Abstract: A pneumatic tire assembly is capable of supporting a vehicle wheel rolling for a limited distance when the air in the assembly has escaped. The tire of the assembly is prevented from going completely flat by an annular insert, preferably of a high modulus elastomeric material, that is placed inside the tire and fits over the wheel rim and between the beads of the tire. The annular insert is of a novel construction that is lightweight and flexible enough to be stretched over a conventional rim, yet is able to support the load normally borne by the inflated tire and also resists unseating of the beads.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for qualitatively determining relative tire wear of pneumatic tires. The shoulder ribs and adjacent ribs of the tire tread of the tire are radially, preferably statically loaded preferably against a movable follower member positioned in an opening in a bearing surface against which the remaining tire tread is radially loaded. The follower member is pivoted to prevent motion radial to the tire and attached to deflection members on which are mounted at least one strain gauge. The lateral deflection of the tread ribs adjacent to the shoulder portions are thus measured. Tires associated with the greater of the lateral deflection under radial load have a correspondingly greater wear rate.