Abstract: A tire has a first and second beads mounted on a rim. A first sidewall extends upward from the first bead to a first edge of a horizontal tread face located substantially directly above the first bead. A second sidewall extends upward from the second bead and curves toward a second edge of the tread face such that a curved tire surface is provided between the second bead and the second edge of the narrow tread face. Two tires are mounted on a rear motorcycle axle such that a gap is defined between first sidewalls of the right and left tires, and a drive extends through the gap to the axle. When the motorcycle is leaned in a curve, one of the wheels is above the ground surface, and the motorcycle is supported on the curved tire surface of the other tire.

Abstract: Presented is a heavy vehicle, such as a transport vehicle or civil engineering vehicle, of a mass greater than 500 metric tons and operable to generate a motive power. The vehicle includes tires of radial structure having a diameter greater than 3.5 meters, a front axle coupled to at least two tires, and at least one rear axle coupled to at least two tires and by which is transmitted at least part of the motive power. At least one of the axles includes at least four tires associated in pairs symmetrically on either side of the axle, and two associated tires have different axial widths.

Abstract: A heavy vehicle of a mass greater than 500 metric tons, such as a transport vehicle or a “civil engineering” vehicle, fitted with tires of radial structure of a diameter greater than three meters fifty having an axial width greater than 37 inches, and comprising a front axle provided with at least two tires and a rear axle comprising at least four tires and by which is transmitted at least part of the motive power. At least two tires on the front axle transmit part of the motive power at least when the vehicle is following a trajectory which is not rectilinear and, at least when the vehicle is following a trajectory which is not rectilinear, the tires of an axle transmitting at least part of the motive power have different speeds of rotation.

Abstract: A wheel-and-tire apparatus has a pneumatic tire with two or more circumferential tread sections, the relative diameters of which may be adjusted to select the tread sections in contact with the road. The tire may have one or more air chambers. The apparatus facilitates selective use of tire tread designs and compositions having different performance characteristics to suit particular road conditions and vehicle operating parameters. Adjustment of tread section diameters is accomplished using tread diameter adjustment means having a source of compressed air. Sensors monitor selected operational parameters of the vehicle and transmit corresponding signals to a computer, which selects an optimal configuration of tread section diameters to suit the data from the sensors. The computer sends a corresponding signal instructing the tread diameter adjustment means to adjust the diameter of one or more tread sections as required to achieve the selected configuration of tread section diameters.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel rim device of a type in which a first wheel rim carries a first tire casing, and having a second tire casing inwardly of the first tire casing, characterized by the provision of a second rim inwardly of the first rim, the generally circular edge-portions of the second rim being supported by the generally cylindrical body portion of the first rim, and are spaced from the adjacent circular edge-portion of the first rim, and providing that the circular edge-portions of the second rim provide support for the bead-portions of the second tire casing in a manner in which the second tire casing bead portions are substantially spaced, respectively from the beam portions of the first tire casing, thus protecting the inward tire casing from the erratic flopping of the outer tire if it becomes disabled.

Abstract: An arrangement of a roller in combination with a draft vehicle comprising a draft frame, axle means supported by the draft frame, and roller supported by the axle means to allow rotational freedom about a central axis of a cylindrical shape of the roller, the arrangement being characterized in that the draft frame is connected to the draft vehicle by means constraining rotation of the draft frame relative to the draft vehicle about a vertical axis.

Abstract: Each dual wheel assembly on a tractor or trailer system includes outer and inner wheels mounted on a plurality of studs projecting from a hub. The inner wheel is held in place on the studs by a number of flanged cap nuts and the outer wheel is held in place by a number of wheel nuts. When unthreading the wheel nuts to remove the outer wheel, some of the cap nuts invariably remain engaged with the wheel nuts whereas the cap nuts should all remain engaged with the threaded studs during this step. The device disclosed herein is in the form of a ring having a number of hexagonal holes therein corresponding to the number of wheel nuts so that the ring can be placed over those wheel nuts remaining engaged with their cap nuts to prevent rotation of the wheel nuts when each cap nut is individually spun out through the back side of the removed outer wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel has at least two pneumatic tires mounted side by side on a single rim. When the weight of the vehicle is applied to the wheels, the pneumatic tires are slightly deformed in the lower portion of their circumference, their facing side walls coming to bear one against the other. In the upper portion of their circumference, the pneumatic tires remain separated from one another. This provides the best possible cooperation of the pneumatic tires, completely avoiding the overheating thereof and improving the road-holding of the vehicle and the adhesion of the wheels on a slippery road surface.

Abstract: An improved tire rim clamp for retaining the dual tires and rims of a large mining truck or the like comprising a cylindrical member having a plurality of slotted openings circumferentially distributed around the inner beveled edge of the cylinder and a circular retention bolt flange extending radially inward at the other end of the cylinder such that the tire rim clamp can occupy the annulus formed between the axle housing and outer tire rim when bolted in place. Such a one piece tire rim clamp can be inserted into the outer tire rim when mounted to the axle housing using powered equipment, thus eliminating the difficult manual task of inserting and positioning a plurality of individual tire clamps during assembly or the servicing of the dual tires on a mining truck or the like.

Abstract: Two-piece rim for mounting tires, single or dual, on a wheel. The removable bead ring has an axial projection intended for engagement by restraining means mounted on the wheel in the event a tire on said rim is unintentionally deflated. Various forms of restraining means are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shock absorbing wheel hub for attachment to the axle of a vehicle. The hub has a central flange portion and an annular rim. The rim has a pair of spaced mounting surfaces formed on the periphery thereof for attaching a pair of pneumatic tires with inclined road-engaging treads. A flange is formed on the rim between the mounting surfaces and extends radially outward between the tires. A cylindrical contact surface is formed on the exterior of the flange and carries a tread thereon. The central flange is provided with bores for attachment to the lug bolts of a vehicle axle. Circumferentially spaced resilient spokes extend radially from the central flange and are connected to the hub. A pair of inflation check valves are attached to the rim to communicate respectively with the interior of each pneumatic tire. A flow passage is provided in the rim interconnecting the pneumatic tires for allowing air flow therebetween.