Having Asymmetric Tread Pattern Patents (Class 152/209.8)
  • Publication number: 20120318419
    Abstract: Plural lug grooves are formed that extend from an outermost circumferential direction groove towards a tire equatorial plane side and are disposed sloped with respect to the tire equatorial plane at intervals along the tire circumferential direction. Arc shaped communication grooves are formed in segment land portions arising from a land portion being segmented in the tire circumferential direction by the lug grooves. The communication grooves communicate between the lug grooves adjacent to each other in the tire circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sotaro Iwabuchi, Takaaki Kojima
  • Patent number: 8333227
    Abstract: A tire tread intended to be fitted on heavy vehicles, comprising a plurality of elements in relief (30), this tread being divided in the axial direction into three parts, a central part (33) and axially on either side a first edge (31) and a second edge (32), the first and the second edge parts comprising elements in relief (30) arranged at a pitch Pe corresponding to the average circumference of the edge in question divided by the number of elements in relief on the edge in question, the elements in relief of each edge part having a line of leading ridges and a line of trailing ridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Matthieu Bodin
  • Publication number: 20120312438
    Abstract: A center rib is formed by two circumferential main grooves. A main inclined groove and an auxiliary inclined groove are formed in the center rib. The main inclined groove is inclined with respect to the tire circumferential direction to become distanced from the tire equatorial plane from a leading side toward a trailing side in a tire rotational direction, a plurality of the main inclined grooves being juxtaposed in the tire circumferential direction and disposed alternately in the tire circumferential direction on both sides of the tire equatorial plane. The auxiliary inclined groove inclines with respect to the tire circumferential direction to become distanced from the tire equatorial plane from the leading side toward the trailing side in the tire rotational direction, a leading end and a trailing end terminating within the center rib while intersecting at least two of the main inclined grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD
    Inventor: Tatsuro Shinzawa
  • Publication number: 20120312437
    Abstract: A tread portion of a motorcycle is on each side of the tire equator with main oblique grooves. The main oblique groove has an axially inner end at a axial distance from the tire equator, extends axially outwardly beyond the side edge of the narrow width ply of the breaker, terminates within the tread portion, and comprises an axially inner oblique segment extending axially outwardly from the axially inner end, while inclining to a tire circumferential direction at a smaller angle with respect to the tire circumferential direction, and an axially outer oblique segment extending from the axially inner oblique segment, while inclining to the tire circumferential direction at a larger angle with respect to the tire circumferential direction to form a bent point. The developed axial distance from the bent point to the narrow width ply side edge is not more than 10% of the developed tread width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Yusuke HARADA
  • Patent number: 8316902
    Abstract: A tire tread includes a circumferential row of blocks disposed between first and second circumferential grooves, wherein each of the blocks is delimited by a section of the first circumferential groove and by first and second transverse grooves that extend from the first circumferential groove and terminate at a common vertex spaced from the second circumferential groove. The common vertex is separated from the second circumferential groove by a continuous circumferential tread rib. The second transverse groove delimits a first one of the blocks and is separated from the first transverse groove that delimits a circumferentially adjacent block by a solid tread portion. The solid tread portion extends from the first circumferential groove to the continuous circumferential tread rib, and the solid tread portion forms a single body with the continuous circumferential tread rib, spacing the first block and the circumferentially adjacent block from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Pirelli Pneumatici S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Colombo, Giancarlo Cucco, Vito Bello
  • Patent number: 8312903
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire for use on trucks, the tire comprising: a tread, the tread having a non-skid depth (NSK), the tread including a first and second shoulder rib and two or more inner ribs, and circumferential grooves interposed between the ribs. The tread pattern is asymmetric, wherein the first shoulder rib has a rib width ratio in the range of about 1.2 to about 1.8, and the second shoulder rib has a rib width ratio in the range of about 1.0-1.6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Georges Gaston Feider, Jean-Francois Cazin-Bourguignon, Pascal Patrick Steiner, Jobst Meyer-Adlung, Marek Grzegorz Wojcik, Phuoc Thuan Le
  • Publication number: 20120285592
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire for improving steering stability performance on dry and wet road surfaces. The tire tread pattern has circumferential center main grooves, outside and inside main grooves, land sections demarcated by the main grooves, ground contact borders on both sides of the tire, and closed shoulder lug grooves. A ratio Wmax/Wout of a maximum main groove width Wmax and an outside main groove width Wout is at between 1.5 and 2.5 inclusive. A ratio Sin/Sout of a groove area ratio Sin of a region on a tire-widthwise second side of a tire centerline and a groove area ratio Sout of a region on a first side of the tire centerline is at least 1.10 and smaller than 1.25. A groove area ratio of a region on the second side of a tire-widthwise centerline of the intermediate land sections exceeds that of a region on the first side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Norifumi KAMEDA
  • Publication number: 20120285593
    Abstract: A motorcycle tyre has a tread band including a central portion and two shoulder portions arranged at axially opposite sides of the central portion. The central portion includes a first plurality of grooves extended according to a substantially longitudinal direction and alternatively arranged at opposite sides of the equatorial plane of the tyre. Each groove of the first plurality of grooves has a substantially curvilinear course such as to form a concavity. The central portion further includes a sub-portion substantially free of grooves placed astride the equatorial plane of the tyre. Each of the shoulder portions includes a second plurality of grooves arranged obliquely relative to the equatorial plane of the tyre.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: PIRELLI TYRE S.p.a.
    Inventors: Mario Mariani, Sandro Gallo, Andrea Schiavolin, Pierangelo Misani
  • Publication number: 20120285591
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a good balance between on-ice and on-snow performances. The tire includes a tread portion having longitudinal and lateral grooves defining block rows. Each block in the block rows includes sipes. A length of each block in the first and second block rows is not less than 1.5 times and not more than 2.5 times a length of each third block row block. A width of each second block row block is larger than a width of each first block row block. The lateral grooves defining the first and second block row blocks are offset in the tire circumferential direction by not less than 0.2 times and not more than 0.8 times the length of each first block row block. The lateral grooves defining the second and third block row blocks communicate with each other while inclining in the same direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaaki NAGAYASU, Hiroshi FURUSAWA
  • Publication number: 20120279623
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a pneumatic off-road tire having an inner shoulder, an outer shoulder and a tread therebetween. The tread has a central axis and includes a plurality of generally curved first grooves. Each first groove has a first end disposed near the outer shoulder and a second end disposed near the inner shoulder so that each first groove crosses the central axis. The first end is spaced circumferentially from the second end. A plurality of second grooves, each connecting the second end of a first groove to a first end of another first groove, are included. The first and second grooves define a cascading repetition of tread blocks. Chamfers are defined on certain corners of the tread blocks that are adjacent to the first grooves and that expose a tread block wall following the chamfer, relative to a rotation of the tire, to an off-road contact surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL TIRE NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew Lamb
  • Publication number: 20120273103
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire including at least four circumferential main grooves extending in the tire circumferential direction and a plurality of rib-like land portions partitioned by the circumferential main grooves in the tread portion. An outer side second land portion includes an L-shaped narrow groove formed by connecting a width direction groove portion extending from an edge portion on an outer side in the tire width direction of the outer side second land portion toward an inner side in the tire width direction, and a circumferential direction groove portion extending substantially parallel to the tire circumferential direction and terminating in an interior portion of the outer side second land portion; and a penetrating sipe penetrating the outer side second land portion in the tire width direction and intersecting the circumferential direction groove portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: MASAHIRO ISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20120261044
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire has an asymmetrical tread pattern. An outboard central main circumferential groove extends zigzag and is made up of alternate minor and major groove segments. The major groove segments incline at an angle of from 5 to 30 degrees with respect to the tire circumferential direction. An inboard central main circumferential groove is widest in main circumferential grooves. Outboard middle axial grooves are widest in axial grooves. The distance Li of the widthwise center line of the straight inboard central main circumferential groove from the tire equator is less than the distance Lo of the amplitude center line of the zigzag outboard central main circumferential groove from the tire equator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: Kazuki NUMATA
  • Patent number: 8281829
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire (10) has an inner shoulder (11), an outer shoulder (12) and a tread (13) therebetween. The tread has a central axis (A) and includes a plurality of first grooves (14). Each first groove has a first end (15) disposed near the outer shoulder and a second end (17) disposed near the inner shoulder so that each first groove crosses the central axis. The first end is spaced circumferentially from the second end. A plurality of second grooves (16) is provided with each second groove connecting the second end of a first groove to a first end of another first groove. The first and second grooves define a cascading repetition of tread blocks (18). Chamfers (20) are defined on certain corners of the tread blocks that are adjacent to the first grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Tire The Americas LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Lamb
  • Patent number: 8281831
    Abstract: A tire for All Terrain Vehicles includes the first ribs located within a central area of the tread, which are non-continuously arranged, and the second ribs which are next to the ATV. The first ribs are separated by first gaps and the second ribs are separated by second gaps, the first and second gaps are located alternatively to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Tsai Jen Lo
  • Publication number: 20120241060
    Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire for motorcycle in which the abrasion resistance and the steering stability of the tire at the time when the motorcycle is travelling while leaning sideways are combined by resolving the above-mentioned problems and improving the tread pattern. Provided is a pneumatic tire for motorcycle including a tread portion 11, a pair of sidewall portions 12 connected to both sides of the tread portion and a pair of bead portions 13 individually connected to the sidewall portions. The tire tread portion has a tread pattern having a plurality of transverse grooves 1 to 9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takaki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8267135
    Abstract: On a tread surface 1 of a pneumatic tire, at least one circumferential groove is formed on an outer-side region 3 in a vehicle width direction, at least three circumferential, which number is two or more larger than the outer-side region 3, grooves are formed on an inner-side region 2 in the vehicle width direction. A plurality of lug grooves 20 are formed on the tread surface 1, open to a tread edge TE1 of the inner-side region 3, extend in a direction toward circumferential groove 11, and terminate without opening to circumferential groove 11. A plurality of continuous lug grooves 21 are formed on the tread surface 1, open to a tread edge TE2 of the outer-side region 3, extend in a direction toward the circumferential groove 13, continue to the central land portion 5 intersecting the circumferential groove 10, and terminate without opening to the circumferential groove 13 which borders the central land portion 5, among the three second-region circumferential grooves 11, 12, 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Naoya Ochi
  • Patent number: 8267132
    Abstract: There is provided a pneumatic tire sufficiently improving drainage performance, driving stability, uneven wear resistance and quiet performance. A pneumatic tire 1 has at least one tire circumferential groove 9 extending along the tire circumferential direction in a tread portion 2. In addition, there are provided in a surface of the tread portion, a plurality of inclined grooves consisting of two or more small grooves 10 inclined at the same direction with respect to the tire circumferential direction and having an inclination angle within a range between 10 degrees and 60 degrees and configured in a zig-zag manner by coupling ends of the small grooves 10. The inclined grooves 11 are included in any widthwise section of the tread portion 2 of the tire and a part of the inclined grooves 11 is opened to the tire circumferential groove 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Kensuke Dobashi, Toshiyuki Ishiguro, Sotaro Iwabuchi, Shungo Fujita
  • Patent number: 8261790
    Abstract: A tread for a pneumatic tire includes central tread elements and shoulder tread elements having leading and trailing tread edges. A pair of circumferentially continuous grooves, one on each half ol the tread, and a plurality of lateral grooves extending from each tread edge toward the center of the tread are provided. The lateral grooves adjacent the central tread elements are curved in shape extending along a line, the line extends toward the center of the tread to form an apex from the center extending outwardly across the tread pattern changing in an opposite direction at an intersection of the circumferential groove along a second line adjacent the shoulder tread element. Shoulder tread elements are arranged in two rows, one row adjacent each lateral edge, the leading edges of the shoulder tread elements being inclined relative to the direction of rotation of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Ben Baicheng Wen, Joel Joseph Lazeration
  • Patent number: 8261791
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kojima
  • Patent number: 8256478
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes at least two types of cap tread rubber layers made from differing rubber compositions disposed in a tread portion. A tan ? at 60° C. of a rubber composition forming the cap tread rubber layer on a vehicle outer side is greater than a tan ? at 60° C. of a rubber composition forming the cap tread rubber layer on a vehicle inner side. A ratio (tan ?H/tan ?L) of a maximum tan ?H to a minimum tan ?L at 60° C. of the tan ? of the rubber compositions forming the at least two types of cap tread rubber layers is from 1.05 to 1.80 . An under tread rubber layer disposed in the tread portion has an average thickness from 0.8 mm to 4.0 mm. A hardness of a rubber composition forming the under tread rubber layer is from 73 to 83. A tan ? at 60° C. of the rubber composition forming the under tread rubber layer is 0.25 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Yasujirou Daisho
  • Publication number: 20120175031
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire with good fuel efficiency, drainage performance and uneven wear resistance is provided. A pneumatic tire has a tread surface provided with circumferential main grooves to define a center region and two side regions. The center region is provided with a first circumferential narrow groove and second circumferential narrow grooves located between the first circumferential narrow groove and the circumferential main grooves; and center rib-like land portions including first center rib-like land portions defined by the first circumferential narrow groove and the second circumferential narrow grooves, and second center rib-like land portions defined by the second circumferential narrow grooves and the circumferential main grooves. The center rib-like land portions located next to each other with the center circumferential narrow grooves being therebetween are adapted to supportingly contact with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akiko MORI
  • Patent number: 8215350
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a pneumatic radial ply truck tire having a tread with a tread depth D, at least two circumferential grooves dividing the tread into at least a first shoulder circumferential rib, an intermediary circumferential rib, and a second shoulder circumferential rib, the tire being characterized by the tread having a base region disposed at depth D and a cap region over the base region, the base region and the cap region adjoining along a boundary, the cap region comprising a cap rubber composition having properties measured at 23° C. of: elongation of 400 to 500%, true tensile of 77 to 83 MPa, 300% modulus of 9 to 11 MPa, tensile strength of 14 to 15 MPa, shore A hardness of 63 to 68, rebound of 20 to 25%; and the base region comprising a base rubber composition having properties measured at 23° C. of: elongation of 470 to 520%, true tensile of 135 to 150 MPa, 300% modulus of 13 to 15.5 MPa, tensile strength of 22 to 25 MPa, shore A hardness of 63 to 67, rebound 50 to 55%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Daniel Roder, Tom Dominique Linster, Fahri Ozel
  • Patent number: 8210220
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a tread surface provided with a plurality of circumferential grooves and lateral grooves each having one end opened into that circumferential groove and the other end terminating in a land portion. At least one lateral groove is always included completely in the ground contact surface of the tread. The groove width of the lateral grooves is at least locally not less than 30% of the groove width of the circumferential grooves. Each lateral groove has an extending length not less than 40% of an extending length of the circumferential grooves in the ground contact surface and is provided with a region having a cross-sectional area which increases from its side of opening into the circumferential groove toward its terminal end, and including a starting end with a minimum cross-sectional area that is situated closer to the circumferential groove in which the lateral groove opens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Syu Nagai, Atsushi Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 8210221
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Kiwaki, Ryoichi Watabe
  • Patent number: 8210222
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire having improved driving stability and wear resistance on dry road surfaces and improved running performance on snow. The pneumatic tire includes a tread portion provided with first, second and third main grooves extending in a tire circumferential direction and a plurality of lug grooves each extending from one shoulder side to the other shoulder side. A width of a first land section defined between the first and second main grooves is set greater than a width of a second land section defined between the first and third main grooves, a plurality of inclined grooves are provided in the first land section, where each inclined groove communicates with at least three of the lug grooves while being inclined to the tire circumferential direction, and one end of each inclined groove is open to one of the lug grooves while the other end thereof is terminated within a block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Isamu Kishizoe
  • Patent number: 8205651
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire according to the present invention improves wet performance. The pneumatic tire has a tread surface 1. A first main groove 2 extending in the circumferential direction TC of the tire is provided in the tread surface 1. First lateral grooves 7 extending from the first main groove 2 outward in the widthwise direction of the tire beyond one ground contact end TX1 of the tire are disposed at prescribed intervals in the circumferential direction TC of the tire. Blocks 8 are defined by the first main groove 2 and the first lateral grooves 7. The first lateral grooves 7 comprise inner groove portions 7A and outer groove portions 7B. The inner groove portions 7A extend with their widths gradually increasing from the first main groove 2 outward in the widthwise direction of the tire to midways of the first lateral grooves 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: The Yokoyama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiko Ohki, Isamu Kishizoe
  • Patent number: 8196626
    Abstract: A tire includes a tread profile and a plurality of ribs extending across the tread profile. Each rib includes a first portion and a second portion on two sides of the center axis of the tread profile. The first portion includes a first section which has a constant height. The length of the first section is “L1”. A first shoulder is connected between the first section and the outer side of the tire by a first radius. “R1”. The second portion includes a second section which has the same constant height as the first section. The length of the second section is “L2”. A second shoulder is connected between the second section and the inner side of the tire by a second radius “R1”. A ratio of the “L1” to the “L2” is 1.1 to 1.4, and a ratio of the “R1” to “R2” is 0.5 to 0.9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventor: Tsai Jen Lo
  • Publication number: 20120132333
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a plurality of circumferential grooves and a first land portion. The circumferential grooves extend continuously in a tire circumferential direction. The first land portion extends in the tire circumferential direction between a pattern end and one of the circumferential grooves in a shoulder region located outside the circumferential grooves in a tire width direction. The first land portion has first lug grooves extending from the pattern end in the tire width direction and closed without communicating with the circumferential grooves are arranged in the tire circumferential direction. At least one circumferential groove is wave-shaped with a constant groove width in the tire width direction at a tread surface and formed in a wave shape in the circumferential direction at the tread surface and groove bottom. The wave-shaped circumferential groove has a shorter cycle length of waves at the groove bottom than at the tread surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro EBIKO, Kenichiro ENDO, Takumi MORITO, Hiroshi TOKIZAKI, Hiroyuki KOJIMA, Kensuke SAITOU
  • Publication number: 20120132334
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire is provided with an asymmetric tread pattern which comprises an inboard shoulder longitudinal groove (3A) at an axial distance Xi from the tire equator (C) and an outboard shoulder longitudinal groove (3B) at an axial distance Xo from the tire equator (C). The distances Xi and Xo are 27 to 33% of the tread width (TW), and the axial distance Xi is less than the axial distance Xo. A tread crown region between the inboard edge (3Ao) of the inboard shoulder longitudinal groove (3A) and the outboard edge (3Bo) of the outboard shoulder longitudinal groove (3B) has a sea ratio of 30 to 50%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventor: Seiji NOMURA
  • Publication number: 20120118455
    Abstract: To make it possible to enhance uneven wear resistance while maintaining drainage performance, a pneumatic tire includes a left-right asymmetric tread pattern having a designated mounting orientation with respect to a vehicle. Vertical grooves include an inner shoulder circumferential groove disposed on an innermost side of the vehicle, and an outer shoulder circumferential groove disposed on an outermost side of the vehicle. Lateral grooves include inner shoulder lateral grooves and outer shoulder lateral grooves. The inner shoulder lateral groove includes a first inner shoulder lateral groove which extends inward in a tire axial direction from an outer side of a vehicle-inner side tread edge and terminates without reaching the inner shoulder circumferential groove, and a second inner shoulder lateral groove which extends inward in the tire axial direction from an outer side of the vehicle-inner side tread edge and opens in the inner shoulder circumferential groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Yoshihiro HADA
  • Publication number: 20120118456
    Abstract: A pair of motor vehicle tyres includes a front tyre and a rear tyre to be mounted respectively on a front wheel and a rear wheel of a two-wheeled vehicle, each tyre of the pair having a tread band extending around an axis of rotation. The tread band of the front tyre includes a central annular portion straddling an equatorial plane and two annular shoulder portions disposed on axially opposite sides of the central annular portion. The central annular portion includes at least a pair of first grooves extending substantially longitudinally on opposite sides of the equatorial plane in such a way as to form a concavity directed toward the equatorial plane. Each shoulder portion includes a plurality of second grooves isolated from the first grooves and extending substantially transversally so as to form an average inclination with the equatorial plane greater than 90°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: PIRELLI TYRES S.p.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Schiavolin, Mario Mariani, Pierangelo Misani
  • Publication number: 20120118454
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire improved in on-ice performance and on-snow performance in good balance. The pneumatic tire includes a tread portion extending in a tire circumferential direction and forming a ring shape, a pair of sidewall portions on both sides of the tread portion, respectively, and a pair of bead portions on inner sides of the sidewall portions in a tire radial direction, respectively. The tread portion includes a plurality of longitudinal grooves extending in the tire circumferential direction and a plurality of lateral grooves extending in a tire width direction. The longitudinal and lateral grooves define a plurality of block rows each including a plurality of blocks. Each of the plurality of blocks included in at least one of the block rows includes at least three closed grooves including at least one first closed groove and at least one second closed groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaaki NAGAYASU, Yoshimasa HASHIMOTO, Hiroshi FURUSAWA, Kenichirou ENDOU, Kenichi SATO
  • Publication number: 20120111465
    Abstract: Motor vehicle tyre adapted to be mounted on the rear wheel of a motor vehicle, includes a tread band having a tread pattern including a module which is repeated along a direction of circumferential extension of the tyre. The module has at least one first pair of first grooves inclined in opposite directions with respect to an equatorial plane of the tyre, and extending from the equatorial plane toward a respective shoulder; at least one second pair of second grooves inclined in opposite directions with respect to the equatorial plane and extending from the equatorial plane toward a respective shoulder. The first and the second grooves are staggered relative to each other in the circumferential direction in such a way as to maintain a substantially constant distance of less than half the pitch, at the equatorial plane between each first or second groove and the adjacent one in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Andrea Schiavolin, Mario Mariani, Pierangelo Misani
  • Patent number: 8162015
    Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire capable of improving the drainage performance while favorably maintaining the uneven wear resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryousuke Nukushina
  • Patent number: 8151843
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire 1 according to the invention has bead portions 11, 12 including bead cores 11a, 12a, and at least a carcass layer 13 and a tread portion 16 arranged, wherein in a section in a tire-width direction, assuming as a reference a tire centerline CL making right angles with a bead line BL interconnecting a center of the bead core 11a and a center of the bead core 12a, and passing a center of the bead line BL, an outer ground-contact area 20B is wider by 5 to 15% than an inner ground-contact area 20B, and wherein in the section in the tire-width direction, a carcass periphery length as a distance along a carcass centerline CaL from a crossing point P to an approach point P2 is longer by 0.5 mm to 10 mm than a carcass periphery length Ca as a distance from the crossing point P to an approach point P1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Shigemasa Ishii, Nobuaki Toyosato
  • Publication number: 20120060987
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire wherein a side from a tire ground contact center line having a smaller groove area ratio includes at least one circumferential main groove and at least one circumferential narrow groove. A depth of the circumferential narrow groove is not less than 60% and not more than 80% of a depth of the circumferential main groove closest to the tire ground contact center line. A width of the circumferential narrow groove is not less than 25% and not more than 40% of a width of the circumferential main groove closest to the tire ground contact center line. A distance from the tire ground contact center line to a center position in the tire width direction of the circumferential narrow groove is not less than 25% and not more than 35% of a tire ground contact width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masayuki Nemoto
  • Publication number: 20120060988
    Abstract: A motorcycle tire has a unidirectional tread pattern having an intended rotational direction. The tread portion is provided on each side of the tire equator with main oblique grooves, each comprising a main portion extending from the tire equator toward a tread edge while inclining toward the direction opposite to the intended rotational direction. The main portion includes a part overlapping the tire equator which part has an inclination angle of not more than 20 degrees with respect to the tire equator. The main portion has such a dimension that the circumferential ends thereof are positioned outside a ground contacting area of the tire in its normally inflated loaded state at the camber angle of 0 degree. The land ratio of a tread center region between the ground contact edges is in a rage of from 75 to 95%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: Masafumi OTANI
  • Publication number: 20120037287
    Abstract: A heavy duty pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion provided with a circumferentially continuously extending longitudinal groove disposed on each side of the tire equator, and oblique grooves extending axially inwardly from the longitudinal groove at an inclination angle of 20 to 40 degrees with respect to the tire axial direction. The longitudinal groove is provided with a sound insulation wall disposed therein so as to rise from the groove bottom. The sound insulation wall extends continuously in the circumferential direction in a zigzag manner so as to have axially inner points and axially outer points at turning points of the zigzag. The distance between the sound insulation wall and the axially inner edge of the longitudinal groove is varied periodically in the tire circumferential direction so that the distance becomes minimal at the junctions of the longitudinal groove with the axially inner oblique grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Ikuo ATAKE, Masahiro KISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20120018067
    Abstract: A motorcycle tire for running on rough terrain comprises a tread portion having a developed tread width and provided with a plurality of tread blocks. The tread blocks include a plurality of crown blocks defined as having a ground contacting top surface whose centroid is located within a crown region defined as having a developed width of ? of the developed tread width and centered on the tire equator. The crown blocks include a plurality of central crown blocks whose axial distance from the tire equatorial plane to the centroid is not more than 2% of the developed tread width, and a plurality of off-center crown blocks whose axial distance from the tire equatorial plane to the centroid is more than 2% and not more than 6% of the developed tread width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Masahiro HIKITA
  • Publication number: 20120006455
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic tire for a construction vehicle capable of suppressing deterioration in heat release property while maintaining high wear resistance especially when used as driving wheels. A central area 20 is provided with a central narrow groove 21 continuously extending along a tire circumferential direction in a zigzag form. Each side area 30 is provided with a side narrow groove 32. A width direction narrow groove 22 is provided The central narrow groove 21, the side narrow grooves 32 and the width direction narrow grooves 22 define plural polygonal block land portions 23 having five or more straight sides in the tread portion 10. The block land portions are lined in the tire circumferential direction to form two block arrays arranged next to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jyunya Asari
  • Publication number: 20110308679
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire, wherein the central narrow groove includes an arc, the inner diameter side of the arc is facing towards the tire ground contact edge side, one end is open to another adjacent central narrow groove and the other end is open to the circumferential main groove on the inner side area side. A first central sipe is disposed between adjacent central narrow grooves, and connects the central narrow groove and the circumferential main groove on the inner side area side. One end of the notch portion is open to the circumferential main groove on the outer side area side, and the other end terminates within the central land portion. A second central sipe is disposed between adjacent notch portions. One end of the second central sipe is connected to the circumferential main groove on the outer side area side and another end terminates within the central land portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsumi Hirose, Naoto Kaba
  • Publication number: 20110297284
    Abstract: A motor car tyre having a tread includes a central portion situated on either side of an equatorial plane and two shoulder portions. The central portion is separated from the shoulder portions of the tread by two circumferential grooves and has at least one circumferential rib situated between a first and a second circumferential groove. The tread has a solid/void ratio of less than 0.28. The circumferential rib includes transverse grooves which extend over at least 50% of its width. The transverse grooves include at least one curvilinear section, have a width less than that of the circumferential grooves and at least one of the circumferential grooves including the circumferential rib has at least one side wall defining an undulating profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Stefano Montesello, Gianfranco Colombo
  • Patent number: 8056592
    Abstract: A lightweight truck and passenger vehicle tire having an improved tread design that provides numerous biting edges for increased grip in mud, snow, loose debris, and when climbing rocks as well as providing increased protection from punctures and cuts to the tire's shoulder and upper sidewall regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire + Rubber Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lisa Marie Missik-Gaffney, Brian David Digman, John Fleming Brainerd, II, Timothy Michael Rooney, Jonathan James Shondel
  • Patent number: 8047243
    Abstract: A retreaded pneumatic truck tire includes a used carcass having a uniform annular attachment area and a retread element. The retread element secures to the attachment area of the used carcass. The retread element has a tread pattern comprising a first circumferential groove separating the tread pattern into a first shoulder rib and an intermediate rib and a second circumferential groove separating the tread pattern into the intermediate rib and a second shoulder rib. The tread pattern further comprises a first plurality of identical arcuate notches extending axially and circumferentially across the first circumferential groove and a second plurality of identical arcuate notches extending axially and circumferentially across the second circumferential groove. The first plurality of arcuate notches are offset circumferentially from the second plurality of arcuate notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Audrey Marie Simon, Murat Ahmet Yasar Susutoglu, Vincent Benoit Mathonet, Daniel Roder, Jean-Nicolas Pierre Claude Helt
  • Patent number: 8037910
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire is provided including a multiplicity of land portions 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, and 3E formed by main grooves 2 extending linearly in the tire width direction partitioning the tread surface 1, and having a designated mounting direction on a vehicle. Among the multiplicity of land portions 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, and 3E, lug grooves are not provided in a ground contact region R of the land portions 3A and 3E positioned on both shoulder sides. Lug grooves 4 inclining in the tire circumferential direction that have terminating parts in the land portions and opening to the main groove 2 on the vehicle inner side are formed at specified intervals in the tire circumferential direction in the land portions 3B and 3D inwardly adjacent to the land portions on both shoulder sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noriyoshi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20110247738
    Abstract: Motorcycle tyre suitable for mounting on the rear wheel of a motorcycle, including a tread band having a tread pattern includes a module which is repeated in a direction of circumferential extension of the tyre, the module having: at least two substantially longitudinal first grooves which are inclined opposite to each other with respect to the equatorial plane of the tyre; and at least two substantially longitudinal second grooves which are inclined opposite to each other with respect to the equatorial plane. Each substantially longitudinal first groove alternates with a second longitudinal groove. The substantially longitudinal first grooves have, in a direction axially away from the equatorial plane of the tyre, two substantially consecutive curvilinear sections, the first section of which has a convexity and the second section of which has a concavity directed in the rolling direction of the tyre.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Mario Mariani, Luca Bruschelli, Andrea Schiavolin, Sandro Gallo
  • Publication number: 20110067793
    Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire capable of improving the drainage performance while favorably maintaining the uneven wear resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ryousuke Nukushina
  • Publication number: 20110061780
    Abstract: The pneumatic tire includes a tread pattern having a land portion sandwiched between tire circumferential grooves. A groove area ratio of the tread pattern is different between areas on opposite sides with reference to a tire center line in a tire width direction. A first side has the larger groove area ratio and a second side has the smaller groove area ratio respectively. The land portion is protruding outward in a tire radial direction and the land portion has edge portions bordering the tire circumferential grooves and formed by groove walls of the tire circumferential grooves sandwiching the land portion and a surface of the land portion. A drop length of the edge portion facing to the first side from a most protruding point of the land portion along the tire radial direction is longer than a drop length of the edge portion facing to the second side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO., LTD
    Inventor: Masaya Mita
  • Patent number: 7891392
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire including a tread 2 provided with at least a pair of circumferentially continuous straight crown grooves 3 which extend on both sides of the tire equator C to provide a center land 5 between them and which comprise an inner groove 3i which lies on the inside of a vehicle when the tire is fitted to the vehicle and an outer groove 3o which is on the outside with the fitted tire, wherein a plurality of curved oblique grooves 8 are provided in the center land 5 at intervals in the circumferential direction, in which each curved oblique groove 8 extends obliquely from the inner crown circumferential groove 3i toward the outer crown circumferential groove 3o, turns at a location over the tire equator C without reaching the outer crown circumferential groove 3o, and further extends obliquely toward the inner crown circumferential groove 3i to terminate inside the tire equator C in the center land 5, and circumferentially adjacent curved oblique grooves 8 intersect each other at a location substantia
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Mukai
  • Publication number: 20100294408
    Abstract: A tire having (i) an asymmetric tread profile with a shoulder drop difference of 0.3 to 0.9; and (ii) an asymmetric tread pattern so as to have a ratio between the inner void/solid ratio and the outer void/solid ratio of 1.1 to 1.50. By the above combination of features, handling and aquaplaning performance is remarkably improved even at high operating speeds without negatively affecting the wear resistance of the tread band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Stefano Bizzi, Maurizio Boiocchi, Giuseppe Matrascia, Dario Scaltritti