Abstract: Reinforcements for the annular band of a non-pneumatic tire. Different configurations and material arrangements are described. Exemplary embodiments of a non-pneumatic tire that can incorporate such annular band are also described.

Abstract: An improved resilient composite structure for connecting two surfaces together where the structure includes an elastomeric joint body connected to one of the two surfaces and at least one reinforcement membrane at one end of the resilient composite structure, where the reinforcement membrane wraps around the end of the resilient composite structure such that one end of the reinforcement membrane is positioned along a side of the resilient composite structure and the other end of the reinforcement membrane is positioned on the opposite side of the resilient composite structure.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire is provided that has a hub with a central axis. A supporting structure is located outward from the hub in a radial direction, and a shear band is located outward from the supporting structure in the radial direction. Tread is located outward from the shear band in the radial direction. A static discharge element extends from a first radial end of the supporting structure to a second radial end of the supporting structure. The first radial end is located closer to the central axis than the second radial end in the radial direction. The static discharge element is electrically conductive to conduct electricity through the supporting structure.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire defining axial, radial and circumferential directions, the non-pneumatic tire comprising an annular shear band (106) including an annular shear layer (252) comprising an elastomeric material, and a plurality of discrete, annular reinforcing elements positioned within the shear layer (252) along a plurality of axially-extending rows (254A, 254B, 254C, 254D, 254E) within a radial plane of the tire, the reinforcing elements having circular cross-sections along the radial plane of the tire, wherein along each row the reinforcing elements alternate between reinforcing elements (250D1) having a first diameter and reinforcing elements (250D2) having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in dispensing adhesive (18) is provided that has a mix applicator (12) that has a receiving portion (16) and a mix applicator bore (14) through which adhesive can flow. A mix head (20) is present that has a mix head bore (26) that extends through the mix head. The mix applicator is receivable within the mix head such that the receiving portion is located within the mix head. Adhesive can be dispensed in a ribbon shape from the mix head bore at a distal tip of the mix head. A lock member is configured for extending through at least a portion of the mix head, and engages the mix applicator when the receiving portion is located within the mix head in order to retain the mix head onto the mix applicator.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic wheel having spokes that are constructed such that collectively the plurality of spokes exhibit a fractional radial stiffness value within a range of 1 N/mm/deg to 10 N/mm/deg and a non-linearity of less than 20% when deflected under normal loading conditions.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic wheel includes an outer band, a hub and a plurality of spokes formed from a polyamine material. Each of the plurality of spokes is displaced to create pretension in the radial direction under a design load and the displacement is equal to or greater than the predetermined deflection of the outer band. The plurality of spokes is made from a polyamide material having a conditioned tensile modulus between 600 MPa and 3000 MPa, an equilibrium moisture content of no more than 1.5%, and a fatigue failure resistance that can withstand at least 1 million cycles.

Abstract: A tire tread sculpture designed to achieve a high level of dry braking and great handling while not sacrificing snow traction a sculpture design implementing a continuous rib design across the entire width of the tire summit while reducing lateral pull due to the effect of the tread sculpture is disclosed, the tread sculpture having a plurality of lateral shoulder region features at a first angle and a center rib with a plurality of center features at an angle opposite to the shoulder region features.

Abstract: A spoke for a wheel attaching an outer tread to a hub, the spoke having a first and second spoke elements joined by a joint body comprised of an elastomer connecting the first spoke element to a second spoke element.

Abstract: A tire having an adhesive sealant applied to the radial interior of the tire in the region of the belt reinforcements of the crown with a noise-dampening foam ring having circumferential grooves in the radial outside surface of the foam is applied to the adhesive sealant. The grooves of the foam are laterally aligned with the circumferential grooves of the tire such that the foam touches the sealant on areas that are not laterally aligned with the longitudinal grooves of the tire.

Abstract: An improved spoke for a tire attaching an outer tread to a hub, the spoke having a spoke element possessing spoke element reinforcements, the spoke element joined by a joint body comprised of an elastomer connecting the spoke element to an outer compliant band where the joint body possesses an aperture so as to reduce the weight and hysteresis of the spoke.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in dispensing adhesive (18) is provided that has a mix applicator (12) that has a receiving portion (16) and a mix applicator bore (14) through which adhesive can flow. A mix head (20) is present that has a mix head bore (26) that extends through the mix head. The mix applicator is receivable within the mix head such that the receiving portion is located within the mix head. Adhesive can be dispensed in a ribbon shape from the mix head bore at a distal tip of the mix head. A lock member is configured for extending through at least a portion of the mix head, and engages the mix applicator when the receiving portion is located within the mix head in order to retain the mix head onto the mix applicator.

Abstract: A spoke (100) for a tire attaching an outer tread to a hub, the spoke (100) having first and second spoke elements (142, 144) possessing spoke element reinforcements, the spoke elements (142, 144) joined by a joint body (130) comprised of an elastomer connecting the first spoke element (142) to the second spoke element (144) and a reinforcement membrane (132) extending from the first spoke element (142) to the second spoke element (144) and having a first end (172) and a second end (170) and a middle portion (174), the first end (172) lying closer to the first spoke element reinforcements than the middle portion (174) and the second end (170) lying closer to the second spoke element reinforcements than the middle portion (174) of the spoke reinforcement membrane (132).

Abstract: A non-pneumatic wheel (50) having a non-pneumatic tire (51) removably attached to a hub (52). The non-pneumatic wheel has an inner ring with an inner surface (70) that slips over the outer surface (80) of the hub and is retained by an interference fit. The interference fit creates an asymmetric force in an axial direction preventing separation of the hub from the tire.

Abstract: A spoke (100) for a wheel (10) attaching an outer tread (200) to a hub (20), the spoke having a first (142) and second (144) spoke elements joined by a joint body (130) comprised of an elastomer connecting the first spoke element to a second spoke element.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic wheel includes an outer band, a hub and a plurality of spokes formed from a polyamine material. Each of the plurality of spokes is displaced to create pretension in the radial direction under a design load and the displacement is equal to or greater than the predetermined deflection of the outer band. The plurality of spokes is made from a polyamide material having a conditioned tensile modulus between 600 MPa and 3000 MPa, an equilibrium moisture content of no more than 1.5%, and a fatigue failure resistance that can withstand at least 1 million cycles.

Abstract: An improved resilient composite structure for connecting two surfaces together where the structure includes an elastomeric joint body connected to one of the two surfaces and at least one reinforcement membrane at one end of the resilient composite structure, where the reinforcement membrane wraps around the end of the resilient composite structure such that one end of the reinforcement membrane is positioned along a side of the resilient composite structure and the other end of the reinforcement membrane is positioned on the opposite side of the resilient composite structure.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire is provided that has a hub with a central axis. A supporting structure is located outward from the hub in a radial direction, and a shear band is located outward from the supporting structure in the radial direction. Tread is located outward from the shear band in the radial direction. A static discharge element extends from a first radial end of the supporting structure to a second radial end of the supporting structure. The first radial end is located closer to the central axis than the second radial end in the radial direction. The static discharge element is electrically conductive to conduct electricity through the supporting structure.

Abstract: A spoke (100) for a tire attaching an outer tread to a hub, the spoke (100) having first and second spoke elements (142, 144) possessing spoke element reinforcements, the spoke elements (142, 144) joined by a joint body (130) comprised of an elastomer connecting the first spoke element (142) to the second spoke element (144) and a reinforcement membrane (132) extending from the first spoke element (142) to the second spoke element (144) and having a first end (172) and a second end (170) and a middle portion (174), the first end (172) lying closer to the first spoke element reinforcements than the middle portion (174) and the second end (170) lying closer to the second spoke element reinforcements than the middle portion (174) of the spoke reinforcement membrane (132).

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire defining axial, radial and circumferential directions, the non-pneumatic tire comprising an annular shear band (106) including an annular shear layer (252) comprising an elastomeric material, and a plurality of discrete, annular reinforcing elements positioned within the shear layer (252) along a plurality of axially-extending rows (254A, 254B, 254C, 254D, 254E) within a radial plane of the tire, the reinforcing elements having circular cross-sections along the radial plane of the tire, wherein along each row the reinforcing elements alternate between reinforcing elements (250D1) having a first diameter and reinforcing elements (250D2) having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter.