US4198774A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Indicia for rubber articles
Assignee: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co
•
Filing: 1977-11-18
•
Granted: 1980-04-22
•
Expires: 1997-11-18
Abstract
Abstract Indicia of enhanced visibility for rubber articles, and particularly for tires, are formed by a series of substantially straight lineal projections of the same approximate cross section integral of the article. The projections are continuous within the configuration of each indicium. Each indicium may include raised borders and/or may in total be raised above the surface of the article immediately surrounding the indicium. The cross-sectional width of a projection is from about 30 percent to 70 percent of the distance between the longitudinal axes of adjacent projections. To further enhance visibility dirt-retaining projections may be employed.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles W. Roberts
- 👤 Homer B. Lowther
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:14
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60C; B60C13/00; B60C13/001; G; G09; G09F; G09F3/00; G09F23/00; G09F2023/0016; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24479
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A colored rubber article including an indicium comprising: at least eight lineal projections having their bases integral of said article, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another, and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross sections, said cross sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections, the material of said rubber article and said indicium being of generally the same color.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A colored rubber article including an indicium comprising: at least eight lineal projections having their bases integral of said article, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another, and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross sections, said cross sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections, the material of said rubber article and said indicium being of generally the same color.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The indicium of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional width of any of said projections is from about 30 percent to 70 percent of the distance between the longitudinal axes of adjacent projections, as determined in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of said projections, said width of any of said projections being determined in said plane substantially midway of the vertical height of any of said projections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The indicium of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional width of any of said projections is about 60 percent of the distance between the longitudinal axes of adjacent projections, as determined in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of said projections, said width of any of said projections being determined in said plane substantially midway of the vertical height of any of said projections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The indicium of claim 1, further having a border comprising a lineal projection about the periphery of said indicium, said border being of equal cross section throughout.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The indicium of claim 4, wherein said border protrudes from the surface of the article surrounding said indicium an amount at least equal to said straight lineal projections which are bounded thereby.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The indicium of claim 4, wherein the cross-sectional width of said border at one-half of its height is greater than the cross-sectional width of any of said projections at one-half of its height; said cross section being taken normal to the longitudinal axis respectively of said border or any of said projections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The indicia of claim 6, wherein said border is of a width up to about five times the width of a single projection.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The indicium of claim 7, wherein said border is of a width about three times the width of a single projection.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The indicium of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axes of said projections are substantially perpendicular to the stroke of the indicium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The indicium of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axes of said projections are substantially parallel to the stroke of the indicium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The indicium of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axes of said projections are substantially oblique to the stroke of the indicium, said axes being substantially horizontal in plan view of said indicium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The indicium of claim 1, wherein said projections are of maximum cross-sectional width at a point above their bases.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The indicium of claim 12, wherein said projections are of substantially teardrop cross section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The indicia of claim 1, wherein the projections are of substantially trapezoidal cross section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The indicium of claim 1, wherein the projections are of substantially rectangular cross section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The indicium of claim 1, wherein each of said projections has lateral edges, each of said edges of any given projection forming an angle from about 45 degrees to about 135 degrees with respect to the base of that projections.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
72 words
An indicium for a rubber article comprising: at least eight lineal projections having their bases in a solid raised portion integral of said article, said portion being in the configuration of said indicium, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another, and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross sections, said cross sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
72 words
An indicium for a rubber article comprising: at least eight lineal projections having their bases in a solid raised portion integral of said article, said portion being in the configuration of said indicium, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another, and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross sections, said cross sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
115 words
A colored rubber article including an indicium comprising: at least eight lineal projections having their bases integral of said article, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another, and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross sections, said cross sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections, wherein said bases of said projections are located at an elevation less than that of the surface of the article immediately surrounding said indicium, and the area immediately surrounding said indicium is higher than at least a portion of said projections, the material of said rubber article and said projections being of generally the same color.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
115 words
A colored rubber article including an indicium comprising: at least eight lineal projections having their bases integral of said article, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another, and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross sections, said cross sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections, wherein said bases of said projections are located at an elevation less than that of the surface of the article immediately surrounding said indicium, and the area immediately surrounding said indicium is higher than at least a portion of said projections, the material of said rubber article and said projections being of generally the same color.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The indicium of claim 18, wherein the maximum height of said projections from their bases is less than to about equal to the distance from the surface of the article surrounding said indicium to said bases of said projections.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The indicium of claim 18, wherein the minimum height of said projections from their bases is at least equal to the distance from the surface of the article surrounding said indicium to said bases of said projections.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
79 words
A colored rubber article including an indicium comprising: a plurality of lineal projections having their bases integral of said article, there being at least four projections per centimeter, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections, the material of said rubber article and said indicium being of generally the same color.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
79 words
A colored rubber article including an indicium comprising: a plurality of lineal projections having their bases integral of said article, there being at least four projections per centimeter, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections, the material of said rubber article and said indicium being of generally the same color.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
231 words
An indicium for a rubber article comprising: (a) a solid portion in the configuration of said indicium raised from the surface of said article surrounding said indicium; (b) at least eight lineal projections having their bases integral of said portion, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross sections, said cross sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections, wherein the cross-sectional width of any of said projections is from about 30 percent to 70 percent of the distance between the longitudinal axes of adjacent projections, as determined in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of said projections, said width of any of said projections being determined in said plane substantially midway of the vertical height of any of said projections; and (c) a raised border comprising a lineal projection about the periphery of said indicium, said border being of equal cross section throughout, said border protruding from the surface of said portion an amount at least equal to that of said projections bounded thereby, said border being of greater cross-sectional width at one-half of its vertical height than the cross-sectional width of any of said projections bounded thereby at one-half of its vertical height, said cross section of said border being taken substantially normal to its longitudinal axis.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
231 words
An indicium for a rubber article comprising: (a) a solid portion in the configuration of said indicium raised from the surface of said article surrounding said indicium; (b) at least eight lineal projections having their bases integral of said portion, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross sections, said cross sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections, wherein the cross-sectional width of any of said projections is from about 30 percent to 70 percent of the distance between the longitudinal axes of adjacent projections, as determined in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of said projections, said width of any of said projections being determined in said plane substantially midway of the vertical height of any of said projections; and (c) a raised border comprising a lineal projection about the periphery of said indicium, said border being of equal cross section throughout, said border protruding from the surface of said portion an amount at least equal to that of said projections bounded thereby, said border being of greater cross-sectional width at one-half of its vertical height than the cross-sectional width of any of said projections bounded thereby at one-half of its vertical height, said cross section of said border being taken substantially normal to its longitudinal axis.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
238 words
An indicium for a rubber article comprising: (a) a solid portion in the configuration of said indicium raised from the surface of said article surrounding said indicium; (b) a plurality of lineal projections having their bases integral of said portion, there being at least four projections per centimeter, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross sections, said cross sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections, wherein the cross-sectional width of any of said projections is from about 30 percent to 70 percent of the distance between the longitudinal axes of adjacent projections as determined in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of said projections, said width of any of said projections being determined in said plane substantially midway of the vertical height of any of said projections; and (c) raised border comprising a lineal projection about the periphery of said indicium, said border being of equal cross section throughout, said border protruding from the surface of said portion an amount at least equal to that of said projections bounded thereby, said border being of greater cross-sectional width at one-half of its vertical height than the cross-sectional width of any of said projections bounded thereby at one-half of its vertical height, said cross section of said border being taken substantially normal to its longitudinal axis.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
238 words
An indicium for a rubber article comprising: (a) a solid portion in the configuration of said indicium raised from the surface of said article surrounding said indicium; (b) a plurality of lineal projections having their bases integral of said portion, there being at least four projections per centimeter, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross sections, said cross sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections, wherein the cross-sectional width of any of said projections is from about 30 percent to 70 percent of the distance between the longitudinal axes of adjacent projections as determined in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of said projections, said width of any of said projections being determined in said plane substantially midway of the vertical height of any of said projections; and (c) raised border comprising a lineal projection about the periphery of said indicium, said border being of equal cross section throughout, said border protruding from the surface of said portion an amount at least equal to that of said projections bounded thereby, said border being of greater cross-sectional width at one-half of its vertical height than the cross-sectional width of any of said projections bounded thereby at one-half of its vertical height, said cross section of said border being taken substantially normal to its longitudinal axis.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
71 words
A tire having an indicium comprising at least eight lineal projections having their bases integral of said tire, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another, and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross sections, said cross sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections, said material of said tire and said indicium being of generally the same color.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
71 words
A tire having an indicium comprising at least eight lineal projections having their bases integral of said tire, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another, and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross sections, said cross sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections, said material of said tire and said indicium being of generally the same color.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
73 words
A tire having an indicium according to claim 24, wherein the cross-sectional width of any of said projections is from about 30 percent to 70 percent of the distance between the longitudinal axes of adjacent projections, as determined in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of said projections, said width of any of said projections being determined in said plane substantially midway of the vertical height of any of said projections.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
69 words
A tire having an indicium according to claim 24, wherein the cross-sectional width of any of said projections is about 60 percent of the distance between the longitudinal axes of adjacent projections, as determined in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of said projections, said width of any of said projections being determined in said plane substantially midway of the vertical height of any of said projections.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tire having an indicium according to claim 24, further having a border comprising a lineal projection about the periphery of said indicium, said border being of equal cross section throughout.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
A tire having an indicium according to claim 27, wherein said border protrudes from the surface of the article surrounding said indicium an amount at least equal to said straight lineal projections which are bounded thereby.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
56 words
A tire having an indicium according to claim 27, wherein the cross-sectional width of said border at one-half of its height is greater than the cross-sectional width of any of said projections at one-half of its height; said cross section being taken normal to the longitudinal axis respectively of said border or any of said projections.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tire having an indicium according to claim 29, wherein said border is of a width up to about five times the width of a single projection.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tire having an indicium according to claim 29, wherein said border is of a width about three times the width of a single projection.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tire having an indicium according to claim 24, wherein the longitudinal axes of said projections are substantially perpendicular to the stroke of the indicium.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tire having an indicium according to claim 24, wherein the longitudinal axes of said projections are substantially parallel to the stroke of the indicium.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
36 words
A tire having an indicium according to claim 24, wherein the longitudinal axes of said projections are substantially oblique to the stroke of the indicium, said axes being substantially horizontal in plan view of said indicium.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
A tire having an indicium according to claim 24, wherein said projections are of maximum cross-sectional width at a point above their bases.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tire having an indicium according to claim 35, wherein said projections are of substantially teardrop cross section.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tire having an indicium according to claim 24, wherein the projections are of substantially trapezoidal cross section.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tire having an indicium according to claim 24, wherein the projections are of substantially rectangular cross section.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
44 words
A tire having an indicium according to claim 24 wherein each of said projections has lateral edges, each of said edges of any given projection forming an angle from about 45 degrees to about 135 degrees with respect to the base of that projection.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
71 words
A tire having an indicium comprising at least eight lineal projections having their bases in a solid raised portion integral of said tire, said portion being in the configuration of said indicium, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another, and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross sections, said cross sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
71 words
A tire having an indicium comprising at least eight lineal projections having their bases in a solid raised portion integral of said tire, said portion being in the configuration of said indicium, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another, and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross sections, said cross sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
126 words
A tire having on its outer peripheral surface an indicium comprising at least eight lineal projections having their bases integral of said tire, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another, and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross sections, said cross sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections, wherein said bases of said projections are located at an elevation less than that of the surface of the article immediately surrounding said indicium, and the area immediately surrounding said indicium is higher than at least a portion of said projections, the outermost tips of said projections being at an elevation at least equal to the surface of the article immediately surrounding said indicium.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
126 words
A tire having on its outer peripheral surface an indicium comprising at least eight lineal projections having their bases integral of said tire, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another, and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross sections, said cross sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections, wherein said bases of said projections are located at an elevation less than that of the surface of the article immediately surrounding said indicium, and the area immediately surrounding said indicium is higher than at least a portion of said projections, the outermost tips of said projections being at an elevation at least equal to the surface of the article immediately surrounding said indicium.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
43 words
A tire having an indicium according to claim 41, wherein the maximum height of said projections from their bases is less than to about equal to the distance from the surface of the article surrounding said indicium to said bases of said projections.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
41 words
A tire having an indicium according to claim 41, wherein the minimum height of said projections from their bases is at least equal to the distance from the surface of the article surrounding said indicium to said bases of said projections.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
76 words
A tire having an indicium comprising a plurality of lineal projections having their bases integral of said article, there being at least four projections per centimeter, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections, said material of said tire and said indicium being of generally the same color.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
76 words
A tire having an indicium comprising a plurality of lineal projections having their bases integral of said article, there being at least four projections per centimeter, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections, said material of said tire and said indicium being of generally the same color.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
229 words
A tire having an indicium comprising: (a) a solid portion in the configuration of said indicium raised from the surface of said tire surrounding said indicium; (b) at least eight lineal projections having their bases integral of said portion, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross sections; said cross-sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections, wherein the cross-sectional width of any of said projections is from about 30 percent to 70 percent of the distance between the longitudinal axes of adjacent projections, as determined in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of said projections, said width of any of said projections being determined in said plane substantially midway of the vertical height of any of said projections; and (c) a raised border comprising a lineal projection about the periphery of said indicium, said border being of equal cross section throughout, said border protruding from the surface of said portion an amount at least equal to that of said projections bounded thereby, said border being of greater cross-sectional width at one-half of its vertical height than the cross-sectional width of any of said projections bounded thereby at one-half of its vertical height, said cross section of said border being taken substantially normal to its longitudinal axis.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
229 words
A tire having an indicium comprising: (a) a solid portion in the configuration of said indicium raised from the surface of said tire surrounding said indicium; (b) at least eight lineal projections having their bases integral of said portion, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross sections; said cross-sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections, wherein the cross-sectional width of any of said projections is from about 30 percent to 70 percent of the distance between the longitudinal axes of adjacent projections, as determined in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of said projections, said width of any of said projections being determined in said plane substantially midway of the vertical height of any of said projections; and (c) a raised border comprising a lineal projection about the periphery of said indicium, said border being of equal cross section throughout, said border protruding from the surface of said portion an amount at least equal to that of said projections bounded thereby, said border being of greater cross-sectional width at one-half of its vertical height than the cross-sectional width of any of said projections bounded thereby at one-half of its vertical height, said cross section of said border being taken substantially normal to its longitudinal axis.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
238 words
A tire having an indicium comprising: (a) a solid portion in the configuration of said indicium raised from the surface of said article surrounding said indicium; (b) a plurality of lineal projections having their bases integral of said portion, there being at least four projections per centimeter, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross section, said cross sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections, wherein the cross-sectional width of any of said projections is from about 30 percent to 70 percent of the distance between the longitudinal axes of adjacent projections as determined in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of said projections, said width of any of said projections being determined in said plane substantially midway of the vertical height of any of said projections; and (c) a raised border comprising a lineal projection about the periphery of said indicium, said border being of equal cross section throughout, said border protruding from the surface of said portion an amount at least equal to that of said projections bounded thereby, said border being of greater cross-sectional width at one-half of its vertical height than the cross-sectional width of any of said projections bounded thereby at one-half of its vertical height, said cross section of said border being taken substantially normal to its longitudinal axis.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
238 words
A tire having an indicium comprising: (a) a solid portion in the configuration of said indicium raised from the surface of said article surrounding said indicium; (b) a plurality of lineal projections having their bases integral of said portion, there being at least four projections per centimeter, said projections being substantially straight and parallel to one another and being continuous within the configuration of said indicium, said projections having substantially identical cross section, said cross sections being taken normal to the longitudinal axes of said projections, wherein the cross-sectional width of any of said projections is from about 30 percent to 70 percent of the distance between the longitudinal axes of adjacent projections as determined in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of said projections, said width of any of said projections being determined in said plane substantially midway of the vertical height of any of said projections; and (c) a raised border comprising a lineal projection about the periphery of said indicium, said border being of equal cross section throughout, said border protruding from the surface of said portion an amount at least equal to that of said projections bounded thereby, said border being of greater cross-sectional width at one-half of its vertical height than the cross-sectional width of any of said projections bounded thereby at one-half of its vertical height, said cross section of said border being taken substantially normal to its longitudinal axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB189617143A
Cited
GB138775A
Cited
US1567402A
Cited
US1458629A
Cited
US1635077A
Cited
GB330432A
Cited
US2082928A
Cited
US2182919A
Cited
US3518335A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-04-22 | 1983-10-22 | 1984-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-04-22 | 1987-10-22 | 1988-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-04-22 | 1991-10-22 | 1992-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |