(19)

(11)

EP 0 918 653 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 02.06.1999 Bulletin 1999/22 (21) Application number: 96931375.0 (22) Date of filing: 18.07.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B60C 11/ 11( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/012964 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/003356 (29.01.1998 Gazette 1998/04)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE ES FR GB IT NL (71) Applicant: THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY Akron, Ohio 44316-0001 (US)	(72) Inventor: ROONEY, Timothy, Michael Munroe Falls, OH 44262 (US) (74) Representative: Leitz, Paul  Goodyear Technical Center, Patent Department, Avenue Gordon Smith 7750 Colmar-Berg 7750 Colmar-Berg (LU)