Abstract: A wheel assembly including a rigid wheel and a flexible tire. The rigid wheel includes a radially outer rim wall, a plurality of mounting elements, and a plurality of inflatable spacers between the mounting elements. The flexible tire may be mounted on the mounting elements of the rigid wheel such that portions of the flexible tire between the mounting elements are separated from the outer rim wall by spaces between the mounting elements and are configured to flex inwardly when subject to ground engaging pressure. The inflatable spacers limit the amount of inward flex of the inwardly flexible portions of the flexible tire.

Abstract: A cellular tire liner and air chamber system for pneumatic tires comprising a cellular tire liner interposed between the interior surface of a tire and an air chamber with an annular interface that extends from the air chamber to the interior surface of the tire, in the tread area of the tire and disconnects the sidewall portions of the tire liner from each other.

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: The invention is directed to a high-speed, puncture proof tire including a tire casing having a tread portion and a pair of side wall portions and a plurality of small diameter pressurized tubes disposed within the tire casing. Each pressurized tube has an elongate body fabricated from film material that is sealed crosswise along the length of the body to define at least two compartments that contain gas under pressure. The tubes can be oriented radially or circumferentially within the annular space of the tire casing. In another embodiment of the tire, at least one panel of film material resistant to shear forces is disposed within the annular space of the tire casing. The panel is sealed lengthwise thereof to define a plurality of small diameter pressurized tubes. Each pressurized tube is sealed crosswise along the length of the tube to define at least two compartments that contain gas under pressure.

Abstract: Tire has a casing defining a hollow interior, a fill disposed in the interior of the casing, and the fill including at least one layer having an initial diameter substantially the same as the initial diameter of the casing. The fill layer includes an expansion joint. When the casing expands the expansion joint expands and causes the first layer to substantially continuously contact the casing. The expansion joint may be configured so that the layer(s) of the fill substantially continuously contact each other and the casing, respectively, as the casing expands. The expansion joint may be engineered to produce a gap extending between first and second free ends of the layer(s). Or the gaps may be selected so that the first and second ends of the respective layers continuously remain at least partially in contact with each other before, during, and after expansion is completed; i.e., when the casing is at maximum expansion.

Abstract: Tire has a casing defining a hollow interior, a fill disposed in the interior of the casing, and the fill including at least one layer having an initial diameter substantially the same as the initial diameter of the casing. The fill layer includes an expansion joint. When the casing expands the expansion joint expands and causes the first layer to substantially continuously contact the casing.

Abstract: A filling for a puncture-proof pneumatic tire is formed by two half-toruses of elastomer or of rubber which are juxtaposed along an equatorial plane inside a tire cover and which are formed with a plurality of parallel channels of preferably hexagonal cross-section, the channels being parallel and separated from one another and positioned so that the thickness of material between adjacent channels is substantially constant.

Abstract: A molded polypropylene foam tire core suitable for all types of wheels. The core may be inserted, in one or more sections, into a pneumatic-type tire casing and mounted on a wheel rim to provide puncture-proof and rupture-proof internal support for said tire casing.

Abstract: A consolidated, rubber article such as a filler segment for composite solid rubber tires is made by reducing solid rubber articles to small pieces, placing the pieces in a mold having the configuration of the desired tire filler segment, and heating the pieces in the mold while applying pressure thereto.The mold assembly includes a filling chamber and a releasably attachable mold body. A press block fits slidably in the filling chamber and is operable to compress the rubber pieces into the mold. The press block then is locked to the mold body to close the mold, whereby the mold body and press block may be separated from the filling chamber while maintaining the closure. The pieces in the mold body are then heated, while compressed, sufficiently to consolidate the mold contents into a tire filler segment having a density of from 15 to 75 pounds per cubic foot. The consolidated product is then cooled and removed from the mold.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture is herein disclosed for eliminating the need for pressurized air in a vehicular pneumatic tire. A resilient tubular insert is inserted and carried within a tire casing to simulate pneumatic conditions. The resilient material possesses a longitudinal bore which in combination with a particular range of durometers, enhances the "pneumatic" characteristics of the tire insert. Preferably, the tire insert is discontinuous and is designed to have a diameter greater than the internal diameter of the tire casing under deflated conditions.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture is herein disclosed for eliminating the need for pressurized air in a vehicular pneumatic tire. A resilient tubular insert is inserted and carried within a tire casing to simulate pneumatic conditions. The resilient material possesses a longitudinal bore which in combination with a particular range of durometers, enhances the "pneumatic" characteristics of the tire insert. Preferably, the tire insert is discontinuous and is designed to have a diameter greater than the internal diameter of the tire casing under deflated conditions.