Pneumatic Tire

• US 20080156405A1
• Filed: 08/02/2005
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
• Inventors: Tanabe, Nobutaka
• Application Number:
  US11/661,196
• Publication Number:
  US 20080156405A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 152/209.18
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/11 in which the raised area of the pattern consists only of isolated elements, e.g. blocks B60C11/12, B60C11/13 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/12 characterised by the use of narrow slits or incisions, e.g. sipes
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/1218 Three-dimensional shape with regard to depth and extending direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 2011/1213 sinusoidal or zigzag at the tread surface
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 2011/1227 having different shape within the pattern
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 2011/1254 with closed sipe, i.e. not extending to a groove

Abstract

A pneumatic tire in which adequate performance on snow and icy roads and adequate performance on dry/wet roads are effectively achieved at the same time is provided. Tread section 16 of the pneumatic tire includes center main grooves 20L and 20R extending continuously in the circumferential direction of the tire, and shoulder main grooves 22L and 22R formed at a width direction outer sides of the tire. 2D sipes 23L and 23R are formed in center land portion 24 defined by center main grooves 20L and 20R. 2D sipes 36L and 36R are formed at second block arrays 26L and 26R adjacent to an outer side of the center main grooves 20L and 20R respectively in the width direction of the tire. 3D sipes 42L and 42R are formed at shoulder block arrays 54L and 54R adjacent to an outer side of shoulder main grooves 22L and 22R respectively in the width direction of the tire.

Claims

1. A pneumatic tire in which at least three arrays of land portions are defined in tread of a tread section along a circumferential direction of the tire by main grooves continuously formed in the circumferential direction of the tire, wherein:

3D sipes are formed in the land portions at a given area between a width direction end portion of the tire and a tire equator; and

1D sipes or 2D sipes, or alternatively, sipes comprising a combination of 1D and 2D sipes are formed in the land portions at an area provided at the tire equator side with respect to the given area.

2. The pneumatic tire according to claim 1, wherein all of the sipes formed in the land portions at the given area are 3D sipes.

3. The pneumatic tire according to claim 1, wherein all of the sipes formed in the land portions ad the area provided at the tire equator side with respect to the given area are 2D sipes.

7. The pneumatic tire according to claim 1, wherein the 3D sipes extend in a crank shape in a depth direction of the tire.

4. A pneumatic tire in which at least three arrays of land portions are defined in tread of a tread section along a circumferential direction of the tire by main grooves continuously formed in the circumferential direction of the tire, wherein:

the sipes formed in the land portions continuously formed from a tread endportion in a width direction of the tire are 3D sipes; and

the sipes of the land portions provided at the tire equator side with respect to the land portions in which 3D sipes are formed are 1D sipes or 2D sipes, or alternatively, sipes comprising a combination of 1D sipes and 2D sipes.

5. The pneumatic tire according to claim 4, wherein all of the sipes formed in the land portions continuously formed from the tread end portion in the width direction of the tire are 3D sipes.

6. The pneumatic tire according to claim 4, wherein all of the sipes of the land portions provided at the tire equator side with respect to the land portions in which 3D sipes are formed are 2D sipes.