Abstract: A run flat tire that includes a tire casing and an inner support fitted within which tire casing, with the inner support to support the tire casing load upon run flat tire deflation. The tire casing and inner support are for mounting to a rim, the tire casing side wall bead ends to fit against side wall ends of the inner support that are maintained against rim interior stepped sections. The inner support is formed from an elastomeric material, preferably by casting or molding methods, to include an interior arch shaped cavity centered under the inner support outer surface having at least one hundred forty (140) degrees and not more than one hundred eighty (180) degrees of arc, and has a uniform thickness between the inner support inner and outer surfaces that is selected to support a particular anticipated load, after tire deflation, to support, in compression, the tire load for a target distance and speed.

Abstract: A tire/wheel assembly in which a run-flat support member 3 is inserted into a cavity of a pneumatic tire 2, the run-flat support member 3 including a circular shell 4 in which the outer circumferential side thereof is used as a support surface and the inner circumferential side thereof is opened to have two leg portions, and elastic rings 5 supporting the ends of the two leg portions on a rim. Protruding portions 7 are provided, respectively projecting sideways on both sides of the circular shell 4, and the protruding portions 7 come to contact with an inner surface of a bead 2b of the pneumatic tire 2 during run-flat traveling.

Abstract: A tire having two inward lips respectively protruded from two opposite sidewalls of the body thereof at an inner side adapted for supporting the tire in shape when the tire damaged accidentally, the inward lips each having a corrugated bottom sidewall, two opposite lateral sidewalls, and a plurality of air holes transversely extended through the lateral sidewalls.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a toroidal carcass satisfies the following expressions: Ra/D≦0.08; Rb/D≦0.08; 0<&PHgr;a≦50°; and 0<&PHgr;b≦50°. Alternatively, the pneumatic tire has a tire section constant J per a unit circumferential length of 0.8 or smaller.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial ply passenger tire (10) having a tread (12), a casing with two sidewalls (20), two radial plies (38, 40) extending from and wrapped about two annular beads (26) and a belt reinforcement structure (36) located radially between the tread and the plies. Inner ply (38) is reinforced with essentially inextensible metal cords and is designed to carry a compressive load during runflat operation. Outer ply (40) is reinforced with organic-fiber cords designed to withstand tensile stresses during runflat operation. A circumferentially deployed insert (42) is disposed between the inner and outer radial plies (38, 40) in each sidewall (20) adjacent to the shoulder of the tread. The metal cords (41) of inner ply (38) have compressive-load-hearing capacity which reduces the mass of the insert material (42). The metal cords (41) also have thermal conductivity properties that dissipate heat buildup from both ply (38) and insert (42).

Abstract: A laminate contains a composite, comprising a high melting point thermoplastic such as polyphenylene or epoxy and high modulus fibers such as carbon or graphite, which is encapsulated with a resin. A primer adheres the encapsulated composite to a rubber material such as a tire tread. Alternatively, an undertread layer adheres the tire tread to the primed encapsulated composite. The laminate can be used as a run flat belt in a tire.

Abstract: A resilient tire that supports a load without internal air pressure includes a ground contacting tread portion and sidewall portions extending radially inward from said tread portion and anchored in bead portions adapted to remain secure to a wheel during rolling of the tire. A bias ply carcass extends between the beads to support the sidewalls. A reinforced annular band is disposed radially inward of the tread portion. The band comprises an elastomeric shear layer at a radially outer side of the bias ply carcass and a membrane adhered to a radially outward side of the elastomeric shear layer. Each of the bias ply and membrane has a longitudinal tensile modulus sufficiently greater than the shear modulus of the shear layer so that when under load the ground contacting portion of the tire deforms to a flat contact region through shear strain in the shear layer while maintaining constant the length of the membranes.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire bead area construction for improved chafer cracking resistance during run-flat (uninflated) tire operation comprises a chafer reinforcement fabric component that is positioned at the surface of the chafer wherever it may contact the wheel rim flange during normal tire operation, and especially during uninflated tire operation. The fabric component may be anchored by extending it around the bead. The fabric component may replace the toeguard, thereby further reinforcing and protecting the bead area by extending the chafer reinforcement fabric component along the surfaces of the bead area wherever surfaces of the tire can contact the wheel rim and rim flange during mounting of the tire and during operation of the tire.

Abstract: A tire having at least a first bead, the seat of which has a generatrix whose axially inner end lies on a circle of diameter greater than the diameter of the circle on which the axially outer end is located, and a radial carcass reinforcement winding within each bead around at least one heel reinforcement element, passing from the inside to the outside to form an upturn, the meridian profile of the carcass reinforcement, when the tire is mounted on its operating rim and inflated to the recommended pressure, having a constant direction of curvature in the first bead and a sidewall extending it radially, and having a tangent TT′ to the point of tangency T of the carcass reinforcement profile with the annular element of the first bead which forms with the axis of rotation an angle &phgr; which is open towards the outside and is greater than 45°, wherein, viewed in meridian section, at least the sidewall extending the first bead comprises a reinforcing profiled element having, viewed in section, substan

Abstract: A tire apparatus for driving a vehicle is provided. The tire apparatus allows the vehicle to be driven during periods of both low tire pressure and normal tire pressure. The tire apparatus has a tire that has a tread section. The tire has a pair of side walls that are located adjacent to the tread section. A first bead is located at an end of one of the side walls, and a second bead is located at an end of the other side wall. A wheel is also present that has a rim with a first bead seat and a second bead seat. The wheel is configured for attachment to the vehicle. The wheel has a support member for engaging the tire during periods of low tire pressure. At least one of the first and second bead seats has a plurality of friction members to prevent relative rotational movement between the tire and the rim.

Abstract: The invention concerns a light safety support (1) for a tire comprising a base (2), a top (3) and an annular linking body (4) with a continuous support element around the circumference and a circumferential median plane, wherein the support element includes a plurality of partitions (13), (23) extending axially on either side of the circumferential median plane that are adapted in their central part relative to their lateral end parts to reinforce the support buckling strength under a radial load.

Abstract: A safety liner (20) for a vehicle tire (500) includes a toroidal tube (22) having at least one hole (24). At least one plug (26) is selectively insertable into the at least one hole (24). Toroidal tube (22) is compressible into a flattened circular shape by a compressive force, and when the compressive force is removed, the toroidal tube (22) resiliently assumes its original toroidal shape. Safety liner (20) is installed in the cavity (503) of vehicle tire (500) as the vehicle tire (500) is being installed on the tire rim (502). If a blowout or other leak occurs, safety liner (20) will cause the shape and pressure of vehicle tire (500) to be retained for a period of time.

Abstract: A safety insert is designed to be mounted in an assembly including a tire and a rim of a vehicle, so that on bearing of the tire against the insert, the insert will generate multiple vibrating signals of the rotation frequency of the tire. In one embodiment, the vibrating signals are generated by a variation of at least one of the outer radius and radial stiffness as a function of azimuth &agr;, which presents at least four maxima distributed in at least twice two different values M1 and M2.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a high-speed, puncture proof tire including a tire casing having a tread portion and a pair of side wall portions and a plurality of small diameter pressurized tubes disposed within the tire casing. Each pressurized tube has an elongate body fabricated from film material that is sealed crosswise along the length of the body to define at least two compartments that contain gas-under pressure. The tubes can be oriented radially or circumferentially within the annular space of the tire casing. In another embodiment of the tire, at least one panel of film material resistant to shear forces is disposed within the annular space of the tire casing. The panel is sealed lengthwise thereof to define a plurality of small diameter pressurized tubes. Each pressurized tube is sealed crosswise along the length of the tube to define at least two compartments that contain gas under pressure.

Abstract: A tire 10 has a composite ply 40. The composite ply 40 has a primary ply 40A reinforced with parallel inextensible cords 41 and a pair of ply extensions 40B having synthetic cords. The method of manufacturing the tire 10 is described. The tire 10 can be made as a runflat type tire.

Abstract: Pneumatic vehicle tires comprising a carcass which extends between two bead rings, a belt arrangement provided between the carcass and a tread strip, and also rubber reinforcing plies arranged in the sidewall regions, which adopt a supporting function when the tire is deflated, are characterized in that a single rubber reinforcing ply is arranged radially within a first carcass ply and its maximum thickness is disposed in the upper half of the sidewall height; with the rubber reinforcing ply extending from the bead apex region up to and beneath the edge region of the belt ply, and with the bead apex, which extends approximately up to the half sidewall height, being surrounded by the first carcass ply.

Abstract: Toric membrane M used as a support means for the tread of a tire P and forming together with the said tire P and its mounting rim J an assembly that can roll when the tire P suffers a loss of pressure, the said membrane M being expandable, capable of filling the internal cavity of the tire P, consisting of an airtight interior layer (10), a crown reinforcement (14) comprising two crossed plies (141, 142), two carcass half-plies (111, 112) anchored in each bead B reinforced by a reinforcement ring (2) and a cap (17) reinforced by a hopping armature (16), the crown reinforcement (14) being detached from the interior layer (10) and from the edges of the carcass half-plies (111, 112) which are on either side of the equatorial plane XX′ and are connected by at least one connecting ply (15).

Abstract: A pneumatic radial ply tire with an aspect ratio of less than 50 has a ground contacting tread radially outward of a circumferential belt structure which in turn is radially ourtward of a carcass structure. The carcass structure has a pair of bead areas that include a bead foot compatible with a conventionally-shaped wheel rim having flanges with laterally extending portions. The carcass structure has a cord-reinforced elastomeric ply layer extend laterally between the two bead areas and radially inward of the belt structure. The tread area is directly connected to the bead areas without a sidewall. Rim flange protectors comprising a continuous circumferential elastomeric projection extend laterally outward from each bead/tread area and thereby radially outward of the rim flanges.

Abstract: The tire of the invention has an optimized path of the outermost carcass designed to maximize the extent of tensile stress in the sidewall and bead portions of the tire. The invention further provides separate reinforcement structures in the bead portion for anchoring the carcass or carcasses in the bead and for retaining the bead on the mounting rim during deflated operation, and said anchoring reinforcement also facilitates the maintenance of the desirable carcass profile.

Abstract: This invention relates to tires which have a rubber insert within the tire sidewall of a rubber composition which contains at least one of N,N′-(m-phenylene) bis citraconamic acid and N,N′-(m-xylylene) bis citraconamic acid. Such rubber insert is preferably of a stiff rubber composition which helps to support the weight of the vehicle to which the tire is mounted in situations where there is a loss of air pressure within the tire cavity. During periods of operation after loss of air pressure, the rubber insert is intended to aid in supporting a significant amount of the load assumed by the tire which leads to an internal generation of heat with the insert rubber composition, with an accompanying rise of temperature of the insert itself It is therefore important that the rubber composition of such rubber insert have a high degree of heat durability under conditions of working at the elevated temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unitary run flat tire (RFT) reinforcement that is formed into a relatively rigid shape. The reinforcement is insertable into a mold for an RFT support and can maintain the needed structural rigidity for such insertion. Further, the invention provides an RFT support that is molded and includes the RFT reinforcement. The invention also provides a wheel assembly including a tire, a rim, and an RFT support between the rim and the tire, where the support includes the RFT reinforcement. The RFT support can have a colored indicator formed or subsequently applied thereto to indicate one or more attributes of the support.

Abstract: A run flat pneumatic tire has a thin annular band embedded in the crown portion of the tire. The band is formed of a composite material such as tows of fiberglass and/or graphite material impregnated with a resin. The resin coated tows are wound about a mandrel having at least one concave recess to provide the band with an anticlastic shape with an arcuate cross section and a concave surface facing radially outwardly.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel including a wheel rim, a pneumatic tire comprising a tread and first and second side walls, wherein each of the first and second side walls comprise a bead having a bead core, an emergency running support body including an emergency running surface and first and second axial outer wall sections, the emergency running support body further comprising the shell-shaped ring body adapted to be disposed within the tire and to support the tire in case of damage, a first ring-shaped supporting element, and a second ring-shaped supporting element, whereby the first axial outer wall section is supported on the wheel rim via the first ring-shaped supporting element and the second axial outer wall section is supported on the wheel rim via the second ring-shaped supporting element, wherein the shell-shaped ring body is one of removably connected and removably attached to one of the first ring-shaped support element and the second ring-shaped support element, and wherein one of the first ring-shaped support

Abstract: A wheel (11) having a rim (12) with a pair of flanges (17, 19) including a peripheral potential roll surface (33) on at least one flange for contacting the ground in the event of tire failure has a convexly contoured roll surface with a finite cross-sectional radius of curvature (42) at the outermost radius of the wheel to provide an optimized shape of the contact surface and an enhanced contact area without introducing any flat regions in the contact area. The roll surface is formed to have a finite radius of curvature throughout the potential roll surface. The roll surface radius of curvature and may be formed in cross-section as a central circular segment (40) blending smoothly into two circular segments (44, 50) of lesser radii at the central circular segment extremities, or may be formed in cross-section as a portion of an ellipse (57) having a semi-minor axis (63) extending generally radially along the respective annular rim portion.

Abstract: A run flat pneumatic tire includes a thin annular band embedded in the crown portion of the tire wherein the band is formed with three distinct regions. Radially spaced inner and outer regions are formed of high modulus materials and a central region is formed of a material more elastic than the other two regions providing a band having high interlaminar shear strength. Reinforcing fibers are placed in various orientations in certain of the regions to enable various materials to achieve the required band stiffness for load carrying capability and the interlaminar shear strength at the central axis of the band.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a toroidal carcass satisfies the following expressions: Ra/D≦0.08; Rb/D≦0.08; 0<&phgr;a≦50°; and 0<&phgr;b≦50°. Alternatively, the pneumatic tire has a tire section constant J per a unit circumferential length of 0.8 or smaller.

Abstract: A run flat pneumatic tire has a thin annular band embedded in the crown portion of the tire. The band is formed of a multilayer composite formed of wound layers of a material such as fiberglass and/or graphite impregnated with a resin. The band has a radial cross-sectional thickness with a neutral axis extending through the center in an axial direction. The radial thickness of the band decreases from an axial midpoint toward outer ends of the band to provide greater thickness in the center of the band to reduce interlaminar shear fatigue.

Abstract: A band element for mounting in the crown portion of a pneumatic tire to provide run flat ability to the tire in the event of loss of air pressure and to provide increased puncture resistance. The band is formed of flat strips of tape having fibers embedded in a resin matrix which are twisted and then pultrated to provide a rectangular cross sectional configuration. The twisted tape is wrapped about a mandrel and forms either the only layer, or the intermediate layer of a composite band in combination with inner and outer layers of flat tape or wound filament fibers, whereby the fibers in the tape extend across the central axis of the band to reduce interlaminar sheer. In another embodiment, a plurality of dimples or depressions are formed in the individual tape layers to extend a plurality of the fibers across the layer boundaries to reduce interlaminar sheer.

Abstract: A motorcycle tire having excellent belt cord durability, high-speed durability, impact force absorbability, running stability and uniformity performances is produced by constituting a belt with a low-cost steel cord member having a specified twisting construction of 2 to 7 filaments and a specified space between the mutual filaments over a full length of the cord in the belt.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel rim includes a rim body with annular left and right tire retaining walls, an annular spoke mounting wall, and a tire retaining cavity. The tire retaining walls are spaced apart from each other. Each of the tire retaining walls has a radial inner edge proximate to a central axis of the rim body, and a radial out edge distal to the central axis. The spoke mounting wall interconnects the radial inner edges of the tire retaining walls, and is formed with a set of spoke mounting holes. The tire retaining cavity is formed between the tire retaining walls, and is configured to have two opposite lateral cavity parts and an intermediate cavity part between the lateral cavity parts. The lateral cavity parts are deeper than the intermediate cavity part with respect to the radial out edges of the tire retaining walls.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire is reinforced by a thin annular composite band embedded in the crown portion of the tire to enable the tire to resist compressive forces in the tire when in an uninflated condition. The band is formed of a plurality of wound layers of first and second resin coated fiber tows wherein the first tow is formed of fibers twisted at a greater angle than the fibers in the second tow. Layers of the first tow are located adjacent the neutral axis of the band to provide interlaminar shear strength with the tow layers located adjacent the inner and outer surfaces of the band being formed predominately of the second tow to provide a high level circumferential stiffness. The intermediate tow layers are formed of both type of tows to provide a transition zone between the central interlaminar shear strength and the outer circumferential stiffness.

Abstract: A tire assembly (100) comprises a tire (110), a rim (112) having a rim well (124), and an alarm system (114). The tire assembly (100) is characterized by the alarm system (114) having a belt (130) disposed tightly around the rim well (124), a bladder (132a) attached to the belt, and a whistle (136a) within the tire cavity (128).

Abstract: A method for building a run flat pneumatic tire by precoating a thin high strength annular band of material with a layer of rubber to form a rubber/band composite. The rubber coated band composite is at least partially cured and then assembled between a body ply carcass and a tread package in a usual second stage tire building machine. The band can be encased completely with the rubber or the rubber can be applied only to the outside surface, the inside surface or the end edges of the band or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A rubber laminate strengthening the bonding strength at a high temperature and under high strain by adjusting the formulation of the bonding rubber arranged between a hydrogenated NBR composition and general diene-based rubber, wherein the bonding rubber composition is comprised of 100 parts by weight of a rubber containing 50 to 85 parts by weight of at least one type of diene-based rubber selected from natural rubber, polyisoprene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, and a conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl copolymer and 15 to 50 parts by weight of an ethylenic unsaturated nitrile-conjugated diene-based high saturation rubber with a content of conjugated diene units of not more than 30 wt % plus 10 to 60 parts by weight of zinc methacrylate, 0.3 to 10 parts by weight of an organic peroxide, and 5 to 50 parts by weight of a co-cross-linking agent having one of an acryl group, methacryl group, and allyl group and liquid at room temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel with a one-piece rim and tubeless pneumatic tire comprises an emergency rolling surface on a radially exterior shell of the rim, an elastic bead, and a one-piece toroidal chamber at each axial front end of the rim. Each chamber includes a closed radially interior chamber wall, a closed radially exterior chamber wall, a closed axially interior chamber wall, and an axially exterior chamber wall axially closed in a radially exterior area defining a radially inwardly directed flange and open in a radially interior area. A filler ring is radially secured in each chamber on the radially interior chamber wall. Each side wall of the tire extends inwardly from the axially exterior wall through the opening, and the head is embedded in the chamber such that the bead lies across the axial extent of the filler ring, the head and the filler ring completely filling the chamber.

Abstract: A tire, and an apparatus and method for forming a tire. The tire may either be a tubed or tubeless tire, and is filled with a mixture of virgin rubber and small rubber pieces. Preferably, a machine grinds the core of used flatproofed tires, or pieces thereof, into a finely communicated pulverulent. The pulverent is mixed with liquid virgin flatproofing material, such as a polyurethane. An injector introduces this mixture, into the core of a tire, typically through a valve. The core of the tire is preferably substantially filled with this mixture. The injector may take the form of one or more elongated screws and the mixing may occur as the ground rubber is being conveyed by the screw.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire, includes at least one carcass ply having a steel cord arranged substantially in a radial direction of the tire, folded turned up around a bead cord, a belt layer arranged on an outer side of a crown portion of the carcass ply to have an overlapping portion with the folded portion of the carcass, a first reinforcing rubber layer arranged between body portion of the carcass ply and the folded portion of the carcass ply, and a second reinforcing rubber layer arranged inside the body portion of the carcass ply, over a region corresponding to a tire shoulder portion to a bead portion, with its thickness gradually reduced from a central portion to opposing end portions, wherein overlapping width W2 from an upper end position RF of the second reinforcing rubber layer to an end BE of the belt layer is 7% to 33% of the width BW of the belt layer; and cross sectional widths G1W, G2W, and G3W representing minimum widths between an inner surface of the tire and respective side-wall outer surface positio

Abstract: The present invention provides a rubber composition which when vulcanized may be used to form a safety support intended to be mounted on a wheel rim within a tire. The invention also is directed to such a support, capable of supporting a tread of the tire in the event of a drop in inflation pressure, and to a mounted assembly comprising this support. A rubber composition according to the invention comprises (phr: parts by weight per 100 parts of diene elastomer(s)): - natural rubber or synthetic polyisoprene in a quantity of greater than or equal to 60 phr, more than 60 phr of a reinforcing white filler, and from 3 to 8 phr of sulphur.

Abstract: The invention provides a runflat device for a motor vehicle, the device comprising a ring for mounting inside a tire on a one-piece non-standard wheel rim that presents a drop center, an inner flange and an outer flange, said ring being made as at least two sectors each having a radially inner zone and a radially outer zone, wherein the sectors of the ring are independent of one another, and wherein each sector is fixed to the rim via its radially inner zone.

Abstract: A run flat pneumatic tire includes a thin annular monolithic band embedded in the crown portion of the tire wherein the band has a helical cut extending between opposite band edges. The cut has an arcuate length between 45° and 360° and provides a circumferentially expandable band which enhances molding of the tire by enabling the band to expand during molding to minimize porosity and reduce entrapment of air between the band and tread rubber. Alternately, a pair of helically cut bands are joined by an intervening band of rubber and a reinforcing layer of reinforcing cords in a rubber skim may extend about the outer surface of the expandable band or bands.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire, which is adapted for a standard wheel rim, comprises a tread portion, a pair of sidewall portions, a pair of bead portions, a carcass extending between the bead portions, and a rim flange holder disposed on each side of the tire and protruding axially outwardly so as to overhang a flange of the standard wheel rim. The rim flange holder has a hooking part extending radially inwardly on the axially outside of the flange so as to hook the flange. The radial measurement between the radially outermost point of the flange and the radially innermost point of the hooking part is at least 2 mm, and the rim flange holder is provided with a slit extending axially inwardly from the axial outer surface of the rim flange holder.

Abstract: A cellular tire liner for high tire deflection applications comprising a cellular tire liner interposed between the interior surface of a tire and an air chamber with a substantial portion of the air chamber being essentially vee shaped and an annular interface that extends from the air chamber to the interior surface of the tire and disconnects the sidewall portions of the tire liner from each other.

Abstract: A method of detection of a run-flat condition of a vehicle tire, said tire being mounted on a wheel, wherein:

Abstract: A run-flat tire comprises a tread portion, a pair of sidewall portions, a pair of bead portions with a bead core therein, a carcass ply extending between the bead portions through the tread portion and sidewall portions and turned up around the bead cores to be secured thereto, and a pair of axially spaced rigid rings each disposed inside the carcass ply in one of shoulder regions. Each of the ring is embedded in a bulge of rubber formed on the inside of the tire.

Abstract: The tire of the invention has an optimized path of the outermost carcass designed to maximize the extent of tensile stress in the sidewall and bead portions of the tire. The invention further provides separate reinforcement structures in the bead portion for anchoring the carcass or carcasses in the bead and for retaining the bead on the mounting rim during deflated operation, and said anchoring reinforcement also facilitates the maintenance of the desirable carcass profile.

Abstract: A run-flat tire comprises a tread portion, a pair of bead portions, a pair of sidewall portions, a carcass comprising at least one carcass ply extending between the bead portions, a belt disposed radially outside the carcass in the tread portion, and a tread reinforcing layer disposed between carcass plies or alternatively between the carcass and belt, the tread reinforcing layer made of a high elastic modulus rubber compound having a complex elastic modulus E* of from 10 to 30 MPa, a thickness t of from 0.8 to 2.5 mm, and an axial width WA of 0.7 to 1.0 times the tread width TW of the tire.

Abstract: An automobile having a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels provided with run-flat tires. The front tired wheels which are steerable are driven through a power transmission by an engine housed between these wheels. The tired front wheels are relatively narrow in width to make room for a large engine and are relatively large in diameter to afford a more favorable power transmission ratio and improved steering control. The tired rear-wheels are broad in width and small in diameter to enhance the tire-to-road surface area for more effective braking and to allow for an enlarged trunk capacity.

Abstract: A method for building a run flat pneumatic tire by precoating a thin high strength annular band of material with a layer of rubber to form a rubber/band composite. The rubber coated band composite is at least partially cured and then assembled between a body ply carcass and a tread package in a usual second stage tire building machine. The band can be encased completely with the rubber or the rubber can be applied only to the outside surface, the inside surface or the end edges of the band or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A run flat pneumatic tire has a thin annular band embedded in a crown portion of the tire. The band preferably is a composite member formed of a plurality of layers elongated strip material providing the band with inner and outer annular axially extending surfaces terminating in a pair of outer end portions. Either one or both of the outer end portions are tapered toward the other end portion and toward a pair of end edges to reduce interlaminar shear. The end edges can be straight or rounded surfaces and the tapered outer end portions may be coated with fiber filled epoxy coating.

Abstract: The run-flat tire has a tread for contacting a ground surface and a belt package with belt plies interior to the tread for support of the tread. A plurality of radially reinforced carcass layers are positioned interior to the belt plies and include at least one carcass layer that extends between spaced apart annular beads. The tire has a pair of sidewalls each extending radially inward from shoulders at lateral edges of the belt package to the annular beads. The sidewalls have a plurality of sidewall stiffening members to support the tire during a loss of inflation pressure. The carcass layers are disposed with the sidewall stiffening members to help support the run-flat tire with a loss of inflation pressure.