Patent ID: 6840297

Claim:
A heavy-duty tire comprising: two annular bead portions ( 2 ), each having a metal bead bundle ( 3 ); a layered cover turned up about the bead bundle ( 3 ), said layered cover having a body ply ( 8 ), a reinforcing strip ( 9 ) formed of an elastomeric material defined by a first mix, and an outer cover layer ( 10 ); said outer cover layer ( 10 ) having an innerliner ( 11 ) defined by a second mix substantially impermeable to air, an abrasion gum strip ( 12 ) defined by a third mix harder than said second mix, and a sidewall ( 13 ); the abrasion gum strip ( 12 ) being connected to the innerliner ( 11 ) by a splice ( 14 ); wherein a lateral annular portion ( 15 ) of the innerliner ( 11 ) covers an axially inner lateral annular portion ( 16 ) of the abrasion gum strip ( 12 ); and wherein between the reinforcing strip ( 9 ) and the outer cover layer ( 10 ), there is inserted a damping strip ( 21 ) defined by a fourth mix, softer than said third mix and substantially impermeable to air, and directly contacting the abrasion gum strip ( 12 ).