Tire construction with flattened summit and circumferential reinforcement

Abstract

A tire constructed with a plurality of reinforcement belts is provided. At least one of the reinforcement belts extends along the axial width of the tire summit and is constructed according to an equilibrium curve that is flat throughout the summit. The reinforcement belts include cable reinforcements that are substantially parallel to the equatorial plane. Substantial reductions in the tension experienced by the cables can be achieved to provide, as a result, improvements in e.g., tread wear.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tire defining axial, circumferential, and radial directions, the tire defining a meridian plane and having a summit region positioned between sidewall portions of the tire, the tire comprising:
 a carcass extending between the sidewall portions and through the summit region of the tire;   a working ply positioned radially outside of said carcass and extending along the axial direction of the tire;   at least one reinforcement belt positioned radially outside of said carcass and positioned in the summit region of the tire, said at least one reinforcement belt having at least one axially outer end that extends to one sidewall portion of the tire and another outer end extending to the other sidewall portion of the tire, said reinforcement belt comprising a plurality of circumferentially-oriented cables, said reinforcement belt having a flat profile within a meridian plane of the tire; and,   a tread portion positioned radially outside of said reinforcement belts and extending through the summit region and between the sidewall portions of the tire.   
     
     
         2 . The tire as in  claim 1 , the tire defining an equatorial plane, and wherein said reinforcement belt comprises two portions, each portion positioned in an opposing manner about the equatorial plane and without intersecting the equatorial plane. 
     
     
         3 . The tire as in  claim 1 , the tire defining an equatorial plane, and wherein said reinforcement belt intersects the equatorial plane. 
     
     
         4 . The tire as in  claim 1 , the tire defining an equatorial plane, wherein said circumferentially-oriented cables are at angle in the range of 0 to about +/- 5 degrees from the equatorial plane.