Abstract: A carcass sleeve is situated in a radially external position with respect to a toroidal forming drum, arranged in a first radially contracted operative condition. The carcass sleeve is shaped according to a toroidal configuration while the forming drum is positioned inside the carcass sleeve. During shaping of the carcass sleeve, the forming drum is radially expanded up to a second radially expanded operative condition. Upon completed shaping, the carcass sleeve is coupled to the forming drum in the second operative condition. The forming drum, coupled to the shaped carcass sleeve, is arranged in proximity to at least one device for building at least one belt layer at a radially external position relative to the shaped carcass sleeve.

Abstract: A toroidal forming drum and a process for budding tyres. The toroidal forming drum is expanded within a shaped carcass sleeve for supporting the carcass sleeve against an abutment surface externally provided by the forming drum. An elementary semi-finished product is applied around the shaped carcass sleeve by pressing the elementary semi-finished product toward the abutment surface. The abutment surface has circumferential rows of solid portions alternated with hollow portions. The solid portions, arranged along axially opposite circumferential edges of the abutment surface, have a transverse size between 10% and 60% of a transverse size presented by the solid portions arranged in proximity to an axial centreline plane of the abutment surface.

Abstract: A tyre for motor vehicles, includes: a carcass structure; a belt structure applied in a position radially external to the carcass structure and a tread band; the tyre having a transverse curvature ratio of at least about 0.30, the carcass structure including at least one carcass layer including textile reinforcement elements obtained by means of cords having, in a load/elongation diagram, an elastic response of at least 55 N at an elongation of about 2%; and at least one tread portion comprising a cured elastomeric material obtained by curing an elastomeric compound including 100 phr of at least one elastomeric polymer, from 30 to 130 phr of at least one reinforcement filler including at least 60% of an inorganic material selected from among silica, alumina, silicates, hydrotalcite, calcium carbonate, kaolin, titanium dioxide and their mixtures, and from 1 to 35 phr of at least one resin.

Abstract: Motorcycles tyre including a carcass structure, a zero-degree belt structure arranged in a radially outer position with respect to the carcass structure and a tread band arranged in a radially outer position with respect to the belt structure. The belt structure includes at least one hybrid reinforcing cord that has an elongation greater than 4% when subjected to a load equal to about 50 N and a tangent modulus with a monotonic progression as the elongation increases for elongations comprised between 4% and at least 9%.

Abstract: Tyre for motorcycles includes a carcass structure, a belt structure arranged in a radially outer position with respect to the carcass structure and a tread band arranged in a radially outer position with respect to the belt structure, wherein the belt structure is of the zero degree type and includes at least one reinforcing cord having an elongation at break smaller than about 3%; the cord includes a plurality of first metal wires twisted together so as to form a core of first metal wires and a plurality of second metal wires twisted together around said core; and the number and the diameter of the second metal wires are such that the second metal wires are not able to fully enclose the core.

Abstract: A motor vehicle tire, particularly for front wheels of motor vehicles, has a tread extending around an axis of rotation and includes a central annular portion which straddles an equatorial plane and two annular shoulder portions arranged on axially opposite sides of the central annular portion. The tread band has a void-to-rubber ratio of less than 10%, and the central annular portion has an axial extension less than 40% of the axial development of the tread band and includes at least a pair of first grooves extending substantially longitudinally on opposite sides of the equatorial plane. Each shoulder portion has an axial extension less than 35% of the axial development of the tread band and includes a plurality of second grooves extending substantially transversally forming an average angle with the equatorial plane of more than 90°. The central annular portion has a void-to-rubber ratio more than 0.

Abstract: A tyre that can be fitted to the front of a motorcycle. The tyre has a high void-to-rubber ratio and includes grooves located asymmetrically across the equatorial plane of the tyre, arranged substantially orthogonally to the equatorial plane of the tyre at the equatorial plane itself. According to one aspect, the grooves are close to one another in the circumferential direction of the tyre to increase their number in a footprint area of the tyre.

Abstract: A motorcycle tyre intended to be fitted to the rear wheel of a motorcycle. The motorcycle tyre has a tread pattern with a high void-to-rubber ratio that provides a suitable draining. The tread pattern has pairs of primary grooves to carry out the draining function of the tyre, and arranged substantially according to the stress lines of the tyres to reduce the probability of triggering uneven wear. Also included are secondary grooves having a reduced dimension, in terms of both extension and width, arranged between the primary grooves to increase the grip of the tyre to the ground. Orientation of the secondary grooves increases stabilizing features against drift forces acting on the tyre, particularly in low or very low friction conditions.

Abstract: A motorcycle tyre with a low void-to-rubber ratio while providing a stiffness suitable for good performance on dry ground and on track. A tread band with grooves is arranged to provide a draining effect without structurally weakening the tread band. According to one aspect, the tread band has a tread pattern with two pairs of grooves having segments or portions that produce a warming effect when the compound of the tread band is cold. The tread band provides grip to the ground and limited local warming when the compound of the tread band is at the operating temperature or when driving on dry ground, to provide stiffness and readiness of response.

Abstract: Motor vehicle tyre adapted to be mounted on the rear wheel of a motor vehicle, includes a tread band having a tread pattern including a module which is repeated along a direction of circumferential extension of the tyre. The module has at least one first pair of first grooves inclined in opposite directions with respect to an equatorial plane of the tyre, and extending from the equatorial plane toward a respective shoulder; at least one second pair of second grooves inclined in opposite directions with respect to the equatorial plane and extending from the equatorial plane toward a respective shoulder. The first and the second grooves are staggered relative to each other in the circumferential direction in such a way as to maintain a substantially constant distance of less than half the pitch, at the equatorial plane between each first or second groove and the adjacent one in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A motorcycle tyre has a tread band including a central portion and two shoulder portions arranged at axially opposite sides of the central portion. The central portion includes a first plurality of grooves extended according to a substantially longitudinal direction and alternatively arranged at opposite sides of the equatorial plane of the tyre. Each groove of the first plurality of grooves has a substantially curvilinear course such as to form a concavity. The central portion further includes a sub-portion substantially free of grooves placed astride the equatorial plane of the tyre. Each of the shoulder portions includes a second plurality of grooves arranged obliquely relative to the equatorial plane of the tyre.

Abstract: A motorcycle tyre has a tread band including a central portion and two shoulder portions arranged at axially opposite sides of the central portion. The central portion includes a first plurality of grooves extended according to a substantially longitudinal direction and alternatively arranged at opposite sides of the equatorial plane of the tyre. Each groove of the first plurality of grooves has a substantially curvilinear course such as to form a concavity. The central portion further includes a sub-portion substantially free of grooves placed astride the equatorial plane of the tyre. Each of the shoulder portions includes a second plurality of grooves arranged obliquely relative to the equatorial plane of the tyre.

Abstract: A pair of motor vehicle tires includes a front tire and a rear tire to be mounted respectively on a front wheel and a rear wheel of a two-wheeled vehicle, each tire of the pair having a tread band extending around an axis of rotation. The tread band of the front tire includes a central annular portion straddling an equatorial plane and two annular shoulder portions disposed on axially opposite sides of the central annular portion. The central annular portion includes at least a pair of first grooves extending substantially longitudinally on opposite sides of the equatorial plane in such a way as to form a concavity directed toward the equatorial plane. Each shoulder portion includes a plurality of second grooves isolated from the first grooves and extending substantially transversally so as to form an average inclination with the equatorial plane greater than 90°.

Abstract: A motorcycle tyre has a tread band including a central portion and two shoulder portions arranged at axially opposite sides of the central portion. The central portion includes a first plurality of grooves extended according to a substantially longitudinal direction and alternatively arranged at opposite sides of the equatorial plane of the tyre. Each groove of the first plurality of grooves has a substantially curvilinear course such as to form a concavity. The central portion further includes a sub-portion substantially free of grooves placed astride the equatorial plane of the tyre. Each of the shoulder portions includes a second plurality of grooves arranged obliquely relative to the equatorial plane of the tyre.

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 by means of mutual axial approaching of the flange elements. 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 means of the annular grip elements.

Abstract: Tire for motorcycles, having a tread band includes a central annular portion symmetrically located astride an equatorial plane and two shoulder annular portions located on axially opposite sides with respect to the central annular portion. The tread band has a void-to-rubber ratio not greater than 25%. The central annular portion has an axial extension not greater than 65% of the axial development of the tread band and the central portion has at least one module circumferentially repeated. Each shoulder portion has an axial extension not greater than 40% of the axial development of the tread band and the module includes at least one pair of first grooves with substantially circumferential course, at least partially located on opposite sides with respect to the equatorial plane. The central annular portion has a void-to-rubber ratio not smaller than 10% and the module includes a plurality of second grooves located substantially transversally with respect to the equatorial plane.