Abstract: A woven endless tire reinforcing belt for a pneumatic tire is provided, wherein the reinforcing belt comprises a first belt portion having a width W.sub.1, said first portion comprising at least one coated continuous cord reinforcement woven in a zig-zag pattern, and at least one additional belt portion having a width W.sub.2, W.sub.2 being substantially different from W.sub.1, said additional belt portion being woven from at least one coated continuous cord reinforcement, said additional belt portion being positioned adjacent the first belt portion and substantially centered therewith, whereby said endless tire reinforcing belt has increased uniformity of stiffness from one edge to the other. Also provided is a method for weaving such a reinforcing belt.

Abstract: A tire body reinforcing component is provided for underlying the tread and at least the sidewall regions of a pneumatic tire. The component comprises at least one continuous cord disposed across the width of said component from one edge to the other thereof. The component forms at least one tread section for underlying the tread region and extending along the circumferential direction of the tire wherein said continuous cord is disposed in a generally zig-zag pattern and is positioned across the width of said tread section at an angle to the edges of said component. The lengths of said cord in said tread section are interleaved with lengths disposed at an opposite angle to the edge of said component along at least one line substantially parallel to and intermediate the edges of said component. Also provided is a method for producing the tire body reinforcing component.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to simplify the production of woven, endless tire reinforcing belts by enabling rapid, economical changes in belt size and simplified removal of the belts from the weaving apparatus.The invention provides a method and apparatus for forming reinforcing belts which meet this objective by employing an endless weaving surface comprised of a flexible belt supported by means rotatable about spaced, parallel axes. By moving the supports apart, the weaving surface is tensioned for the weaving operation; and, by moving the supports toward one another, the weaving surface is relaxed to permit removal of the woven reinforcing belt. The circumference of successive reinforcing belts can easily be changed by changing the flexible belt comprising the weaving surface.