# US 2014/0190606 A1 · Pneumatic tire

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- Number: US 2014/0190606 A1
- Document ID: US20140190606A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/020,225
- Filed: 2013-09-06
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-08
- Assignees: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
- Applicants: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
- Inventors: Yoshiaki TAKEMOTO
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190606A1

## CPC

- B60C 11/0304: {Asymmetric patterns}
- B60C 11/12: characterised by the use of narrow slits or incisions, e.g. sipes
- B60C 11/1218: {Three-dimensional shape with regard to depth and extending direction}
- B60C 11/1236: {with special arrangements in the tread pattern}
- B60C 2011/0346: {with zigzag shape}
- B60C 2011/0348: {Narrow grooves, i.e. having a width of less than 4 mm}
- B60C 2011/0374: {Slant grooves, i.e. having an angle of about 5 to 35 degrees to the equatorial plane}
- B60C 2011/0381: {Blind or isolated grooves}
- B60C 2011/0395: {for linking shoulder blocks}
- B60C 2011/1227: {having different shape within the pattern}
- B60C: VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES

## Abstract

A pneumatic tire includes a tread portion with an asymmetric pattern including an outboard shoulder main groove, an inboard shoulder main groove, an outboard shoulder portion between the outboard shoulder main groove and an outboard tread edge, a middle portion between the outboard shoulder main groove and the inboard shoulder main groove, and an inboard shoulder portion between the inboard shoulder main groove and an inboard tread edge, wherein the outboard shoulder portion is provided with a three dimensional sipe that has a pair of sipe surfaces extending to a depth direction of the sipe while changing its direction or opening configuration, and the inboard shoulder portion or the middle portion is provided with a two dimensional sipe that has a pair of sipe surfaces extending to a depth direction of the sipe while maintaining its direction and opening configuration.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A pneumatic tire comprising
a tread portion having an asymmetric pattern having a designated installing direction to a vehicle for defining an inboard tread edge and an outboard tread edge, and
the asymmetric pattern including:
an outboard shoulder main groove that continuously extends in a circumferential direction of the tire nearest to the outboard tread edge;
an inboard shoulder main groove that continuously extends in a circumferential direction of the tire nearest to the inboard tread edge,
an outboard shoulder portion between the outboard shoulder main groove and the outboard tread edge;
a middle portion between the outboard shoulder main groove and the inboard shoulder main groove; and
an inboard shoulder portion between the inboard shoulder main groove and the inboard tread edge, wherein
the outboard shoulder portion is provided with a three dimensional sipe that has a pair of sipe surfaces extending to a depth direction of the sipe while changing its direction or opening configuration, and
the inboard shoulder portion or the middle portion is provided with a two dimensional sipe that has a pair of sipe surfaces extending to a depth direction of the sipe while maintaining its direction and opening configuration.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The tire according to claim 1, wherein
the middle portion is provided with an inclined groove having an angle of from 10 to 30 degrees with respect to a circumferential direction of the tire.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The tire according to claim 2, wherein
the inclined groove has a groove depth in a range of from 90% to 110% in respect to a groove depth of the outboard shoulder main groove.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The tire according to claim 1, wherein
the outboard shoulder main groove has an axially inner groove edge that extends in a zigzag manner, and
the middle portion is provided with a middle lug groove that extends from the axially inner groove edge of the outboard shoulder main groove to its axially inner end terminating within the middle portion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The tire according to claim 1, wherein
the outboard shoulder portion is provided with a circumferentially extending shoulder narrow groove such that the outboard shoulder portion is divides into an axially inner shoulder narrow portion and an axially outer shoulder wide portion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The tire according to claim 1, wherein
the three dimensional sipe includes a zigzag portion in its opening configuration on a contact surface of the tread portion, and
the sipe surfaces of the three dimensional sipe extends in the depth direction of the sipe while oscillating along a longitudinal direction of the zigzag portion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The tire according to claim 1, wherein
the three dimensional sipe includes a zigzag portion in its opening configuration on a contact surface of the tread portion, and
the sipe surfaces of the three dimensional sipe extends in the depth direction of the sipe while oscillating perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the zigzag portion.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The tire according to claim 1, wherein
the three dimensional sipe includes a zigzag portion in its opening configuration on a contact surface of the tread portion, wherein the opening configuration of the sipe changes toward a bottom of the sipe.