FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10, rule 13)
1. Title of the invention: 3D PATTERN ON SIDEWALL OF A TIRE
2. Applicant(s)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS
CEAT LIMITED Indian RPG HOUSE, 463, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai - Maharashtra 400030, India
3. Preamble to the description
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it
is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates, in general, to vehicle tires and,
particularly but not exclusively, to vehicle tires having patterns and patterns formed on sidewall of the tire and having treads.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A tire has a tread portion and sidewalls on either side of the tread region.
In an example, the tread portion may comprise a center region and a shoulder region on each side of the center region connected to upper portions of corresponding sidewall. Center region may be understood as outer region of the tire formed along complete circumference of the tire and spreads along width of the tire. Further, the center region contacts with surface during rotation. Tire also has beads connected to lower portions of the sidewalls. The beads may be understood as edges of the tire. The beads contact with wheel during mounting of the tire.
[0003] Vulcanized and treated rubber on the center region and shoulder region of
the tire is a tread of the tire. The tread is often carved in diverse configuration by way of tread blocks, tread grooves, tread voids, wear bar, and the like.
[0004] Tires support load of a vehicle and impact handling, drivability, and safety
of the vehicle. The various configurations of tread or shoulder region of the tire needs to be such that impact handling, drivability, safety of the vehicle etc. properties of the tire are not impacted adversely. Further, it is also required that the noise profile of the tire does not change due to any change in configuration in the tread or shoulder region of the tire.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0005] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying
figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.

[0006] Figure 1 illustrates schematic of a tire with a pattern formed on a portion
of a sidewall of the tire, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject
matter.
[0007] Figure 2 illustrates a unit pattern of the pattern formed on a portion of the
sidewall of the tire, according to an example implementation of the present subject
matter.
[0008] Figure 3 illustrates a pattern depicting a set of alphanumeric symbols
according to an example implementation of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] In vehicles, there are two major sources of noise generated during motion
of a tire incorporated in a vehicle along a surface or road. One is a propulsion system of the vehicle, such as a combustion engine along with a power transmission shaft attached to it. Second, during motion of the vehicle, tread region of the tire contacts with surface of the motion. Upon contact with the surface ambient air gets trapped between grooves of the tire and the surface. In the same way, aerodynamics of the tire is also affected by other patterns carved on sidewalls of the tire. Such patterns may comprise caution messages and logo or name of manufacturer of the tire. The trapping of the air and improper air channeling generates noise in the tire during motion. For a quiet ride for drive and passengers it is desirable to have a tire with lower noise as compared to the conventional tire.
[0010] The noise generated from tire significantly depends on tire tread pattern
design, tread compound, tire construction or sidewall structure which may comprise patterns engraved thereon. In this context, tire design parameters are very critical and any deviation from any of them may lead to trade off in other performance parameters which is not acceptable in some cases. Conventionally, patterns such as caution messages and logo or name of manufacturer of the tire are carved on some portions of sidewalls of the tire as protrusions in a particular configuration. Generally, these patterns include protrusions, such as longitudinal grooves or ridges carved on a surface

of the sidewall of the tire. However, such conventional configuration of patterns affect
aerodynamics of the tire and leads to improper air channeling during the motion of
tire. This in turn amounts to generation of noise in the tire. An unpleasant harmonic
and monotonous sound may be generated, as the tire moves on the road. Additionally,
caution messages or logo and name of manufacturer carved on the tire in such
configuration may not be highlighted properly and be inadequately visible to a viewer.
More specifically, such patterns may not be visible from different viewing angles.
[0011] To this end, the present subject matter provides a tire for a vehicle which
produces less noise during movement over a road surface, despite the sidewall portion of the tire being modified to provide for a pattern to be included thereon. The present subject matter provides a tire that overcomes the above-described problem associated with air channeling and consequent noise generation that arise out of patterns formed on sidewalls of the tire.
[0012] In accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter, a tire
having a tread portion and sidewalls on either sides of the tread portion is disclosed. The at least one of the sidewalls comprises a pattern formed on at least a portion of the sidewall. The pattern comprises a plurality of unit patterns having hexagonal shape. Each unit pattern comprises three rhombuses connected with each other at a centre of the hexagonal shape formed by the three rhombuses. Further, a vertex formed by two of four edges of each the three rhombuses being connected has an angle of 120 degree at the centre of the unit pattern. Each rhombus comprises linear grooves on a respective surface of the portion of the sidewall.
[0013] Thus, the present subject matter discloses a configuration of pattern
engraved on the sidewalls of the tire which does not impact the noise profile of the tire. The configuration disclosed by the present subject matter forms a three-dimensional (3D) pattern engraved on the surface of the sidewall. Such 3D pattern comprising grooves engraved on the sidewall of the tire resulting in a distribution of noise over the spectrum in a more suitable way owing to the three rhombuses in each

unit pattern. In an example, the three rhombuses and their respective grooves are
distributed equiangularly about 360 degrees, thereby cancelling impact of one set of
grooves on the noise profile of the tires, by the other set of grooves. Hence, the tire
does not generate additional noise when rolled over a road surface. Further, any text
or graphic formed through such 3D pattern on the sidewalls is visible from different
viewing angles since at least one set of grooves, from amongst the sets of grooves
equiangularly about 360 degrees, may be visible from a given viewing angle.
[0014] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter
will be better explained with regard to the following description and accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter along with examples described herein and, should not be construed as a limitation to the present subject matter. It is thus understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. Further, for the sake of simplicity, and without limitation, the same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0015] Figure 1 illustrates cross-section of a tire 100 with a pattern formed on a
portion of a sidewall of the tire, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter. While Figure 2 illustrates a unit pattern of the pattern formed on a portion of the sidewall of the tire, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter. Figure 3 illustrates a pattern depicting a set of alphanumeric symbols according to an example implementation of the present subject matter. For sake of ease of explanation, Figures 1 and 2 are explained together.
[0016] A tire 100 has a tread portion 102 and sidewalls 104 on either side of the
tread portion 102 as illustrated in Figure 1. More specifically, the tread portion 102 may comprise a center region and a shoulder region on each side of the center region

connected to upper portions of corresponding sidewalls 104 of the tire 100. Center region which is formed along complete circumference of the tire, spreads along width of the tire 100 and contacts with a surface during rotation. Tire 100 also has beads connected to lower portions of the sidewalls of the tire. The beads are edges of the tire 100 and contacts with wheel during mounting of the tire 100. Further, in an example implementation of the present subject matter at least one of the sidewalls 104 of the tire 102 comprises a pattern 108 formed on at least a portion 106 of the sidewall 104 of the tire 100. In an example, the pattern 108 may depict alpha-numeric symbols or graphics. In an example, the alpha-numeric symbols are arranged to convey a caution message. In another example, the alpha-numeric symbols or graphics may be arranged to convey a name or logo of a manufacturer of the tire 100.
[0017] In an example implementation, the pattern 108 may comprise a plurality of
unit patterns 110. Each of the plurality of unit pattern 110 has a hexagonal shape as illustrated in Figure 2. Each unit pattern 110 may be formed through three rhombuses 112. As may be understood, a rhombus is a quadrilateral with all of four sides equal in length and two diagonals bisecting each other at right angles. In a unit pattern 110, each of the three rhombuses 112 are connected with each other at a center of the hexagonal shape 110 formed by the three rhombuses. Further, a vertex formed by two of four edges of each of the three rhombuses 112 being connected has an angle of 120 degree (illustrated through reference X in Figure 2) at the centre of the unit pattern 110. Since, in a rhombus 112, every two adjacent angles are supplementary angles, i.e., measure of the two adjacent angles is 180 degree, an angle of each rhombus 112 which is adjacent to the angle of 120 degree of that rhombus 112 that is formed at the center of the hexagonal unit pattern 110 is 60 degree (180 degree-120 degree). Further, since opposite angles in a rhombus 112 are equal, an angle of each rhombus 112 which is opposite to the angle of 120 degree of that rhombus 112 formed at the center of the hexagonal unit pattern 110. Such rhombus tiling in hexagonal shape results in the formation of a 3D pattern.

[0018] In an example implementation, each rhombus 112 comprises linear
grooves 114 on a respective surface of the portion 106 of the sidewall 104. This implies that each rhombus 112 has linear grooves 114 formed therein. In an example, each of the linear grooves 114 in each of the three rhombuses 112 is inclined from the respective surface of the portion of the sidewall 104 at an angle (illustrated in Figure 1 through reference Y) ranging from 15 degree to 25 degree. In another example, each of the linear grooves 114 in each of the three rhombuses 112 is inclined from the respective surface of the portion of the sidewall 104 at an angle (Y) of 20 degree. Such inclination of the grooves 114 from the surface of the sidewall 104 aids in scattering of light falling on the tire at different angles which results in improved viewability of the patterns 110 formed on the portion 106 of the sidewall 104 of the tire 100. In an example, each of the linear grooves 114 may be formed at a predetermined distance D from the respective surface of the portion 106 of the sidewall 104, as illustrated in Figure 1.
[0019] The three-dimensional (3D) pattern engraved on the surface of the sidewall
104 comprises grooves 114 within the rhombuses 112 which results in a more suitable distribution of noise over the spectrum . Further, three rhombuses 112 and their respective grooves 114 which are distributed equiangularly about 360 degrees cancels impact of one set of grooves 114 on the noise profile of the tires 100, by the other set of grooves leading to no additional noise generated through the tire 100 when rolled over a road surface. Further, since light falling on the any text or graphic formed through such 3D pattern on the sidewalls 104 is scattered at different viewing angles, the text or graphics may be visible from any given viewing angle.
[0020] Further, each of the linear grooves 114 in each of the three rhombuses 112
is displaced from an adjacent groove 114 at an equal distance (illustrated through reference C in Figure 2). In another example, all the grooves 114 may also have equal width. In another example, a diagonal distance A of the hexagonal shape formed by

the three rhombuses 112 is equal to a distance B between two parallel sides of the hexagonal shape 110 formed by the three rhombuses 112.
[0021] In an example, the pattern 110 may be formed on the respective surface of
the portion 106 of the sidewall 104 using a laser power source (not shown in Figure).
The laser power source may be coupled to a controller (not shown in Figure) which
may control the laser power source to form the pattern on at least a portion 106 of the
sidewall 104 of the tire 100. The controller may be programmed to control operating
parameters of the laser power source such as angle of incidence and intensity of a laser
beam emitted from the laser power source. Further, the pattern 110 to be formed or
engraved on a portion 106 of a sidewall 104 of the tire 100 may be stored in a memory
(not shown in Figure) coupled to the controller. The memory may include any
computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory
(e.g., RAM), and/or non-volatile memory (e.g., EPROM, flash memory, etc.). The
memory may also be an external memory unit, such as a flash drive, a compact disk
drive, an external hard disk drive, or the like. The controller may obtain the pattern to
be formed from the memory and may then control the laser power source to engrave
the pattern 110 on the portion of the sidewall 104 of the tire 100. In an example, the
controller may be implemented as microprocessors, microcomputers,
microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions.
[0022] In an example, Figure 3 illustrates a pattern 110 depicting a set of
alphanumeric symbols, i.e., “CEAT”, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter.
[0023] As a result of an example implementation of the present subject matter, the
tire 100 incorporated in a vehicle, when rolled over a road surface along the movement of the vehicle, noise generated because of the pattern engraved on the surface of the sidewall is significantly reduced. The rhombus tiling resulting in a 3D pattern 110

leads to a more suitable distribution of noise over the spectrum. Further, any text or
graphic formed through such 3D pattern on the sidewalls 104 may be viewed from
different viewing angles resulting in an improved viewability of the text and graphics.
[0024] Although implementations of a tire 100 are described, it is to be understood
that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features of the tire 100 described herein. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as implementations for the tire 100.

I/We Claim:
1. A tire 100 comprising:
a tread portion 102 and sidewalls 104 on either sides of the tread portion 102, wherein at least one of the sidewalls 104 comprises:
a pattern 108 formed on at least a portion 106 of the sidewall 104, the pattern 108 comprising a plurality of unit patterns 110 having hexagonal shape, wherein each unit pattern 110 comprises three rhombuses 112 connected with each other at a centre of the hexagonal shape formed by the three rhombuses 112, wherein
a vertex formed by two of four edges of each of the three rhombuses 112 being connected has an angle of 120 degree at the centre of the unit pattern 108, and wherein
each rhombus 112 comprises linear grooves 114 on a respective surface of the portion 106 of the sidewall 104.
2. The tire 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the linear grooves 114 in each of the three rhombuses 112 is inclined from the respective surface of the portion 106 of the sidewall 104 at an angle Y ranging from 15 degree to 25 degree.
3. The tire 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the linear grooves 114 in each of the three rhombuses 112 is inclined from the respective surface of the portion 106 of the sidewall 104 at an angle Y of 20 degree.
4. The tire 100 as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein each of the linear grooves 114 in each of the three rhombuses 112 is displaced from an adjacent groove at an equal distance C.

5. The tire 100 as claimed in claim anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the pattern 108 is formed using a laser power source.
6. The tire 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein a diagonal distance A of the hexagonal shape formed by the three rhombuses 112 is equal to a distance B between two parallel sides of the hexagonal shape 108 formed by the three rhombuses 112.
7. The tire 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pattern 108 depicts alpha-numeric symbols.
8. The tire 100 as claimed in claim 7, wherein the alpha-numeric symbols are arranged to convey a caution message.