Patent US3674076A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3674076A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pneumatic tire tread design
Assignee: Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc
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Filing: 1970-06-08
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1990-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A pneumatic tire tread is provided with a groove or series of grooves of continuously variable width around the circumference of the tire. The groove or grooves may be used in combination with rib elements which are uniform or variable in width. The respective pitches of the grooves are offset or different, such that the forward portion of the tread footprint area will present alternating opening and closing voids, thereby effecting a pulsating or pumping action just ahead of the tire footprint, such that water tending to accumulate ahead of the tire can be more quickly pumped through toward the rear to prevent the buildup of a layer of water. Prevention of this water accumulation or build-up reduces the tire''s inclination toward hydroplaning.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles R Daily Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:04
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60C; B60C11/00; B60C11/03; B60C11/04; B60C11/0306; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S152/00; Y10S152/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A pneumatic tire with a tread portion having a peripheral ground contacting surface provided with a plurality of circumferentially continuous grooves of uniform depth and defined by laterally spaced, substantially linear edges, at least one of said grooves being of continuously variable width in the circumferential direction such that portions of said laterally spaced edges between any two planes which contain the axis of rotation of said tire and intersect said tread portion are mutually non-parallel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A pneumatic tire with a tread portion having a peripheral ground contacting surface provided with a plurality of circumferentially continuous grooves of uniform depth and defined by laterally spaced, substantially linear edges, at least one of said grooves being of continuously variable width in the circumferential direction such that portions of said laterally spaced edges between any two planes which contain the axis of rotation of said tire and intersect said tread portion are mutually non-parallel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of grooves is of continuously variable width, such that the laterally spaced edges of each of said grooves are mutually non-parallel between any two planes containing the axis of rotation of said tire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said grooves have the same pitch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein the pitch of at least one of said grooves is circumferentially offset with respect to the pitch of another of said grooves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein at least one of said grooves has a pitch different from that of another of said grooves.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said laterally spaced non-parallel edges of at least one variable width groove converge to a preselected minimum spacing and diverge to a preselected maximum spacing in circumferentially adjacent portions of said peripheral ground contacting surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said laterally spaced non-parallel edges converge and diverge at equal but opposite angles relative to the circumferential center-line of said at least one variable width groove.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein the said laterally spaced, mutually non-parallel, edges of each of said grooves converge to a preselected minimum spacing and diverge to a preselected maximum spacing in circumferentially adjacent portions of said ground contacting surfaCe.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |