BACKGROUND

[0001] In the construction of a tire, one of the many key elements is the body ply. The body ply, which typically comprises reinforcement cord and rubber skim, wraps around the bead wire bundle (creating a "turnup" portion), passes radially across the tire, and wraps around the bead bundle on the opposite side (creating another "turnup" portion). The body ply provides strength to contain the air pressure within the tire and provides for sidewall impact resistance.

[0002] In a tire comprising a plurality of carcass plies, it is often desirable to maintain similar height in the turnup portions of each carcass ply, on each side of the tire, so that the tire will have similar reinforcement and stiffness on each side. That is, a first carcass ply may have a first turnup height, while a second carcass ply may have a second turnup height. Each carcass ply typically has a similar height in its turnup portions on each side of the tire because the turnup height plays a direct role in the amount of reinforcement a carcass ply provides to a tire. A mismatch of turnup height in a carcass ply may result in one side of the tire being stiff er than the other side of the tire, thus leading to undesirable aligning torque in the tire.

[0003] Accordingly, the carcass plies typically comprise different widths (e.g., the carcass ply implementing the higher turnup heights will be wider than the carcass ply with the lower turnup heights). As a result of these different carcass ply widths, the actual building of such a tire having a plurality of carcass plies may be inefficient and overly complicated. [0004] What is needed is a tire comprising a plurality of asymmetric carcass plies of substantially the same width, which maintain similar reinforcement and stiffness on each side of the tire, while eliminating the need for carcass plies of varying widths in the building of the tire.

SUMMARY

[0005] In one embodiment, a pneumatic tire is provided, the pneumatic tire comprising: a first bead portion oriented on a first side of the tire; a second bead portion oriented on a second side of the tire; a first body ply; and a second body ply; wherein the first body ply extends about the first bead portion and has a first body ply first turnup portion that extends to a height HI; wherein the first body ply extends about the second bead portion and has a first body ply second turnup that extends to a height H2; wherein the second body ply extends about the first bead portion and has a second body ply first turnup that extends to a height H4; wherein the second body ply extends about the second bead portion and has a second body ply second turnup portion that extends to a height H3; wherein the height HI is greater than the height H2; and wherein the height H3 is greater than the height H4.

[0006] In another embodiment, a pneumatic tire is provided, the pneumatic tire comprising: a first bead portion oriented on a first side of the tire; a second bead portion oriented on a second side of the tire; a first body ply; and a second body ply; wherein the first body ply extends about the first bead portion and has a first body ply first turnup portion that extends substantially to a height HI; wherein the first body ply extends about the second bead portion and has a first body ply second turnup that extends substantially to a height H2; wherein the second body ply extends about the first bead portion and has a second body ply first turnup that extends substantially to the height H2; wherein the second body ply extends about the second bead portion and has a second body ply second turnup portion that extends substantially to the height HI; and wherein the height HI is greater than the height H2.

[0007] In another embodiment, a pneumatic tire is provided, the pneumatic tire comprising: a tire centerline CL; a first bead portion oriented on a first side of the tire; a second bead portion oriented on a second side of the tire; a first body ply; and a second body ply; wherein the first body ply comprises a width Wl and the second body ply comprises a width W2, and wherein the width Wl is substantially equal to the width W2; wherein the first body ply comprises a centerpoint CI and the second body ply comprises a centerpoint C2; wherein the first body ply extends about the first bead portion, passes radially through the tire, and extends about the second bead portion; wherein the second body ply extends about the first bead portion, passes radially through the tire, and extends about the second bead portion; wherein the first body ply centerpoint CI is offset toward the first side of the tire from the tire centerline CL by a distance Dl; wherein the second body ply centerpoint C2 is offset toward the second side of the tire from the tire centerline CL by a distance D2; and wherein distance Dl is substantially equal to distance D2.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various example apparatuses and systems, and are used merely to illustrate various example embodiments. In the figures, like elements bear like reference numerals.

[0009] Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example arrangement of a tire having an asymmetric body ply construction. [0010] Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example arrangement of a prior art tire construction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example arrangement of a tire 100 having an asymmetric body ply construction. Tire 100 may comprise a first sidewall 105, a second sidewall 107, a tread portion 110, a first side 115, and a second side 120. Tire 100 may additionally comprise a first bead portion 125 and a second bead portion 130.

[0012] Tire 100 may comprise a pneumatic tire. In one embodiment, tire 100 is a pneumatic tire designed for application to a vehicle. In another embodiment, tire 100 is a pneumatic tire designed for application to a road vehicle. In one embodiment, tire 100 is a non-directional tire, wherein tire 100 is configured to be mounted on a vehicle without a specified forward rolling direction. In another embodiment, tire 100 is a uni-directional tire, wherein tire 100 is configured to be mounted on a vehicle with a specified forward rolling direction.

[0013] In one embodiment, tire 100 comprises a plurality of body plies. In one embodiment, tire 100 comprises a first body ply 135 and a second body ply 140. First body ply 135 and second body ply 140 may comprise a reinforcement cord and rubber skim. In one embodiment, the reinforcement cord is a fiber reinforcement cord. In another embodiment, the reinforcement cord can be any of a variety of materials, including for example, polyester, rayon, nylon, aramid, and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN). In one embodiment, the rubber skim is any of a variety of rubber materials, having any of a variety of common formulations, densities, and other properties for use in tires. [0014] First body ply 135 may extend about first bead portion 125, along sidewall 105 in first side 115, across tread portion 110, along sidewall 107 in second side 120, and about second bead portion 130. First body ply 135 may comprise a first body ply first turnup portion 145 defined by the portion of first body ply 135 extending about first bead portion 125. First body ply 135 may also comprise a first body ply second turnup portion 150 defined by the portion of first body ply 135 extending about second bead portion 130.

[0015] Second body ply 140 may extend about second bead portion 130 along sidewall 107 in second side 120, across tread portion 110, along sidewall 105 in first side 115, and about first bead portion 125. Second body ply 140 may comprise a second body ply first turnup portion 155 defined by the portion of second body ply 140 extending about first bead portion 125. Second body ply 140 may also comprise a second body ply second turnup portion 160 defined by the portion of second body ply 140 extending about second bead portion 130.

[0016] Tire 100 may comprise a first side heel point 165 extending circumferentially about first side 115 of tire 100. Tire 100 may comprise a second side heel point 170 extending circumferentially about second side 120 of tire 100. A reference line RL extending between first heel point 165 and second heel point 170 may be used as a reference for radial measurements in tire 100. Reference line RL may be oriented radially inwardly of first bead portion 125 and second bead portion 130. Radial measurements in tire 100 extending radially outward of reference line RL shall have a positive number, while radial measurements radially inward of reference line RL shall have a negative number. [0017] In one embodiment, tire 100 comprises a total section height SH, which as used herein is the distance between reference line RL of tire 100 and the radially outermost portion of tire 100 when tire 100 is mounted and inflated to specification, without application of a load.

[0018] In one embodiment, first body ply first turnup portion 145 extends substantially to a height HI, which is expressed as a percentage of total section height SH. Calculation of height HI as a percentage of total section height SH may be performed by the following equation: (height of first body ply first turnup HI (in inches) / total section height SH (in inches)) x 100 = percentage of total section height SH. In one embodiment, HI is between about 5 % and about 90 % of total section height SH of tire 100. In another embodiment, height HI is between about 20 % and about 75 % of total section height SH of tire 100. In another embodiment, height HI is between about 35 % and 60 % of total section height SH of tire 100.

[0019] In one embodiment, first body ply second turnup portion 150 extends substantially to a height H2, which is expressed as a percentage of total section height SH. In one embodiment, height H2 is between about 5 % and about 90 % of total section height SH of tire 100. In another embodiment, height H2 is between about 10 % and about 75 % of total section height SH of tire 100. In another embodiment, height H2 is between about 15 % and about 60 % of total section height SH of tire 100.

[0020] In one embodiment, second body ply first turnup portion 155 extends substantially to a height H4, which is expressed as a percentage of total section height SH. In one embodiment, height H4 is between about 5 % and about 90 % of total section height SH of tire 100. In another embodiment, height H4 is between about 10 % and about 75 % of total section height SH of tire 100. In another embodiment, height H4 is between about 15 % and about 60 % of total section height SH of tire 100.

[0021] In one embodiment, second body ply second turnup portion 160 extends substantially to a height H3, which is expressed as a percentage of total section height SH. In one embodiment, height H3 is between about 5 % and about 90 % of total section height SH of tire 100. In another embodiment, height H3 is between about 20 % and about 75 % of total section height SH of tire 100. In another embodiment, height H3 is between about 35 % and about 60 % of total section height SH of tire 100.

[0022] In one embodiment, height HI is greater than height H2 and height H3 is greater than height H4. In one embodiment, height HI is between about 0 % and about 85 % greater than height H2. In another embodiment, height HI is between about 15 % and about 70 % greater than height H2. In another embodiment, height HI is between about 30 % and about 55 % greater than height H2. In one embodiment, height H3 is between about 0 % and about 85 % greater than height H4. In another embodiment, height H3 is between about 15 % and about 70 % greater than height H4. In another embodiment, height H3 is between about 30 % and about 55 % greater than height H4.

[0023] In one embodiment, height HI is substantially equal to height H3. In another embodiment, height H2 is substantially equal to height H4. In one embodiment, first body ply first turnup portion 145 and second body ply second turnup portion 160 each extend substantially to a height HI. In another embodiment, first body ply second turnup portion 150 and second body ply first turnup portion 155 each extend substantially to a height H2. [0024] In another embodiment, tire 100 comprises a first rim line 175 and a second rim line 180, wherein a reference line (not shown) extending between first rim line 175 and second rim line 180 may be used as a reference for radial measurements in tire 100. Such measurements include heights HI, H2, H3, and H4.

[0025] In one embodiment, first body ply 135 comprises a substantially flat sheet material prior to its application to a tire building machine and comprises a width Wl (not shown). In another embodiment, second body ply 140 comprises a substantially flat sheet material prior to its application to a tire building machine and comprises a width W2 (not shown). In one embodiment, width Wl and width W2 are substantially equal. In another embodiment, width Wl and width W2 are the same. In another embodiment, first body ply 135 and second body ply 140 are cut from the same roll of body ply material.

[0026] In one embodiment, tire 100 comprises a centerline CL oriented at the laterally central point within tire 100. Centerline CL may correspond with the centerline of a rim. In one embodiment, first body ply 135 comprises a centerpoint CI, representing half of its width Wl. In another embodiment, second body ply 140 comprises a centerpoint C2, representing half of its width W2.

[0027] In one embodiment, tire 100 comprises a total section width SW, which as used herein is the distance between the laterally outermost point of sidewall 105 and the laterally outermost point of sidewall 107 (each in reference to centerline CL), when tire 100 is mounted and inflated to specification, without application of a load.

[0028] In one embodiment, first body ply 135 extends about first bead portion 125, passes radially through tire 100, and extends about second bead portion 130. Second body ply 140 extends about first bead portion 125, passes radially through tire 100, and extends about second bead portion 130. In one embodiment, centerpoint CI of first body ply 135 is offset from centerline CL toward first side 115 of tire 100 by a distance Dl. In another embodiment, centerpoint C2 of second body ply 140 is offset from centerline CL toward second side 120 of tire 100 by a distance D2.

[0029] In one embodiment, distance Dl is substantially equal to distance D2. In one embodiment, distance Dl and distance D2 are between about 0 in. and about (maximum height HI - minimum height H2) / 2 in. In one embodiment, distance Dl and distance D2 are not substantially equal.

[0030] In one embodiment, distance Dl is between about 0 % and about 45 % of total section width SW of tire 100. Calculation of distance Dl as a percentage of total section width SW may be performed by the following equation: (distance Dl of centerpoint CI from centerline CL (in inches) / total section width SW (in inches)) x 100 = percentage of total section width SW. In another embodiment, distance Dl is between about 1 % and about 40 % of total section width SW of tire 100. In another embodiment, distance Dl is between about 2 % and about 30 % of total section width SW of tire 100.

[0031] In one embodiment, distance D2 is between about 0 % and about 45 % of total section width SW of tire 100. In another embodiment, distance D2 is between 1 % and about 40 % of total section width SW of tire 100. In another embodiment, distance D2 is between about 2 % and about 30 % of total section width SW of tire 100.

[0032] Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example arrangement of a tire 200 having a prior art construction. Tire 200 may comprise a first sidewall 205, a second sidewall 207, a tread portion 210, a first side 215 and a second side 220. Tire 200 may additionally comprise a first bead portion 225 and a second bead portion 230.

[0033] In one embodiment, tire 200 comprises a plurality of body plies. In one embodiment, tire 200 comprises a first body ply 235 and a second body ply 240. First body ply 235 may extend about first bead portion 225, along sidewall 205 in first side 215, across tread portion 210, along sidewall 207 in second side 220, and about second bead portion 230. First body ply 235 may comprise a first body ply first turnup portion 245 defined by the portion of first body ply 235 extending about first bead portion 225. First body ply 235 may also comprise a first body ply second turnup portion 250 defined by the portion of first body ply 235 extending about second bead portion 230.

[0034] Second body ply 240 may extend about second bead portion 230 along sidewall 207 in second side 220, across tread portion 210, along sidewall 205 in first side 215, and about first bead portion 225. Second body ply 240 may comprise a second body ply first turnup portion 255 defined by the portion of second body ply 240 extending about first bead portion 225. Second body ply 240 may also comprise a second body ply second turnup portion 260 defined by the portion of second body ply 240 extending about second bead portion 230.

[0035] As illustrated in Figure 2, in tire 200, first body ply first turnup portion 245 and first body ply second turnup portion 250 comprise substantially the same height, which height is greater than the height of second body ply first turnup portion 255 and second body ply second turnup portion 260 (which have substantially the same height). As a result of the prior art arrangement, first body ply 235 comprises a greater width than second body ply 240. Thus, prior art tire 200 requires that two separate widths of body plies be prepared in the construction of tire 200.

[0036] To the extent that the term "includes" or "including" is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term "or" is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean "A or B or both." When the applicants intend to indicate "only A or B but not both" then the term "only A or B but not both" will be employed. Thus, use of the term "or" herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995). Also, to the extent that the terms "in" or "into" are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean "on" or "onto." To the extent that the term "substantially" is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to take into consideration the degree of precision available in tire manufacturing, which in one embodiment is + 0.25 inches. To the extent that the term "selectively" is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to refer to a condition of a component wherein a user of the apparatus may activate or deactivate the feature or function of the component as is necessary or desired in use of the apparatus. To the extent that the term "operatively connected" is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to mean that the identified components are connected in a way to perform a designated function. As used in the specification and the claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural. Finally, where the term "about" is used in conjunction with a number, it is intended to include + 10% of the number. In other words, "about 10" may mean from 9 to 11.

[0037] As stated above, while the present application has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the present application. Therefore, the application, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, illustrative examples shown, or any apparatus referred to. Departures may be made from such details, examples, and apparatuses without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept.