Abstract: Process for producing a pneumatic tire that includes an inner liner of a layer that is as air-impermeable as possible, at least one carcass ply provided with strength supports, horn profiles, bead cores, sidewalls, a belt assembly, and a tread. The process includes building-up a partial tire in a production part A, where the partial tire includes at least a carcass body that includes the at least one carcass ply provided with the strength supports, bead reinforcements and cores, core fillers and horn profiles, and an undertread, and shaping and at least partially vulcanizing the partial tire under an internal pressure in a vulcanization mold in a first vulcanization procedure. The process also includes determining a cross-sectional contour for a completed tire and an amount of surface and strength supports to be added to the partial tire prior to a production part B, and building-up the partial tire in the production part B by adding remaining tire components to produce a complete tire.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having an excellent tire uniformity without air leakage is manufactured by laying a central innerliner, belt layers and tread rubber on an outer circumference of a shaping drum with an outer surface form being approximately the same as an inner surface form of a tire product, and laying an approximately ring-shaped sidewall assembly comprising a bead core provided with a bead filler, a side carcass layer, an outside innerliner and the like on each side face of the shaping drum without a step of expanding and deforming a green case into an approximately semi-circular form.

Abstract: Forming a tubular tire ply from a flat sheet of wire reinforced material, cutting the ply to length and applying the ply to a drum.

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. The method of manufacturing the tire 10 is described. The tire 10 can be made as a runflat type tire.

Abstract: Rubber composites, for example pneumatic tipes, can be made using seamless, tubular reinforcement (14). By pulling socks of seamless tubular reinforcement over, for example, a tire building drum (10), spliceless carcass reinforcement (18) and spliceless belts (64) can be incorporated into tires. Methods of treating the spliceless tubular material, by drawing and by adhesive coating, enhance its strength and adhesion to rubber.

Abstract: In a tire for vehicles, the formation of each bead reinforcing structure envisages that, after laying of a first series of elongated sections defining axially inner terminal zones of a carcass ply, an annular anchoring insert consisting of a wire wound in axially adjacent turns is formed on an end portion directed axially towards the outside of the respective zone. A stiffening element tapering radially away from the axis of the tire is then formed on each inner terminal zone. A second series of elongated sections is then laid, completing the manufacture of the carcass ply with the formation of axially outer terminal zones which are superimposed on the stiffening elements. An additional annular insert is formed on an end portion of each outer terminal zone arranged radially superimposed on the anchoring insert.

Abstract: A vehicle tire is made by inflating a vulcanized air tube to a slight pressure. Then, at least one thread element is wound around the transverse profile of the air tube to form a first carcass ply consisting of turns disposed consecutively in side-by-side relationship. A pair of annular anchoring elements is applied to the first carcass ply. Then, a second carcass ply is formed by winding at least one thread element so as to form turns disposed consecutively in side-by-side relationship along the circumferential extension of the air tube. Associated with the carcass structure is an annular element made up of a belt structure and a tread band. The carcass structure and annular element can be vulcanized separately from each other to make a tire having a tread band susceptible of replacement together with the belt structure.

Abstract: A polymer composition for a tire having an air permeation coefficient of 25×10−12 cc·cm/cm2·sec ·cmHg (at 30° C.) or less and a Young's modulus of 1 to 500 MPa, including (A) at least 10% by weight, based on the weight of the total polymer component, of at least one thermoplastic resin having an air permeation coefficient of not more than 25×10−12 cc·cm/cm2·sec·cmHg (at 30° C.) and a Young's modulus of more than 500 MPa and (B) at least 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer component, of at least one elastomer component having an air permeation coefficient of more than 25×10−12 cc·cm/cm2·sec·cmHg (at 30° C.) and a Young's modulus of not more than 500 MPa, wherein the total amount (A)+(B) of the component (A) and the component (B) is not less than 30% by weight based on the weight of the total polymer component, and a pneumatic tire obtained therefrom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus 200 for building a laminate 10A and in forming a subassembly 10 for a pneumatic tire from an assembly of reinforced or unreinforced tire components wherein the method has the steps of providing an apparatus 200 for simultaneously forming, positioning, attaching and conveying a plurality of continuous strips of elastomeric tire components and activating the apparatus simultaneously forming, positioning and attaching the plurality of continuous strips of elastomeric tire components to adjacent strips of tire components as they are conveyed thus forming a laminate 10A of reinforced or unreinforced tire components suitable for use as a subassembly for a pneumatic tire.

Abstract: A a carcass has at least one endless carcass cord ply, which is formed by at least one carcass cord extending zigzag in the tire's circumferential direction while being folded at both outer ends of the endless carcass cord ply alternately to right and left. The bead core has an upper bead core portion which is formed by a bead cord being substantially continuous to the carcass cord and spirally wound on the endless carcass cord ply in one or more stages in the tire's circumferential direction.

Abstract: Process and drum for constructing a green tire on a radially expandable drum having a substantially horizontal axis of rotation. The process includes collapsing the radially expandable drum at a minimum first diameter, and positioning a casing on the radially expandable drum to form a drum periphery being composed of an elastic material, and having an inner diameter at least as great as the first diameter, and including a plurality of voids coupled to an evacuating pump. The radially expandable drum is radially expanded from the first diameter to a second diameter greater than the first diameter to expand the casing, and producing a carcass, having at least one carcass ply with at least one of sidewalls and an air-tight inner layer, on the drum. A vacuum is produced in the voids to suction the carcass onto the drum periphery and at least axial end areas of the expandable drum are radially compressed to a third diameter to enable bead cores to traverse the drum periphery without touching the drum periphery.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pneumatic vehicle tire includes the step of folding the carcass ply in the overlap zone of the leading and trailing ends into at least one fold to form an overlength of the reinforcement elements in the overlap zone for preventing the constriction in the overlap zone within the vulcanized, inflated tire. Subsequently, in both methods, the green tire is completed on the building drum and the green tire is then vulcanized to produce the finished tire.

Abstract: A module (1) used for the manufacture of tires, comprising an inflatable flexible bladder (10) provided with two beads (11) which is used for the assembling and vulcanization of the tire on the bladder, each bead being anchored on a plate (30, 31). The module (1) has at least one rigid wall mounted on a plate (30, 31) which is adjacent said flexible bladder (10) when the latter is inflated and can be retracted so as to be able to separate the tire from said module (1) after vulcanization and can be spread out radially so as to constitute a reference surface for the assembling of the tire.

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of a brominated polymer derived from isobutylene and p-methylstyrene monomers to decrease the spider flow of various rubber components used in the carcass of an uncured pneumatic tire. The amount of the brominated polymer utilized is in a range of about 3 to about 15 phr. The various components include the ply coat, wire coat, tread cushion, belt-edge gumstrip, apex, chipper, and barrier.

Abstract: A tire assembly method and apparatus are disclosed which utilize at least two rotatable turrets (16, 18) that each have two drums (26, 28, 58, 60) and at least one transfer unit (156) for transferring tire components from one turret to another. The preferred embodiment of the invention features three turrets (16, 18, 20) and two transfer units (156, 170), wherein a carcass band is assembled on the drums of a first turret (16) the tread package is assembled on a third turret (20), and the complete tire carcass is assembled on a second turret (18), in between the first and third turrets. Simultaneous, continuous and sequential building and assembly of tire carcass bands and tread packages for a plurality of tires is provided by the method and apparatus of this invention.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a ground contacting tread including a tread strip extending axially between tread edges and sidewalls extending radially inwardly from each tread edge to respective bead regions, the tread being reinforced by at least a first circumferentially extending breaker ply, characterized in that each sidewall is reinforced by a carcass half ply extending from a radially inward first edge in the bead region to a radially outward second edge in the tread axially between the center and adjacent edge of the breaker ply; the carcass half ply including one or more reinforcing elements wound continuously between the radially inner and outer edges of the carcass half ply and around the circumferential periphery of the tire.

Abstract: A method and unit for producing a road vehicle radial tire, whereby an impermeable innerliner (10) is applied to the inner surface of a toroidal tire carcass (3) by placing the innerliner (10) on a substantially cylindrical inner support (13), which is radially deformable to gradually assume a deformed configuration capable of mating with an inner surface of the carcass (3); the inner support (13) being fitted through the toroidal carcass (3) and through a toroidal outer support (14) housing the carcass (3), and being moved into the deformed configuration to lift the innerliner (10) towards the carcass (3) and compress the innerliner (10) against the inner surface of the carcass (3), (FIGS. 1 and 2).

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture are disclosed describing a technique to make a tire having at least one ply having a geodesic cord path.

Abstract: The machine for manufacturing a tire carcass half-reinforcement from a single filament wrapped around a bead wire which includes: bead wire holders operated by actuating cylinders, allowing said bead wire to be held in a predetermined position; a ring which has half as many hooks as there will be arches of carcass filament contained in the tire that is to be manufactured, the ring being held a predetermined distance away from said bead wire; a reel of filament which is moved in the central space of the bead wire, wrapped around it, the path crossing the plane of the ring and passing radially inside it; and a mechanism for hooking the filament onto each of the hooks.

Abstract: Device and process for constructing a carcass and for preshaping an unvulcanized rubber tire includes a preshaping device. An axially adjustable hollow, cylindrical body associated with the preshaping device has a radially outermost surface. An adjustment device capable of adjusting an axial position of the cylindrical body between an operating position and a rest position is provided. A second body having a radially outermost surface is adapted to form a substantially cylindrical, sealed construction surface with the radially outermost surface of the cylindrical body in the operating position. The preshaping device, in the operating position, is positioned axially inside the cylindrical body in a same axial position as the cylindrical body to enable positioning the carcass without the carcass being affected by the preshaping device.

Abstract: The run-flat tire of this invention includes a pair of bead regions, a crown region with a tread and a tread reinforcing package including a cap ply and self supporting sidewalls between each bead region and the crown region. An innerliner ply maintains air within the inflated tire. The self supporting sidewalls each include a first crescent-shaped reinforcing member, an inner carcass layer, an inner sidewall supporting complex and an outer sidewall and bead protecting complex. The supporting sidewalls effectively have a plurality of crescent-shaped reinforcing members and a plurality of carcass layers. The sidewall supporting complexes are realized by providing first and second partial carcass layers along with a filler rubber portion and a second crescent-shaped reinforcing member, which can be formed by a separate tire building operation. The sidewall protecting complexes can be formed in a similar operation.

Abstract: A tire manufacturing method enabling a tire to maintain a high quality and a tire manufacturing machine of a simple construction and low cost by which improvement of productivity, saving of energy and reduction of maintenance man-hour are possible is provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pneumatic vehicle tire includes the step of providing a cylindrical building drum with a bar or depression having a longitudinal extension in the direction parallel to the orientation of reinforcement elements of a carcass ply to be applied to the building drum. A lining is positioned on the cylindrical building drum. At least one carcass ply, comprising reinforcement elements and having a leading end and a trailing end, is placed onto the lining such that the leading and trailing ends overlap in the overlap zone at the bar or the depression, thereby forming an overlength of the reinforcement elements in the overlap zone for preventing a constriction in the overlap zone within the vulcanized, inflated tire. In the alternative, the carcass ply is folded in the overlap zone into a least one fold to form an overlength of the reinforcement elements in the overlap zone for preventing the constriction in the overlap zone within the vulcanized, inflated tire.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tire carcass includes the step of providing a liner of an air-impermeable material. A carcass ply material is prepared by heating and stretching plastic cords and embedding the stretched plastic cords in rubber. A ply of the carcass ply material is placed onto the liner with overlapping leading and trailing ply ends. The overlapping ply ends are heated for returning the stretched plastic cords into an unstretched state. Bead cores are then positioned onto the ply. The lateral edges of the ply are folded over the bead cores. The folded lateral edges and the bead cores are then enveloped by lateral strips.

Abstract: The invention eliminates the drawbacks that strip-like members develop curling sets during storage and that the amounts of shrink of strip-like members vary, and minimizes the amounts of remnants of strip-like members after formation of one lot and the number of length measuring and cutting devices for strip-like members. A strip-like member 12 is formed in long size and cut into predetermined lengths during transfer on conveyers 13 an 14. The resulting strip-like members 12 of predetermined length are placed one by one on smooth-surfaced pallets 20, the latter being transferred to a tire building machine. One end of such strip-like member 12 on the pallet is brought into contact with the lower surface of the building drum 30. The building drum is rotated while the pallet is moved in the direction of the length.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for centering a belt-shaped material. A conveying direction leading end portion and a conveying direction trailing end portion of triangular portions of the belt-shaped material are displaced in advance in directions opposite directions in which the conveying direction leading end portion and the conveying direction trailing end portion of the belt-shaped material are displaced when applied onto a forming drum. Centering of a constant-width portion of the belt-shaped material is carried out as follows. A width of the constant-width portion of the belt-shaped material is measured while the belt-shaped material is conveyed. In accordance with the measured width, a distance between a pair of guide portions which are disposed so as to be movable in a widthwise direction of the belt-shaped material is adjusted. The belt-shaped material is passed through a space between the adjusted guide portions.

Abstract: A a carcass has at least one endless carcass cord ply, which is formed by at least one carcass cord extending zigzag in the tire's circumferential direction while being folded at both outer ends of the endless carcass cord ply alternately to right and left. The bead core has an upper bead core portion which is formed by a bead cord being substantially continuous to the carcass cord and spirally wound on the endless carcass cord ply in one or more stages in the tire's circumferential direction.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a carcass ply made of organic fiber cords extending continuously from one edge to the other and turned up around bead cores to form a pair of turned-up portions and a main portion disposed therebetween, the carcass cords having a difference in elongation percentage, wherein the difference Ea-Eb of the elongation percentage Ea in the main portion from the elongation percentage Eb in the turned-up portions is in the range of from 0.5% to 2.0%.

Abstract: The machine for manufacturing a tire carcass half-reinforcement from a sie filament wrapped around a bead wire which includes: bead wire holders operated by actuating cylinders, allowing said bead wire to be held in a predetermined position; a ring which has half as many hooks as there will be arches of carcass filament contained in the tire that is to be manufactured, the ring being held a predetermined distance away from said bead wire; a reel of filament which is moved in the central space of the bead wire, wrapped around it, the path crossing the plane of the ring and passing radially inside it; and a mechanism for hooking the filament onto each of the hooks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a tire in which the sidewalls overlap the ends of the tread band. The method comprises the steps of inserting an extensible tubular releasing element around the carcass plies at each end of an assembly drum, wrapping the sidewalls on these elements, applying another tubular element on the sidewalls, and overturning the tubular elements to spread apart the sidewalls in an open position aside of the assembly drum. The carcass, in the form of a first-step cylindrical sleeve comprising open sidewalls, is transferable to a (second-step) forming drum to be torically formed against a separately prepared assembly comprising the belt pack and the tread band. Next, the band ends are turned down onto the toric carcass and the sidewalls are folded back against the carcass and over the ends of the tread band.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of supplying sheet-like materials in which a plurality of sheet-like materials comprising tire constituent materials and cut into a predetermined size are conveyed by an applying conveyor means and applied onto a building drum. A sheet-like material to be assembled is supplied onto a conveyor belt of the applying conveyor means. Another sheet-like material to assemble, which is held on a transfer drum, is laminated onto the material on the conveyor belt sequentially from one of the end sides thereof to the other with press by rotating and moving the transfer drum. Then a laminate body comprising the sheet-like materials is wound on the building drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus 200 for building a laminate 10A and in forming a subassembly 10 for a pneumatic tire from an assembly of reinforced or unreinforced tire components wherein the method has the steps of providing an apparatus 200 for simultaneously forming, positioning, attaching and conveying a plurality of continuous strips of elastomeric tire components and activating the apparatus simultaneously forming, positioning and attaching the plurality of continuous strips of elastomeric tire components to adjacent strips of tire components as they are conveyed thus forming a laminate 10A of reinforced or unreinforced tire components suitable for use as a subassembly for a neumatic tire.

Abstract: A bias tire includes a reinforcement member disposed between a first carcass and an additional carcass in the crown region of the tire for restricting the circumferential growth of the tire. The reinforcement member includes a plurality of cords oriented at zero degrees. The total circumferential strength of the reinforcement member is about 20 to 250% of the circumferential strength of the carcass plies. The reinforcement member, first carcass, and additional carcass are formed on a tire building drum as a green tire component in a method of making the tire.

Abstract: A low-section profile pneumatic radial tire comprising a radial carcass, a belt, a tread rubber and a pair of sidewall rubbers and having an aspect ratio of not more than 55% is manufactured by using a green tire built through first and second building steps, in which an uncured inner sidewall rubber segment and an uncured outer sidewall rubber segment are previously and separately provided so as to correspond to an inner portion and an outer portion parted from each sidewall rubber of a tire after vulcanization in a radial direction thereof satisfying that an end of a parting face located on an outer surface of the sidewall rubber is not more than 1/2 of a section height of the tire and the uncured inner sidewall rubber segment is stuck at the first building step and the uncured outer sidewall rubber segment is stuck at the second building step.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a carcass ply made of organic fiber cords extending continuously from one edge to the other and turned up around bead cores to form a pair of turned-up portions and a main portion disposed therebetween, the carcass cords having a difference in elongation percentage, wherein the difference Ea-Eb of the elongation percentage Ea in the main portion from the elongation percentage Eb in the turned-up portions is in the range of from 0.5% to 2.0%.

Abstract: Method for adjusting the shape of at least one side of the circumference of a strip of flexible material to the shape of a reference side concerned. The method comprises the steps of determining the shape of the at least one side of the strip, comparing the shape as determined of the at least one side with the shape of the reference side, and adjusting the shape as determined of the at least one side to the shape of the reference side, depending on the outcome of the comparison. Belt strip feeding apparatus for feeding a belt strip on a rotating building drum. The feeding apparatus is provided with a supply reel for containing belt material, with means for unwinding belt material from the supply reel, with conveying means for conveying the unwound belt material to the building drum, with cutting means placed above the roller conveyor for cutting the belt material into a belt strip.

Abstract: A thin gauge, fine diameter steel cord reinforced tire ply fabric 2 is lap spliced. The steel cord 1 has one or more filaments 9, and each filament has a percent elongation of over 2.5% and tensile strength of at least (-2000D+4400 MPa).times.95%, where D is the diameter of the filament in millimeters. For passenger and lightly loaded trucks the fabric 2 is manufactured using a preferred cord 1 which is a 1+5.times.0.18 mm cord spaced 14 ends per inch, and for heavier loaded vehicles such as light trucks load rated E or greater the number of cords 1 is increased to 28 ends per inch. The fabric 2 has a gauge thickness g in the range of the cord diameter C+0.22 mm to C+1.25 mm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming contoured tire carcass strips having a body ply consisting of two strips of elastomeric material containing individually spaced reinforcing cords sandwiched therebetween, an innerliner, a pair of abrasive gum sections, and pairs of first and second sidewall sections. The carcass strip and reinforcing cords have a contour configuration with a wider central portion and a pair of outwardly flared end portions connected to the central portion by two intermediate portions. The transverse distances between the cords are equal, with the distances being greater at the central portion than the intermediate and end portions. A grooved forming plate has a plurality of grooves in one surface in the configured pattern that the cords will take when sandwiched in the body ply. The cords are placed in the grooves of the forming plate and have two strips of elastomeric material applied thereto by a pair of vacuum transfer plates and a press.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a tire which consists of producing a toral carcass reinforcement blank (1) by the helical winding of a cord or cable around a non-deformable, annular building core N, followed by at least one circumferential cut on the radially inner surface of the core N and a cut on the radially outer surface, the two halves of the blank being then separated axially to permit the removal of the core and subsequently brought together and connected for the finishing of the blank of the tire.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of supplying sheet-like materials in which a plurality of sheet-like materials comprising tire constituent materials and cut into a predetermined size are conveyed by an applying conveyor means and applied onto a building drum. A sheet-like material to be assembled is supplied onto a conveyor belt of the applying conveyor means. Another sheet-like material to assemble, which is held on a transfer drum, is laminated onto the material on the conveyor belt sequentially from one of the end sides thereof to the other with press by rotating and moving the transfer drum. Then a laminate body comprising the sheet-like materials is wound on the building drum.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a toroidal carcass ply composed of cords arranged radially at the same angle to the tire equator and extending continuously between the bead portions through the tread portion and sidewall portion, and the carcass ply is increased in thickness partially in at least a tire shoulder portion. A method of making the tire comprises a step of heating a raw tire, wherein a raw carcass ply is composed of cords having at least two different heat-shrinkage-percentages.

Abstract: Tire components are assembled on a tire building drum by laying a first liner on a surface of the drum, positioning first sidewall inserts below the cylindrical surface of the drum and around the drum at insert locations spaced from each end of the drum, laying a first carcass ply around the drum, positioning second inserts over the first ply at the insert locations, laying a second carcass over the first ply and the second inserts, positioning beads at each end of the drum, expanding the drum to increase the diameter of the cylindrical surface of the drum and provide shoulders at each end of the drum, turning edges of the first ply and the second ply over each of the beads, positioning a belt and tread assembly around the second ply, and contracting the drum for removal of the assembled tire components from the drum. The inserts are positioned in grooves extending radially inwardly in the outer surface of the building drum.

Abstract: In a method for automatically applying cut strips of material with varying lengths onto a tire building drum for manufacturing green tires a cut strip of material, comprising a forward portion with a leading edge, a middle section, and an end portion, is fed with a conveyor belt to a tire building drum. The leading edge of the forward portion is placed onto the tire building drum, being rotated at a first circumferential speed, that is substantially identical to a first feeding speed of the conveyor belt, during application of the forward portion. The first circumferential speed of the tire building drum is increased to a second constant circumferential speed for applying the middle section. Simultaneously, the first feeding speed of the end less conveyor belt is increased to a second feeding speed which is controlled as a function of the actual length of the cut strip of material.

Abstract: A method of forming a radial tire. After a carcass band is elastically deformed temporarily into a standing wave shape, a bead core is located at a predetermined position on the outside of the carcass band. The elastic deformation of the carcass band is eliminated, and the carcass band is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the bead core to form a first assembly. The first assembly is held by a first transfer from the outside, and an inner liner band of cylindrical shape with an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the first assembly, is located at a predetermined position in the first assembly. The inner liner band is expanded and pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the first assembly to form a second assembly. Then, a third assembly composed of a sidewall, chafer and the like of cylindrical shape and having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the second assembly, is located at a predetermined position in the second assembly.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of tire for high speed two-wheeled vehicles comprising making a cylindrical sleeve, attaching annular bead wires to the axial ends of said sleeve and shaping the sleeve into a toroidal configuration. A belt structure made of coils of cords is applied to the crown of said toroidal configuration. The belt is reinforced with HE cords which can be deformed to enable the tire carcass to be so largely expanded into the mold to achieve completely molding of a tread band.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire comprises a carcass comprising an outer carcass ply made of cords having a first heat-shrinkage-percentage K1 and an inner carcass ply is made of cords having a second heat-shrinkage-percentage K2 different from the first heat-shrinkage-percentage K1, and the cord tension of the inner carcass ply is smaller than the cord tension of the outer carcass ply. A method of making the tire comprises steps of making the outer carcass ply of cords having a first heat-shrinkage-percentage K1, making the inner carcass ply of cords having a second heat-shrinkage-percentage K2, wherein the first heat-shrinkage-percentage K1 at 150 degrees C. is 120 to 160% of the second heat-shrinkage-percentage K2 at 150 degrees C., and heating and vulcanizing a raw tire to heat-shrink the outer carcass ply cords in a larger degree than the inner carcass ply.

Abstract: A method for adjustment of the width dimension of a bead lock drum of the type used in the manufacture of vehicle tires and which includes a plurality of circumference-defining segments whose combined lengths represent the width of the drum and wherein the segments are divided into at least two sets and movably mounted on carriages for postioning of the segments apart to receive therein spacer means and together to collectively define the outer circumference of the drum.

Abstract: The invention concerns the structures and production of tubeless tire beads the seal of which on the rim and the resistance to degradation of which are increased. The beads, at least the surfaces of which in contact with the rim are formed of protectors (7), are covered, in accordance with the invention, with an air impermeable rubber mix (8) at least in part over the portion of the protector in contact with the rim. Extension of the covering (8) over the surface of the protector which is in contact with the inflation air is desirable.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a tire-building process in which a so-called "shaping" building drum is used and in which a ply turn-up bladder (2) is clamped on the outside of each bead recess (6) by an assembly of pallets (11) which can open in fan shape and cover the turn-up bladder completely in circumferential direction and in part in axial direction. The axial displacement of the said pallets (11), controlled by the axial displacements of two pistons (7) and (8), makes it possible to modify the shape of the ply turn-up bladder (2).

Abstract: A thread, intended to form a carcass reinforcement, is wound in contiguous hoops on a rigid core through an eyelet fastened on a chain mounted on pulleys arranged around the core. The eyelet carries out a reciprocating movement around the core so as to progressively and contiguously lay a hoop upon each forward movement and a hoop upon each return movement.