Abstract: An assembly comprising a wheel rim and an annular safety support member mounted on the rim portion between the rim bead seats and extending radially outwards beyond the rim bead retaining flanges to support a tire mounted on the rim when in a deflated condition. The support member rotates with the rim in the non load-bearing condition but rotates relative to the rim in the load-bearing condition to compensate for circumferential differences between the tire tread and the radially outer surface of the support member. The confronting surfaces on the support member and rim portion are profiled to axially locate the support member on the rim. Preferably the radially inner surface of the support member is of shallow convex profile and the confronting surface on the rim portion is of shallow concave profile.

Abstract: Sealing means for a pneumatic tire and wheel rim assembly in which the wheel rim has a pair of axially spaced bead seats defined by grooves in each of which a respective one of a pair of axially spaced tire beads is located and retained. The sealing means comprises two seal elements each having a resiliently deformable portion which acts between confronting axially directed surfaces of the associated tire bead and bead seat to facilitate assembly and subsequently hold the tire bead under compression in an axial direction to prevent the tire bead slipping relative to the wheel rim.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire and wheel rim assembly of the type in which support means extends circumferentially around the rim between the bead seats to support the tire when in a deflated condition.The support means is rotatable relative to the rim when the tire is in a deflated condition and lubrication means is provided to release lubricant to facilitate said relative rotation.The lubrication means comprises a sealed container located in a recess in the radially inner surface of the support means which ruptures to release lubricant between the radially inner surface of the support means and a confronting running surface on the rim when the tire is in a deflated condition.

Abstract: A safety tire and wheel rim assembly having a safety support member comprising a plurality of arcuate segments of rigid material coupled together at their ends and mounted in a channel-shaped bearing ring mounted on the wheel rim wherein the bearing ring is located against tire beads to retain them in position.