A tire has a tread having a first tread edge, a second tread edge on the opposite side, and multiple inclined main grooves formed such that each inclined main groove is obliquely extending from one of the first and second tread edges toward a tire equator and is terminated without reaching the other one of the first and second tread edges. The inclined main grooves are formed such that each of the inclined main grooves includes a tire axial direction outer side portion obliquely extending in an inclined direction, a tire axial direction inner side portion inclining in the inclined direction, and a middle portion formed between the tire axial direction outer side portion and the tire axial direction inner side portion and inclining in the opposite inclined direction with respect to the inclined direction of the tire axial direction outer side portion and tire axial direction inner side portion.

A stud pin includes a tip including a tip end surface configured to come into contact with a road surface and a trunk portion that supports the tip and extends in one direction. The trunk portion includes an upper flange disposed at a first end of the trunk portion, the tip being fixed to the upper flange, and a lower flange disposed at a position to a side opposite the upper flange of the trunk portion. An upper end surface of the upper flange from which the tip protrudes includes a recessed surface, the recessed surface including a smooth inclined surface recessing in a curved manner or a linear manner toward the lower flange with advancement toward a protruding base portion of the tip.

Magnetic wheels, steel-climbing robots, and methods and systems for inspection of steel structures are disclosed, along with variations, alternatives, and modifications. A disclosed magnetic wheel has radially oriented rare-earth magnets disposed in an elastomeric wheel body. The magnets are disposed in circumferential rings about the wheel's axis. Neighboring rings have azimuthally staggered patterns. A steel-climbing robot employing such magnetic wheels is capable of traversing steel structures including obstacles, discontinuities, 90 joints, and rough surfaces.

A multi-purpose tire comprising: a tread section comprising a main tread zone and at least one auxiliary tread zone, the tread section is configured to facilitate, at a first inflation pressure, a first tread configuration, wherein the at least one auxiliary tread section makes contact with a road surface and, at a second inflation pressure, a second tread configuration, wherein a contact of the at least one auxiliary tread section with the road is prevented or reduced, the first inflation pressure being lower than the second inflation pressure, wherein the tread section further comprises, in an inner surface thereof, one or more channels extending continuously in a circumferential direction of the tire and configured to regulate an inflation-pressure-dependent transition between the first and second tread configurations.

A tire having structures used to notify a driver, passenger, or other observer that a tire tread has worn to a predetermined limit is disclosed. Lattice plies, lattices, meshes, and/or films which are disposed within a tire produce an audible signal that indicates a tire tread has worn to a predetermined limit. The lattice plies, lattices, meshes, and/or films may be used a variety of tire applications.

An expanding tire rim comprises an inner hub in hydraulic communication with a plurality of arms having curved outer rim sections. When activated by a user the hydraulic system permits the diameter of the outer rim to expand. Each arm has a plurality of tire retaining spikes.

A green tire includes a plurality of sheets of green rubber having a substantially circular shape, with each sheet having a tread region disposed along a circumference. A plurality of objects are sandwiched between adjacent sheets of green rubber in the tread region. Each object is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of steel, polyester, nylon, carbon fiber, aramid, fiber glass, cotton, hemp, polyurethane and other plastic, other synthetic or natural fibers and other metal materials.

A green tire includes a plurality of sheets of green rubber having a substantially circular shape, with each sheet having a tread region disposed along a circumference. A plurality of objects are sandwiched between adjacent sheets of green rubber in the tread region. Each object is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of steel, polyester, nylon, carbon fiber, aramid, fiber glass, cotton, hemp, polyurethane and other plastic, other synthetic or natural fibers and other metal materials.

Pneumatic tires having a tread containing a plurality of sipes that extend radially inward into one or more layers of the tread portion are described as having improved the sipe tear resistance. Increased sipe tear resistance at or near the closed end of the sipes in a tire tread can enhance the performance of the tire during operation and throughout its service life. The rubber compositions of the one or more layers of the tread portion in contact with a sipe or its terminating end portion contain talc to increase the resistance to tearing at or near the end portion of a sipe during operation.

Pneumatic tires having a tread containing a plurality of sipes that extend radially inward into one or more layers of the tread portion are described as having improved the sipe tear resistance. Increased sipe tear resistance at or near the closed end of the sipes in a tire tread can enhance the performance of the tire during operation and throughout its service life. The rubber compositions of the one or more layers of the tread portion in contact with a sipe or its terminating end portion contain talc to increase the resistance to tearing at or near the end portion of a sipe during operation.