Abstract: A tire and beadlock clip system for assembly on a rim employs a tire of a type having an annular recess in each sidewall of the tire. As a result of the recessed sidewall structure, one or more beadlock clip can be directly engaged, after seating of the tire, between a corresponding abutment surface region, provided on the outer surface of the sidewall and oriented to face away from the rim lip, and an opposing surface of the rim, thereby opposing separation of the bead region from the bead seat. Preferably, the clips are resilient clips which can be snap-fit into engagement manually or with a mallet. Alternatively, a positive clamping mechanism may be provided.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a non-stretchable tread (30) flanked by two shoulder regions (34), and two non-stretchable bead regions (36) for mounting the tire to a wheel, each bead region being connected via a sidewall to the corresponding bead region. Each sidewall has a first portion (38) extending inwardly relative to a width of the tire from one of the bead regions (36) to a deflection region (40), and a second portion (42) extending outwardly relative to the width of the tire from the deflection region (40) to a corresponding one of the shoulder regions (34). A non-stretchable girth-limiting configuration (44, 46, 56) and a radial reinforcing structure (48, 50, 52) are associated with the first portion (38) of each of the sidewalls, thereby limiting radial flexing of first portion (38) and maintaining an annular concavity between the bead region (36) and the shoulder region (34).

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a non-stretchable tread (30) flanked by two shoulder regions (34), and two non-stretchable bead regions (36) for mounting the tire to a wheel, each bead region being connected via a sidewall to the corresponding bead region. Each sidewall has a first portion (38) extending inwardly relative to a width of the tire from one of the bead regions (36) to a deflection region (40), and a second portion (42) extending outwardly relative to the width of the tire from the deflection region (40) to a corresponding one of the shoulder regions (34). A non-stretchable girth-limiting configuration (44, 46, 56) and a radial reinforcing structure (48, 50, 52) are associated with the first portion (38) of each of the sidewalls, thereby limiting radial flexing of first portion (38) and maintaining an annular concavity between the bead region (36) and the shoulder region (34).

Abstract: A locomotion assembly is provided, suitable to be used in a vehicle. The locomotion assembly comprises a frustum-conical structure comprising at least one flexible member having a frustum-conical surface extending between its relatively narrow and wide ends along a frustum-conical axis, the frustum-conical member being reversibly deformable from its biased rounded shape corresponding to a frustum-conical shape in which its side elevation is circular into a deformed frustum-conical shape in which its side elevation is non-circular. The frustum-conical structure may serve for supporting at least one surface-engaging member convertible between a round wheel-like configuration, in which its side elevation is substantially circular, and a deformed configuration, in which its side elevation is non-circular and in which a larger portion of the surface-engaging member is in contact with a movement surface.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a surface vehicle is presented. The wheel assembly comprises a tire comprising an envelope structure which by its inner surface encloses a cavity. The envelope structure comprises an outer, surface-engaging side having a circumferential surface, and opposite side walls which are integral with and extend from the surface-engaging side. The sides walls by their free ends define an inner, rim-engagement side of the tire by which the tire is connectable to a wheel hub. Each of the opposite side walls comprises a surface pattern defining a suspension assembly within the side wall to thereby prevent stretching of the tire envelope towards its maximal volume when the envelope is compressed with gas, while allowing deformation of the tire envelope when loaded or depressurized such that the surface engaging side of the tire maintains a substantially constant contact with the surface.

Abstract: A locomotion assembly is provided, suitable to be used in a vehicle. The locomotion assembly comprises a frustum-conical structure comprising at least one flexible member having a frustum-conical surface extending between its relatively narrow and wide ends along a frustum-conical axis, the frustum-conical member being reversibly deformable from its biased rounded shape corresponding to a frustum-conical shape in which its side elevation is circular into a deformed frustum-conical shape in which its side elevation is non-circular. The frustum-conical structure may serve for supporting at least one surface-engaging member convertible between a round wheel-like configuration, in which its side elevation is substantially circular, and a deformed configuration, in which its side elevation is non-circular and in which a larger portion of the surface-engaging member is in contact with a movement surface.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a surface vehicle is presented. The wheel assembly comprises a tire comprising an envelope structure which by its inner surface encloses a cavity. The envelope structure comprises an outer, surface-engaging side having a circumferential surface, and opposite side walls which are integral with and extend from the surface-engaging side. The sides walls by their free ends define an inner, rim-engagement side of the tire by which the tire is connectable to a wheel hub. Each of the opposite side walls comprises a surface pattern defining a suspension assembly within the side wall to thereby prevent stretching of the tire envelope towards its maximal volume when the envelope is compressed with gas, while allowing deformation of the tire envelope when loaded or depressurized such that the surface engaging side of the tire maintains a substantially constant contact with the surface.

Abstract: A locomotion assembly is provided, suitable to be used in a vehicle. The locomotion assembly comprises a frustum-conical structure comprising at least one flexible member having a frustum-conical surface extending between its relatively narrow and wide ends along a frustum-conical axis, the frustum-conical member being reversibly deformable from its biased rounded shape corresponding to a frustum-conical shape in which its side elevation is circular into a deformed frustum-conical shape in which its side elevation is non-circular. The frustum-conical structure may serve for supporting at least one surface-engaging member convertible between a round wheel-like configuration, in which its side elevation is substantially circular, and a deformed configuration, in which its side elevation is non-circular and in which a larger portion of the surface-engaging member is in contact with a movement surface.