Abstract: A testing assembly calculates stress levels along a cross section of a pneumatic tire. The cross section of the pneumatic tire includes its tire beads, sidewalls, and tread. The testing assembly includes a base and a plurality of mounts slidably secured to the base. Mounts secure each of the tire beads. The testing assembly also includes a platform that extends parallel across the testing assembly. The platform moves with respect to the base to simulate a tire under load. The platform does this by deforming the cross section of the tire as if it were under a load on a road. The method for using the testing assembly includes taking measurements of the cross section of the tire in an un-deflected state and a deflected state. Calculations between the two states identifies areas in the tire that stresses are damaging.

Abstract: A composite wheel (20) including two tire bead retention members (38,40). The tire bead retention members (38,40) are compressible eliminating the requirement of a well in the drum skirt (34). Anti-roll-off humps (50,52) prevent the tire beads (24) of the tire (26) from rolling away from the tire bead retention members (38,40). The anti-roll-off humps (50,52) are retractable allowing the tire beads (24) to pass thereover when mounting the tire (26) to the wheel (20). Locking interconnectors (62,64) are used to hold the anti-roll-off humps (50,52) in the retracted position while the tire (26) is being mounted on the wheel (20).