Tire structure for externally mounted device

Abstract

A tire includes a first side and a second side, and a tread portion extending between the first side and the second side. The first side includes external geometry having at least one rib surrounding a recess, without extending into the recess. The recess is configured to receive a tire electronic device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tire comprising:
 a circumferential tread;   a pair of beads, including a first bead and a second bead;   a pair of sidewalls, including a first sidewall extending from the first bead to the circumferential tread and a second sidewall extending from the second bead to the circumferential tread,
 wherein the first sidewall has external geometry for receiving an object, including outer ribs and flexible inner ribs, 
 wherein a recess is disposed between the flexible inner ribs. 
   
     
     
         2 . The tire of  claim 1 , further comprising a tire electronic device mounted to the first sidewall, wherein when the tire electronic device is received in the recess between the flexible inner ribs. 
     
     
         3 . The tire of  claim 2 , wherein the tire electronic device is exposed such that the tire electronic device is visible. 
     
     
         4 . The tire of  claim 2 , wherein the tire electronic device has barbs for engaging with the flexible inner ribs. 
     
     
         5 . The tire of  claim 4 , wherein the barbs of the tire electronic device cause a force fit with the flexible inner ribs. 
     
     
         6 . The tire of  claim 2 , wherein the tire electronic device further includes indicia that indicates a purpose of the tire electronic device to a user. 
     
     
         7 . The tire of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible inner ribs are spaced apart such that when a tire electronic device is inserted therebetween, the flexible inner ribs separate. 
     
     
         8 . The tire of  claim 8  wherein the flexible inner ribs are biased toward each other when separated by the tire electronic device. 
     
     
         9 . A tire comprising:
 a first side and a second side;   a tread portion extending between the first side and the second side,
 wherein the first side includes external geometry having at least one rib surrounding a recess, without extending into the recess, and 
 wherein the recess is configured to receive a tire electronic device. 
   
     
     
         10 . The tire of  claim 9 , wherein the recess is configured to receive a tire electronic device that conveys information through visual indication. 
     
     
         11 . The tire of  claim 9 , wherein the recess is configured to receive a radio frequency identification tag. 
     
     
         12 . The tire of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one rib is substantially oval shaped. 
     
     
         13 . The tire of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one rib includes a plurality of wings extending circumferentially from the oval shape. 
     
     
         14 . The tire of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one rib includes a plurality of ribs, wherein each of the plurality of ribs partially surround the recess. 
     
     
         15 . The tire of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one rib includes at least one outer rib and at least one flexible inner rib. 
     
     
         16 . A tire comprising:
 a circumferential tread;   a pair of beads, including a first bead and a second bead;   a pair of sidewalls, including a first sidewall extending from the first bead to the circumferential tread and a second sidewall extending from the second bead to the circumferential tread;   a pair of ribs protruding from the first sidewall, wherein the pair of ribs define a geometric shape; and   a recess disposed between the pair of ribs,
 wherein the recess is configured to receive an electronic device, and 
 wherein neither of the pair of ribs extend into the recess. 
   
     
     
         17 . The tire of  claim 16 , wherein the pair of ribs are substantially oval shaped having a plurality of circumferentially extending wings. 
     
     
         18 . The tire of  claim 16 , wherein the recess is configured to receive a radio frequency identification tag. 
     
     
         19 . The tire of  claim 18 , wherein the radio frequency identification tag has barbs for engaging within the recess causing a force fit. 
     
     
         20 . The tire of  claim 16 , wherein the pair of ribs includes inner ribs and outer ribs.