The Goodyear & Tire Rubber Company

Deloris J Schad

Robert L Crump

Richard M Beeghly

Edward L Montgomery

William H Legas

A pneumatic tire 20 is disclosed. The tire 20 has a carcass 21, a belt reinforcement member 26 disposed radially outwardly of the carcass 21, an annular tread 32 disposed radially outwardly of the belt reinforcing member 26, the tread 32 having a net-to-gross ratio of less than 35%. The tread 32 comprises an inner tread 34 and a plurality of traction lugs 50. At least 25% of the lugs 50 have aligned axially inner and axially outer portion is separated by a notch 60 extending between the leading edges 52 and trailing edges 54 and having a depth (n.sub.h) greater than 50% of the radial height (l.sub.h) of the lug 50 at a center of the notch along the leading edge 52, the center being located at a position 40% to 60% of the lug length (l.sub.L) from the axially inner end 53. Both the axially outer and inner portions of the notched lugs 50 have axially inner ends including enlarged lug heads. The tread lugs 50 made according to the present invention have increased flexibility which can reduce soil compaction while improving traction.

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Hyndman, PA, United States of America

Deloris J Schad