Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire is disclosed where a resilient wheel is mounted on a rim and the wheel has an inner ring, an outer ring and a plurality of flexible webs interconnected between the inner and outer rings. The flexible webs define openings in through the resilient wheel. The stiffness of the inner wheel at a position adjacent to the inner face is different than the stiffness of the inner wheel at a position adjacent to the outer face. This stiffness difference can be accomplished by providing inflated membranes in at least some of the openings or by molding the wheel with an asymmetric parting line. In addition, the wheels could be dynamically controlled by providing magnetically actuable membranes in some of the openings.

Abstract: A method for fabrication of a non-pneumatic tire and wheel assembly incorporates a tire tread and a conventional vehicle wheel with an elastomer tire body element formed by introducing elastomer into mold elements with a center plug and releasably carried chamber forms to provide integral wall elements extending radially inward from the tire body element for sealing engagement with the wheel. The tire body element includes multiple concentric layers with alternating spokes formed with strut and aperture dimensions in the mold elements and mating rubber cast blocks adapted for the desired spoke design. After curing, the tire assembly is mounted on the conventional wheel with conventional mounting tools to deform the integral side walls and a pneumatic chamber formed by the side walls is inflated.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire and wheel assembly is fabricated by forming inner and outer mold elements having apertures to receive casting blocks. A tread having an inner wall is prepared for casting and fill apertures are machined in a rim of a metal wheel. The tread, the outer mold element, the wheel, the inner mold element and the rubber casting blocks are assembled and an elastomer is introduced into the mold assembly through fill tubes inserted in the fill apertures of the wheel. The elastomer is allowed to cure at room temperature to form a tire body element and the rubber casting blocks and inner and outer mold elements are disassembled. A post-cure of the disassembled tire body element is accomplished at a high temperature.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire for supporting a load by working in tension comprising a generally annular inner surface, a generally annular outer ring, and an interconnected web having a plurality of web elements and comprising a plurality of generally polygonal openings. Web elements are sized, oriented and comprised of a material that facilitates buckling when subjected to a compressive load. By buckling, those elements in a deformed portion of the tire between a hub and a footprint region where the tire contacts a surface may assume a significantly reduced portion of the load, if any. This causes web elements in other portions of the interconnected web to operate in tension to support the load. With the portion of the tire in the footprint region not bearing a significant portion of the load, non-pneumatic tire may exhibit a more comfortable ride subject to less noise and vibration and improved handling capabilities.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire for supporting a load by working in tension comprising a generally annular inner ring, a generally annular outer ring, and an interconnected web having a plurality of web elements and comprising a plurality of generally polygonal openings. Web elements are sized, oriented and comprised of a material that facilitates buckling when subjected to a compressive load. By buckling, those elements in a deformed portion of the tire between a wheel and a footprint region where the tire contacts a surface can assume a significantly reduced portion of the load, if any. This causes web elements in other portions of the interconnected web to operate in tension to support the load.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire for supporting a load by working in tension comprising a generally annular inner ring, a generally annular outer ring, and an interconnected web having a plurality of web elements and comprising a plurality of generally polygonal openings. Web elements are sized, curved, oriented, and comprised of varying thicknesses of material which facilitates buckling when subjected to a compressive load. By buckling, those elements in a deformed portion of the tire between a wheel and a footprint region where the tire contacts a surface can assume a significantly reduced portion of the load, if any. This causes web elements in other portions of the interconnected web to operate in tension to support the load.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire for supporting a load by working in tension comprising a generally annular inner ring, a generally annular outer ring, and an interconnected web having a plurality of web elements and comprising a plurality of generally polygonal openings. Web elements are sized, oriented and comprised of a material that facilitates buckling when subjected to a compressive load. By buckling, those elements in a deformed portion of the tire between a wheel and a footprint region where the tire contacts a surface can assume a significantly reduced portion of the load, if any. This causes web elements in other portions of the interconnected web to operate in tension to support the load.

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: The present invention is a pre-pressurized in-line skate wheel which is capable of being pressurized at low levels and which further includes an integral bladder device having an annular tube and three bladder rods which are in fluid communication with respect to each other. The wheel is configured with a rigid polyurethane hub formed with a drop center and further having a pair of radially extending flanges with three pairs of axial openings. The hub is further formed with three radially projecting spokes. The tire body surrounds the bladder device and is constructed of a generally more resilient polyurethane which bonds to the hub, flanges and bladder. The method of manufacture utilizes blow molding techniques for the bladder device which includes a post vulcanization chlorine bath. The tire body is formed using liquid thermoset polyurethane poured into an open cast mold.

Abstract: A lightweight, filler core tire construction for automotive and other vehicles, having a flexible composite outer layer structure and an inner flexible honeycomb core with a radial relief and said honeycomb is bonded to said outer layer, eliminating thus fully or partially pressurized air from the tire and increasing the safety of driving, damage resistance, and minimizing servicing of the tire. The structures are preferably made of a polyurethane polymer and various fibers and do not require a split rim for mounting and dismounting said tire.

Abstract: A pre-pressurized in-line skate wheel including a hard polyurethane hub having a drop center formed between radially projecting guide flanges formed with axially projecting windows as spaced equidistant thereabout in an annular array. A bladder device includes a plurality of pressurized hollow cross rods nested at their opposite ends in such windows and surmounting on their radially outward sides a pressurized annular tube arranged concentric with the drop center. A soft polyurethane wheel body is formed in such drop center and projects radially outwardly to encapsulate the annular tube and form an elliptical annular tread surface. The method of manufacturing the tire includes blow molding the cross rods and the annular tube and pressurizing them to the desired individual pressures so that the resultant tire will exhibit the combined benefits of polyurethane cushioning and shock absorption associated with compressible gases.

Abstract: A lightweight, filler core tire construction for automobiles and other vehicles, having a flexible composite outer layer structure and a flexible honeycomb core bonded to said outer layer, eliminating pressurized air from the tire and increasing thus the safety of driving and the damage resistance and eliminating the servicing of the tire. The structures above are preferably made from a polyurethane polymer and various fibers.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire for mounting on a wheel rim having an inner surface with at least one circumferential groove around the entire tire. A plurality of circumferentially and evenly distributed, radially extending spacers separate the groove into multiple evenly distributed and mutually spaced chambers, within which air near atmospheric pressure may flow.

Abstract: An aquatic vehicle for transporting passengers at high speeds over water, the vehicle having an elongated body with an enclosed cabin for accommodating passengers, wheels for sustaining the body above water, axles projecting from the body to the wheels, inflated tires with oval cross-sections, partitions extending in the tires radially outward from the axles so as to form hermetically sealed and watertight chambers to maintain floatability even after a portion of the tires becomes damaged, and a turbine for propelling the body on the surface of the water. The wheels are freely rotatable and free of any transmission means from the turbine.

Abstract: A roller for moving equipment such as furniture has a wheel whose wheel disk is provided with a rim having a pair of outwardly extending flanges. The tire mounted on this rim has an inner portion wholely received between the flanges and an outwardly portion lying wholely outwardly of the flanges. The inner portion is provided with such bores in angularly equi-spaced relationship and wholely within the circumference of the flanges so as to be closed therebetween. The outer portion is flush with the outer surfaces of the flanges.

Abstract: Inner tubes for pneumatic tires including a toric cushion made from an elastomer material having cells independent of each other.A process for manufacturing such inner tubes with a mold for preforming and vulcanizing semi-toric elements, the mold includes fingers for molding recessed cavities and an incorporated heating network, the preformed semi-toric elements having undergone a first vulcanization are then joined together and subjected to a second vulcanization in an appropriate apparatus.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire for mounting on a rim having axially spaced annular mounting flanges. The tire is formed with a radially exterior tread surface having axially outwardly sloped side walls projecting radially inwardly therefrom and formed on their radially inwardly extremities with shoulders that nest against the radially outward edges of the mounting flanges. Retaining flanges then project radially inwardly therefrom for retention on the axially inner sides of the mounting flanges. The tread surface and opposite side walls cooperate to form a circumferential interior cavity which a latticework of webbing formed by axially extending interrupter webs which are spaced equidistance about such cavity and have an annular projecting circumferentially thereabout and connected with such axially projecting interrupter webs.

Abstract: A molded vehicular tire is internally partitioned by a set of angularly equispaced webs integral with its toroidal casing, the webs being separated from the inner wall surfaces of the casing by arcuate gaps extending laterally from the region of its sole but terminating short of its beads. The webs, attached to the tire casing at three points, act as reinforcements allowing the tire to be used even without internal air pressure.