Abstract: A solid vacuum tire and wheel assembly incorporating a vacuum backpressure to adhere the tire to the wheel hub, allowing it to achieve safe and reliable high-speed operation. The system incorporates a soft tire core that contracts into place after a vacuum is applied, contracting and adhering tight onto the wheel assembly hub by filling any void, and without unnecessary spare tire equipment and no air pressure to maintain. Vacuum channels in the wheel assembly hub direct and apply even vacuum backpressure to the tire. A vacuum valve is installed into a vacuum chamber, which acts as a conduit to direct vacuum pressure throughout the system. The tire incorporates a possible concave shaped tire tread configuration, comprised of common tire tread rubber and a steel belt. The inner tire core material comprising of solid or porous rubber, jell or a combination of materials provides a solid non-pneumatic core structure.

Abstract: A tire having a core located in a tire cavity and a cured and foamed elastomeric material located in the tire cavity adjacent the core. The core is made of a solid material, a precured and foamed elastomeric material or a hollow rigid structure. The core may be a single piece or fabricated from multiple pieces.

Abstract: A structurally supported tire includes a ground contacting tread portion, a reinforced annular band disposed radially inward of the tread portion, and a plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and radially inward from the reinforced annular band and anchored in a wheel or hub. The reinforced annular band comprises an elastomeric shear layer, at least a first membrane adhered to the radially inward extent of the elastomeric shear layer and at least a second membrane adhered to the radially outward extent of the elastomeric shear layer. Each of the membranes has a longitudinal tensile modulus sufficiently greater than the shear modulus of the shear layer, and a longitudinal compression modulus of a second membrane is at least equal to the longitudinal tensile modulus of a first membrane so that when under load the ground contacting portion of the tire deforms to a flat contact region through shear strain in the shear layer while maintaining constant the length of the membranes.

Abstract: A tire includes a rigid outer ring, a rigid inner ring, and an intermediate ring interconnecting the rigid outer ring and the rigid inner ring. The intermediate ring is biasingly compressible in a first direction and rigid in a second direction. The intermediate ring may include a plurality of lattice members and a resiliently compliant elastomer. The plurality of lattice members may be disposed within the resiliently compliant elastomer. The rigid outer ring and the rigid inner ring may include a solid cross-section.

Abstract: A structurally supported tire includes an outer annular band, and a plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and radially inward from the annular band and anchored in a wheel or hub. The annular band may further comprise a shear layer, at least a first membrane adhered to the radially inward extent of the shear layer, and at least a second membrane adhered to the radially outward extent of the shear layer. A preferred web spoke has a cutaway section transverse to the annular band. The cutaway section has a profile formed by straight line segments joined by a blending radius. The profile of the cutaway comprises a height and a maximum depth greater than five percent of the height and less than thirty percent of the maximum width. The profile has an angle alpha formed by a line tangent to the profile relative to the horizontal at least equal to ten degrees at the radially outermost and radially innermost extent of said profile.

Abstract: A first tire having a cavity filled with cured and foamed elastomeric material and a recycled foamed elastomeric material. The recycled foamed elastomeric material was removed from a second tire for recycling in the first tire.

Abstract: A solid rubber tire with a flexible drive hub having a multiplicity of hub ribs and grooves formed around the periphery of the flexible drive hub and a solid rubber tire tread replaceably mounted on the flexible drive hub having a multiplicity of interior tread grooves and ribs formed around an interior surface of the tire tread, the tread grooves and ribs sized and shaped for interlocking engagement with the multiplicity of ribs and grooves formed around the periphery of the flexible drive hub.

Abstract: A tyre includes an inner surface, at least one monitoring device adhered to the inner surface, and a damping element interposed between the inner surface and the at least one monitoring device. The damping element includes at least one layer of resilient material. The resilient material has a Shore A hardness (measured at 23° C. according to ASTM Standard D2240) greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 40, and an elastic rebound (measured at 23° C. according to ASTM Standard D1054) less than 60. A method for installing the at least one monitoring device includes selecting a portion of the inner surface where the at least one device is to be installed and adhering the at least one device to the selected portion. A kit for installing the at least one monitoring device includes the at least one monitoring device and the damping element.

Abstract: A hollow EVA foam tire structure includes a tire, a core and a rim. The core includes a plurality of sections substantially arranged into an annular shape and being hollow on both sides. A plurality of protruding block sections is disposed on the internal side of the flange section of the core extended from the accommodating space of the tire, and both sides of the tire are covered by the rim having two corresponding external flange surfaces at the external sides. Pointed splinters are disposed on the external flange surface and protruding block sections are protruded from the rim. Thus, the protruding block sections of the wheel core are alternatively and mutually engaged. Therefore, when the two corresponding rims are securely coupled, the pointed splinters of the rim can be pierced and fixed into the tire, and the internal side of the tire is embedded into the hollow section of the wheel core by a compressing force.

Abstract: A structurally supported tire includes a ground contacting tread portion, a reinforced annular band disposed radially inward of the tread portion, and a plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and radially inward from the reinforced annular band and anchored in a wheel or hub. The reinforced annular band comprises an elastomeric shear layer, at least a first membrane adhered to the radially inward extent of the elastomeric shear layer and at least a second membrane adhered to the radially outward extent of the elastomeric shear layer.

Abstract: A work machine tire includes an annular body of elastomeric material that includes a middle radial region. A plurality of unpressurized cavities are defined by the middle radial region and are distributed in a pattern that includes a first radial band of cavities and a second radial band of cavities. Each cavity of the first radial band of cavities is oriented at a positive angle with respect to a radius therethrough, and each cavity of the second radial band of cavities is oriented at a negative angle with respect to a radius therethrough. A material volume of the middle radial region is more than one and a half times greater than the combined void volume of the plurality of cavities.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic bicycle tire has a main tire body and at least one rim retaining member. The main tire body includes a rim engagement portion and a ground contact portion with a ground contact surface. The at least one rim retaining member is fixedly attached to the rim engagement portion. The at least one rim retaining member includes a pair of elastically deformable rim retaining portions extending laterally in opposite axial directions. Preferably, the main tire body has a plurality of the rim retaining members coupled thereto. In one embodiment, the rim retaining members are attached to the inner surface of the main tire body, while in another embodiment, the rim retaining members are embedded into the rim engagement portion of the main tire body.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a tire which supports load by means of compressing the tire's elastomeric structure and requires no internal inflation pressure. The preferred embodiments utilize circumferential ribs or radially oriented ribs of elastomer to support the load.

Abstract: A compliant wheel includes a compliant band and a plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and inward from the reinforced compliant band for attachment to a hub. The compliant band bends to comply with a contact surface and to envelope obstacles. The web spokes transmit load forces between the compliant band and the hub through tension in the web spokes not connected to the ground contacting portion of the wheel. The outer surface of the compliant band may be formed to include a tread, or a separate tread band may be attached.

Abstract: The invention comprises an improved non-pneumatic tire, and particularly a shear layer for a non-pneumatic tire wherein the shear layer comprises an elastomeric composition that includes a metal salt of a carboxylic acid. The shear layer preferably comprises a dienic elastomeric composition that includes a metal salt of a carboxylic acid. In one embodiment of the invention, the metal salt of the carboxylic acid is zinc diacrylate or zinc dimethacrylate. In one embodiment of the invention, the metal salt of the carboxylic acid is zinc diacrylate or zinc dimethacrylate, and a peroxide curative agent is employed.

Abstract: A resilient tire that supports a load without internal air pressure includes a ground contacting tread portion and sidewall portions extending radially inward from said tread portion and anchored in bead portions. A bias ply carcass extends between the beads to support the sidewalls. A reinforced annular band is disposed radially inward of the tread portion. The band comprises an elastomeric shear layer at a radially outer side of the bias ply carcass and a membrane adhered to a radially outward side of the elastomeric shear layer. Each of the bias ply and membrane has a longitudinal tensile modulus sufficiently greater than the shear modulus of the shear layer so that when under load the ground contacting portion of the tire deforms to a flat contact region through shear strain in the shear layer while maintaining constant the length of the membranes.

Abstract: A resilient tire that supports a load without internal air pressure includes a ground contacting tread portion and sidewall portions extending radially inward from said tread portion and anchored in bead portions adapted to remain secure to a wheel during rolling of the tire. A reinforced annular band is disposed radially inward of the tread portion. The band comprises an elastomeric shear layer, at least a first membrane adhered to the radially inward extent of the elastomeric shear layer and at least a second membrane adhered to the radially outward extent of the elastomeric shear layer. Each of said membranes has a longitudinal tensile modulus sufficiently greater than the shear modulus of said shear layer so that when under load the ground contacting portion of the tire deforms to a flat contact region through shear strain in the shear layer while maintaining constant the length of the membranes.

Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle. The ride-on vehicle includes a frame adapted to support a child, and a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor assembly. The ride-on vehicle further includes one or more steerable wheels and one or more driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on resembles a full-size motorcycle. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a free-floating wheel, which is unbiased and travels within a defined range of positions with respect to the ride-on vehicle's frame as external forces are imparted to the wheel. In some embodiments, the ride-on includes a high-speed switch positioned for momentary high-speed travel of the ride-on vehicle and a user-manipulable portion may be provided to enable a child to select such a high-speed configuration. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a simulated shock absorber and/or a passenger sidecar. Finally, in some embodiments, the ride-on may include wheel assemblies that simulate inflatable wheels.

Abstract: A multi-layer tire for a baby stroller comprises an EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Copolymer) foam tire inner tube and a rubber layer incorporated with a wheel hub. The wheel hub comprises a recess along the edge for the EVA foam tire inner tube to grab and secure thereat, whereas the EVA foam tire inner tube is formed with a pair of grooves at respective sides and wrapped by the rubber layer which comprises a pair of ribs at respective sides engaging with the grooves of the EVA foam tire inner tube to hold the rubber layer and the EVA foam tire inner tube securely.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire comprises circumferentially-spaced support elements joined together by an interconnection structure with the interposition of flexible joints, so as to ensure good overall operation.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic resilient tire which derives its capacity to bear a load from laminated elements capable of supporting bending moments. The laminated elements include a stack of resilient sheets superposed and separated by a layer of rubber adhering to the latter, forming a beam capable of undergoing bending stress.

Abstract: A tire includes a tread region, a rim region, and a further region between the tread region and the rim region. The further region may include a foamed rubber. The foamed rubber may be one of cellular rubber or closed cell cellular rubber. The tire having further regions made of closed cell cellular rubber may be made as an integral solid rubber tire in a mold, such as a split mold in a one-step process. The tire may likewise be made in a multi-step process by molding each of the tread, rim, and further regions as distinct radial layers in separate molds and bonding the three separate radial layers together to form a tire having the desired characteristics.

Abstract: A diameter of a wheel to which a tire is fitted is made large, and an inner circumferential space is widened, so that a brake having a large size can be arranged in such large inner circumferential space, and moreover, a spring constant can be lowered due to formation of holes to both bilateral side surfaces of the tire, whereby a cushioning performance can be made high and travelling feeling can be made comfortable.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the invention is a non-deflatable tire assembly having a hollow toroid-shaped flanged insert, a flexible body molded around the insert to form a tire, and at least one rim onto which is mounted the tire. The flange of the insert extends toward the central axis of the insert, and is used to attach the tire to the rim(s) via bolts through matching holes within the flange and rim(s). The flexible body may be made of a foam polyurethane matrix formed of a combination of polyol and polyisocyanate, while the flanged insert may be made of a high density polyethylene. A tough, flexible, and abrasive-resistant layer of polyurethane elastomer is preferably formed around the flexible body to define sidewalls and treads of the tire.

Abstract: An airless tire incorporating a reinforcement chord system that is pre-assembled before placement in a tire mold to provide reinforcement for an airless tire that is formed in that mold and including one or more bands of selective length each formed into a ring with stand-off supports removably attached to each band or to each of the plurality of bands, the stand-off supports including legs or pins that can be formed to desired length appropriate for use in a selected mold.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire for a wheelchair or other wheeled apparatus includes an endless integrally molded solid core rubber tire with a tensile member embedded in the tire to minimize chance of roll-off of the tire from an associated rim. A method for producing the tire is disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel equipped with an annular solid rubber tire having its marginal portions provided with beads resting in and held by lateral wheel flanges. The rubber tire extends around an annular channel into which the tire can partially deflect. The wheel flanges are spreadable away from each other by spring tension.