top head portion protruding toward a tire outer circumferential side, and a base portion which is narrower than the top head portion and connects the top head portion and the groove bottom. If a small stone is pinched, the top head portion is inclined around the base portion, and the protruding stripe is deflected as a whole, thereby generating a reaction force on the basis of a deformation restoring force.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2007Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masaaki Ohara
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Patent number: 7975738Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire which employs pitch variation for suppressing pattern noise and has uniformity further improved. Pitches 3a, 3b and 3c with different pitch lengths are formed so that a pitch with a larger pitch length is set to have a smaller groove area ratio, and to have a larger groove wall angle ? on the obtuse angle side that is formed by a groove wall of a lateral groove 2 and the direction tangential to the thread surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yukihiko Ohki
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Patent number: 7954527Abstract: A pneumatic tire provided with a tread pattern on which a plurality of blocks are formed with circumferential grooves which extend along a circumferential direction of the tire and lateral grooves which traverse the circumferential grooves, wherein the lateral groove disposed between the blocks on the endmost tread edge region has a depth from 10 to 50% of a depth of the circumferential groove to be traversed and has a groove bottom concave portion whose both ends in a longitudinal direction are disposed inside the groove bottom, and a width of the groove bottom concave portion, which is determined on the basis of the bottom plane of the groove bottom, is from 25 to 45% of a groove width of the lateral groove.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2007Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masaaki Ohara
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Patent number: 7942177Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire that has a directional tread pattern and includes: a rib-shaped first land area extending in the tire-circumferential direction in a center section of a tread portion; paired first main grooves being adjacent respectively to the two sides of the first land area; paired second land areas being adjacent respectively to the outer sides of the first main grooves; paired second main grooves being adjacent respectively to the outer sides of the second land areas; paired third land areas being adjacent respectively to the outer sides of the second main grooves; a fine groove extending at the center of the first land area; plural lug grooves formed in the first land area; and plural sipes formed in the first land area. Each lug groove intersects with a corresponding sipe. An end of the lug groove formed in the first land area is formed as a dead end between the fine groove and a corresponding first main groove.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Daichi Nakamura
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Publication number: 20110079333Abstract: A tire tread includes at least one tread element and a treadwear indicator. The tread element projects from a base of the tire tread. The tread element has a radially outermost surface for contacting a road surface. The treadwear indicator includes a first step and a second step radially offset from the first step. The first step has a first surface disposed radially inward of the outermost surface of the tread element. The second step is disposed radially inward of the outermost surface of the tread element.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2009Publication date: April 7, 2011Inventors: Jacques Collette, Daniel Scheuren, Gregory William Camarato, Qingye Yin, Jacques Rene Smeets
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Patent number: 7882875Abstract: A pneumatic tire having shoulder blocks defined on a shoulder side of the tread surface by lateral grooves extending in the widthwise direction of the tire beyond a ground contact end of the tire, the shoulder blocks being arranged in the circumferential direction of the tire. A bottom-raising portion is provided only on a bottom of every other lateral groove of the lateral grooves. Two shoulder blocks adjacent in the circumferential direction of the tire are connected by the first bottom-raising portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2008Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaharu Sekoguchi, Shinichi Mori
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Patent number: 7874333Abstract: A tread (1) comprising a plurality of grooves of longitudinal and transverse general orientation (2b, 2c, 31, 32), the grooves of longitudinal orientation comprising main grooves (2b, 2c) of depth G and secondary grooves (31, 32) of depth G? less than the depth G of the main grooves, the central part (C) of the tread, defined axially by two grooves of longitudinal orientation, and of a width of between 0.25 and 0.5 times the width W of the tread, being provided with at least one main groove (2c) of longitudinal orientation and of average depth G. The depth G? of the secondary grooves (31, 32) is between 0.4 and 0.6 times the depth G of the main grooves (2b, 2c). The transverse grooves (5c) of the ribs of the central part (C) comprise over at most half of their length a connecting bridge (6c), the surface radially to the outside of which is at a distance Hc from the running surface of between 0.4 and 0.8 times the depth G of the main grooves.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2006Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventor: Renaud Durand
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Patent number: 7849895Abstract: The present invention provides a pneumatic tire which can obtain a high wet drainage performance, roadholding ability, and wear-resistant property without sacrificing other capabilities A directional pattern is formed by a circumferential wide major groove, a first narrow circumferential minor groove, a second narrow circumferential minor groove, a first transverse groove, a second transverse groove, and a third transverse groove. The circumferential wide major groove is provided in a center region in a tire width direction of a tread. The first narrow circumferential minor groove is arranged on the outside in a tire axis direction of the circumferential wide major groove. The second narrow circumferential minor groove is arranged on the outside in the tire axis direction of the first narrow circumferential minor groove. The first transverse groove is extended from a tread end and coupled to the circumferential wide major groove.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2005Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventor: Takayuki Fukunaga
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Patent number: 7836926Abstract: A circumferential sipe extends continuously in the circumferential direction of the tire in the center region of the tread surface section of a rib defined between circumferential grooves. Widthwise sipes are disposed at prescribed intervals in the circumferential direction of the tire in the tread surface section, the widthwise sipes extending in the widthwise direction of the tire in crossing relationship to the circumferential sipe, the widthwise sipes each having opposing terminal ends open to the circumferential grooves. The circumferential sipe changes in depth periodically in such a manner that the circumferential sipe is shallow between adjacent widthwise sipes. The widthwise sipes changes in depth in such a manner that they are greater in depth in the center region and end regions of the tread surface section.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2007Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takayuki Suzuki
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Patent number: 7784509Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion provided with axial grooves opened at a tread edge and a circumferential groove adjacent to the tread edge, wherein each of the axial grooves is provided between the circumferential groove and tread edge with a thin partition wall to prevent noise sound emission without deteriorating wet performance.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Masahiro Tamura
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Patent number: 7726369Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion provided with at least two circumferential grooves and lateral grooves extending from the circumferential grooves so as to form blocks which are circumferentially divided by the lateral grooves and arranged in at least three circumferential rows axially divided by said at least two circumferential grooves. Each of the lateral grooves is provided with a tie-bar rising from the groove bottom to a certain height as to connect the opposite groove walls with each other. The tie-bars in the lateral grooves extend towards the adjacent circumferential grooves but terminate before the circumferential grooves so as to provide certain distances therebetween, and the distances are gradually decreased from the axially outside to the axially inside of the tread portion. The inclination angles of the lateral grooves are gradually decreased from the axially outside to the axially inside of the tread portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2006Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Kuniaki Ito
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Publication number: 20100084063Abstract: In a pneumatic tire, a difference Gs-Ge falls in a range of Gs-Ge?0.10, where Gs is a groove area ratio for a wear rate 0% and Ge is a groove area ratio for a wear rate 100%. Further, a groove area ratio G for a wear rate 20% falls in a range of (Gs-G)/(Gs-Ge)?0.30, and a groove area ratio G for a wear rate 35% falls in a range of (Gs-G)/(Gs-Ge)?0.50.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2008Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kouichi Koutoku
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Patent number: 7673663Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion provided with a nonlinear rib having an amplitude having a center in the tire axial direction. In a normally loaded condition of the tire, the tread portion has an outside tread edge and an inside tread edge when the camber angle of the tire is 0 degrees. In the normally loaded condition, when the a camber angle of 4 degrees is given to the tire to inline towards the outside tread edge, a foot print shape of the tire has a maximum circumferential length at an axial position MC which is off the tire equator towards the outside tread edge. The nonlinear rib is positioned off the tire equator towards the outside tread edge such that the axial position MC lies within the amplitude of the nonlinear rib, and one of the edges of the nonlinear rib on the outside tread edge side is chamfered.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2006Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Takehiko Murata
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Patent number: 7647958Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a rotation direction specified in one direction. The tread surface has a main groove extending on the equatorial plane of the tire, right and left first inclination grooves extending in an inclined manner from the main groove toward the reverse rotation direction of the tire, and right and left second inclination grooves disposed on the opposite sides of the main groove. The right and left second inclination grooves are disposed at symmetrical positions with respect to the equatorial plane of the tire. Blocks are formed on the opposite sides of the main groove by the main groove, right and left first inclination grooves and right and left second inclination grooves.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2008Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaharu Sekoguchi, Shinichi Mori
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Patent number: 7637296Abstract: A pneumatic drive tire for tracked vehicles is provided having an outer tread surface divided into two zones. The first tread zone has a plurality of lugs and grooves, the grooves may extend across the entire first zone creating soil discharge channels. The soil discharge channels preferably extend into the shoulder. The tire has a second tread zone with no lugs or grooves.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2004Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Mark Leonard Bonko, Carl Kenneth Safreed, Jr., Paul John Peterson
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Patent number: 7562683Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a pneumatic tire capable of securing rigidity of a tip end of a block, and effectively preventing deviated wear of a tread surface. In a tread surface of a pneumatic tire formed with a block 30 having a tip end 31 which is tapered as viewed from above, and a block 20 having a sidewall surface 25 opposed to a sidewall surface 32 of the block 30, the tip end 31 of the block 30 is provided with a taper cut portion 33 whose land portion height is gradually reduced toward its tip end side, and a bridge portion 34 which is connected to the sidewall surface 25 of the block 20 at a substantially constant land portion height from the tip end of the taper cut portion 33.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2005Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tetsuji Miyazaki
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Patent number: 7537033Abstract: A pneumatic tire which positively discharges water having flowed into a groove extending in the tire circumferential direction and enhances capability of preventing hydroplaning. The groove is provided in the tread face of the tire and extends in the tire circumferential direction. The wall face of the groove is provided with line portions composed of a plurality of ridges or recesses that are inclined in one direction with respect to the groove longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2003Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kenji Yamane
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Patent number: 7490645Abstract: A pneumatic tire which includes a tie bar in a lateral groove disposed in a block array, the tie bar connecting adjacent blocks in a circumferential direction through the lateral groove. The tie bar is formed with a sipeing having a zigzag portion, the zigzag portion extending in a zigzag manner in a direction of a groove centerline of the lateral groove. The sipeing is a three-dimensional sipeing in which a sipeing wall surface is repeatedly recessed and projected, three-dimensionally.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2005Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Yasushi Shinmura, Hideaki Sugihara
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Patent number: 7484542Abstract: A tire tread has at least three rows of tread elements, each tread element in the at rows has at least one sipe and at least one sipe in each tread element row has a tie bar therein. Each tie bar in the sipes has a volume, and the volume of the sipe tie bar in each tread element in each row is not more than 10% different than the volume of the sipe tie bar in each tread element in any other tread row. Several of the tread rows have transverse grooves having groove tie bars therein.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2005Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Karl Eric Sundkvist, Eddy Dong-Rong Pan, Tooney Raymond Jones, David Allen Griffin, John Russell Shaffer, Charles Kenneth Schmalix, Keith Eric Grabo
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Patent number: 7461677Abstract: A pneumatic tire suitable for competitive sports has a specified tread pattern comprising a central region and both shoulder regions, in which a plurality of bell-shaped wide-width main grooves each extended substantially bell-shapedly into both sides approximately centering on an equator of the tire are disposed in the tread at a given interval in the circumferential direction of the tire wherein the bell-shaped wide-width main groove has specified inclination angles in the central region and the shoulder region and specified groove width and groove depth, and a width of a connecting land portion at a position coming the bells-shaped wide-width main grooves closest to each other is not less than 1.5 mm, and the tire has a given negative ratio at the central region.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2005Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventors: Youji Noguchi, Akira Yagi
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Patent number: 7434606Abstract: A tread surface 2 is divided by inner and outer longitudinal grooves 3a and 3b located on opposite sides of the tire equator into a central land portion 4i, intermediate land portions 4m and shoulder land portions 4o. The intermediate land portion 4i includes an inclined grooves 9 having an angle ? with respect to the circumferential direction of the tire, and the angle is increased from an inner end (mi) away from the inner longitudinal grooves 3a by a small distance La to an outer end (mo) where the intermediate land portion intersects with the outer longitudinal grooves 3b. An angle ?i in the inner end (mi) is 0 to 25°, and an angle ?o in the outer end (mo) is 60 to 80°. A pitch P1 of the inclined grooves 9 in the circumferential direction is greater than a pitch P2 of lug grooves 5 provided in the shoulder land portion 4o in the circumferential direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2004Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Saburo Miyabe, Tadao Matsumoto
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Patent number: 7422043Abstract: A pneumatic tire is provided, where the rigidity of the blocks formed on the tread surface is increased and an increase in the level of noise when the tread surface is worn can be prevented. In a pneumatic tire where a number of blocks which are separated by a number of grooves are formed on tread surface, these grooves comprise main grooves that extend along the direction around the tire, or across the direction around the tire, sub-grooves that extend so as to connect to these main grooves, a pair of first raised bottom portions formed in the vicinity of the two ends of each portion of sub-groove which separates blocks, and at least one second raised bottom portion that is formed between each pair of the first raised bottom portions.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2005Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tetsuji Miyazaki
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Patent number: 7380577Abstract: A tread of rubber mix provided with a tread pattern formed by a plurality of elements in relief (1) defining grooves or incisions, this tread furthermore comprising at least one inserted element (3) arranged in a groove between two neighboring elements in relief, this inserted element having a contact face (31) intended to be in contact with the roadway and offset towards the inside of the tread relative to the contact faces of the neighboring elements, this inserted element (3) having lateral faces, some of said faces being provided with a plurality of connecting reliefs (6) of rubber mix making the inserted element (3) and at least one neighboring element (1) integral.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2005Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventor: José Merino Lopez
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Publication number: 20080066841Abstract: A tire tread (1) includes tie bars (13,14,15,16) in its secondary grooves (9,10,11,12). These tie bars (13,14,15,16) are rounded and taper off on their sides so that the contour of such a tie bar (13,14,15,16) in cross-section along a groove (9,10,11,12) constitutes a continuous curve without edges or straight lines. The profile of the tie bar (13) is essentially a circle segment with sides leveling off toward the bottom of the groove (12). This design allows a gradual change in block stiffness unlike conventional tie bars, which only provide a sudden drop-off in block stiffness.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2006Publication date: March 20, 2008Inventor: Daniel Stephen Mathews
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Patent number: 7341082Abstract: A pneumatic tire with a shoulder rib and lateral grooves defined in a shoulder rib. A tread and shoulder of the tire are joined along a shoulder edge. The tread includes a circumferential groove defining the shoulder rib, which is adjacent to the tire's shoulder. The lateral grooves, which intersect the shoulder edge, extend laterally across the shoulder rib, but do not intersect the circumferential groove.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2004Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventor: Olivier de Barsy