A tire is provided with an external sidewall, said external sidewall comprising at least one elastomeric composition based on: (a) an elastomeric matrix comprising at least one diene elastomer, (b) a crosslinking system, and (c) at least one polymer incompatible with the elastomeric matrix. A process for the preparation of an elastomeric composition for an external sidewall is also disclosed.

A tire includes a tread, a sidewall extending from one edge of the tread approximately in a radially inward direction to a bead structure, and a carcass extending along an axially inner side of the sidewall to the bead structure. The carcass includes a first ply and a second ply extending radially inward from the sidewall to a terminal end directly adjacent the bead structure. The bead structure includes a circumferentially extending bead core axially inward of the sidewall, a chafer extending radially inward toward the bead core, an apex abutting the bead core, and an inner stiffener member disposed between the first ply and the apex, the inner stiffener member extending radially outward from a location proximate the bead core to a location radially outward from the apex.

There is provided a piece for a modular tyre liner, the piece being planar and generally rectangular and cut to define: a key head and a key hole, the key head configured for insertion into an associated key hole of an adjacent piece for engagement in use to form a mechanical interlock with the adjacent piece and wherein the key head and a key hole are configured for allowing movement of the piece with respect to the adjacent piece along the length of the liner in use.

First direction ridge patterns and second direction ridge patterns are lined-up alternately at a decorative concave portion 18. Plural main ridges 22A through 22D and sub-ridges 26A through 26D, which project-out from a bottom surface 18A, are formed at a first direction ridge pattern 20. The respective ridges are disposed in parallel such that ridge extending directions are a same direction. Light reflection patterns are different at a main ridge region 24, 34 and a sub-ridge region 28, 38.

First direction ridge patterns and second direction ridge patterns are lined-up alternately at a tire side portion. Plural main ridges 22A through 22D and sub-ridges 26A through 26D, which project-out from a bottom surface 18A, are formed at a first direction ridge pattern 20. The respective ridges are disposed in parallel such that ridge extending directions are a same direction. Light reflection patterns are different at a main ridge region 24 and a sub-ridge region 28.

A tire includes a side protector at each side surface thereof. The tire satisfies mathematical formulas (1) and (2):

R2>R1(1)

R2>R3(2)

wherein R1 represents a ratio of lands in a zone, of the side surface, between a position of a radially inner end of the side protector and a position at 70% of a height of the tire, R2 represents a ratio of lands in a zone, of the side surface, between the position at 70% of the height of the tire and a position at 85% of the height of the tire, and R3 represents a ratio of lands in a zone, of the side surface, between the position at 85% of the height of the tire and a position at 97% of the height of the tire.

A pneumatic tire has a large number of protector ribs on a side surface thereof. Each protector rib projects from a profile of the tire. The protector rib has an outer end and an inner end. A shape of a cross-section of the outer end is convex inward in an axial direction. The shape of the cross-section of the outer end is preferably a circular arc. A shape of a cross-section of the inner end is convex inward in the axial direction. The shape of the cross-section of the inner end is preferably a circular arc. The tire further has a lateral groove. An intersection angle of an axially outer end of this lateral groove relative to the profile is not less than 100 and not greater than 140.

A metal-resin composite member for a tire, comprising plural metal cords that are positioned alongside each other, an adhesive layer that is disposed on the metal cords, and a resin layer that is disposed on the adhesive layer, the metal-resin composite member satisfying at least one of the following (1) or (2): (1) the adhesive layer is independently disposed on each of the plural metal cords, and at least one of the adhesive layers has a cross-sectional shape that has a projecting portion; (2) the adhesive layer is integrally disposed on all of the plural metal cords, and a region consisting of the metal cords and the adhesive layer has a cross-sectional shape that has, between the metal cords, a portion that is narrower in width than a portion at which the metal cords are disposed.

A tire (1) includes sidewalls (2), a crown region (3) provided with a tread (4), a reinforcing structure (5) extending between the sidewalls and passing via the crown region, at least a portion of one of the sidewalls and/or of the crown comprising an insert (6) comprising a first elastomer composition serving as a matrix, within which a second elastomer composition derived from recycled tires is distributed substantially uniformly, the modulus of the first composition being at least 10% greater than the modulus of the second composition, and the proportion of second composition being greater than or equal to 40%.

A pneumatic tire manufacturing method is provided in which raw cover molding is suitably performed with no, or a minimal amount of, down-stitching in the manufacture of SOT-structure pneumatic tires; also provided is a pneumatic tire. This pneumatic tire manufacturing method involves: a step in which a sidewall, an inner liner, and a ply are bonded on a first molding drum, a pair of beads is set, and the tread side part is formed on the side wall, forming a first cover; a step in which a breaker and band are bonded on a second molding drum and the tread center part is formed on the band, shaping the tread ring; a step in which the first cover is inserted inside of the tread ring and the first cover is inflated, bonding the tread ring and the first cover with pressure; and a step in which the sidewall is folded back towards the lateral surface of the inflated first cover and bonded to the lateral surface of the first cover, and the tread side part and the tread center part are bonded together.