Patent ID: 6527023
Filing Date: 2003-03-04
Classification: B60C,Y10S

Abstract:
A pneumatic radial tire having blocks formed on its tread by transverse grooves extending along a width of the tire and main grooves extending circumferential 14 across the transverse grooves,wherein two of the blocks that are spaced apart from each other transversely by one of the main grooves have a sipe that extends transversely across said one of the main grooves from one of the two blocks to the other of the two blocks, the sipe being open throughout its length in a tread surface of each of said two blocks and said one of the main grooves, the sipe having along its length and depth a cross section defined by an inner portion made in each of the two blocks, a substantially U-shaped portion made in the bottom and side walls of said one of the main grooves, and a connecting portion made in each of the two blocks for connecting the inner and substantially U-shaped portions, said connecting portion having a depth that is reduced by a shelf formed on each of the two blocks and is smaller than a depth of the inner portion, said main grooves having a depth that is smaller than the depth of transverse grooves, but which is equal to the depth of said transverse grooves where the main grooves cross the transverse grooves.