Low aspect ratio pneumatic tire without sidewalls

• US 6,499,521 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2001
• Issued: 12/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
• Original Assignee: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
• Inventors: Terver, Roland Andre, Le Maire, Percy Anthony, Girault, Jean-Marie
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnstone, Adrienne C.
• Application Number:
  US09/844,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20010050126A1
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 152/454, 152/532, 152/516, 152/517
• US Class Current: 152/454
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 17/00 Tyres characterised by means enabling restricted operation in damaged or deflated condition; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 3/00 Tyres characterised by the transverse section
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 3/04 characterised by the relative dimensions of the section, e.g. low profile B60C3/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 9/08 the cords extend transversely from bead to bead, i.e. radial ply B60C9/07 takes precedence

Abstract

A pneumatic radial ply tire with an aspect ratio of less than 50 has a ground contacting tread radially outward of a circumferential belt structure which in turn is radially ourtward of a carcass structure. The carcass structure has a pair of bead areas that include a bead foot compatible with a conventionally-shaped wheel rim having flanges with laterally extending portions. The carcass structure has a cord-reinforced elastomeric ply layer extend laterally between the two bead areas and radially inward of the belt structure. The tread area is directly connected to the bead areas without a sidewall. Rim flange protectors comprising a continuous circumferential elastomeric projection extend laterally outward from each bead/tread area and thereby radially outward of the rim flanges.

Claims

1. A pneumatic radial ply tire having a tread area comprising a ground contacting tread radially outward of a circumferential belt structure;

each bead area comprising a bead foot compatible with a wheel rim having flanges with laterally extending portions, an inextensible annular bead, and an apex; and

a carcass structure comprising at least one cord-reinforced elastomeric ply layer, the at least one ply layer being reinforced by cords having a substantially radial orientation, the ply layers extending laterally between the two bead areas and radially inward of the belt structure;

the tire characterized by;

the tread area being directly connected to the bead areas without a sidewall;

rim flange protectors comprising a continuous circumferential elastomeric projection extending laterally outward from the bead and tread areas, thereby extending radially outward of the rim flanges of the wheel rim when the tire is mounted on the rim; and

an aspect ratio less than 25.

2. The tire of claim 1, characterized in that:

the tread area and belt structure extend radially and laterally outward from each bead area; and

an elastomeric shoulder wedge is located radially outward and adjacent to each bead area and radially inward of the belt structure.

3. The tire of claim 1, characterized in that:

a pair of elastomeric reinforcing material inserts are provided where the tread area and bead areas are joined, and the inserts are of sufficient thickness and strength to support the weight of a vehicle and to allow operation of the tire while uninflated.

4. The tire of claim 1, characterized in that:

the at least one ply layer is turned up around the bead in each bead area.