Abstract: A take-apart tire and wheel assembly including a multi-piece wheel rim having axially spaced bead flanges, a rim base, and a pneumatic tubeless tire, preferably adapted to removably receive in its tire inflation chamber a safety runflat insert. The wheel assembly also includes a safety vent for preventing inflation of the tire cavity in the event of improper assembly or disassembly of the safety tire and wheel assembly, including an O-ring seal disposed between opposing portions of rim segments of the wheel assembly, and mounting studs and associated nuts that releasably clamp the rim segments together with the O-ring captured in compression therebetween. The outboard wheel rim segment includes a wheel mounting disc and also a safety inflation valve coupling fixed to the outboard rim segment. The rim segment and coupling each have a through passageway and together define an interior air passage which communicates with the tire cavity.

Abstract: A take-apart tire and wheel assembly including a multi-piece wheel rim having axially spaced bead flanges, a rim base, and a pneumatic tubeless tire, preferably adapted to removably receive in its tire inflation chamber a safety runflat insert. The wheel assembly also includes a safety vent for preventing inflation of the tire cavity in the event of improper assembly or disassembly of the safety tire and wheel assembly, including an O-ring seal disposed in a triangular cavity formed between opposing portions of rim segments of the wheel assembly, and mounting studs and associated nuts that releasably clamp the rim segments together with the O-ring captured in compression therebetween. The outboard wheel rim segment includes a wheel mounting disc and may also have a safety inflation valve coupling fixed to the outboard rim segment.

Abstract: A runflat safety insert and safety tire and wheel assembly which include a take-apart multi-piece wheel rim and safety inserts extending circumferentially around the rim to clamp the tire bead toes against the rim bead flanges. The insert is a sheet metal annulus of generally channel shape in radial cross section open at its radially inner periphery between its side edges. The annular has a central bight portion extending generally axially and bounded by radially in-turned leg portions. The leg portions diverge relative to one another radially inwardly towards the tire bead toes and terminates in toe portions bearing generally flat against the interior surfaces of the tire toe beads. An elastomeric tread is bonded to the outer surface of the central bight portion. The annulus is made up of a pair of semi-circular members having interengageable mating ends releasably interconnected to form a complete annulus.