Tire tread

LATERAL DISCONTINUITIES HAVING THICKNESSES INCREASING FROM SHOULDER TO CENTER OF TIRE TREAD

Embodiments include a tire tread having a plurality of tread elements and a plurality of lateral discontinuities arranged along the tread width and tread length, each of the plurality of tread elements being spaced apart by one of the plurality of lateral discontinuities. The tread width is divided into a plurality of regions, the plurality of regions including: (1) a pair of outermost regions, each outermost region being arranged closest to one of the pair of opposing lateral sides of the tread, and (2) at least one centermost region is arranged closest to the longitudinal centerline of the tread. Each of the lateral discontinuities have a thickness, where the thickness of one or more of the lateral discontinuities arranged in each of the outermost regions is smaller than the thickness of one or more of the lateral discontinuities arranged in the centermost region.

Variable thickness sipes

The present invention includes tire treads having a sipe (18) and a void feature (22) in fluid communication with the sipe. Particular embodiments of the present invention also include methods for forming the same. In various embodiments, the sipe has a length, a height, and a thickness that is variable across the length and height of the sipe. The thickness of the sipe includes a thick portion (24) and a thin portion (26), the thick portion at least partially extending around a perimeter of the thin portion. In particular embodiments, the void feature (22) which is in fluid communication with the sipe extends primarily in a direction of the sipe length and has a width extending in the direction of the sipe thickness equal to or greater than substantially 1 millimeter.

Tire tread

TIRE TREADS HAVING DISCONTINUITIES EXTENDING DEPTHWISE ALONG NON-LINEAR PATHS

The invention includes a tire tread having one or more lateral discontinuities (), each discontinuity extending into the tread thickness along a non-linear path. The lateral discontinuity extends from a first terminal end () to a second terminal end (), the first terminal end being located closest to an outer, ground-engaging side relative to the second terminal end. The non-linear path can be described as extending from a first portion (A, A, A), to an intermediate portion (B), and then to a third portion (C) when extending towards the second terminal end. The first portion has a low average inclination angle, the intermediate portion has a negative average inclination angle, and the third portion has a positive average inclination angle, each angle being measured relative to the depthwise direction of the tread. A positive angle is angled in the direction of intended tire rotation (R) as the tread thickness extends outward towards the outer, ground-engaging side. 1. A tire tread comprising:a length extending in a longitudinal direction, the lengthwise direction being a circumferential direction when the tread is arranged on a tire;a width extending in a lateral direction, the lateral direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction;a thickness extending in a depthwise direction from an outer, ground-engaging side of the tread, the depthwise direction being perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the widthwise direction of the tread;a lateral discontinuity having a length and a height, the length extending primarily in the lateral direction of the tread and the height in the direction of the tread thickness;where the lateral discontinuity is formed between a pair of opposing faces of the tread,where a first face of the pair of opposing faces extends along a first path within the tread thickness, the first path extending from a first terminal end and to a second terminal end of the first face, the first terminal end being arranged closest to ...

Tire treads having tread elements with inclined leading sides

Tire tread including one or more tread elements arranged between a pair of discontinuities extending in a direction of the tread width. The first and second longitudinally-spaced sides of the tread element are spaced-apart in a direction of the tread length. The first longitudinally-spaced side is oriented at an average first-side angle relative to the depthwise direction of the tread and the second longitudinally-spaced side is oriented at an average second-side angle relative to the depthwise direction of the tread. An average inclination angle comprising a combined average of the average first side-angle and the second side-angle for all of the one or more tread elements along the first and second longitudinally-spaced sides is substantially greater than zero.

IMPROVED TIRE TREADS HAVING POSITIVELY INCLINED SIPES

In particular embodiments, a tire tread includes one or more lateral sipes () arranged within the tread (). As each such lateral sipe () extends outward from within the tread thickness (T) and towards the outer, ground-engaging side () of the tread (), the lateral sipe () is inclined towards the intended direction (R) of tire rotation. The lateral sipe () also has a width (W) (thickness) configured to, at an unworn stage, close along at least a portion of the sipe depth during operation of a loaded tire, and being configured to, at a worn stage, remain open during operation of the loaded tire. The lateral sipe () has a width-to-height ratio associating the sipe width (W) to the sipe height, the width-to-height ratio equaling 1:10 to 1:40. Providing a plurality of these lateral sipes () may result in improved consistency of tread wear performance over the life of the tread (). 1. A tire tread , comprising:a length extending in a longitudinal direction, the longitudinal direction being a circumferential direction when the tread is arranged on a tire;a width extending in a lateral direction, the lateral direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction;a thickness extending in a depthwise direction from an outer, ground-engaging side of the tread, the depthwise direction being perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the widthwise direction of the tread;a lateral sipe arranged within the tread, the sipe having a length extending primarily in the direction of the tread width and a width extending perpendicular to the lateral sipe length, the sipe having a depthwise extension extending into the tread thickness from a first terminal end to a second terminal end along a path by a height measured in the direction of the tread thickness, the first terminal end being arranged closest to the outer, ground-engaging side relative to the second terminal end, the path having an average inclination angle that is measured in the longitudinal direction of the ...

TIRE TREADS HAVING TREAD ELEMENTS WITH INCLINED LEADING SIDES

Tire tread including one or more tread elements arranged between a pair of discontinuities extending in a direction of the tread width. The first and second longitudinally-spaced sides of the tread element are spaced-apart in a direction of the tread length. The first longitudinally-spaced side is oriented at an average first-side angle relative to the depthwise direction of the tread and the second longitudinally-spaced side is oriented at an average second-side angle relative to the depthwise direction of the tread. An average inclination angle comprising a combined average of the average first side-angle and the second side-angle for all of the one or more tread elements along the first and second longitudinally-spaced sides is substantially greater than zero. 1. A tire tread comprising:a length, a width, and a tread thickness, the tread thickness extending inward from an outer, ground-engaging side in a direction normal to both the width and the length of the tread;the width extending laterally in a direction transverse to the tread thickness and to the length of the tread, the width extending laterally between a first lateral side and a second lateral side of the tread;one or more tread elements, each of the one or more tread elements being arranged between a pair of discontinuities extending at least partially in the direction of the tread width, where one of the pair of discontinuities is arranged adjacent to a first longitudinally-spaced side of the corresponding tread element and where the other of the pair of discontinuities is arranged adjacent to a second longitudinally-spaced side of the corresponding tread element such that the pair of discontinuities and the first and second longitudinally-spaced sides of the corresponding tread element are spaced-apart at least partially in the direction of the tread length to define a length of the corresponding tread element, the first longitudinally-spaced side being a leading side of the corresponding tread ...

VARIABLE THICKNESS SIPES

The present invention includes tire treads having a sipe () and a void feature () in fluid communication with the sipe. Particular embodiments of the present invention also include methods for forming the same. In various embodiments, the sipe has a length, a height, and a thickness that is variable across the length and height of the sipe. The thickness of the sipe includes a thick portion () and a thin portion (), the thick portion at least partially extending around a perimeter of the thin portion. In particular embodiments, the void feature () which is in fluid communication with the sipe extends primarily in a direction of the sipe length and has a width extending in the direction of the sipe thickness equal to or greater than substantially 1 millimeter. 1. A tire tread comprising:a length extending in a lengthwise direction, the lengthwise direction being a circumferential direction when the tread is arranged on a tire;a width extending in a lateral direction, the lateral direction being perpendicular to the lengthwise direction;a thickness extending in a depthwise direction from an outer, ground-engaging side of the tread, the depthwise direction being perpendicular to both the lengthwise direction and the widthwise direction of the tread;a sipe having a length, a height, and a thickness that is variable across the length and height of the sipe,where the thickness includes a thick portion and a thin portion, the thick portion at least partially extending around a perimeter of the thin portion,where the thin portion forms at least 40% of the surface area along each of the opposing sides of the sipe, the opposing sides being arranged on opposing sides of the sipe thickness,where the thickness of the sipe, including the thick portion and the thin portion of the thickness, undulates back and forth in a direction of the sipe thickness as the sipe extends in a direction of the sipe height or width to form a plurality of undulations, and,a void feature in fluid ...

TWISTED SIPES

The invention includes tire treads, tires including the tire treads, and methods of forming a tire tread. The tire tread includes a length extending in a lengthwise direction, a width extending in a lateral direction, and a thickness extending in a depth-wise direction from an outer, ground-engaging side of the tread. The tire treads further include a sipe having a length, a height, a width, a thickness extending in a direction of the sipe width, and a cross-section taken along a plane extending in a direction of the sipe width and height, where the cross-section twists as the sipe thickness extends along the length of the sipe. Method of forming the tire tread includes molding into the tread a sipe and a void feature as recited herein. 1. A tire tread comprising:a length extending in a lengthwise direction, the lengthwise direction being a circumferential direction when the tread is arranged on a tire;a width extending in a lateral direction, the lateral direction being perpendicular to the lengthwise direction;a thickness extending in a depthwise direction from an outer, ground-engaging side of the tread, the depthwise direction being perpendicular to both the lengthwise direction and the widthwise direction of the tread; and{'sub': 'z', 'a sipe having a length, a height, a width, a thickness extending in a direction of the sipe width, and a cross-section taken along a plane extending in a direction of the sipe width and height, where the cross-section twists as the sipe thickness extends along the length of the sipe'}wherein the sipe length is defined by two distal ends, where at least one of the distal ends includes an upright void feature having a length extending primarily in the direction of the sipe height, where the sipe thickness between the distal ends includes an intermediate sipe portion, the upright void feature having a thickness greater than the intermediate sipe portion.2. The tire tread of claim 1 , where the cross-section twists at varying angles ...

tire tread having tread elements with slanted leading sides

BANDAS DE RODAGEM DE PNEU TENDO ELEMENTOS DE BANDA DE RODAGEM COM LADOS DE ATAQUE INCLINADOS A presente invenção se refere a uma banda de rodagem de pneu incluindo um ou mais elementos de banda de rodagem dispostos entre um par de descontinuidades se estendendo numa direção da largura da banda de rodagem. O primeiro e o segundo lados longitudinalmente espaçados do elemento de banda de rodagem são afastados numa direção do comprimento da banda de rodagem. O primeiro lado espaçado longitudinalmente é orientado num ângulo de primeiro lado médio em relação à direção no sentido da profundidade da banda de rodagem e o segundo lado espaçado longitudinalmente é orientado num ângulo de segundo lado médio em relação à direção no sentido da profundidade da banda de rodagem. Um ângulo de inclinação médio compreendendo uma média combinada do ângulo de primeiro lado e do ângulo de segundo lado médios para todos dos um ou mais elementos de banda de rodagem ao longo do primeiro e do segundo lados espaçados longitudinalmente é substancialmente maior que zero. TIRE TIRE TRACKS HAVING TANK ELEMENTS WITH TILTED ATTACK SIDES The present invention relates to a tire tread including one or more tread elements arranged between a pair of discontinuities extending in a direction the width of the tire. tread. The first and second longitudinally spaced sides of the tread element are spaced apart in a direction along the length of the tread. The first longitudinally spaced side is oriented at an angle of the first medium side to the direction towards the tread depth and the second longitudinally spaced side is oriented at an angle of the second medium side to the direction towards the depth of the tread. shooting. An average tilt angle comprising a combined average of the average first side angle and second side angle for all of the one or more tread elements along the longitudinally spaced first and second sides is substantially greater than zero.

Twisted sipes

The invention includes tire treads (10), and methods of forming a tire tread. The tire treads include a sipe (18), the cross-section of which twists as the sipe thickness extends along the length of the sipe (18). Method of forming the tire tread includes molding into the tread (10) a sipe (18) and a void feature (30, 32) as recited herein.

Tire treads having increasing block lengths from shoulder to center of tread

Particular embodiments provide a tire tread having a plurality of tread elements and a plurality of lateral discontinuities arranged along the tread width and tread length, each of the plurality of tread elements being spaced apart by one of the plurality of lateral discontinuities, where the tread width is divided into a plurality of regions, the plurality of regions including: a pair of outermost regions, each outermost region being arranged closest to one of the pair of opposing lateral sides of the tread, and at least one centermost region is arranged closest to the longitudinal centerline of the tread. At least one of the tread elements arranged in the at least one centermost region has a length greater than a length of at least one of tread elements arranged in the pair of outermost regions.

Twisted sipes

Solar panel safety isolator

A solar panel safety isolator including: one or more inward electrical connections each to which conductors may be connected to provide electrical communication between one or more solar panels and the isolator; one or more outward electrical connections each to which conductors may be connected to provide electrical communication between the isolator and a load, the or each inward electrical connection being in electrical connection with one or more of the outward electrical connections; electrical isolation means electrically interposed between the or each inward and outward connections and operable for isolating outward power supply to the or all outward electrical connections from the or all inward electrical connections; and tripping means operable to trip the electrical isolation means to isolate outward power supply to the or all outward electrical connections from the or all inward electrical connections, said tripping means being powered by low voltage direct current.

Tire sculpture having thin sipes, teardrops and low lateral void ratio

Particular embodiments of the invention form a tire tread. The tire tread is characterized as having a void volume arranged within the thickness of the tread, the void volume being at least formed by a plurality of void features including a plurality of sipes and a plurality of grooves. The plurality of sipes are lateral sipes having a thickness equal to or less than 0.25 millimeter for at least 20% of the respective lateral sipe. At least 60% of the plurality of lateral sipes include a submerged groove arranged at a bottom of each corresponding lateral sipe below the outer, ground-engaging side of the tread and having a cross-sectional void area at least equal to 0.25 square millimeters. The tread is also characterized as having a lateral void ratio equal of 10% or less.

Tire sculpture having thin sipes, teardrops and low lateral void ratio

Particular embodiments of the invention form a tire tread. The tire tread is characterized as having a void volume arranged within the thickness of the tread, the void volume being at least formed by a plurality of void features including a plurality of sipes and a plurality of grooves. The plurality of sipes are lateral sipes having a thickness equal to or less than 0.25 millimeter for at least 20% of the respective lateral sipe. At least 60% of the plurality of lateral sipes include a submerged groove arranged at a bottom of each corresponding lateral sipe below the outer, ground-engaging side of the tread and having a cross-sectional void area at least equal to 0.25 square millimeters. The tread is also characterized as having a lateral void ratio equal of 10% or less.

Variable thickness sipes

The present invention includes tire treads having a sipe (18) and a void feature (22) in fluid communication with the sipe. The thickness of the sipe (18) includes a thick portion (24) and a thin portion (20), the thick portion (24) at least partially extending around a perimeter of the thin portion (20). In particular embodiments, the void feature (22) which is in fluid communication with the sipe extends primarily in a direction of the sipe length and has a width extending in the direction of the sipe thickness equal to or greater than substantially 1 millimeter.

Tire

Lateral discontinuities having thicknesses increasing from shoulder to center of tire tread

Embodiments include a tire tread having a plurality of tread elements and a plurality of lateral discontinuities arranged along the tread width and tread length, each of the plurality of tread elements being spaced apart by one of the plurality of lateral discontinuities. The tread width is divided into a plurality of regions, the plurality of regions including: (1) a pair of outermost regions, each outermost region being arranged closest to one of the pair of opposing lateral sides of the tread, and (2) at least one centermost region is arranged closest to the longitudinal centerline of the tread. Each of the lateral discontinuities have a thickness, where the thickness of one or more of the lateral discontinuities arranged in each of the outermost regions is smaller than the thickness of one or more of the lateral discontinuities arranged in the centermost region.

Variable thickness sipes

The present invention includes tire treads having a sipe (18) and a void feature (22) in fluid communication with the sipe. Particular embodiments of the present invention also include methods for forming the same. In various embodiments, the sipe has a length, a height, and a thickness that is variable across the length and height of the sipe. The thickness of the sipe includes a thick portion (24) and a thin portion (26), the thick portion at least partially extending around a perimeter of the thin portion. In particular embodiments, the void feature (22) which is in fluid communication with the sipe extends primarily in a direction of the sipe length and has a width extending in the direction of the sipe thickness equal to or greater than substantially 1 millimeter.

Artificial fishing bait

Post support

Artificial fishing bait

The present invention relates to a method for producing artificial fishing bait. The method involves forming a mold, and preferably a sacrificial mold, defining one or more bait formations. The method further involves providing bait material to the bait formations. Advantageously, the bait may be hookless in contrast to a typical lure, and may be instead fed onto a hook as an alternative to live bait. 1/2 102100 Figure 1

Lateral discontinuities having thicknesses increasing from shoulder to center of tire tread

Embodiments include a tire tread having a plurality of tread elements and a plurality of lateral discontinuities arranged along the tread width and tread length, each of the plurality of tread elements being spaced apart by one of the plurality of lateral discontinuities. The tread width is divided into a plurality of regions, the plurality of regions including: (1) a pair of outermost regions, each outermost region being arranged closest to one of the pair of opposing lateral sides of the tread, and (2) at least one centermost region is arranged closest to the longitudinal centerline of the tread. Each of the lateral discontinuities have a thickness, where the thickness of one or more of the lateral discontinuities arranged in each of the outermost regions is smaller than the thickness of one or more of the lateral discontinuities arranged in the centermost region.

Improved tire treads having positively inclined sipes

In particular embodiments, a tire tread includes one or more lateral sipes (26s) arranged within the tread (20). As each such lateral sipe (26s) extends outward from within the tread thickness (T20) and towards the outer, ground-engaging side (22) of the tread (20), the lateral sipe (26s) is inclined towards the intended direction (R) of tire rotation. The lateral sipe (26s) also has a width (W26) (thickness) configured to, at an unworn stage, close along at least a portion of the sipe depth during operation of a loaded tire, and being configured to, at a worn stage, remain open during operation of the loaded tire. The lateral sipe (26s) has a width-to-height ratio associating the sipe width (W26) to the sipe height, the width-to-height ratio equaling 1:10 to 1:40. Providing a plurality of these lateral sipes (26s) may result in improved consistency of tread wear performance over the life of the tread (20).

Tire with high compression set elastomer

A tread design for a tire is described herein that has excellent wear properties, hydroplaning resistance, and snow grip. The combination of features also makes it suitable for use in high torque high load conditions found in modern day light truck applications. The tread (18) includes a plurality of tread features lateral sipes (30), lateral grooves (28), longitudinal sipes (31) and longitudinal grooves (24), the longitudinal grooves arranged to form a plurality of ribs (32), each rib extending annularly around the tread and where adjacent ribs are separated by one of the longitudinal grooves, the plurality of ribs including a pair of shoulder ribs and a plurality of central ribs. At least one of the plurality of central ribs is continuous in the longitudinal direction and the elastomeric material forming the tread possesses high compression set allowing the material to plastically deform creating a more rigid tread structure.