Tire with tread profile having continuous curvature and method for forming tire

Abstract

A tire and a method for forming a tire tread are disclosed. The tire includes a tread defining an inferior tread profile and a superior tread profile, the superior tread profile having a generally continuous curvature between an edge of contact and a top center point. The superior tread profile includes a plurality of control points and a plurality of splines. Each of the plurality of splines extends between at least two of the plurality of control points. Curvatures of adjacent splines are generally equal at each of the plurality of control points.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tire comprising:
 a tread defining an inferior tread profile and a superior tread profile, the superior tread profile having a generally continuous curvature between an edge of contact and a top center point; and   the superior tread profile comprising:
 a plurality of control points; and 
 a plurality of splines, each of the plurality of splines extending between at least two of the plurality of control points, wherein curvatures of adjacent splines are generally equal at each of the plurality of control points. 
   
     
     
         2 . A tire as in  claim 1 , further comprising a sidewall, the sidewall and tread defining an intersection therebetween, the intersection defining a first control point of the plurality of control points. 
     
     
         3 . A tire as in  claim 2 , the superior tread profile further comprising a line, the line extending between the first control point and an adjacent second control point of the plurality of control points. 
     
     
         4 . A tire as in  claim 3 , wherein a tangency parameter for the spline curve adjacent the line at the second control point is generally equal to a tangency parameter of the line. 
     
     
         5 . A tire as in  claim 1 , wherein the superior tread profile comprises six splines between the edge of contact and the top center point.