Patent ID: 6796348
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: B60C,Y10S

Abstract:
A pneumatic tire comprising:a circumferential groove extending along a circumferential direction of the tire, and provided within a region which is 10 to 40% of a ground contact width from one ground contact end of a tread in the widthwise direction toward a tire equatorial plane; another circumferential groove extending along the circumferential direction of the tire, and provided within a region which is 10 to 40% of the ground contact width from another ground contact end of the tread in the widthwise direction toward the tire equatorial plane; at least two rows of blocks which, when a region between the pair of circumferential grooves is defined as a center tread region, are divided, in at least the center tread region, by a plurality of transverse grooves extending substantially in a tire axial direction; first reinforcing portions provided integrally with tire-widthwise-direction other side end portions of first blocks located at tire-widthwise-direction one side among the at least two rows of blocks, such that the first reinforcing portions are connected to block side surfaces of the first blocks and adjacent transverse groove bottom portions; and second reinforcing portions provided integrally with tire-widthwise-direction one side end portions of second blocks located at the tire-widthwise-direction other side which are adjacent to the first blocks, such that the second reinforcing portions are connected to block side surfaces of the second blocks and adjacent transverse groove bottom portions, wherein: at least a portion of each first reinforcing portion faces the second block with the transverse groove therebetween in the circumferential direction of the tire and overlaps the second block in the tire widthwise direction; at least a portion of each second reinforcing portion faces the first block with the transverse groove therebetween in the circumferential direction of the tire and overlaps the first block in the tire widthwise direction; a height of the first reinforcing portion decreases as the first reinforcing portion is distanced from the first block, and a height of the second reinforcing portion decreases as the second reinforcing portion is distanced from the second block, and the first reinforcing portion and the second reinforcing portion are alternatingly disposed in a circumferential direction, and are formed from reinforcing portion starting lines at the tread surface that are circumferentially aligned with each other.