Tire tread including serrations in recessed pockets of groove sidewall

Abstract

A tire includes first and second laterally spaced sides and a tread interposed between the first and second sides. The tread includes a tread surface having at least one groove therein, the at least one groove including facing, first and second sidewalls separated by a groove bottom surface. A first pocket region of recessed serrations extends over at least a portion of the first sidewall and a second pocket region of recessed serrations extends over at least a portion of the second sidewall. The serrations of the first and second pocket regions are staggered in a circumferential direction relative to one another.

1 .- 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A tire comprising:
 first and second laterally spaced sides; and   a tread interposed between the first and second sides, the tread including a tread surface having at least one groove therein, the at least one groove including facing, first and second sidewalls separated by a groove bottom surface, and a first pocket region extending over at least a portion of the first sidewall having at least one recessed serration, and a second pocket region extending over at least a portion of the second sidewall and having at least one recessed serration, each of the first and second pocket regions having spaced end walls that are interconnected by a bottom wall, and the first and second pocket regions being offset in a longitudinal direction relative to one another.   
     
     
         18 . The tire of  claim 17  wherein the serrations have peaks extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the bottom wall of the respective pocket region. 
     
     
         19 . The tire of  claim 17  wherein the serrations have peaks extending in a direction disposed at an angle to the groove bottom surface. 
     
     
         20 . The tire of  claim 17  wherein the offset first and second pocket regions partially overlap over longitudinal portions thereof. 
     
     
         21 . A tire comprising:
 first and second laterally spaced sides; and   a tread interposed between the first and second sides, the tread including a tread surface having at least one groove therein, the at least one groove including facing, first and second sidewalls separated by a groove bottom surface, and a pocket region having at least one recessed serration extending outwardly from a face of the pocket region toward the groove and extending over at least a portion of the first sidewall, the pocket region having spaced end walls that are interconnected by a bottom wall, and the face of the pocket region varies in depth from the bottom wall toward the tread surface.   
     
     
         22 . The tire of  claim 21  wherein the face of the pocket region extends at a first angle relative to the bottom surface of the pocket region, and the sidewalls extend from the bottom wall of the groove at a second angle where the first angle is different than the second angle. 
     
     
         23 . The tire of  claim 21  wherein the serrations do not protrude into the groove from the pocket region. 
     
     
         24 . A tire comprising:
 first and second laterally spaced sides; and   a tread interposed between the first and second sides, the tread including a tread surface having at least one groove therein, the at least one groove including facing, first and second sidewalls separated by a groove bottom surface, and a first pocket region extending over at least a portion of the first sidewall, the first pocket region having at least one recessed serration extending outwardly from a face thereof toward the groove, and a second pocket region extending over at least a portion of the second sidewall, the second pocket region having at least one recessed serration extending outwardly from a face of the second pocket region, each of the first and second pocket regions having spaced end walls that are interconnected by a bottom wall, the serrations in the first pocket region increase in height relative to the face thereof as the serrations extend outwardly from the bottom wall thereof, and the serrations in the second pocket region decrease in height relative to the face thereof as the serrations extend outwardly from the bottom wall thereof.   
     
     
         25 . The tire of  claim 24  wherein the serrations do not protrude into the groove from the first and second pocket regions. 
     
     
         26 . The tire of  claim 24  wherein the height of the recessed serrations in the first and second pocket regions terminate at or inwardly of the respective first and second sidewalls of the groove. 
     
     
         27 . A tire comprising:
 first and second laterally spaced sides; and   a tread interposed between the first and second sides, the tread including a tread surface having at least one groove therein, the at least one groove including facing, first and second sidewalls separated by a groove bottom surface, and a pocket region extending over at least a portion of the first sidewall, the pocket region having recessed serrations extending outwardly from a face thereof toward the groove, a first set of the serrations in the pocket region increase in height relative to the face thereof as the serrations extend outwardly from the bottom wall thereof, and a second set of the serrations in the pocket region decrease in height relative to the face thereof as the serrations extend outwardly from the bottom wall thereof.   
     
     
         28 . The tire of  claim 27  wherein the first and second sets of serrations in the pocket region are interleaved with one another to define alternating upwardly and downwardly extending serrations. 
     
     
         29 . The tire of  claim 27  wherein the serrations have peaks extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the bottom wall of the pocket region. 
     
     
         30 . The tire of  claim 27  wherein the serrations do not protrude into the groove from the pocket region. 
     
     
         31 . The tire of  claim 27  wherein the height of the recessed serrations in the pocket region terminates at or inwardly of the first sidewall of the groove.