Low aspect ratio pneumatic tire without sidewalls

摘要

A pneumatic radial ply tire with an aspect ratio of less than 50 has a ground contacting tread (214) radially outward of a circumferential belt structure (218) which in turn is radially outward of a carcass structure (228). The carcass structure has a pair of bead areas (220a, 220b) that include a bead foot (222a, 222b) compatible with a conventionally-shaped wheel rim (211) having flanges (213a, 213b) with laterally extending portions (234a, 234b). The carcass structure (228) has a cord-reinforced elastomeric ply layer (230) extending laterally between the two bead areas and radially inward of the belt structure (218). The tread area (212) is directly connected to the bead areas (220a, 220b) without a sidewall. Rim flange protectors (236a, 236b) comprising a continuous circumferential elastomeric projection extend laterally outward from each bead/tread area and thereby radially outward of the rim flanges (213a, 213b). <IMAGE>