Abstract: A tire and wheel assembly includes a tire, a circular hub member for securing to a rotatable axle of a vehicle, the rim piece having a first annular ring flange for engaging the tire, a rim piece for engaging the hub member, a second annular ring flange for engaging the tire, and a plurality of cylindrical shafts for each axially engaging the first annular ring flange at one axial end of each of the shafts and the second annular ring flange at another opposite axial end of each of the shafts.

Abstract: An integrated tread wear sensor and tire pressure monitoring system sensor unit container for a tire includes a tread wear sensor plug and a sensor container. The tread wear sensor plug includes a cylindrical projection extending through an opening formed in a selected tread element of the tire. A flange extends outwardly from the projection and includes a contact surface that is mounted to an innerliner of the tire. A conductive wire is disposed in the tread wear sensor plug and includes proximal ends disposed in the flange and a distal end disposed near a radially outer surface of the projection. The sensor container includes a wall extending radially from the flange of the tread wear sensor plug and terminating in a lip. A container cavity is defined by the flange, the wall, and the lip, and receives a tire pressure monitoring system sensor.

Abstract: A tire sensor attachment structure is provided. The tire includes a pair of bead areas, a sidewall extending from each respective bead area to a tread, a carcass extending toroidally between each of the bead areas, and an innerliner that is disposed radially inwardly of the carcass. A sensor housing is attached to the innerliner, and defines an interior chamber. A sensor is disposed in the chamber. The tire sensor attachment structure includes a compressible body that is disposed in the chamber between the sensor and the innerliner.

Abstract: A system for curing a portion of a tire assembly includes: an axially placement shaft; a first actuator; a first retainer plate; a core on the axially placement shaft; a plurality of first inserts each axially and radially engaging a radially outer surface of the core with first ends of the first inserts axially engaging the first retainer plate; a plurality of second inserts each axially and radially engaging the radially outer surface of the core with first ends of the second inserts axially engaging the first retainer plate, each second insert disposed circumferentially between two of the plurality of first inserts; a second retainer plate; and a second actuator.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a tire includes a circular hub member for securing to a rotatable axle of a vehicle, an annular first rim piece for engaging the tire, the first rim piece being secured to a first axial end of the circular hub member, an annular second rim piece for engaging the tire, the second rim piece being secured to an opposite second axial end of the circular hub member, a plurality of cylindrical bolts for engaging both the first rim piece and the second rim piece, the cylindrical bolts each engaging the first rim piece, the second rim piece, and a spoke structure of the tire; and a threaded tension bolt for varying a radial position of a first axial end of one of the cylindrical bolts relative to a first elongate opening of the first rim piece.

Abstract: A sensor retaining system for a vehicle tire is provided. The tire includes a pair of sidewalls extending from a respective bead area to a tread, which is formed with a plurality of tread elements. A sensor unit is mounted to the tire and includes a pair of electrical contacts. A tread wear sensor extends into one of the tread elements and includes a wire. The wire includes proximal ends, each one of which contacts a sensor unit electrical contact to create an electrical circuit. A flexible container is mounted to an innerliner of the tire. A cup includes a base and a sidewall that cooperate to form a cavity, and a bottom of the tread wear sensor and the sensor unit are received in the cavity. The cup maintains a connection between the electrical contacts and the wire proximal ends, and is disposed in the flexible container.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a tire includes a circular hub member for securing to a rotatable axle of a vehicle, a first rim piece for engaging the hub member, a second rim piece for engaging the first rim piece, and a plurality of cylindrical sleeves for engaging both the first rim piece and the second rim piece. The first rim piece has cylindrical first shafts each engaging a first end of one of the sleeves. The second rim piece has cylindrical second shafts each engaging a second opposite end of one of the sleeves. An outer cylindrical surface of each sleeve engages a separate and distinct part the tire.

Abstract: A tire and wheel assembly includes a tire, a circular hub member for securing to a rotatable axle of a vehicle, the rim piece having a first annular ring flange for engaging the tire, a rim piece for engaging the hub member, a second annular ring flange for engaging the tire, and a plurality of cylindrical shafts for each axially engaging the first annular ring flange at one axial end of each of the shafts and the second annular ring flange at another opposite axial end of each of the shafts.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a tire includes a circular hub member for securing to a rotatable axle of a vehicle, an annular first rim piece for engaging the tire, the first rim piece being secured to a first axial end of the circular hub member, an annular second rim piece for engaging the tire, the second rim piece being secured to an opposite second axial end of the circular hub member, a plurality of cylindrical bolts for engaging both the first rim piece and the second rim piece, the cylindrical bolts each engaging the first rim piece, the second rim piece, and a spoke structure of the tire; and a threaded tension bolt for varying a radial position of a first axial end of one of the cylindrical bolts relative to a first elongate opening of the first rim piece.

Abstract: A nonpneumatic tire and wheel assembly which includes a wheel, and a spoke ring structure having an inner ring that is mounted on an outer surface of the wheel. The spoke ring structure has a plurality of spoke members, and an outer tread ring is mounted on the outer circumference of the spoke ring.

Abstract: A tire includes a pair of sidewalls extending from a respective bead area to a tread. The tread is formed with a plurality of tread elements and a radially outer surface. A sensor unit is mounted to the tire and includes a pair of electrical contacts. The tread wear sensor plug includes a cylindrical projection extending through an opening formed in one of the tread elements, a flange, and a wire including proximal ends disposed in the flange and a distal end near a radially outer surface of the projection. An electrical circuit is formed by each proximal end of the wire electrically contacting a respective one of the sensor unit electrical contacts. When the tread element and the cylindrical projection wear down to the distal end of the wire, the wire and the circuit break. A notice is transmitted by the sensor unit when the circuit breaks.

Abstract: A tire sensor container system is provided. A tire includes a carcass toroidally extending from a first bead area to a second bead area, and an innerliner formed on an inner surface of the carcass. The tire sensor container system includes a tire pressure monitoring system sensor, which in turn includes a rigid housing that is formed with an oval shape. A flexible container is mounted to the innerliner. The container includes a base and a wall extending radially outwardly from the base, and the wall terminates in a lip. The container wall is formed with an oval shape that cooperates with the shape of the tire pressure monitoring sensor housing. A cavity is defined by the base, the wall, and the lip, and cavity receives and secures the tire pressure monitoring system sensor. The system reduces sensor rotation and maintains consistent sensor orientation to improve sensor functionality and longevity.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire and wheel assembly which includes a rim, and a spoke ring structure having an inner ring that is mounted on an outer surface of the rim. The inner ring has one or more retention nubs aligned for reception in complementary shaped grooves on the outer surface of the rim, wherein the spoke ring structure has a plurality of spoke members, and an outer tread ring is mounted on the outer circumference of the spoke ring.

Abstract: A sensor retaining system for a vehicle tire is provided. The tire includes a pair of sidewalls extending from a respective bead area to a tread, which is formed with a plurality of tread elements. A sensor unit is mounted to the tire and includes a pair of electrical contacts. A tread wear sensor extends into one of the tread elements and includes a wire. The wire includes proximal ends, each one of which contacts a sensor unit electrical contact to create an electrical circuit. A flexible container is mounted to an innerliner of the tire. A cup includes a base and a sidewall that cooperate to form a cavity, and a bottom of the tread wear sensor and the sensor unit are received in the cavity. The cup maintains a connection between the electrical contacts and the wire proximal ends, and is disposed in the flexible container.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire and wheel assembly including a wheel having a first and second bead ring, a non-pneumatic tire having a shear band and tread forming a tread band, and a first and second sidewall region; wherein the first and second sidewall regions each extend from the tread band and terminate into a first and second respective bead area, wherein the first and second bead area are each mounted on the first and second bead ring, respectively; wherein each bead area is located axially outward of the crown region of the non-pneumatic tire when mounted on the wheel, and wherein the first and second sidewall each have an upper sidewall region that is uncoupled from the outer lateral ends of the tread band.

Abstract: A tire includes a pair of sidewalls extending from a respective bead area to a tread. The tread is formed with a plurality of tread elements and a radially outer surface. A sensor unit is mounted to the tire and includes a pair of electrical contacts. The tread wear sensor plug includes a cylindrical projection extending through an opening formed in one of the tread elements, a flange, and a wire including proximal ends disposed in the flange and a distal end near a radially outer surface of the projection. An electrical circuit is formed by each proximal end of the wire electrically contacting a respective one of the sensor unit electrical contacts. When the tread element and the cylindrical projection wear down to the distal end of the wire, the wire and the circuit break. A notice is transmitted by the sensor unit when the circuit breaks.

Abstract: An integrated tread wear sensor and tire pressure monitoring system sensor unit container for a tire includes a tread wear sensor plug and a sensor container. The tread wear sensor plug includes a cylindrical projection extending through an opening formed in a selected tread element of the tire. A flange extends outwardly from the projection and includes a contact surface that is mounted to an innerliner of the tire. A conductive wire is disposed in the tread wear sensor plug and includes proximal ends disposed in the flange and a distal end disposed near a radially outer surface of the projection. The sensor container includes a wall extending radially from the flange of the tread wear sensor plug and terminating in a lip. A container cavity is defined by the flange, the wall, and the lip, and receives a tire pressure monitoring system sensor.

Abstract: A tire sensor container system is provided. A tire includes a carcass toroidally extending from a first bead area to a second bead area, and an innerliner formed on an inner surface of the carcass. The tire sensor container system includes a tire pressure monitoring system sensor, which in turn includes a rigid housing that is formed with an oval shape. A flexible container is mounted to the innerliner. The container includes a base and a wall extending radially outwardly from the base, and the wall terminates in a lip. The container wall is formed with an oval shape that cooperates with the shape of the tire pressure monitoring sensor housing. A cavity is defined by the base, the wall, and the lip, and cavity receives and secures the tire pressure monitoring system sensor.

Abstract: A system for curing a portion of a tire assembly includes: an axially placement shaft; a first actuator; a first retainer plate; a core on the axially placement shaft; a plurality of first inserts each axially and radially engaging a radially outer surface of the core with first ends of the first inserts axially engaging the first retainer plate; a plurality of second inserts each axially and radially engaging the radially outer surface of the core with first ends of the second inserts axially engaging the first retainer plate, each second insert disposed circumferentially between two of the plurality of first inserts; a second retainer plate; and a second actuator.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a tire includes a circular hub member for securing to a rotatable axle of a vehicle, a first rim piece for engaging the hub member, a second rim piece for engaging the first rim piece, and a plurality of cylindrical sleeves for engaging both the first rim piece and the second rim piece. The first rim piece has cylindrical first shafts each engaging a first end of one of the sleeves. The second rim piece has cylindrical second shafts each engaging a second opposite end of one of the sleeves. An outer cylindrical surface of each sleeve engages a separate and distinct part the tire.