US 12,391,071 B2
Tread block arrangement having a sipe
Mikko Jokinen, Tampere (FI)
Assigned to NOKIAN RENKAAT OYJ, Nokia (FI)
Filed by Nokian Renkaat Oyj, Nokia (FI)
Filed on Oct. 4, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/959,981.
Claims priority of application No. 21204231 (EP), filed on Oct. 22, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0131314 A1, Apr. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. B60C 11/03 (2006.01); B60C 11/11 (2006.01); B60C 11/12 (2006.01)
CPC B60C 11/0306 (2013.01) [B60C 11/11 (2013.01); B60C 11/1204 (2013.01); B60C 11/1236 (2013.01); B60C 11/1263 (2013.01); B60C 2011/0339 (2013.01); B60C 2011/1254 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tread block arrangement for a tire or for a tread band for a tire, the tread block arrangement comprising:
a tread block comprising a sipe delimited by a first sipe wall, a second sipe wall and a bottom of the sipe, wherein the first sipe wall and the second sipe wall are arranged parallel to each other and define a width of the sipe, wherein at least the first sipe wall has at least one indentation to increase an empty volume of the sipe at a location of the indentation,
wherein the first sipe wall has an inclined section to form said at least one indentation, wherein a distance between the first sipe wall and the second sipe wall increases towards the bottom of the sipe at a location of the inclined section, and
wherein in a longitudinal direction of the inclined section a height of inclination differs so that the inclination starts deeper in the sipe from one end towards an other end of the inclined section;
wherein a top of the sipe forms a zig-zag pattern and the bottom of the sipe forms a series of triangles;
wherein the sipe comprises a first part having a first depth, and a second part having a second depth less than the first depth, wherein portions of the first part are separated by the second part so that a depth of the sipes varies in a longitudinal direction of the sipe;
wherein a top of the inclined section is below a top of the sipe, and a bottom of the inclined section is at the bottom of the sipe; and
wherein the distance between the first sipe wall and the second sipe wall is constant at the top of the sipe in the longitudinal direction of the sipe throughout an entire length of the sipe.