Abstract: A heavy duty pneumatic tire is provided with bead cores having polygonal cross-sectional configurations. The bead cores are composed of a multiplicity of wires arranged in densely superpositioned parallel layers which are situated on conical generating lines whose common axis coincide with the horizontal axis of the pneumatic tire and whose angles of opening are approximately 10.degree.. The axially innermost and axially outermost wires in specified radially inner and radially outer layers lie on centerlines forming angles within selected ranges with the conical lines.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire inflation device and method is disclosed, the device comprising an arrangement of parts that enables its user to selectively gradually inflate a tire at a specified intermediate rate and pressure, and then to selectively suddenly continue such inflation at a substantially greater rate and pressure until complete inflation is achieved.

Abstract: A pneumatic vehicle tire having a run-flat capability and a hub adapted for use with such a tire are disclosed. The tire includes a carcass, a tread overlying the crown region of the carcass, sidewalls overlying the lateral portions of the carcass, the sidewalls terminating in respective beads at their radially inwardmost ends and merging into the tread at their radially outwardmost ends and an annulus of elastomeric material positioned between the inner surfaces of the beads for maintaining the beads in firm contact with the hub. Each of the sidewalls has an annular groove formed therein between its inwardmost and outwardmost ends for establishing the flexure zone of the tire and thereby controlling the folding point of the tire upon its deflation. The hub includes a rigid annulus, a first annular flange extending from one side of the annulus and permanently attached thereto and the second annular flange extending from the other side of the annulus, the second flange being removably attached to the annulus.

Abstract: An inner tube assembly for a pneumatic tire is disclosed. The assembly includes a pair of inner tube systems, one of which surrounds the other and intercommunicates therewith via a valve unit that is adapted to allow a pneumatic fluid to flow unidirectionally from the inner one of such tube systems to the outer one of said tube systems and effect an equilibrium of pressure. The valve unit, however, is adapted to close when the outer one of such tube systems is punctured and undergoes a pressure drop relative to the inner one of such tube systems, thereby to pneumatically isolate the interiors of such tube systems from one another.