Metal cord for reinforcing rubber products

Claim 1

A metal cord for use as a reinforcement for rubber products, comprising: a strand core comprising a plurality of metal wires stranded with eath other; and a strand layer comprising a plurality of metal wires stranded around the strand core, the wires forming the strand layer being stranded at a pitch two times that of the wires which form the strand core; wherein the number of the metal wires which form the strand layer is less than 4 plus the number of the metal wires which form the strand core, and wherein each of the metal wires which form both the strand core and layer has substantially the same diameter, so that a space is provided between the wires forming the strand layer for enabling rubber permeability of the cord.