Tread surface structures for mud evacuation
US9207150B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 23, 2010 |
| Grant date | Dec 8, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60C2200/14
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides structures on the tread of a tire that improve the evacuation of mud, soil and the like. In particular, different tread features are provided that may improve the evacuation of mud, soil and the like by themselves or by strategically combining them. These different tread features may be tested to see how they affect mud evacuation at different rotational speeds by a test apparatus that mimics the performance of a tire. For example, a tread that has offset shoulder tread blocks, which shows good mud evacuation at lower speeds, may be combined with shoulder grooves with pockets that show good mud evacuation at intermediate speeds to see if this combination provides a solution that has the lowest change of speed necessary to evacuate 50-87% of the mud found in the grooves.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.