Provided is a tire, having a circumferential direction, an axial direction, and a radial direction, the tire comprising, a tread surface comprising a groove which defines a block; a sipe formed in the block, the sipe being defined by a depth, a width and a length each of the depth, width, and length being defined by elongated surfaces comprising, a first elongated surface, and a second elongated surface facing the first elongated surface and offset therefrom by the sipe width. The tire may comprise projections or an array of projections having any of various properties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present subject matter relates generally to a tire tread pattern. More, specifically, the present subject matter relates to a tire tread pattern comprising a sipe reinforcement adapted to increase tread pattern stiffness.

BACKGROUND

It is sometimes desirable to create tire tread components that affect the performance of the tire as it operates.

It remains desirable to develop tire tread features and methods and apparatus for the creation of tire tread feature that affect the performance of the tire as it operates.

SUMMARY

Provided is a tire, having a circumferential direction, an axial direction, and a radial direction, the tire comprising, a tread surface comprising a groove which defines a block; a sipe formed in the block, the sipe being defined by a depth, a width and a length each of the depth, width, and length being defined by elongated surfaces comprising, a first elongated surface, and a second elongated surface facing the first elongated surface and offset therefrom by the sipe width. The tire may comprise projections or an array of projections having any of various properties.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will be made to the drawings,FIGS. 1-12, wherein the showings are only for purposes of illustrating certain embodiments of an apparatus and method for preparing a sample from components internal to a tire.

Referring now toFIG. 1, shown is a non-limiting implementation of a tire110. Tire110is substantially cylindrical and defines a circumferential direction114, an axial direction116, and a radial direction (not shown). Tire110comprises a tire tread120extending around the tire110and extending in both the circumferential direction114and the axial direction116. Tire110may be any sort of tire. The tire110may be pneumatic, non-pneumatic, run-flat, radial, or bias. The tire110may be a passenger tire, a light truck tire, a truck or bus tire, an agricultural tire, or other sort of tire. The tire110may be a cured tire, or a uncured tire. In the non-limiting implementations shown inFIG. 1, tire110is a pneumatic tire.

Referring now toFIG. 2, shown is a close up of a non-limiting implementation of a tire tread220extending in the circumferential direction214, an axial direction216. The tire tread220may comprise a first rib221, a second rib223, a third rib225, a fourth rib227, and a fifth rib229. A rib221,223,225,227,229is an elongated tread feature that extends substantially circumferentially in the tire tread220. The tire tread220may comprise a first groove222, a second groove224, a third groove226, and a fourth groove228. A groove222,224,226,228is an elongated gap that extends substantially circumferentially in the tire tread220. In some embodiments, tires may have very complex patterns in which ribs or grooves are not well defined as distinct entities. The tire tread220may comprise one or more sipes230.

Referring now toFIG. 3, shown is a perspective view of a non-limiting implementation of a tire section300. Tire section300extends partially in the circumferential direction314, in the axial direction316, and in the radial direction312. The tire section300may comprise a tire tread320, a first set of plies340, a first set of belts350, a second set of plies360, a bead chaffer370, and a bead380. The tire tread320may comprise a rib322, a block323, a groove324, a shoulder325, and a sipe326.

A sipe230,326is very narrow gap or thin cut in the tire tread220,320. The width of a sipe230,326is typically, between 0 and 5 millimeters wide, inclusive. As will be disclosed further herebelow, the width of a sipe230,326may vary with depth or along the length of the sipe230,326. A sipe230,326having a width of 0 mm still comprises the sipe edges, length, depth, and a shape. Further, a sipe230,326having a width of 0 mm may open or permit slip or motion between the faces of the sipe during operation of the tire in which they are made. A sipe230,326may have substantial depth, and may also be substantially elongated. The path of elongation described by a sipe230,326may take any of a large number of forms. A sipe230,326may comprise a straight shape, a curved shape, an arcuate shape, a waveform, a forking shape, or combinations thereof. As noted above, a sipe230,236will have some depth.

A sipe230,326may be formed by a variety of means. A sipe230,326making a very thin cut a tire tread by means including thin blade, a laser, or other means chosen with good engineering judgment. A sipe230,326may be formed by molding the sipe230,326during formation of the tire110by including a sipe forming element in a tire mold (not shown). A sipe forming element may be sipe blade or other component adapted have a positive displacement having a volume and shape matching that of the desired sipe230,326so that a hole left in the tire material by being displaced the sipe blade during molding has the volume and shape matching that of the desired sipe230,326.

Referring now toFIGS. 4a-12, shown are a variety of cross sectional views through several differing implementations of a sipe.

FIGS. 4aand4bshow views of a first non-limiting implementation of a sipe410.FIG. 4ashows a view through a plane parallel to the sipe length-depth plane.FIG. 4bshows a view of the first non-limiting implementation of a sipe through a plane parallel to the sipe width-depth plane. Sipe410is formed in a tread element420comprising a tread surface422such that the depth of sipe410extends into the tread element420. Sipe410is defined in part by a first elongated surface432and in part by a second elongated surface434. The first elongated surface432and the second elongated surface434are substantially planar, face one another, and are offset from one another by the width480of sipe410. Sipe410comprises a plurality of projections450wherein each projection452extends from the first elongated surface432toward the second elongated surface434. The plurality of projections450is arranged in a regular array454defined by five rows455at varying depths, each row455comprising a number of projections450where the number of projections450varies between rows455. In the first, top, row455there are seven projections450. In the second row455there are six projections450. In the third row455there are seven projections450. In the fourth row455there are six projections450. In the fifth, deepest, row455there are five projections450.

The regularity of array454is not limiting and there are acceptable alternatives to the regular array454shown inFIGS. 4aand4b. In certain non-limiting implementations, the array454may be an irregular array454in which the projections450are arranged in any regular or repeating pattern.

The planar character of the elongated surfaces432,434is not limiting and there are acceptable alternatives to the planar character of first elongated surface432,434shown inFIG. 4b. In certain non-limiting implementations, one or both of the elongated surface432,434may comprise curves, undulations, waves, or may otherwise be substantially non-planar.

The planar character of the second elongated surface434toward which the projections450extend is not limiting and there are acceptable alternatives to the planar character of second elongated surface434shown inFIG. 4b. In certain non-limiting implementations, the second elongated surface434may comprise one or more counter-projections extending toward one or more projections450. In certain non-limiting implementations, the second elongated surface434may comprise one or more depressions or cavities into which one or more projections450may extend.

The substantially constant depth of sipe410is not limiting and there are acceptable alternatives to the substantially constant depth of sipe410as shown inFIG. 4a. In certain non-limiting implementations, the depth460of the sipe410may vary along the length470of the sipe410.

The substantially constant projection length451of projections450is not limiting and there are acceptable alternatives to the substantially constant projection length451of projections450as shown inFIG. 4b. In certain non-limiting implementations, the projection length451of projections450may vary between projections450. In certain non-limiting implementations, the projection length451of a projection450is a function of the position of the projection within the sipe410; such as, without limitation as projection450at a first depth may differ in length from another projection450at a second depth.

The circular cross-sectional area453of projections450is not limiting and there are acceptable alternatives to the circular cross-sectional area453of projections450as shown inFIG. 4a. In certain non-limiting implementations, cross-sectional area453of projections450may be non-circular or vary between projections450.

The substantially constant cross-sectional area453of projections450along the length451of the projections450is not limiting and there are acceptable alternatives to the substantially constant cross-sectional area453of projections450along the length451of the projections450as shown inFIG. 4b. In certain non-limiting implementations, the cross-sectional area453of projections450may vary along the length451of the projections450. In certain non-limiting implementations, the cross-sectional area453of projections450may taper along the length451of the projections450.

FIG. 5shows a view of a second non-limiting implementation of a sipe510through a plane parallel to the length-depth plane of sipe510. Sipe510comprises a plurality of projections550. The plurality of projections550is arranged in two rows555at varying depths, each row555comprising a number of projections550where the number of projections550varies between rows555. In the first, top, row555there are four projections550. In the second, bottom, row555there are three projections550.

The number of projections550in the rows555is not limiting and there are acceptable alternatives to the number of projections550in the rows555as shown inFIG. 5. In certain non-limiting implementations, number of projections in a row may be one, two, three, or more projections.

FIG. 6shows a view of a third non-limiting implementation of a sipe610through a plane parallel to the length-depth plane of sipe610. Sipe610comprises a plurality of projections650. Each of the projections650has a cross-sectional area defined by an elongated rectangle, where the axis of elongation extends at some angle to the width-length plane of sipe610. The rectangular character of the cross-section of the projections650is not limiting and other elongated shapes may be equally acceptable.

FIG. 7shows a view of a fourth non-limiting implementation of a sipe710through a plane parallel to the length-depth plane of sipe710. Sipe710comprises a projection750. Projection750has a cross-sectional area defined by an elongated rectangle, where the axis of elongation extends substantially parallel to the width-length plane of sipe710. The rectangular character of the cross-section of the projection750is not limiting and other elongated shapes may be equally acceptable.

FIG. 8shows a view of a fifth non-limiting implementation of a sipe810through a plane parallel to the length-depth plane of sipe810. Sipe810comprises a plurality of projections850. Each of the projections850has a cross-sectional area defined by an elongated rhombus, where the axis of elongation extends parallel to the width-depth plane of sipe810. The shape of the cross-section of the projections850is not limiting and other elongated shapes may be equally acceptable.

FIG. 8shows a view of a sixth non-limiting implementation of a sipe910through a plane parallel to the length-depth plane of sipe910. Sipe910comprises a plurality of projections950. Each of the projections950has a cross-sectional area defined by an elongated rectangle, where the axis of elongation extends parallel to the width-depth plane of sipe910. The shape of the cross-section of the projections950is not limiting and other elongated shapes may be equally acceptable.

FIG. 10shows a view of a seventh non-limiting implementation of a sipe1010through a plane parallel to the length-depth plane of sipe1010. Sipe1010comprises a plurality of projections1050. Each of the projections1050has a cross-sectional area defined by a square. The plurality of projections1050is arranged in three rows1055at varying depths, each row1055comprising a number of projections1050where the number of projections1050varies between rows1055. In the first, top, row1055there are four projections1050. In the second row1055there are three projections1050. In the third, bottom, row1055there are four projections1050. The number of projections1050in the rows1055is not limiting and there are acceptable alternatives to the number of projections1050in the rows1055as shown inFIG. 10. In certain non-limiting implementations, number of projections in a row may be one, two, three, or more projections. The square character of the cross-section of the projections1050is not limiting and other shapes may be equally acceptable.

FIG. 11shows a view of an eighth non-limiting implementation of a sipe1110through a plane parallel to the length-depth plane of sipe1110. Sipe1110comprises a plurality of projections1150. Each of the projections1150has a cross-sectional area defined by an elongated rectangle, where the axis of elongation extends parallel to the width-depth plane of sipe1110. The plurality of projections1150is arranged in two rows1155at varying depths, each row1155comprising a number of projections1150where the number of projections1150varies between rows1155. In the first, top, row1155there are three projections11050. In the second, bottom, row1155there are two projections1150. The number of projections1150in the rows1155is not limiting and there are acceptable alternatives to the number of projections1150in the rows1155as shown inFIG. 11. In certain non-limiting implementations, number of projections in a row may be one, two, three, or more projections. The rectangular character of the cross-section of the projections1150is not limiting and other shapes may be equally acceptable.

FIG. 12shows a view of a ninth non-limiting implementation of a sipe1210through a plane parallel to the length-depth plane of sipe1210. Sipe1210comprises a projection1250. Projection1250has a cruciform cross-sectional area. The cruciform character of the cross-section of the projection1250is not limiting and other shapes may be equally acceptable. The depth of sipe1250may vary along the length of sipe1250.

Referring now toFIGS. 4a-12, a projection450,550,650,750,850,950,1050,1150,1250may act to reinforce the sipe during operation of the tire. Without wishing to be limited to any particular process or theory, as a tire110rolls part of the tread120passes through a footprint of the tire110. As a sipe410,510,610,710,810,910,1010,1110,1210in a tire tread120passes through a footprint of the tire110, it may be at least partially and/or temporarily deformed such that a projection450,550,650,750,850,950,1050,1150,1250may engage with or disengage from another component of the sipe and thereby affect the mechanical performance of the sipe. As the tire110undergoes wear, the upper regions of a sipe410,510,610,710,810,910,1010,1110,1210may be removed by wear process such that the performance of the sipe410,510,610,710,810,910,1010,1110,1210may also change.

While the sipe reinforcement has been described above in connection with certain embodiments, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiments for performing the same function of the sipe reinforcement without deviating therefrom. Further, the sipe reinforcement may include embodiments disclosed but not described in exacting detail. Further, all embodiments disclosed are not necessarily in the alternative, as various embodiments may be combined to provide the desired characteristics. Variations can be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the sipe reinforcement. Therefore, the sipe reinforcement should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the recitation of the attached claims.