High and medium performance tire for vehicles

• US 7,131,475 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2000
• Issued: 11/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pirelli Pneumatici S.P.A. (Pirelli & C SPA)
• Original Assignee: Pirelli Pneumatici S.P.A. (Pirelli & C SPA)
• Inventors: Caretta, Renato, Colombo, Gianfranco, Gaiazzi, Stefano
• Primary Examiner(s): Maki, Steven D.
• Application Number:
  US10/148,597
• Publication Number:
  US 20030111149A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,169 Days
• Field of Search: 152/209.1, 152/209.17, 152/209.18, 152/209.28, 152/900, 152/901, 152/903, 152/209.6
• US Class Current: 152/209.17
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/0302 directional pattern, i.e. with main rolling direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/0306 Patterns comprising block rows or discontinuous ribs
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/032 Patterns comprising isolated recesses
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/033 by the void or net-to-gross ratios of the patterns
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 2011/0374 Slant grooves, i.e. having an angle of about 5 to 35 degrees to the equatorial plane
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 2011/0388 provided at the equatorial plane
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 152/903 Non-directional tread pattern having non-circumferential transverse groove following smooth curved path

Abstract

A tire for a wheel of a vehicle includes a casing structure, a belt structure, and a tread band. A tread band pattern includes a central zone, two intermediate zones, and two shoulder zones. Each of the zones extends between planes that are substantially parallel to an equatorial plane of the tire. Each intermediate zone includes first and second sequences of pairs of transversal grooves. The first sequence pairs are alternated with the second sequence pairs. The grooves of the two sequences are inclined relative to each other. The first sequence grooves extend from first ends, at respective axially intermediate planes, to second ends, at predetermined first distances from selected second sequence grooves. The second sequence grooves extend from third ends, at respective axially inner planes, to fourth ends, at predetermined second distances from selected first sequence grooves. Intermediate zones include a zigzag rib. Shoulder zones include additional transversal grooves.

Claims

1. A tire for a wheel of a vehicle, comprising:

a casing structure;

a belt structure; and

a tread band;

wherein the casing structure comprises a central crown portion and two axially opposite sides terminating in ribs for attaching the tire to a corresponding rim of the wheel,

wherein the belt structure is coaxially associated with the casing structure,

wherein the tread band extends coaxially around the belt structure,

wherein the tread band comprises a pattern, comprising;

a central zone;

two intermediate zones; and

two shoulder zones;

wherein each of the zones extends between planes that are substantially parallel to an equatorial plane of the tire,

wherein the planes comprise two axially inner planes, two axially intermediate planes, and two axially outer planes,

wherein the axially outer planes correspond to side edges of the tread band,

wherein the central zone straddles the equatorial plane of the tire,

wherein the central zone extends between the two axially inner planes,

wherein each intermediate zone extends between one of the axially inner planes and a corresponding axially intermediate plane,

wherein each shoulder zone extends between one of the axially intermediate planes and a corresponding axially outer plane,

wherein each intermediate zone comprises first and second sequences of pairs of transversal grooves,

wherein the pairs of transversal grooves of the first sequence are consecutively alternated with the pairs of transversal grooves of the second sequence over a circumferential length of the tire,

wherein each pair of transversal grooves of the first sequence comprises two distinct grooves at least partly parallel to each other,

wherein each pair of transversal grooves of the second sequence comprises two distinct grooves at least partly parallel to each other,

wherein the transversal grooves of the first sequence are inclined at a predetermined first angle relative to the transversal grooves of the second sequence,

wherein the transversal grooves of the first sequence extend from first ends, at respective axially intermediate planes, to second ends, at predetermined first distances from selected transversal grooves of the second sequence,

wherein the transversal grooves of the second sequence extend from third ends, at respective additional planes between the axially inner planes and the axially intermediate planes, to fourth ends, at predetermined second distances from selected transversal grooves of the first sequence,

wherein the additional planes are substantially parallel to the equatorial plane of the tire,

wherein each intermediate zone further comprises a circumferentially continuous, zigzag rib extending between respective axially inner and axially intermediate planes,

wherein the shoulder zones comprise additional transversal grooves, and

wherein a circumferential groove at each of the axially inner planes extends in a direction substantially parallel to the equatorial plane of the tire.

2. The tire of claim 1, wherein the additional planes are located between 14 mm and 32 mm from the equatorial plane of the tire.

3. The tire of claim 1, wherein the transversal grooves of the first sequence are delimited lengthwise by substantially rectilinear walls, and

wherein the transversal grooves of the second sequence are delimited lengthwise by substantially rectilinear walls.

4. The tire of claim 1, wherein a value of the predetermined first angle is between 80°

and 100°

.

5. The tire of claim 1, wherein the transversal grooves of the first sequence form, relative to a plane parallel to the equatorial plane of the tire, a second angle between 35°

and 55°

.

6. The tire of claim 1, wherein each pair of transversal grooves of the first sequence comprises one short groove and one long groove, and

wherein each pair of transversal grooves of the second sequence comprises one short groove and one long groove.

7. The tire of claim 6, wherein the short groove of each pair of transversal grooves of the first sequence comprises a length between 30% and 70% of a length of the corresponding long groove, and

wherein the short groove of each pair of transversal grooves of the second sequence comprises a length between 30% and 70% of a length of the corresponding long groove.

8. The tire of claim 6, wherein the second ends of the long grooves are circumferentially aligned with the fourth ends of the short grooves, and

wherein the fourth ends of the long grooves are circumferentially aligned with the second ends of the short grooves.

9. The tire of claim 6, wherein the second ends of the long grooves are circumferentially aligned with the fourth ends of the short grooves along a circumferential plane substantially parallel to and located between 22 mm and 82 mm from the equatorial plane of the tire.

10. The tire of claim 6, wherein the fourth ends of the long grooves are circumferentially aligned with the second ends of the short grooves along a circumferential plane substantially parallel to and located between 30 mm and 95 mm from the equatorial plane of the tire.

11. The tire of claim 1, wherein the transversal grooves of the second sequence are blind grooves.

12. The tire of claim 1, wherein the predetermined first distances are all equal.

13. The tire of claim 1, wherein the predetermined second distances are all equal.

14. The tire of claim 1, wherein the predetermined first distances are all equal, and

wherein the predetermined second distances are all equal.

15. The tire of claim 1, wherein the predetermined first distances are all equal,

wherein the predetermined second distances are all equal, and

wherein the predetermined first distances equal the predetermined second distances.

16. The tire of claim 1, wherein the transversal grooves of the first sequence comprise a maximum depth between 5 mm and 10 mm, and

herein the transversal grooves of the second sequence comprise a maximum depth between 5 mm and 10 mm.

17. The tire of claim 1, wherein the transversal grooves of the first sequence comprise a maximum width between 3.5 mm and 10 mm, and

wherein the transversal grooves of the second sequence comprise a maximum width between 3.5 mm and 10 mm.

18. The tire of claim 1, wherein the transversal grooves of the first sequence are connected to the additional transversal grooves of respective shoulder zones by curving stretches, and

wherein the curving stretches comprise a radius of curvature between 30 mm and 60 mm.

19. The tire of claim 1, wherein the additional transversal grooves comprise a stretch substantially perpendicular to the equatorial plane of the tire.

20. The tire of claim 1, wherein a value of a pitch of the transversal grooves of the first sequence is substantially twice a value of a pitch of the additional transversal grooves.

21. The tire of claim 1, wherein a value of a pitch of the transversal grooves of the second sequence is substantially twice a value of a pitch of the additional transversal grooves.

22. The tire of claim 1, wherein the additional transversal grooves comprise a maximum depth between 5 mm and 10 mm.

23. The tire of claim 1, wherein the additional transversal grooves comprise a maximum width between 3.5 mm and 10 mm.

24. The tire of claim 1, wherein a ratio of a width of each intermediate zone to a width of the tread band is between 0.17:

1 and 0.30;

1.

25. The tire of claim 1, wherein a ratio of a width of the central zone to a width of the tread band is between 0.10:

1 and 0.20;

1.

26. The tire of claim 1, wherein the two circumferential grooves delimit a central rib.

27. The tire of claim 1, wherein a portion of the tread band on a first side of the equatorial plane of the tire, when rotated by 180°

, is an image of a portion of the tread band on a second side of the equatorial plane of the tire.

28. The tire of claim 1, wherein a portion of the tread band on a first side of the equatorial plane of the tire is a mirror image of a portion of the tread band on a second side of the equatorial plane of the tire.

29. The tire of claim 1, further comprising:

a longitudinal rib between each additional plane and a respective axially inner plane.

30. The tire of claim 29, wherein a width of the longitudinal rib is between 3 mm and 21 mm.

31. A tire for a wheel of a vehicle, comprising:

a casing structure;

a belt structure; and

a tread band;

wherein the casing structure comprises a central crown portion and two axially opposite sides terminating in ribs for attaching the tire to a corresponding rim of the wheel,

wherein the belt structure is coaxially associated with the casing structure,

wherein the tread band extends coaxially around the belt structure,

wherein the tread band comprises a pattern, comprising;

a central zone;

two intermediate zones; and

two shoulder zones;

wherein each of the zones extends between planes that are substantially parallel to an equatorial plane of the tire,

wherein the planes comprise two axially inner planes, two axially intermediate planes, and two axially outer planes,

wherein the axially outer planes correspond to side edges of the tread band,

wherein the central zone straddles the equatorial plane of the tire,

wherein the central zone extends between the two axially inner planes,

wherein each intermediate zone extends between one of the axially inner planes and a corresponding axially intermediate plane,

wherein each shoulder zone extends between one of the axially intermediate planes and a corresponding axially outer plane,

wherein each intermediate zone comprises first and second sequences of pairs of transversal grooves,

wherein the pairs of transversal grooves of the first sequence are consecutively alternated with the pairs of transversal grooves of the second sequence over a circumferential length of the tire,

wherein each pair of transversal grooves of the first sequence comprises two distinct grooves at least partly parallel to each other,

wherein each pair of transversal grooves of the second sequence comprises two distinct grooves at least partly parallel to each other,

wherein the transversal grooves of the first sequence are inclined at a predetermined first angle relative to the transversal grooves of the second sequence,

wherein the transversal grooves of the first sequence extend from first ends, at respective axially intermediate planes, to second ends, at predetermined first distances from selected transversal grooves of the second sequence,

wherein the transversal grooves of the second sequence extend from third ends, at respective axially inner planes, to fourth ends, at predetermined second distances from selected transversal grooves of the first sequence,

wherein each intermediate zone further comprises a circumferentially continuous, zigzag rib extending between respective axially inner and axially intermediate planes,

wherein the shoulder zones comprise additional transversal grooves, and

wherein a circumferential groove at each of the axially inner planes extends in a direction substantially parallel to the equatorial plane of the tire.

32. A premoulded tread band comprising a pattern, the pattern comprising:

a central zone;

two intermediate zones; and

two shoulder zones;

wherein each of the zones extends between planes that are substantially parallel to an equatorial plane of the tire,

wherein the planes comprise two axially inner planes, two axially intermediate planes, and two axially outer planes,

wherein the axially outer planes correspond to side edges of the tread band,

wherein the central zone straddles the equatorial plane of the tire,

wherein the central zone extends between the two axially inner planes,

wherein each intermediate zone extends between one of the axially inner planes and a corresponding axially intermediate plane,

wherein each shoulder zone extends between one of the axially intermediate planes and a corresponding axially outer plane,

wherein each intermediate zone comprises first and second sequences of pairs of transversal grooves,

wherein the pairs of transversal grooves of the first sequence are consecutively alternated with the pairs of transversal grooves of the second sequence over a circumferential length of the tire,

wherein each pair of transversal grooves of the first sequence comprises two distinct grooves at least partly parallel to each other,

wherein each pair of transversal grooves of the second sequence comprises two distinct grooves at least partly parallel to each other,

wherein the transversal grooves of the first sequence are inclined at a predetermined first angle relative to the transversal grooves of the second sequence,

wherein the transversal grooves of the first sequence extend from first ends, at respective axially intermediate planes, to second ends, at predetermined first distances from selected transversal grooves of the second sequence,

wherein the transversal grooves of the second sequence extend from third ends, at respective axially inner planes, to fourth ends, at predetermined second distances from selected transversal grooves of the first sequence,

wherein each intermediate zone further comprises a circumferentially continuous, zigzag rib extending between respective axially inner and axially intermediate planes,

wherein the shoulder zones comprise additional transversal grooves, and

wherein a circumferential groove at each of the axially inner planes extends in a direction substantially parallel to the equatorial plane of the tire.

33. A premoulded tread band comprising a pattern, the pattern comprising:

a central zone;

two intermediate zones; and

two shoulder zones;

wherein each of the zones extends between planes that are substantially parallel to an equatorial plane of the tire,

wherein the planes comprise two axially inner planes, two axially intermediate planes, and two axially outer planes,

wherein the axially outer planes correspond to side edges of the tread band,

wherein the central zone straddles the equatorial plane of the tire,

wherein the central zone extends between the two axially inner planes,

wherein each intermediate zone extends between one of the axially inner planes and a corresponding axially intermediate plane,

wherein each shoulder zone extends between one of the axially intermediate planes and a corresponding axially outer plane,

wherein each intermediate zone comprises first and second sequences of pairs of transversal grooves,

wherein the pairs of transversal grooves of the first sequence are consecutively alternated with the pairs of transversal grooves of the second sequence over a circumferential length of the tire,

wherein each pair of transversal grooves of the first sequence comprises two distinct grooves at least partly parallel to each other,

wherein each pair of transversal grooves of the second sequence comprises two distinct grooves at least partly parallel to each other,

wherein the transversal grooves of the first sequence are inclined at a predetermined first angle relative to the transversal grooves of the second sequence,

wherein the transversal grooves of the first sequence extend from first ends, at respective axially intermediate planes, to second ends, at predetermined first distances from selected transversal grooves of the second sequence,

wherein the transversal grooves of the second sequence extend from third ends, at respective additional planes between the axially inner planes and the axially intermediate planes, to fourth ends, at predetermined second distances from selected transversal grooves of the first sequence,

wherein the additional planes are substantially parallel to the equatorial plane of the tire,

wherein each intermediate zone further comprises a circumferentially continuous, zigzag rib extending between respective axially inner and axially intermediate planes,

wherein the shoulder zones comprise additional transversal grooves, and

wherein a circumferential groove at each of the axially inner planes extends in a direction substantially parallel to the equatorial plane of the tire.

34. The tread band of claim 33, wherein the additional planes are located between 14 mm and 32 mm from the equatorial plane of the tire.

35. The tread band of claim 33, further comprising:

a longitudinal rib between each additional plane and a respective axially inner plane.

36. The tread band of claim 35, wherein a width of the longitudinal rib is between 3 mm and 21 mm.

37. A tire for a wheel of a vehicle, comprising:

a casing structure;

a belt structure; and

a tread band;

wherein the casing structure comprises a central crown portion and two axially opposite sides terminating in ribs for attaching the tire to a corresponding rim of the wheel,

wherein the belt structure is coaxially associated with the casing structure,

wherein the tread band extends coaxially around the belt structure,

wherein the tread band comprises a pattern, comprising;

a central zone;

two intermediate zones; and

two shoulder zones;

wherein each of the zones extends between planes that are substantially parallel to an equatorial plane of the tire,

wherein the planes comprise two axially inner planes, two axially intermediate planes, and two axially outer planes,

wherein the axially outer planes correspond to side edges of the tread band,

wherein the central zone straddles the equatorial plane of the tire,

wherein the central zone extends between the two axially inner planes,

wherein each intermediate zone extends between one of the axially inner planes and a corresponding axially intermediate plane,

wherein each shoulder zone extends between one of the axially intermediate planes and a corresponding axially outer plane,

wherein each intermediate zone comprises first and second sequences of pairs of transversal grooves,

wherein the pairs of transversal grooves of the first sequence are consecutively alternated with the pairs of transversal grooves of the second sequence over a circumferential length of the tire,

wherein each pair of transversal grooves of the first sequence comprises two distinct grooves at least partly parallel to each other,

wherein each pair of transversal grooves of the second sequence comprises two distinct, straight grooves that are parallel to each other,

wherein the transversal grooves of the first sequence are inclined at a predetermined first angle relative to the transversal grooves of the second sequence,

wherein each pair of transversal grooves of the first sequence extends from first ends, at respective axially intermediate planes, to second ends, in a direction toward a respective transversal groove of the second sequence,

wherein each pair of transversal grooves of the second sequence extends from third ends, at respective axially inner planes, to fourth ends, in a direction toward a respective transversal groove of the first sequence,

wherein each intermediate zone further comprises a circumferentially continuous, zigzag rib extending between respective axially inner and axially intermediate planes,

wherein the shoulder zones comprise additional transversal grooves,

wherein the transversal grooves of the first sequence are connected to respective additional transversal grooves, and

wherein a circumferential groove at each of the axially inner planes extends in a direction substantially parallel to the equatorial plane of the tire.

38. A premoulded tread band comprising a pattern, the pattern comprising:

a central zone;

two intermediate zones; and

two shoulder zones;

wherein each of the zones extends between planes that are substantially parallel to an equatorial plane of the tire,

wherein the planes comprise two axially inner planes, two axially intermediate planes, and two axially outer planes,

wherein the axially outer planes correspond to side edges of the tread band,

wherein the central zone straddles the equatorial plane of the tire,

wherein the central zone extends between the two axially inner planes,

wherein each intermediate zone extends between one of the axially inner planes and a corresponding axially intermediate plane,

wherein each shoulder zone extends between one of the axially intermediate planes and a corresponding axially outer plane,

wherein each intermediate zone comprises first and second sequences of pairs of transversal grooves,

wherein the pairs of transversal grooves of the first sequence are consecutively alternated with the pairs of transversal grooves of the second sequence over a circumferential length of the tire,

wherein each pair of transversal grooves of the first sequence comprises two distinct grooves at least partly parallel to each other,

wherein each pair of transversal grooves of the second sequence comprises two distinct, straight grooves that are parallel to each other,

wherein the transversal grooves of the first sequence are inclined at a predetermined first angle relative to the transversal grooves of the second sequence,

wherein each pair of transversal grooves of the first sequence extends from first ends, at respective axially intermediate planes, to second ends, in a direction toward a respective transversal groove of the second sequence,

wherein each pair of transversal grooves of the second sequence extends from third ends, at respective axially inner planes, to fourth ends, in a direction toward a respective transversal groove of the first sequence,

wherein each intermediate zone further comprises a circumferentially continuous, zigzag rib extending between respective axially inner and axially intermediate planes,

wherein the shoulder zones comprise additional transversal grooves,

wherein the transversal grooves of the first sequence are connected to respective additional transversal grooves, and

wherein a circumferential groove at each of the axially inner planes extends in a direction substantially parallel to the equatorial plane of the tire.