Abstract: A pneumatic tire for small passenger vehicles having a pair of bead portions located at the internal periphery of a pair of sidewalls connected to a tread at both its edges, wherein the bead core of the bead portion is a mono strand bead core and the cross-section of the bead core is a close-packed structure unit made of 3 to 20 wire windings. The diameter D of the wire is 1.2 to 1.8 mm, and the ratio H/D of the distance H between the centers of adjacent wire windings to the diameter D of the wire is 1.01 to 1.20. The cross-sectional configuration of the bead core is such that N2=N1+1, where N1 is the wire number of the first row and N2 is the wire number of the second row counted from the bead base side. It is possible to improve steering characteristics (maneuverability) of such a pneumatic tire for small passenger vehicles by restraining the disorder of uniformity of the tire in the circumferential and longitudinal directions.

Abstract: An improved off-the-road 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. Each bead portion has a surface contacting a radially inner portion of the rim flange. The surface and the flange initially cease contact and diverge from one another at a location in the cross-section of the tire and rim and in a region of the flange in which a line L1 tangent to the flange surface and passing through the axis forms an angle greater than 0.degree. and less than or equal to 15.degree. with a radial line L2 passing through the point of divergence and perpendicular to the axis. The tire has a steel reinforced radial ply which extends between and wraps about each bead. The ply has an inflection point located radially between a radially outward surface of the bead and a radially outward surface of the rim flange portion.

Abstract: The turn-up portion of the carcass ply (12) in the bead portion of a pneumatic tire is interposed between the bead core (11) and a toe guard (18), and extends a substantial distance toward the maximum section width of the tire. The bead core (11) has a radial cross section which is substantially pentagonal. The toe guard (18) comprises a rubber material, a flexible textile material or a heat shrinkable material that protects the toe portion of the tire. Elastomeric stiffening member or chafer (20) may be disposed on each side of the carcass ply (12) in the bead portions and lower sidewalls of the tire. The assembly of a tire according to the invention mounted upon a specified rim (22) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tire structure with radial carcass reinforcement for heavy vehicles and rticularly a tire bead structure which makes it possible to have, on unmodified rims, sidewalls the radii of curvature of which are sufficiently great to avoid premature fatigue of the constituent reinforcement elements of the carcass as a result of the flexing cycles generated by travel. The said tire structure has at least one bead wire (2) which is located radially to the outside of the rim flange (J) and around which the turn-up (1') of the carcass (1) is formed.

Abstract: A bead ring arrangement for vehicle tires in which the wire layers of the wire bundle are wound from a single wire and the wire layer at the core apex side has fewer turns than the wire layer lying beneath it.

Abstract: The run-flat tire includes thickened load bearing sidewall portions, a belt package plus a cap ply, three pairs of sidewall rubber crescent-shaped reinforcing members, a specially designed bead seat area with a rim seat ply and three carcass layers. The three carcass layers are positioned between the crescent-shaped members in each load bearing sidewall.

Abstract: A pneumatic vehicle tire has two beads each having a bead core and a carcass of at least one layer anchored at the bead cores within the beads. The beads further have bead profiling members. A reinforcement structure is located radially outwardly of the carcass, and a tread is positioned radially outwardly of the reinforcement structure. The carcass is made of aramid cord fabric and the bead cores are made of aramid cords. The reinforcement structure is made of synthetic fiber-reinforced rubber or of aramid cords. The bead profiling members are made of rubber reinforced with synthetic fibers.

Abstract: An improved radial ply pneumatic tire 30 is described. The improved tire 30 has a first annular surface 23 located between the heel 22B and toe 22A of each bead 33 and a second surface 24 extending radially outwardly from the bead heel 22B. The first surface 23 is designed to be in contact with the bead seat 42 of the design rim 40 when the tire 30 is mounted and inflated to normal pressure. The first annular surface 23, when the tire 30 is unmounted, forms an average angle .beta. with the axis of the tire, when the beads 33 are axially spaced a distance D equal to the design rim width as defined herein. The average angle .beta. is in the range of at least one-half degree and less than three degrees greater than the angle formed between the mating bead seat 42 of the design rim 40 and the axis of the tire. The second surface 24 is designed to be in contact with an annular flange 44 portion of the design rim 40 when the tire is mounted and inflated to normal pressure.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having an improved uniformity at tire-wheel assembled state includes a pair of bead portions each closely fitted to a slant bead seat of a standard rim when the tire is mounted on the standard rim, the standard rim including for each bead portion, a rounded concave corner portion smoothly connected to the corresponding slant bead seat and a flange protrusively extending outward from the corresponding rounded concave corner portion and having a curved portion. In this tire, each bead portion has an expanded heel bringing about close fitting to the corresponding rounded concave corner portion prior to a contact between the corresponding curved portion and the corresponding bead portion.

Abstract: The pneumatic radial tire of the invention has a pair of bead portions each containing a bead core therein and is characterized in that each bead core is substantially constructed by winding at least one metal wire, and a bead toe reinforcing rubber stock with a JIS A hardness of 80.degree.-98.degree. is arranged inward of the outer edge of each bead core in an axial direction of the tire. In each bead portion the width of the bead toe reinforcing rubber stock is in a range of 0.5-2.0 times the width of the bead core in the axial direction. In each bead portion the width from the outer edge of the bead core to the inner edge of the bead portion in the axial direction of the tire is in a range of 1.1-3.0 times the width of the bead core in the axial direction of the tire.

Abstract: An improved off-the-road 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. Each bead portion has a surface contacting a radially inner portion of the rim flange. The surface and the flange initially cease contact and diverge from one another at a location in the cross-section of the tire and rim and in a region of the flange in which a line L1 tangent to the flange surface and passing through the axis forms an angle greater than 0.degree. and less than or equal 15.degree. to with radial line L2 passing through the point of divergence and perpendicular to the axis. The tire has a steel reinforced radial ply which extends between and wraps about each bead. The ply has an inflection point located radially between a radially outward surface of the bead and a radially outward surface of the rim flange portion.

Abstract: The weight, space and convenience advantages of a run-flat tire can be substantial. This is especially true for the urban-economy car or family type vehicles which have limited space available for a spare tire and inadequate space for the removed flat tire. These vehicles also have higher comfort requirements that must be addressed. The mini-spare solution to the flat tire problem has very limited performance capabilities. Other solutions include major modifications in the rim and/or the tire, which are not cost effective or compatible with a conversion to standard tires on the same rims.The run-flat tire of this invention includes thickened sidewall portions, a belt package with a cap ply, lower sidewall rubber support portions, a specially designed bead seat area with a rim seat ply and three carcass layers. The classical problems of inflated vs. deflated performance tradeoffs in ride comfort, handling, radial stiffness and endurance of the tire are substantially improved.

Abstract: A heavy duty radial tire improved in bead durability and airtightness, which comprises a pair of axially spaced bead portions having a bead base to fit with a 15.degree. tapered bead seat of its regular rim, and a bead core disposed in each of the bead portions, the bead core having a polygonal cross sectional shape having an axially inner vertex point (Q1) and an axially outer vertex point (Q2) and a side (L1) extending between the points (Q1 and Q2), the side (L1) being adjacent to and substantially parallel with the bead base, the maximum section width (CW) of the bead core in the direction parallel with the side (L1) being in the range of 0.063 to 0.105 times the rim width (RW) between the bead heel points (P), the axial distance (A) of the axially inner point (Q1) from the bead heel point (P) being 0.073 to 0.125 times the rim width (RW).

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 two plies with turnup ends wrapped about each bead. The turnup end of the first ply 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 bead core of the preferred embodiment has a flat base and a first and second surface extending from the base and inclined relative to the base thereby forming acute included angles of .alpha. and .beta. whereby .alpha. is greater than or equal to .beta..

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a tread, a pair of sidewalls each terminating in an annular bead area, and a pair of beads located within the bead areas, for mounting the tire on a rim. Each of the beads is formed by at least one strand of metallic wire wound upon itself into a spiral and terminating in inner and outer ends, which ends circumferentially overlap each other. The beads are placed in the tire so that the spiral orientation of the beads are opposite to each other and the inner ends of the beads are in substantial axial alignment to reduce radial force variations on the tire.

Abstract: A tire bead including steel wire cords and aromatic polyamide wire cords, the steel wire cords being placed inside a cross section of the tire bead and the aromatic polyamide wire cords being placed on the outside of the bead cross section.

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 a radially inward base side, a radially outermost point or side or sides, an axially inward first side, and an axially outward second side. The first side intersects the base side at a first edge and forms thereby an included angle .alpha.. The second side intersects the base side at a second edge and forms thereby an included angle .beta.. Angle .alpha. is greater than or equal to .beta.. The bead core has a perimeter comprising the lengths of the base, radially outermost, first, and second sides. The perimeter define a bead core area which is less than the area of an isosceles triangle having acute angles equal to .alpha.. The width of the bead heel surface is approximately equal to the distance between a hump and an axially inward surface of the wheel flange.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a tire having a metal bead core, a covering structure (6) is associated with each bead core, which structure consists of a sheet (7) made of unvulcanized elastomeric material wrapped around the bead core and a strip of unvulcanized rubberized fabric (8), reinforced with heat-shrinkable material cords, wound around the elastomeric material sheet (7). The bead cores (3) are subsequently assembled with other tire components, and afterwards a tire vulcanization step is carried out. During this step the chemical bonding between the elastomeric sheet (7) and the bead core (3) is achieved, which bonding is promoted by the simultaneous shrinkage of the cords provided in the rubberized fabric strip (8).

Abstract: A method for making a knotless bead bundle, a bead bundle made according to the method, and a tire made using the knotless bead bundle are provided. In the method a bead ring is made using a plurality of annular turns of wire as is conventional in the art, and the annular turns of wire are wrapped with cord, tape, or other conventional wrapping material which is held on the bead ring without using knots. The wrap is held on the bead ring by using a tie down area that is made by forming a loop in the wrapping material, holding the loop in place by a number of close turns of wrap on the bead ring while leaving a first end of the wrapping material free, wrapping the bead ring 360.degree. around the ring, passing a second end of the wrapping material through the loop, closing the loop by pulling the first end of the wrapping material whereby closing the loop pulls the second end of the wrapping material under the close turns of wrapping material.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire having a circular bead core of substantially polygonal cross section which includes a base (a) adjacent an inclined bead base portion of the tire, an inner side (b) on a side of the bead core nearest a bead toe portion of the tire, an outer side (d) on a side of the bead core nearest a bead heel portion of the tire, and a top side (c) opposite the base (a) and joining the inner side (b) and the outer side (d). An inclination .theta..sub.1 of the base (a) relative to the axial direction of the tire is substantially the same as that of the bead base portion relative to the axial direction of the tire. A cross angle .beta. between the base (a) and the inner side (b) is 70.degree. to 90.degree.. An inclination .theta..sub.2 of the top side (c) relative to the axial direction of the tire is smaller than the inclination .theta..sub.1 and the direction of inclination of the top side (c) is opposite to that of the base (a).

Abstract: A pneumatic vehicle tire having a carcass that is looped about two bead cores that comprise load-carrying members such as plastic filaments and/or metal wires, with beads in which the bead cores are disposed being capable of turning from a vulcanizing position into an operating position when the tire is being mounted on a wheel rim. In order to improve the tasks of the beads without adversely affecting their ability to turn, the surfaces of the load-carrying members of the bead cores, during turning of the beads prevent adhesion to vulcanized rubber at least to the extent that the load-carrying members are immersed in rubber in the vulcanizing position, so that each load-carrying member is individually rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the surrounding rubber of the pertaining bead.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having an annular band is provided, the annular band for reinforcing a bead portion and a sidewall portion of the pneumatic tire. In one embodiment, the annular band comprises a plurality of filaments having a high extensional modulus of elasticity and a high tenacity bonded together in a matrix of resin. Further, the annular band is cured or formed with a cross-section which tapers from the tire's bead portion to the tire's sidewall portion. Preferably, the annular band may be cured or formed in situ during the curing of the tire in which it is placed. In another embodiment, a structural element having a high resistance to compression is bonded to and circumferentially within the annular band. In a third embodiment the structural element is wedge-shaped in cross-section.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to bead wires which has a Cu/Sn deposit having an Sn content of 9 to 13% by weight and a Cu content of 91 to 87% by weight, in an amount of 0.65 to 0.85 g per kilogram of the wire. The present invention is also directed to rubber-coated bead wires for tires comprising the plated bead wire as mentioned above, a rubber layer formed on the bead wire from a composition comprising 100 parts of a rubber polymer, 80 to 140 parts of a carbon, 4 to 10 parts of sulfur, 0.4 to 0.9 part of a vulcanization accelerator, 10 to 7 parts of zinc oxide, and 1 to 4 parts of stearic acid, and to tires prepared by using the above-mentioned bead wires. The bead wires of the present invention have excellent adhesion between the plated bead wire and the rubber layer, so that the tires obtained using such bead wires avoid wild wires.

Abstract: A bead ring for pneumatic tires comprises an assembly of wires which is covered by a sheath made of a material whose secant modulus in extension, measured at 10% elongation and at room temperature, is equal to at least 70 MPa.

Abstract: A radial tire including at least one carcass layer extending from one of a pair of bead cores to the other bead core and composed of cords arranged radially of the tire, a belt layer provided over the crown portion of the carcass layer radially outwardly of the tire, and a bead filter rubber portion positioned on each bead core and extending radially outwardly of the tire, the carcass layer having opposite ends folded over the respective bead cores from the bead toe side toward the bead heel side, forming return portions, at least one of the return ends portion being positioned radially outwardly of the radial outer end of the bead filler rubber portion. The tire has a reinforcing layer of organic fiber having a bias angle of 40 to 60 degrees and adhered to the inner side of the bead filter rubber portion, the reinforcing layer extending along the filler rubber portion from a position radially inwardly of the bead core, and a rubber cushion having 0.5 to 1.

Abstract: A pneumatic vehicle tire having bead portions that can be turned in is provided. Embedded in the bead portions are bead cores built up from load-carrying elements that essentially extend in a circumferential direction. The load-carrying elements are disposed in such a way that each element is in contact with at least two other load-carrying elements. The load-carrying elements, at least to the extent that they are coated with rubber, have a surface that prevents adhesion to vulcanized rubber. The load-carrying elements of a bead core are disposed in layers, with the elements of the outer layer being disposed in such a way that they do not contact one another.

Abstract: The reinforcement for the bead of e.g. a pneumatic type, a rolling lobe diaphragm or an air spring is constructed by winding onto a mandrel or former superimposed layers alternately of unsheathed wire and flat, uncured rubber strip. Rubber is wound on before wire winding commences and continues after wire winding stops, so that the assembly exposes no cut wire end. After the winding operation the assembly is subjected to heat and pressure with all the wire embedded in and surrounded by an integrated, vulcanized rubber body.The rubber layers may be parallel with and on opposite sides of the layers of spaced wire windings or a given rubber winding may have wire windings on its radially opposite sides.The windings, both of rubber and wire, may be discrete loops or may be made by helically winding a single rubber strip or wire. The shape of the assembly as well as the volume of rubber at any position therein may be controlled by varying the tension under which the rubber strip and/or the wire is wound.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire bead is formed into a spiral coil consisting of a plurality of convolutions or turns of wire. The wire may be round, square, oval or hexagonal in cross section. A crimp or offset bend is made in each of the convolutions a distance of one wire width or a fraction of the wire width in each full 360 degree wire turn such that the ends of the bead wire permit the bead side walls to remain in flat parallel planes. This offset relationship reduces nonuniformity in the tire heretofore produced by spirally wound wire beads. The bead wire can be wound in a vertical plane or in a radial spiral clock-like spring fashion. In another embodiment a pair of mirror image offset coils are joined together to form a composite bead preferably for use in heavy duty applications. In still another embodiment a single flat hoop may be placed between a pair of mirror image offset coils to increase resistance to circumferential distortion.

Abstract: A pneumatic vehicle tire where the sheathing of the bead core ring is made of an elastomeric mixture that adheres well to steel and that contains plasticizer in the form of aromatic oils comprising approximately 2-10 parts silicon oil per one hundred parts elastomer. As a result, the bead core ring sheathing does not fuse with other rubber mixtures and the bead core has a high ability to turn.

Abstract: The turn-up portion of the carcass ply (12) in the bead portion of a pneumatic tire is interposed between the bead core (11) and a clamping member (18). The bead core (11) has a radial cross section which is substantially pentagonal. The clamping member (18) comprises a heat shrinkable material that secures the turn-up portion of the carcass ply in a desired location. Elastomeric stiffening members (19,20) are disposed on each side of the carcass ply (12) in the bead portions and lower sidewalls of the tire. The assembly of a tire according to the invention mounted upon a specified rim (22) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pneumatic vehicle tire for use on a one-piece wheel rim having radially inwardly disposed rim shoulders on which corresponding bead portions of the tire are mounted. The tire bead portions have bead rings that are formed of flat strips, whereby the longest dimension of the cross-sectional configuration of the flat strips is parallel to the direction of a run-flat force, thereby fixing the greatest angular impulse force parallel to the run-flat force. This reliably prevents the tire bead from being thrown from the rim, especially during emergency operation.

Abstract: A tire bead ring comprising round wires laid down in a parallelogram shape having an acute angle of 75.degree.-90.degree. is provided. The bead ring of the invention, when employed in a tire at a lay angle of 5.degree.-15.degree., provides a means for spreading out or dissipating twisting forces or torques encountered by the bead area of the tire to prevent separation of the bead from the rim during inflation and loss of air because of the flexing of the tire during running. Also, when the bead comprises multiple turns of a single round wire, a bead having reduced weight and good strength and uniformity may be provided.

Abstract: The metal core used for reinforcing tire beads is constituted by a plurality of coils of wire (16), (17), (18), axially arranged side-by-side and radially superimposed, in which the wire has a cross-section of modular shape with two equal and parallel opposite sides (1), (2), the profiles (15) of the corresponding ends of the opposite sides having a distance, from the axis of said pair of sides, whose value varies from one side to the other, said variation comprising at least one symmetrical deviation along the development of its cross-sectional profile.

Abstract: A heavy loading tubless tire comprising a bead portion which has a buried bead core bundled of a plurality of bead wires and having a polygonal section contour and which has its bead base composed of two regions: a region W.sub.1 located at the side of the bead heel and inclined at an angle substantially equal to the angle .theta. of inclination of a rim base with resepct to the axis of tire rotations; and a region W.sub.2 located at the side of the bead toe and inclined at a larger angle than the angle .theta. of inclination of said rim base, wherein the improvement resides: in that the width of the region W.sub.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire (10) having a pair of beads (15) each of which comprises a plurality of bundled together wire hoops (40), and a carcass ply (16) extending between the beads 15. The end portions (30) of the carcass ply are anchored in each bead bundle (15) by at least one hooped member (40), (22) or (23) incorporated in the bead configuration. The carcass ply (16) may be reinforced by a continuous cord formed as a series of windings looped around a pair of hooped support elements (22) or (23) which are incorporated into each bead (15) to occupy a position with the bead configuration.

Abstract: Rubberless tire bead assemblies are disclosed, containing either a single wire element or multiple wire elements wound about an axis to provide a plurality of convolutions of the single wire or multiple wire elements to provide the bead hoop and shape-retaining members engaging the bead hoop about the circumference of the bead hoop to retain the bead assembly in a planar configuration. Rubber tire bead assemblies having wire termination ends positioned internally or externally with respect to the bead assembly and methods of making these bead assemblies are disclosed.

Abstract: A heavy duty-high pressure pneumatic radial tires are disclosed, which each comprise a main reinforcement consisting of a carcass having an up-and-down type toroid radial construction in which a plurality of plies composed of fiber cords arranged in parallel with one another are turned up around a pair of bead cords on the right and left or the tire while the cords are arranged at angles substnatially along radial planes of the tire, at least one ply including a ply to be brought into direct contact with the bead cords being turned up around each of the bead cores from the inside to the outside of the tire and at least one remaining ply being laminated upon the outer side of the turn-up portion formed by the turn-up end portion of said at least one ply, and a belt which surrounds a crown portion of the carcass and is composed of a plurality of layers of parallel organic fiber cords having at least 150 g/d or an initial modulus higher than that of the cords of the carcass while at least one belt layer is lamin

Abstract: A bead ring for reinforcing a bead of a pneumatic tire having a carcass ply comprises, on the bead ring surface, ribs made of a material whose secant modulus in extension, measured at 10% elongation and at 160.degree. C., is equal to at least 70 MPa. Pneumatic tires have such a bead ring, the carcass ply being in contact with the ribs.

Abstract: A bead core for a pneumatic vehicle tire that is designed to have its beads disposed on the radially inner periphery of a rim. The bead core is in the form of an endless ring that has an essentially round cross-sectional shape. To increase the bead-seating reliability, it is proposed that the inner core of the bead core be hollow or be formed by a lightweight ring that serves as a spacer element. At least one layer of load-carrying cords is disposed about the inner core. These load-carrying cords have a solid cross-sectional area or a hollow cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: Tire bead members (10) have radially superposed layers (11,12,13,14) of fibers (15) embedded in a polymeric matrix (16). Interposed between the layers (11,12,13,14) of composite material are thin layers (17,18,19) of a material that is not adhered to both of the adjacent layers (11,12;12,13;13,14) of composite material. Tires employing said bead members are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rubber pneumatic tire for vehicles which has two beads for bearing against the rim of a wheel. Embedded in each bead is a core ring which has a shaped ring and around which a carcass insert which is embedded into the rubber material of the tire is laid, for anchoring same. Each shaped ring comprises a material which chemically bonds to the rubber material, and contains a winding of high-strength fibres, which is laid in the shaped ring and which holds together and strengthens the shaped ring.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having beads disposed about an inner diameter of the tire for mounting to the flanges of a wheel of a vehicle is disclosed. Each of the beads includes a multi-part annular core comprising rings having an L-shape or U-shape cross-section including substantially flat limbs. The rings are mechanically interlocked to provide the core with portions of the limbs disposed in adjacent relationship for receiving therebetween ends of the tire carcass plies and securing them to the cores.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has beads each of which is reinforced by a bead ring formed of a stack of ribbons of curved shape. The bead ring is characterized by the following features when the tire is mounted on its rim:(a) the concavity of the ribbons faces the axis of rotation of the tire;(b) a straight line connecting the ends of any ribbon forms with the axis of rotation of the tire an acute angle .alpha. such that .alpha..gtoreq..beta.+5 if .beta. is positive and .alpha..gtoreq.5 if .beta. is negative, .beta. being the angle of the bead seat of the rim, .alpha. and .beta. being expressed in degrees.

Abstract: Air springs or other fluid pressure devices have flexible elastomeric sleeves terminating in a pair of end beads which are clamped or crimped onto a pair of spaced end members. Each of the beads is reinforced by a solid annular ring of nonreinforced thermoplastic material which is molded within the sleeve beads. The rings preferably are formed of nylon and are sufficiently flexible to move with the end members and sleeve and return to their original shape after such movement. A similar nonreinforced plastic ring may be molded in a central portion of the elastomer sleeve to provide the girdle hoop of the sleeve.

Abstract: A pneumatic vehicle tire made of rubber or rubber-like material and having a reinforcing carcass that is anchored in the beads by being looped around bead cores that are essentially inextensible and/or resistant to compression. The bead cores have an essentially round overall cross-sectional shape. To increase the bending resistance of the bead cores, each bead core has an inner region of steel or other material of similar high strength and rigidity. Each inner region has a cross-sectional shape that is characterized by a dimension, in the radial direction of the bead core, that is greater than its dimension in the axial direction. Each bead core also has an outer region, of lightweight material, that complements the inner region to provide the essentially round overall cross-sectional shape for the bead core.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a reinforcing assembly comprising reinforcement threads and a solid matrix is characterized by the fact that reinforcement threads surrounded individually by a sheathing of organic material I and furthermore surrounded by another sheathing of organic material II are grouped together, by the fact that the material II is caused to migrate into voids between the threads sheathed with material I and by the fact that the material II is caused to solidify.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire and wheel rim assembly of the type in which the wheel rim has retention means engageable with at least one tire bead to retain the tire bead at its bead seat under the action of road generated forces tending to dislodge tire bead wherein bead retention is improved by providing said at least tire bead with a bead reinforcement which has substantial resistance to deformation in an axial direction yet retains sufficient flexibility to a radial direction normal thereto to allow tire fitting to a one-piece rim. Suitable bead reinforcements are those having an axial rigidity factor `K` greater than 8.5 N.m.sup.2.

Abstract: The free end regions of the carcass of the tire form bead regions by extending these free end regions around a bead core. Each bead region of the tire carcass is seated on a related seat or seat surface formed at the tire rim. A first end region of a bead ring anchors the associated bead region on the associated seat and a second end region of this bead ring is locked in a locking groove formed at the related edge region of the tire rim. The bead ring is preferably made of spring steel and may be provided with cuts or cutouts in its second end region to facilitate the mounting thereof at the tire rim. The first end region of the bead ring may be vulcanized into or otherwise connected with the tire carcass. The seat may be formed at the inner circumferential surface or at the outer circumferential surface of the tire rim.

Abstract: A reinforcing cord for use in radial tires, conveyor belts, hoses or driving belts, includes at least one strand of metal wires twisted along the longitudinal axis of the strand. Each metal wire has a substantially rectangular cross-section defining two opposite broad sides. The wires in the strand engage one another along their broad sides and preferably are wrapped around by a wrapping wire.