(19)

(11)

EP 1 863 655 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 12.12.2007 Bulletin 2007/50 (21) Application number: 05732396.6 (22) Date of filing: 28.03.2005

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B60C 23/00(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2005/010319 (87) International publication number: WO 2006/104484 (05.10.2006 Gazette 2006/40)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR IT (71) Applicants: Société de Technologie Michelin 63000 Clermont-Ferrand (FR) Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A. 1763 Granges-Paccot (CH)	(72) Inventors: THIESEN, Jack Hugo Easley, SC 29605 (US) ADAMSON, Jay David F-63000 Clermont Ferrand (FR) O'BRIEN, George Phillips Easley, SC 29673 (US) (74) Representative: Schlief, Thomas P.  Friedrich-Ebert-Strasse 84 85055 Ingolstadt 85055 Ingolstadt (DE)