Abstract: An improved track belt tire is constructed of a removable tread belt assembly mounted to the outer circumferential surface of a multi-layered tire carcass with an embedded carcass ply having ply turnup ends about the bead wires. The outermost ends of the first and second turnup ends being located radially outward at a distance equal to between about 2 and 3 times the diameters of the bead wires so that the ends of the turnup ends are supported by the flange ends of the tire rim when a tire carcass mounted to the tire rim is deflected. The turnup ends are also supported by first, second, third, and fourth apex elements disposed about each of the bead wires. The ply line of the carcass ply can also follow the natural ply line.

Abstract: An improved track belt tire is constructed of a removable tread belt assembly mounted to a tire carcass with an embedded carcass ply having ply turnup ends about the bead wires. First, second, third, and fourth apex elements are disposed about each of the bead wires. The first of the apex elements is located adjacent and radially outward from each of the bead wires. The second of the apex elements is located between the overlying sides of the turnup ply. The third of the apex elements is disposed against the axially inwardly facing sides of the turnup ends of the carcass ply and the fourth of the apex elements is located against outwardly facing sides of the ply turnup ends of the carcass ply to encase the end portions of the ply turnup ends between the second and fourth apex elements.

Abstract: An improved method of shipping, storing, and changing very large tires having a removable tread belt mounted to a tire carcass which are typically used on very large vehicles such as earthmovers. By compressing both the tread belts and the tire carcasses, they can be shipped separately so that less shipping and storage space is required. Tire changing only requires changing the tire tread without removing the wheel or carcass from the very large vehicle making it economically feasible to store and change tread designs to accommodate a variety of very large tire/vehicle operating conditions.

Abstract: An improved track belt tire is constructed of a removable tread belt assembly mounted to the outer circumferential surface of a multi-layered tire carcass with an embedded carcass ply having ply turnup ends looped around and extending axially inwards from the bead wires. The outermost ends of the first and second turnup ends being located radially outward at a distance equal to between about 2 and 3 times the diameters of the bead wires so that the ends of the turnup ends are supported by the flange ends of the tire rim when a tire carcass mounted to the tire rim is deflected. The turnup ends are also supported by first, second, third, and fourth apex elements disposed about each of the bead wires. The ply line of the first carcass ply layer can also follow the natural ply line.

Abstract: A semi-pneumatic tire assembly including a tire casing 22 and a lining 26 is provided. The lining 26 includes a contoured inward surface 30 defining an inflation chamber 18 about an associated wheel rim. The lining 26 minimizes the risk of puncture damage from an object penetrating the tire casing 22 while allowing pneumatic cushioning of the ride and cooler running temperatures as compared to solid-fill tires. Additionally, the semi-pneumatic tire will carry the same load or more than the same tire filled with permafoam and/or solid urethane foam wingfil. The tire assembly is formed by injecting a curable, lining-forming material 96 into a cavity 57 defined between the tire casing 22 and a molding member 50. The molding member 50 includes a contoured outer surface 54 which molds the inward surface of the lining 26. The molding member 50 may be an inflatable airbag 100 retained in the tire assembly during service.

Abstract: An improved method of shipping, storing, and changing very large tires having a removable tread belt mounted to a tire carcass which are typically used on very large vehicles such as earthmovers. By compressing both the tread belts and the tire carcasses, they can be shipped separately so that less shipping and storage space is required. Tire changing only requires changing the tire tread without removing the wheel or carcass from the very large vehicle making it economically feasible to store and change tread designs to accommodate a variety of very large tire/vehicle operating conditions.

Abstract: A semi-pneumatic tire assembly including a tire casing 22 and a lining 26 is provided. The lining 26 includes a contoured inward surface 30 defining an inflation chamber 18 about an associated wheel rim. The lining 26 minimizes the risk of puncture damage from an object penetrating the tire casing 22 while allowing pneumatic cushioning of the ride and cooler running temperatures as compared to solid-fill tires. Additionally, the semi-pneumatic tire will carry the same load or more than the same tire filled with perform and/or solid urethane foam wingfil. The tire assembly is formed by injecting a curable, lining-forming material 96 into a cavity 57 defined between the tire casing 22 and a molding member 50. The molding member 50 includes a contoured outer surface 54 which molds the inward surface of the lining 26. The molding member 50 may be an inflatable airbag 100 retained in the tire assembly during service.

Abstract: A semi-pneumatic tire assembly including a tire casing 22 and a lining 26 is provided. The lining 26 includes a contoured inward surface 30 defining an inflation chamber 18 about an associated wheel rim. The lining 26 minimizes the risk of puncture damage from an object penetrating the tire casing 22 while allowing pneumatic cushioning of the ride and cooler running temperatures as compared to solid-fill tires. Additionally, the semi-pneumatic tire will carry the same load or more than the same tire filled with permafoam and/or solid urethane foam wingfil. The tire assembly is formed by injecting a curable, lining-forming material 96 into a cavity 57 defined between the tire casing 22 and a molding member 50. The molding member 50 includes a contoured outer surface 54 which molds the inward surface of the lining 26. The molding member 50 may be an inflatable airbag 100 retained in the tire assembly during service.

Abstract: A semi-pneumatic tire assembly including a tire casing 22 and a lining 26 is provided. The lining 26 includes a contoured inward surface 30 defining an inflation chamber 18 about an associated wheel rim. The tire assembly is formed by injecting a curable, lining-forming material 96 into a cavity 57 defmed between the tire casing 22 and a molding member 50. The molding member 50 includes a contoured outer surface 54 which molds the inward surface of the lining 26. The molding member 50 may be an inflatable airbag 100 retained in the tire assembly during service. Alternately, the molding member 50 may be a solid core 114 which is removed prior to mounting the tire casing 22 and lining 26 on the associated rim.