MXPA96002370A - Design patterns for a side wall della - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rim having a side wall, the side wall having an outer surface, the outer surface comprising: a pattern of design A, the pattern A having a plurality of edges separated from similarly triangular cross sectional configurations or trapezoidal, each flange extending substantially radially and substantially parallel to an adjacent flange and having a peak, a height, a depth, a base width, and a spacing S from the base to the base of the adjacent flange, and wherein the flanges vary in height or depth, when measured from the peak to the base separation S, for the height and the radially outermost peak to the surface S, for the depth from the base to the base of the adjacent flanges, the varying height or depth of the flange different from an adjacent parallel flange and the flanges being placed in a sequence repetition around the circumference of the outer surface forming a broad band, wherein the ridges have a variation in height of hL > hM2 > hM1 > hs or a depth variation dL > dM2 > dM1 > ds, the beads being placed in a repetition sequence from small to large to small of hs, hM1, hM2, hL, hM2, hM1, hs or ds, dM1, dM2, dL, dM2, dM1,

Description

DESIGN PATTERNS FOR A LATERAL TIRE WALL BACKGROUND This invention generally pertains to a pattern of d for opaque articles. The invention is particularly cable to the black side walls of rubber tires. For many years manufacturers have placed numbers, letters, characters or other designations on the sidewalls of tires to improve the appearance and commerciality of their products. These marks are described in the Patents of the United States 4,198,744 and 4,823,856. The subject matter of United States Patent No. 4,198,774, issued April 22, 1980, invented by Robert and Lowther. The invention describes the use of linear projections that are substantially straight, parallel and of substantially identical cross section to form indicia. A sign is described as a letter or number or the like. The latest issued patent of Mr. Charles W. Roberts, United States Patent No. 4,823,856, issued April 25, 1989, discloses the use of toothed delineation marks for the sidewall of a tire. The invention relates to a d of a non-grooved, substantially planar portion surrounded by the toothed portion including a plurality of ribs separated by grooves. The combination of the flat design surrounded by the serrated portion defines a clue.

The present invention employs the use of a hair pattern that improves the visual appearance of an opaque article by increasing the visual contrast of the surfaces of the articles and simultaneously effectively hiding the variations of the article. The invention is particularly suitable for the side wall of a rim, particularly a black side wall rim. The combination of design patterns in at least one embodiment of the invention has the effect of making the sidewall markings protrude cleanly.

Summary of the Invention This invention relates to a rim having a side wall, the side wall having a surface with a distinctive design pattern. The pattern A has a plurality of flanges of similar cross sectional configurations, each flange being substantially parallel to an adjacent flange. Each flange has a height, a depth, a base anchura and a spacing of the base to the adjacent flange base. The ridges vary in at least one particularity of height, depth, base width or spacing, the varied particularity of a flange being different from an adjacent parallel rebo. The pattern of ridges having ridges of two or more different sizes or depths arranged in a repetitive sequence. The preferred sequences are sinusoidal or sawtooth in configuration. Pattern A has a plurality of parallel ridges extending in an angular direction between O3 and 45e in relation to the radial direction. The preferred rim has a sidewall where the pattern A has ridges extending substantially radially from three sizes extending outwardly from three different depths that form a broad circumferentially continuous decorative band on the surface of the rim. the rear wall of the tire. A pattern B is superimposed on a portion of the pattern A. The pattern B has a plurality of beads for lolos which form alphanumeric marks within the decoratively wide band.

DEFINITIONS "Axial" and "axially" mean the lines or directions that are parallel to the axis of rotation of the rim. "Circumferential" means lines or directions that extend along the perimeter of the surface of the annular tread perpendicular to the axial direction. "Deviation of light" means that as light strikes a surface, the reflected light is angularly directed relative to the indigence angle of the light source, providing what appears to be an absorbing characteristic of light to an observer who is in position in general alignment with the light source. "Reflection of light" means that as the light falls on an object, the reflected light is generally aligned with the angle of incidence providing what appears to be a bright or reflective feature to an observer that is located in general alignment with the light source. "Radial" and "radially" mean directions radiating toward or away from the axis of rotation of the rim. "Side wall" means that portion of a tire between the tread and the heel. "Tread" means that portion of the tire that comes into contact with the road under normal inflation and car.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a rim c an pattern A, pattern b and pattern C shown on the side wall 11 a. Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the 1 lanta of Figure 1. Figure 3 is an amplified view of the pattern portion A, B, and C. Figures 3A and 3B are perspective views taken from Figure 3. Figure 4 is an amplified view of a radially external portion of the pattern C, taken from Figure 2. Figure 5 is an amplified view of a radially internal portion of the pattern C, taken from Figure 2.

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the pattern A, taken from Figure 3. Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the pattern B, taken from Figure 3. Figure 8 is a sectional view A cross section of a portion of pattern A illustrating the use of parallel ridges, where the cross-sectional configurations of adjacent ridges are similar, but the depth (d) varies. Figure 8A is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the pattern A, wherein the ridges are equally spaced apart from each other and vary in depth and size and Figure 8B is a perspective view of the cross section shown in Figure 8A . Figure 9 is a view of a portion of a tire wall illustrating a mode wherein the shoulders angularly oriented to 45a form the bottom pattern.

Detailed Description of the Invention In Figure 1 a rim 10 made in accordance with the invention is shown. A side view of a lanta 10 with patterns A, B and C of design on the side wall 12 of the rim 10 is illustrated in Figure 1. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the pattern A forms a wide decorative band. comprised of flanges 20. The flanges 20 of the pattern A each extend in a substantially radial direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the shoulders 20 of the pattern A also extend in length and have similar cross-sectional configurations. Each r edge 20 extending radially appears to be parallel to an adjacent ridge 20. The design pattern B illustrated in Figure 1 may be superimposed on a portion of the design pattern A. The pattern B has a plurality of parallel ridges 30 extending perpendicularly relative to the flanges 20 of the superimposed portion of the pattern A. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the plurality of flanges 30 of the pattern B can be oriented in a manner to form pala-bras. The exemplary word TIRES is illustrated, the word TIRES overlaying or superimposed on some of the flanges 20 of pattern A. Pattern A forms a background for the marks of pattern B. As further illustrated in Figure 1, the latch C has a plurality of parallel ridges 40 perpendicularly oriented relative to the shoulders 20 of the pattern A where the shoulders 20 of the pattern A intersect two flanges 4 of the pattern C. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figure the pattern C consists of one or more circumferentially continuous flanges 40, adjacent, radially outwardly of Iso bores of pattern A and one or more circumferentially continuous annular beads 40 radially inward of Iso ridges 20 of pattern A. Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of rim 10 of Figure 1, taken along lines 2-2. The rim 10 has an axis of rotation? (A / R), a pair of annular beads 14, frame layers 16 wrapped around the annular beads 14, a bearing band 18 disposed on the frame layers 16 in a crown area of the rim and for each wheel 12 sides arranged between the tread band 18 and the heels 14. A side wall 12 of the rim 10 has the design pattern A, B and C placed on the outer surface 13 of the side wall. Near the heel region, a secondary decorative band 15 is illustrated. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the design patterns A, B and C. The ridges 20 of the pattern A mo are shown in FIG. 6, preferably they are of a trapezoidal cross-section configuration that approximates a triangular cross-section. The bases (w) of the transversal trapezoidal sections are positioned near or intersect so that the pattern A exhibits minimal surfaces parallel to the sidewall 12 of the rim. The use of these trapezoidal cross sections provides a generally reflective or non-reflective bottom when viewed from a position perpendicular to the side wall 12. The pattern B of design as illustrated in Figure 3 is comprised of a plurality of flanges 30 having a trapezoidal configuration that approximates rectangular or square planar cross sectional configurations. As shown in Figure 7, the ribs are spaced at a distance sufficient to provide a space 33 for shadowing light between the flat light reflecting surface 34. Flat surfaces 34 provide a pattern that exhibits a contrasting light appearance whereby the observer can easily distinguish the design patterns of B protruding when compared to Iso background patterns A and C. Figure 3a shows the pattern A amplified and slightly inclined to reflect the pattern of repetition of depth variation (d) or height (h) of the flanges 20. FIG. 3B is a perspective view of this portion of the rim that further exhibits the sequence pattern variation or repetition of the pattern A formed by a variation of depth or 11 ra of the ridges 20. Figure 4 illustrates an amplified view of an upper portion of pattern C taken from Figure 2. The flanges The circumferential circumferences of the design pattern C have a cross section different from the pattern A. In a preferred embodiment as illustrated, the cross-sectional configuration of the flanges is c ircular The circular configu- rations, even though they generally deflect the light, are ideally spaced to provide a small surface 43 of shadowed light, flat between adjacent upper flanges 40. The upper edges 40 of the pattern C are distinguished from the patterns and B of the side wall from the tread in the shoulder region. In the lower region a single rim 40 of the pattern is shown of circular cross section. Transverse circular sections are formed with a complete radi (R). The cross section extends to a distance h from the surface of the side wall; in the preferred embodiment, the height "h" is 0.6 mm and the radius R of the cross section is 0.6 mm. The adjacent ridges 40 are spaced at a distance of 0. mm. The superior and infector patterns may include one or more said ridges 40. The embodiment illustrated shows a higher pattern with three ridges 40 and a lower portion with only one flange 40. Figure 5 is an enlarged view of a lower portion of the pattern. C, taken from Figure 2. The flange 40 of the pattern C has a cross section identical to those of the upper pattern in the preferred embodiment as illustrated. The configuration and size of the shoulders 40 of the design pattern C may alternatively be different. One of the main functions of the design pattern C is to provide the edge or limit for the total sidewall design formed by the combination of patterns a, B and C. The C pattern also provides an element to improve the ventilation of gas in the region of the side wall during the molding of the rim Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, taken along lines 6-6 of Figure 3. The frame illustrates three different sizes of flanges 20. Each flange 20 has the base W., WM, W ? extending from a flat surface 2 to a height H., HM, H ?. Each flange 20 is spaced at a uniform distance S between the bases. Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the pattern B taken from Figure 3. The flanges 30 of the pattern B are superimposed on the flanges 20 of the generally triangular trapezoidal pattern A and spaced between two of Iso flanges. 40 annular of the pattern C. To improve the visual appearance of the pattern B the ridges 30, it is preferred that the beads of the pattern B extend aflutely from the surface of the side wall at a distance greater than the distance "h" from the flanges 20, 40 of pattern A and pattern C. In the preferred embodiment, ISO flanges 30 of pattern B are drawn from the side wall at a distance of 1.1 mm. The edges 20, 40 of Pattern A and Pattern C extend from the side wall 12 of rim 10 at distances of 0.45 mm and 0.6 mm, respectively. It is not considered essential that Iso beads 40 of pattern C extend at a smaller distance than Iso edges 30 of pattern B. Pattern B, however, should preferably extend outwards from beads 20 of pattern A in order to achieve the most striking visual appearance. The zoidal beads 30 of the pattern B are preferably of a substantially rectangular cross section. The ridges 30 extend outwardly from the sidewall and beyond the outermost extension of the shoulders 20 of the pattern A. Ideally, the edges 30 have an outermost surface 34 generally pla that will reflect light. Alternatively, the clue may consist of solid block letters or numbers. Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the pattern a, wherein the depth (d) of the ridges is varied. The view illustrates the trapezoidal ridges 20 of co-figuration of generally triangular cross-section. To facilitate molding and mold construction, the adjacent bases may be spaced at a distance 9s) of less than 2/3 the length (h) of the flange 20 and the space (s) must be less than 50% of the width ( W) of the base. This ensures that the flat surface 2 formed by the spacing of Iso ridges 20 is minimized. The spaced distance (s) is effectively shadowed by adjacent flanges 20 securing a background of light deflection or non-reflective. In the embodiment shown, each bas of the flange 20 is spaced at a distance (s) of less than half the width (w) of the base. In the mode the distance (s) was adjusted to 0.3 mm. The mere tip of the triangular configuration flange 20 may be truncated in order to facilitate mold co-construction. Each flange extends longitudinally 91) at a distance of at least 2.5 cm, preferably by less than 3.0 cm. The ridges 20 are of at least two different depths (d), or sizes, preferably about three or more depths or sizes, each different size having a depth (d) or height (h) than one or both, (d) or (h) is varied by varying from the other adjacent flanges 20. Arranging r edges of different sizes or ridges of depths (d) different in a repetitive arrangement or sequence can achieve a unique background pattern. The subtle characteristics of visually created ripples improve the background pattern giving it a more striking appearance. As shown in the illustration of Figure 8, the ridges are varied in small, medium and large depths, ds > dm, dm2 and dL in a pattern d, dM, dM2, dM2 > DM1, d, etc., repeated around the entire circumference of the rim sidewall. This variation in depth (d) creates a masking effect by hiding surface imperfections, commonly referred to as lateral wall corrugations. The prior art flange pattern A1 shown superimposed on dashed lines simply continued the visually unpleasant sidewall corrugations through a pattern of uniform ridges, the ripple generally extending radiantly through a large portion of the lateral wall of the wall. tire. Even when unpleasant, these im perfections play little or no role in tire operation. However, some buyers of a dealer may be offended by these sidewall failures. Consequently, tire manufacturers would be forced to discount the cost of those tires other would simply scrape the tires instead of discounting the failure product. This novel concept allows the otherwise useful product to be used without forcing the manufacturer to choose between discounting the tires or scraping them or for the customer to be forced to choose between paying more for a co-ethically perfect tire or having a tire with a similar appearance. totally unpleasant The present invention eliminates the need to select between two inefficient choices. The invention as shown in Figure 8 has variable rebojts of depth (d) and each ridge had a base width (W), a height (h) of minimum cross section and an air gap (s) between bases. As a preferred alternative to the variable depth (d) or a combination thereof, the base width (W), the height (h) may be varied, more preferably, of all four, depth, width, height and spacing. They are varied to achieve the desired appearance as shown in Figures 8A and 8B. It is considered important that the variation be such that it is sequenced in a repetitive pattern. One reason why it is believed preferred that the depth be varied and that the amount of rubber used in the sidewall area can be reduced to a minimum resulting in a lower but measurable saving in rubber. Additionally, the variation in depth provides cooling zones of clay dissipation where the rubber is thinner. This is particularly beneficial in the upper side net area that flexes generating heat. Finally, the fact that the flanges vary in depth means that when the rim is flexed against a cruiser only the outermost rims can be damaged so that the friction spot damage can be minimized, thereby tightening the rim maintaining its new rim appearance more time than was possible on the rims of the previous branch. In Figures 8A and 8B, the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. Pattern A as illustrated varies in both sizes, depth (d), height (h), width (w) of base and spacing (s) from base to base. The crest-to-crest central line (p) of each flange 20 is equally spaced. This equal spacing of the centerlines means that a computer controlled or automated machine of the mold pattern could be achieved by the same cutting tool. Simply vary the depth of cut penetration, the flanges of variable size and depths could be formed towards the mold. The resulting rim 10 is molded exhibiting the sinusoidal p rum as shown in Figures 8B and 8C. Figure 9 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the bottom pattern A has ridges 200 inclined. A portion of the rim side wall 120 is illustrated. The side wall 120 has an outer surface 150, a pair of annular beads 140, a rolling band 180, a decorative secondary band 150 and three design patterns that form a broad rativa band. The background design pattern is comprised of a plurality of angled, or inclined, edges 200. The flanges 200 as illustrated are oriented approximately at an angle of 45 ° with relation to the dial address. Each flange is substantially oriented parallel to the adjacent flange 200. A plurality of parallel flanges 300 are superimposed on a portion of the flanges 200. The edges 300 extend generally circumferentially and are arranged in Figure 9 flat axis forming the word TIRE. A third pattern of ridges 400 is illustrated bordering the background pattern ci-cferentially. Each of the flanges 200 intersects two of the flanges 400. The invention as described above has various advantages in addition to the improved appearance. The ridges 30 of pattern B are believed to be preferable to a solid design, because the use of multiple ridges tends to mask or hide the slight imperfections of molding. A solid clue tends to highlight any small imperfections because the observer's attention is attracted to imperfection. A second benefit of the invention is that the inter sections of the flanges 20 of the pattern A with the flanges 30 to the sides of the pattern B and the flanges 40 of the pattern C provide improved ventilation of trapped gases. Ventilation improves greatly minimizes the occurrence of surface stains that occur as a result of gases trapped during the molding process. The combination of reduced occurrence of supeficial spots and the masking of those that could occur greatly reduce the potential to produce a cosmetically unacceptable product. The visual appearance of the tire 10 is believed to be an improvement over the products currently available. The design pattern provides a striped character that has a dynamic visual impression. The wide decorative band formed by pattern A provides a background that enhances the characters formed by pattern B. The decorative wide band of pattern A has changing light reflection characteristics as a function of the alternate flange height sequence and the perspective view of an observer. The shoulders 20 of pattern A tend to deflect the light and exhibit a bright appearance relative to the alternate flange height. It has been observed that a rim made in accordance with the present invention has characters of changing visual appearance as a function of the alternating sequence of the background pattern A in relation to the rim signs. The tires of the previous race of the past were designed to maximize the contrast by using a combination of protruding flat letters or a sign outlined on a flat surface, scratched letters on a flat background, or flat letters on a scratched background. The use of a scratched sign in combination with an alternating scratched bottom as described above achieves a novel contrasting appearance of contrast so far not marked on the sidewall marking of the tire. In the preferred embodiment, the rim sidewall comprises an elastomer pigmented with carbon black. This sidewall tire is commonly referred to as a black wall tire. It is believed that the side rim could be pigmented with white, as in white side wall rims, or any other color and still achieve the visual contrast effects as described above.

Claims (3)

CLAIMS:

1. - A rim having a side wall, the side wall having an outer surface, the outer surface having: a pattern A of design, the pattern A having a plurality of spaced apart rims of cross-sectional configuration, each rim being to an adjacent rim and having a height, a '/ depth, a base width, the rim sidewall being characterized by the design pattern A having the rims varying in at least one algal characteristic (h), depth (d), width (W) of base or spacing (s) from the adjacent flanges base to base, the varied particularity of one flange being different from an adjacent aprill flange and the flanges being arranged in a repetitive sequence around the circumference of the outer surface forming a broad band.

2. The rim of claim 1, further characterized by: a pattern B, the pattern B being one or more symbols that remain on a portion of the pattern

3. The rim of claim 1, wherein the rim edges of pattern A have a variation in height (h) or depth (d), the ridges having a variation of hh? h or mmsd "17dm? dsy where the repetitive sequence varies in algura (h) depth (d) of Small to Large, Large to Small in a repetitive manner.