Abstract A radial tire is formed with the usual radial carcass and, in each sidewall, an additional reinforcement ply comprising cords arranged circumferentially of the tire and having a stiffness which generally increases with increasing distance from the axis of the tire from a minimum value at the edge adjacent to the bead wire to a maximum value at the other edge. In manufacturing the tire on a building drum, the cords selected to form the additional ply comprise a fragile core portion and a portion wound in a helix around the core and capable of elongation by rupture of the core and increase of the pitch of the helix. During the subsequent shaping, the cords of the additional ply automatically acquire the proper stiffness. This produces a tire providing improved road qualities and passenger comfort.
A tire comprising a pair of sidewalls, a pair of beads respectively at the inner edges of said sidewalls, at least one bead wire in each bead, a radial carcass and, in each sidewall, an additional reinforcement ply extending from said bead wire to a point at least three-fourths of the way to the midpoint of the sidewall, said additional reinforcement comprising cords arranged circumferentially of the tire and having a stiffness which generally increases with increasing distance from the axis of the tire from a minimum value at the edge adjacent to said bead wire to a maximum value at the other edge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A tire comprising a pair of sidewalls, a pair of beads respectively at the inner edges of said sidewalls, at least one bead wire in each bead, a radial carcass and, in each sidewall, an additional reinforcement ply extending from said bead wire to a point at least three-fourths of the way to the midpoint of the sidewall, said additional reinforcement comprising cords arranged circumferentially of the tire and having a stiffness which generally increases with increasing distance from the axis of the tire from a minimum value at the edge adjacent to said bead wire to a maximum value at the other edge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A tire according to claim 1 wherein the cords of said additional reinforcement are made of polyamide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A tire according to claim 1 further comprising a calendering rubber having a modulus of elasticity of at least 250 g/mm2 at 100 percent elongation, the cords of said additional reinforcement being calendered in said calendering rubber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tire according to claim 1 further comprising a layer of rubber interposed between said radial carcass and said additional reinforcement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A tire according to claim 1 further comprising a calendering rubber, the cords of said additional reinforcement being calendered in said calendering rubber, and a layer of rubber interposed between said radial carcass and said additional reinforcement, said interposed rubber having a modulus of elasticity less than that of said calendering rubber.