Abstract: A multi-layer or multi-section foam insert replacement for a pneumatic inner tube emulates the effect of air pressure, across a wide range of temperatures and pressures, while maintaining the weight of a conventional air-filled pneumatic tube. Through the use of different density materials and/or the orientation and thickness of such materials, desirable handling properties are achieved. The multi-layer/multi-section foam insert can be produced by steam molding or extrusion of foam materials.

Abstract: A tire repair tool includes a body portion and a cartridge portion. The tool is used to inject an adhesive or glue and a patch assembly into a puncture in a tire, while the tire is still engaged with the wheel, in order to permanently patch a punctured inner tube of the tire. More particularly, a spring is used to eject a patch assembly and adhesive through an outlet tube of the tool and into the existing puncture of the outer tire. A patch is affixed over a puncture in the inner tube by the adhesive to permanently patch the inner tube without having to remove the tire from the wheel or rim.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire having an elastomeric portion encompassing the tread and a radially inward foam portion. In the elastomeric portion, certain physical characteristics of the elastomeric portion differ between the tread surface and the radially inward region. An increase in the Shore A hardness provides the tire structure with an elastomeric hoop which imparts improved rolling resistance to the tire, without compromising wet/dry traction. Likewise, the weight and compliance of the tire may be adjusted in the foam portion without adverse effects on the rolling resistance. The non-pneumatic tire may be formed from a multi-shot process in a spin cast procedure.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire and rim whereto the tire is fitted as a wheel assembly that will display ride characteristics that are similar to those of a conventional pneumatic tire. The non-pneumatic tire is preferably formed from a urethane foam in a spin casting process with the formed tire having a dense thread, with a less dense internal mid-section and is least dense at a lower area proximate to the tire inner circumference.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for producing a cured tire filling composition and the composition resulting from such a method. A mixture of a polyisocyanate having an average functionality of at least 2.3; a high molecular weight polyol having a hydroxyl number in the range of about 20 to about 31 and having an actual functionality of greater than 2.1; 6 to 65 weight percent of a polar plasticizing extender oil; and no greater than 0.5 weight percent polyamine is cured in the presence of a catalyst to form a polyurethane elastomer having a vertical rebound of greater than about 60% based on ASTM D2632 and a Durometer hardness in the range of about 5 to 60 (Shore A). The mixture is used to fill a tire prior to curing the composition within the tire casing and results in a deflation-proof tire that has considerably longer road testing life than tire filling compositions currently available.

Abstract: A run-flat tire system comprising a tire and an tire core disposed therein, the tire core being an annular body of an elastic closed-cell material, the radially outside and inside of the tire core each provided with a circumferentially extending groove, the radially inner groove extending radially outwardly beyond a bead core line being drawn between the centers of the bead cores. When the tire is mounted on a standard rim, the radially outer groove forms a radially outer space extending circumferentially of the tire and having a cross sectional area of from 1 to 6% of the total sectional area of the tire cavity, and the radially inner groove forms a radially inner space extending circumferentially of the tire having a cross sectional area Si of from 10 to 25% of the total sectional area S of the tire cavity.

Abstract: An in-line skate wheel having a shaped foam core which cooperates with load bearing side walls to dictate degrees of flexure of such walls in response to loading thereof from different directions. The wheel structure includes a polyurethane tire body which encapsulates a foam mandrel and a hub.

Abstract: A tube or tubeless tire, which can be punctured and still allow a vehicle to continue running, includes a plurality of spherical members formed of foamed rubber or foamed urethane. The spherical members are contained inside an air chamber of the tire and occupy 50% to 80% of the volume of the air chamber of an inflated tire.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment is directed to a pneumatic tire having a plurality of layers of high density foam rubber formed therein and methods of manufacturing and installing the layers therein. The preferred method of forming the layers of fill to be inserted in the pneumatic tire casing includes the following steps. Forming an elongated strip of elastomeric material of a size sufficient to form at least two concentric layers in a predetermined size casing of a pneumatic tire at a manufacturing site. At least one dimension of the elongated strip is the same as at least one dimension of the two concentric layers when inserted in the casing. Formulating data sheet having information from which the elongated strips can be cut to form the at least two layers for at least one predetermined condition. Transporting the elongated strip of the elastomeric material and the data sheet to an installation site remote from the manufacturing site.

Abstract: An economical composition capable of maintaining satisfactory Durometer hardness is formed by reacting a polyol, a polyisocyanate, and an aromatic polyamine in the presence of an extender oil. The polyisocyanate can be present in a first container of a kit and the aromatic polyamine can be present in a second container of the kit. The resulting composition can be employed in a flat-free pneumatic tire as well as for filling cracks in the surface of a structure.

Abstract: A tire and method of making a tire by attaching a rubber material to a foam core to form an intermediate composite, placing the intermediate composite in mold, then heat during the composite so that the rubber fills the mold and fuses to the surface of the foam core. The tire can be made on a wheel by gluing a foam strip around the wheel, then sanding the foam to a desired tolerance, gluing with rubber cement at least one layer of the rubber material and then curing at a temperature between 180 and 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 to 60 minutes. For small scale tires such as those used on remotely operated race cars, the tires are preferably partially cured to increase traction.

Abstract: A vehicle for overcoming obstacles includes a wheel having an elastomeric flexible annulus upon which the wheel normally rides. Parallel spaced sprockets receive the annulus and include individual cogs which extend less radially outwardly than the annulus. When an obstacle is encountered, the flexible annulus yields, thereby enabling a protruding cog to engage the obstacle and pivot around it thereby lifting the vehicle over the obstacle.

Abstract: A deflation-proof penumatic tire comprises a casing and a substantially void-free, preferably oil-containing elastomeric filling material. The tire casing is injected with a combination comprising a polyol, an organic polyisocyanate and water, in amounts and under conditions sufficient to produce carbon dioxide and form a polyurea-containing polyurethane elastomer in which the carbon dioxide is dissolved in the elastomer, thereby providing a substantially void-free filling material. The formulation permits the addition of a substantial amount of extender oil while retaining an acceptable level of hardness.

Abstract: A deflation-proof pneumatic tire comprises a casing and a substantially void-free, preferably oil-containing elastomeric filling material. The tire casing is injected with a combination comprising a polyol, an organic polyisocyanate and water, in amounts and under conditions sufficient to produce carbon dioxide and form a polyurea-containing polyurethane elastomer in which the carbon dioxide is dissolved in the elastomer, thereby providing a substantially void-free filling material. The formulation permits the addition of a substantial amount of extender oil while retaining an acceptable level of hardness.

Abstract: A toroidal insert for an inflated, tubeless, pneumatic tire. The insert comprises a preformed torus-like core, tire cord radially wound around the torus-like core, and at least one load bearing member having tire cord therein, said member being circumferentially wound around substantially the middle one third of the radially outer surface of the radially wound tire cord. The insert, when situated within the inflated tire, includes a cross-section having a thick, substantially oval, central portion extending between the beads of the inflated tire and a pair of thin end portions each extending from its respective side of the thick, oval, central portion along the adjacent sidewall of said inflated tire to about the midpoint of said adjacent sidewall, whereby, when the tire is deflated, the thick, oval, central portion of the insert supports the tread portion of the deflated tire and each of the thin end portions of the insert lies between and supports the adjacent, collapsed sidewall of the deflated tire.

Abstract: An insert to provide a run-flat capability to pneumatic vehicle tires comprises a flexible, compressible, porous ring comprised of a plurality of successively-wound, circumferential layers of an elastomeric binder-coated filamentary material, the coated filaments having voids therebetween and being bonded to one another by the binder. The insert has desirable properties including lightweight, flexibility, and good load-distributing properties which make it a practical and useful component of any run-flat insert design for pneumatic tires. In preferred embodiments, the insert is spaced and supported from the tire by a member which minimizes the overall weight added to the tire. It is also further desirable to provide the insert with means to reduce its expansion radially upon rotation of the tire.

Abstract: A flat free pneumatic tire comprising a casing and a void free elastomeric filling material, which filling material is a polyurethane of (a) prepolymer of organic polyisocyanate and defined polyether or defined polyester and (b) a defined polyether or defined polyester, in the absence of foam producing material in the reaction zone. The elastomeric filling material itself. A two container article (system) adapted for producing said void free filling material where one container has said prepolymer reactant and the other container has the polyether or polyester reactant, as required.