Abstract: An insert for a pneumatic tire including an annular member adapted to contact at least 10% of an interior surface of the pneumatic tire and provide an outward pressure thereagainst.

Abstract: An insert for a pneumatic tire including an annular member adapted to contact at least 10% of an interior surface of the pneumatic tire and provide an outward pressure thereagainst.

Abstract: An annular and ring extends around the interior of a wheel/rim on which a tire is mounted. The inner diameter of the annular ring is sized for a snug fit on the wheel rim. A tensioning cable extends through the tubular ring and opposed arms are attached to the ring and are movable between disengaged and engaged positions. The apparatus is selectively movable by actuation of a cable tensioner between a first, disengaged position where the arms do not engage the tire and thereby lock it to the rim, and a second, engaged position in which the arm bear against the tire beads, capturing the tire beads between the rim flanges and the wing members to lock the tire to the rim and to create and/or enhances the air-tight seal between the tire and the rim. The bead lock apparatus may be beneficially used in combination with a foam insert for enhanced tire performance.

Abstract: Air valve for a pneumatic tire has a threaded shaft between a first end defining an air inlet and an opposite, second end that is located within the bounded space of a tire mounted on a rim. The air passageway through the air valve has at least one outlet at the distal end of the valve that exists the device through a side portion rather than the terminal end of the device. In a preferred embodiment the air passageway is T-shaped so that air flowing into the tire flows in a non-linear path, exiting the air outlets transverse to the air flow through the inlet into the air passageway.