Rubberized fabric with reinforcing metal strap made of a shape-memory material

Abstract

A rubberized fabric for a tire belt incorporating continuous reinforcing elements made from a shape-memory material and a tire incorporating same. The rubberized fabric forms the zero-degree belt layer of the tire. The fundamental characteristic of the fabric resides in its incorporation of means to stabilize the reinforcing elements in the predetermined position within the fabric. Stabilization of the reinforcing elements is accomplished by shaping the reinforcing elements in the form of side-by-side metal straps. The minimum width of each metal strap is about I mm and the thickness of the rubberized fabric incorporating the metal straps has a maximum value of about 0.4 mm and is preferably about 0.3 mm. Among other things, the rubberized fabric improves the vulcanization process of the tire by constraining the underlying belt layers, lessens the consequences of “flatspotting,” and permits the construction of a lighter weight tire.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.