Abstract: A tire having an annular body of resilient elastomeric material with an outer member at the outer periphery which may carry a tread and an inner member at the inner periphery for mounting on a wheel rim. The inner member is supported and cushioned by a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart wall members extending from the inner member to the outer member. The annular body may have one or more supporting rings and the wall members of adjacent rings as well as the wall members of the same ring may be offset circumferentially of the tire. The wall members provide a lateral spring rate and a variable radial spring rate across the tread of the tire. The wall members, tread, inner member and outer member may be reinforced by cords extending at bias angles or generally circumferentially of the tire. Sidewalls between the inner and outer members may also be provided for low pressure inflation and exclusion of foreign matter from the spaces between the wall members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for splicing two rolls of tire cord fabric in axially aligned relation. A plurality of splicing rods are forced through overlapped ends of the rolls from opposing longitudinal sides of the fabric. The splicing rods are guided through the overlapped ends at successive points spaced along parallel lines angularly disposed to the parallel warp cords of the fabric and alternately pierce and pass through the pieces of fabric from the farthest spaced faces of the overlapped ends. The splicing rods are firmly snubbed together and held in position by the coaction of the warp cords and weft threads of the fabric, as the fabric is tensioned.

Abstract: An apparatus for splicing two rolls of tire cord fabric in axially aligned relation. A plurality of splicing rods are forced through overlapped ends of the rolls from opposing longitudinal sides of the fabric. The splicing rods are guided through the overlapped ends at successive points spaced along parallel lines angularly disposed to the parallel warp cords of the fabric and alternately pierce and pass through the pieces of fabric from the farthest spaced faces of the overlapped ends. The splicing rods are firmly snubbed together and held in position by the coaction of the warp cords and weft threads of the fabric, as the fabric is tensioned.