Abstract:
A structure for a tread pattern of a pneumatic tire includes a radially extending pedestal, a first set of cylindrical voids extending radially through the pedestal, a second set of cylindrical voids extending radially through the pedestal, and a radially extending void ring circumscribing the pedestal.
Abstract:
A tread for a pneumatic tire includes a first circumferentially continuous groove, a second circumferentially continuous groove, a central rib interposed between the two circumferentially continuous grooves and extending continuously around a circumference of the tread, a first circumferentially extending shoulder rib disposed laterally outside of the first circumferentially continuous groove, and a second circumferentially extending shoulder rib disposed laterally outside of the second circumferentially continuous groove. The central rib has a plurality of circumferentially spaced sipes arranged in a first circumferential row and a second circumferential row. The sipes of the first row originate at the first circumferentially continuous groove and the sipes of the second row originate at the second circumferentially continuous groove. The sipes of both the first and second rows extend axially inward to a circumferentially extending and continuous variable center groove. The variable center groove has a minimum circumferentially extending opening at a radially outermost portion. As the tread wears and the radially outermost portion of the tread moves radially inward, the circumferentially extending opening of the variable center groove widens to a maximum circumferentially extending opening greater than the minimum circumferentially extending opening.
Abstract:
A system for securing a mold blade to a mold segment includes a plurality of pins placed across the length of the mold blade and a plurality of corresponding recesses on an inner surface of the mold segment. Each pin is placed within a recess securing the mold blade to the mold segment.
Abstract:
A structure for a tread pattern of a pneumatic tire includes a radially extending pedestal, a first set of cylindrical voids extending radially through the pedestal, a second set of cylindrical voids extending radially through the pedestal, and a radially extending void ring circumscribing the pedestal.
Abstract:
A tire mold is described that includes a plurality of tread molding segments having an inner surface for molding the tire tread. The mold further includes a plurality of sidewall plates having an inner surface for molding the tire sidewall. The tread mold segments together with the sidewalls cooperate to form a tire molding cavity. The sidewall plate further comprises a slot that extends from the outer surface of the tread segment to the inner mold surface, and has a pin extending from the outer surface of the tread segment. The pin is mounted to a rotatable body which can swivel. The rotatable body further comprises a guide pin which cooperates with a working member to rotate the body into a desired position in order to position the pin in the tire tread to be molded. The working member actuates the rotatable body into various positions.
Abstract:
A tire tread for a vehicle tire is disclosed wherein the tread has at least one tread element projecting from the base of the tread and having a defined tread depth, with at least one tread element having a first hole and having a first outer cross-sectional shape that is constant for a first depth. A molding device for forming a tread wear indicator in a tread is also disclosed. The molding device includes a mold blade, the mold blade having a solid first portion having a defined depth, wherein the solid first portion has a cross-sectional shape that is constant for the defined depth.
Abstract:
A tire mold and a molding device for forming a sunken groove, sipe in a tire is provided. The molding device molding device comprises a flexible member and a blade element, the flexible member having a distal end for mounting to a tire mold, a radiused midsection and a second end, wherein a portion of the second end is embedded within the blade element, the blade element having a lower surface with a cutout to allow bending of the flexible member.
Abstract:
A tire mold is described that includes a plurality of tread molding segments having an inner surface for molding the tire tread. The mold further includes a plurality of sidewall plates having an inner surface for molding the tire sidewall. The tread mold segments together with the sidewalls cooperate to form a tire molding cavity. The sidewall plate further comprises a slot that extends from the outer surface of the tread segment to the inner mold surface, and has a piston having a head slidably received in the slot. A pin is positioned between the piston head and an end of the slot. The mold further includes actuating means for actuating the piston in the slot when the mold is closed.