# US 10,245,895 B2 · Pneumatic tire

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- Number: US 10,245,895 B2
- Document ID: US10245895B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/157,954
- Filed: 2016-05-18
- Published: 2017-03-09
- Granted: 2019-04-02
- Earliest claimed: 2015-09-08
- Assignees: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Tsuyoshi Fujioka
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245895B2

## CPC

- B60C 11/1218: {Three-dimensional shape with regard to depth and extending direction}
- B60C 11/1236: {with special arrangements in the tread pattern}
- B60C 11/1259: {Depth of the sipe}
- B60C 11/1272: {Width of the sipe}
- B60C 11/11: in which the raised area of the pattern consists only of isolated elements, e.g. blocks (B60C11/12, B60C11/13 take precedence)
- B60C 2011/1254: {with closed sipe, i.e. not extending to a groove}
- B60C: VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES

## Abstract

A sipe is formed in a land portion of a tread surface. The sipe has a 3D sipe portion formed into a three-dimensional shape which changes along a depth direction, and a 2D sipe portion formed into a two-dimensional shape which does not change along the depth direction. The 3D sipe portion extends in the depth direction from the tread surface and terminates at a position which does not reach a sipe bottom. The 2D sipe portion extends in the depth direction from a terminated position of the 3D sipe portion and reaches the sipe bottom. The three-dimensional shape of the 3D sipe portion is formed into a sideways V-shaped form which is bent at one position in the depth direction. Both ends of the sipe are closed within the land portion.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A pneumatic tire comprising:
a sipe formed in a land portion of a tread surface,
wherein the sipe has a 3D sipe portion formed into a three-dimensional shape which changes along a depth direction, and a 2D sipe portion formed into a two-dimensional shape which does not change along the depth direction,
wherein the 3D sipe portion extends in the depth direction from the tread surface and terminates at a position which does not reach a sipe bottom, and the 2D sipe portion extends in the depth direction from a terminated position of the 3D sipe portion and reaches the sipe bottom,
wherein the three-dimensional shape of the 3D sipe portion is formed into a sideways V-shaped form which is bent at only one position in the depth direction, and
wherein both ends of the sipe are closed within the land portion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The pneumatic tire according to claim 1, wherein a distance K1 from the tread surface to the terminated position of the 3D sipe portion is between 20% and 70% of a sipe depth.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The pneumatic tire according to claim 2, wherein a distance K2 from the tread surface to a bent portion in the three-dimensional shape of the 3D sipe portion is between 40% and 60% of the distance K1.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The pneumatic tire according to claim 1, wherein the sipe has a width of 0.3 mm to 2.0 mm.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The pneumatic tire according to claim 1, wherein a length of the sipe is up to 90% of a block width.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The pneumatic tire according to claim 1, wherein the 2D sipe portion is formed by a plane sipe which is formed flat in its wall surface.