Abstract: A method and unit for producing a road vehicle radial tire, whereby an impermeable innerliner (10) is applied to the inner surface of a toroidal tire carcass (3) by placing the innerliner (10) on a substantially cylindrical inner support (13), which is radially deformable to gradually assume a deformed configuration capable of mating with an inner surface of the carcass (3); the inner support (13) being fitted through the toroidal carcass (3) and through a toroidal outer support (14) housing the carcass (3), and being moved into the deformed configuration to lift the innerliner (10) towards the carcass (3) and compress the innerliner (10) against the inner surface of the carcass (3), (FIGS. 1 and 2).

Abstract: To form a metal bead for a tire, two integral portions of a single length of wire are wound in opposite directions about an axis to form a bundle; and the free ends of the two portions are positioned substantially coaxially and adjacent to each other along the outer periphery of the bundle, and are connected integrally to each other to form a bead with a substantially constant section along its whole length.

Abstract: A toroidal carcass is formed using a toroidal frame defined by two annular beads and by a removable outer ring divided into angular sectors; a winding device for feeding a spool, housing a cord, about and through the frame from a first to a last of the angular sectors; and an actuating device, which, before the cord is wound completely, moves the first angular sector into an operating position defining, with the last angular sector, an opening for the passage of the spool.

Abstract: A method of forming a complete carcass of a tire, whereby an inner carcass (5) of the tire, formed on a collapsible forming device (2) supporting the beads (8) of the inner carcass (5), is inserted, together with the collapsible forming device (2), inside a toroidal body (19) supporting, internally, an outer carcass (9); is made to adhere to the outer carcass (9) to form the complete carcass; is clamped with respect to the toroidal body (19) by means of a pair of fastening rings (24) fitted laterally to the toroidal body (19) and having radial arms (26) for supporting and clamping the two beads (8); and, finally, is detached from the forming device (2) by collapsing and extracting the forming device (2) from the toroidal body (19).

Abstract: To form a metal bead for a tire, two integral portions of a single length of wire are wound in opposite directions about an axis to form a bundle; and the free ends of the two portions are positioned substantially coaxially and adjacent to each other along the outer periphery of the bundle, and are connected integrally to each other to form a bead with a substantially constant section along its whole length.

Abstract: A winding unit (14) for forming a toroidal carcass (1) by winding a textile cord (5) in a spiral about a toroidal frame (7) defined by two coaxial annular beads (2) and by a removable annular element (9) located outwards of the beads (2) to define, with the beads (2), two annular openings (11); the unit (14) presenting a plate element (16) releasably connectable to the annular element (9), and a sprocket chain (27) supporting a spool (43) for the cord (5), and movable continuously, along a groove (25) formed on the plate element (16) and defining an endless path (P), to form a toroidal reticulated structure (4) about the annular element (9) and the beads (2); the endless path (P) presenting a C-shaped branch (P1) extending, in use, about the annular element (9), and an omega-shaped branch (P2) extending about a hole (21) for the passage of a respective bead (2), about the annular element (9), and through the two annular openings (11).

Abstract: A transfer ring (1) for toroidal carcasses (2), wherein a number of first actuators (17) provide for radially moving a number of sectors (19) to and from a position which forms a grab ring (20) for cooperating with an intermediate annular portion (7) of the carcass (2). A number of second actuators (35) provide for moving a number of clamping devices (34) to and from a closed position engaging the beads (3) of the carcass (2). Each sector (19) and each clamping device (34) presents respective magnetic retaining elements (22, 44), respectively cooperating with the intermediate annular portion (7) and the beads (3) of the carcass (2).

Abstract: A building drum (1) wherein two half drums (9, 10) are moved equally and oppositely along the same axis (6) between a parted idle position and an adjacent forming position. Each half drum (9, 10) supports an annular end element (29) of a tubular, axially deformable forming module (28), an intermediate tubular body (30) which is defined by a number of side-by-side, partially superimposed metal blades (40) connecting the two annular end elements (29) and movable to and from a deformed position wherein the blades (40) define a toroidal body (48) substantially corresponding negatively in shape to that of a finished tire (49).

Abstract: A building drum (1) wherein two half drums (9, 10) are moved equally and oppositely along the same axis (6) between a parted idle position and an adjacent forming position. Each half drum (9, 10) supports an annular end element (29) of a tubular, axially deformable forming module (28), an intermediate tubular body (30) which is defined by a number of side-by-side, partially superimposed metal blades (40) connecting the two annular end elements (29) and movable to and from a deformed position wherein the blades (40) define a toroidal body (48) substantially corresponding negatively in shape to that of a finished tire (49).

Abstract: A vectorial assembly method for first and second stage assemblies (5, 3) of radial tires, whereby a first stage assembly (5), mounted on a rotary inner support (52) so as to rotate about its axis, and a second stage assembly (3), housed inside a toroidal body (7) mounted for rotation, about a horizontal axis (8), on a supporting saddle (31) adjustable about a vertical axis (21), are rotated for determining their respective unbalance vectors, and are assembled, the first (5) inside the second (3), in relative angular positions such as to minimize the unbalance vector of the assembled tire.

Abstract: A transfer device (1) for the second stage assembly (2) of a radial tire. The device presents two pairs (33) of horizontal-axis rollers (37) defining a saddle (29) for supporting a toroidal body (4) positioned with a first axis (5) parallel to the axes (35) of the rollers (37) and housing the second stage assembly (2). The pairs (33) of rollers (37) are mounted on a platform (25) for rotating the toroidal body (4) about a second vertical axis (20), and are operable for rotating the toroidal body (4) about the first axis (5), and are located an adjustable distance apart for moving the toroidal body (4) along the second axis (20).

Abstract: A method of stitching component elements (5) of a radial tire, whereby an inner component element (5b) is placed inside an outer component element (5a) housed inside a toroidal body (7) mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis (8) on a saddle (31) adjustable in width and supported on a carriage (6). A stitching drum (58) is inserted inside the inner component element (5b) and toroidal body (7), and is moved radially upwards to compress the outer component element (5a) between the toroidal body (7) and the inner component element (5b). The saddle (31) is widened so that the toroidal body (7) weighs on the stitching drum (58), and the toroidal body (7) and stitching drum (58) are rotated in relation to each other.

Abstract: A toroidal carcass (1) for road vehicle tires, of the type presenting two annular beads (2, 3) connected by a toroidal reticulated structure (5) defined by tow numbers of loops (6, 7) extending in offset radial planes of the carcass (1) and from the respective beads (2, 3) to the center line of the reticulated structure (5); the loops (6, 7) being formed by winding respective continuous cords (8, 9) about the beads (2, 3) and being connected by a further continuous cord (13) extending along the center line of the reticulated structure (5).

Abstract: An inner supporting unit (1) for toroidal carcasses (2), wherein a number of ring segments (23) define a first annular supporting element (24) for the intermediate annular portion (6) of the carcass (2); and two rings (25, 26) of supporting members (27) are selectively operable for supporting the beads (4) of the carcass. The segments (23) define a first (48) and second (49) number of segments (23) movable between an operating position wherein the two numbers (48, 49) of segments (23) define the first annular supporting element (24), and an idle position wherein the two numbers (48, 49) of segments (23) respectively define a second (52) and third (53) substantially annular element aligned with each other along an axis (9), the outside diameter of which is smaller than the inside diameter of the beads (4).

Abstract: A vehicle tire (1), particularly for motor vehicles, defined by an outer tread (2) and two beads (3), each connected to the tread (2) by a respective annular sidewall portion (5); each sidewall portion (5) presenting an inner reinforcing cord assembly (6) defined by at least two layers (7) of reinforcing cords (8) on opposite sides of an extending outwardly of the respective bead (3), and a layer (16) of a lightweight elastomeric sponge filler material located between the two layers (7) of reinforcing cords (8), the thickness of which depends on the rigidity required of the respective sidewall portion (5).

Abstract: A toroidal road vehicle tire carcass comprises two annular beads connected by a substantially tubular toroidal reticulated structure defined by a number of elongated reinforcing elements extending between and substantially radially in relation to the beads. The carcass is produced using at least one continuous cord for forming a first and a second continuous series of oppositely-oriented U-shaped loops, wherein the loops in both series are connected so as to weave the substantially tubular reticulated structure enclosing the two beads.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing road vehicle tires, whereby a toroidal forming mold, housing a finished green tire, is fed successively through a first preheating station where peripheral heating elements preheat the tread portion of the green tire; through a second curing station where the tire is cured; and through a third postinflation station where the tire, fitted to a tubular support and removed from the mold, is engaged by a cooling element for cooling the bead portions of the tire.

Abstract: A method and device for producing a toroidal road vehicle tire carcass, the carcass presenting an annular frame rotated about its axis in relation to a knotting device located outside the frame and employing two continuous cords for producing, on the frame, a number of substantially radial, elongated reinforcing elements, each defined by a loop. Each loop is formed by winding in a U, an intermediate portion of a respective cord, wound about a respective annular bead forming part of the frame, and which is drawn towards the other bead and connected to a corresponding loop in the other cord to form with the same a reticulated "boucle" structure enclosing the two beads.

Abstract: A method of producing a spliceless annular tread cap (2), whereby a portion (23) of an extruded tube (21) of green elastomeric material is fed inside an annular body (8), the inner annular surface (17) of which presents a diameter approximately equal to but no smaller than the outside diameter of the tubular portion (23), and negatively reproduces the pattern of the finished tread cap (2). The tubular portion (23) is expanded and calendered against the inner surface (17) of the annular body (8) by means of a roller (34) moved into a position coplanar with and eccentric in relation to the annular body (8).

Abstract: A toroidal road vehicle tire carcass (1) having two annular beads (2) connected by a toroidal reticulated structure (4) defined by a number of elongated reinforcing elements located between and extending substantially radially in relation to the beads (2), is formed from a single continuous cord (5) for forming a succession of substantially identical groups (6) of elongated reinforcing elements, wherein each group (6) is defined by a first (7) and second (8) U-shaped loop having respective open ends (10) and respective closed ends (11) arranged along an annular interconnection line (9) extending centrally in relation to the beads (2). Each loop (7, 8) is wound about a respective bead (2), and has an open end (10) engaging the closed end (11) of the other loop (8, 7).