Abstract: A unitary, essentially cylindrical, rigid closed ring member is provided for use with pneumatic tires having spaced mounting beads at the inner diameter for engagement with edge flanges of a circumferentially divided two-part wheel rim, the wheel rim providing an essentially flat central bearing surface joining the flanges in bead receiving portions which may be angled 5.degree. or 15.degree.

Abstract: An air retaining and bead-seat-lock device for pneumatic tire wheels is provided having air retaining engagement with an aperture in a tire rim adjacent the seated tire bead, and having two positions of operative engagement with the rim, one position disposing the inner end of the device substantially flush with the inner rim surface facilitating air-pressure seating of the tire bead against the rim flange, and the other position disposing an end to protrude beyond the inner rim surface adjacent the tire bead to support the same in seating engagement with the rim flange. In its simplest form the device comprises an elongated threaded shank closely fitting a threaded aperture in the rim and having an enlarged head externally of the rim adapted for clamping an air sealing gasket against the rim, and being movable between the first and second positions by rotating the threaded shank to appropriately position its inner end.

Abstract: A unitary run-flat insert for inflatable tires is provided in the form of a split ring having sufficient flexibility, through separation at the split portion thereof, to pass over the rim flanges of a tire mounting rim and having an inner periphery closely and circumferentially engaging the rim when the split portion is closed, with lock means at said split portion adapted for automatic engagement as the ends forming said split portion are moved into juxtapositioned alignment. As closed by the lock means, the insert engages the rim in a manner to rotate therewith in normal operation, but to slip circumferentially thereof when riding on a deflated tire.

Abstract: A run-flat insert or safety roller for inflatable tires comprising a plurality of arcuate members which, when clamped in end to end relation circumferentially envelop the wheel or rim in a manner to rotate therewith in normal operation but to slip circumferentially thereof when riding on a deflated tire, is provided with circumferentially engageable lock means permitting partial assemblage of the insert within a tire in advance of mounting the tire on a wheel or rim and completion of said insert assemblage, to circumferentially envelop said wheel or rim, by application of radially opposed forces to outer surfaces of the mounted but uninflated tire.The circumferentially engageable lock means enables the run-flat insert to be clamped to the rim by novel procedures compatible with existing automatic tire mounting equipment of automotive assembly lines.