All-terrain vehicle tire

Abstract

An All Terrain Vehicle Tire ( 10 ) for the drive axle positions has a tread ( 12 ) having three circumferentially continuous channels ( 61,62,63 ). Two of the channels ( 62,63 ) divide the elongated lugs ( 40,42 ) into an axially inner portion ( 40 A, 42 A) and an axially outer portion ( 40 B, 42 B). The channels ( 61,62,63 ) and soil discharge channels ( 60 ) between elongated lugs ( 40,42 ) facilitate mud cleaning of the tread ( 12 ).

1 - 19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . An all-terrain vehicle tire comprising: a carcass, a tread located radially outward of the carcass, the tread having a plurality of elongated lugs, the lugs extending radially outwardly from an inner tread, and being located between a first and second lateral tread edges, the tread having a footprint with three or more circumferentially continuous open channels having a minimum axial width of 10 mm, and wherein the tread has a net-to-gross ratio of about 35% or less, as measured between the lateral edges around the entire circumference of the tread.  
   
   
       21 . The all-terrain vehicle tire of  claim 20  wherein one or more of the circumferentially continuous open channels are straight.  
   
   
       22 . The all terrain vehicle tire of  claim 20  wherein one of the circumferentially continuous open channels is located on the centerplane of the tire.  
   
   
       23 . The all-terrain vehicle tire of  claim 20  wherein the net to gross ratio of the tire is about 25%.  
   
   
       24 . The all-terrain vehicle tire of claim  1  wherein one or more of the circumferentially continuous channels have a width in the range of about 1 cm to about 4 cm.  
   
   
       25 . The all-terrain vehicle tire of claim  1  wherein all of the circumferentially continuous channels have a width in the range of about 1 cm to about 4 cm.  
   
   
       26 . The all-terrain vehicle tire of claim  1  wherein all of the circumferentially continuous channels are located within the contact patch of the tire.  
   
   
       27 . The all-terrain vehicle tire of claim  1  wherein all of the circumferentially continuous channels have a constant width.  
   
   
       28 . The all-terrain vehicle tire of claim  1  wherein all of the circumferentially continuous channels have a constant depth.  
   
   
       29 . The all terrain vehicle tire of claim  1  wherein the lugs have axially inclined drive surfaces.  
   
   
       30 . The all terrain vehicle tire of claim  1  wherein said tire has four or more rows of lugs, wherein the lugs in each row of lugs are circumferentially aligned.  
   
   
       31 . The all terrain vehicle tire of claim  1  wherein said lugs are spaced to form a plurality of soil discharge channels.  
   
   
       32 . An all-terrain vehicle tire comprising: a carcass, and a tread located radially outward of the carcass, the tread having a plurality of lugs and a net-to-gross ratio of about 35% or less, said lugs extending radially outwardly from an inner tread and being located between first and second lateral tread edges, the tread having three or more circumferentially continuous open channels, wherein each channel defines a circumferentially straight opening having a minimum axial width of at least about 10 mm, and wherein one of said channels is located on the centerplane of the tire.  
   
   
       33 . The all terrain vehicle tire of claim  17  wherein a portion of said lugs have substantially axially inclined drive surfaces.  
   
   
       34 . An all-terrain vehicle tire comprising: a carcass, and a tread located radially outward of the carcass, the tread having a plurality of lugs and a net-to-gross ratio of about 35% or less, said lugs extending radially outwardly from an inner tread and being located between first and second lateral tread edges, the tread having three or more circumferentially continuous open channels, and a plurality of laterally inclined soil discharge channels.