Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire comprising one or more radial regions have differing Shore A/Shore D hardness. The non-pneumatic tire comprises side cavities that are staggered with respect to laterally opposing side cavities, and laterally extending tread grooves that are in substantial radial alignment with or substantially offset relative to the cavities. One radial region may comprising the side cavities, while another radial region with a different hardness comprises the tread grooves. Also provided are processes for making such tires and to off-the-road (OTR) vehicles employing such tires.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire is provided with an annular reinforcing web that reduces the bending of compression spokes formed in the tire and reduces stresses and strains in the tire. The non-pneumatic tire includes an inner hoop member having an inner surface that defines the inner diameter of the tire, and an outer hoop member having a tread groove region that defines the outer diameter of the tire. A disc-shaped central web portion connects the inner and outer hoop members. A plurality of elongated, radially aligned cavities on either side of the central web defines integrally-formed compression spokes which connect the inner and outer hoop members. The annular reinforcing web is located on and affixed to either side of the central web portion and interconnects a mid portion of each spoke to a mid portion of the spokes on either side of it. Preferably, the annular reinforcing web is reinforced with fiber webbings on its outer side for added strength.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire comprising side cavities that are staggered with respect to laterally opposing side cavities, and laterally extending tread grooves that are either in substantial radial alignment with the cavities or substantially offset relative to the cavities. The tread grooves have at least one wall that is angled with respect to the radial direction, i.e., the direction relative to the tire's axis of rotation. The wall may be an open angle having an angle of 5° to 65° relative to the radial direction. Also provided are processes for making such tires and to off-the-road (OTR) vehicles employing such tires.

Abstract: A geometric shaped side bearing pad includes a top and a surface extending an angle ? towards the top, wherein the bearing pad has a geometric shape and a non-linear spring rate which levels out a reaction force without buckling. The surface of the bearing pad can have two sides or four sides, can have spacing within the surface, or can be solid. The angle ? can be within the range of about 20 degrees and 85 degrees, and may preferably be within the range of about 30 degrees and 45 degrees to achieve non-linear load/deflection. The top of the bearing pad can have a slot defined therethrough to accommodate a protrusion in a fixture to engage the bearing pad. The bearing pad can provide a friction contact with an object and enables lateral force transfer to the bearing pad, thereby providing lateral stiffness.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire comprising one or more radial regions have differing Shore A/Shore D hardness. The non-pneumatic tire comprises side cavities that are staggered with respect to laterally opposing side cavities, and laterally extending tread grooves that are in substantial radial alignment with or substantially offset relative to the cavities. One radial region may comprising the side cavities, while another radial region with a different hardness comprises the tread grooves. Also provided are processes for making such tires and to off-the-road (OTR) vehicles employing such tires.

Abstract: A tire rim for a non-pneumatic tire. The tire rim has an outer hoop that slideably engages a mounting ring disposed on the non-pneumatic tire. The mounting ring is slideably engaged in a lateral direction on the outer hoop. The rim and mounting ring can be secured using one or more mounting plates. The rim allows for the non-pneumatic tire to be easily mounted and removed.

Abstract: The present invention is generally related to a tire assembly comprising a plurality of non-pneumatic tires removably disposed on a single rim.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire comprising side cavities that are staggered with respect to laterally opposing side cavities, and laterally extending tread grooves that are either in substantial radial alignment with the cavities or substantially offset relative to the cavities. The tread grooves have at least one wall that is angled with respect to the radial direction, i.e., the direction relative to the tire's axis of rotation. The wall may be an open angle having an angle of 5° to 65° relative to the radial direction. Also provided are processes for making such tires and to off-the-road (OTR) vehicles employing such tires.

Abstract: Polyurethane elastomer articles formed from prepolymer mixtures having free diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) content from 2.0 to 5.0 wt %, based on the weight of the prepolymer mixture. The prepolymer mixtures comprise a polyester, polyether, or polycaprolactone (PCL) prepolymer and MDI. The polyurethane elastomer articles are formed by curing the prepolymer mixture with a chain extender, such as a curative comprising a methylenedianiline-sodium chloride complex. The articles have good physical properties that may weigh over 225 kg, and have a three-axis thickness greater than 10.2 cm.

Abstract: Polyurethane prepolymers having a reduced amount of unreacted monomeric diisocyanate, particularly diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), prepared by distilling the prepolymer reaction product in the presence of at least one inert solvent whose boiling point is slightly below that of the monomeric diisocyanate; and to high performance cast polyurethane elastomers from the thus obtained prepolymers using diamine and/or diol chain extenders.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polyurethane prepolymers having a reduced amount of unreacted monomeric diisocyanate, particularly diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), prepared by distilling the prepolymer reaction product in the presence of at least one inert solvent whose boiling point is slightly below that of the monomeric diisocyanate; and to high performance cast polyurethane elastomers from the thus obtained prepolymers using diamine and/or diol chain extenders.

Abstract: A geometric shaped side bearing pad includes a top and a surface extending an angle ? towards the top, wherein the bearing pad has a geometric shape and a non-linear spring rate which levels out a reaction force without buckling. The surface of the bearing pad can have two sides or four sides, can have spacing within the surface, or can be solid. The angle ? can be within the range of about 20 degrees and 85 degree and, may preferably be within the range of about 30 degrees and 75 degrees. The top of the bearing pad can have a slot defined therethrough to accommodate a protrusion in a fixture to engage the bearing pad. The bearing pad can provide a friction contact with an object and enables lateral force transfer to the bearing pad, thereby providing lateral stiffness.

Abstract: A geometric shaped side bearing pad includes a top and a surface extending an angle ? towards the top, wherein the bearing pad has a geometric shape and a non-linear spring rate which levels out a reaction force without buckling. The surface of the bearing pad can have two sides or four sides, can have spacing within the surface, or can be solid. The angle ? can be within the range of about 20 degrees and 85 degrees, and may preferably be within the range of about 30 degrees and 45 degrees to achieve non-linear load/deflection. The top of the bearing pad can have a slot defined therethrough to accommodate a protrusion in a fixture to engage the bearing pad. The bearing pad can provide a friction contact with an object and enables lateral force transfer to the bearing pad, thereby providing lateral stiffness.

Abstract: In a side bearing pad assembly two housings are provided, each having a bore of such size and orientation that the housings slide telescopically one within the other. When assembled the bores constitute a single internal cavity which houses resilient members. Each housing is mounted onto a load bearing member. The biasing resilient members urge the load bearing members apart when a compressive load is imposed on either of such members. The resilient members respond in a non-linear manner to force exerted on them.

Abstract: A composition of matter is disclosed wherein the composition comprises a polyurethane elastomer prepared by mixing A) a polyurethane prepolymer, B) a curative, and C) a liquid, non-reactive polydimethylsiloxane, wherein C) is present in a concentration of about 0.5 to about 25% based on the combined weight of A) plus B), and curing the mixture to form the elastomer.

Abstract: A composition of matter is disclosed wherein the composition comprises a polyurethane elastomer prepared by mixing

Abstract: A sway bar bushing made from elastomeric material of substantially uniform thickness having a generally cylindrical inner part and a generally cylindrical outer part coaxially surrounding said inner part. A plurality of equiangularly spaced apart and radially disposed spokes provide integral connection between the inner and outer parts and extend radially therebetween. The inner and outer parts are of substantially identical length and connected along the entire lengths thereof by the spokes. The inner part defines a bore for complementing an associated portion of a sway bar received therein.

Abstract: In a side bearing pad assembly two housings are provided, each having a bore of such size and orientation that the housings slide telescopically one within the other. When assembled the bores constitute a single internal cavity which houses resilient members. Each housing is mounted onto a load bearing member. The biasing resilient members urge the load bearing members apart when a compressive load is imposed on either of such members. The resilient members respond in a non-linear manner to force exerted on them.

Abstract: A sway bar bushing made from elastomeric material of substantially uniform thickness having a generally cylindrical inner part and a generally cylindrical outer part coaxially surrounding said inner part. A plurality of equiangularly spaced apart and radially disposed spokes provide integral connection between the inner and outer parts and extend radially therebetween. The inner and outer parts are of substantially identical length and connected along the entire lengths thereof by the spokes. The inner part defines a bore for complementing an associated portion of a sway bar received therein.

Abstract: An elastomeric spring system having non-linear force-deflection characteristics and low rebound is provided. The system comprises a housing and a plurality of first and second spring members movably disposed in alternating relationship within a bore defined by the housing. The first and second spring members are preferably formed from polyurethane such as the two part castable urethanes made from polyether-isocyanate or polyester-isocyanate prepolymers cured with organic diamine or polyol materials. When subject to a force along the axis of deflection, the first spring member is adapted to expand and progressively envelope the second spring members until the hemispherical ends of two of the first spring members meet within the first spring member, thereby causing the force-deflection characteristics of the spring to be nonlinear.