Tire With Substantially Helicoid-Shaped Sipe

A tire comprising:

• a circumferential tread having a tread element disposed thereon, wherein the tread element includes a top surface that defines a first plane;
• and
• at least one substantially helicoid-shaped sipe disposed in the tread element,
• wherein the substantially helicoid-shaped sipe is defined by an opening in the top surface extending in a first direction in the first plane when the tire is new,
• wherein the substantially helicoid-shaped sipe is further defined by a base extending in a second direction in a second plane parallel to the first plane, and
• wherein the second direction is disposed at an angle between 45° and 135° with respect to the first direction.

A tire comprising:

• a circumferential tread having a tread element disposed thereon, wherein the tread element includes a top surface defining a surface plane;
• and
• at least one wear indicator sipe disposed in the tread element,
• wherein the wear indicator sipe includes an opening in the top surface extending in a first direction in the surface plane when the tire is new,
• wherein the wear indicator sipe further includes a base extending in a second direction in an internal plane parallel to the surface plane, the second direction being different from the first direction and
• wherein as the tire wears, the opening of the wear indicator sipe extends in a third direction in the surface plane, the third direction bisecting an angle between the first direction and the second direction, and conveying wear-related information to a user.

A method of making a substantially helicoid-shaped sipe in a tire, the method comprising:

• providing a tire having a circumferential tread with a plurality of tread elements;
• providing a substantially helicoid-shaped sipe blade having a leading edge and a twisted body having a pitch such that the twisted body turns between 9-18° per millimeter;
• inserting the substantially helicoid-shaped sipe blade into one of the plurality of tread elements, while turning the substantially helicoid-shaped sipe blade in a first direction at a rate corresponding to the pitch of the twisted body;
• and
• retracting the substantially helicoid-shaped sipe blade from the tread element, while turning the substantially helicoid-shaped sipe blade in a second direction, opposite the first direction, at a rate corresponding to the pitch of the twisted body.