Safety tire, method of making and method of improved traffic safety with use thereof

a technology of safety tires and safety valves, applied in the field of safety tires, can solve the problems of poor safety, poor safety, and insufficient channels of tires worn to the point at which expected performance drastically declines, and achieve the effects of improving traffic safety, improving traffic safety, and improving safety

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-01-24
OBRIEN JOHN MICHAEL +1
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Enhances traffic safety by enabling early identification and removal of dangerously worn tires, improving public understanding of tire condition, and providing consumers with tools to make informed decisions about tire replacement, thereby reducing accidents and ensuring safer road conditions.

Problems solved by technology

Excessively warn, smooth, or close patterned tires do not provide the escape paths for water making hydroplaning more likely in wet conditions and do not provide adequate channels for grabbing and evacuating snow in winter conditions.
Tires worn to the point at which expected performance drastically declines, is irregular, or excessive for any driving condition need to be identified.
Today's modern vehicle is complex and difficult for an individual to maintain independently.
Not only is this expensive, the consumer must rely on the honesty of the mechanic or tire dealer.
While the above tools may be effective for someone who understands how and when to use them, they have been shown to be ineffective for most of the marketplace.

Method used

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  • Safety tire, method of making and method of improved traffic safety with use thereof
  • Safety tire, method of making and method of improved traffic safety with use thereof
  • Safety tire, method of making and method of improved traffic safety with use thereof

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specific embodiments

[0047]FIG. 4 illustrates a method 400 of making tires having warning indicators according to one embodiment of the invention. The method 400 generally includes the steps of measuring the tractive capacity of an unworn sample tire 410, measuring the tractive capacity of the sample tire at a plurality of stages of wear 420, determining the depth of tread wear at which the sample tire suffers a predetermined percentage loss of tractive capacity 430, and fabricating a tire with wear indicators located at predetermined levels of tread depth corresponding the depth of tread wear at which the sample tire suffers a predetermined percentage loss of tractive capacity 440.

[0048] In the first step 410 of this embodiment, a manufacturer measures the tractive capacity of an unworn sample tire. A manufacturer according to this embodiment of the invention can be any maker of tires. Tractive capacity is typically determined by measuring a traction property of the tire. In one aspect of this embodim...

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Abstract

A tire in which a tire manufacturer has determined the tractive capacity at numerous levels of tread wear, the tire having at least one visual warning indicator located at a tread depth corresponding to a percentage loss of tractive capacity. Also, a method of making the tire and a method improving traffic safety through use of such a tire combined with educating the consumer as to proper use of the tire.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention is generally directed to improved traffic safety and specifically to tires having end of performance tread indicators for visual identification of potential performance and safety issues. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Tires play a critical role in the safety of drivers and passengers. According to the Oregon State Police, “tires are the single most important mechanical component of vehicle control and safe driving.” As the only part of the vehicle in contact with the road surface, tires must provide traction and stability under diverse driving conditions. Further, the tires must provide traction and stability for various types of vehicles. [0003] The behavior of tires on wet or snowy surfaces is of considerable interest from a safety point of view since many accidents occur on slippery roads. It is known that tire performance can be impacted by vehicular speed, surface texture and depth of precipitation on the road. However, i...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B60C11/24
CPCY10T152/10027B60C11/24B60C23/00B60C11/00
InventorO'BRIEN, JOHN MICHAELO'BRIEN, PATRICK MICHAEL
OwnerOBRIEN JOHN MICHAEL