Abstract: A nonpneumatic tire has at least one spoke loop structure connected to a shear band, wherein the spoke loop structure has a plurality of loops extending inward from the shear band, and wherein each loop is connected to a wheel. A method for forming the nonpneumatic tire includes the step of forming a base and loop subassembly by providing a base having a plurality of grooves, inserting a layer of elastomer strip into each groove and forming a loop between each of the grooves; and inserting the base and loop subassembly which has a plurality of flexible loops extending inward from a shearband so that the base is positioned adjacent the shear band; curing the base and loop subassembly formed from a strip of elastomeric material into the shearband; providing a wheel, and then connecting each loop to the wheel.

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 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 wheel assembly includes a first rim piece for engaging a rotatable axle; and a second rim piece for engaging the rotatable axle. The first rim piece has axially extending curved friction plates for engaging a first side of a spoke structure of a tire. Axially outer ends of the friction plates engage axially extending lugs of the second rim piece to form a single split wheel assembly.

Abstract: Tire vulcanizing/retreading and de-vulcanization system including an autoclave and heating based on an induction system, which will lead to vulcanization or de-vulcanization of a tire.

Abstract: A thermoset cross-linked elastomer material, such as scrap tire rubber, is devulcanized by subjecting the material to a mechanical mixing process in the presence of 0.5 to 2% by wt. of an organic catalyst having a thiol terminus.

Abstract: Shock-absorbers used as wheel-spokes between wheel-hub and rigid rim, which may be lined with threaded rubber or having gripping features otherwise. It reduces rolling resistance, saving fuel. It improves drivability. The compliance of the shocks is commensurate with that of a comparable inflated tire, but optimized passively or actively circumferentially, vertically and laterally. Rubber-bushing or spoke-inclination enhances driving stability. Giant field assembled mining-truck-wheels may be produced and deployed and field-assembled quickly by common metalworking shops at fractional cost and weight. It is environmentally friendly, for hardly using or not using rubber. The gas or liquid of the shock spokes may be interconnected and cooled. Soft and hard driving may be controlled manually or by computer on the fly. It is suitable for applications ranging from bicycle wheels to aircraft landing gears. It is fireproof, bulletproof, airless and silent. It cannot bounce or skid at jumpstart or braking and on ice.

Abstract: Flexible tire having a flexible bearing structure extending circumferentially about an axis of rotation, a tread (13) on the radially outer periphery of the bearing structure, and at least one attachment zone (11), radially on the side of the axis of rotation, for the attachment of the bearing structure to a wheel center, the bearing structure comprising a plurality of supporting elements (2) extending essentially transversally, the supporting elements being juxtaposed circumferentially and distributed all around the circumference, the supporting elements (2) including a stack of metal strips (21) with interposition of a layer of sliding material (22) between each strip.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire is disclosed where a resilient wheel is mounted on a rim and the wheel has an inner ring, an outer ring and a plurality of flexible webs interconnected between the inner and outer rings. The flexible webs define openings in through the resilient wheel. The stiffness of the inner wheel at a position adjacent to the inner face is different than the stiffness of the inner wheel at a position adjacent to the outer face. This stiffness difference can be accomplished by providing inflated membranes in at least some of the openings or by molding the wheel with an asymmetric parting line. In addition, the wheels could be dynamically controlled by providing magnetically actuable membranes in some of the openings.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a non-pneumatic tire. The non-pneumatic tire includes an outer cylindrical section having a tire tread; an inner cylindrical section connected to an axle of a vehicle; and a noise and vibration prevention spoke unit connecting the outer cylindrical section to the inner cylindrical section. The spoke unit is continuously supported by a road surface during vehicle driving, thereby reducing noise and vibration. In the non-pneumatic tire, the spoke blades are arranged at an angle, so that the spoke unit is continuously supported by a road surface during vehicle driving, thereby enabling reduction of noise and vibration while improving ride comfort. In addition, the non-pneumatic tire allows a designer to set lateral forces, as needed, as opposed to a conventional non-pneumatic tire, thereby enabling control of a leaning phenomenon caused by road structure.

Abstract: A process for devulcanizing crosslinked elastomer particles comprising applying an alternating electric field to a composition comprising crosslinked elastomer particles under compression. The alternating electric field preferably has a frequency between 1 and 100 MHz and a voltage between 1000 and 10,000 V, and may be applied between an apparatus that continuously conveys the particles through the field.

Abstract: A terrain traversing device includes an annular rotor element with a plurality of co-planar microspine hooks arranged on the periphery of the annular rotor element. Each microspine hook has an independently flexible suspension configuration that permits the microspine hook to initially engage an irregularity in a terrain surface at a preset initial engagement angle and subsequently engage the irregularity with a continuously varying engagement angle when the annular rotor element is rotated for urging the terrain traversing device to traverse a terrain surface.

Abstract: A process for devulcanizing crosslinked elastomer particles comprising applying an alternating radio frequency dielectric field to a composition comprising crosslinked elastomer particles. The alternating radio frequency dielectric field preferably has a frequency between 1 and 100 MHz and a voltage between 1000 and 10,000 V.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic wheel assembly is provided. More particularly, a non-pneumatic wheel assembly is provided having a removable hub i.e., a hub that may be separated from the remainder of the wheel assembly. The hub may be reused and other portions of the non-pneumatic wheel assembly replaced as needed. In addition, the hub may be constructed from a different material than used for other portions of the non-pneumatic wheel.

Abstract: An interlocking, compressible spoke wheel system having a ring of paired spokes. The locking of left and right spokes into pairs provides improved tire displacement under loads. The left and right half wheels formed by sets of left spokes and right spokes. enable a novel mounting system for the wheel rim or tire to attach to the spoke system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel (1) with a driven wheel body (2), comprising two support elements (21, 22), between which a number of roller bodies (3) with a spherical surface are arrange to rotate, which at least partly extend beyond the circumference of the support elements (21, 22) the rotational axes of which are arranged at an angle to the rotational axis (23) of the wheel body (2). The ratio of the outer diameter (Du) of the wheel (1) to the maximum radius (Ra) of the roller body (3) is between 1.08 and 1.13, in particular, between 1.09 and 1.12.

Abstract: A coupler which is used in coupling plastic conduit through a separation in a building has plastic end regions for an overlapped accurately positioned sealed coupling with the plastic conduit to each end of the coupler. The plastic end regions are separated by an intermediate region formed by a wall of plastic based intumescent material which defines a fluid flow passage through the coupler. The fluid flow passage wall has a sufficient thickness of the intumescent material to produce a complete blockage of the passage when the coupler is subjected to conditions which cause an intumescing of the intermediate region wall material.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing additional traction to the wheels of a vehicle during inclement conditions utilizes an adapter to accommodate its use with a variety of sizes of vehicle wheels and has features to permit its convenient installation and removal from the wheels of the vehicle. A vertical disc has a plurality of traction elements mounted on its periphery to engage the terrain, with the disc being cooperatively connected to the wheel adapter by means of a large coil spring. The spring permits flexure of the disc and traction elements in four dimensions, i.e. rotatively about the wheel axis, horizontally about the longitudinal axis of the vehicle axle to permit the disc to cant inwardly into contact with the top of the wheel or tire of the vehicle, vertically with respect to the terrain, and along the horizontal axis of the wheel axle toward and away from the wheel. The use of the single spring to provide the various modes of flexure facilitates simplicity in the construction of the apparatus.