Abstract:
At least one carcass ply is formed by depositing a strip element, comprising longitudinal thread elements incorporated into a layer of elastomer material, onto a toroidal support. Deposition of the strip element takes place in alternated deposition sections, each comprising two radially-extending side portions and a crown portion extending at a radially external position. The side portions of each deposition section are at least partly overlapped with side portions belonging to an adjacent deposition section. Associated with the carcass ply are an anchoring element. A belt structure, a tread band, and sidewalls are combined with the thus-formed carcass structure to define a tire to be submitted to a vulcanization step.
Abstract:
A method for production of tires in a curing mold make of a plurality of shaped blocks. The blocks are displaced circumferentially so as to leave a width clearance therebetween, the clearance being wide enough to permit air trapped within the mold to escape, but to prevent escape of elastomeric material and thus avoid generation of burrs on the surface of the tire.
Abstract:
A pneumatic tire for a motor vehicle has a tread band having at least two longitudinal grooves which divide it into a plurality of circumferential ridges, and a series of circumferentially spaced axial grooves which divide the two outermost ridges into blocks. The edges of the inner ridges are provided with blind, oblique slits, all inclined in the same sense with respect to the circumferential direction of the tire. The slits are substantially parallel to one another and are preferably offset with respect to each other.
Abstract:
A process for manufacturing radial type motor vehicle pneumatic tires is provided in which an annular reinforcing structure is disposed on a toric carcass. The reinforcing structure is built up of two layers of metallic cords crossed with each other, and an additional third layer of heat shrinkable textile cords that form, with the longitudinal direction of the tire, an angle which is not zero and is a smaller angle than that of the underlying cords.The third textile layer is applied by butt-joining its respective opposite ends along a straight line parallel to the metallic cords of the underlying metallic layer.
Abstract:
A wheel having a controlled and compensated pressure includes a rim associated with a tank adapted to be filled with a fluid to a first pressure; a tyre mounted on the rim and having an inner volume inflated to an operating pressure, the operating pressure being lower than the first pressure; at least one valve adapted to regulate a communication between the tank and the inner volume of the tyre, the valve having at least one elastic element operatively associated with a closure member designed to open and close a port of the valve to bring the tank into communication with the tyre when the pressure of the tyre is lower than the operating pressure, the elastic element having an elastic constant showing a variation of 10% to 40% within a temperature range of about −50° C. to about 50° C.
Abstract:
A method for controlling the deformation of a surface of a sail of a sailing boat during a direction change manoeuvre, includes arranging at least one inflatable batten into a respective seat formed on a side surface of the sail, the at least one batten being inflated at a predetermined working pressure as to impart to said at least one inflatable batten a bending stiffness having, with no bending load, a predetermined value, carrying out a manoeuvre, for changing the direction of the sailing boat, wherein in a first part of manoeuvre the at least one batten is subjected to the action of an increasing bending load, and in a second part of the manoeuvre, the bending load ends its action on the at least one batten, during the manoeuvre the mechanical properties of the at least one batten being changed so that as the bending load increases in the first part of the manoeuvre, the value of the bending stiffness of the at least one batten decreases considerably, and as the action of the bending load ends in the second part of the manoeuvre, the bending stiffness of the at least one batten returns to the predetermined value.
Abstract:
A tire for a vehicle wheel includes a carcass structure having at least one first carcass ply, a pair of circumferentially inextensible annular structures, a belt structure applied to the carcass structure, a tread band applied to the belt structure, and at least one pair of sidewalls applied to the carcass structure. The at least one first carcass ply includes a plurality of strip lengths each including at least two thread elements. Each strip length defines two side portions and a crown portion. The crown portions are disposed side-by-side along a circumferential extension of the tire. The side portions of each strip length partly cover or are partly covered by a side portion of at least one adjacent strip length. Each annular structure includes at least a first circumferentially inextensible annular insert formed by at least one first elongated element extending in concentric coils.
Abstract:
A method of making a tire includes making a carcass structure; applying a belt structure, tread band, and at least one pair of sidewalls; and vulcanizing the tire. Making the carcass structure involves formation of at least one first carcass ply, including preparing and depositing at least one continuous strip element onto a toroidal support in alternating deposition sections. Each deposition section extends in a substantially U-shaped conformation against a profile in transverse section of the toroidal support or a previously deposited deposition section, substantially over an entire length of the section, to define two side portions, a crown portion, and two transition regions defined between the side and crown portions. The crown portions of the deposition sections are arranged consecutively in side-by-side relationship along a circumferential extension of the toroidal support. Edges of circumferentially consecutive deposition sections abut evenly along their entire crown portions extending between the transition regions.