Process for building tyres and tyre obtained thereby

Abstract

A pair of annular inserts of elastomeric material is circumferentially applied by spiraling around a laying surface of an auxiliary drum. Then a plurality of strip-like elements disposed in parallel side by side relationship with each other in the circumferential extension of the laying surface is applied onto the auxiliary drum, so as to form at least one first belt layer. Respectively opposite end portions of each strip-like element are radially superposed, each against one of the annular inserts, so that each of the annular inserts projects from a respective end edge of the strip-like element. The cap structure formed on the auxiliary drum is coupled to a carcass structure through toroidal conformation of the latter, in such a manner that the radially external ends of sidewall portions previously manufactured on the carcass plies are associated with the axially external ends of the annular inserts.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A tyre for vehicle wheels, comprising:
 a carcass structure comprising at least one carcass ply having end flaps engagement with respective annular anchoring structures;   a belt structure comprising at least one first belt layer;   a pair of sidewalls each having at least one sidewall portion laterally applied against said at least one carcass ply; and   a pair of annular inserts of elastomeric material, axially spaced apart from each other, having respective axially external ends associated with radially external ends of said sidewall portions,   
       wherein said at least one belt layer comprises a plurality of strip-like elements disposed in parallel side-by-side relationship with each other in a circumferential tyre extension, respectively opposite end portions of each strip-like element being radially superposed, each against one of the annular inserts, in such a manner that each strip-like element has axially external end edges in a position axially internal to the axially external ends of said annular inserts, and 
       wherein the annular inserts define radially external apices of the sidewalls, and the annular inserts have a hardness greater than the hardness of the sidewall portions applied against said at least one carcass ply. 
     
     
         28 . The tyre as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein each of said annular inserts comprises at least one continuous elongated element of elastomeric material wound into a plurality of coils disposed close to each other. 
     
     
         29 . The tyre as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the annular inserts are made of elastomeric material having a different composition than the composition of the elastomeric material of the sidewall portions laterally applied against said at least one carcass ply. 
     
     
         30 . The tyre as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the composition of the elastomeric material of the annular inserts comprises at least one rubber-metal bonding system. 
     
     
         31 . The tyre as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein said bonding system comprises sulphur, resorcin and cobalt salt. 
     
     
         32 . The tyre as claimed in  claim 27 , further comprising a tread band disposed at a radially external position to said belt structure. 
     
     
         33 . The tyre as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the tread band comprises BX I (c)cist one continuous elongated element of elastomeric material extending so as to form a plurality of coils disposed close to each other around the belt structure. 
     
     
         34 . The tyre as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the tread band has axially external end portions made of an elastomeric material having a composition different from the composition of the elastomeric material of an axially internal portion of the tread band. 
     
     
         35 . The tyre as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the tread band has axially external end portions made of an elastomeric material having a composition corresponding to the composition of the elastomeric material of the sidewall portions laterally applied against said at least one carcass ply. 
     
     
         36 . The tyre as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the axially external end portions of the tread band are associated with the radially external ends of the sidewall portions laterally applied against said at least one carcass ply.