Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic radial carcass type tire for heavy duty use having an improved reinforcing structure for the bead region. In a tire comprising a four ply radial carcass (1), the two bead regions are each reinforced by a bead core (2) and an axially inner (6) and an axially outer (7) textile reinforcing layer and a rubber apex strip (8). As compared to the prior art, the relatively low rubber apex strip (8) and the resulting low separation point between the first (3) and second (4) set of carcass plies reduces the sheer stresses between these carcass plies while the specific arrangement of the axially inner (6) and axially outer (7) textile reinforcing layers, retains the required stiffness in the bead region (5). In a preferred embodiment of the invention the axially inner (6) and axially outer (7) textile reinforcing layers comprise square woven fabric which help towards reducing the ply waviness of both the reinforcing layers (6,7) and the carcass plies (3,4).

Abstract: A radial tire has a carcass ply (17) with turn-up portions (19) extending around each bead (13). On the side of the carcass ply (17) furthest away from each bead (13) are located two reinforcing plies (21,22). Each reinforcing ply (21,22) has portions (21A,22A, and 21B,22B) disposed on each axial side of the associated bead (13). The first portions (21A,22A) of the reinforcing plies adjacent the carcass ply turn-up portions (19) extend radially outwardly thereof, and the second portions (21B,22B) of the reinforcing plies on the other axial side of the bead extend radially outwardly beyond said first portions (21A,22A).