Both Walls Inclined In Same Direction Patents (Class 152/209.23)
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Patent number: 11938758Abstract: A tire comprises a tread portion axially divided by circumferential grooves into a first middle land portion, a crown land portion and a second middle land portion. Each land portion has a profile protruding radially outwardly from a reference tread profile. The maximum protrusion amount of the second middle land portion's profile is larger than the maximum protrusion amount of the crown land portion's profile which is larger than the maximum protrusion amount of the first middle land portion's profile.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2022Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Ken Tanida
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Patent number: 11685193Abstract: Tire tread (1) is divided into central part (20) and edge parts (30), central part (20) having width Lc between 40% and 90% of total width W of the tread. Edge parts (30) do not have any transverse cuts. Central part (20) has a tread pattern with circumferentially oriented sipe (21) and transversely oriented sipes (22, 22?, 22?) distributed around the periphery of the tread, such sipes having a depth at least equal to 60% of thickness E of material to be worn away and being interconnected to form a network. Such sipes are continued by hidden channels (210, 220). Central part (20) is delimited axially by transverse sipes (22?, 22?), each of which ends in end channel (221?, 221?) that opens onto tread surface (10) and extends into the thickness of the tread, and each end channel (221?, 221?) is connected to the network formed by the hidden channels.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2018Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELINInventors: Patrick Dayet, Benoit Buffetaud, Jacques Babaud
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Patent number: 11654724Abstract: A tire includes a pair of shoulder land regions each provided with a plurality of wavy sipes and first shoulder lateral grooves each having a groove width of 2 mm or less and larger than a width of each of the wavy sipes. The tire further includes a pair of middle land regions and a crown land region each provided with a plurality of non-wavy sipes.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Tetsuro Saeki
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Patent number: 10850569Abstract: A shoulder lateral groove 5 comprises an inner lateral groove portion 7 intersecting a shoulder main groove 3S, an outer lateral groove portion 8 intersecting a tread edge (Te), and a sipe portion 9 connecting between the inner lateral groove portion 7 and the outer lateral groove portion 8. The outer lateral groove portion 8 has a bent portion 10 and extends so as to connect between the tread edge (Te) and the sipe portion 9.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventor: Naoki Kageyama
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Patent number: 10471775Abstract: An asymmetric tread for a snow tire comprising a rubber composition, comprising a tread surface intended to be in contact with the ground when the tire is running, and comprising a sequence of basic patterns arranged in the circumferential direction, each extending over at least 80% of the width (W) of the tread, each comprising a plurality of raised elements provided with sipes opening onto the tread surface, each sipe having a width of less than 1 mm and a depth of at least 3 mm. For each basic pattern, a sipes orientation level (NO) is defined that corresponds to ? i ? ? li * ? ? ? i ? P * Wm where i is the number of sipes in the pattern, li is the length of the ith sipe on the tread surface, P is the pitch of the basic pattern, Wm is the width of the basic pattern and ?i is the positive or negative angle formed on the tread surface by the ith sipe with the transverse direction, where |?i|?45 degrees, said orientation level being greater than or equal to 1.5 degrees/mm.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignees: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.Inventors: Sébastien Fugier, Béatrice Lopez
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Patent number: 10434824Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes: a tread portion; three or more main grooves provided on the tread portion at intervals in a tire width direction so as to extend in a tire circumferential direction; and a plurality of land portions partitioned between the main grooves adjacent to each other in the tire width direction, wherein the plurality of land portions include: ground contact areas having an arc shape in cross section in the tire width direction; and depressed portions opening to the ground contact areas, and the land portion having a larger ratio of opening surface area a of the depressed portions opening in the area between the main grooves adjacent to each other in the tire width direction with respect to surface area A of the area (a/A) has an arc-shaped ground contact area with a cross section in the tire width direction having a smaller radius of curvature.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2015Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: TOYO TIRE CORPORATIONInventor: Kazumasa Hosomi
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Patent number: 10179482Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire including a land portion provided with a sipe, which is capable of simultaneously providing snow performance, dry performance, and wet performance all at high level in a single land portion. The pneumatic tire includes a land portion 2 on a tread portion. The land portion 2 is provided with a sipe 5 having amplitude in a tire circumferential direction and extending in a tire width direction. In a depth direction extending from a land portion surface S toward an inner side in a tire radial direction, sipe 5 includes: a land portion's surface-side part 5a1 bent toward tire circumferential direction from land portion surface S; and a land portion's bottom-side part 5a2 bent in a direction different from a direction of land portion's surface-side part 5a1 or bent toward tire circumferential direction by a displacement different from a displacement of land portion's surface-side part 5a1.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2012Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATIONInventor: Yoshio Kaji
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Patent number: 10179483Abstract: This pneumatic tire (1) is provided with a plurality of circumferential main grooves (21, 22) extending in a tire circumferential direction, a plurality of land portions (31 to 33) defined by these circumferential main grooves (21, 22), and a plurality of lug grooves (41 to 43) disposed in these land portions (31 to 33). Additionally, at least one column of land portion (32) in a tread portion center region is provided with a plurality of blocks divided in the tire circumferential direction by the plurality of lug grooves (42) and a three-dimensional sipe (52) that extends over an entire circumference of the tire and divides the land portion (42) in a tire width direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2015Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.Inventor: Ryohei Takemori
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Patent number: 10173472Abstract: A pneumatic tire including a plurality of circumferential main grooves extending in a tire circumferential direction and a plurality of land portions partitioned and formed by these circumferential main grooves in a tread portion. Additionally, the plurality of land portions have a plurality of sipes, respectively. Moreover, not less than 90% of the sipes disposed in an inner side region are constituted by two-dimensional sipes and not less than 90% of the sipes disposed in an outer side region are constituted by three-dimensional sipes. Furthermore, the tread portion has a cap rubber and an under rubber. A rubber hardness H1in at ?10° C. and a rubber hardness H2in at 20° C. of the cap rubber 151in in the inner side region, and a rubber hardness H1out at ?10° C. and a rubber hardness H2out at 20° C. of the cap rubber 151out in the outer side region have relationships such that H1in<H1out and H2in<H2out.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2016Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.Inventors: Norifumi Kameda, Isamu Kishizoe
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Patent number: 10137739Abstract: An object is to enhance traction performance on snowy road surfaces while suppressing a drop in braking performance and handling stability performance on dry road surfaces and icy road surfaces. A tread (12) includes first auxiliary grooves (21) formed on one groove width direction side of lug grooves (18, the first auxiliary grooves (21) opening onto the lug grooves (18) and terminating inside central land portion rows (16) (land portions), and second auxiliary grooves (22) formed on the other groove width direction side of the lug grooves (18), the second auxiliary grooves (22) opening onto the lug grooves (18) so as to face opening portions (21A) of the first auxiliary grooves (21) that open onto the lug grooves (18), and terminating inside the central land portion rows (16) (land portions).Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATIONInventor: Shungo Fujita
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Patent number: 10065457Abstract: A tire includes knob sets having leading edge bevels connected by a ramp. The leading edge bevels may be offset in their positions or angles. Each knob set includes a first knob attached to a second knob. The knobs in each set may differ in lengths or in the angles of the leading edge bevels. Each knob set shares a common base and includes a pair of elongate outermost surfaces divided by an optional axial channel. Each knob set includes a lateral edge, medial edge and a trailing edge. Transverse rows of two or more knob sets may vary in lateral spacing between knob sets to provide narrow and wide rows in an alternating pattern. Knob sets may also be included on sidewalls of the tire.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2016Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Inventor: Shinji Marui
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Patent number: 9987811Abstract: Lining element intended to be inserted into a mold for molding and vulcanizing a tire tread, the lining element comprising a body and inserts inserted into this body, at least some of the inserts comprising a pattern comprising a plurality of recessed or projecting elements, the pattern being formed as an integral part of the inserts.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELINInventors: Anthony Gueugneau, Stéphane Montzieux, Etienne Blanchet, Romain Calvel
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Patent number: 9975384Abstract: A motorcycle tire for rough terrain is provided in tread middle regions with middle blocks each provided in its ground contacting top surface with an auxiliary groove extending in the tire circumferential direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2015Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventor: Takuya Miwa
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Patent number: 9855801Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes circumferential main grooves extending in a tire circumferential direction and land portions partitioned and formed by the circumferential main grooves. The land portion of a center region and the land portions of left and right shoulder regions each have a plurality of sipes. Not less than 90% of the sipes disposed in the center region are constituted by two-dimensional sipes and not less than 90% of the sipes disposed in the shoulder regions are constituted by three-dimensional sipes. The left and right shoulder land portions each have a plurality of lug grooves arranged in the tire circumferential direction. A pitch number N_ce of the lug grooves in the land portion of the center region and a pitch number N_sh of the lug grooves in the land portions and of the left and right shoulder regions have a relationship such that N_ce>N_sh.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2012Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.Inventor: Norifumi Kameda
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Patent number: 9815336Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion 2 provided with shoulder axial grooves 10 extending from a shoulder main groove 3 to a tread edge Te while inclining to a first-side in the tire circumferential direction. The shoulder axial groove 10 has a first-side groove edge, a second-side groove edge, a first-side groove-sidewall 14 extending radially inward from the first-side groove edge 12, and a second-side groove-sidewall 15 extending radially inward from the second-side groove edge 13. The shoulder axial groove 10 has a part where the inclination angle ? of the first-side groove-sidewall 14 with respect to a normal line passing through the first-side groove edge 12 perpendicularly to the tread surface 2s is more than the inclination angle ? of the second-side groove-sidewall 15 with respect to a normal line passing through the second-side groove edge 13 perpendicularly to the tread surface 2s.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2013Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventor: Susumu Tanaka
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Patent number: 9561689Abstract: The present invention relates to a kerf structure for a snow tire, including a wave-shaped straight portion and an expansion portion formed expanding from the straight portion, wherein the expansion portion includes unit structures, on each of which central semi-sphere holes and polygonal forms around the semi-sphere holes form protrusions in opposite directions are formed continuously. According to the present invention, the kerf structure for a snow tire provides a symmetric shape, thereby securing uniform block rigidity regardless of the direction of the kerf, and the interlocking effect can be maximized through the combination of the protrusion shape of the polygonal shape and the embossing of the semi-sphere hole.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2014Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: Hankook Tire Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sang Tak Joo, Sung Hee Youn, Su Jin Son, Myoung Joong Lee, Sang Moo Lee, Mu Yeong Kim
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Patent number: 9463670Abstract: A pneumatic tire including a plurality of circumferential main grooves extending in a tire circumferential direction and a plurality of land portions partitioned and formed by these circumferential main grooves in a tread portion. Additionally, the plurality of land portions have a plurality of sipes, respectively. Moreover, not less than 90% of the sipes disposed in an inner side region are constituted by two-dimensional sipes and not less than 90% of the sipes disposed in an outer side region are constituted by three-dimensional sipes. Furthermore, the tread portion has a cap rubber and an under rubber. A rubber hardness H1in at ?10° C. and a rubber hardness H2in at 20° C. of the cap rubber 151in in the inner side region, and a rubber hardness H1out at ?10° C. and a rubber hardness H2out at 20° C. of the cap rubber 151out in the outer side region have relationships such that H1in<H1out and H2in<H2out.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.Inventors: Norifumi Kameda, Isamu Kishizoe
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Patent number: 9421829Abstract: A pneumatic tire including a plurality of circumferential main grooves extending in a tire circumferential direction and a plurality of land portions partitioned and formed by these circumferential main grooves in a tread portion. Additionally, each of these land portions has a plurality of sipes, respectively. Moreover, not less than 90% of the sipes disposed in the inner side region are constituted by two-dimensional sipes and not less than 90% of the sipes disposed in the outer side region are constituted by three-dimensional sipes. The left and right shoulder land portions each have a plurality of lug grooves arranged in the tire circumferential direction. A pitch number Nin of the lug grooves in the shoulder land portion on the inner side region side and a pitch number Nout of the lug grooves in the shoulder land portion on the outer side region side have a relationship such that Nin>Nout.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2012Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.Inventor: Isamu Kishizoe
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Patent number: 9162535Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes sipes extending in a tire width direction on a road contact surface of blocks, the sipes having at least one end open to a circumferential main groove. The sipes are positioned at an edge portion of the blocks, and have a first sipe portion open to the circumferential main groove and a second sipe portion positioned at a center portion of the blocks. The first sipe portion has a linear form when viewed as a cross-section from a direction perpendicular to a sipe length direction, and has a pair of mutually mating, opposing first sipe wall faces with a protrusion and a recess respectively disposed thereon. The second sipe portion has a form bent in the sipe width direction when viewed as a cross-section from a direction perpendicular to the sipe length direction, and has a pair of mating mutually opposing second sipe wall faces.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2011Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.Inventor: Masaaki Nagayasu
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Patent number: 9149995Abstract: A molding element for molding and vulcanizing a tire tread. This tread comprises a tread surface intended to come into contact with the ground when this tire is running. This molding element comprises a molding surface intended to mold part of the tire tread surface and a blade of length L and of height Hc intended to mold a sipe or a groove in the tread, the blade comprising a rounded end extending along the length of the blade in a direction of extension X. The molding element comprises two cutting means positioned on either side of the blade at a certain distance from this blade. Each cutting means comprises, at one end, an alternation of peaks and troughs extending in this direction of extension X. The distance of these peaks in relation to the molding surface is greater than or equal to the height Hc of the blade.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2012Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignees: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche Et Technique S.A.Inventors: Marc Duvernier, Vincent Abad, Frédéric Perrin, Emmanuel Custodero
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Patent number: 9126377Abstract: A molding element of a mold for molding and vulcanizing a tire tread, this tread comprising a tread surface intended to come into contact with the ground when the tire is running. The molding element comprises a molding surface intended to mold part of the tire tread surface and a blade of length L and of height H intended to mold a sipe or a groove in the tread. This blade comprises a rounded end extending along the length of the blade in a direction of extension X. The molding element further comprises two cutting means positioned on either side of the blade at a certain distance from this blade. Each cutting means comprises a cutting edge extending in the direction of extension, this cutting edge making an acute angle in a cutting plane perpendicular to this direction of extension, the height of this cutting edge being greater than or equal to the height of the blade.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2012Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignees: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Marc Duvernier, Vincent Abad, Frédéric Perrin
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Patent number: 8997810Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a tread pattern having shoulder blocks arranged in a tire circumferential direction in a shoulder portion of a tread surface, and slits to sectionalize the shoulder blocks. Slit wall surfaces in a trailing side and a leading side of the shoulder blocks are inclined to the slit side from both end portions in a width direction of the shoulder block toward a center portion in the width direction. A notch portion is provided in the center portion in the width direction in the slit wall surface in the trailing side or the leading side of the shoulder block.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2008Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shinichi Kaji
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Patent number: 8967212Abstract: A tire, wherein the tread has a number of raised blocks divided into a number of elements by sipes crosswise to a motion direction of the tire. Each element has at least a first lateral surface separated by a sipe from a second lateral surface of an adjacent element and having at least one first portion sloping with respect to the motion direction and facing a second portion of the second surface. Parting of the first and second portion in the motion direction is controlled by an elastic locking device for locking the two portions to each other.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2007Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventor: Antonio Tirone
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Patent number: 8944123Abstract: A pneumatic tire including a closed sipe in a land portion 3 formed in a tread surface, provided with at least three cuts extending in a radiation direction from an imaginary axis that extends in a depth direction of the land portion, and that terminate in the land portion. The cuts are provided with a spiral-like twist in the depth direction, centered on the imaginary axis, and a twist angle thereof is not less than 10° and not more than 135°. Additionally, a length in the radiation direction of the cuts or a width of the cuts is formed larger at a tread surface side than at a bottom surface side.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2010Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masatoshi Kuwajima
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Tire tread with blocks of at least one intermediate row having incision and blind longilinear cavity
Patent number: 8936055Abstract: Tire tread (1) comprising a plurality of blocks (6), each block (6) comprising a leading face (61), a trailing face (62) and a contact face (60), the leading face (61) making a mean angle ?A greater than 0 degrees, the trailing edge (62) making a mean angle ?F greater than 0 degrees, the angle ?A of the leading face (61) being greater than the angle ?F of the trailing face, each block (6) comprises an incision (7) extending into the thickness of the block, this incision (7) being delimited by opposing faces provided with blocking means (71) for blocking the relative movements of one of the said faces with respect to the other face in at least one direction, this incision (7) dividing the contact face (60) of the block into two parts with substantially equal surface areas, this tread being characterized in that the incision (7) is inclined by a mean angle ?, measured with respect to the perpendicular to the contact face (60) in the same direction as the angle ?A of the leading face and in that the volume of maType: GrantFiled: March 20, 2009Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignees: Michelin Recherche et Techniques S.A., Compagnie Generale des Etablissements MichelinInventors: Jean-Denis Hidrot, Benjamin Quantinet -
Patent number: 8851128Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire having a thin groove continuous in a tire circumferential direction at a buttress formed between a shoulder of a tread and a sidewall includes a tire contour portion that is formed between an end portion of the shoulder and a groove floor of the thin groove. A tire transverse direction outermost portion at a shoulder side curved portion is disposed further toward a tire radial direction inner side than a sidewall side end portion of a sidewall side groove wall surface of the thin groove.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Atsushi Gojo
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Publication number: 20140230983Abstract: A pneumatic tire is provided in the tread portion with a central land portion between two crown main grooves. The central land portion is provided with notches each having a depth of 55% to 65% of the depth of the crown main groove and having a closed end and an open end opening to the crown main groove. The maximum axial length of the central notch is 10% to 15% of the maximum axial length of the central land portion, and the circumferential length of the opening is 10% to 15% of one circumferential pitch of the shoulder block row 7R. The circumferential length of the opening is 15% to 25% of one circumferential pitch of the central notches.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Masao TAGASHIRA, Hiroyuki NAKAYAMA
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Publication number: 20140224398Abstract: A heavy duty pneumatic tire includes a tread portion provided with a pair of shoulder main grooves disposed axially outermost side, and at a center main groove between the shoulder main grooves to form a pair of middle portions. Each middle portion is provided with a middle sub groove, axially outer middle lateral grooves, and inner middle lateral grooves. The respective number of outer and inner middle lateral grooves are of from 40 to 50 in each middle portion. Each of the outer and inner middle lateral grooves includes a shallow bottom part having a depth smaller than that of the shoulder and center main grooves. The shallow bottom part is provided with a groove bottom sipe that extends along a longitudinal direction of each lateral grooves and includes a first portion, and a second portion having a depth smaller than the first portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Taro OKABE, Satoshi TANAKA, Ikuo ATAKE
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Publication number: 20140224397Abstract: A heavy duty pneumatic tire includes a tread portion provided with at least one circumferentially and continuously extending main groove, and a plurality of lateral grooves to form circumferentially repeated pitch elements each of which consists of one lateral groove and a block element divided between two adjacent lateral grooves. The tread portion has a land ratio in a range of from 70% to 80%, and the pitch elements in a range of from 40 to 50. Each lateral groove has a circumferential groove width in a range of from 5% to 15% in relation to a circumferential length of the pitch element, and an angle in a range of from 45 to 85 degrees with respect to a circumferential direction of the tire.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventor: Taro OKABE
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Patent number: 8770240Abstract: Tire comprising a tread having a tread surface (11) and comprising a plurality of grooves (2) of generally circumferential orientation and of depth H, these grooves (2) defining a plurality of rubber elements (3, 30), at least one of which comprises a plurality of cavities (6), each cavity (6) of volume Vc of generally elongate shape with a total length Lc and being designed to communicate with a single groove (2) of generally circumferential orientation, each cavity (6) being extended all the way along its length Lc by an incision (80) which extends radially outwardly to emerge at the tread surface (11), this tire being such that the incision (80) comprises an incision portion (81) beginning at the cavity and forming an angle A of at least 10° with a line perpendicular to the tread surface and passing through the point of intersection of the incision with the cavity (6).Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2009Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignees: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A., Compagnie Generale des Etablissements MichelinInventors: Patrick Bervas, Jean-Claude-John Faure, Hideaki Takano, Ludovic Greverie
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Patent number: 8708011Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a pneumatic tire having a sipe, which can increase ice braking performance without reducing anti-wear performance. The pneumatic tire includes: a plurality of land portions 4 partitioned by grooves 2 and 3 and formed in a tread surface 1a; and at least one sipe 5 formed in each of the land portions 4, wherein the sipe 5 is formed so that sipe inner wall surfaces 6 and 6 are formed perpendicularly to the tread surface 1a, one or more recesses 7 exposed on the tread surface 1a are formed in at least one of the sipe inner wall surfaces 6 and 6 opposed to each other, the recess 7 has a sectional area gradually decreasing from an opening end of the sipe 5 toward a sipe bottom 8 and converges on the sipe inner wall surface 6 before reaching the sipe bottom 8.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2010Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroyuki Matsumoto
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Patent number: 8646499Abstract: A pneumatic tire is molded by using a vulcanizing mold in which blades 20, each composed of a metal thin plate having an inclined portion 20a in the depth direction and a plurality of through holes 20G with the same sectional form as that of projections to be formed in the sipe in the inclined portion 20a are buried in a groove portion corresponding to the tire block of the vulcanizing mold, thereby forming 3D sipes having unevenness in the radial direction of the block and a plurality of pairs of projections in the inclined portion in the block of the tire. Thereby, when longitudinal force is applied to the tire, adjacent small blocks of the block come into close contact with each other only at the positions of the projections of the 3D sipes, thereby making it possible to ensure the block stiffness of the pneumatic tire 10 without reducing the drainage function.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2005Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha BridgestoneInventor: Kentaro Saeki
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Patent number: 8640751Abstract: A pneumatic tire structured such that a sipe is formed in a land portion of a tread surface. The sipe has a wide portion extending along a longitudinal direction at least at one position in a depth direction. The wide portion is structured by alternately arranging concave portions which are smaller in the longitudinal direction and the depth direction than the sipe, in both sides of a sipe wall surface along the longitudinal direction of the sipe.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2008Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Toshiyuki Ohashi
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Publication number: 20130153106Abstract: Provided is a sipe extending into a tire tread, comprising an outer radial portion defined by a first waveform having a first amplitude, a first width, and a first wavelength, and an inner radial portion defined by a second waveform having a second amplitude, a second width, and a second wavelength. The first wavelength may be less than 5% of the length of the sipe or may be more than 100% of the length of the sipe, or the second wavelength may be less than 5% of the length of the sipe or may be more than 100% of the length of the sipe, or the second amplitude may be more than 50% of the first wavelength or may be less than 10% of the first wavelength, or the second amplitude may be more than 50% of the second wavelength or may be less than 10% of the second wavelength.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Inventor: Kathleen Clemmer
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Patent number: 8393366Abstract: A tire tread comprising a plurality of sipes (30), each sipe being delimited by two opposing main walls (31, 32), each of the said walls consisting of a mean surface of which the intersection with the tread surface in the initial condition forms an edge, the mean width of each sipe measured as the mean distance between the edges formed by the opposing main walls (31, 32) of the said sipe on the tread surface in the initial condition is at least equal to 1.5 mm, each of the main walls (31, 32) comprising at least one locking region (310, 320), each locking region collaborating with a locking region opposite in such a way as to mechanically block relative movements of the said walls at least when the tire is in contact with the road surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2007Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventor: Ryo Sumi
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Patent number: 8276629Abstract: A tread (1) having a plurality of raised elements (5) provided with at least one first incision (10) and at least one second incision (20). Each first incision (10) comprises at least two non-planar parts (111) separated by an intermediate part (112). The non-planar parts exhibit a dual undulation, whereas the planar parts have a single undulation. Each second incision (20) comprises at least two non-planar parts (211) separated by an intermediate part (212). The non-planar parts (212) exhibit at least one undulation (2112) in the depth of the tread of maximum amplitude C, whereas each intermediate part (212) of the at least one second incision (20) has no deformation in relief.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2007Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventor: Patrice Bonhomme
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Publication number: 20120186712Abstract: A motor vehicle tyre, particularly for front wheels of motor vehicles, has a tread extending around an axis of rotation and includes a central annular portion which straddles an equatorial plane and two annular shoulder portions arranged on axially opposite sides of the central annular portion. The tread band has a void-to-rubber ratio of less than 10%, and the central annular portion has an axial extension less than 40% of the axial development of the tread band and includes at least a pair of first grooves extending substantially longitudinally on opposite sides of the equatorial plane. Each shoulder portion has an axial extension less than 35% of the axial development of the tread band and includes a plurality of second grooves extending substantially transversally forming an average angle with the equatorial plane of more than 90°. The central annular portion has a void-to-rubber ratio more than 0.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2010Publication date: July 26, 2012Inventors: Andrea Schiavolin, Mario Mariani, Pierangelo Misani
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Patent number: 8210221Abstract: A pneumatic tire according to the present invention includes blocks on its tread which are segmented by plural circumferential grooves 3 extending along a tire circumferential direction and plural lateral grooves 5 extending along a tread width direction. Circumferential sipes extending along the tire circumferential direction are provided in the blocks. Inside circumferential sipes extend straight along a tire radial direction and outside circumferential sipes extend along the tire radial direction in zigzag patterns. According to the present invention, a handling performance, especially, a cornering performance can be improved regardless of road surface conditions.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2007Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventors: Yukihiro Kiwaki, Ryoichi Watabe
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Publication number: 20120132337Abstract: A tread for passenger-vehicle tire having radially on the outside a running surface and comprising a plurality of elements, at least certain of these elements being provided with at least one incision delimited by two opposite faces, this incision consisting of a succession of thin sections and of thick sections placed in an alternating manner, the thin sections being inclined at an angle A equal to no more than 40 degrees, this angle being measured relative to a direction perpendicular to the running surface of the tread and passing through the points of the incision on the running surface of the tread, the thick sections forming an angle B of between 60 degrees and 120 degrees with a direction perpendicular to the running surface of the tread, and the thin sections having a width e less than the width E of the thick sections, the width of the thin sections being such that, when they go through the contact patch, the walls delimiting said thin sections are in contact, and the width of the thick sections beinType: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2009Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicants: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A., Societe De Technologie MichelinInventors: Pierric Toulemont, Patrice Fraysee
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Patent number: 8181683Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a plurality of upper surface sipes formed on an upper surface of the block and arranged in parallel so as to be spaced in a sipe width direction, and a wall surface sipe extending along a tire diametrical direction in a wall surface positioned in a longitudinal direction of the upper surface sipe. The wall surface sipe is arranged between a pair of adjacent the upper surface sipes.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2008Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kunihiko Nagai
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Patent number: 8171969Abstract: A sipe is formed in a block provided in a tread surface, wide portions extending in a sipe length direction are formed in each of a kick-out side and a step-in side of the sipe, and a total of heights of the wide portions in the kick-out side of the sipe is made larger than a total of heights of the wide portions in the step-in side of the sipe.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Toshiyuki Ohashi
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Publication number: 20120090750Abstract: A pneumatic tire including a closed sipe in a land portion 3 formed in a tread surface, provided with at least three cuts extending in a radiation direction from an imaginary axis that extends in a depth direction of the land portion, and that terminate in the land portion. The cuts are provided with a spiral-like twist in the depth direction, centered on the imaginary axis, and a twist angle thereof is not less than 10° and not more than 135°. Additionally, a length in the radiation direction of the cuts or a width of the cuts is formed larger at a tread surface side than at a bottom surface side.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2010Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masatoshi Kuwajima
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Patent number: 8156977Abstract: A tire is configured having first and second shoulder rows of shoulder tread elements opposite respective first and second interior rows of interior tread elements, separated respectively by circumferentially extending, zig-zag shaped first and second grooves within a tire tread region. Each groove is defined by opposed shoulder tread elements and interior tread elements and includes a circumferentially continuous see-through central groove portion extending parallel to a circumferential centerplane of the tread. The see-through circumferential grooves communicate with angular intermediate and shoulder lateral grooves having a relatively wide mouth dimension adjacent to a respective circumferential grooves. Staggered in and out shoulder regions within the shoulder tread elements facilitate gripping edges and prevent mud clogging of the shoulder grooves.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2008Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Joseph Thomas Janesh, Delwyn Lovell Harvey, Timothy Michael Rooney
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Patent number: 8146631Abstract: Provided are a pneumatic tire, a method of producing the pneumatic tire, and a tire curing mold, with which decrease in wet performance of a pneumatic tire in a worn state can be effectively prevented while chipping of land portions such as blocks is prevented in releasing the tire from a mold. The pneumatic tire of the present invention includes: a tread portion provided with groove portions and land portions; and sipes provided in the land portions. Each of the sipes has at least one end, in a longitudinal direction, being terminated within the corresponding land portion. Each sipe is provided with: a first offset portion protruding toward one side in a sipe thickness direction; and a second offset portion protruding toward the other side in the sipe thickness direction at a position on an inner side, in a tire radial direction, of a position at which the first offset portion protrudes.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yuji Tomatsu
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Publication number: 20110220261Abstract: The present invention is directed to provide a pneumatic tire capable of effectively preventing large collision noise due to simultaneous collision of plural blocks of respective rows with a road surface. Six rows 9, 10, 13 of blocks on a tread surface 1 are defined by five circumferential grooves 2, 3, 4 continuously extending in a tread circumferential direction in a zigzag manner, a plurality of lateral grooves 5, 6, 11 extending in a tread widthwise direction between the circumferential grooves adjacent to each other and between the outermost circumferential grooves 4 and respective tread side edges e. Five circumferential grooves 2, 3, 4 comprise narrow circumferential grooves 2, 4 and a pair of wide circumferential grooves 3 disposed on each side of the tire equator line and having a width greater than that of the narrow circumferential grooves 2, 4. The lateral grooves 5, 6 are inclined with respect to the tread widthwise direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2009Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATIONInventor: Kazutaka Matsuzawa
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Publication number: 20110209806Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion provided with a plurality of blocks, each of the block having a block wall surface facing a transverse groove inclined at an angle (theta) of from 5 to 40 degrees with respect to the tire axial-direction so as to define an acute-angled corner and an obtuse-angled corner on the block. The block wall surface between the acute-angled corner and the obtuse-angled corner is provided with at least two slits having a width of from 0.3 to 2.0 mm. A distance P2 measured from the acute-angled corner to one of the at least two slits which is nearest to the acute-angled corner is more than a distance P1 measured from said obtuse-angled corner to one of said at least two slits which is nearest to the obtuse-angled corner; each distance is measured along the radially outer edge of the block wall surface to the widthwise center of the slit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2011Publication date: September 1, 2011Inventors: Masahiro KISHIDA, Ikuo Atake
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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: 7992609Abstract: A sipe inner wall surface of a sipe is provided with a wavy first concave and convex row, a wavy second concave and convex row arranged in a sipe bottom side from the first concave and convex row so as to be spaced, and structured such that a wavelength is made shorter than the first concave and convex row so as to increase the number of waves, and a third concave and convex row extending toward the sipe bottom side in a branched manner while being inclined to a longitudinal direction side of the sipe with respect to a normal direction of a tread surface, and interposed between the first concave and convex row and the second concave and convex row so as to be connected to both elements.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2007Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiyuki Ohashi, Shouta Satou, Takashi Numata
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Patent number: 7992606Abstract: The offset amount that a sacrificial rib road contact surface is recessed to the inner side of a tire with regards to a shoulder rib road contact surface is equal to 0, and a circumferential fine groove is provided such that the opening side thereof is located on the inner side when the tire is filled to a proper internal pressure. The dimension Ws in the tire width direction of the shoulder rib road contact surface and the dimension Wa in the tire width direction of the sacrificial rib road contact surface are set such that 0.10?Wa/Ws?0.2. The dimension Wb in the tire width direction of the sacrificial rib road contact surface when the groove depth of the circumferential main grooves has worn 20% is set in a range such that 0.25?Wb/Ws?0.30.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2009Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventors: Taisuke Sakaguchi, Hiroshi Ilzuka
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Publication number: 20110094642Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion having an outside tread edge and an inside tread edge. The tread portion is provided with: a plurality of oblique grooves extending from the outside tread edge toward the inside tread edge beyond the tire equator, while inclining to one circumferential direction corresponding to the tire rotational direction at angles of from 20 to 45 degrees with respect to said one circumferential direction; and a plurality of connecting grooves extending between the oblique grooves at angles ? of from 90 to 180 degrees with respect to said one circumferential direction. Between every two of the adjacent oblique grooves, there are disposed are three or more of the connecting grooves which are gradually decreased in the angle ? from the outside tread edge towards the inside tread edge, whereby a plurality of oblique blocks are formed between every two of the adjacent oblique grooves.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Inventor: Keita NAKANO