Patent ID: 6499521
Filing Date: 2002-12-31
Classification: B60C

Abstract:
A pneumatic radial ply tire having a tread area comprising a ground contacting tread radially outward of a circumferential belt structure;each bead area comprising a bead foot compatible with a wheel rim having flanges with laterally extending portions, an inextensible annular bead, and an apex; and a carcass structure comprising at least one cord-reinforced elastomeric ply layer, the at least one ply layer being reinforced by cords having a substantially radial orientation, the ply layers extending laterally between the two bead areas and radially inward of the belt structure; the tire characterized by: the tread area being directly connected to the bead areas without a sidewall; rim flange protectors comprising a continuous circumferential elastomeric projection extending laterally outward from the bead and tread areas, thereby extending radially outward of the rim flanges of the wheel rim when the tire is mounted on the rim; and an aspect ratio less than 25.