Improvements in or relating to pneumatic tyres

992,631. Pneumatic tyres. DUNLOP RUBBER CO. Ltd. Oct. 24, 1961 [Nov. 1, 1960], No. 37423/60. Heading B7C. A pneumatic tyre having a rigid tread reinforcement 8 of two cross-laid parallel cord plies 10, 11 each with a cord angle not exceeding 30 degrees to the mid-circumferential plane, and at least one bead to bead carcase reinforcing ply 2 or 3 of parallel cords disposed at an angle of at least 45 degrees to the said plane, is provided in each side wall with a half ply 13 which extends from the associated bead to the adjacent edge of the tread reinforcement and comprises a textile or steel cord 14 wound spirally in parallel circumferential side-by-side convolutions 15. The half ply is pre-formed on to a sidewall covering 27 disposed on a profiled surface 25 of an annular former 24 which is supported on a rotatable horizontal table 26 to facilitate spiral winding of the cord 14 by a guide roller 31, a bead bracing strip 19 of parallel 30 degrees angle cords, and a bead lining rubber strip 29 being also laid on the former prior to winding of the cord 14. The former is then disposed coaxially with a flat band carcase on an expansible drum, and the carcase expanded radially to toroidal shape whilst the former is moved axially to position the pre-formed sidewall against the shaped carcase. As shown, the carcase comprises two cross-laid parallel cord bead to bead plies 2, 3 wrapped around a bead core wire 7. In an alternative arrangement, Fig. 4, the bead wire 7 is replaced by an annular disc formed by a spirally wound steel cord 36 and the edge of the single bead to bead radial cord ply 37 is sandwiched between the disc and the spirally wound half ply 38. Specification 854,971 is referred to.