Agricultural tire tread

• US 9,764,597 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2014
• Issued: 09/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Inventors: Harris, Bradley J., Buxton, Todd A., Rethmel, Benjamin Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): DYE, ROBERT C
• Application Number:
  US14/533,604
• Publication Number:
  US 20150053318A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,049 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/0311 Patterns comprising tread lugs arranged parallel or oblique to the axis of rotation
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/0327 characterised by special properties of the tread pattern
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/033 by the void or net-to-gross ratios of the patterns
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 2011/0313 directional type
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 2200/08 for agricultural vehicles

Abstract

An agricultural tire has an equatorial plane separating first and second sides. First and second inner sixths of the treads extend between the equatorial plane and circumferential reference planes disposed axially one-sixth of a tread width on either side of the equatorial plane. First and second middle sixths of the tread extend between inner circumferential planes and middle circumferential reference planes one-sixth of the tread width from the inner circumferential reference planes. Outer sixths extend between the middle circumferential reference planes and outer circumferential reference planes disposed one-sixth of the tread width from the middle planes. Net tread volume ratio is approximately 40 percent, where between 36 and 39 percent of lug volume is in the inner sixths, between 32 to 35 percent in the middle sixths, and 27 to 30 percent in the outer sixths of the tread.

Claims

1. A pneumatic agricultural tire having an equatorial plane separating a first side and a second side of the tire, comprising:

a tread having an inner tread surface;

first lugs on a first side of the tire extending from a first lateral tread edge toward the equatorial plane, the first lugs having;

an arcuate leading edge that arcs from the first lateral tread edge to a substantially axial leading nose edge, and

an arcuate trailing edge that arcs from the first lateral tread edge to a substantially circumferential inner nose edge;

second lugs on the second side of the tire extending from the second lateral tread edge toward the equatorial plane, the second lugs having;

an arcuate leading edge that arcs from the second lateral tread edge to a substantially axial leading nose edge, and

an arcuate trailing edge that arcs from the second lateral tread edge to a substantially circumferential inner nose edge;

a first inner sixth of the tread extending between the equatorial plane and a first inner circumferential reference plane on the first side disposed axially one-sixth of a tread width from the equatorial plane;

a second inner sixth of the tread extending between the equatorial plane and a second inner circumferential reference plane on the second side disposed axially one-sixth of the tread width from the equatorial plane;

a first middle sixth of the tread extending between the first inner circumferential reference plane and a first middle circumferential reference plane on the first side disposed axially one-sixth of the tread width from the first inner circumferential reference plane;

a second middle sixth of the tread extending between the second inner circumferential reference plane and a second middle circumferential reference plane on the second side disposed axially one-sixth of the tread width from the second inner circumferential reference plane;

a first outer sixth of the tread extending between the first middle circumferential reference plane and a first outer circumferential reference plane on the first side disposed axially one-sixth of the tread width from the first middle circumferential reference plane;

a second outer sixth of the tread extending between the second middle circumferential reference plane and a second outer circumferential reference plane on the second side disposed axially one-sixth of the tread width from the second middle circumferential reference plane; and

a net tread volume ratio of the first and second lugs is approximately 40 percent, and between 36 and 39 percent of a volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second inner sixths of the tread, between 32 to 35 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second middle sixths of the tread; and

27 to 30 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second outer sixths of the tread.

2. The tire of claim 1 wherein approximately 38 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second inner sixths of the tread, approximately 34 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second middle sixths of the tread;

and approximately 28 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second outer sixths of the tread.

3. The tire of claim 1 further comprising:

a first inner twelfth and first outer twelfth of the tread, the first inner twelfth disposed between the first middle circumferential reference plane and a first intermediate circumferential reference plane disposed one-twelfth of the tread width from the first middle circumferential reference plane and the first outer circumferential reference plane, the first outer twelfth disposed between the first intermediate circumferential reference plane and first outer circumferential reference plane;

a second inner twelfth and second outer twelfth of the tread, the second inner twelfth disposed between the second middle circumferential reference plane and a second intermediate circumferential reference plane disposed one-twelfth of the tread width from the second middle circumferential reference plane and the second outer circumferential reference plane, the second outer twelfth disposed between the second intermediate circumferential reference plane and second outer circumferential reference plane; and

between 12 to 14 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second inner twelfth and between 14 to 16 percent of volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second outer twelfth.

4. The tire of claim 3 wherein the first and second lugs are configured such that when a reduction of 50 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs under normal wear conditions occurs, the tread depth will be greater than 46 percent of the original tread depth.

5. The tire of claim 4 wherein the first and second lugs are configured such that when a reduction of 50 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs under normal wear conditions occurs, the tread depth will be approximately 50 percent of the original tread depth.

6. The tire of claim 1 wherein the first and second lugs are configured such that when a reduction of 50 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs under normal wear conditions occurs, the tread depth will be greater than 46 percent of the original tread depth.

7. The tire of claim 6 wherein the first and second lugs are configured such that when a reduction of 50 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs under normal wear conditions occurs, the tread depth will be approximately 50 percent of the original tread depth.

8. A pneumatic agricultural tire having an equatorial plane separating a first side and a second side of the tire, comprising:

a tread having an inner tread surface, first lugs on the first side of the tire extending from a first lateral tread edge toward the equatorial plane and second lugs on the second side of the tire extending from a second lateral tread edge toward the equatorial plane, each of the first and second lugs including an arcuate trailing edge and a lug nose having a leading nose edge extending in a substantially axial direction and an inner nose edge extending in a substantially circumferential direction, wherein the arcuate trailing edge arcs from one of the lateral tread edges to the inner nose edge;

a first inner sixth of the tread extending between the equatorial plane and a first inner circumferential reference plane on the first side disposed axially one-sixth of a tread width from the equatorial plane;

a second inner sixth of the tread extending between the equatorial plane and a second inner circumferential reference plane on the second side disposed axially one-sixth of the tread width from the equatorial plane;

a first middle sixth of the tread extending between the first inner circumferential reference plane and a first middle circumferential reference plane on the first side disposed axially one-sixth of the tread width from the first inner circumferential reference plane;

a second middle sixth of the tread extending between the second inner circumferential reference plane and a second middle circumferential reference plane on the second side disposed axially one-sixth of the tread width from the second inner circumferential reference plane;

a first outer sixth of the tread extending between the first middle circumferential reference plane and a first outer circumferential reference plane on the first side disposed axially one-sixth of the tread width from the first middle circumferential reference plane;

a second outer sixth of the tread extending between the second middle circumferential reference plane and a second outer circumferential reference plane on the second side disposed axially one-sixth of the tread width from the second middle circumferential reference plane;

a net-to-gross volume ratio of the first and second lugs is approximately 40 percent, and between 36 and 39 percent of a volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second inner sixths of the tread, between 32 to 35 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second middle sixths of the tread; and

27 to 30 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second outer sixths of the tread and wherein the first and second lugs are configured such that when a reduction of 50 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs under normal wear conditions occurs, the tread depth will be greater than 46 percent of the original tread depth.

9. The tire of claim 8 wherein the first and second lugs are configured such that when a reduction of 50 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs under normal wear conditions occurs, the tread depth will be approximately 50 percent of the original tread depth.

10. The tire of claim 8 wherein approximately 38 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second inner sixths of the tread, approximately 34 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second middle sixths of the tread, and approximately 28 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second outer sixths of the tread.

11. The tire of claim 8 further comprising:

a first inner twelfth and first outer twelfth of the tread, the first inner twelfth disposed between the first middle circumferential reference plane and a first intermediate circumferential reference plane disposed one-twelfth of the tread width from the first middle circumferential reference plane and the first outer circumferential reference plane, the first outer twelfth disposed between the first intermediate circumferential reference plane and first outer circumferential reference plane;

a second inner twelfth and second outer twelfth of the tread, the second inner twelfth disposed between the second middle circumferential reference plane and a second intermediate circumferential reference plane disposed one-twelfth of the tread width from the second middle circumferential reference plane and the second outer circumferential reference plane, the second outer twelfth disposed between the second intermediate circumferential reference plane and second outer circumferential reference plane;

between 12 to 14 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second inner twelfth and between 14 to 16 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second outer twelfth.

12. The tire of claim 11 wherein the first and second lugs are configured such that when a reduction of 50 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs under normal wear conditions occurs, the tread depth will be approximately 50 percent of the original tread depth.

13. A pneumatic agricultural tire having an equatorial plane separating a first side and a second side of the tire, comprising:

a tread having an inner tread surface;

first lugs on the first side of the tire extending from a first lateral tread edge toward the equatorial plane,

at least one of the first lugs having a first arcuate leading edge that arcs from the first lateral tread edge to a first leading nose edge,

the first leading nose edge extending substantially axially from the first arcuate leading edge and directly connected to a first inner nose edge,

the first inner nose edge extending substantially circumferentially from the first leading nose edge and directly connected to a first arcuate trailing edge,

the first arcuate trailing edge arcing from the first inner nose edge to the first lateral tread edge;

second lugs on the second side of the tire extending from a second lateral tread edge toward the equatorial plane,

at least one of the second lugs having a second arcuate leading edge that arcs from the second lateral tread edge to a second leading nose edge,

the second leading nose edge extending substantially axially from the second arcuate leading edge and directly connected to a second inner nose edge,

the second inner nose edge extending substantially circumferentially from the second leading nose edge and directly connected to a second arcuate trailing edge,

the second arcuate trailing edge arcing from the second inner nose edge to the second lateral tread edge;

a first inner sixth of the tread extending between the equatorial plane and a first inner circumferential reference plane on the first side disposed axially one-sixth of a tread width from the equatorial plane;

a second inner sixth of the tread extending between the equatorial plane and a second inner circumferential reference plane on the second side disposed axially one-sixth of the tread width from the equatorial plane;

a first middle sixth of the tread extending between the first inner circumferential reference plane and a first middle circumferential reference plane on the first side disposed axially one-sixth of the tread width from the first inner circumferential reference plane;

a second middle sixth of the tread extending between the second inner circumferential reference plane and a second middle circumferential reference plane on the second side disposed axially one-sixth of the tread width from the second inner circumferential reference plane;

a first outer sixth of the tread extending between the first middle circumferential reference plane and a first outer circumferential reference plane on the first side disposed axially one-sixth of the tread width from the first middle circumferential reference plane;

a second outer sixth of the tread extending between the second middle circumferential reference plane and a second outer circumferential reference plane on the second side disposed axially one-sixth of the tread width from the second middle circumferential reference plane; and

a net tread volume ratio of the first and second lugs is approximately 40 percent, and between 36 and 39 percent of a volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second inner sixths of the tread, between 32 to 35 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second middle sixths of the tread; and

27 to 30 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second outer sixths of the tread.

14. The tire of claim 13 wherein approximately 38 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second inner sixths of the tread, approximately 34 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second middle sixths of the tread;

and approximately 28 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second outer sixths of the tread.

15. The tire of claim 13 further comprising:

a first inner twelfth and first outer twelfth of the tread, the first inner twelfth disposed between the first middle circumferential reference plane and a first intermediate circumferential reference plane disposed one-twelfth of the tread width from the first middle circumferential reference plane and the first outer circumferential reference plane, the first outer twelfth disposed between the first intermediate circumferential reference plane and first outer circumferential reference plane;

a second inner twelfth and second outer twelfth of the tread, the second inner twelfth disposed between the second middle circumferential reference plane and a second intermediate circumferential reference plane disposed one-twelfth of the tread width from the second middle circumferential reference plane and the second outer circumferential reference plane, the second outer twelfth disposed between the second intermediate circumferential reference plane and second outer circumferential reference plane; and

between 12 to 14 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second inner twelfth and between 14 to 16 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs is in the first and second outer twelfth.

16. The tire of claim 15 wherein the first and second lugs are configured such that when a reduction of 50 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs under normal wear conditions occurs, the tread depth will be greater than 46 percent of the original tread depth.

17. The tire of claim 16 wherein the first and second lugs are configured such that when a reduction of 50 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs under normal wear conditions occurs, the tread depth will be approximately 50 percent of the original tread depth.

18. The tire of claim 13 herein the first and second lugs are configured such that when a reduction of 50 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs under normal wear conditions occurs, the tread depth will be greater than 46 percent of the original tread depth.

19. The tire of claim 18 wherein the first and second lugs are configured such that when a reduction of 50 percent of the volume of the first and second lugs under normal wear conditions occurs, the tread depth will be approximately 50 percent of the original tread depth.

20. The tire of claim 13, wherein none of the first and second lugs cross the equatorial plane.