Tire tread having improved contact pressure distribution

Abstract

A multi-rib tire tread has a plurality of circumferential spaced apart ribs in an axial direction, adjacent ribs separated by a circumferential grooves and each rib having sides extending radially outward to a radially outward contact surface. The outward contact surface of a central rib has an outwardly convex curvature in an axial direction more rounded than a tread curvature. A first lateral rib and a second lateral rib are positioned adjacent opposite sides of the central rib, each lateral rib having an outwardly convex curvature in an axial direction more rounded than a tread curvature. The convex curvature of the first and second lateral ribs are less rounded than the central rib. The radius of curvature of the center rib is within a range of 170 and 270 millimeters; the radius of curvature of the first lateral rib is within a range of 80 to 180 millimeters; and the radius of curvature of the second lateral rib is within a range of 100 to 200 millimeters.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.