Abstract: A tire tread pattern for a radial ply heavy vehicle tire comprising at least two circumferentially extending continuous main tread grooves providing at each edge of the tread a shoulder rib characterized in that each shoulder rib comprises in its shoulder edge a narrow edge zone having, in cross section of the tire, a radial height at least 2 mm less than the ground engaging surface of the shoulder rib immediately adjacent to said edge zone and a junction zone between the edge zone and shoulder rib which is made flexible in both the transverse and circumferential directions by a series of circumferentially spaced narrow slots extending across the junction zone at an angle to the center line of the tread between 20 and 60 degrees, the slots having a width between 0.4 and 2.0 mm and the depth in the junction zone substantially the same as the main tread grooves.

Abstract: A novel one piece wheel rim for a pneumatic tire is provided. This wheel rim includes a pair of axially spaced tapered bead seats, a tire retaining flange located axially outward of each bead seat, and a tire fitting well located between the bead seats. One flange has a reduced height portion having a length of 0.25 to 0.5 times the bead seat circumference. The reduced height is such that the flange height, measured from its heel point, which is the point of intersection of the nominal diameter and the nominal wheel width, is in the range of 0.15 and 0.6 times the height of the remainder of the tire. This construction permits easy tire fitting and removal. The well also provides increased brake space.

Abstract: A tire and wheel rim assembly having improved bead retention characteristics when run deflated.One or both bead seats is substantially straight and provided with an abutment respectively which is substantially continuous in the circumferential direction. Each abutment has a maximum radial dimension less than the minimum diameter of the tire bead reinforcement to allow fitment of the tire to a one-piece rim having a tire fitting well by conventional techniques. The taper of the bead seats is selected to enable abutments to be provided which have sufficient radial dimension or height relative to the adjacent bead seat such that under the action of road generated forces rotation of the tire beads about the adjacent abutment is effected to retain the tire beads at the bead seats.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire and wheel rim assembly is disclosed in which the rim bead seats are defined by grooves having radially directed side portions which retain the associated tire bead against movement in an axial direction and each rim bead seat includes means in engagement with the tire bead to restrict rotation of the tire bead relative to the bead seat. Preferably said means comprises a plurality of projections formed integrally with part or all of the grooves which engage the associated tire bead to restrict rotation. Each projection may comprise a circumferentially extending rib or a tooth.

Abstract: A tire tread and a tire including a tread when the tread width is divided into circumferentially extending ribs by two or more circumferential grooves and at least one rib is subdivided into tread elements by transversely extending slots. The grooves are such that they close in the contact patch to resist movement between the tread elements and the slots provide water holding capacity for wet road use.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire and wheel rim assembly is disclosed in which the rim bead seats are provided with retaining means for retaining the associated tire bead therein. Preferably the bead seats comprise grooves the side portions of which are provided with the retaining means comprising projections such as teeth which engage and retain the associated tire bead in the groove. Alternatively the retaining means comprises retaining members each of which extends across the width of the associated groove through the tire bead to retain the bead in the groove. Preferably the rim is multi-component to facilitate assembly.

Abstract: A wheel for use with a tire whose sidewalls are to be maintained in a mechanically compressed condition when it is mounted on the wheel comprises a central disc for attachment to a vehicle, a pair of circumferentially extending radially outwardly facing seating surfaces for each of the radially inward ends of the sidewalls of a tire and a pair of radially outwardly projecting flanges axially inboard of the seating surfaces. Means is provided to force the flanges away from each other after a tire has been mounted on the wheel with its radially inward sidewall ends on the seating surfaces, thereby to force the ends of the sidewalls axially apart while they remain on the seating surfaces.