Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a pneumatic tire, molding of a green tire has an assembly step of bonding an inner liner and an unvulcanized rubber sheet with end portions thereof in a width direction being displaced from each other by 50 mm to 500 mm in the width direction to manufacture a laminate, cutting the laminate to have a constant length corresponding to a width of a drum to manufacture a cut sheet, and a joining step of winding the cut sheet on entire circumference of the drum such that a cut surface thereof extends in a circumferential direction of the drum and the inner liner is disposed on an inner surface side, and joining the end portions of the inner liner and joining the end portions of the unvulcanized rubber sheet such that positions of the joined end portions are displaced by a constant distance.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pneumatic tire including: (a) an assembly step of bonding the inner liner and an unvulcanized rubber sheet with end portions thereof in a width direction being displaced from each other in the range of 50 mm to 500 mm in the width direction to manufacture a laminate; (b) a cutting step of cutting the laminate to have a constant length corresponding to a width of a drum to manufacture a cut sheet; and (c) a joining step of winding the cut sheet on entire circumference of the drum such that a cut surface thereof extends in a circumferential direction of the drum and the inner liner is disposed on an inner surface side, and joining the end portions of the inner liner and joining the end portions of the unvulcanized rubber sheet.

Abstract: A wheel assembly comprising a rigid wheel including a radially outer rim wall presenting a polygonal shape with a plurality of outermost vertices connecting a plurality of planar faces, and a flexible tire mounted on the outer rim wall. The tire is supported by the vertices of the rim wall and is separated from the rim faces by a space, portions of the tire located between the vertices being configured to flex inwardly when subject to ground engaging pressure.

Abstract: A wheel includes a first hoop attached to a second hoop about a circumferential interface. The first and second hoops form at least part of an enclosed box structure positioned circumferentially around the wheel and adjacent to an outboard side of the wheel. The box structure may be formed at least in part by circumferential projections of the first hoop and the second hoop. The wheel may also include a central hub that optionally includes spokes. In some embodiments, the central hub may form part of the enclosed box structure. In some embodiments, a first hoop portion and a second hoop portion may be integral or unitary, with a box structure integrally formed between the hoop portions.

Abstract: A wheel assembly including a rigid wheel having a radially outer rim wall presenting a polygonal shape with a plurality of outermost vertices connecting a plurality of planar faces, and a flexible tire mounted on the outer rim wall. The tire is supported by the vertices of the rim wall and is separated from the rim faces by a space, portions of the tire located between the vertices being configured to flex inwardly when subject to ground engaging pressure.

Abstract: A rubber composition for a tire, and a pneumatic tire are provided in which the fuel economy, abrasion resistance, and deterioration resistance can be improved in a good balance. The present invention relates to a rubber composition for a tire, containing a rubber component that contains: a modified natural rubber having a phosphorus content of not more than 200 ppm; and butadiene rubber, wherein 60 to 95% by mass of the modified natural rubber and 5 to 40% by mass of the butadiene rubber are contained based on 100% by mass of the rubber component.

Abstract: The present application relates generally to a tire support system including a plurality of support sectors. The plurality of support sectors when connected forms an annular support ring.

Abstract: A runflat assembly including a plurality of arcuate components interconnectable to fit around a vehicle wheel. Each component includes a rubber body with a steel support member located within the body, which when mounted on a wheel defines a support ring around the wheel.

Abstract: A tire insert attachment apparatus includes a pin attached to a first part of the insert and extending into a second part of the insert to engage an actuator that draws the bolt into the second part. The actuator includes a tool engagement head that transmits rotational motion of a tool to a translator via a converter, the converter transforming the rotational motion of the head into linear motion imparted on the translator. The translator can be a rack and pinion setup or can be a thread arrangement. Preferably, the head rotates a worm, which rotates a pinion that has threads formed on an inner surface and engaging mating threads on the pin, the pin taking the form of a bolt, such as an eyebolt.

Abstract: Negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) or auxetic are used to make lightweight wheels and runflat tires. The NPR tires can be tailored and functionally-designed to optimally meet the runflat requirements for both military and commercial vehicles. NPR-runflat tires may be fabricated using standard materials and simple manufacturing processes, resulting in low-cost and high-volume production. In preferred embodiments the runflat tire designs are fully compatible with Central Tire Inflation Systems (CTIS), while providing a performance equivalent to current military vehicle solutions but at half the weight. An auxetic wheel according to the invention comprises a line defining an axis of rotation; and a plurality of concentric rings of unit cells surrounding the axis, each unit cell being constructed of a plurality of members defining a Negative Poisson's Ratio (NPR) structure.

Abstract: A tire pressure sensing system includes a tire patch having first and second faces. A plate fixed to the second face is oriented perpendicular to a tire patch longitudinal axis. A sensor mount is positioned on the first face and oppositely facing with respect to the plate. The sensor mount includes opposed first and second bias clips and is oriented perpendicular to the tire patch longitudinal axis. At least one plate fastener extends through the tire patch fixes the plate to the second face and the sensor mount to the first face. A tire pressure sensor is releasably retained by first and second sensor fasteners and the first and second bias clips to the sensor mount. The tire pressure sensor is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The tire patch is permanently connected to a tire inner tread wall having the longitudinal axis coaxially aligned with a tire radial centerline.

Abstract: A load-bearing structure for a bearing support intended to be mounted on a rim inside a tire fitted on a vehicle to support the tread of the tire in the event of a loss of inflation pressure is provided. The load-bearing structure includes a base, a crown, and an annular body connecting the base and the crown. The body includes a plurality of partitions distributed regularly circumferentially, extending axially substantially from one side to the other of the body and radially from the base to the crown with a mean orientation relative to the radial direction of between 10 and 50 degrees, in that two circumferentially adjacent partitions exhibit contrary orientations relative to the radial direction and in that two adjacent partitions define with the base and/or the crown cavities in the form of triangles or trapezoids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flat running device to be fitted on a tubeless mounted assembly for an automobile, and to such a mounted assembly including said device. The flat running device (30) of the invention comprises: an annular bearing structure (31) comprising a ring having a radially outside bearing face (31a) for bearing a flat-running tire cover (20), and at least one tightening belt (32) surrounding the ring so as to maintain the same substantially in contact with a running rim (10), at least one radial reinforcement (31b) being formed in the bearing face, the tightening belt(s) being applied on said reinforcement and being recessed relative to the bearing face. According to the invention, the bearing structure includes a means (33) for locking it in this hollow (11) by mounting the same so as to bear against a side wall (11b) of the hollow, a radially inner face (31c) of the locking means being adapted so as to conform to the axial profile of the bottom (11a) of said hollow.

Abstract: A detection-alarm mechanism is provided. The detection-alarm mechanism for a tire includes a sensor, an electronic processing unit, a post-processing unit and a display unit. The sensor includes a substrate disposed in the tire and at least one photoelectronic element fixed to the substrate. If the tire is cracked, light passes through the cracks and reaches the photoelectronic elements to generate signals. The electronic processing unit receives signals from the photoelectronic elements to generate wear information. The post-processing unit is disposed in a vehicle on which the tire is installed and receives wear information from the electronic processing unit. The display unit is disposed in the vehicle for presenting the wear information.

Abstract: An improved shear band for use in non-pneumatic tires, pneumatic tires, and other technologies is provided. The shear band is constructed as a composite of layers that are combined in a specific manner. Each layer is constructed from one or more materials having certain selected physical properties. The layers are combined a specific manner to create a composite having physical properties and performance characteristics desirably outperforming that of the individual materials forming the layers. When used in tire construction, improvements in rolling resistance can also be obtained.

Abstract: A safety system for a tire blowout in a vehicle is disclosed. The system can be activated when a tire blowout occurs. The system comprises of pellets arranged on the outer surface of the rim. The friction between the pavement, the rim, and the tire increases and heats the pellets when a tire blowout occurs. The pellets inflate inside the rim and cover a bigger space as soon as it heats up. The bigger sized pellets on the outer surface of the rim after blowout, acts like a secondary tire and avoids consequences of a tire blowout. The system can also comprise of a rim airbag which explodes as soon as the tire blows out and creates a pseudo tire. The safety system reduces the initial shock of the blowout and prevents losing control of the vehicle, Also, the system creates enough resistance to keep the vehicle in control and bring it to a safe speed. Note also that the “pseudo-tire” may be driven “X” amount of miles (under a certain speed), so the driver may drive to the nearest appropriate area.

Abstract: It is to solve a problem of an elongation of a partition in a safety tire wherein hollow particles called as a foamable composition are filled in a hollow ring-shaped partition and to propose a safety tire with a partition structure sufficiently developing a function of hollow particles. In a safety tire comprising a tire-approved rim assembly formed by assembling a tire onto an approved rim, a chamber defined inside the assembly through a hollow ring-shaped partition and extending along the rim in a circumferential direction, and thermally expandable hollow particles filled in the chamber, each of which particles consisting of a continuous phase of a resin and a closed cell(s), a hollow ring-shaped sub-partition is disposed on at least radially outside of an outer peripheral portion of the partition and a tire internal pressure is applied to an inside of the sub-partition.

Abstract: An improved run flat tire and system for use with a two-piece or multi-piece wheel and tire to provide for continued operation of vehicles after tire deflation. Certain aspects of the invention include a plurality of arcuate sections releasably aligned and secured to each other for positioning around a wheel, wherein extended lip portions of each arcuate section extend laterally from the inner base portion of each arcuate section to limit lateral movement of the run flat device relative to the wheel.

Abstract: The present application relates generally to a tire support system including a plurality of support sectors. The plurality of support sectors when connected forms an annular support ring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a run flat device for fitting to a tubeless wheel assembly for a motor vehicle, and to such a wheel assembly incorporating the device. A device of the invention comprises: an annular cover support structure subdivided into at least two ring sectors that are circumferentially juxtaposed; and locking means for locking the beads against the flanges to connect the support structure to the beads.

Abstract: A detection-alarm mechanism is provided. The detection-alarm mechanism for a tire includes a sensor, an electronic processing unit, a post-processing unit and a display unit. The sensor includes a substrate disposed in the tire and at least one photoelectronic element fixed to the substrate. If the tire is cracked, light passes through the cracks and reaches the photoelectronic elements to generate signals. The electronic processing unit receives signals from the photoelectronic elements to generate wear information. The post-processing unit is disposed in a vehicle on which the tire is installed and receives wear information from the electronic processing unit. The display unit is disposed in the vehicle for presenting the wear information.

Abstract: A run flat device for use in a wheel assembly comprises a wheel rim made of a plurality of blocks and a tire cover having beads mounted against flanges of the rim. The device includes an annular support structure for mounting around the rim to support the cover, the structure subdivided in at least two ring sectors to form the structure by juxtaposition in the circumferential direction thereof, and means for locking the beads against the flanges to connect the ring sectors to the beads. Each ring sector comprises at least two rigid support elements superposed in the radial direction of the structure and separated in pairs by respective rubber-based resilient layers, the layers adapted to shear based on a lateral force applied to the structure to enable the radially outer support element to be displaced axially relative to the radially inner support element.

Abstract: A tire insert attachment apparatus includes a pin attached to a first part of the insert and extending into a second part of the insert to engage an actuator that draws the bolt into the second part. The actuator includes a tool engagement head that transmits rotational motion of a tool to a translator via a converter, the converter transforming the rotational motion of the head into linear motion imparted on the translator. The translator can be a rack and pinion setup or can be a thread arrangement. Preferably, the head rotates a worm, which rotates a pinion that has threads formed on an inner surface and engaging mating threads on the pin, the pin taking the form of a bolt, such as an eyebolt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a run-flat support body and a tire/wheel assembly whose weights can be respectively reduced. The run-flat support body includes an annular shell and elastic rings, the annular shell having an outer peripheral side as a support surface and an inner peripheral side formed in fork-shaped open legs, the elastic rings being attached respectively to the legs portions of the annular shell, and the elastic rings being designed to be mounted on a rim of a wheel. The annular shell is formed of a porous structural material having fine voids. The run-flat support body is attached to an inside of a pneumatic tire mounted on the rim of the wheel.

Abstract: A wheel unit (10) comprises a wheel rim (12), a pneumatic tyre (14) receivable on the wheel rim (12) and a runflat assembly (16) adapted to be seated on the wheel rim (12) to close off a well (22) provided in the wheel rim (12). The runflat assembly (16) includes an annular support body (24) which is radially expandable to an expanded condition and contraction means (28,30) adapted to be operated via an opening (78) formed in the wheel rim (12). The contraction means (28, 30), when activated, is operable on the support body (24) to cause the support body (24) to be contracted to a radially contracted condition. The contraction mean is accessible through the opening (78) to cause the support body (24) to be radially contracted to seat the runflat assembly (16) on the wheel rim (12) to close off the well (22). The support body (24), when in its contracted condition, has a diameter greater than that of the wheel rim (12).

Abstract: The present invention provides a tire/wheel assembly and a run-flat core, which enable reduction of a cavity resonance generated in a case where the run-flat core is inserted into a cavity formed between the pneumatic tire and a rim of a wheel. In the tire/wheel assembly of the present invention, the run-flat core is inserted into a cavity formed between the pneumatic tire and the rim of the wheel, the run-flat core includes a pair of elastic rings which are disposed on the rim respectively along bead portions of the pneumatic tire, and a circular shell which stretches between the elastic rings and extends in the tire circumferential direction. A sound absorbing member is provided to the circular shell.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a runflat device for a tubeless mounted assembly for a motor vehicle and an assembly incorporating said device. A device in accordance with the invention for a unit comprises a wheel rim having a plurality of pieces and a tire cover comprising beads mounted against the flanges of the rim, the device comprising: a support ring for mounting around the rim to support the tire cover following a drop in inflation pressure and divided into at least two ring sectors; and means for locking said beads against the flanges to connect the sectors to the beads. The device is such that each ring sector comprises a rigid wall which defines at least one internal volume and which defines the lateral faces of the ring sector.

Abstract: A run-flat device (13) for fitting on the outer circumference of a wheel (11) inside an inflatable tire (12). The device (13) comprising an annular ring (14) made up of a plurality (preferably three) of arcuate segments (15) interconnected at each end by clamping means (23, 23a, 23b, 28, 29, 35) equally spaced around the ring that imparts to each segment (15) a circumferential clamping force and an axial clamping force to urge the segments circumferentially and axially towards each other.

Abstract: As to an air bladder having a laminate structure of an inner layer and an outer layer, there is provided a method wherein an air tightness in a joint portion of the inner layer is kept surely and a joint distance between the inner layer and the outer layer is properly configured. A hollow toric-shaped air bladder for a safety tire placed in a tire and filled with a gas and supporting a load applied to the tire by expansion-deformation based on dropping of a tire internal pressure, which has a laminate structure of an inner layer formed by rounding an innerliner member in a toric form and overlapping end portions of the innerliner member with each other at a side of an outer diameter of the toric, and an outer layer comprised of a main reinforcement member covering an outer peripheral face of the inner layer other than the overlapped portion of the innerliner member and a sub reinforcement member covering the overlapped portion including ends of the main reinforcement member.

Abstract: A tire/wheel assembly comprising: a wheel having a disc and a rim provided on the outer peripheral edge of the disc in such a manner that the widthwise center of the rim is offset towards one side; a pneumatic tire mounted on the rim; and a run-flat support member disposed in the cavity of the pneumatic tire, the run-flat support member having an annular shell and elastic rings, the annular shell including a support surface located radially outwardly thereof and two leg portions formed radially inwardly thereof in a straddling state, the support surface having a plurality of convexly curved surface sections that are widthwisely arranged, the elastic rings supporting the leg portions on the rim. One of the elastic rings located on the opposite side of the rim to the offset side is smaller in rigidity than the other of the elastic rings located on the offset side.

Abstract: A tire containing a tube capable of utilizing a sealant for automatically repairing a damaged portion of a tube pierced with a nail or the like in the radial or the transverse direction and for preventing an air valve, pressure gauge or the like form being blocked with the sealant. Right and left side walls and an outer peripheral wall of the tube contained within the tire are composed of an enclosed bag-like portion. Sealant is sealed in the bag-like portion.

Abstract: A tire support ring for pneumatic tires in the event of loss of inflation pressure is disclosed. The support ring comprises an annular main body and a plurality of noise dampers. The main body made is made of an elastic material and provided on both sides thereof with a plurality of holes each having a pair of opposite radially-extending side surfaces. The noise damper is made of a spongy material and inserted into the hole such that gaps of from 2.0 to 10.0 mm are formed between the side surfaces and the damper. The hole has a closed end, and in the hole, a hollow space is remained behind the inserted noise damper.

Abstract: A tire/wheel assembly comprising a wheel having a rim, a pneumatic tire mounted on the rim of the wheel and a run-flat support member disposed in the cavity of the pneumatic tire. The run-flat support member includes an annular shell and elastic rings. The annular shell has a support surface located radially outward and two leg portions formed radially inward in a straddling state. The elastic rings support the leg portions on the rim. The annular shell is configured such that an annular cavity portion surrounded by the run-flat support member and the pneumatic tire has a cross-sectional area that varies in the circumferential direction of the tire.

Abstract: A run-flat support ring, which is a component mounted upon a rim inside a tire to extend the distance the tire may travel at reduced or zero inflation pressure, is provided having one or more features that improve the process of mounting the support ring onto a rim and better tolerate variations, within manufacturing tolerances, in the respective diameters of the rim and the support ring.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a runflat device for a tubeless mounted assembly for a motor vehicle and an assembly incorporating said device. A device of the invention comprises an asymmetrical one-piece type rim comprising a drop center with two lateral walls and a tire cover mounted on the rim, the device being designed to be mounted in the drop center and comprising: a support ring divided into independent ring sectors having two lateral faces; and an annular clamping belt adapted to be mounted on and to bear on a radially inner bearing zone of one lateral face of the ring to wedge each ring sector in the drop center; and in which the device is such that the belt comprises means for exerting a lateral clamping force and a radial clamping force on the bearing zone so that said belt clamps said ring sectors against one of said lateral walls and against said drop center, bearing on the other lateral wall.

Abstract: A run-flat support ring, which is a component mounted upon a rim inside a tire to extend the distance the tire may travel at reduced or zero inflation pressure, is provided having an internal fin design that improves the rolling resistance of the support ring without sacrificing the overall load bearing and handling characteristics. Certain embodiments may also include one or more features that improve the process of mounting the support ring onto a rim and better tolerate variations, within manufacturing tolerances, in the respective diameters of the rim and the support ring.

Abstract: A run-flat support ring, which is a component mounted upon a rim inside a tire to extend the distance the tire may travel at reduced or zero inflation pressure, is provided having an integrated shelf design that enhances the handling characteristics of the support ring under run-flat conditions and may also lower the overall mass of the support ring in certain applications. In addition, the support ring has one or more features that improve the process of mounting the support ring onto a rim and better tolerate variations, within manufacturing tolerances, in the respective diameters of the rim and the support ring.

Abstract: A low or no pressure use indicator for use on a tire is provided. The tire has a crown and a pair of sidewalls that extend from the crown. Each of the sidewalls has a bead located on an end of the sidewall that is opposite from the crown. The low or no pressure use indicator is located on a wall of one of the sidewalls. The low or no pressure use indicator is configured for indicating by a permanent physical change whether the tire has been subjected to an operation condition of an undesirable amount of low tire pressure.

Abstract: A tire and suspension monitoring and warning system consisting of a set of multi-function sensors that monitor and warn of a failure mode. The system monitors and warns for tire imbalance, tire tread wear, and shock absorbers for a tire attached to a vehicle. The monitoring and warning system includes one axial, radial, and lateral acceleration measurement of the wheel to provide acceleration signal sample power. For tire imbalance, signal sample power in the second harmonic of the tire rotational frequency is compared to that of the first harmonic. For tire tread wear, average signal sample power within a second frequency range is compared to a previously stored baseline value. For shock absorber performance, a sum of all frequency components in a second predetermined frequency range is compared to a baseline value.

Abstract: A removable cover for a wheelchair tire. The cover is used to protect against the spread of contamination by the wheelchair tire. The cover may be formed of an elastic material or may have bands of elastic material attached along opposed edges to facilitate the installation of the cover over the tire and to hold the cover against the tire. The cover may be stored on the wheelchair during periods of movement over a contaminated surface, and then installed over the tire prior to moving onto a clean surface. The cover may be periodically washed to maintain its cleanliness or may be made from a disposable material.

Abstract: A safety insert designed to be mounted in an assembly comprising a tire and a rim of a vehicle and device for detecting the bearing of the tire on an insert, so that the insert generates signals oriented parallel to the axis of rotation of the tire and rim assembly and so that the device detects and analyzes the vibrating signals of the chassis of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting an electronic monitoring device to a pneumatic tire includes mounting the monitoring package of the monitoring device within the body of the tire or the body of a patch and subsequently connecting the power source to the monitoring package through electrical coupling. The method allows the monitoring package to be cured within the tire or the patch at relatively high temperatures while protecting the sensitive power source from the high temperatures. The use of electrical coupling to achieve the power transfer prevents the material surrounding the monitoring package from being pierced by an element that would form the direct electrical connection. The method allows the monitoring package and its antenna to be positioned in a variety of positions on or within the pneumatic tire.

Abstract: A core assembly for a pneumatic tire, which is fitted annularly to an outer peripheral surface of a well portion of a rim, and which rotates should the pneumatic tire collapse owing to a decline in its internal pressure, as an outer surface of the core assembly comes into contact with an inner peripheral surface of a crown portion of the pneumatic tire and an inner peripheral surface of the core assembly slides over the outer peripheral surface of the well portion of the rim. The core assembly includes a sliding portion formed of a resin material having good sliding properties and high heat resistance, and a main body to which the sliding member is secured and which is formed of a material having a high rigidity and a low specific gravity. Accordingly, since the surface of the core assembly contacting the rim is constituted by the sliding member, the core assembly is rotated smoothly when the internal pressure of the pneumatic tire declines, and the overal weight of the core assembly is reduced.

Abstract: Ceramic precursor mixtures containing a metal cation, a carbohydrate, and an anion capable of participating in an anionic oxidation-reduction reaction with the carbohydrate for continuous or batchwise drying and pyrolyzing to provide ceramic powders.

Abstract: A zero pressure device is composed of either a microcellular or homogeneous polyurethane made by reacting an organic polyisocyanate with at least three polyols, a monomeric polyol of 2 to 3 hydroxyls having a molecular weight less than 250, a polyether triol having a molecular weight of 4600 to 6000 and a polyether glycol having a molecular weight of 3500 to 4200. When the zero pressured device is a run-flat ring for a tire wheel assembly, it has an average density of 60 to 65 pounds per cubic foot and 30 to 42 pounds per cubic foot when it is a tire.