Abstract: Particular embodiments of the invention include methods and apparatus for molding and/or curing an article. Particular embodiments of such methods include positioning a mold core centrally within mold outer portion to form an annular mold cavity between the mold outer portion and the mold core, the core including an outer ring having an outer surface for engaging the annular article, the outer ring being formed of a material capable of expanding and contracting with changes in temperature. Such methods also include beating the mold outer ring, cooling the core outer ring subsequent to the step of heating, whereby the core outer ring contracts relative to the article and removing the article from the core outer ring.

Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire with which a search time for a transponder can be reduced, and with which, for a passive transponder functioning with energy transmitted from the outside, efficiency of energy transmission can be enhanced. The pneumatic tire of the present invention provided with a transponder has an identification tag, which indicates a position of the transponder, and which is disposed to an outer surface of a portion of the tire, the portion being where the transponder is disposed.

Abstract: A tire assembly inserted in a conventional pneumatic tire that allows the driven vehicle to be operated in a normal operating condition as well as in both a low tire pressure and a “run flat” condition. The tire embodies a multifunctional tire support device that permits the tire even when punctured to continue to support the vehicle and never allows the tire to go entirely flat. The support device when installed reinforces the tire tread and its side walls by applying internal pressure against them should they collapse when tire is punctured. The invention embodies a means for supporting the tire with the multifunctional device and provides an additional embodiment that uses the same device with a backup redundant inner tube to provide support to the punctured or ruptured tire and permits it to be operated in a run flat condition. The inner tube is located in the assembly at a distance away from the tread so that any puncture of the tread would not also puncture the inner tube.

Abstract: To reduce road noise in running by disposing a noise damper made of a spongy material in a cavity of a tire, a tire and rim assembly is provided. The tire and rim assembly 1 including a rim 2, a pneumatic tire 3 attached to the rim 2, and a noise damper 4 made of a spongy material which is disposed in a tire cavity “i” surrounded by the rim 2 and the pneumatic tire 3 and extends in the tire circumferential direction, wherein the noise damper 4 has a volume of 0.4 to 20% of the whole volume of the tire cavity “i” and is fixed to an inner surface 2i or 3i of the tire or rim, the noise damper 4 has a height of 30 mm or less from the inner surface, and the spongy material of the noise damper 4 has a hardness of 10 to 250 N, a tensile strength of 70 kPa or more and a specific gravity of 0.014 to 0.052.

Abstract: Pneumatic rubber tire with an outer, circumferential tread comprised of specialized cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber based silica/carbon black reinforced rubber composition.

Abstract: A tire for vehicles which does not require pressurization by means of a pressurized fluid has a tread, two sidewalls, and two beads which are attached to a wheel rim made of elastomer material, and is provided with at least one tubular reinforcement body which is associated with the tread; each of the sidewalls having a respective homogeneous resilient annular membrane, a straight generatrix of which forms an angle (A) other than 90° with the axis of the tire; the membranes being stretched radially between the tread and the beads such as to be pre-tensioned in the absence of external loads acting on the tire.

Abstract: The bladder for vulcanizing tires having a plurality of first air-release grooves provided on the outer surface of a bladder body and each formed so as to extend from one to the other of the tire circumferential direction and extend toward one side of the tire-width direction, and a plurality of second air-release grooves provided on the outer surface of a bladder body and each formed so as to extend from one to the other of the tire circumferential direction and extend toward the other side of the tire-width direction. By this, the outer surface of the bladder body is divided into a plurality of areas by each of the air-release grooves. Also, the vertexes of each of the areas are angular toward the tire-circumferential direction. Therefore, the pressure contact between each of the areas and the inner surface of the tire is easily released starting at the said vertexes of each of the areas as release starting points.

Abstract: A detection-alarm mechanism is provided. The detection-alarm mechanism for a tire includes a sensor, an electronic processing unit, a post-processing unit and a display unit. The sensor includes a substrate disposed in the tire and at least one photoelectronic element fixed to the substrate. If the tire is cracked, light passes through the cracks and reaches the photoelectronic elements to generate signals. The electronic processing unit receives signals from the photoelectronic elements to generate wear information. The post-processing unit is disposed in a vehicle on which the tire is installed and receives wear information from the electronic processing unit. The display unit is disposed in the vehicle for presenting the wear information.

Abstract: This invention provides a polybutadiene capable of improving wear resistance and resistance to crack growth in a rubber composition and a tire, wherein values of e, f and g derived from the following determinant (I): ( 1.7455 0 - 0.0151 - 0.0454 0.4292 - 0.0129 - 0.007 0 0.3746 ) ? ( log 10 ? ( a / d ) log 10 ? ( a / b ) log 10 ? ( a / c ) ) = ( e f g ) ( I ) (wherein a is a mountain peak value around 1130 cm?1 in a transmittance spectrum through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and b is a valley peak value around 967 cm?1, and c is a valley peak value around 911 cm?1, and d is a valley peak value around 736 cm?1) satisfy relationships of equation (II): (Calculated value of cis-1,4 bond)=e/(e+f+g)×100?99 and equation (III): (Calculated value of vinyl bond)=g/(e+f+g)×100?0.

Abstract: A tire noise reduction device including a noise absorbing member made from a porous material that is formed into a band, the band being disposed along a tire circumferential direction on an inner surface of a tread portion of a pneumatic tire, wherein the noise absorbing member is wound so as to be laminated with two layers or more on at least a part of the tire circumferential direction to form a circular body, a crossing section where an inside layer and an outside layer of the noise absorbing member interchange is provided in at least one location on a periphery of the circular body, and the ends of the longitudinal direction of the noise absorbing member are disposed inward of the outermost layer of the noise absorbing member.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire includes: at least one carcass layer suspended across left and right bead parts; a belt layer arranged on an outer circumferential side of the carcass layer; and a tread arranged on an outer circumferential side of the belt layer. The tread has a laminated structure in which a thermoplastic film layer of a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer composition is interposed between a tread-side rubber layer and a belt layer-side rubber layer. The thermoplastic elastomer composition is obtained by blending an elastomer in a thermoplastic resin. A process for producing a retreaded tire includes the steps of: forming a base tire from the pneumatic radial tire by softening the thermoplastic film layer through heating so as to separate and remove the tread-side rubber layer, the pneumatic radial tire having the tread worn away; and subsequently bonding a new tread-side rubber layer onto the base tire.

Abstract: A tire and a method of securing an object thereto includes a two-piece fastening system having a first portion which is applied to an innerliner of a green tire prior to the green tire being cured and a second portion which includes an object, such as a radio frequency identification chip, attached thereto. The first portion of the two-piece fastening system is attached to the innerliner of the tire with an adhesive or by curing. The green tire is then cured and the second portion of the two-piece fastening system with the object attached thereto is then attached to the first portion of the two-piece fastening system. In an alternative embodiment, the object may be sandwiched between the first and second portions of the fastening system.

Abstract: In a pneumatic tire (20) on which a transponder (1) is mounted, a securing member (3) for securing the transponder (1) is fixed to an inner surface of the tire in an area (S) between a tire maximum-width position (A) and a bead toe (B). Thereby, a large centrifugal force and a large impact force do not act on the transponder (1) storing various pieces of information, and the transponder can be mounted quickly and securely. Also, the weight of the transponder is remarkably reduced, and thus uniformity of the tire (20) is enhanced. Additionally, dynamic balance correction is made easier. Even in a large tire, reduction in durability is minimized through suppressing heat generation and heat accumulation of the tire (20) due to the transponder (1) and the securing member (3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire having a component comprising at least one elastomer containing olefinic unsaturation; and compound of formula I wherein: R1, R3, R4, R5, R6, and R8 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, halogen, or substituted or unsubstituted oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms; R2 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, or is absent; R7 is substituted or unsubstituted oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, or halogen; R9, R10, R11 and R12 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, halogen, nitro or substituted or unsubstituted oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms; and X is oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire with a noise damper made of a spongelike multi-cellular material is disclosed. The noise damper is divided into small dampers to improve the high-speed durability of the tire. The noise damper is provided with a water-impermeable outer coating to prevent water from infiltrating into the spongelike multi-cellular material during transporting, store keeping and the like.

Abstract: A noise damper disposed in a tire cavity formed by a pneumatic tire and wheel rim is disclosed. A noise damper designed to use with a wheel rim comprises an annular body disposed around a damper-mounting portion of the wheel rim, and the annular body is made of a spongy material having an inside diameter of from 0.9 to 1.10 times an outside diameter of the damper-mounting portion. A noise damper designed to use with a pneumatic tire comprises an annular body disposed in a tire hollow, and the annular body is made of a spongy material having an outside diameter of from 1.00 to 1.10 times the maximum inside diameter of the tire hollow.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low noise pneumatic tire in which a plurality of noise absorbing members of a porous material are attached to the tire inner peripheral surface with intervals in the tire circumferential direction. The number of the noise absorbing members is from 5 to 50. The total length obtained by integrating the lengths of the noise absorbing members in the tire circumferential direction is not less than 75% of the tire maximum inner peripheral length. The distance between each adjacent two of the noise absorbing members is equal to or more than the maximum thickness of the noise absorbing members at the end portions thereof in the tire circumferential direction, while being not more than 15% of the tire maximum inner peripheral length.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing a dendrimer of a rubbery polymer comprising: (a) reacting a lithium terminated rubbery polymer with a halogenated tin containing compound to produce a polymer which is terminated with halogenated tin moieties, wherein the halogenated tin containing compound is of the structural formula: wherein X represents a halogen atom, wherein Z1 groups can be the same or different and are selected from alkyl groups containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, wherein x represents an integer from 1 to 20, wherein the molar ratio of the lithium terminated rubbery polymer to halogen atoms in the halogenated tin containing compound is within the range of 2:n to (n?1):n, wherein n represents the number of halogen atoms that are bonded directly to tin atoms in the halogenated tin containing compound; (b) reacting the polymer which is terminated with halogenated tin moieties with a molar excess of a tertiary alcohol to produce a polymer which is terminated with hydroxy tin moietie

Abstract: A tire for a cycle having a substantially toroidal shape, the tire including a tread adapted to be in contact with the ground, a base adapted to be fixed on the peripheral portion of a cycle rim, and two sides connecting the tread and the base, a lip having a height h greater than twice its thickness e and projecting from the upper portion of each of the two sides, in the vicinity of the tread. The height of the tip is greater than 15% of the width S of the tire in an inflated state. The lips can be constituted by the non-attached extension of the tread and, in particular, by a ply of material affixed to the top of the tire and whose edges are left free on a height greater than 15% of the width of the tire, or each lip can be arranged on an intermediate element adhered on the sides and/or the base of the tire, the intermediate element being capable of being a ring including an annular channel open towards its periphery and two lips projecting from each side of the channel.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pneumatic tire with a noise damper on the inside of the tread portion, comprises the steps of: building a raw tire on an annular tire building core; placing the raw tire within a vulcanizing mold together with the core; and heating the raw tire in the mold. The tire building core has a molding face for molding an inner surface of the tread portion. The molding face is provided with a groove extending in the tire circumferential direction. In the step of building the raw tire, an expandable damper material is placed in the groove. During heating the raw tire to be vulcanized, the damper material expands in the groove, whereby the expanded material forms the noise damper integrated into the radially inside of the tread portion.

Abstract: Provided are: a pneumatic tire capable of retaining a satisfactory uniformity even though the tire includes film layers superposed by winding a film layer in a circumferential direction of the tire multiple times; and a process for producing the same. The present invention is the pneumatic tire including the film layers of the thermoplastic resin or the thermoplastic elastomer composition made by blending the elastomer with the thermoplastic resin, which are superposed by winding the film layer in the circumferential direction of the tire multiple times, the tire wherein a rubber film is interposed between the film layers.

Abstract: Tire including a crown, sidewalls extending the crown on each side, these sidewalls being connected to beads intended to be in contact with a mounting rim on which the tire is mounted, this tire having an internal wall delimiting, with the mounting rim, an internal cavity to allow the tire to be inflated. This tire includes, over at least part of its internal wall delimiting the internal cavity, a plurality of protrusions of elongate shape forming a dense coating, this tire being characterized in that these protrusions of elongate shape include a plurality of supporting fibers and a plurality of branching fibers, the branching fibers being attached to the supporting fibers, each supporting fiber having two ends, of which at least one is attached to the internal wall of the tire.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rubber composition for a cap tread that can improve steering stability on a snowy road and a pneumatic tire having a cap tread using the rubber composition. The rubber composition for a cap tread comprises 5 to 200 parts by weight of a carbon black having an iodine adsorption amount of 100 to 300 mg/g, and 2 to 50 parts by weight of a silicone oil based on 100 parts by weight of at least one diene rubber selected from the group consisting of a natural rubber, an isoprene rubber, a styrene-butadiene rubber and a butadiene rubber, and 1 to 20 parts by weight of a silane coupling agent based on 100 parts by weight of the silicone oil, and the pneumatic tire having a cap tread is prepared by using the rubber composition.

Abstract: Vulcanizable elastomeric compositions and vulcanizates are prepared by employing a nitrogen-containing heterocycle. The nitrogen-containing heterocycle is believed to enhance interaction between a silica particle and a silica-interactive compound.

Abstract: A tyre is described that includes a casing designed to be inflated to a service pressure and equipped to accept a functional object, such as an electronic circuit, for example, by means of a two-part fastener 10, such as a touch-close fastener, for example. A first part of the fastener is attached to a wall of the casing, while the second part can be joined to the first part when placed in contact with the first part to attach and keep the object on the casing when the tyre is in service. The first part of the fastener includes a thin backing fixed to the wall of the casing and possessing a structural elongation capacity greater than or equal to that of the wall to which the thin backing is fixed. The presence of the thin backing does not significantly hinder the elongation of the wall of the casing when subjected to the stresses encountered during use of the tyre and, where relevant, during its manufacture.

Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire with noise reducer, which can reduce the cost for manufacturing a noise reducer and which can keep the effect to suppress cavity resonance. The pneumatic tire with noise reducer 1 comprises a pneumatic tire 3 and a noise reducer 7 attached to a tire cavity surface 6 of the tire. The noise reducer 7 is formed into a ring shape by butting both end faces 12e of elongated sponge material 12 disposed along the tire circumferential direction. In the noise reducer 7, moreover, a butt-joint face 8 formed by butting both of the end faces 12e of the sponge material 12 is a substantive plane.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing a dendrimer of a rubbery polymer comprising: (a) reacting a lithium terminated rubbery polymer with a halogenated silicon containing compound to produce a polymer which is terminated with halogenated silicon moieties, wherein the halogenated silicon contain compound has at least four halogen atoms which are bonded directly to silicon atoms, wherein the ratio of the lithium terminated rubbery polymer to halogen atoms in the halogenated silicon containing compound is within the range of 2:n to (n-1):n, wherein n represents the number of halogen atoms that are bonded directly to silicon atoms in the halogenated silicon containing compound, wherein the halogenated silicon containing compound contains at least three halogen atoms which are bonded directly to a silicon atom; (b) reacting the polymer which is terminated with halogenated silicon moieties with a molar excess of a tertiary alcohol to produce a polymer which is terminated with hydroxy silyl moieties; a

Abstract: This invention relates to a pneumatic tire wherein at least one of a carcass (4) and a belt (6) comprises a layer of steel cords covered with a coating rubber, and as the coating rubber covering the steel cords in at least one of the carcass (4) and the belt (6) is used a rubber composition comprising a rubber component (A), 1-10 parts by mass of sulfur (B) and 0.1-10 parts by mass of a compound (C) including a substituted benzene ring, a compound (D1) having a particular structure or a composition (D2) consisting essentially of such a compound based on 100 parts by mass of the rubber component, and as the steel cord is used a steel cord formed by twisting a plurality of steel wires each plated on its peripheral face with a brass and having an amount of phosphorus as an oxide in a surface layer region from a surface of the plated brass to a depth of 5 nm inward in a radial direction of the wire controlled to not more than 1.5 atomic %.

Abstract: A pneumatic having a porous member mounted on an inner surface facing a cavity of the tire. The porous member has ends located on front and back sides thereof in the rotation direction of the tire. At least the back end has corners located on opposite sides thereof in the widthwise direction of the porous member, the corners being chamfered.

Abstract: A rubber composition for a pneumatic tire containing 100 parts by weight of a diene-based rubber and 5 to 120 parts by weight of carbon black having a particle size of 15 to 40 nm, a nitrogen absorption specific surface area N2SA of 60 to 200 m2/g, and a pH of 1 to 5 or 8.5 to 13, which can improve wet performance of a tire without causing problems in productivity and conductivity.

Abstract: A tire which is adapted to be mounted on a rim, and which includes: a tube body which is made of a thermoplastic material and is adapted to be fit on an outer peripheral section of the rim; and a tread provided in an outer side of the tube body, in which the tube body is fixed to the outer peripheral section of the rim in a close contact manner with positive gas pressure inside the tube body.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tyre for vehicle wheels, includes the following steps: a) building a carcass structure; b) building a belt structure; c) building a tread band; wherein at least one of the carcass structure, belt structure and tread band includes a tubular structure of elastomeric material; and d) shaping the carcass structure into a toroidal conformation to associate it with at least said belt structure by exerting a radial deformation force directed from the inside to the outside of the carcass structure. The method includes the following step, during execution of at least one of steps a), b) and c): e) building the tubular structure in such a manner that the profile thereof, along its circumferential extension, has such a starting thickness that the deformed tubular structure following step d) has a substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices that include a mechanochromatic material (10) which changes color according to a pressure exerted on the device. As a result, the mechanochromatic material (10) functions as an indicator of pressure exerted on the device. A user can view the mechanochromatic material (10) to determine whether the pressure exerted on the device exceeds a threshold pressure, whereat a color change will occur in the mechanochromatic material (10).

Abstract: A laminate of a thermoplastic resin and rubber comprising a thermoplastic resin layer (A) made of a matrix of a polyamide resin matrix containing an elastomer dispersed therein and an unvulcanized diene-based rubber layer (B) containing a diene-based rubber and a low molecular weight diene-based rubber having an acid anhydride group and having a weight average molecular weight of 500 to 50,000 laminated partially or totally in at least one layer each to form a laminate integrated at the time of vulcanization and a pneumatic tire using the same.

Abstract: A tyre is described that includes a casing defining a cavity and equipped to receive an object, such as an electronic circuit, for example, through use of a two-part attachment, such as a touch-close attachment, of which a first part is fixed to a wall of the casing and a second part can be joined to the first part when placed in contact with the first part to keep the object on the casing in a service position. The first part of the attachment includes connection elements that are an integral part of the wall of the casing of the tyre. The connection elements allow these two parts to have freedom to move relative to each other, thereby limiting the transmission of stresses, which affect the wall of the tyre, to the object. The connection elements may be loops of flexible thread formed by the extremities of turns of a coiled thread integrated into the wall of the tyre during the tyre's manufacture.

Abstract: It is to solve problems in a safety tire in which hollow particles also referred to as the foamable compositions are filled in the hollow ring-shaped partition wall and to provide a safety tire having a partition wall structure capable of sufficiently developing the function of the hollow particles. In a safety tire comprising a tire/approved rim assembly constructed by assembling the tire onto the approved rim, a hollow ring-shaped partition wall disposed inside the assembly to define a chamber extending in a circumferential direction along the rim, and thermally expandable hollow particles filled in the chamber and each consisting of a continuous phase of a resin and a closed cell(s), wherein the partition wall is provided with a filter selectively passing only a gas emitted when the hollow particles are thermally expanded.

Abstract: A wheel unit (10) comprises a wheel rim (12), a pneumatic tyre (14) receivable on the wheel rim (12) and a runflat assembly (16) adapted to be seated on the wheel rim (12) to close off a well (22) provided in the wheel rim (12). The runflat assembly (16) includes an annular support body (24) which is radially expandable to an expanded condition and contraction means (28,30) adapted to be operated via an opening (78) formed in the wheel rim (12). The contraction means (28, 30), when activated, is operable on the support body (24) to cause the support body (24) to be contracted to a radially contracted condition. The contraction mean is accessible through the opening (78) to cause the support body (24) to be radially contracted to seat the runflat assembly (16) on the wheel rim (12) to close off the well (22). The support body (24), when in its contracted condition, has a diameter greater than that of the wheel rim (12).

Abstract: There are provided a rubber composition simultaneously improving low loss factor and wear resistance as compared with the conventional ones as well as a tire using such a rubber composition. The invention lies in a rubber composition using a modified conjugated diene rubber and being excellent in the low loss factor and wear resistance as well as a tire. The rubber composition of the invention is formed by compounding a filler to a rubber component containing (A) a modified conjugated diene rubber having a cis-bond content in conjugated diene portion of not less than 87% and a vinyl bond content of not more than 2% and containing a functional group reactive with a filler and (B) a modified polymer having a modifying functional group number per 1 molecule of an unmodified polymer of not less than 0.6.

Abstract: To provide a pneumatic tire capable of improving the durability of connection points between partition wall parts and a tire inside surface. In a pneumatic tire 10, partition wall parts 24 that extend inward in a tire radial direction from a tire inside surface 17 of tire shoulder parts 21 and whose tire radial direction inside ends contact a rim 12 are disposed. A pair of right and left reinforcement layers 38 are disposed in regions ranging from the partition wall parts 24 to tire side parts 20 via connection parts 29 between the partition wall parts 24 and the tire inside surface 17 such that the reinforcement layers 38 continue from the partition wall parts 24 to the tire side parts 20 via the connection parts 29 between the partition wall parts 24 and the tire inside surface 17.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reinforced lightweight air bladder for a safety tire which can effectively suppress a radial growth under the normal running condition even if it is used for a long tire and, on the other hand, to suppress an occurrence of a crack in a tube under the runflat running condition, thereby exhibiting a superior durability. A hollow toric reinforced air bladder 1 is to be accommodated in a tire 2 to form a safety tire. The reinforced air bladder 1 is filled with the air at an internal pressure determined in relation to a given air pressure of the tire 2 to form a cavity S1 in tire 2. When the internal pressure of the cavity S1 of the tire 2 is dropped due to getting punctured or the like, the reinforced air bladder 2 is radially expanded to take over load support from the tire 2. The reinforced air bladder 1 comprises an air-impermeable tube 6 and a reinforcing hoop layer 7 surrounding entirely an outer circumference of a crown portion of the tube 6.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire using, as an inner liner layer, a thermoplastic elastomer comprising a thermoplastic resin matrix, in which a rubber component is dispersed a surface of the inner liner layer is covered with a protective layer, whereby a weathering resistance, damage resistance and fatigue resistance of the film liner of the inner liner layer at the time of tire storage are improved.

Abstract: Tires for vehicles comprising at least one scented rubber compound and/or at least one scented non-rubber component. Additionally disclosed is where one or more pheromones are used, in addition to or in place of, the scent or fragrance of the pertinent rubber compound(s) or non-rubber component(s), and where scent is used as a wear warning in place of, or in addition to, the novelty scented rubber compound and/or novelty scented non-rubber component. Wear warning mechanisms other than scent are presented. Also disclosed is a plug or insert comprising varied attributes including, or in place of, scent that enables customization, where at least one plug or insert may be installed in the above-mentioned vehicle tires, and in other vehicle tires as well.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel polymerization initiator capable of introducing an active amino proton into a polymerization starting terminal without losing polymerization activity, and a novel modified conjugated diene polymer being excellent in the interaction with a filler and capable of improving a low heat buildup of a rubber composition, and more particularly to a polymerization initiator being a diamine compound in which one amino group is protected with a silylating agent and an active proton of the other amino group is replaced with an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal, and a modified conjugated diene polymer which can be produced by using such a polymerization initiator and is a homopolymer of a conjugated diene compound or a copolymer of a conjugated diene compound and an aromatic vinyl compound and has a residue derived from a diamine compound at its polymerization starting terminal.

Abstract: An assembly adjusts functional characteristics of the assembly. The assembly includes a wheel for a vehicle, a pneumatic tire mounted on the wheel, a first electromagnetic structure attached to the pneumatic tire, and a second electromagnetic structure attached to the wheel. The assembly has a first condition characterized by the first and second electromagnetic structures being not energized and a second condition characterized by the first and second electromagnetic structures being energized. The first condition is characterized by a first footprint of the pneumatic tire with a shape different than a shape of a second footprint of the pneumatic tire in the second condition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-supporting tire for wheels for bicycles, motorcycles and the like comprising an outer surface layer (5), which establishes contact with the ground (8) and an inner supporting layer (6) realized by a flexible polyurethane elastomer with a cellular structure, which at least partially occupies the internal volume of the tire (1) and supports the outer surface layer, also comprising a flexible membrane (9) substantially having the shape of the outer layer (5) and radially compressing the inner supporting layer (6).

Abstract: A low permeability laminate obtained by laminating (A) a thermoplastic resin composition layer containing (i) 50 to 90% by weight of an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer having an ethylene content of 20 to 50 mol % and a saponification degree of 90% or more, (ii) 50 to 10% by weight of an aliphatic polyamide resin having 90 mol % or more of an ?-caprolactam-derived component and 3 to 50 parts by weight of a sulfonamide-based plasticizer, based upon 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the components (i) and (ii) and (B) at least one rubber composition layer, a layer of a thickness ?B of layer (B)/a thickness ?A of layer (A) (?B/?A) being 10 or more, followed by being heat treated within a range of 130° C. to 210° C. capable of molding and processing for a long time and a pneumatic tire using the same.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire and rim assembly is provided in the cavity with a noise damper in which a sponge material extending in a circumferential direction of the tire and having a volume V2 of 0.4 to 20% of entire volume V1 of the cavity, wherein the noise damper comprises a fixing surface fixed to a surface which surrounds the tire cavity, and a free surface directed to the tire cavity, a maximum value of thickness from the fixing surface to the free surface is in a range of 5 to 50 mm, including a thick mountain portion and a thin valley portion; and at least one of outer ends of the noise damper in the circumferential direction of the tire is formed into an inclined surface portion comprising a first inclined surface rising from the fixing surface and a second inclined surface extending from, the first inclined surface to the free surface.

Abstract: An apparatus that is capable of omni-directional movement has been developed. The device includes a belt layer made of a plurality of interlocking flexible rings and a surface layer made of a laterally inelastic and longitudinally flexible material that surrounds the exterior of the belt layer. The device has a bladder located in the interior of the belt layer that provides structural support for the belt layer and surface layer and a hub that is in contact with the surface layer and is connected to an axle. Longitudinal motion occurs as the bladder, the belt layer, the surface layer, and the hub rotate together. Lateral motion occurs as the belt layer and the surface layer rotate around the bladder. Longitudinal motion is induced by a plurality of electromagnetic curvilinear motor drive rings that are located around the hub and are in contact with the surface layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a self-supporting tire. More specifically, the tire has a carcass, a tread, and a belt reinforcing structure located radially outward of the carcass and radially inward of the tread. The carcass is comprised of a reinforcing ply structure extending between a pair of bead portions, a pair of sidewalls, each sidewall located radially outward of one of the pair of bead portions, and a pair of inserts located in each sidewall. A first insert and second insert are located between the innerliner and the ply.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low noise pneumatic tire having a configuration where, while installation work of a strip-shaped sound absorbent is simple, it is possible to simultaneously reduce cavity resonance and high-frequency noise, and thereby to effectively reduce noise when a vehicle is traveling. In the low noise pneumatic tire of the present invention, the strip-shaped sound absorbent is attached to an annular elastic fixing band, and then is installed onto an inner surface of a tread of the tire taking advantage of the elastic force of the annular elastic fixing band. The strip-shaped sound absorbent is formed of at least two kinds of porous materials whose sound absorption characteristics with respect to frequencies are different from one another.