Tread for a tire
First Claim
1. An asymmetric tread for a tire wherein the tread, when configured angularly, has an axis of rotation, a tread width TW, first and second lateral edges and an equatorial plane centered between the edges, a first tread half extending from the first lateral edge to the equatorial plane and a second tread half extending from the second lateral edge to the equatorial plane, the tread comprising a plurality of ground engaging tread elements separated by a plurality of circumferentially continuous grooves and a plurality of laterally extending grooves wherein the tread elements in the first tread half have a net contact area substantially equal to the net contact area of the tread elements of the second tread half as measured around the entire circumference of the tread and wherein the circumferential and lateral grooves each have an average groove width as measured between the ground contacting surface of the tread elements, the total of the average groove widths of the circumferential grooves of the first tread half being greater than the total of the average groove widths of the circumferential grooves of the second tread half and wherein the total of the average groove widths of the lateral grooves of the first tread half are less than the total of the average groove widths of the lateral groove widths of the second tread half and wherein the circumferential grooves are progressively narrower in average groove width from the first lateral edge to the second lateral edge.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An asymmetric non-directional tread 12 for a tire 10 is disclosed. The tread 12 has a plurality of ground engaging tread elements 22 separated by circumferential and lateral grooves 24,28. The net contact area in a first tread half 30 is approximately equivalent to a net contact area in a second tread half 32 although the tread stiffness in the first tread half 30 preferably is higher than in the second tread half 32. The outboard side of some circumferential grooves 24 may be tapered to buttress tread elements 22 against cornering forces.
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Citations
14 Claims
- 1. An asymmetric tread for a tire wherein the tread, when configured angularly, has an axis of rotation, a tread width TW, first and second lateral edges and an equatorial plane centered between the edges, a first tread half extending from the first lateral edge to the equatorial plane and a second tread half extending from the second lateral edge to the equatorial plane, the tread comprising a plurality of ground engaging tread elements separated by a plurality of circumferentially continuous grooves and a plurality of laterally extending grooves wherein the tread elements in the first tread half have a net contact area substantially equal to the net contact area of the tread elements of the second tread half as measured around the entire circumference of the tread and wherein the circumferential and lateral grooves each have an average groove width as measured between the ground contacting surface of the tread elements, the total of the average groove widths of the circumferential grooves of the first tread half being greater than the total of the average groove widths of the circumferential grooves of the second tread half and wherein the total of the average groove widths of the lateral grooves of the first tread half are less than the total of the average groove widths of the lateral groove widths of the second tread half and wherein the circumferential grooves are progressively narrower in average groove width from the first lateral edge to the second lateral edge.
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14. An asymmetric tread for a tire wherein the tread, when configured angularly, has an axis of rotation, a tread width TW, first and second lateral edges and an equatorial plane centered between the edges, a first tread half extending from the second lateral edge to the equatorial plane, the tread comprising a plurality of ground engaging tread elements separated by a plurality of circumferentially continuous grooves and a plurality of laterally extending grooves wherein the tread elements in the first tread half have a net contact area substantially equal to the net contact area of the tread elements of the second tread half as measured around the entire circumference of the tread and wherein the circumferential and lateral grooves each have an average groove width as measured between the ground contacting surface of the tread elements, the total of the average groove widths of the circumferential grooves of the first tread half being greater than the total of the average groove widths of the circumferential grooves of the second tread half and wherein the total of the average groove widths of the lateral grooves of the first tread half are less than the total of the average groove widths of the lateral groove widths of the second tread half and wherein the lateral grooves are progressively wider in average groove width from the rest lateral edge to the second lateral edge.
Specification