Abstract: A tire structure disposed at a rim is provided. The tire structure includes a tire body, a flexible sealing member and a nozzle. The tire body is ring-shaped and includes a groove and two beads. The flexible sealing member is connected to the tire body to form an inflating space with the groove, and the flexible sealing member includes a through hole. The nozzle is disposed at the flexible sealing member. The nozzle includes a base and a valve stem. The base includes a screw hole and is disposed at a far side of the flexible sealing member. The screw hole corresponds to the through hole. The valve stem includes a fastening end and an inflating channel. The fastening end is configured to insert into the screw hole, and the inflating channel is configured to allow the gas to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A wheel for a racing bicycle including a rim with a rim body having a rim well and lateral rim flanks provided with rim flanges, the rim flanges showing bulges protruding inwardly, each defining an undercut at the pertaining rim flange. A tire with two circumferential tire beads is accommodated on the rim body between the rim flanges, the tire beads bearing against the inside of the rim flanges and entering the undercut at the bulges of the rim flanges. A tire retaining device is included which is disposed in the internal space between the tire and the rim well. The tire retaining device includes an insert member having a hollow space that extends between the tire beads and contains a radially outwardly peripheral wall and a radially inwardly peripheral wall, wherein at least the radially inwardly peripheral wall extends continuously across an inner axial width of the insert member.

Abstract: A run-flat support system and method for installing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the run-flat support system includes a torque assembly removably coupled to a split wheel rim of a pneumatic tired wheel. Support segments are adapted for attachment to the torque assembly in order to support the pneumatic tired wheel in a flat condition such as an under-inflated condition or deflated condition. Lateral support structures, which may include the form of a wedge, are secured to the support segments to provide a bead lock between beads of the interior side walls of the pneumatic tired wheel and the split wheel rim.

Abstract: A run-flat support system and method for installing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the run-flat support system includes a torque assembly removably coupled to a split wheel rim of a pneumatic tired wheel. Support segments are adapted for attachment to the torque assembly in order to support the pneumatic tired wheel in a flat condition such as an under-inflated condition or deflated condition. Lateral support structures, which may include the form of a wedge, are secured to the support segments to provide a bead lock between beads of the interior side walls of the pneumatic tired wheel and the split wheel rim.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel rim has a rim base (1) carrying a pair of bead-retaining flanges (2, 4), one of which is on a bead seat ring (5) releasably retained, in use, on the rim base (1) by a locking ring (6) engaging in a groove (7) formed in a gutter section (3) of the rim base. The locking ring is shaped so as to cooperate with formations (5A, 9), respectively in the bead ring (5) and rim base (1) to provide a positive lock limiting relative rotation between the bead seat ring and rim base.

Abstract: A safety tire and wheel assembly which includes an improved multiple-piece wheel rim assembly for preventing inflation and/or venting to atmosphere when the rim assembly components are improperly assembled, and an improved safety insert mounted on the wheel rim base for supporting the tire tread during operation following loss of inflation pressure. The wheel rim assembly includes telescoping rim segments and an O-ring normally captured in compression between opposing portions of the rim segments for sealing the tire cavity. Air bleed passages are formed in one rim segment adjacent the sealing ring externally of the cavity to vent the tire cavity to atmosphere when sealing compressive stresses are absent from the O-ring as in the event of improper assembly or disassembly. The safety insert includes a ledge normally disposed within the tire cavity and having a radially facing surface roughened by a circumferential series of axially extending splines.

Abstract: An automatic tire inflation/deflation system for a vehicle (10) is disclosed. Air passageways for the pressurize air are provided internally through the wheel assemblies without cutting into load bearing members. A rotating seal is provided by way of a pair of sealing rings (52,54) located inboard of the hub bearings (32,33) to protect the seals from adverse environmental conditions. A kit for retrofitting vehicles to include an automatic tire inflation/deflation system is also disclosed. Ramp surfaces (90, 91, 92) formed in the hub (30') are provided to facilitate removal of the bearing assemblies (32, 33).

Abstract: A safety support system in which an annular safety support of resilient foam material having an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the tire is positioned around a rim and within the tire. The foam material has closed cells containing gas under pressure for supporting the tire in the deflated condition and expanding in an axial direction to press the bead portions against the bead seats of the rim. The safety support has beads and a fabric reinforced construction at a radially outer wall for controlling expansion beyond the radially outer diameter. A second reinforcing fabric ply may be provided at the radially inner wall for controlling expansion and facilitating field mounting of the safety support.

Abstract: A safety wheel designed so that when air sealed within a tire is lost, the vehicle may be supported by a flat protector device in place of air pressure within the tire. The safety wheel comprises a split rim, a tubeless tire and a flat protector device which comprises a flat protector seat portion annularly fixed along the outer peripheral surface of the split rim, and a flat protector body formed of at least one pipe annularly fixed along the outer peripheral surface of the flat protector seat portion.

Abstract: A safety tire and wheel assembly for pneumatic tires which includes a safety insert having an inner portion extending around the wheel rim base for clamping the tire bead toes against the opposing rim flanges and an outer portion projecting radially into the tire cavity. A band of resilient material such as rubber is carried by a circumferential array of bearing elements in a depression formed on the outer surface of the core outer portion for supporting the tire tread with respect to the wheel rim upon loss of tire inflation pressure. The wheel includes a two-piece rim comprising a first rim portion welded to a wheel disc and a demountable rim portion mounted by the circumferential array of clamps to the fixed rim portion. A sealing ring is disposed between the rim portions for sealing the tire cavity for tubeless operation.