Abstract: A radial ply tire for vehicle wheels has a torus-shaped body of elastomeric material which contains a belt-shaped reinforcing insert which has in the region underneath the tread of the tire a strip which is stretchable, pre-loadable and, under the influence of external forces, restorable in the circumferential direction of the tire. The strip of the reinforcing insert contains apertures extending largely transversely with respect to the circumferential direction of the tire. The apertures extend only partially through the strip in a transverse direction and are arranged in rows, the apertures being parallel and offset with respect to one another in successive rows. Between them there are transversely extending unbroken portions which provide the desired transverse stiffness of the belt.

Abstract: A belt ply for pneumatic tires including at least one ring of sheet or strip material extending in the circumferential direction of the tire. These rings include extension zones formed of undulations, projections or recesses, extending transversely to the circumferential direction of the tire. The rings additionally include notches or recesses of defined length extending in the circumferential direction to improve the flexibility of the tire in the extension zones.