Pneumatic tire with bead reinforcing elements at least partially formed from carbon fibers

A pneumatic tire having an axis of rotation, said pneumatic tire comprising:

• an elastomeric tire casing extending circumferentially about said axis of rotation and including a crown portion extending in a generally axial direction, opposing sidewalls disposed in axially-spaced relation to one another and extending radially inwardly from along said crown portion to respective bead areas, a single ply extending across said crown portion and along said sidewalls, and a plurality of bead reinforcing elements in the form of endless annular rings with a single bead reinforcing element embedded within each of said bead areas, said ply including opposing outer ends with one of said outer ends disposed within each of said bead areas;
• said plurality of bead reinforcing elements each having a cross-sectional shape with a first profile end having a first cross-sectional dimension and a second profile end disposed radially outward of said first profile end, said second profile end having a second cross-sectional dimension that is less than said first cross-sectional dimension such that said plurality of bead reinforcing elements operate as a bead core and bead filler combination in a single integral component within said bead areas of said elastomeric tire casing;
• said plurality of bead reinforcing elements each defining an opening extending therethrough, said plurality of bead reinforcing elements extending peripherally about said axis and having an axially-inward side and an axially-outward side relative to said sidewalls of said elastomeric tire casing with one of said opposing outer ends of said ply anchored to one of said plurality of bead reinforcing elements along-said only said axially-outward side thereof;
• and,
• said plurality of bead reinforcing elements being formed from a plurality of carbon fibers embedded within a matrix material.