Tyre for vehicle wheels

Abstract

A tire for vehicle wheels comprises a tread band (2), on which a first circumferential rib (14) is formed, on which a plurality of first notches (20) are formed, which extend as a whole over at least 80% of the width of the first circumferential rib and each of which comprises: ⋅ i. a first portion (21) which is substantially rectilinear and has a first inclination with respect to a circumferential direction, ⋅ ii. a second portion (22) which is substantially rectilinear and has a second inclination with respect to the circumferential direction having a sign opposite to said first inclination, and ⋅ iii. a connecting portion (23) that extends between said first portion and said second portion; respective pluralities of the second and the third notches (30; 40), which are blind and substantially parallel to the first (21) and the second portion (22), respectively, of said first notches (20), are further formed on the first circumferential rib (14).

Claims

1. A tyre for vehicle wheels, comprising a tread band on which a circumferential direction is defined and wherein the tread band comprises: a pair of shoulder regions that are axially opposite one another; at least one first circumferential rib arranged between the pair of shoulder regions and is delimited by a first circumferential groove and by a second circumferential groove; a plurality of first notches, which are arranged in regular succession along the entire circumferential extent of the first circumferential rib and extend as a whole over at least 80% of a width of the first circumferential rib, wherein each of the first notches comprises: i. a first portion which is substantially rectilinear and has a first inclination with respect to the circumferential direction, ii. a second portion which is substantially rectilinear and has a second inclination with respect to the circumferential direction, having a sign opposite to the first inclination, and iii. a connecting portion that extends between the first portion and the second portion, a plurality of second notches, which are blind and are arranged in regular succession along the entire circumferential extent of the first circumferential rib and are substantially parallel to the first portion of the first notches; and a plurality of third notches, which are blind and arranged in regular succession along the entire circumferential extent of the first circumferential rib and are substantially parallel to the second portion of the first notches.

2. The tyre according to claim 1, wherein the first notches are through- notches.

3. The tyre according to claim 1, wherein the first portion extends from the first circumferential groove up to between 50% and 70% of the width of the first circumferential rib.

4. The tyre according to claim 1, wherein the second portion extends from the second circumferential groove up to between 10% and 25% of the width of the first circumferential rib.

5. The tyre according to claim 2, wherein the first notches further comprise a first end region extending from the first circumferential groove, a second end region extending from the second circumferential groove and a central region arranged between the first and second end regions, and wherein a depth of the central region is smaller than 60% of a depth of the end regions.

6. The tyre according to claim 5, wherein the central region has an extension of between 50% and 70% of an overall longitudinal extension of the first notches.

7. The tyre according to claim 1, wherein the second notches extend from the first circumferential groove up to between 20% and 40% of the width of the first circumferential rib.

8. The tyre according to claim 1, wherein the third notches extend from the second circumferential groove up to between 15% and 30% of the width of the first circumferential rib.

9. The tyre according to claim 1, wherein one of the second notches and one of the third notches are provided between each pair of first notches that are subsequent to each other, or one of the second notches or one of the third notches is provided between each pair of first notches that are subsequent to each other.

10. The tyre according to claim 9, wherein the second notch and the third notch are arranged substantially equidistantly from the first notches of the pair, or the second notch or the third notch is arranged substantially equidistantly from the first notches of the pair.

11. The tyre according to claim 1, wherein at least one additional circumferential rib is provided in the tread band between the pair of shoulder regions, the additional circumferential rib comprising a plurality of fourth notches arranged in regular succession along the entire circumferential extent of the additional circumferential rib.

12. The tyre according to claim 11, wherein the fourth notches are substantially aligned with the second portions of the first notches.

13. The tyre according to claim 11, wherein a plurality of fifth notches is provided in the at least one additional circumferential rib and are arranged in regular succession along the entire circumferential extent of the additional circumferential rib.

14. The tyre according to claim 13, wherein the fifth notches are substantially aligned with the third notches.

15. The tyre according to claim 11, wherein the at least one additional circumferential rib is adjacent to the first circumferential rib.

16. The tyre according to claim 1, wherein a width of the first circumferential groove is smaller than a width of the second circumferential groove.

17. The tyre according to claim 13, wherein the at least one additional circumferential rib comprises a second circumferential rib that is adjacent to the first circumferential rib and a third circumferential rib that is adjacent to the second circumferential rib and on the axially opposite side of the second circumferential rib as compared to the first circumferential rib.

18. The tyre according to claim 17, wherein the fifth notches are provided in both the second circumferential rib and the third circumferential rib, and the fifth notches in the second circumferential rib are blind notches and the fifth notches in the third circumferential rib are through-notches.

19. The tyre according to claim 17, wherein the tread band is divided by an equatorial plane (X) of the tyre into an outer tread band region, which faces an outside of a vehicle when the tyre is mounted on the vehicle, and an inner tread band region, which is axially opposite the outer tread band region, and wherein the at least one first circumferential rib is provided in the outer tread band region, the third circumferential rib is provided in the inner tread band region and the second circumferential rib is provided in a tread band region which spans across the equatorial plane.

20. The tyre according to any claim 1, wherein the tread band comprises a shoulder region that is adjacent to the first circumferential rib, and wherein a plurality of first transverse grooves are provided in the shoulder region and are connected to the first circumferential groove, which separates the shoulder region from the first circumferential rib, by the first connecting notches that are substantially aligned with the first portions of the first notches or with the second notches.

21. The tyre according to claim 13, wherein the tread band comprises a shoulder region that is adjacent to the at least one additional circumferential rib, and wherein a plurality of second transverse grooves are provided in the shoulder region and are connected to a circumferential groove, which delimits the additional circumferential rib, by the second connecting notches that are substantially aligned with the fourth notches or with the fifth notches.

22. A tyre for vehicle wheels, comprising a tread band on which a circumferential direction is defined and in which there are provided: a pair of shoulder regions that are axially opposite one another; at least one first circumferential rib that is arranged between the pair of shoulder regions and is delimited by a first circumferential groove and by a second circumferential groove; a plurality of first notches, which are arranged in regular succession along the entire circumferential extent of the first circumferential rib and extend as a whole over at least 80% of a width of the first circumferential rib, wherein each of the first notches comprises: i. a first portion which is substantially rectilinear and has a first inclination with respect to the circumferential direction, ii. a second portion which is substantially rectilinear and has a second inclination with respect to the circumferential direction, having a sign opposite to the first inclination, and iii. a connecting portion that extends between the first portion and the second portion, a plurality of second notches, which are blind and are arranged in regular succession along the entire circumferential extent of the first circumferential rib and are substantially parallel to the first portion of the first notches, and a plurality of third notches, which are blind and arranged in regular succession along the entire circumferential extent of the first circumferential rib and are substantially parallel to the second portion of the first notches; wherein at least one additional circumferential rib is provided in the tread band between the pair of shoulder regions, the additional circumferential rib comprising a plurality of fourth notches arranged in regular succession along the entire circumferential extent of the additional circumferential rib, wherein a plurality of fifth notches is provided in the at least one additional circumferential rib and are arranged in regular succession along the entire circumferential extent of the additional circumferential rib, wherein the tread band comprises a shoulder region that is adjacent to the first circumferential rib, and wherein a plurality of first transverse grooves are provided in the shoulder region and are connected to the first circumferential groove, which separates the shoulder region from the first circumferential rib, by the first connecting notches that are substantially aligned with the first portions of the first notches or with the second notches, wherein the tread band comprises a shoulder region that is adjacent to the at least one additional circumferential rib, and wherein a plurality of second transverse grooves are provided in the shoulder region and are connected to a circumferential groove, which delimits the additional circumferential rib, by the second connecting notches that are substantially aligned with the fourth notches or with the fifth notches, and wherein the first and second transverse grooves are axially offset by approximately a quarter of the axial distance between first transverse grooves that are subsequent to one another.

23. The tyre according to claim 22, wherein the first transverse grooves comprise a first curvilinear portion having a first concavity with respect to an axial direction defined on the tread band, and the second transverse grooves comprise a second curvilinear portion having a second concavity with respect to the axial direction, the second concavity being opposite the first concavity.

24. The tyre according to claim 13, wherein the first notches, the second notches, the third notches, the fourth notches, and the fifth notches are connected to a tread surface defined on a radial outer position of the tread band by a chamfer.

Description

(1) The features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given in an illustrative and non-limiting manner with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tyre for vehicle wheels realised in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic view on an enlarged scale of a significant portion of the tread band of the tyre of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a view analogous to FIG. 2 in which some significant tread band portions are particularly highlighted.

(2) Referring to the enclosed drawings, 1 denotes as a whole a tyre for vehicle wheels made in accordance with the present invention.

(3) The tyre 1 comprises a tyre structure which is conventional per se, not shown in the appended drawings, as well as a tread band 2 on which a tread surface 3 is defined, which is arranged in a radially external position on the tread band 2 and which is intended to come into contact with a road surface.

(4) The tyre 1 has a conventional, generically toroidal shape extending about an axis of rotation, defining on the tread surface 3 an axial direction Y parallel thereto, and traversed by an equatorial plane X, perpendicular to the axis of rotation and defining on the tread surface 3 a circumferential direction parallel thereto.

(5) The tyre 1 is preferably arranged for mounting on a high-performance car and has a width of nominal section of approximately 245 mm and a rim diameter of 18 inches.

(6) An effective width L of approximately 200 mm, defined as the maximum width of the tread band intended to come into contact with the ground under standard conditions of use, is identified on the tread band 2.

(7) The equatorial plane X divides the tread band 2 into an outer tread band region 5, intended to face towards the outside of the vehicle when the tyre is mounted on the vehicle, and an inner tread band region 6, axially opposite the outer region 5.

(8) A first circumferential groove 10, a second circumferential groove 11, a third circumferential groove 12 and a fourth circumferential grove 13 are formed on the tread band 2.

(9) On the side axially opposite the equatorial plane X, the first circumferential groove 10 delimits an outer shoulder region 7, whilst the fourth circumferential groove 13, respectively, delimits an inner shoulder region 8.

(10) The outer shoulder region 7 and the inner shoulder region 8 are further delimited, in each case at the axially external side thereof, by the outer edge 9a and by the inner edge 9b of the tread band 2.

(11) In the tread band region interposed between the outer and inner shoulder regions 7 and 8, the following are further defined: a first circumferential rib 14, delimited by the first and second circumferential groove 10 and 11 within the outer tread band region 5; a second circumferential rib 15, delimited by the second and third circumferential grooves 11 and 12 astride the equatorial plane X; and a third circumferential rib 16, delimited by the third and fourth circumferential groove 12 and 13 within the inner tread band region 6.

(12) The first circumferential groove 10 has a constant width of between 5 and 10 mm, for example of approximately 8 mm, less than the other circumferential grooves.

(13) The second and third circumferential grooves 11 and 12 have a constant width of between 10 and 15 mm, for example of approximately 13 mm, substantially identical to one another, whilst the fourth circumferential groove 13 has a constant width of between 8 and 15 mm, for example of approximately 11 mm.

(14) The circumferential grooves 10, 11, 12 and 13 have a substantially identical depth of approximately 7 mm.

(15) The first, second and third circumferential ribs 14, 15 and 16 have a width of between 20 and 30 mm, for example of approximately 23-24 mm.

(16) A plurality of first through-notches 20, a plurality of second blind notches 30, and a plurality of third blind notches 40, all arranged in modular succession along the circumferential extent of the first circumferential rib 14, are formed on the first circumferential rib 14.

(17) Each first notch 20 extends between a first end 26 thereof, open to the first circumferential groove 10, and a second end 27, open to the second circumferential groove 11.

(18) Each first notch 20 comprises a first portion 21, substantially rectilinear, extending from the first circumferential groove 10 towards the second circumferential groove 11, a second portion 22, also substantially rectilinear, extending from the second circumferential groove 11 towards the first circumferential groove 10, and a curved connecting portion 23 extending between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22.

(19) The first portion 21 extends at a first inclination with respect to the circumferential direction, having a value of approximately 31°, in modulus, whilst the second portion 22 extends at a second inclination with respect to the circumferential direction, having a sign opposite to the first inclination, having a value of approximately 65°, in modulus.

(20) The first portion 21 has a longitudinal extent of approximately 25 mm and extends from the first circumferential groove 10 up to approximately 60% of the width of the first circumferential rib 14, whilst the second portion 22 has a longitudinal extent of approximately 5 mm and extends from the second circumferential groove 11 up to approximately 15% of the width of the first circumferential rib 14.

(21) Each first notch 20 further comprises a first end region 24a, extending approximately 10 mm from the first circumferential groove 10, a second end region 24b, extending approximately 5 mm from the second circumferential groove 11, and a central region 25 interposed between the first and second end regions 24a and 24b.

(22) Each first notch 20 has a substantially constant width of approximately 0.6 mm along the longitudinal extent thereof and a variable depth. In particular, the depth of the first notch 20 at the first and at the second end region 24a, 24b is approximately 5.5 mm whilst at the central region 25 it is approximately 2 mm.

(23) Each first notch 20 is further connected to the tread surface 3 by respective chamfers 28, approximately 1.5 mm wide, which join the tread surface 3 to the respective lateral walls of the first notch 20 at a depth of approximately 0.5 mm.

(24) Each second notch 30, blind, extends, in a position equidistant between a pair of successive first notches 20, between a first end 31 thereof, open to the first circumferential groove 10, and a second end 32 thereof, within the first circumferential rib 14.

(25) Each second notch 30 is parallel to the first portion 21 of the first notches 20, and, in particular, circumferentially corresponds to the first end region 24a thereof.

(26) Each second notch 30 has a substantially constant width of approximately 0.6 mm along the longitudinal extent thereof and a substantially constant depth of approximately 5.5 mm, apart from an inner region close to the second end 32 where the depth is reduced to approximately 2 mm.

(27) Each second notch 30 has a longitudinal extent of approximately 10-15 mm, and extends from the first circumferential groove 10 up to approximately 30% of the width of the first circumferential rib 14.

(28) Each second notch 30 is further connected to the tread surface 3 by respective chamfers 33, approximately 1.5 mm wide, tapered at the second end 32, which join the tread surface 3 to the respective lateral walls of the second notch 30 at a depth of approximately 0.5 mm.

(29) Each third notch 40, blind, extends, in a position equidistant between a pair of successive first notches 20, between a first end 41 thereof, open to the second circumferential groove 11, and a second end 42 thereof, within the first circumferential rib 14.

(30) Each third notch 40 is parallel to the second portion 22 of the first notches 20 and, in particular, circumferentially corresponds to the second end region 24b thereof.

(31) Each third notch 40 has a substantially constant width of 0.6 mm along the longitudinal extent thereof and a substantially constant depth of approximately 5.5 mm.

(32) Each third notch 40 has a longitudinal extent of approximately 5 mm and extends from the second circumferential groove 11 up to approximately 22% of the width of the first circumferential rib 14.

(33) Each third notch 40 is further connected to the tread surface 3 by respective chamfers 43, approximately 1.5 mm wide, tapered at the second end 42, which join the tread surface 3 to the respective lateral walls of the third notch 40 at a depth of approximately 0.5 mm.

(34) A plurality of fourth through-notches 50, arranged in succession along the circumferential extent of the second and third circumferential ribs 15 and 16, are formed on the second and third circumferential ribs 15 and 16.

(35) The fourth notches 50 are presently described in detail referring to the second circumferential rib, but this description may easily be applied analogously to the fourth notches 50 provided on the third circumferential rib 16, making sure to replace the second and third circumferential grooves 11 and 12 with the third and fourth circumferential grooves 12 and 13, respectively.

(36) Each fourth groove 50 extends on the second circumferential rib 15 substantially rectilinearly between a first end 51 open to the second circumferential groove 11 and a second end 52 open to the third circumferential groove 12.

(37) Each fourth notch 50 is substantially aligned with a second portion 22 of a first notch 20, in such a way that all of the fourth notches 50 are mutually parallel.

(38) Analogously to the first notches 20, each fourth notch 50 further comprises a first end region 53, extending approximately 5-6 mm from the second circumferential groove 11, a second end region 54, extending approximately 5-6 mm from the third circumferential groove, and a central region 55, interposed between the first and second end regions 53 and 54.

(39) Each fourth notch 50 has a substantially constant width of approximately 0.6 mm along the longitudinal extent thereof and a variable depth. In particular, the depth of the fourth notch 50 at the first and at the second end region 53, 54 is approximately 5.5 mm whilst at the central region 55 it is approximately 2 mm. Each fourth notch 50 is further connected to the tread surface 3 by respective chamfers 56, approximately 1.5 mm wide, partially divergent at the first and second ends 51 and 52, which join the tread surface 3 to the respective lateral walls of the fourth notch 50 at a depth of approximately 0.5 mm.

(40) A plurality of fifth notches, denoted as 60 and 70 respectively, arranged in succession along the circumferential extent of the second and third circumferential ribs 15 and 16, are further formed on the second and third circumferential ribs 15 and 16.

(41) Each fifth notch 60, 70 is substantially rectilinear and aligned with a third notch 40.

(42) In this way, the fifth notches 60 formed on the second circumferential rib 15 and the fifth notches formed on the third circumferential rib 16 are also aligned with one another.

(43) Each fifth notch 60 provided on the second circumferential rib 15 is blind and extends between a first end 61, open to the second circumferential groove 11, and a second end 62, within the second circumferential groove 15.

(44) Each fifth notch 60 has a longitudinal extent of approximately 15 mm and extends from the second circumferential groove 11 up to approximately 50% of the width of the second circumferential rib 15.

(45) Analogously to the fourth notches 50, each fifth notch 60 further comprises a first end region 63, extending approximately 5-6 mm from the second circumferential groove 11, and a second inner region 64, extending from the first end region towards the second end 62.

(46) Each fifth notch 60 has a substantially constant width of approximately 0.6 mm along the longitudinal extent thereof and a variable depth. In particular, the depth of each fifth notch 60 at the first end region 63 is approximately 5.5 mm whilst at the second inner region it is approximately 2 mm.

(47) The first end region 63 of the fifth notches 60 circumferentially corresponds to the first end region 53 of the fourth notches 50.

(48) Each fifth notch 60 is further connected to the tread surface 3 by respective chamfers 65, 1.5 mm wide, tapered at the second end 62, which join the tread surface 4 to the respective lateral walls of the third notch 60 at a depth of approximately 0.5 mm.

(49) The fifth notches 70 formed on the third circumferential groove 16, however, are through-notches, and extend substantially rectilinearly between a first end 71, open to the third circumferential groove 12, and a second end 72, open to the fourth circumferential groove 13.

(50) The fifth notches 70 are substantially identical to the fourth notches 50, in such a way that the third circumferential rib 16 is affected by notches which are all the same as one another.

(51) In particular, each fifth notch 70 further comprises a first end region 73, extending approximately 5-6 mm from the third circumferential groove 12, a second end region 74, extending approximately 5-6 mm from the fourth circumferential groove 13, and a central region 75 interposed between the first and second end regions 73 and 74.

(52) Further, each fifth notch 70 has a substantially constant width of approximately 0.6 mm along the longitudinal extent thereof and a variable depth. In particular, the depth of the fifth notch 70 at the first and second end regions 73, 74 is approximately 5.5 mm, whilst at the central region 75 it is approximately 2 mm.

(53) Each fifth notch 70 is further connected to the tread surface 3 by respective chamfers 76, approximately 1.5 mm wide, partially diverging at the first and second ends 71 and 72, which join the tread surface 3 to the respective lateral walls of the fifth notch 70 at a depth of approximately 0.5 mm.

(54) In the preferred embodiment presently described, the second circumferential rib 15 spans across the equatorial plane X, whilst the third circumferential rib 16 is positioned in the inner tread band region 6, on the side opposite the first circumferential rib 14.

(55) However, in an alternative embodiment, it is provided that the position of the second and third circumferential ribs is reversed, with the third circumferential rib 16 astride the equatorial plane X and the second circumferential rib 15 positioned in the inner tread band region 6.

(56) A plurality of first transverse grooves 80, extending towards the first circumferential groove 10 at an inclination with respect to the circumferential direction having the same sign as the inclination of the first portion 21 of the first grooves 20 and of approximately 80° in modulus, are formed in the outer shoulder region 7.

(57) Each first transverse groove 80 has a width of between 3 and 5 mm and a depth of approximately 6-7 mm, which decreases continuously when approaching the outer edge 9a of the tread band 2.

(58) The first transverse grooves 80 are joined to the first circumferential groove 10 by first connecting notches 81, each of which is aligned with a first portion 21 of a first notch 20 or with a second notch 30.

(59) Each first connecting notch 81 has a constant width of approximately 0.6 mm and a depth of approximately 2 mm.

(60) The first transverse grooves 80 are slightly curved, with a concavity facing in the circumferential direction towards which the associated connecting notch 81 extends.

(61) Each first connecting notch 81 and a portion of each first transverse groove 80 (substantially corresponding to the transverse groove portion within the effective width of the tread band 2) are further connected to the tread surface 3 by respective chamfers 82, approximately 1.5 mm wide and tapered at the first transverse groove 80, which join the tread surface 3 to the respective lateral walls of the first connecting notch 81 and of the first transverse groove 80 at a depth of approximately 0.5 mm.

(62) A plurality of second transverse grooves 90, extending towards the fourth circumferential groove 13 at an inclination with respect to the circumferential direction having the same sign as the inclination of the first portion 21 of the first notches 20 and of approximately 80° in modulus, are formed in the inner shoulder region 8.

(63) Each second transverse groove 90 has a width of between 3 and 5 mm and a depth of approximately 6-7 mm, which decreases continuously when approaching the inner edge 9b of the tread band 2.

(64) The second transverse grooves 90 are joined to the fourth circumferential groove 13 by second connecting grooves 91, each of which is aligned with a fourth notch 50, or with a fifth notch 70 formed on the third circumferential rib 16.

(65) Each second connecting notch 91 has a constant width of approximately 0.6 mm and a depth of approximately 2 mm.

(66) Each second connecting notch 91 and a portion of each second transverse groove 90 (substantially corresponding to the transverse groove portion within the effective width of the tread band 2) are further connected to the tread surface 3 by respective chamfers 92, approximately 1.5 mm wide and tapered at the second transverse groove 90, which join the tread surface 3 to the respective lateral walls of the second connecting notch 91 and of the second transverse 90 at a depth of approximately 0.5 mm.

(67) The second transverse grooves 90 are also slightly curved, but the concavity thereof faces in the circumferential direction opposite the associated connecting notch 91. The second transverse grooves 90 and the first transverse grooves 80 thus have opposite concavity with respect to the axial direction Y.

(68) The second transverse grooves 90 and the first transverse grooves 80 are further misaligned with respect to the axial direction Y by a measurement of approximately a quarter of the distance between a pair of successive first transverse grooves 80 (said distance being defined as a “pitch”).

(69) In the above-described preferred embodiment, the notches and transverse grooves are all connected to the tread surface 3 by respective chamfers. However, in an alternative variant embodiment, the notches and transverse grooves are connected directly to the tread surface 3, without chamfers being provided.

(70) The tread pattern of the tyre 1, as defined by the above-described configuration of grooves and notches, brings about specific void-to-rubber ratios in the different tread band portions.

(71) Table 1 below sets out, for some significant portions of the tread band 2, the overall void-to-rubber ratio values (thus considering the part of the surface affected by chamfers having a depth less than 1 mm to be surface which is not in contact with the road surface), as well as the effective full-empty ratio values (thus considering the part of the surface affected by chamfers having a depth less than 1 mm to be surface which is in contact with the road surface), calculated over the total width of the tread band 2.

(72) In particular, in Table 1 the various tread band portions are denoted as follows:

(73) Portion A: tread band portion between the inner edge 9b and outer edge 9a of the tread band;

(74) Portion B: tread band portion between the equatorial plane X and the outer edge 9a of the tread band;

(75) Portion C: tread band portion between the equatorial plane X and the inner edge 9b of the tread band;

(76) Portion D: tread band portion between the first circumferential groove 10 and the outer edge 9a of the tread band;

(77) Portion E: tread band portion between the first circumferential groove 10 and the second circumferential groove 11;

(78) Portion F: tread band portion between the second circumferential groove 11 and the third circumferential groove 12;

(79) Portion G: tread band portion between the third circumferential groove 12 and the fourth circumferential groove 13;

(80) Portion H: tread band portion between the fourth circumferential groove and the inner edge 9b of the tread band.

(81) FIG. 3 shows the tread band portions A-H.

(82) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Overall void-to-rubber Effective void-to-rubber Tread band portion ratio over total width ratio over total width Portion A 0.361 0.274 Portion B 0.358 0.262 Portion C 0.364 0.286 Portion D 0.286 0.196 Portion E 0.451 0.328 Portion F 0.475 0.382 Portion G 0.471 0.363 Portion H 0.286 0.221

(83) As a result of the features described in detail above, the tyre 1 has greatly reduced noise levels, whilst simultaneously offering extremely good features as regards traction, road grip and driveability on both dry and wet road surfaces.

(84) Further, the water evacuation capacity, in particular in the prevention of aquaplaning phenomena, remains highly suitable.

(85) Naturally, for the purpose of satisfying specific contingent application requirements, a person skilled in the art may add further modifications and variants to the above-described invention whilst still remaining within the scope of protection as defined in the following claims.