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 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 tire that has a hub and a spoke is provided. The spoke extends from the hub in a radial direction of the tire. The spoke has a first face and a second face that are spaced from one another in a longitudinal direction of the tire. The spoke has a crack suppression feature that has a groove that extends into the first face. The groove extends in the radial direction.

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: The present invention is directed to a moldable reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane and a non-pneumatic wheel made therefrom, a process for preparing the same and an non-pneumatic wheel obtained therefrom which exhibits a high modulus, low creep, and high fatigue life.

Abstract: A shear band that may be used e.g., in a non-pneumatic tire is provided. The shear band uses interlaced reinforcing elements positioned within a shear layer of elastomeric material. A variety of configurations may be used to create the interlaced positioning of the reinforcing elements including e.g., a horizontal diamond or vertical diamond configuration. The shear layer formed from a rubber composition having a very low hysteresis.

Abstract: A support structure for a non-pneumatic tire and a tire incorporating such support structure. A continuous membrane extends between a radially-inner leg and a radially-outer leg. Joints and reinforcement may be provided on sides of the membrane. An annular band may be connected with the radially-outer leg. A wheel, hub, or other structure may be connected with the radially-inner leg.

Abstract: A support structure for a non-pneumatic tire and a tire incorporating such support structure. A support membrane extends continuously between a radially-inner end and a radially-outer end. Joints may be positioned at each end. An annular band may be connected with the radially-outer end. A wheel, hub, or other structure may be connected with the radially-inner end.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and an apparatus for curing a polymeric form. The method includes arranging an uncured polymeric form within a curing chamber (60) formed by a base member (20) and a constraining member (40). A thermal expansion member (30) is additionally positioned within the curing chamber (60) with the uncured polymeric form (70) such that the thermal expansion member and the uncured polymeric form are positioned between the base member (20) and the constraining member (40). The thermal expansion member (30) is heated to expand in size into an expanded state. In the expanded state the thermal expansion member (30) applies pressure to the uncured polymeric form (70) within the curing chamber. The expansion of the thermal expansion member (30) is maintained to maintain the application of pressure to the uncured polymeric form while the uncured polymeric form is being cured to form a cured polymeric form.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire (100) having a pair of opposing annular support structures (102, 104) that extend circumferentially around the tire. Each support structure (102, 104) includes a radially-inner joint (120), a radially-outer joint (122), and a pair of support legs (132, 134) connected with a central joint portion (148). An annular band connects with the support structures (102, 104).

Abstract: A curved support structure for a non-pneumatic tire and a tire incorporating such support structure. A support membrane extends continuously between a radially-inner end and a radially-outer end and defines opposing sides. A radially-outer joint may be provided on one of the opposing sides while a radially-inner joint may be provided on the other side of the membrane. An annular band may be incorporated with the radially-outer joint. A wheel, hub, or other structure may be incorporated with the radially-inner joint.

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 having a resilient annular outer band having a lateral mid-plane positioned equidistant between its left lateral edge and its right lateral edge, a radially inner annular hub; a plurality of spokes connecting the resilient annular outer band to the inner annular hub, wherein each of said plurality of spokes which connect to the resilient annular outer are laterally offset from the lateral mid-plane of the resilient annular outer band.

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: A non-pneumatic wheel having a hub, an outer tread band and a plurality of spokes connecting the hub with the outer tread band, each of the plurality of spokes having first and second spoke elements joined by a body comprised of an elastomer connecting the first spoke element to the second spoke element.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire (10) comprising a tread band having a ground engaging surface, a first reinforcement layer (250) comprised of at least one reinforcement (251) oriented in the tire's circumferential direction, a second reinforcement layer (254), located radially outward from said first reinforcement layer (250), said second reinforcement layer (254) comprised of a plurality of reinforcements oriented at an angle in a first direction to said tire's circumferential direction, a third reinforcement layer (258), located radially outward from said second reinforcement layer (254), said third reinforcement layer (258) comprised of a plurality of reinforcements oriented at an angle in a second direction to said tire's circumferential direction and a fourth reinforcement layer (262), located radially outward from said third reinforcement layer (258), comprised of at least one reinforcement oriented in the tire's circumferential direction.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic wheel having a hub (12), an outer tread band (200) and a plurality of spokes (100) connecting the hub (12) with the outer tread band (200), each of the plurality of spokes (10) having first and second support elements joined by a first elastomeric joint body (130) connecting the first support element to the second support element.

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 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.