Abstract: A tire has a carcass reinforcement ply, anchored within each bead by winding around an annular element whose tensile strength is less than the tensile strength necessary for a bead wire of a conventional tire of the same dimension, and an assembly of at least two textile bead reinforcement layers arranged in contact with the annular element, wherein the annular element has a tensile strength of between 3 and 5 times the tension imparted to the carcass reinforcement by the recommended inflation pressure, and an elongation at break between 2 and 6%, all the reinforcement layers having a tensile strength of between 0.5 and 1 time the tensile strength of the annular element, and the total of the tensile strengths of the annular element and of the assembly of the reinforcement layers being between 6 and 8 times the tension imparted to the carcass reinforcement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a tire bead core (40) by winding a length of wire into a coil with at least one radially outermost layer (30) having a side-by-side relationship where each successive winding of the wire is placed adjacent to the previous winding except for the final two windings (18,19) where the wire of the next to last winding (18) is wound with a uniform gap (43) relative to the previous winding (17) and where the final winding (19) of the wire and its cut end (20) cross over the top of the next to last winding (18) and are pressed into the gap (43) and constrained by the wire of the two previous windings (17, 18).

Abstract: A tire for vehicle wheels includes a carcass, a tread strip, and a belt structure. The carcass has a central crown portion and two axially opposite sidewalls terminating in a pair of beads. Each bead includes at least one circumferentially unextendable annular reinforcing core having a series of spirals of metal wire radially superimposed and axially arranged alongside each other. The carcass has a reinforcing structure including at least one ply of rubberized fabric reinforced with metal cords lying in radial planes containing an axis of rotation of the tire. The reinforcing structure includes ends secured to the annular reinforcing cores and a neutral profile, lying in a radial cross-sectional plane, axially extending from bead to bead. The neutral profile intersects a cross section of a zone enclosing the annular reinforcing cores and has a continuous curvature devoid of inflection points along an extension between the beads.

Abstract: A carcass structure for a two-wheeled vehicle tire includes at least one carcass ply and a pair of annular reinforcing structures. The at least one carcass ply includes a first series and at least one second series of strip sections circumferentially distributed in a mutually-alternated sequence around a geometric rotation axis of the tire. Each strip section includes longitudinal and parallel thread elements at least partly coated with at least one layer of elastomer material and extends in a substantially U-shaped configuration to define two side portions and a crown portion. The annular reinforcing structures are applied against end flaps of the first series of strip sections and are overlapped by end flaps of the at least one second series of strip sections. Each of the annular reinforcing structures includes an annular anchoring insert, including one or more elongated elements extending in radially-concentric coils, and at least one filling body.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire for trucks having reduced weight and less material usage. The present invention utilizes an outside-in radial ply construction, which aids to torque the tire bead into the rim of the wheel to which it is mounted and allows the rim to provide greater support for the tire. The size of the bead may be reduced, permitting a reduction in the amount of rubber and reinforcement around and above the bead.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a carcass ply extending between bead portions and is turned up around a bead core in each bead portion to form two turnup portions and a main portion therebetween; each of the turnup portion extends radially outwardly and adjoins the main portion from a certain height above the bead core; a space is surrounded by the carcass ply main portion, and each turnup portion and the bead core is filled with a small size bead apex rubber or a gas; and the bead portion is provided between the carcass ply and the bead core with a bead core cover for preventing the carcass cords from direct contacting with the bead core.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire (10) has a tread portion (11), a pair of sidewall portions (13) and a pair of bead portions (14). Each bead portion (14) has a bead core (15), and each bead core (15) has a radially inner surface defining a bead core base (31). Radially inward of, and wider than, each bead core base (31) is a bead seat profile (20). The bead seat profile (20) provides an interference fit between the tire (30) and the ledge (42) of the wheel rim (40) to which the tire (10) is to be mounted. The bead seat profile (20) has at least two portions which are inclined at specific angles with respect to the radially inner surface of the bead core base The radially inner base (31) of the bead core (15) is substantially parallel to the bead seat profile.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a carcass ply extending between bead portions and is turned up around a bead core in each bead portion to form two turnup portions and a main portion therebetween; each of the turnup portion extends radially outwardly and adjoins the main portion from a certain height above the bead core; a space is surrounded by the carcass ply main portion, and each turnup portion and the bead core is filled with a small size bead apex rubber or a gas; and the bead portion is provided between the carcass ply and the bead core with a bead core cover for preventing the carcass cords from direct contacting with the bead core.

Abstract: A self-supporting tyre (1) has reinforcing structures at the beads (4) defining rest surfaces (4a) for a corresponding rim (1a) which have a profile converging towards the tyre rotation axis away from the equatorial plane (X-X) of the tyre itself. The carcass plies (3a, 3b) are each made by sequential deposition of strip-like sections circumferentially distributed on a toroidal support (11). Elastic-support inserts (16, 21) are interposed between the side portions (13a, 14a) of axially internal sections (13), axial intermediate sections (15). In this manner around at least one of said support inserts opening degree of which can be modulated depending on requirements, by modifying the land/empty space ratio determined by the distance existing between the side portions (13a, 14a, 15a) of the strip-like sections (13, 14, 15) covering each of the axially opposite sides of the support insert itself.

Abstract: The pneumatic tire has a single carcass ply reinforced with parallel metallic cords, each cord composed of at least one filament having a tensile strength of at least (−2000×D+4400 MPa) ×95%, where D is the filament diameter in millimeters. The turnup portion of the single carcass ply 12 in the bead portion of a pneumatic tire is interposed between the bead core 11 and a toe guard 18, and the radially outer edge of each turnup portion being in contact with the main portion of the carcass ply and extending to an end point 0.5 to 4.0 inches (12.7 to 101.6 mm) radially outward of the bead core. The toe guard 18 has a first and second end and each end is disposed directly adjacent to the carcass ply. The first end 18a of the toe guard is located on the axially inner side of the main portion of the carcass ply at a location about 0.4 to 3.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire to be mounted on a 15-degree-taper rim comprises a pair of bead portions each with a bead core, wherein in a meridian section of the tire under a state that the tire is not mounted on the rim but the bead portions are held such that the bead width is equal to the rim width of the 15-degree-taper rim, the bead base surface of each bead portion, which is defined as extending between a bead heel and a bead toe, is substantially straight and inclined at an angle of from 22 to 26 degrees with respect to the tire axial direction, and a ratio La/Lb of the axial width La of the bead base surface to the maximum width Lb of the bead core is in a range of from 1.3 to 1.6.

Abstract: A light weight cable bead core 30 is described having an inner core 33 made of a metal wire 34 with an outer sheath 35 of steel cord wires 36. Each cord 36 is made of a plurality of filaments 37. The bead core 30 is particularly suited for heavy-duty service conditions in tires 100 for aircraft, off-road equipment, and commercial trucks.

Abstract: A bead core for locking a tire to a seat of a wheel rim includes a plurality of annular reinforcement elements having an inner transverse dimension smaller than a maximum diameter of the wheel rim, and being sufficiently deformable at ambient temperature to facilitate mounting the tire onto the wheel rim. The plurality of annular reinforcement elements includes at least one tightening element made of a shape-memory alloy responsive to temperature increases by increasing a tightening force on the wheel rim at a predetermined temperature. A tire including the bead core and a method for securing a tire to a rim using the bead core are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a pneumatic radial tire for trucks and buses mounted on an approved 15° drop center rim, an outer surface portion of a composite side-rubber and/or an envelope surface of the bead core among members constituting the bead portion of the tire has a curved shape concavedly directed toward the outside of the tire at a region opposite to an inner curved surface of a slantly rising portion in a flange of the approved rim.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a carcass structure for vehicle tires includes preparing strip sections, each comprising longitudinal and parallel thread elements coated at least partly with at least one layer of raw elastomer material. A first series of strip sections is laid down onto a toroidal support. First primary portions of annular reinforcing structures are applied against end flaps of the first series strip sections. At least one second series of strip sections is laid down onto the toroidal support. Together, the first and second series define a first carcass ply. A third series of strip sections is laid down onto the toroidal support. Second primary portions of the annular reinforcing structures are applied against end flaps of the third series strip sections. At least one fourth series of strip sections is laid down onto the toroidal support. Together, the third and fourth series define a second carcass ply.

Abstract: A light weight cable bead core 30 is described having an inner core 33 made of a metal wire 34 with an outer sheath 35 of steel cord wires 36. Each cord 36 is made of a plurality of filaments 37. The bead core 30 is particularly suited for heavy-duty service conditions in tires 100 for aircraft, off-road equipment, and commercial trucks.

Abstract: A bead wire for a bead core of a tire, having at least one portion of its annular extent formed from a material having characteristics of superelasticity, resulting in increasing deformations of the bead core when a constant stretching load is applied at constant temperature. As the load ceases, the bead core recovers from the deformation. The characteristics of the bead core allow mounting a tire incorporating the bead core to a rim at ambient temperature, with intelligent adjustment of the bead core to the dimensions of the seat of the rim. The bead core increases the magnitude of an inward contraction stress as its temperature increases, so that it increases the gripping pressure exerted by the tire beads on the rim when the tire runs in the deflated state.

Abstract: A tire comprising a crown, two sidewalls and two beads, a carcass reinforcement anchored in each of the beads and a crown reinforcement. The carcass reinforcement comprises at least two circumferential alignments of first reinforcing threads of high elasticity modulus, each circumferential alignment of the first reinforcing threads being, within each bead, bordered axially inwardly and axially outwardly by second reinforcing threads, oriented substantially circumferentially, of a modulus greater than or equal to that of the first reinforcing threads. The first reinforcing threads and second reinforcing threads are separated by a layer of mix of very high elasticity modulus.

Abstract: A tyre for a vehicle wheel includes a carcass structure, a belt structure, a tread band, and at least one pair of sidewalls. The carcass structure includes at least one circumferential centering ridge jutting out from a crown portion of the carcass structure. Each bead of the tyre includes a rest surface defining, in a direction away from an equatorial plane of the tyre, a profile converging toward the rotation axis of the tyre. A rim for a tyre includes a base body and two seats. Each seat defines an abutment surface facing radially away from a rotation axis of the rim and includes a frustoconical configuration converging away from a median diametrical plane of the rim. The base body further includes at least two opposite radial shoulders disposed to abut against the at least one centering ridge. A vehicle wheel, including the tyre and the rim, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tire comprising a crown, two sidewalls and two beads, a carcass reinforcement anchored in each of the beads and a crown reinforcement. The carcass reinforcement comprises at least two circumferential alignments of first reinforcing threads of high elasticity modulus, each circumferential alignment of the first reinforcing threads being, within each bead, bordered axially by second reinforcing threads oriented substantially circumferentially. The first reinforcing threads and the second reinforcing threads are separated by a layer of mix of very high elasticity modulus. The second reinforcements are arranged in a spiral and formed of monofilaments or unit threads of steel.

Abstract: A tire comprising a crown, two sidewalls and two beads, a carcass reinforcement anchored in each of the beads and a crown reinforcement. The carcass reinforcement comprises at least two circumferential alignments of first reinforcing threads of high elasticity modulus, each circumferential alignment of first reinforcing threads being, within each bead, bordered axially inwardly and axially outwardly by second reinforcing threads oriented substantially circumferentially of a modulus greater than or equal to that of the first reinforcing threads. The first reinforcing threads and the second reinforcing threads are separated by a layer of mix of very high elasticity modulus. The outer surface of each bead comprises a seat, a frustoconical wall of substantially radial orientation radially inwardly adjacent to a wall section in the shape of an arc of a circle EF of center C which center C is arranged axially outwardly relative to the bead.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cable bead, the method of constructing the cable bead and a tire constructed by a process incorporating the cable bead wherein the cable bead is formed with a bead core wound from a single filament of bead core wire having a rubber or elastomeric coating, first annular wrap of bead wrapping wire helically wound around the bead core, and a coating of lubricant or fatty acid disposed about the bead core.

Abstract: A method of assembling a tire carcass comprising applying a cord reinforced rubber ply to a toroidal-shaped former such that the edges of the ply are located on radially inner portions of the former, placing a circular bead component adjacent to each edge and stitching each ply edge to its said circular bead component to secure the ply edge in the region of the tire bead.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has such a bead portion structure that at least two bead wire structural bodies, each being obtained by spirally winding a bead wire(s) so as to continuously extend in a circumferential direction, are disposed in a bead portion so as to sandwich a carcass ply or enclose with the carcass ply, in which an outer end of at least one of the bead wire structural bodies in a radial direction is located on a position corresponding to a rim line or outward therefrom.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tire-reinforcing bead wire coated with benzoic acid, which is advantageous in terms of rubber adhesion. As well, the bead wire shows increased initial and aged adhesion of rubber, high rubber coverage, and suppression of surface oxidation.

Abstract: A tyre for vehicle wheels comprises: a carcass with ends associated with a pair of bead cores, each of said bead cores being incorporated in a respective bead comprising a bead filler; a tread band radially external to the carcass; a pair of axially distanced sidewalls, each placed between the respective bead and the tread band. Each bead core comprises a plurality of windings of a single wire, axially arranged side by side in a plurality of radially superimposed layers in such a way as to define a transverse hexagonal section, and having the axial width of the radially innermost layer greater than the axial width of the radially outermost layer.

Abstract: A light weight alloy bead core 30 is described having an inner core 33 made of an alloy of a light weight metal wire 34 with an outer sheath 35 of steel wires 36. The bead core 30 is particularly suited for heavy-duty service conditions in tires 100 for aircraft, off-road equipment, and commercial trucks.

Abstract: A tire with radial carcass reinforcement having beads with a heel portion on an axially inner side and a toe portion on an axially outer side includes two carcass reinforcement plies for tension in higher sidewall tires. The bead includes at least one bead wire coated with a rubber mix, a wedge formed of a rubber mix disposed axially outward of the at least one bead wire, and at least one rubber filler located axially and radially outward of the bead wire and wedge. The wedge is defined by two sides extending at an acute angle axially from an apex A located beneath the section of the at least one bead wire, the rubber mix forming the wedge having a Shore A hardness of at least 65 and greater than the Shore A hardness of the at least one rubber filler.

Abstract: A tire includes a toroidal carcass and a tread band. The toroidal carcass includes a central crown and two sidewalls terminating in a pair of annular beads. Each annular bead includes a metallic bead core for anchoring to corresponding bead seats of a wheel rim. The metallic bead cores include at least one annular portion made of a material having characteristics of superelasticity and shape memory. The material having characteristics of superelasticity and shape memory is deformable at ambient temperature in response to a constant force and recovers to an original shape upon removal of the constant force to facilitate mounting the tire on the wheel rim. The wheel rim includes a central cylindrical channel from which branches off, axially and outwardly, from opposite sides, diverging surfaces each terminating in a peripheral flange. The diverging surfaces form the bead seats for respective annular beads of the tire.

Abstract: A tire includes a carcass, a tread band, at least a reinforcing belt between the tread band and the carcass, a pair of bead cores disposed one at each end of the carcass with ends of the carcass wrapped around the pair of bead cores to form a pair of beads, and at least one clamp disposed around each bead core, wherein the at least one clamp is made of a shape-memory material. A bead core including at least one clamp made of a shape-memory material, a method for manufacturing a tire including at least one clamp made of a strip of shape-memory material, and a method for manufacturing a bead core including at least one clamp made of a strip of shape-memory material are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a tire bead (16) with a tape (10) composed of two parallel wires (12a, 12b) having a coating (28) of resilient elastomeric material and connected by a web (14). The tire bead (16) can be built by winding the tape (10) in side by side relation and in successive superposed layers of predetermined widths and with convolutions spanning superposed layers to provide the tire bead (16) of predetermined cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A tire having a radial carcass reinforcement, anchored in each bead to an anchoring bead wire to form an upturn, characterized in that a profiled member of vulcanized rubber mix is arranged axially to the outside of the upturn of the carcass reinforcement, the secant modulus of elasticity in tension of which, measured for a relative elongation of 10%, is very much greater than the moduli of the other mixes forming the bead, the main part of the carcass reinforcement having a substantially rectilinear meridian profile between its point of tangency to the anchoring bead wire and a point A located at a radial distance HA from the base D of the beads of between 35% and 65% of the radial distance HE between the points of maximum axial width of the carcass reinforcement and said base D.

Abstract: A front tire for two-wheeled vehicles comprising a carcass of toric form having a high transverse curvature and provided with a central crown and two sidewalls terminating in a pair of beads for anchoring to a corresponding mounting rim, a tread band located on the crown and a circumferentially-inextensible belt structure disposed between the carcass and tread band. The belt structure at a radially external position is comprised of a layer of cord coils substantially disposed at a zero angle to the equatorial plane of the tire in axial side-by-side relationship and extended from one axial extremity of the belt to the other axial extremity of the belt. The winding thickness of the cord coils increasingly grows from the equatorial plane to the belt axial extremities.

Abstract: A tire with a carcass reinforcement ply, anchored within each bead by winding around an annular element, the tensile strength of which is less than the tensile strength of a conventional tire bead wire of the same dimension, and an assembly of at least two textile bead reinforcement layers which are arranged in contact with the annular element, wherein the annular element is metallic, has a tensile strength of between 3 and 5 times the tension imparted to the carcass reinforcement by the recommended inflation pressure, and the elongation at break of which is at least equal to 6%, all the reinforcement layers formed of elements of aromatic polyamide having a tensile strength of between 0.5 and 1 time the tensile strength of the annular element, and the total of the tensile strengths of the annular element and of the assembly of the reinforcement layers being between 6 and 8 times the tension imparted to the carcass reinforcement.

Abstract: The pneumatic tire has a single carcass ply reinforced with parallel metallic cords, each cord composed of at least one filament having a tensile strength of at least (−2000×D+4400 MPa)×95%, where D is the filament diameter in millimeters. The turnup portion of the single carcass ply 12 in the bead portion of a pneumatic tire is interposed between the bead core 11 and a toe guard 18, and the radially outer edge of each turnup portion being in contact with the main portion of the carcass ply and extending to an end point 0.5 to 4.0 inches (12.7 to 101.6 mm) radially outward of the bead core as measured along the main portion of the carcass ply of the tire. A toe guard 18 associated with each bead core 11 has a first and second end and each end is disposed directly adjacent to the carcass ply. The first end 18a of the toe guard is located on the axially inner side of the main portion of the carcass ply at a location about 0.4 to 3.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a bead core consisting of a single core and plural sheath layers formed by helically winding plural sheath wires around the core, in which an end count of sheath wires in an outermost sheath layer is made smaller than an end count at a close-packed state or each sheath wire constituting a second sheath layer from an outermost side is covered with a coating rubber prior to the winding.

Abstract: A tire having two beads and a radial carcass reinforcement, each bead having no anchoring bead wire and being reinforced by an armature including at least two plies turned up over themselves to form four reinforcement layers axially close to one another, the two axially innermost layers being composed of elements parallel to one another from one layer to the next, and the two layers axially at the center being composed of elements crossed from one layer to the next, and the reinforcement layers have their radially outer edges positioned within the bead at different heights such that any annular strip of the reinforcement armature of the bead, having at least two layers of reinforcement elements and located between two parallels to the rotation axis of the tire, is formed of at least two layers of reinforcement elements crossed from one layer to the next.

Abstract: The tire of the invention has an optimized path of the outermost carcass designed to maximize the extent of tensile stress in the sidewall and bead portions of the tire. The invention further provides separate reinforcement structures in the bead portion for anchoring the carcass or carcasses in the bead and for retaining the bead on the mounting rim during deflated operation, and said anchoring reinforcement also facilitates the maintenance of the desirable carcass profile.

Abstract: A tire with a form ratio H/S between 0.3 and 0.8 has a carcass reinforcement (1) which is covered radially by a quasi-cylindrical crown reinforcement (3) and which is tangential at T to a holding circle C. The common tangent at T to the circle C and to the meridian profile of the carcass (1) makes an angle &agr; of between +20° and −80° with respect to a line parallel to the rotation axis and passing through the tangency point T. In its portion located between the tangency point T and the point E of greatest axial width, the carcass reinforcement (1) is provided with a reinforcement armature (6) of circumferentially non-extensible elements. Viewed in meridian cross-section and when the tire is fitted and inflated to the recommended pressure, the carcass (1) has a meridian profile consisting of four circular arcs configured to improve the endurance of the tire while improving its rolling resistance.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire with an increased load carrying capacity (extended load index) but compatible with conventional, commercially available wheel rims, has a modified carcass ply line. The pneumatic tire (746) has a tread area (712) and a carcass structure (728) including two bead areas (750a,750b), at least one cord-reinforced elastomeric ply (730) extending through sidewalls (726a,726) between the bead areas (750a,750b) and the tread area (712), and a belt structure (718) between the tread area (712) and the carcass structure (728). The tire (746) has bead areas (750a,750b) containing a triangular shaped beads so that the ply line (PL′″) that causes the bead areas to better secure the tire to the rim during high stress conditions.

Abstract: A tire for a vehicle wheel, comprising two sidewalls, a crown zone provided on its radially outer portion with a circumferential tread, and a bead arranged in the radially inner portion of each of the sidewalls. Each bead comprises a seat and an outer flange which are intended to come into contact with the rim, the seat having a generatrix, the axially inner end of which lies on a circle of diameter greater than the diameter of the circle on which the axially outer end is located. A carcass-type reinforcement structure extends substantially radially from each of the beads, along the sidewalls, towards the crown zone. Each bead includes a zone for anchoring the carcass-type reinforcement structure in the bead, a bearing zone for the bead against a suitable rim seat, and an intermediate zone, which is provided substantially between said anchoring zone and the bearing zone.

Abstract: A tire for a vehicle wheel includes a toroidal carcass, a tread band, and a first inductive element of an electrical generator. At least one tire bead includes an annular core including a steel strip spirally wound to form at least two radially-superposed layers. The first inductive element includes at least one turn of conducting wire wound around a transverse profile of one of the annular cores. Alternatively, at least one tire bead includes an annular core including a matrix based on an elastomeric or plastomeric material, the matrix incorporating fibers, yarn, or cords, and containing ferromagnetic material in at least one of a powder form or a fibril form. The tire may include at least one electronic circuit operatively coupled to the first inductive element. A system for sensing and signaling one or more parameters associated with the tire and a method for producing the tire are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tire, at least one radial carcass reinforcement of which is anchored within each bead B to two bead wires and to form an upturn, characterized in that, viewed in meridian section, an additional reinforcement armature, formed of at least one ply of circumferential reinforcement elements, is placed, at least axially to the inside, along the carcass reinforcement in the region of the bead B.

Abstract: A tire, at least one radial carcass reinforcement of which is anchored within each bean B to a bead wire to form an upturn, characterized in that, viewed in meridian section, the carcass reinforcement has a meridian profile, in the region of the point of inflection J between the convex part and the concave part, which is reinforced axially to the inside by an additional reinforcement armature composed of at least one ply formed of circumferential metal elements.

Abstract: Formation of a carcass ply takes place by laying down onto a toroidal support (11), a first and a second series of strip-like sections (13, 14) cut to size from a continuous strip-like element (2a) and each comprising longitudinal thread-like elements (15) incorporated into a layer of elastomer material (18). The sections (13) of the first series are sequentially disposed at some circumferential distance from each other, to form side portions (19) to the end flaps (19a) of which primary portions (4a) of respective bead-reinforcing structures (4) are applied. The sections (14) of the second series are each interposed in the space defined between two sections of the first series (13), with the respective end flaps (20a) overlapping the primary portions (4a) of the annular structures (4). Additional portions (24) of the annular structures are applied to the end flaps (20a) of the sections (14) belonging to the second series.

Abstract: A tire has at least one radial carcass reinforcement anchored within each bead B to at least one bead wire to form an upturn, wherein the carcass reinforcement meridian profile trace between a point A of greatest axial width and a point of tangency T with the circle circumscribed on the coating layer of the anchoring bead wire is convex over its entire length, and the thickness &egr; of the bead B, measured on a line perpendicular to the meridian profile at a point C of height hc of between 30 and 40 mm and measured to the base YY′, is between 2.5 and 3.0 times the thickness e of the sidewall measured on a straight line D″ of greatest axial width, an additional reinforcement armature of at least one ply of circumferential reinforcement elements being arranged axially to the inside of the carcass reinforcement non-upturned part.

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: An improved heavy duty pneumatic tire designed to be mounted on an associated design rim having a flange portion is described. The rim flange has an axially inward surface contacting the axially outward portion of the bead area of the tire and an axially outward radially extending outer surface. Each bead portion has a surface contacting a radially inner portion of the rim flange and one or more bead cores that extends radially above the radially outer surface of the rim flange.

Abstract: The method of forming a bead 10 having a trailing end 12 of at least one bead wire 14 being anchored in the bead 10. The method including the steps of (i) securing a leading end of the bead wire 14; (ii) winding the bead wire 14 about a former 42 a plurality of revolutions to form the bead 10 into a desired cross-sectional shape; and (iii) cutting the bead wire 14 after a last revolution 28 about the former 42. The method being characterized by (iv) anchoring the trailing end 12 of the bead wire 14 by driving it into the bead 10. The driving of the trailing end 12 forces the trailing end 12 between at least two previously wound, abutting revolutions of the bead wire 14, at least temporarily separating the respective revolutions.

Abstract: In a pneumatic radial tire for tuck and bus mounted on 15° center drop rim, an outer surface portion of a composite side-rubber and/or an envelope surface of the bead core among members constituting the bead portion of the tire has a curved shape concavedly directing toward the outside of the tire at a region opposite to an inner curved surface of a slantly rising portion in a flange of an approved rim, whereby the durability of the bead portion and the steering stability of the tire are considerably improved.