Patent ID: 6109316
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: B60C

Abstract:
A tire having a pair of beads, a carcass ply having ends, each of the ends anchored to a respective one of the beads, at least one belt ply extending circumferentially around the tire and disposed radially outward of the carcass ply, and a tread disposed radially outward of the at least one belt ply, the tire having a tread shoulder comprising:a first decoupling rib at an axially outermost extent of the tread and having a radially outward crown surface; anda second rib axially inwardly adjacent the first rib and having a radially outward crown surface;the first and second ribs being separated by a groove, the groove being formed with, from radially outward, a first portion directed radially and axially inward to undercut the second rib and a second portion directed radially inward and axially outward to undercut the first rib,wherein the second rib has an axially outward facing surface having a first radially directed portion, a second negatively tapered portion, and a third positively tapered portion,wherein the crown surface of the first rib is recessed radially from a height profile defined by the crown surface of the second rib, and,wherein, when the tire is in ground contact under a nominal inflation pressure and a nominal load, the crown surface of the first rib contacts the ground and a surface of the first rib defined by the groove contacts the axially outward facing surface of the second rib to support the second rib.