EP0213477A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Curb scuff protection for tire sidewall
Assignee: Bridgestone Firestone Inc
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Filing: 1986-08-12
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-08-12
Abstract
Abstract A pneumatic tire having a decorative applique on the side all thereof. The applique is protected from damage when the sidewall is curbed by the provision of a rib concentric with the applique and interposed upon the sidewall be tween the applique and the tire tread. A decoupling groove interconnects the applique and the rib and allows the portion of the sidewall maintaining the applique to decouple from the remai der of the sidewall, deflecting inwardly when the sidewall rakes contacting engagement with a vertical surface such its a curb. The deflection of the applique prevents contact with the curb and allows the rib to draw inwardly and over the outer edge of the applique, further protecting it from scuffing action.
Inventors
- 👤 Lynn A. Bryant
- 👤 Louis W. Shurman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:33
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60C; B60C13/00; B60C13/02; B60C13/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
In a pneumatic tire having a tread area, a sidewall area connected to the tread area, and a bead connected to the sidewall area at an end thereof and defining an opening for receiving a wheel, the sidewall area having a neutral exterior sidewall axis line defined by a smooth sidewall surface, the improvement, comprising: a decorative applique maintained upon the sidewall area; and a protective rib maintained upon the sidewall area between the tread area and said decorative applique and extending outwardly of the tire from the neutral sidewall axis, said protective rib separated from said decorative sidewall applique by a groove.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
In a pneumatic tire having a tread area, a sidewall area connected to the tread area, and a bead connected to the sidewall area at an end thereof and defining an opening for receiving a wheel, the sidewall area having a neutral exterior sidewall axis line defined by a smooth sidewall surface, the improvement, comprising: a decorative applique maintained upon the sidewall area; and a protective rib maintained upon the sidewall area between the tread area and said decorative applique and extending outwardly of the tire from the neutral sidewall axis, said protective rib separated from said decorative sidewall applique by a groove.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The improvement in a pneumatic tire according to claim 1, wherein said rib has a substantially triangular cross section and at one edge thereof, is substantially flush with the neutral exterior sidewall axis line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
3 . The improvement in a pneumatic tire according to claim 1 wherein said rib extends beyond an outer surface of said decorative applique a distance of at least 0.150 inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
4 . The improvement in a pneumatic tire according to claim 2 wherein said rib has a width at least equal to 3.5 times a depth thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
. The improvement in a pneumatic tire according to claim 1 wherein said groove interconnects said rib and said applique, is concentric with the tire bead and is continuous, forming a ring about the sidewall of the tire between said applique and said rib.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
6 . The improvement in a pneumatic tire according to claim 1 wherein a bottom of said groove is above the neutral exterior sidewall axis line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
7 . The improvement in a pneumatic tire according to claim 1 wherein said groove extends inwardly of the sidewall area through the neutral exterior sidewall axis line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
. A pneumatic tire, comprising: a tread area; a sidewall area extending from the tread area; a decorative applique connected to said sidewall area; a rib protruding from said sidewall area between said tread area and said decorative applique; and a groove interconnecting said rib and said applique.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
. A pneumatic tire, comprising: a tread area; a sidewall area extending from the tread area; a decorative applique connected to said sidewall area; a rib protruding from said sidewall area between said tread area and said decorative applique; and a groove interconnecting said rib and said applique.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
. The pneumatic tire according to claim 8 wherein said rib is of substantially triangular cross section, a first outer edge of said rib is sub- statlially flush with said sidewall area, said groove extends from a second inner edge of said rib to an outer edge of said applique and said rib has a minimum width between said inner and outer edges equivalent to 3.5 times the depth of protrusion of said rib from said sidewall area.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The pneumatic tire according to claim 8 wherein said groove has a bottom which is substantially flush with said sidewall area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The pneumatic tire according to claim 8 wherein said groove has a bottom which extends inwardly of said tire to a point beyond said sidewall area and said rib extends beyond an outer surface of said decorative applique a distance in excess of 0.15 inch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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