Features for maintaining voids within a tire tread
AssigneeMichelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
InventorsRonald Cress, Gildas De-Staercke, James F. Garrett, Nathan J. Panning
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Abstract
Particular embodiments of the present invention include tire treads that include a tread body having a length, a width, and thickness, the thickness being bounded by an outer surface and an underside surface. Such treads may also include a void positioned within the thickness of the tread body. Such treads may further include one or more members extending between the void and the tread underside surface. Other embodiments of the present invention include a tire having such treads, as well as molds for forming such treads.
Claims21
A molded tire tread comprising:
- a tread body having a length, a width, and thickness, the thickness being bounded by an outer surface and an underside surface, the outer surface being configured for engaging a tire operating surface and the underside surface being configured for engaging a tire carcass;
- a void positioned within the thickness of the tread body;
- one or more members extending from a side of the void, and between at least a portion of the void and the tread underside surface to substantially separate the void and the underside surface, each of the one or more members having a free end.
21-28. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.