Abstract: A wheel tread part 2 of a tread is constituted of a longitudinal main groove 3 formed in a circumferential direction via a center of a width direction, a plurality of longitudinal subgrooves 4 formed on both side parts of the longitudinal main groove 3 in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of traverse grooves 5 formed in a width direction to intersect the longitudinal main and subgrooves 3, 4, and divided into a plurality of blocks 6. Each of the plurality of blocks 6 is provided with a one-end-open sipe 9, and formed so that rigidity in the width direction can be higher in an end a of a center side region compared with an end b of a shoulder side region. Since the rigidity of the end a of the center side region is higher, a reaction force is generated in accordance with a steering angle from the start of changing the same.

Abstract: The invention is to improve wear resistance and resistance to crack growth of an off-the-road tire having a gauge of a tread rubber of 60-200 mm, in which a plurality of widthwise grooves extending substantially in a widthwise direction of the tire are arranged in each side region of the tread, and a pair of circumferential fine grooves continuously extending straight-forward or zigzag in a circumferential direction of the tire are arranged in a central zone of the tread, and a plurality of widthwise fine grooves extending substantially in the widthwise direction of the tire and contacting their grooves walls with each other in a ground contact area are arranged between these circumferential fine grooves.

Abstract: A tire having an outer surface and plurality of circumferential and lateral grooves formed into the outer surface. The circumferential and lateral grooves extend to at least one groove depth to define a groove bottom surface. The circumferential and lateral grooves also define a plurality of tread blocks disposed around the circumference of the tire. The tire further includes at least one tie bar extending between at least two of the tread blocks and across at least one of the circumferential and lateral grooves. The tie bar is spaced from the groove bottom surface. In one aspect of the invention, the tire is manufactured in a mold and the tie bar is formed by a supplemental molding member that is removed from the molded tire after the main molding member has been removed from the tire.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a tread portion provided in a tread face thereof with tread elements each provided with at least one zigzag sipe, a cap tread rubber defining the tread face, and a base tread rubber disposed radially inside the cap tread rubber, wherein the zigzag sipe comprises zigzag segments which are alternating circumferentially-oriented segments and an amplitude center line of zigzag of the zigzag sipe is inclined at an angle (theta) of from 0 to 45 degrees with respect to the tire circumferential direction, and the zigzag sipe has a bottom including alternating deep parts and shallow parts in comparison with the level of the boundary between the cap tread rubber and base tread rubber.

Abstract: A tire tread including a tread pattern formed by a plurality of motifs in relief defined by grooves oriented in the transverse direction and in the longitudinal direction of the tread, each of these motifs including a contact face and lateral faces, a plurality of these motifs in relief being connected two by two by at least two rubber connecting elements molded during the molding of the tread. These connecting elements define, with the opposing walls of the motifs in relief to which they are connected, a cavity which closes in contact with the roadway to trap and compress a volume of air once the wear of the tread reaches an appropriate level of wear. For each cavity thus formed at least one rubber element defining the cavity includes at least one orifice which passes completely through said rubber element to cause the volume of the cavity to communicate with a groove.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire with a tread has at least two axially adjacent tread elements, the elements being separated by a groove and each element having opposing lateral sides. Connecting the axially adjacent tread elements is at least one traction biting element. The biting element has three continuous portions. The first portion extends along the lateral side of the first tread element. The second portion extends through the separating groove. The third portion extends along the lateral side of the second tread element. Each biting element forms at least two distinct edges along the lateral sides of each tread element and two distinct edges in the separating grooves.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire is provided in the tread portion with circumferential grooves, main oblique grooves and auxiliary oblique grooves. The circumferential grooves include: a pair of axially outer grooves disposed one on each side of the tire equator; and at least one axially inner groove between the axially outer grooves, so as to divide the tread portion into at least four circumferential regions including: a pair of axially inner regions between the axially outer grooves and said at least one axially inner groove; and a pair of axially outer regions axially outside the axially outer grooves. The axially inner regions have an axial width L1 of from 0.15 to 0.25 times the critical tread width TW1. The main oblique groove extends across one of the axially inner regions so that the axially outer end is connected with the adjacent axially outer circumferential groove and the axially inner end is connected with the adjacent axially inner groove.

Abstract: A high-performance tire for a motor vehicle includes a carcass and tread band. The tire may be, for example, of the asymmetrical or directional type. The tread band includes a pattern including a central region, first and second shoulder regions, and first and second circumferential grooves. The first circumferential groove divides the first shoulder region from the central region, while the second circumferential groove divides the central region from the second shoulder region. The shoulder regions include shoulder blocks, separated from each other by transverse grooves, but joined to each other along axially inner ends of the shoulder blocks by respective circumferential portions. The central region includes rows of blocks and first and second annular projections or a central annular projection. The blocks of the central region, the shoulder blocks, the circumferential grooves, the transverse grooves, and the one or more annular projections help define the tread pattern.

Abstract: A heavy-duty pneumatic tire designed to suppress the occurrence of heel-and-toe wear in the shoulder blocks while maintaining good drainage and traction performance through the final stage of the wear life. In this heavy-duty pneumatic tire, whose shoulder portion is divided into a plurality of shoulder blocks in the tire circumferential direction, and wherein the depth of the lug groove between each two adjacent of the shoulder blocks is set to be equal to the depth of main the grooves, a non-contact rib is provided, in a serial configuration in the tire circumferential direction, to a buttress portion outside a ground contact width, so as to come into contact with the side faces of the shoulder blocks in the state that the tire is in contact with the ground with a specified inflation pressure and a specified load.

Abstract: A pneumatic off-the-road (OTR) tire has a plurality of central and shoulder lugs. The central lugs are arranged in a circumferentially continuous row and extend across the equatorial plane (EP). Each central lug is similar in shape and orientation relative to each circumferentially adjacent central lug. The tire is conformed having a tread package that effects a low net-to-gross ratio of less than 40% as measured around the circumference of the tire. The low net to gross tread pattern is incorporated into a relatively low aspect ratio OTR tire for construction and industrial applications.

Abstract: A bicycle tire 10 is described having a tread that comprises transverse channels defining a block tread pattern for improving grip when the tire is used in off-road conditions. Two axially spaced circumferentially continuous parallel ribs 14 straddle the tire centreline and project radially beyond the block tread pattern to improve ride quality on a smooth road surface.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire is provided in the tread portion with a circumferential row of middle tread elements, wherein each of the middle tread elements is divided into four elemental blocks having different configurations, by three splitting grooves, and the three splitting grooves are: a longitudinal splitting groove extending between the lateral grooves; an axially inner lateral splitting groove extending axially outwardly from the axially inner circumferential main groove beyond the longitudinal splitting groove and terminating before the axially outer circumferential main groove; and an axially outer lateral splitting groove extending axially inwardly from the axially outer circumferential main groove beyond the longitudinal splitting groove and terminating before the axially inner circumferential main groove.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tread for a pneumatic tire. The tread has a plurality of grooves. The grooves have a base defining the depth of the groove relative to the tread surface, opposing groove walls, and a centerline equidistance from the opposing groove walls. The groove may extend in either a circumferential or a lateral direction of the tread when the tread is applied to a pneumatic tire. At least one of the grooves has a plurality of spaced projections in the base of the groove. The projections extend from one groove wall to the opposing groove wall and are inclined relative to the groove centerline at an angle of 10° to 50°. The projections have a pitch length measured at the groove centerline of 0.75–1.25 the projection length as measured along the groove centerline. The pitch length is the length as measured from one point of the projection along the centerline to the same point in the adjacent projection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tire designed to be fitted on the driving axles of a motor vehicle for medium or heavy load. This tire is provided with a tread comprising a plurality of full-depth transverse grooves and four circumferential series of inclined grooves and four circumferential series of inclined incisions which delimit five circumferential rows of blocks, namely two axially outer rows, two intermediate rows, and one central row lying essentially across the equatorial plane. Each transverse groove extends across the whole width of the tread, and consists of a central portion, located between a pair of consecutive blocks of the central row, and a pair of lateral portions, located between pairs of consecutive blocks of the intermediate and shoulder rows. The two lateral portions of each transverse groove are staggered circumferentially with respect to each other and penetrate into the body of the central row of blocks.

Abstract: An All Terrain Vehicle Tire (10) for the drive axle positions has a tread (12) having three circumferentially continuous channels (61 62, 63). Two of the channels (62, 63) divide the elongated lugs (40, 42) into an axially inner portion (40A, 42A) and an axially outer portion (40B, 42B). The channels (61, 62, 63) and soil discharge channels (60) between elongated lugs (40, 42) facilitate mud cleaning of the tread (12).

Abstract: A tread (12) for a light truck or automobile tire (10) has a continuous rib (30, 32) between an adjacent piece of circumferentially continuous grooves (20, 22, 24). The tread (12) has a plurality of hook-shaped semi-blind grooves (40) originating from the circumferentially continuous grooves (20, 22, 24). Each rib (30, 32) has two rows of circumferentially spaced hook-shaped semi-blind grooves (40).

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion provided with at least one wide circumferential groove, the wide circumferential groove extending continuously in the tire circumferential direction and having a groove width GW of not less than 5% of the ground contacting width TW, the wide circumferential groove provided in the groove bottom with a groove bottom rib, the groove bottom rib extending continuously along the overall length of the wide circumferential groove, the groove bottom rib having a height Hr in a range of from 0.5 to 3.0 mm and a base width Wr in a range of from 10 to 30% of the groove width GW, and the groove bottom rib provided in the top face with a small groove having a depth Dr of less than the height Hr.

Abstract: A tire tread comprising grooves defining motifs in relief, at least one of these motifs being provided with first and second incisions, said incisions each being defined by two main lateral surfaces connected by an end surface, each of the first incisions opening on to the running surface of the tread when new and extending at most as far as the depth, and each of the second incisions extends at least as far as the depth. The tread is characterized in that the bottom surfaces of the first incisions and the apex surfaces of the second incisions are functionally arranged such that, whatever the level of wear the length of the ridges on the running surface is at least equal to 75% of the length of the ridges when new.

Abstract: In a pneumatic tire comprising a tread portion divided into a central region and both side regions, at least one rib-shaped main land part is formed in the central region and a plurality of main slant grooves are arranged so as to extend obliquely from the central region toward each tread end of the tread portion with respect to the equatorial plane to form first slant land parts among these main slant grooves, in which the first slant land part has a plane form of approximately a triangle, and a first auxiliary land part is arranged between the rib-shaped main land part and the main slant groove.

Abstract: Auxiliary grooves 28 are formed in land portions 26 so that the wet performance is improved by the increase in the edge factors of the auxiliary grooves 28 and by the water absorbing actions of the auxiliary grooves 28. Since the auxiliary grooves 28 are arranged on the shorter diagonal lines of the land portions 26, the land portions 26 are divided into two triangles approximating equilateral triangles so that the reduction, as caused by providing the auxiliary grooves 28, of the rigidity of the land portions 26 can be suppressed to the minimum. As a result, the deformation of the land portions 26 is suppressed to maintain the dry performance.

Abstract: An auxiliary groove is formed in tire circumferential direction on a tire central plane of an pneumatic tire according to the present invention. This auxiliary groove is formed, whereby a negative ratio of a center region other than the lug groove is set to 10% to 25%. Thus, a tread heat radiation quantity can be decreased, and a surface area of a tire can be increased. As a result, heat radiation properties can be improved. In addition, as long as the negative ratio is within the above set range, the wear of the tread can be reduced to the minimum. Namely, according to the present invention, there can be provided an pneumatic tire capable of both reducing the wear of the tread to the minimum and improving a heat radiation effect.

Abstract: A tyre for vehicles includes a carcass structure, a belt structure, and a tread. The tread includes a row of central blocks and a row of intermediate blocks arranged on each side of an equatorial plane of the tyre between a central longitudinal groove formed astride the equatorial plane and a pair of longitudinal lateral grooves. The blocks of the central rows are separated from the blocks of the intermediate rows by circumferential sipes and are circumferentially staggered by a first predetermined quantity relative to the blocks of the intermediate rows. Also, the blocks of the central rows arranged on a first side of the equatorial plane of the tyre are circumferentially staggered by a second predetermined quantity relative to the blocks of the central rows on a second side of the equatorial plane of the tyre.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a tread pattern is provided, in which occurrence of uneven wear observed in a conventional lug-type tread pattern can be prevented without causing degradation in the various characteristics of the tire. The pneumatic tire having a tread pattern in which main lug grooves are disposed in the opposing tread shoulder regions at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction of the tire. The main lug grooves are so arranged as to provide circumferential phase difference between the opposing tread shoulder regions. In this construction, a narrow shallow groove is disposed in the central region of the tread portion in the tread width direction for connecting the main lug grooves located in the opposing tread shoulder regions, and a shallow groove portion is formed in the shoulder end region inside the main lug groove.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel tyre includes a carcass structure, a belt structure, and a tread. The tread includes four circumferential grooves and a plurality of transverse grooves that define at least five circumferential rows of blocks, each block approximating a polygon. The longitudinal sides of the blocks are inclined in the same direction at a predetermined angle to the equatorial plane of the tyre. The blocks of each row are circumferentially staggered relative to the blocks of the next row. The blocks of the central row include stiffening means. Profiles of the front sides of the blocks of the central row are the same as the profiles of the rear of the blocks of the central row rotated through 180°. The blocks of the shoulder rows are elastically linked to the blocks of the intermediate rows.

Abstract: In a heavy duty pneumatic radial tire having a lug pattern formed on both sides of a tread portion, each of lug grooves forming lugs is extended from a position separated from an equatorial plane of the tire by a given distance up to each of tread ends and has a platform on a region ranging from a top end portion near to the equatorial plane to a central portion in a longitudinal direction of the lug groove so as to satisfy such a surface shape that a groove depth at the top end portion is made shallower than a groove depth at the central portion.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a tread pattern having circumferential and lateral grooves forming a plurality of circumferentially extending ribs, each rib having a plurality of tread blocks. A plurality of tie bars extend circumferentially across certain of the lateral grooves between adjacent tread blocks in at least two of the ribs which are located equally opposite of a mid-circumferential plane of the tire. The tie bars have a pair of sidewalls and a sloped top surface with the slope of the top surface in one of the ribs being opposite to the slope of the tie bars in the other rib to generate a residual aligning torque (RAT) on the tire.

Abstract: In a pneumatic tire comprising a tread which comprises a row of a plurality of blocks divided in the circumferential direction of the tire, a closed sipe is disposed at an approximately central portion of the block and is inclined in a direction opposite to a direction of transverse grooves with respect to an axial direction of the tire. Improved performance in driving on wet roads can be exhibited due to the transverse grooves and the closed sipes. Because the closed sipe is disposed at an approximately central portion of the block, pressure from the road surface can be dispersed to both sides of the closed sipe, and high pressure from the road surface at the central portion of the block can be reduced.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire for motor vehicles has a running surface profile designed in the direction of rotation, with two shoulder regions (S1, S2) each being a constituent of a row of shoulder blocks, and with a middle region (C) separated from them by circumferential grooves (2) running in the circumferential direction; this middle region encompasses the width of the circumferential grooves (2) and covers a minimum width of 60% of the width of the running surface (B), is free from circumferential grooves running in the circumferential direction and is equipped with a number of V-shaped running rills (1), which open into the circumferential grooves (2) and whose V-peaks rest at least essentially on the equator line (M—M).

Abstract: In a motor vehicle tire (1) for driving conditions as they occur during the winter months, parallel incisions are provided with staggers that are placed such that a smaller distance between adjacent incisions arises in the central region of the pad than in the marginal region of the pad.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a tread having a plurality of spaced tread blocks separated by grooves or slots. A plurality of tie bars extend across the grooves or slots between adjacent tread blocks. The tie bars have a pair of sidewalls and a top surface with an undercut formed in at least one of the sidewalls to reduce tie bar stiffness and provide increased water evacuation as the tread wears. The top surface of the tie bar is lower than the top surfaces of the adjacent tread block and the undercut can be formed in only one or both sidewalls of the tie bar and have various stepped and tapered configurations.

Abstract: Tread profile of a snow tire for a vehicle in which at least two vehicle wheels are rotatably mountable outside of a longitudinal vehicle axis. The tread profile includes a plurality of profile block rows aligned in a circumferential direction and distributed in an axial direction from a first tire shoulder adapted to be positioned toward an outside of the vehicle in an operational state of the tire on the vehicle to a second tire shoulder adapted to be positioned toward an inside of the vehicle in an operational state of the tire on the vehicle.

Abstract: Sipes extending from one end of a block to the central area of the block and sipes extending from the other end of the block to the central area of the block (sipes 24, 28, 32 and 36) are inclined in directions opposite to each other. The sipes extending from one end of the block and the sipes extending from the other end of the block intersect a common line extending along the circumferential direction of the tire. Due to this structure, the number of portions of the sipes, which portions are located in the central area of the block, is made greater than that in the peripheral area of the block. The density of sipes is thus increased in the central area of a block where water tends to form when driving on ice, for improving braking and traction properties on ice.

Abstract: A block structure in a ground contact face of a tread portion of a pneumatic tire comprises blocks defined by circumferential grooves and lateral grooves and a sipe formed in each surface of the blocks in a block row at least located near to a center of the tread and opening at least one end thereof to the respective circumferential groove, in which the sipe is opened through a width-widened part to the circumferential groove and a depth of the width-widened part is made shallower than a depth of a deepest part of the sipe.

Abstract: A studless tire comprises a tread provided with a plurality of blocks and at least one rib provided with first sipes and second sipes each extending across the rib. The first sipes and second sipes are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the rib at circumferential pitches Pc in a range of from 0.028 to 0.04 times a ground contacting width of the tread. Each of the first sipes and second sipes comprises a deep central part, a shallow part on one side thereof and a mid-depth part on the other side thereof, wherein the deep central part has a depth in a range of from 0.70 to 0.80 times a depth of a main longitudinal groove defining the rib, the mid-depth part has a depth being in a range of from 0.40 to 0.60 times the depth of the main longitudinal groove, and the shallow part has a depth in a range of from 0.04 to 0.35 times the depth of the main longitudinal groove.

Abstract: An off-road tire has sidewall tread element extensions with steps that provide gripping action and support around the sidewall, and enable the tire to climb the sides of rocks and ruts. The steps are located at different distances from the tire rotational axis and from the tire tread centerline.

Abstract: A tire tread comprising grooves defining motifs in relief, at least one of these motifs being provided with first and second incisions, said incisions each being defined by two main lateral surfaces connected by an end surface, each of the first incisions opening on to the running surface of the tread when new and extending at most as far as the depth, and each of the second incisions extends at least as far as the depth. The tread is characterized in that the bottom surfaces of the first incisions and the apex surfaces of the second incisions are functionally arranged such that, whatever the level of wear the length of the ridges on the running surface is at least equal to 75% of the length of the ridges when new.

Abstract: In a pneumatic radial tire having blocks 4 formed on its tread 1 by transverse grooves 3 extending along its width and main grooves 2 extending circumferentially across the transverse grooves 3, every two blocks 41C and 41M spaced apart from each other transversely by one of the main grooves 2 have a sipe 81CM which extends transversely from one block 41C to the other 41M across the main groove 2 and is open in the tread surfaces and the said main groove throughout its length. The sipe 81CM has along its length and depth a cross section 810 defined by an inner portion 810a and 810b made in each block 41C or 41M, a substantially U-shaped portion 810c made in the bottom and side walls 21, 22 and 23 of the main groove 2, and a portion 810d or 810e made in each block for connecting the inner and substantially U-shaped portions 810a and 810b, the connecting portion having a depth reduced by a shelf 9a or 9b formed on each block.

Abstract: A tire having a ground contacting tread, the tread having a directional tread pattern comprising at least two substantially circumferentially extending grooves disposed one each side of the tread circumferential centerline and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart and substantially axially extending shoulder grooves extending axially outwardly from each circumferential groove to the tread edge to define a row of tread blocks in each axially outer tread shoulder part, the axially extending grooves having two opposing inclined sidewalls which provide ramp support to the adjacent tread block edge, characterized in that each of the axially extending shoulder grooves has a groove depth which reduces from the axially inward part to towards the axially outer part, and each groove comprises two groove main portions connected end to end, each groove main portion having a varying asymmetric cross-section along its length, each groove main portion having a first groove sidewall having a constant first angle of i

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wear indicator for a vehicle tire (1), the tread of said tire being provided with grooves (2) to improve the grip. As taught by the invention, the surface of the tread in contact with the road surface is provided with indicators (5) indicating the momentary groove depth (H) of the tire, said indicators forming at least one group of elements and extending in radial direction into the tire. The element depth grows by predetermined steps from the shortest element to the longest element. The indicator is formed from a sipe(5) the depth of which is advantageously smaller than the depth (H) of said groove and the cross-section of which in the direction of the tread forms a number, letter, sign or symbol, image or equivalent determining the groove depth of the tread on the height of the plane in the direction of the tread which is tangential to the bottom (2p) of the capillary groove.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire that is designed primarily for use on paved surfaces, but may have application off-road, has extended chamfers aligned in a portion of the tire. In the illustrated embodiment, the chamfers are on leading and trailing portions of the lugs, are aligned axially in the tread, and together with acutely angled grooves in the tread, create an open, teeth like appearance in the tread.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a tread pattern having circumferential and lateral grooves forming a plurality of circumferentially extending ribs, each rib having a plurality of tread blocks. A plurality of tie bars extend circumferentially across certain of the lateral grooves between adjacent tread blocks in at least two of the ribs which are located equally opposite of a mid-circumferential plane of the tire. The tie bars have a pair of sidewalls and a sloped top surface with the slope of the top surface in one of the ribs being opposite to the slope of the tie bars in the other rib to generate a residual aligning torque (RAT) on the tire.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion provided with a wide groove having a bottom width of not less than 20 mm. The wide groove is provided on the groove bottom with at least one longitudinal rib extending in the longitudinal direction of the wide groove, and lateral ribs extending from the longitudinal rib towards a tread face through the groove bottom and a groove wall of the wide groove, whereby occurrence of bareness of tread rubber in the groove bottom can be prevented.

Abstract: A tread for a tire, the tread being provided with a plurality of cutouts, defined by walls perpendicular to or oblique to the rolling surface of the tread, in which the two main walls of at least one cutout located in the part of the tread affected by the loading on the ground of the tire during travel are connected by at least one rubber connecting element and in that the total connection surface SE of the connecting element(s) is at most 80% of the surface defined by the geometric contour L of minimum length and surrounding said total connection surface SE. A method for producing a cutout provided with at least one connecting element.

Abstract: A radial ply pneumatic tire 10 for trucks or trailers has a tread 12 with at least three circumferential grooves 20,22 extending circumferentially to divide the tread 12 into at least four parts and lateral grooves 30,31,32,33,34 extending across the at least four parts of the tread to form at least four rows 1,2,3,4 and 5 of circumferentially separated blocks 40. The circumferential grooves 20,22 have average groove widths of W1 for a depth between the radially outer surface of the adjacent blocks and a groove depth that is less than 60% of the non-skid depth D, the circumferential grooves having a second average groove width W2 at the groove depth less than 60% of the non-skid depth D, the second average groove width W2 being less than 50% of W1. The lateral grooves 30,34 in each shoulder row 15 have a first average groove width W3 and a groove depth that is less than 60% of the non-skid depth D.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to A plurality of vehicle tires having tread patterns of substantially the same outer appearance, wherein the tread patterns comprise a primary tread pattern comprising blocks and/or ribs separated by broad cut-outs and a secondary tread pattern on the blocks and/or ribs of the primary tread pattern comprising fine cuts. At least one vehicle tire has fine cuts of low depth and at least one different tire has sections of the fine cuts that have a different depth of fine cuts. The at least one vehicle tire has different driving characteristic from the at least one different vehicle tire. The advantage of the vehicle tires of the present invention is that a performance characteristic of the tire can be chosen by altering the structure of specific sections of the tire, without varying the fundamental opial appearance of the tire.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a tread having a plurality of spaced tread blocks separated by grooves or slots. A plurality of tie bars extend across the grooves or slots between adjacent tread blocks. The tie bars have a pair of sidewalls and a top surface with an undercut formed in at least one of the sidewalls to reduce tie bar stiffness and provide increased water evacuation as the tread wears. The top surface of the tie bar is lower than the top surfaces of the adjacent tread block and the undercut can be formed in only one or both sidewalls of the tie bar and have various stepped and tapered configurations.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having improved snow traction and tread wear, and improved noise and handling properties, has 80 to 105 pitches and a sipe density of 1.0 to 1.1. The tire has a substantially square footprint, and has a footprint shape factor (FSF) of 1.0 to 1.25. The tire has an open central and intermediate region, as compared to the shoulder region, and has lateral groove depths that vary from 50% to 100% of the tread depth, wherein the shallower grooves are disposed toward the central and intermediate regions of the tire.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having improved snow traction and treadwear, and improved noise and handling properties, has 80 to 105 pitches and a sipe density of 1.0 to 1.1. The tire has a square footprint, and has a footprint shape factor (FSF) of 1.0 to 1.25. The tire has an open central and intermediate region, as compared to the shoulder region, and has lateral groove depths that vary from 50% to 100% of the tread depth; wherein the shallower grooves are disposed toward the central and intermediate regions of the tire.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having improved snow traction and tread wear, and improved noise and handling properties, has 80 to 105 pitches and a sipe density of 1.0 to 1.1. The tire has a substantially rounded footprint, and has a footprint shape factor (FSF) of 1.2 to 1.5. The tire has an open central and intermediate region, as compared to the shoulder region, and has lateral groove depths that vary from 50% to 100% of the tread depth, wherein the shallower grooves are disposed toward the central and intermediate regions of the tire.

Abstract: A tire (1) having low rolling resistance, in particular for driving wheels of heavy vehicles, comprises a tread (14) provided with a plurality of transversal grooves (20) pitchwise spaced from one another and extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rolling direction of the tire (D). The grooves (20) have a reduced depth and are provided with respective slits (24), extending from a bottom portion (21) thereof; as such, they contribute to impart to the tire (1) both the desired low rolling resistance and an adequate traction characteristics during straightaway running.