SOFT RUBBER ENVELOPES ENDS OF PLIES

摘要

A HEAVY DUTY PNEUMATIC TIRE An improved heavy duty pneumatic tire is disclosed which includes a carcass ply of rubberized metallic cord fabric that is wrapped around bead cores to form turnups. Annular apex strips are disposed between the carcass ply and the turnups and abut the carcass ply along their axially inward side. Reinforcement strips of rubberized metallic cord fabric may be provided. These strips are wrapped about the bead cores and form radially outward extensions of the turnups. Enveloping and bonded to the terminal edges of the turnups and the terminal edges of the reinforcement strips if provided, are cushion elements of soft rubber having high restorability. The cushion elements isolate the terminal edges from the carcass ply and render the bead area and lower sidewall portion of the tire more flexible to inhibit separation of the rubberized cords at the terminal edges. Likewise, similar soft rubber cushion elements may envelope and be bonded to the edges of rubberized metallic cord plies forming the reinforcement belt for the tread of the tire to prevent separation along the edges of these plies.