Abstract: The innovation presented herein provides among its embodiments, a non-pneumatic structure such as a vehicle tire, consisting of a matrix of shape memory alloy (SMA) elements. The interlocking layering pattern provides geometries which leverage the SMA material properties to accomplish performance characteristics of traditional pneumatic structures across a spectrum of possible desired uses including normal personal use, recreational use, sport use and commercial use. Embodiments include applying structural design and material properties to provide a fixed or a variable set of performance characteristics. Similar to the fruits of other space program initiatives, the innovation leverages material science developed for extra-terrestrial purposes to accomplish advances over conventional items.

Abstract: A wheel includes a hub and a rim portion surrounding the hub. An outer surface of the rim portion defines a circumference of the wheel. The outer surface of the rim portion has a plurality of bead locks that are spaced from one another.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel having a central axis. The wheel comprises a bead seat configured to engage a bead of a tire, the bead seat extending circumferentially about the central axis of the wheel. The bead seat comprises a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a base extending between the first and second sidewalls. The first and second sidewalls extend radially outwardly from the base, and the base includes a radially outwardly-facing surface extending circumferentially about the central axis, and one or more barbs projecting from the radially outwardly-facing surface in a radially outwardly direction.

Abstract: An agricultural tool element includes a non-inflated tire with a tread and a pair of sidewalls each connected to the tread at a respective first end portion. The element additionally includes a rigid, generally annular base on which the tire is fitted on a rotary support of an agricultural tool. The sidewalls are each over-molded on a peripheral portion of the rigid base at a second end portion, opposite the tread.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a wheel rim and a method for making a wheel rim of the type suited for use on an agricultural or construction vehicle. The new feature of the wheel rim according to the invention is that the central hub plate at the outer periphery includes a number of tabs extending away from the center of the central hub plate, where the second hub plate at its inner periphery also includes a number of tabs extending towards the center of the hub plate, where the tabs have a geometric shape such that the tabs fit between each other, where the tabs include holes arranged at the same pitch circle diameter and at right angles to the tabs. In connection with the making of the hub plate, the second hub plate and the central hub plate can be produced from a single piece of suitable material, preferably steel plate, as the mentioned tabs extend over each other when two parts are separated and turned such that the tabs come to lie upon each other.

Abstract: A wheel including a tire and a rim wherein the tire includes: a pair of beads, each of the beads being provided with a base, wherein the rim includes a pair of axially outer flanges defining respective bead housing seats, each of the bead housing seats including a base portion, and wherein the base of at least one of the beads and the base portion of the respective bead housing seat are mutually coupled by means of at least one mechanical coupling element, wherein the mechanical coupling element is provided with parts and has a length greater than its width, the length being lower than the circumference of the tire measured at the base of the bead and the width being lower than the axial width of the base of the bead and of the base portion of the respective bead housing seat.

Abstract: A runflat tire system comprising a pneumatic tire, a wheel rim and a support ring disposed in a tire cavity is disclosed, wherein the wheel rim comprises a pair of axially spaced bead seats, and a support-ring seat between the bead seats; the support ring has an inner circumferential surface fitting to the above-mentioned support-ring seat, and an outer circumferential surface contacting with the inside of a tread portion of the tire mounted on the wheel rim when the tire is deflated; and one of or alternatively each of the support-ring seat and the inner circumferential surface is provided with an ordered uneven surface which can reduce a friction in the axial direction between the inner circumferential surface and the support-ring seat, while maintaining or increasing the friction in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A safety support designed to be inserted by a translation operation around a rim bearing in which the radially inner surface of the base of the support contains a plurality of protuberances radially arranged internally.

Abstract: A wheel and tire assembly for recreational vehicles, such as mountainboards, motorized carts and pedaled carts is provided. The tire comprises a tire made of substantially inelastic material that will not stretch under a load. Thus, the tire will flatten under a load to provide a high level of traction on soft and irregular surfaces, as well as on hard and flat surfaces. The tire includes protrusions on its inner diameter surface for securely engaging the wheel. The wheel includes a rim that supports the tire and includes protrusions for engaging the protrusions of the tire in an interdigitating manner. The interdigitating engagement of the protrusions on the tire with the protrusions on the wheel prevents slippage and rotation of the tire relative to the wheel. The wheel also includes support flanges that extend radially inward from the rim in order to protect the tire from damage as the tire deforms under a load.

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 tire apparatus for driving a vehicle allows the vehicle to be driven during periods of both low tire pressure and normal tire pressure. The tire apparatus has a tire that has a tread section. The tire has a pair of side walls that are located adjacent to the tread section. A first bead is located at an end of one of the side walls, and a second bead is located at an end of the other side wall. A wheel is also present that has a rim with a first bead seat and a second bead seat. The wheel is configured for attachment to the vehicle. The wheel has a support member for engaging the tire during periods of low tire pressure. At least one of the first and second bead seats has a plurality of friction members to prevent relative rotational movement between the tire and the rim.

Abstract: A tire apparatus for driving a vehicle is provided. The tire apparatus allows the vehicle to be driven during periods of both low tire pressure and normal tire pressure. The tire apparatus has a tire that has a tread section. The tire has a pair of side walls that are located adjacent to the tread section. A first bead is located at an end of one of the side walls, and a second bead is located at an end of the other side wall. A wheel is also present that has a rim with a first bead seat and a second bead seat. The wheel is configured for attachment to the vehicle. The wheel has a support member for engaging the tire during periods of low tire pressure. At least one of the first and second bead seats has a plurality of friction members to prevent relative rotational movement between the tire and the rim.

Abstract: A commercial vehicle wheel with valve emerging outside the wheel disk and having a safety element on the outside of the rim, the safety element consisting of a cylindrical wall of axial width p, so that, &PHgr; being the standard diameter of the wheel, there is the relationship: 10≦p/&PHgr;×1000≦35.

Abstract: A wheel is formed of a rim and a wheel disk, the rim having a first rim s and a second rim seat, at least the first rim seat having a generatrix which is inclined towards the outside and extended axially towards the inside by a bearing surface intended to receive a tread support ring. The rim bearing surface is provided, radially to the outside, with elements in relief separated by recesses or hollows. On the major part of the entire surface of the radially inner wall of the wheel rim, each point of a generatrix of the radially inner wall, included between the point of tangency A of said generatrix with the corresponding axially inner generatrix of the disk and the end B axially located on the end of the second wheel seat, is on a circle of diameter D.sub.P which is at least equal to the diameter D.sub.A of the circle on which the point of tangency A is located and at most equal to the diameter D.sub.B of the circle on which the end B is located.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for small powered equipment including a wheel and a tire mounted on the wheel. The wheel has an outer circumferential surface and inclined cleats projecting from the outer circumferential surface. The cleats are arranged in sets of 6-7 cleats. Each set of cleats is inclined in a direction that alternates with the direction of the cleats in adjacent sets. The tire is provided with ribs along the inner circumferential surface that engage the edge of the cleats. Accordingly, regardless of which direction the tire is driven, slippage of the tire will occur only to a limited extent until the ribs of the tire engage with the edges of the cleats facing in the appropriate direction. Thereafter, rotation of the wheel in the same direction will not result in slippage between the tire and the wheel, and rotation in the opposite direction will result in only that degree of slip necessary to bring the ribs into engagement with the cleats of an adjacent set.

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 pneumatic in-line skating wheel having a tire body and central hub chemically bonded during a polyurethane casting process and further including an annularly encapsulated air bladder centrally spaced within the tire body to provide shock absorption. The bladder in one embodiment is in communication with a valve for inflation and deflation thereof such that the overall tire resiliency may be adjusted, enabling adjustable performance characteristics of the wheel. One embodiment of the valve incorporates a resilient core within a rigid barrel and stretchable to allow an inflation needle to stretch the core and drive a poppet off a seat at the interior end of the barrel.

Abstract: A pneumatic in-line skating wheel having a tire body and central hub chemically bonded during a polyurethane casting process and further including an annularly encapsulated air bladder centrally spaced within the tire body to provide shock absorption and inflation/deflation means such that the overall tire resiliency may be adjusted, enabling adjustable performance characteristics of the wheel.

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: The invention is directed to a tire and wheel rim assembly for a vehicle. The tire comprises a pair of bead regions each reinforced by a bead core characterized by at least one bead portion of the tire having an additional hardened retention zone positioned axially inwards of and integral with the main bead portion, the retention zone having an axially inner tip or toe substantially inwards of the main bead portion and the construction of the bead between the bead core and tip providing substantial resistance to compressive forces therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rim and an assembly of the rim and a tire which are applicable to both a safety tire and a conventional tire. The object of the present invention is to provide a rim and an assembly which enable safe running even when the inner pressure of the tire is lowered or when the vehicle is cornering sharply, and which are usable with not only a safety tire but also with conventional tires. A wheel rim and an assembly of the rim and tubeless tire of the present invention are characterized in that an annular groove (3) is provided axially outside a well (2) in such a manner as to extend in the circumferential direction, and a hump (4) is provided axially outside the annular groove in such a manner as to extend in the circumferential direction. The tubeless tire is characterized by being provided with a toe portion (13) and a hump groove (14) which are adapted to engage the annular groove (3) and the hump (4), respectively.

Abstract: A wheel structure, such as for a motorcycle, having a wheel provided with an annular rim which surrounds and is joined to a central support hub through a plurality of radial spokes, which spokes have the outer ends projecting through the rim and rigidly anchored thereto. The rim has a shallow annular groove externally formed in surrounding relationship thereto, which groove includes the region of the rim through which the spokes project. An annular elastic band is positioned within the shallow groove and sealingly engages the bottom wall of the groove. A tubeless inflatable tire can be mounted on the rim, and the interior of the tire is isolated from the spokes and any openings associated therewith due to the elastic band which sealingly surrounds the rim.

Abstract: A tire rim structure and method of manufacture in which rows of sharply edged or pointed projections are integrally provided on the ear portions or bead seat portions of the rim. In accordance with the preferred embodiments of the invention, the projections may be pyramid shaped, triangular prism shaped or sawtooth shaped. The projections may be formed by applying a triangularly toothed roller or a grinding device to elongated ridges formed on the tire rim during an otherwise conventional extrusion process for obtaining a smooth tire rim.