Abstract: The present invention relates to a balance weight 10 for a vehicle wheel, including: (1) a metal clip 14 with a hook portion 11 having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a flange edge portion of a wheel, and a leg portion 13 for retaining a weight made of a resin composition having high specific gravity, which is capable of independently close-contacting and fixing to the flange edge portion, and (2) a weight 12 made of a thermoplastic resin in including 2.5 to 8.0% by weight of a thermoplastic elastomer and 97.5 to 92% by weight of tungsten powder, which is attached to the leg portion 13.

Abstract: A tread rubber composition of excellent hydrophobic property and water repellency suitable to a studless tire of excellent performance on ice, comprising a diene rubber comprising at least one rubber selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, isoprene and polybutadiene as a main ingredient and, based on 100 parts by weight of the diene rubber, from 10 to 40 parts by weight of a clay comprising kaolinite as a main ingredient and having an oil absorption amount of from 50 to 70 g/100 g and 0.1 to 8 parts by weight of a silane coupling agent.

Abstract: A rubber composition suitable for use in tread of tires, particularly studless tires having increased digging and adhesive frictions to improve characteristics on icy roads of the tires without substantial deterioration of the durability of the tires or with minimizing the deterioration, which comprises a diene rubber component, 3 to 30 parts by weight of an ebonite powder and 0.1 to 3 parts by weight of a silylating agent, respectively, per 100 parts by weight of the rubber component.

Abstract: A radial tire for motorcycle, in which the steering stability at high running speed is improved and the ply separation at the breaker edges is lessened. The tire comprises: a radial carcass extending between bead portions of the tire; a tread disposed radially outside the carcass; and a breaker disposed between the carcass and the tread and having at least one ply of metallic cords coated with rubber; each metallic cord comprising a plurality of twisted strands; each strand consisting of at least three twisted filaments made of metal; the elongation of each metallic cord when loaded when 1.0 kgf/cord being in a range of 0.5 to 1.5%; the tangential modulus of elasticity of each metallic cord when loaded with 10 kgf/cord being in a range of 8,000 to 15,000 kgf.sq.mm.

Abstract: A radial tire for a motorcycle comprising a carcass ply and a breaker disposed radially outside thereof and comprising a first ply lying on the carcass ply and a second ply lying radially outside the first ply, wherein the carcass ply is composed of cords arranged radially at an angle of 70 to 90 degrees to the tire equator and having an elastic modulus MC of 250 to 600 kgf/sq.mm; the first ply of the breaker being composed of cords arranged at an angle of 10 to 30 degrees to the tire equator and having a elastic modulus MB1 of 450 to 1100 kgf/sq.mm; the second ply of the breaker being composed of aromatic polyamide cords arranged at an angle of 10 to 30 degrees to the tire equator and having a elastic modulus MB2 of 650 to 1600 kgf/sq.

Abstract: A bead manipulator subassembly for a bead supply apparatus for setting beads, at given intervals, at both side-portions of a green tire inner layer formed on a tire molding former. A movable bead setter is disposed between said tire molding former and a bead stocker is provided with a bead retaining means for concentrically collecting and retaining two beads from a bead stocker. A posture controlling means for controlling the posture of the retaining means is provided so that said two beads may align with the center of the former. A motion controlling means for controlling the motion of the bead setter can be added so that said two beads may align with the center of the former.

Abstract: An automatic ply applying apparatus and method for forming an elastic annular body, such as a vehicle tire, by transporting each ply to a former, retaining a portion of the ply adjacent to the leading end of the former, applying the leading end portion of the ply to the peripheral surface of the former and applying the remaining portion of the ply to the peripheral surface of the former during rotation of the former.