Safety tire, method of making and method of improved traffic safety with use thereof

Abstract

A tire in which a tire manufacturer has determined the tractive capacity at numerous levels of tread wear, the tire having at least one visual warning indicator located at a tread depth corresponding to a percentage loss of tractive capacity. Also, a method of making the tire and a method improving traffic safety through use of such a tire combined with educating the consumer as to proper use of the tire.

1 . A tire in which a tire manufacturer has determined the tractive capacity at a plurality of levels of tread wear, the tire having at least one visual warning indicator located at a first tread depth corresponding to a predetermined percentage loss of tractive capacity.  
   
   
       2 . The tire according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least a second visual warning indicator located at a second tread depth corresponding a second a percentage loss of tractive capacity.  
   
   
       3 . The tire according to  claim 2 , wherein the second visual warning indicators indicates the tire is no longer safe in any driving condition or is no longer covered by the manufacturer's warranty.  
   
   
       4 . The tire according to  claim 1 , wherein the location of the visual warning indicator indicates a substantial loss of tractive capacity.  
   
   
       5 . The tire according to  claim 4 , wherein the substantial loss of tractive capacity is 20 percent or more.  
   
   
       6 . The tire according to  claim 4 , wherein the substantial loss of tractive capacity is 35 percent or more.  
   
   
       7 . The tire according to  claim 4 , wherein the substantial loss of tractive capacity is 50 percent or more.  
   
   
       8 . The tire according to  claim 4 , wherein the substantial loss of performance is 75 percent or more.  
   
   
       9 . The tire according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of visual warning indicators located at tread depths indicating increments of 10% loss of tractive capacity.  
   
   
       10 . The tire according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one visual warning indicator indicates irregular wear.  
   
   
       11 .- 14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . A tire made by the process of: 
 measuring the tractive capacity of an unworn sample tire;    measuring the tractive capacity of the sample tire at a plurality of stages of wear;    determining the depth of tread wear at which the sample tire suffers a predetermined percentage loss of tractive capacity; and    fabricating a tire with wear indicators located at predetermined levels of tread depth corresponding the depth of tread wear at which the sample tire suffers a predetermined percentage loss of tractive capacity.    
   
   
       16 - 20 . (canceled)