Abstract: A tire has at least one radial carcass reinforcement anchored within each bead B to at least one bead wire to form an upturn, wherein the carcass reinforcement meridian profile trace between a point A of greatest axial width and a point of tangency T with the circle circumscribed on the coating layer of the anchoring bead wire is convex over its entire length, and the thickness &egr; of the bead B, measured on a line perpendicular to the meridian profile at a point C of height hc of between 30 and 40 mm and measured to the base YY′, is between 2.5 and 3.0 times the thickness e of the sidewall measured on a straight line D″ of greatest axial width, an additional reinforcement armature of at least one ply of circumferential reinforcement elements being arranged axially to the inside of the carcass reinforcement non-upturned part.

Abstract: A process for stabilizing the mechanical operating characteristics of an elastomeric flexible joint which acts as a spring in a vehicle suspension device by subjecting the joint, before it is put into service, to a deformation corresponding substantially to the maximum deformation intended in service.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of manufacture of tires and a tire assembly drum having a body with a receiving surface for the products to be assembled, the body being mounted on a center shaft, and at least one lifting device situated at one of the ends of the receiving surface, the lifting device including a plurality of lifting fingers distributed circularly around the center shaft, the fingers extending appreciably radially and presenting a bearing surface for the products to be assembled, the fingers being controlled to be deployed essentially radially toward the outside of the drum.

Abstract: An assembly line for mounting tires on wheels, for inflating the tire mounted on a wheel, for placement of the bead heels of the tire and for balancing which also includes apparatus for checking the conformity of the diameter of the tire to be mounted and for checking the conformity of the dimensions of the wheel.

Abstract: Disclosed in a coupling attachment for a MacPherson suspension shock strut having an elastic articulation for filtering and uncoupling on a path transmitting the shock absorber rod effects to the body, and a separate elastic block on a path transmitting the spring efforts to the body, wherein the device improves compactness without adversely affecting comfort.

Abstract: A tread for a tire having, on at least one lateral part, and radially to the inside of the running surface of said tread, a plurality of cavities oriented virtually transversely and opening onto at least one of the edges of the tread, the cavities being intended to form grooves and incisions opening radially towards the outside of the tread after wear of between 15% and 45% of the thickness of the tread when new. Also, a mold adapted for the molding of such a tread pattern and including, on at least one part molding one of the sidewalls, elements in relief for molding cavities radially beneath the running surface of a tread when new.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of manufacture of tires and a tire assembly drum having a body with a receiving surface for the products to be assembled, the body being mounted on a center shaft, and at least one lifting device situated at one of the ends of the receiving surface, the lifting device including a plurality of lifting fingers distributed circularly around the center shaft, the fingers extending appreciably radially and presenting a bearing surface for the products to be assembled, the fingers being controlled to be deployed essentially radially toward the outside of the drum.

Abstract: A tire with radial carcass reinforcement having a maximum axial width S0 and including a crown reinforcement composed of at least two working crown plies of inextensible reinforcing elements, crossing from one ply to the next at angles of between 10° and 45° to the circumferential direction, the said plies having axial widths equal to at least 80% of the width S0, and arranged radially between the said working plies, an additional ply of reinforcing elements essentially parallel to the circumferential direction, the working plies having widths greater than the width of the additional ply by at least 16% of the width S0, and being on both sides of the equatorial plane and in the immediate axial extension of the additional ply coupled over an axial distance equal to at least 3% of the width S0, thereafter being separated by a section of rubber mix having a thickness of at least 2 mm.

Abstract: A safety insert designed to be mounted in an assembly comprising a tire and a rim of a vehicle and device for detecting the bearing of the tire on an insert, so that the insert generates signals oriented parallel to the axis of rotation of the tire and rim assembly and so that the device detects and analyzes the vibrating signals of the chassis of the vehicle.

Abstract: A tire with radial carcass reinforcement, having a crown reinforcement embodying at least two working crown plies formed of inextensible cables, crossed from one ply to the next, forming angles of between 10° and 45° with the circumferential direction, characterized in that, in the absence of any ply formed of inextensible cables forming an angle greater than 45° with the circumferential direction, an additional, axially continuous, ply formed of undulating metallic elements oriented substantially parallel to the circumferential direction is placed radially between the working plies.

Abstract: A tire, the H/S form ratio of which is at most 0.6, formed radially from the inside to the outside by a triangulation ply of metal cables oriented at least 60°, two working crown plies formed of inextensible metal cables oriented at angles of between 10° and 45°, between which there is inserted a first additional ply of metallic elements which are oriented substantially parallel to the circumferential direction of the tire, a second additional ply being arranged, on either side of the tire, radially above the outermost working ply and substantially centered on the end of the first additional ply.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a rim preform or rim-element having an axis of revolution by the placing on a preforming matrix pre-assembled fibers along two orientations defining deformable meshes. A winding of a strip of fibers is fastened on a circumference of the preforming matrix with asymmetrical orientation of the fibers, whereupon it is applied progressively until covering the entire surface of the preforming matrix by subjecting it to tensions of substantially circumferential orientation.

Abstract: Rubber composition intended for the manufacture of tire casings which have improved hysteretic properties and scorch safety, based on at least one elastomer and silica by way of reinforcing filler enclosing a reinforcing additive consisting of the mixture and/or the product of in situ reaction of at least one functionalized polyorganosiloxane compound containing, per molecule, at least one functional siloxy unit capable of bonding chemically and/or physically to the surface hydroxyl sites of the silica particles and at least one functionalized organosilane compound containing, per molecule, at least one functional group capable of bonding chemically and/or physically to the polyorganosiloxane and/or the hydroxyl sites of the silica particles and at least one other functional group capable of bonding chemically and/or physically to the polymer chains.

Abstract: A valve for a tire and rim assembly equipped with a pneumatic support membrane designed to be deployed when the pressure difference between the cavity of the membrane and that of the tire exceeds a given threshold, so that every operation of inflation or deflation preserves the integrity of the membrane while preventing any deflation of the tire cavity alone.

Abstract: A process of coating a crown wall of at least one raised part of an extrusion screw which includes the following stages: a metal bead of hardness D1 is deposited on and in proximity to at least one edge of the crown part of each raised part to be coated, said bead occupying only a fraction of the width of said crown part; a second material of hardness D2 is then deposited on the rest of the uncoated crown part, said hardness D2 being significantly different from hardness D1; the deposits made in the preceding stages are ground in order to obtain the profile and the dimensions of each raised part on the screw.

Abstract: The invention concerns a white, light-colored tire rubber composition, devoid of carbon black, comprising at least a diene elastomer, a reinforcing white or colored filler, and an anti-photo-oxidizing system, wherein said protective system comprises (A) a 2,2′-methylene-bis-[4-alkyl (C1-C10)-6-alkyl(C1-C12)phenol]; (B) a dialkylthiodipropionate, the alkyl radicals thereof, which may be identical or different, are (C1-C20), radicals; (C) a 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl) benzotriazole; and (D) a “HALS” amine derived from 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine.

Abstract: The invention concerns a rubber sulfur-vulcanizable composition designed for manufacturing tire treads, comprising at least a diene elastomer, a white filler as reinforcing filler and as coupling agent (white filler/elastomer) a multifunctionalized polyorganosiloxane comprising per molecule: a) at least a first siloxyl unit bearing, on the silicon atom, at least one linear or branched C1-C15 alkoxyl radical; and b) at least a second siloxyl unit bearing, on the silicon atom, at least one radical of general formula Z—SH, Z being a linear or branched divalent hydracarbon, comprising preferebly 2 to 30 carbons.

Abstract: Process and device for treating vulcanized rubber surfaces before bonding by creating surface roughness and elimination of degraded surface particles through the use of a high pressure fluid jet.

Abstract: An assembly line of mounted assemblies, each composed of a tire and a wheel, which includes mounting the tires on the wheels by use of a mounter, correcting the position of the tire heels and balancing the mounted assemblies, as well as of storing and/or picking up the mounted assemblies by use of mobile units in and/or from a storage warehouse, characterized in that the production and delivery of assemblies are information-managed by a system of dedicated computers and robots, so that the assemblies can be delivered in sync to at least one manufacturer having need for the assemblies on the manufacturer's vehicle assembly line.

Abstract: A toric membrane of reinforced rubber, used as a supporting means for the tread of a tubeless tire, and forming with said tire and its mounting rim a traveling assembly, characterized in that, inflated to a pressure po greater than the pressure p1 of the cavity of the tire, it has, in the inflated state, a crown radius RM less than the loaded radius RE of the tire used at its recommended pressure, said membrane being reinforced, at least in its crown, by a crown reinforcement and a hooping reinforcement, composed of cords or cables oriented circumferentially.