Abstract: A tire (10) has a composite ply (40). The composite ply (40) has a primary ply (40A) reinforced with parallel inextensible cords (41) and a pair of ply extensions (40B) having synthetic cords (43). The method of manufacturing the tire (10) is described. The tire (10) can be made as a runflat type tire.

Abstract: A tire (10) has a composite ply (40). The composite ply (40) has a primary ply (40A) reinforced with parallel inextensible cords (41) and a pair of ply extensions (40B) having synthetic cords (43). The method of manufacturing the tire (10) is described. The tire (10) can be made as a runflat type tire.

Abstract: A radial ply tire (10) has a floating reinforcement ply on the inside shoulder/sidewall region of the tire. The reinforcement ply comprises ply rubber having a gauge sufficient to delocalize flexing in the tire shoulder/sidewall region, and in one embodiment may be reinforced with 0.50 to 6.0 phr fibers. Depending on the type of tire in which the reinforcement ply is used, the reinforcement has a total gauge of 0.005 inch to 0.175 inch (0.127 to 4.445 mm). When fiber is used in the illustrated embodiment, the fiber is oriented circumferentially in the tire.

Abstract: A method of preparing a cylindrical-shaped innerliner (10) for storage. The method involves converting the innerliner (10) from a cylinder into a solid torodially-shaped donut (10A).

Abstract: A radial ply pneumatic tire (10) features a bead core (20) which comprises an arrangement of filaments (26) positioned relative to one another. The bead core (20) has a cross-section and a radially inward base side (44). In the cross section, the base side (44) of the bead core (20) has a width which is substantially linear and is between 50% to 75% of the rim seat width. The bead core base side (44) is inclined at least 15° relative to the bead's axis of rotation, while the bead heel surface has an as molded inclination at the central portion (61) radially inward of the bead base (44) at an angle of at least 10° with respect to the bead's axis. The tire (10) further has a unique toeguard chafer (66) compound that is cut resistant.

Abstract: A radial ply pneumatic tire has a carcass with a bead portion, a carcass reinforcing structure, and a bead filler. The carcass reinforcing structure has at least two structures with cords which extend to each bead. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tire carcass includes elastomeric first and second fillers, the first filler being located between the first ply structure and the innerliner of the tire, and the second filler being located between the first and second ply structures. The fillers stiffen the sidewalls to permit the tire to be driven while uninflated. The tire further includes an aramid overlay radially outwardly of the reinforcing belt.

Abstract: A radial ply pneumatic tire (10) features a bead core (20) which comprises an arrangement of filaments (26) positioned relative to one another. The bead core (20) has a cross-section and a radially inward base side (44), a radially outermost side (46), an axially inward first side (48), and an axially outward second side (50). In the cross section, the base side (44) of the bead core (20) has a width which is substantially linear and is between 50% to 75% of the rim seat width. The bead core base side (44) is inclined at least 15° relative to the bead's axis of rotation, while the bead heel surface has an as molded inclination at the central portion (61) radially inward of the bead base (44) at an angle of at least 10° with respect to the bead's axis. An associated rim (22) has a pair of humps (80) and a rim flange (76) associated with each hump (80).

Abstract: A runflat radial ply pneumatic tire 10 has a carcass 30 which has a pair of sidewalls 20, each sidewall being reinforced with at least two sidewall fillers or runflat inserts 42, 46 and at least two cord reinforced plies 38, 40 and a bead core 26. The tire has one or more reinforcing belts 36. Each sidewall has at least one ply 38 or 40 reinforced with cords, the cords have a modulus E of X, X being at least 10 GPa. At least one ply has a turnup end 32 wrapped around the bead core 26. A first ply 38 or 40 is reinforced with substantially inextensible cords having a modulus E greater than X of the cords of the other ply. The second ply 38 or 40 is spaced from the first ply 38 or 40 by the second filler or runflat insert in the sidewall 20.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire (10) has a pair of sidewall portions (20), a pair of bead regions (22) and a carcass (30) reinforced with at least two sidewall fillers or inserts (42), (46) for each sidewall portion and at least one cord reinforced ply (38) and two bead cores (26) one in each bead region and a reinforcing belt structure (36). This tire is preferably a runflat radial ply tire. The at least one cord reinforced ply (38) has a pair of turnup ends (32) wrapped around the pair of bead cores (26). The turnup ends (32) each extend radially outwardly to a terminal end (33) at a radial height of at least 40% of the tire section height (SH). The first insert for each sidewall portion lies radially inward and adjacent the at least one ply (38). The second insert (46) for each sidewall portion is a bead filler insert radially above the bead core (26) and between the at least one ply (38) and its turnup end (32).

Abstract: A low pressure all terrain vehicle tire 10 features a strapped bead core 20 which comprises distinct layers 30, 32, 34, 36 of filaments 26 positioned relative to one another. The bead core 20 has a substantially square or rectangular cross-section and a radially inward substantially flat base side 44, a radially outermost side 46, an axially inward first side 48, and an axially outward second side 50. The first side 48 intersects the base side 44 at a first edge 54 and forms thereby an included angle .alpha.. The second side 50 intersects the base side 44 at a second edge 56 and forms thereby an included angle .beta.. Angle .alpha. is equal to .beta.. The bead core 20 has perimeter 42 comprising the lengths of the base 44, radially outermost 46, first 48, and second 50 sides. The perimeter 42 defines the bead core area. The width of the bead heel surface 60 is approximately equal to the distance between a hump 80 and an axially inward surface 74 of the wheel flange 76.

Abstract: A runflat radial ply passenger or light truck pneumatic tire 10 has a carcass 30 reinforced with at least one sidewall insert or filler 42 and one substantially inextensible cord reinforced ply 38, the ply being wrapped about two bead cores 26 and located radially inward of a belt reinforcing structure 36. The sidewall insert or filler 42 is located radially inward of the ply 38. The cord 43 has a minimum modulus E of 10 Gpa and is generally inextensible and less heat sensitive than conventional synthetic cords used in passenger and light truck tires.

Abstract: An elastomeric composite structure 45 having two arrays of parallel cords 41, 43, each array of cords 41,43 being of different modulus or percent elongation. The array of cords 41,43 are spaced and provide different bending stiffness dependent on the direction of the applied load.

Abstract: The invention relates to a run-flat low inflation pressure all terrain vehicle (ATV) tire 10,11, wherein the tire 10,11 has at least one pair of elastomeric inserts 42,46, one insert 42,46 extending radially inward from each tread edge 14,16 toward a bead core 26. The radially inner end of the insert is radially inward of an elastomeric apex 48 located above the respective bead cores 26. The bead cores 26 have a wide substantially flat radially inner base which when the tire 10,11 is mounted on a conventional ATV design rim enable the tire 10,11 to remain seated onto the rim even when operating without any inflation. The preferred tire 10,11 has a unique tread 12. The central portion 13 of the tread 12 has circumferential rows of blocks or lugs 94. The lugs of laterally adjacent rows in a central region 13 of the tread 12 are connected by tie bars 93 which when employed on these run-flat tires keeps the tread lugs 94 in ground contact even when the tire is operated uninflated.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire 10 has a pair of sidewall portions 20, a pair of bead regions 22 and a carcass 30 reinforced with at least two sidewall fillers or inserts 42, 46 for each sidewall portion and at least one cord reinforced ply 38 and two bead cores 26 one in each bead region and a reinforcing belt structure 36. This tire is preferably a runflat radial ply tire. The at least one cord reinforced ply 38 has a pair of turnup ends 32 wrapped around the pair of bead cores 26. The turnup ends 32 each extend radially outwardly to a terminal end 33 located under the reinforcing belt structure 36. The first insert 42 for each sidewall portion lies radially inward and adjacent the at least one ply 38. The second insert 46 for each sidewall portion is radially between the at least one ply 38 and its turnup end 32.

Abstract: A runflat radial ply pneumatic tire 10 has a carcass 30 which has a pair of sidewalls 20, each sidewall being reinforced with at least two sidewall fillers or runflat inserts 42, 46 and at least two cord reinforced plies 38, 40 and a bead core 26. The tire has one or more reinforcing belts 36. Each sidewall has at least one ply 38 or 40 reinforced with cords, the cords have a modulus E of X, X being at least 10 GPa. At least one ply has a turnup end 32 wrapped around the bead core 26. A second ply 38 or 40 is reinforced with substantially inextensible cords having a modulus E greater than X of the cords of the other ply. The second ply 38 or 40 is spaced from the first ply 38 or 40 by the second filler or runflat insert in the sidewall 20.

Abstract: A radial ply pneumatic tire has a carcass with a bead portion, a carcass reinforcing structure, and a bead filler. The carcass reinforcing structure has at least two plies. The turnup ends of a first or a second ply are wrapped about each bead and terminates in radial proximity of the maximum section width of the tire. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tire carcass includes elastomeric first and second filers the first filler being located between the first ply and the innerliner of the tire, and the second filer being located between the first and second ply. The fillers stiffen the sidewalls to permit the tire to be driven while uninflated. The tire may further include an aramid overlay radially outwardly of the reinforcing belt.

Abstract: A low pressure all terrain vehicle tire 10 features a strapped bead core 20 which comprises distinct layers 30,32,34,36 of filaments 26 positioned relative to one another. The bead core 20 has a substantially square or rectangular cross-section and a radially inward substantially flat base side 44, a radially outermost side 46, an axially inward first side 48, and an axially outward second side 50. The first side 48 intersects the base side 44 at a first edge 54 and forms thereby an included angle .alpha.. The second side 50 intersects the base side 44 at a second edge 56 and forms thereby an included angle .beta.. Angle .alpha. is equal to .beta.. The bead core 20 has perimeter 42 comprising the lengths of the base 44, radially outermost 46, first 48, and second 50 sides. The perimeter 42 defines the bead core area. The width of the bead heel surface 60 is approximately equal to the distance between a hump 80 and an axially inward surface 74 of the wheel flange 76.

Abstract: A run-flat radial ply pneumatic tire 10 has a carcass structure reinforced with pairs of elastomeric sidewall fillers 42,46,48 and at least three bead cores 26,26' and 37. At least one bead core 37 lies axially between the lateral edges of the tread 12 and extends radially inwardly of the tread 12 and reinforcing belts 36 and radially outwardly of the first and second bead cores 26,26' and a carcass reinforcing structure 30. In several embodiments improved wet traction tread designs are employed.

Abstract: A radial ply pneumatic tire features a bead core which comprises an arrangement of filaments positioned relative to one another. The bead core has a cross-section and radially inward base side, a radially outermost point or side or sides, an axially inward first side, and an axially outward second side. The base side of the bead core is substantially linear and has a width being between 50% to 75% of the rim seat width. An associated rim has a pair of humps and a rim flange associated with each hump. Each rim flange has an axially inward surface, the distance between each hump and the axially inward surface of the associated rim flange being a rim seat.

Abstract: A radial ply pneumatic tire is described. The tire has a carcass with a bead portion, a carcass reinforcing structure, and a bead filler. The carcass reinforcing structure has at least two plies. The turnup ends of a first and second ply are wrapped about each bead. The turnup end of one of the plies terminates in radial proximity of the maximum section width of the tire. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tire carcass includes elastomeric first and second fillers the first filler being located between the first ply and the innerliner of the tire, and the second filler being located between the first and second ply. The fillers stiffen the sidewalls to permit the tire to be driven while uninflated. The tire may further include an aramid overlay radially outwardly of the reinforcing belt.