Abstract: A tire information acquisition device includes: a sensor unit including a sensor configured to acquire tire information; a sensor holder formed in a cylindrical shape holding the sensor unit, and composed of a non-metallic material having flexibility and air permeability; and a band having a band circumferential length adjustable by a fastening portion provided at one end and configured to reversibly fasten an other end, and the band is fastened to a rim in a state where the band is inserted into the sensor holder.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for building tyres, wherein, in the process, a carcass sleeve including at least one carcass ply and a pair of annular anchoring structures is transferred to a shaping drum including flange elements that are each engageable with one of said annular anchoring structures. The carcass sleeve is shaped according to a toroidal configuration. Before shaping, annular grip elements respectively carried by the flange elements are radially expanded, each inside one of the annular anchoring structures, in order to engage the carcass sleeve. The annular anchoring structures are moved axially apart from each other before engaging the carcass sleeve by the annular grip elements.

Abstract: The process for producing tyres comprises arranging no more than four sets of noise-reducing elements, each set being associated with a respective dimension Lx different from each other; feeding in succession a set of tyres for vehicle wheels, having different values C of the inner circumferential extension; for each inner circumferential extension value, determining a respective number nx of noise-reducing elements for each set of noise-reducing elements, with x ranging from 1 to N, wherein for at least one value of the inner circumferential extension at least two respective numbers nx differ from 0; for each tyre, collecting from each set of noise-reducing elements the respective number nx of noise-reducing elements and applying the collected noise-reducing elements in circumferential sequence along an inner surface of the tyre, with dimension Lx oriented circumferentially.

Abstract: In building tyres, an intermediate portion of a carcass structure is built at a time on a respective forming drum within an intermediate forming line. The forming drum with the intermediate portion of the carcass structure is made available at a first transfer location. The intermediate portion of the carcass structure is completed through n completion locations with n?1 and then transferred for the subsequent assembling with a crown structure to a second transfer location. At an operating moment in which the first transfer location is occupied by a forming drum coming from the intermediate forming line or intended for the intermediate forming line, from one to n locations selected from the n completion locations and the second transfer location are occupied by respective forming drums.

Abstract: An assembly for attaching an electronics package to a tire includes a carriage for receiving an electronics package. The assembly also includes a locking clip connected to the carriage and a locking ring having a first side permanently affixed to an interior of the tire. The locking ring is configured to engage the locking clip.

Abstract: Provided is an attaching device and a method for attaching a band-like member to a tire inner surface. A holder that holds the band-like member in a wound state and a paddle are disposed in an inner portion of a tire, and a dispensed portion is pressure-bonded to the inner surface by repeatedly performing: a bonding operation in which a predetermined length dispensed from the band-like member in a wound state toward the inner surface is pressed, by moving the paddle close to the inner surface with no relative rotation of the tire in the circumferential direction with respect to the holder, and is pressure-bonded to the inner surface and a dispensing operation in which, after the bonding operation, the paddle is moved away from the inner surface, and together with relatively rotating the tire in the circumferential direction, a new dispensed portion is formed.

Abstract: There are disclosed a plant and a process for building different types of green tyres, the process comprising: a) building a carcass structure of a green tyre; b) building a crown structure of a green tyre; wherein at least one between the building of the carcass structure and the building of the crown structure comprises: c) providing at least one first feeding unit of a first elementary semi-finished product and one second feeding unit of a second elementary semi-finished product, the at least one first and one second elementary semi-finished products being different to one another; d) building at least one portion of a structural component of the tyre being processed starting from at least one of the first and second elementary semi-finished products, in one work station fed by the first and second feeding units of the first and second elementary semi-finished products.

Abstract: A plant for building tyres for vehicle wheels, comprises a sleeve building area (A) in which devices for obtaining carcass sleeves (12) operate, a crown building area (B) in which devices for obtaining crown structures (7) operate and a shaping station (14) tor shaping each carcass sleeve (12) according to a toroidal configuration.

Abstract: A process for building tyres for vehicle wheels are disclosed, wherein said building process comprises the following steps carried out in a carcass structure building line: a) associating a pair of support rings with a forming drum in a work station for associating support rings; b) building at least one structural component of the tyre being processed on the forming drum provided with said pair of support rings in at least one work station of the carcass structure building line; c) removing the pair of support rings from the forming drum in a work station for removing support rings; d) transferring the pair of support rings dissociated from the forming drum in a temporary storage for support rings; e) building at least one further structural component of the tyre being processed on the forming drum without the pair of support rings in a work station of the carcass structure building line.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for improving the construction process of a wide-base radial truck tire, and the improvement of the tire construction process is realized by the design of carcass ply, the tire belt drum and the tire semi-finished components. The invention solves the problem of carcass bending, and provides theoretical guidance and technical support for improving the performance of wide-angle radial tires. The design method of the belt drum of the tire molding machine effectively controls the cords elongation of the belt. In addition, the problem of uneven force in the cords of the belt is eliminated, which dispels the abnormal flow of the wide-base tire shoulder rubber to the center of the crown during the shaping process, thus improving the durability and operability of the tire.

Abstract: A plant (1) for looping annular anchoring structures (100) includes a looping device (2), a separation station (8a) and a coupling station (8b). A handling apparatus (3) is interlocked to the looping device (2) for managing the plant (1) by moving the plurality of annular anchoring structures (100) coupled to respective separation elements (300), the looped annular anchoring structures (200) coupled to respective separation elements (300) and the separation elements (300a). The separation elements (300) are fed, coupled to respective annular anchoring structures (100), along a feeding section (A1). The separation elements (300a) separated by respective annular anchoring structures (100, 200) are transferred from the separation station (8a) to the coupling station (8b) along a transfer section (T), stationing in at least a first intermediate station (11, 11a). The separation elements (300) are moved away, coupled to respective looped annular anchoring structures (200), along a moving-apart section (A2).

Abstract: A method for managing a carcass structure building line, a plant and a process for building tyre carcass structures, wherein the plant includes a carcass structure building line provided with a plurality of stations including an unloading station and n building stations. A group of forming drums being processed includes m forming drums being processed defining a first size of carcass structure being processed. Three groups of entering forming drums include respective entering forming drums, defining a second size of carcass structure being processed. A pair of support elements being processed includes a first and a second support element being processed and three pairs of entering support elements respectively include a first and a second entering support element. The invention also relates to a method for managing a carcass structure building line.

Abstract: A method and a system for monitoring a condition of an elastic element used in a downhole tool are provided. The method comprises acquiring an output signal from a flexible-type sensor installed in the elastic element, the sensor sensing at least one of strain and stress of the elastic element, and estimating a condition of the elastic element based on the output signal from the sensor. The system comprises a flexible-type sensor installed in the elastic element, the sensor sensing at least one of strain and stress of the elastic element and a processor to acquire an output signal from the sensor and estimate a condition of the elastic element based on the output signal from the sensor.

Abstract: An article of footwear can comprise: an upper; and a sole assembly connected to the upper to form a receptacle for a human foot, the sole assembly can comprise: a cushion comprising an exterior wall that forms an enclosure; an antenna disposed within the enclosure; and a microchip connected to the antenna. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear can comprise: positioning an electronic communication device between two plies of polymer laminate; heating the two plies of polymer laminate to form a weld area and a cushion area, wherein the electronic communication device becomes encapsulated between the two plies of polymer laminate; inflating the cushion area with a gas; and sealing the cushion area.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tire T comprises a step for forming a green tire on the outside of a rigid core mold 2, a step for vulcanization-molding and obtaining a tire-accompanying rigid core mold G, a step for setting, at an assembly station P3, a core 5 taken out from the tire-accompanied rigid core mold G, and a removal and assembly step for removing one core segment 3 from the tire T by moving in inwardly in the tire radial direction from the tire-accompanying rigid core mold G and mounting it on the core 5 set at the assembly station. The removal and assembly step is performed for every core segment in the tire, whereby a rigid core mold 2 is assembled at the assembly station P3, while removing the rigid core mold 2 from the tire T.

Abstract: A technique for easily taking out a main body of a core mold is proposed. An annular core-mold main portion 11 having a molding surface 18 for shaping an inner surface of a pneumatic tire is included, and the core-mold main portion 11 is composed of a plurality of segments each of which is taken out toward the inside in a radial direction. In the molding surface 18 of the core-mold main portion 11, a ratio Bd/W of a maximum width W lying in regions for shaping sidewall portions and a width Bd in the tire axial direction measured at toe-end shaping positions 18e for shaping toe ends of bead portions is not less than 0.80. In an inside zone 30 from the toe-end shaping position 18e of the molding surface 18 to the position of the maximum width W, the angle ? of a tangent T drawn to the molding surface 18 is not more than 15 degrees.

Abstract: Each pneumatic tire disposed on the rear wheel side has a total groove surface area ratio of 20% or more and 27% or less in ground-contacting width. Each pneumatic tire disposed on the front wheel side and the rear wheel side has a smaller groove surface area ratio on the vehicle outer side than on the vehicle inner side in the ground-contacting width. The difference in the groove surface area ratio is 7% or more and 15% or less. The total groove surface area ratio is greater on the front wheel side than on the rear wheel side, the difference in the total groove surface area ratio being 3% or more and 10% or less.

Abstract: This invention relates to a functionalized resin composition having the formula P-X-S-W where S is a spacer selected from at least one of C2-C40 straight chain and branched alkyl, C6-C40 aromatics, butadiene, isoprene, and combinations thereof, P is a polymer backbone selected from at least one of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD)-based polymers, cyclopentadiene (CPD)-based polymers, DCPD-styrene copolymers, C5 homopolymers and copolymer resins, C5-styrene copolymer resins, terpene homopolymer or copolymer resins, pinene homopolymer or copolymer resins, C9 homopolymers and copolymer resins, C5/C9 copolymer resins, alpha-methylstyrene homopolymer or copolymer resins, and combinations thereof, X is one or more reactive groups, and W is a silane.

Abstract: This invention relates to a functionalized resin composition having the formula P—S—X where S is a spacer selected from at least one of C2-C40 straight chain and branched alkyl, C6-C40 aromatics, butadiene, isoprene, and combinations thereof, P is a polymer backbone selected from at least one of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD)-based polymers, cyclopentadiene (CPD)-based polymers, DCPD-styrene copolymers, C5 homopolymers and copolymer resins, C5-styrene copolymer resins, terpene homopolymer or copolymer resins, pinene homopolymer or copolymer resins, C9 homopolymers and copolymer resins, C5/C9 copolymer resins, alpha-methylstyrene homopolymer or copolymer resins, and combinations thereof, and X is a silane.

Abstract: An identification device (1) for a pneumatic spring (2) includes an RFID transponder (8), which is completely embedded into the elastomer matrix (13) of the flexible member (4). An electromagnetic field is generated by a read device (9), wherein the energy necessary for supplying the RFID transponder (8) is taken from the electromagnetic field generated by the read device (9). When the read device (9) is active, information can be exchanged between the RFID transponder (8) and the read device (9). The RFID transponder (8) operates completely without an internal energy supply. The RFID transponder (8) may also be configured as a read/write transponder including a memory chip, wherein data may be stored on the memory chip in a safe and permanent manner. By retrieving data from the RFID transponder (8), an identification of the pneumatic spring (2) is possible even without any internal power supply of the RFID transponder.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are vulcanizable and vulcanized rubber compositions comprising a conjugated diene polymer or copolymer, silica, and a substituted imidazole-based silica shielding agent of Formula (I), and methods for preparing such rubber compositions. Also disclosed herein are tire components, such as tire treads, containing the rubber compositions disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method of producing rubber compounds, in which the polymer base is composed partly of a first polymer material, which is either produced by emulsion polymerization or is natural rubber, and partly of a second polymer material produced by solution polymerization. The method includes a preliminary second polymer material treating step, in which the second polymer material, silica, a silane bonding agent, and at least one nucleophile agent are mixed with one another; a first mixing step, in which at least the first polymer material, silica, and a silane bonding agent are added to the compound resulting from the preliminary second polymer material treating step; and a second mixing step, in which stearic acid and a curing system are added to the compound being produced.

Abstract: The pneumatic tire includes a plurality of circumferential main grooves and extending in the tire circumferential direction, and a plurality of land portions partitioned by the circumferential main grooves. One row of the land portion includes a plurality of lug grooves that pass through the land portion in the tire width direction and is disposed at predetermined intervals in the tire circumferential direction, and a plurality of blocks partitioned by the lug grooves. Also, the lug groove includes a first lug groove portion and at least one second lug groove portion opening into one of the circumferential main grooves. Also, the groove width b of the first lug groove portion and the groove width B of the second lug groove portion have the relationships of 2.0 mm?b?5.0 mm, 5.0 mm?B?10.0 mm, and b<B.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the invention include methods and apparatus for molding and/or curing an article. Particular embodiments of such methods include positioning a mold core centrally within mold outer portion to form an annular mold cavity between the mold outer portion and the mold core, the core including an outer ring having an outer surface for engaging the annular article, the outer ring being formed of a material capable of expanding and contracting with changes in temperature. Such methods also include heating the mold outer ring, cooling the core outer ring subsequent to the step of heating, whereby the core outer ring contracts relative to the article, and removing the article from the core outer ring.

Abstract: On a building drum, anchoring structures to beads, carcass plies, a belt structure and/or other annular composite components are sequentially assembled with a liner, sidewalls, sidewall inserts, under-belt inserts or other annular elastomer components. Each of the sidewall inserts, sidewalls, or under-belt inserts is made as a one piece construction in a service station operating far away from the building drum for storage on a movable storing device. Actuating members operating on the movable storing device carry the annular elastomer components from the service station to the building drum. A transfer member picks up the annular elastomer components from the movable storing device to transfer them to the building drum.

Abstract: The present invention has its object to provide a high performance studless tire, which has both good braking force and high handling stability on ice or snow, at higher productivity and at a lower price for customers. The studless tire comprises a tread made of a rubber composition that contains 0.5 to 5.0 parts by mass of a fatty acid and/or a derivative of the fatty acid per 100 parts by mass of a rubber component.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises: a tread portion with an inboard and an outboard tread edges; a pair of inboard and outboard center main grooves to define a center portion therebetween; a pair of inboard and outboard shoulder main grooves; an inboard middle portion between the inboard center and shoulder main grooves; an outboard middle portion between the outboard center and shoulder main grooves; an inboard shoulder portion defined the axially outside of the inboard shoulder main groove; an outboard shoulder portion defined the axially outside of the outboard shoulder main groove; the outboard shoulder main groove with a groove width smaller than those of other main grooves; the outboard middle portion having a width larger than that of the inboard middle portion; and a plurality of outboard shoulder lateral grooves each extending from the outboard tread edge to its inner end terminating on the outboard middle portion.

Abstract: A valve stem-based air maintenance tire assembly and method of operation is provided employing a tire mounted air pumping system, The assembly includes a rim-mounted pressure regulator positioned within a tire cavity opposite an inward end of a tire valve stem to selectively open and close pressurized air flow from a valve stem internal passageway into the tire cavity. An elongate valve stem shaft is mounted within the valve stem air passageway and reciprocally moves axially to close off and open the valve stem air passageway to create or close a pressurized air path into the tire cavity as needed.

Abstract: A method is provided for reinforcement of a multiple layer shear band as may be used in a non-pneumatic tire. More particularly, a method of improving the performance characteristics (such as e.g., increasing the bending stiffness) of a shear band without increasing its thickness or to reducing the thickness of a shear band while maintaining its performance characteristics and to shear bands constructed according to such method is provided as well as shear bands constructed according to such method.

Abstract: An air maintenance tire assembly includes a tire having an elongate valve stem projecting outward from the tire cavity and a tire sidewall having an elongate sidewall groove formed therein and housing an elongate air tube. A connecting tube extends between the air tube and the valve stem, the connecting tube having an internal connecting air passageway for directing air forced along the air tube air passageway into the internal valve stem passageway as the tire rolls over a ground surface.

Abstract: An air maintenance tire assembly and method of operation includes a pressurized air supply assembly for supplying pressurized air to a tire cavity through an elongate outward projecting, valve stem passageway. An elongate centrally disposed shaft within the valve stem reciprocally moves axially in the valve stem internal air passageway between a passageway-opening axial position and a passageway-closing axial position. A pressure regulator is provided to move the elongate shaft axially between the passageway-opening and passageway-closing positions responsive to a detected air pressure level within the tire cavity.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for manufacturing a steering wheel cover is provided. At least one silicone rubber bar is provided. Two ends of the hollow silicone rubber bar are connected to form a close loop, wherein liquid silicone rubber is applied to a junction of the silicone rubber bar. Then, the hollow silicone rubber bar and the liquid silicone rubber are vulcanized to form the steering wheel cover. Therefore, the efficiency of producing the steering wheel cover is improved and the production costs are reduced.

Abstract: The needle (12) of the device for inserting a wire into a tire has: a piercing zone (18) having an axis of symmetry, and a duct (30) having a proximal opening and a distal opening (36) opening into the zone (18) and off-centre relative to the axis, the duct consisting of the proximal opening and of a rectilinear profiled section including the distal opening.

Abstract: On a tire inner surface “is” facing a tire cavity “i” surrounded by a rim 2 and a pneumatic tire 3, the tire is provided with a noise damper 4 made of a spongy material and extending in the circumferential direction of the tire. Noise dampers 4 having the same cross sectional shape are used in a size group of tires which include a minimum volume tire that the cross sectional area S of the tire cavity on the meridian cross section has a minimum value Smin and a maximum volume tire that the cavity cross section area S has a maximum value Smax, and which have sizes such that the cavity sectional area ratio Smax/Smin falls within the range of 1.00 to 1.95.

Abstract: A tyre layer application assembly and a method for applying a tyre layer around a substantially circular circumferential surface of an object. The assembly is provided with a drive which, during application, is coupled to the object for driving the object in a driven rotation about a concentric axis of rotation with respect to the circumferential surface, wherein the assembly includes a tracking device which, during application, is arranged to be fixed to a part of the tyre layer that is applied to the circumferential surface, wherein the tracking device is rotatable in a tracking rotation about the axis of rotation of the object, independent of the driven rotation of the object about the same axis of rotation.

Abstract: A method of mounting an object on a tire includes providing a tire having a sidewall, wherein the sidewall includes a mounting portion configured to receive an object. The method further includes mounting the object on the mounting portion of the sidewall, such that the object is visible without extending outwardly beyond the mounting portion.

Abstract: A tire assembly is disclosed, wherein the tire has a tread portion and a pair of sidewalls extending radially inward from the tread portion to join with a respective bead; a supporting carcass for the tread portion and sidewalls; and a pump passageway positioned within a bending region of the tire. The pump passageway is operative to open and close as the tire rotates. The tire assembly further includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the pump passageway. The tire further includes a pocket formed in the tire, and a filter assembly is mounted in the pocket.

Abstract: A method of producing a pneumatic tire with a surface fastener including filling an uncured rubber between engagement elements of a surface fastener to form a protective rubber layer in which the engagement elements are buried; placing the surface fastener having the protective rubber layer on an uncured tire in a manner that a surface of the surface fastener opposite a surface having the engagement elements is in intimate contact with an inner surface of the tire; and curing the uncured tire having the surface fastener by use of a curing machine equipped with a bladder.

Abstract: A method of preparing a green tire innerliner, the method comprising mixing one or more vulcanizable rubbery polymers, less than 0.75 parts by weight zinc oxide, less than 0.75 parts by weight magnesium oxide, and less than 0.75 parts by weight sulfur, per 100 parts by weight rubber, to form a vulcanizable mixture and extruding the mixture to form a green tire innerliner.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus configured to adhere a belt-shaped tire member onto a mold drum including: a feeding device including the belt-shaped tire member arranged so as to be capable of being fed and a transferring and adhering device configured to transfer the belt-shaped tire member from the feeding device side to the mold drum side and adhere the belt-shaped tire member onto the mold drum, wherein the transferring and adhering device includes: a transferring device configured to circulate between the feeding device side and the mold drum side and transfer the belt-shaped tire member sucked on the feeding device side to the mold drum side; and a separating unit configured to separate the transferred belt-shaped tire member on the mold drum side from the transferring device and adhere the belt-shaped tire member onto the mold drum.

Abstract: A tire and a method for forming a tire tread are disclosed. The tire includes a tread defining an inferior tread profile and a superior tread profile, the superior tread profile having a generally continuous curvature between an edge of contact and a top center point. The superior tread profile includes a plurality of control points and a plurality of splines. Each of the plurality of splines extends between at least two of the plurality of control points. Curvatures of adjacent splines are generally equal at each of the plurality of control points.

Abstract: A method and a plant for managing the production cycle of a plant for building tyres for vehicle wheels, wherein the plant provides for a storage region for anchoring annular structures and a plurality of processing stations at least one of which is associated with a forming drum, includes feeding a plurality of anchoring annular structures to the storage region, picking up the anchoring annular structures from the storage region at a predetermined picking-up position that does not change on changing of the types of the anchoring annular structures, and feeding the picked-up anchoring annular structures to the processing station associated with the forming drum.

Abstract: An annular rubber member is molded, across a through hole, on a support surface of a support device that includes the support surface and the through hole which opens to the support surface. The rubber member molded on the support surface is arranged so as to oppose a sidewall unit of a shaped tire intermediate body. The support device is moved close to the tire intermediate body and the rubber member on the support surface is brought into contact with the sidewall unit. The rubber member is adhered to the sidewall by moving the press member that presses the rubber member to the side wall unit via the through hole, in a tire radial direction.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing tires for vehicle wheels, a green tire, once formed, is transferred into a vulcanization mold and pressed against the holding walls of a molding cavity. Concurrently with the pressing step, a fluid present between the green tire and the holding walls is evacuated through vent valves. The tire is brought into contact with the closing head of each valve so as to push it toward a closed position at which the closing head forms a contact seat spaced apart from the inner surface of the molding cavity in order to define an embedding recess between the inner surface of the molding cavity and the closing head.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an elastomeric tire component includes the steps of a) preparing an elongated element including a cross-linkable elastomeric material by feeding it to an extruding device having a plurality of units, each having a respective thermal inertia, and b) delivering the elongated element onto a building support, and further includes at least one non-productive step of c) submitting at least one of the units of the extruding device to a thermal transition selected from heating or cooling, substantially reducing the risk of scorching during the thermal transition from and to the non-productive step ranking the units according to their thermal inertia and heating the units starting with the top-ranked unit sequentially to the bottom-ranked unit to reach the respective working temperature or cooling the units starting from the maximum working temperature unit sequentially to the minimum working temperature unit to reach the respective non-working temperature.

Abstract: A method for controlling the winding of an elongated element onto a collection reel with the interposition of a service fabric, includes rotating the collection reel and simultaneously winding the elongated element and the service fabric onto the collection reel, wherein the simultaneous winding includes determining the actual winding diameter of the collection reel and preferably, the actual unwinding diameter of a storage reel of the service fabric. The rotation speed of the collection reel is adjusted according to the actual winding diameter and preferably, also to the variation in length of the portion of elongated clement about to be deposited onto the collection reel.

Abstract: An apparatus for attachment to a portable image capture and storage device. The apparatus includes an auxiliary lens and an elastic band coupled thereto. The auxiliary lens is shaped for image alteration of an image obtained by the portable image capture and storage device. The auxiliary lens characterized by an optical axis extending from a base of the lens to a crown of the lens. The elastic band extends, at least in part, in a lateral direction, substantially orthogonal to the optical axis, from the auxiliary lens. The elastic band in combination with the auxiliary lens forms a closed loop whereby the apparatus is removably attachable to a peripheral portion of the image capture and storage device to alter the appearance of the image obtained by the portable image capture and storage device.

Abstract: A method of forming an air passageway in a an air maintenance tire carcass includes: embedding an elongate strip within a pre-cured flexible tire component of a pre-cured tire carcass, the elongate strip extending in a longitudinal direction between an air inlet cavity and an air outlet cavity in the flexible tire component; curing the pre-cured tire carcass including the flexible tire component; extracting the elongate strip longitudinally end-to-end from occupancy within the flexible tire component; and defining an air passageway in the flexible component by the space previously occupied by the withdrawn elongate strip. A free end portion of the strip is accessible at either the air inlet cavity or the air outlet cavity, and the elongate strip may be extracted from either the air inlet cavity or the air outlet cavity by a tensile withdrawal force applied to the elongate strip free end.

Abstract: The curing press for a tire blank comprises: a mould and inductors capable of heating the press by electromagnetic induction, each inductor comprising a core (36) comprising two feet (40) having respective undersides (60) which are flat and inclined in relation to one another.

Abstract: A method of making a tire comprising the steps of providing a core; forming a first layer of ply by winding a strip of one or more rubber coated cords onto the core in a geodesic pattern extending from a first shoulder to a second shoulder opposite said first shoulder and being tangent to the bead at a location between said first shoulder and said second shoulder.