Abstract: A tire consisting of a tread, two exterior sidewalls, and a plurality of interior support walls mounted to a rim and/or a run-flat support ring which provides for at least three pressure zones inside the tire. These differing zones provide multiple run-flat stages reducing the likelihood of complete pressure loss when the tire is punctured. These pressure zones also provide for the contact patch to be adjusted to the current driving conditions. When mounted to a vehicle where camber changes during cornering, these differing air zones provide for an extended contact patch during cornering by exchanging air pressure between the inside shoulder and the outside shoulder of the tire.

Abstract: A tire includes at least one carcass-type reinforcement structure anchored on each side in a bead, each bead being extended radially towards the outside by a sidewall having at least one substantially resilient circumferential cord disposed in the substantially median portion of the sidewalls. The carcass-type reinforcement structure includes a ply of carcass cords extending from the bead to the crown within a sidewall. The carcass cords are arranged in such a way that, in a sidewall zone restricted to the median portion of the sidewall, the carcass cords exhibit different respective axial positions, so as to form around the circumference a succession of substantially regular undulations defining an undulating circumferential profile. Outside of the sidewall zone, the carcass cords of the ply do not form undulations. At reduced pressure the undulations tend to straighten out and rigidify the sidewall in such a way as to be able to bear the load.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial ply tire incorporating a crown reinforcing structure comprises at least one reinforcing hoop located approximately on the equatorial plane and disposed radially inward of the tread and radially outward of the carcass structure. The hoop is surrounded or encased by a layer of elastomeric transition material providing a flexible structural connection between the hoop and the adjacent carcass structure and belt structure. The hoop may have a substantially lenticular shape, or a complex shape with two thickened sections or lobes connected by a thin waist-like section, or a shape and a location that is asymmetric with respect to the equatorial plane of the tire, and may be made by winding a thin strip of material such as UHMWPE in an elastomeric matrix. The hoop may replace the belt structure of the tire.

Abstract: In this safety support comprising a segmented ring (6), whose segments (6a, . . . , 6f) are connected by linking means (9), at least one of the linking means (9) comprising at least one male element (26) and at least one female portion (27) suitable for fitting one inside the other by a relative movement of two segments in the circumferential direction of the ring, the at least one linking means (9) also comprises a lever mechanism (28) comprising at least two link arms (29, 31) of different lengths articulated on one another and each at one respective end of the two segments so that the lever mechanism acts so as to bring the two segments closer to one another when the male element (26) is partially engaged in the female portion (27) and when an articulation (38) common to two link arms of the lever mechanism (28) is moved substantially radially relative to the center (C) of the ring (6) in response to an axial movement of the ring relative to the rim.

Abstract: A run-flat support ring, which is a component mounted upon a rim inside a tire to extend the distance the tire may travel at reduced or zero inflation pressure, is provided having one or more features that improve the process of mounting the support ring onto a rim and better tolerate variations, within manufacturing tolerances, in the respective diameters of the rim and the support ring.

Abstract: A side-reinforcing rubber composition for a run flat tire, which achieves both low heat generating properties and high strength and improves run flat durability, and a run flat tire which uses such a rubber composition, said composition containing 10 to 100 parts by weight of carbon black having nitrogen-adsorbing specific surface area of 30 to 100 m2/g and dibutyl phthalate oil absorption of at least 50 ml/100 g, 5 to 120 parts by weight of a laminated natural mineral having an aspect ratio of 3 to 30 and average particle size of 2 to 30 ?m, and at least 2 parts by weight of sulfur or a sulfur compound, based on 100 parts by weight of a diene rubber component.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a runflat device for a tubeless mounted assembly for a motor vehicle and an assembly incorporating said device. A device of the invention comprises an asymmetrical one-piece type rim comprising a drop center with two lateral walls and a tire cover mounted on the rim, the device being designed to be mounted in the drop center and comprising: a support ring divided into independent ring sectors having two lateral faces; and an annular clamping belt adapted to be mounted on and to bear on a radially inner bearing zone of one lateral face of the ring to wedge each ring sector in the drop center; and in which the device is such that the belt comprises means for exerting a lateral clamping force and a radial clamping force on the bearing zone so that said belt clamps said ring sectors against one of said lateral walls and against said drop center, bearing on the other lateral wall.

Abstract: There is provided a pneumatic tire having an aspect ratio of not less than 60 and considerably improving run flat durability as compared with the conventional type of the run flat tire, wherein at least one cushion rubber layer having a loss tangent lower than a loss tangent (tan ?) of a coating rubber for cords of a carcass ply is arranged between an end portion of a belt and a reinforcing rubber layer in a shoulder region and between mutually adjacent tire constitutional members. And also, when the carcass is comprised of plural plies, at least one ply is separated off in a zone beneath the belt, whereby the ride comfort against vibrations can be more improved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rubber composition for a tire, which achieves both low heat generating properties and high strength and improves durability of a run flat tire, and a run flat tire obtained using the rubber composition. Specifically, the present invention provides a rubber composition for a tire comprising 10 to 100 parts by weight of carbon black having nitrogen-adsorbing specific surface area of 30 to 100 m2/g and dibutyl phthalate oil absorption of at least 50 ml/100 g, and at least 2 parts by weight of a vulcanizing agent, based on 100 parts by weight of a rubber component containing 10 to 50% by weight of star-shaped solution polymerization butadiene rubber, and a run flat tire using the composition as the reinforcing rubber layer of the sidewall.

Abstract: A polyurethane-polymer composition suitable for preparing a lightweight tire support includes at least one isocyanate, at least one polyol, and at least one chain extender. A polyurethane-polymer composition can also include an additive such as a catalyst, a filler, a surfactant, a colorant, and a mold-release agent. A lightweight tire support can be prepared from a polyurethane-polymer composition by, for example, reaction injection molding. Such a tire support desirably has temperature stability and load-bearing capability.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a runflat capability provided with a crescent shaped reinforcing rubber layer at the side part thereof, wherein an inner layer is composed of a thermoplastic elastomer composition containing (A) at least one thermoplastic resin having an air permeation coefficient of 100×10?12 cc·cm/cm2·sec·cmHg or less and a Young's modulus of more than 500 MPa and (B) at least one elastomer ingredient having an air permeation coefficient of 50×10?12 cc·cm/cm2·sec·cmHg or more and a Young's modulus of 500 MPa or less in amounts of at least 30% by weight based upon the total polymer ingredients and having an air permeation coefficient of 100×10?12 cc·cm/cm2·sec·cmHg or less.

Abstract: The innermost carcass ply of a runflat tire (50) having a radial carcass ply is a discontinuous ply (52) that includes two portions (52a, 52b) each disposed within one of the sidewalls (43, 45). In one embodiment, each of the two discontinuous ply portions is composed of two layers (64, 66) of cross-biased cords (65, 67) which are disposed between the two wedge inserts (58b, 59b) in each sidewall. In another embodiment, the two portions (72a, 72b) of the discontinuous ply (72) are composed of wavy metal cords. In a third embodiment, a runflat tire incorporating either embodiment of the discontinuous ply (92a, 92b) is built using the locked, tie-in construction for the carcass ply.

Abstract: A run-flat support ring, which is a component mounted upon a rim inside a tire to extend the distance the tire may travel at reduced or zero inflation pressure, is provided having an internal fin design that improves the rolling resistance of the support ring without sacrificing the overall load bearing and handling characteristics. Certain embodiments may also include one or more features that improve the process of mounting the support ring onto a rim and better tolerate variations, within manufacturing tolerances, in the respective diameters of the rim and the support ring.

Abstract: A run-flat support ring, which is a component mounted upon a rim inside a tire to extend the distance the tire may travel at reduced or zero inflation pressure, is provided having an integrated shelf design that enhances the handling characteristics of the support ring under run-flat conditions and may also lower the overall mass of the support ring in certain applications. In addition, the support ring has one or more features that improve the process of mounting the support ring onto a rim and better tolerate variations, within manufacturing tolerances, in the respective diameters of the rim and the support ring.

Abstract: A self-supporting pneumatic tire is molded in such a manner that ride comfort is improved, durability is increased, and a greater run-flat capability can be achieved. The self-supporting run-flat tire is molded such that the molded bead base width is equal or less than the rim width of the intended rim upon which the tire is to be mounted. By molding the tire with a bead width less than or equal to the rim width, the sidewall inserts are not subjected to additional stress during and after inflation of the tire and the strain energy is more evenly distributed through the sidewall pillar construction.

Abstract: A stabilizing system for a pneumatic tire and wheel assembly includes complimentary projections and grooves on internal regions of the tire which contact each during an under-inflated condition. The projections and grooves mate with each other during the under-inflated condition to provide mechanical and positive interconnection between the regions in a direction of travel thereby inhibiting lateral movement between the tire and the rim.

Abstract: An assembly (10) for location around a wheel rim (32) includes an annular support band (12) being formed of a relatively inextensible material. The support band (12) is split at at least one circumferential location to define a pair of opposed ends (16, 18). Adjustment bolt (24) is operably connected to the opposed ends (16, 18) for enabling adjustment of the diameter of the support band (12), and feet (14) depend from the radially inner face (34) of the support band (12). The feet (14) are formed from a relatively non-compressible material and, in use, are seated upon the wheel rim (32) to maintain the support band (12) in a spaced apart relationship with the wheel rim (32). The assembly may be adapted for use as a runflat assembly or as a beadlock assembly.

Abstract: A lubricant for a run-flat tire system includes a water soluble, or water-miscible carrier, a thickener, and a surfactant. The thickener hereof retains its rheological properties and is not subject to permanent thinning shear. The base fluid is, preferably, a water-soluble polyhydroxyl or other polyhydric compound and the thickener is preferably a clay. When admixed with a surfactant and, optionally, a lubricity agent, the lubricant exhibits long term stability and (is resistant to heat buildup.) prevents the buildup of heat in the tire assembly when the tire is in the run flat condition.

Abstract: A self-supporting tyre (1) has reinforcing structures at the beads (4) defining rest surfaces (4a) for a corresponding rim (1a) which have a profile converging towards the tyre rotation axis away from the equatorial plane (X-X) of the tyre itself. The carcass plies (3a, 3b) are each made by sequential deposition of strip-like sections circumferentially distributed on a toroidal support (11). Elastic-support inserts (16, 21) are interposed between the side portions (13a, 14a) of axially internal sections (13), axial intermediate sections (15). In this manner around at least one of said support inserts opening degree of which can be modulated depending on requirements, by modifying the land/empty space ratio determined by the distance existing between the side portions (13a, 14a, 15a) of the strip-like sections (13, 14, 15) covering each of the axially opposite sides of the support insert itself.

Abstract: The present invention is a pneumatic tire and wheel assembly capable of being run in a deflated condition comprising a wheel having a wheel rim, a pneumatic tire mounted on the rim, where the pneumatic tire has an interior cavity, an annular insert mounted on the wheel rim and inside the interior cavity of the tire, and a lubricant comprising a substance selected from the group consisting of stearic acid, sodium oleate, sodium palmitate, polyethylene wax, polypropylene wax, and mixtures thereof, and a substance selected from the group consisting of paraffin oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, rapseed oil, tricresyl phosphate and naphthalenic oil and mixtures thereof. When the assembly is used with the tire in deflated condition, the normally solid lubricant liquefies, and thereby facilitates relative movement of the interior surface of the tire contacting the annular insert and the annular insert. In one embodiment of the invention, the insert comprises rubber or polyurethane.

Abstract: A tire, and an apparatus and method for forming a tire. The tire may either be a tubed or tubeless tire, and is filled with a mixture of virgin rubber and small rubber pieces. Preferably, a machine grinds the core of used flatproofed tires, or pieces thereof, into a finely communicated pulverulent. The pulverent is mixed with liquid virgin flatproofing material, such as a polyurethane. An injector introduces this mixture, into the core of a tire, typically through a valve. The core of the tire is preferably substantially filled with this mixture. The injector may take the form of one or more elongated screws and the mixing may occur as the ground rubber is being conveyed by the screw.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unitary run flat tire (RFT) reinforcement using filament material that is formed into a relatively rigid shape. The reinforcement is insertable into a mold for an RFT support and can maintain the needed structural rigidity for such insertion. Further, the invention provides an RFT support that is molded and includes the RFT reinforcement. The invention also provides a wheel assembly including a tire, a rim, and an RFT support between the rim and the tire, where the support includes the RFT reinforcement. The RFT support can have a colored indicator formed or subsequently applied thereto to indicate one or more attributes of the support.

Abstract: An elastomeric tire with arch shaped shoulders for mounting onto a rim that is manufactured by spin casting or molding methods that includes an annular cavity that is centered under the tire tread having equal thicknesses of side walls and an area under the tread whose slope outwardly into shoulder that the side walls upper ends intersect that have greater thickness and which side walls lower ends include beads that are each spaced a selected distance from the surfaces of the side wall ends that slope upwardly from inner to outer surfaces and with the tire preferably including plies that extend across the tire having ends that wrap around the beads and belts fitted around the tire circumference, above the plies, and including porous spacers fitted between the layers of plies and belts to pass a flow of the elastomeric material therethrough during tire formation.

Abstract: A tire for a vehicle wheel, comprising two sidewalls joined by a crown zone provided on its radially outer portion with a circumferential tread, a bead arranged at the radially inner portion of each of the sidewalls, each bead comprising a seat and an outer flange which are intended to come into contact with the rim. The bead seat has a generatrix, the axially inner end of which lies on a circle of diameter greater than the diameter of the circle on which the axially outer end is located. A carcass-type reinforcement structure extends substantially radially from each of the beads, along the sidewalls, towards the crown zone, such bead being reinforced by a substantially radial arrangement of circumferential cords arranged in stacks. A portion of the carcass-type reinforcement structure is arranged in the immediate vicinity of at least one portion of a stack, and the space between these portions is generally occupied by a rubber mix of high elasticity modulus.

Abstract: A method of lubricating a tire cavity and more particularly the interface zone between a safety support and the inside the cavity of a tire enables lubricant to be dispensed in the interface zone only when the mounted assembly comprising the support, the tire and a wheel is in a runflat condition and where the non-instantaneous contact established between the inside surface of the tread and the seal allows the lubrication port to be unblocked. The invention also concerns a lubrication device and a seal enabling the method to be implemented, and a support and a reservoir enabling implementation of the method.

Abstract: A tire for a vehicle wheel, capable of withstanding the load at low pressure or zero pressure, includes a carcass, a crown, two axially opposed sidewalls, two bead cores, two compression-resistant annular reinforcing elements, and, optionally, a belt structure. The annular reinforcing elements are made of material having high rigidity and very low elastic hysteresis. Each annular reinforcing element is in or adjacent to a zone joining the crown to a sidewall and in a first plane parallel to an equatorial plane of the tire. Each bead core is in a second plane parallel to the equatorial plane. The distance between the first planes is greater than or equal to the distance between the second planes. A camber of an arc between a bead core and an intersection of a carcass ply line with a cylindrical surface passing through the reinforcing elements does not exceed 15% of the arc length.

Abstract: A vehicle tire is constructed to include a main tire member, the main tire member having two inward lips, and two annular supplementary tire members respectively fastened to the inward lips of the main tire member and adapted to support the main tire member in shape when damaged accidentally.

Abstract: A runflat radial ply tire (70) having a thread (72), a carcass (86) and a belt structure (74) radially located between the thread and the carcass has two sidewalls (80, 82) each reinforced with a circumferentially disposed wedge insert (50a?, 50b?) having a saw-tooth cross-sectional shape. The saw-tooth cross-sectional shape of each wedge insert (50a?, 50b?) is defined by a plurality of circumferentially disposed segments (52a–52e), each of which is separated from adjacent segments by circumferentially disposed grooves (54a–54d). During heavy loading of the tire, or during runflat operation, the radially loaded sidewall portions deform until the grooves (54a?–54d?) undergo closure.

Abstract: A tire, and an apparatus and method for forming a tire. The tire may either be a tubed or tubeless tire, and is filled with a mixture of virgin rubber and small rubber pieces. Preferably, a machine grinds the core of used flatproofed tires, or pieces thereof, into a finely communicated pulverulent. The pulverent is mixed with liquid virgin flatproofing material, such as a polyurethane. An injector introduces this mixture, into the core of a tire, typically through a valve. The core of the tire is preferably substantially filled with this mixture. The injector may take the form of one or more elongated screws and the mixing may occur as the ground rubber is being conveyed by the screw.

Abstract: Mounting rim designed to form a rolling assembly with a tire and an inflatable and inflated tread bearing support, and comprising on each side of the equatorial plane a rim seat inclined outwards and extended axially outwards by a projection or hump, characterized in that it comprises, axially towards the inside between each rim seat for the tire beads and the equatorial plane XX?, at least one truncated conical seat inclined inwards and designed to receive a bead of a tire tread bearing support. The rolling assembly is used either with a bearing support in the form of a toric membrane inflated hard which retains its shape and pressure if the tire is punctured, or with a bearing support in the form of a membrane that can expand in the event of a tire puncture and entirely fill the internal cavity of the tire.

Abstract: A safety insert comprising a substantially circumferential base intended to come into contact with an adapted wheel rim, a substantially circumferential body intended to support a tread of a tire mounted on the rim during rolling with a pressure capable of causing at least partial flattening of a portion of the tire, and a housing intended to receive a wheel unit, characterized in that the safety insert comprises an aerial which is rigidly connected to the insert and is disposed inside its volume.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial ply tire (86, 104) having a tread (106), a carcass (96, 108) with two sidewalls (88a, 88b, 116a, 116b), a radial ply structure (98, 110), and a belt structure (103, 117) located radially between the tread and the radial ply structure. Each sidewall is reinforced with at least one wedge insert (89a, 89b, 118a, 118b, 120a, 120b) which comprises alternating regions (90a, 90b, 122a, 122b) of flexible material and layers (91a, 91b, 124a, 124b) of stiffer material. The layer (91a, 91b, 124a, 124b) of stiffer material constrain the lateral expansion of the wedge insert (89a, 89b, 118a, 118b, 120a, 120b) during runflat operation to provide good riding comfort during normal inflation operation and good sidewall reinforcement during runflat operation.

Abstract: A runflat tire is provided that may be used in applications currently requiring a large aspect ratio tire. The runflat tire of the invention may be substituted in these applications while providing desirable ride characteristics. The runflat tire includes a sidewall with a radial portion and a cantilever portion. The cantilever portion may be fabricated by extending a sidewall insert in the axially inward direction or by extending the bead filler in the axially outward direction. In other embodiments, the cantilever sidewall portion is formed by a combination of the sidewall insert and the bead filler. The resulting runflat tire has desired durability in the uninflated operating condition while having desired ride characteristics in the inflated condition. The sidewall structure allows the tire to be used in applications presently requiring a tire with a high aspect ratio.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rubber composition which when vulcanized may be used to form a safety support intended to be mounted on a wheel rim within a tire. The invention also is directed to such a support, capable of supporting a tread of the tire in the event of a drop in inflation pressure, and to a mounted assembly comprising this support. A rubber composition according to the invention comprises (phr: parts by weight per 100 parts of diene elastomer(s)): (a) a diene elastomer, (b) particles of an &agr;-olefinic thermoplastic polymer having a melting point greater than or equal to 150° C., in an amount of 5 to 30 parts by weight per 100 parts diene elastomer (phr), wherein the mean size by weight of the particles is between 50 &mgr;m and 500 &mgr;m, (c) greater than 60 phr of reinforcing filler, and (d) from 3 to 8 phr of sulphur.

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 vehicle tire fabrication method in which a raw tire tube is adhered with two annular hook members and two annular rubber packing members one the inside and an airtight sealing layer and a combination outer tire wall layer on the outside, and then the raw tire thus obtained is put in a vulcanizing mold and vulcanized into a finished vehicle tire, and then the annular rubber packing members are removed from the finished vehicle tire.

Abstract: The invention comprises an improved non-pneumatic tire, and particularly a shear layer for a non-pneumatic tire wherein the shear layer comprises an elastomeric composition that includes a metal salt of a carboxylic acid. The shear layer preferably comprises a dienic elastomeric composition that includes a metal salt of a carboxylic acid. In one embodiment of the invention, the metal salt of the carboxylic acid is zinc diacrylate or zinc dimethacrylate. In one embodiment of the invention, the metal salt of the carboxylic acid is zinc diacrylate or zinc dimethacrylate, and a peroxide curative agent is employed.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having an aspect ratio of not less than 60 comprises a radial carcass of one or more plies, a belt, a bead filler rubber and a rubber reinforcing layer of substantially a crescent shape in section extending from a position near to a bead core to a position near to a tread end along an inner surface of an innermost carcass ply, wherein at least one rubber protection sheet being relatively soft is disposed between the bead filler rubber and the carcass ply surrounding it and/or between the rubber reinforcing layer and the carcass ply nearest thereto.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial ply tire (50) has a tread (52), a carcass (61) with two sidewalls (77, 78), a single radial ply (70) reinforced with inextensible metal cords, two annular beads (36a′, 36b′), and a belt structure (58) located radially between the tread and the radial ply structure (56). Each sidewall (77, 78) is reinforced with wedge inserts (59a, 59b) containing stiffener layers (72a, 72b, 73a, 73b) that carry the compressive loading to which the tire is subjected during runflat operation. The incorporation of wedge-insert stiffeners (72a, 72b, 73a, 73b) provides a light-weight runflat tire having a simplified construction.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel rim includes two retaining portions and a locating portion. The two retaining portions are formed of a groove for retaining permanently one of two retaining edges of a tubeless tire. The locating portion is formed of two furrows, and a ridge situated between the two furrows which are located in proximity of the grooves of the retaining portions. The furrows are used as temporary dwelling places for locating the two retaining edges of the tubeless tire in the course of the mounting of the tubeless tire on the bicycle wheel rim.

Abstract: A tire capable of stably running even if the tire is subjected to external injury without sacrificing rolling resistance and ride comfort in the usual running before being subjected to external injury, is provided. A composite body consists of a continuous phase of a resin and closed cells arranged in an inside of a hollow doughnut-shaped tire and the composite body has a cell content of 80.00 vol % to 98.75 vol %, and an internal pressure at 25° C. in the closed cell included therein is not less than 150 kPa as an absolute pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mounting structure of a tire monitoring device, in which communication failures due to a conductive support core member can be prevented. The tire monitoring device which transmits information of the inside of a tire by using radio waves is mounted on a conductive support core member which is placed within the cavity of a pneumatic tire and is formed in a hollow structure over a peripheral portion of a rim. At this time, the tire monitoring device is disposed on a sidewall of the support core member or in a channel on a load support surface of the support core member, and a transmission antenna of the tire monitoring device is disposed outside of the support core member.

Abstract: A low or no pressure use indicator for use on a tire is provided. The tire has a crown and a pair of sidewalls that extend from the crown. Each of the sidewalls has a bead located on an end of the sidewall that is opposite from the crown. The low or no pressure use indicator is located on a wall of one of the sidewalls. The low or no pressure use indicator is configured for indicating by a permanent physical change whether the tire has been subjected to an operation condition of an undesirable amount of low tire pressure.

Abstract: The innermost carcass ply of a runflat tire (50) having a radial carcass ply is a discontinuous ply (52) that includes two portions (52a, 52b) each disposed within one of the sidewalls (43, 45). In one embodiment, each of the two discontinuous ply portions is composed of two layers (64, 66) of cross-biased cords (65, 67) which are disposed be-tween the two wedge inserts (58b, 59b) in each side-wall. In another embodiment, the two portions (72a, 72b) of the discontinuous ply (72) are composed of wavy metal cords. In athird embodiment, a runflat tire incorporating either embodiment of the discontinuous ply (92a, 92b) is built using the locked, tie-in construction for the carcass ply.

Abstract: Tire components comprising a microencapsulated reactant and a reaction facilitator are provided. These components have the ability to resist crack propagation and to self-repair cracks that form within the tire component matrix.

Abstract: An emergency support member is provided for a vehicle wheel and tire assembly having a pneumatic tire that is mounted on a wheel rim. The support member is embodied as a dished annular member within the tire, and has an emergency support surface for supporting the tire in the event of damage thereto. The annular member extends axially from the center of the rim and symmetrically over a portion of the width thereof. The annular member has a curved contour, with the two axially outer wall regions being supported upon the wheel rim via annular support elements. The dished annular member is embodied as a split ring that is not closed over its periphery, and is provided with a closure device for closing off the slit. The closure device includes two flanges that extend essentially radially inwardly relative to the rim. The closure device also includes at least one locking clamp for connecting the flanges.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire (10) incorporates a plurality of parallel-aligned, tread-stiffening support members (23) typically disposed laterally between the tread (12) and the ply structure (16). The support members (23) inhibit lateral and circumferential tread lift during runflat operation. Support members (23) can each be a monolithic rib (22) made of a fiber reinforced plastic material. An alternative layered rib (24) has two outer layers (40, 44) of a fiber reinforced plastic material while the central layer (42) is an elastomer.

Abstract: The tire (70) of the invention incorporates a carcass ply cord material (93) with variable modulus of elasticity to provide an active sidewall structure (82a, 82b). The variable modulus cord material is incorporated in the axially outwardmost ply (90) of a carcass (80) having two plies (88, 90) separated by elastomeric inserts (89a, 89b) in the sidewalls (82a, 82b). The outer ply cord material (93) provides an increased modulus of elasticity with an increase in elongation. The inner ply cords (91) have a modulus that substantially exceeds that of the outer ply cords (93) under normal loads in the inflated mode. Thus, the inner ply (88) dominates the structural response of the sidewalls (82a, 82b) at normal loads in the inflated mode. Under severe sidewall deflection, such as when the tire is uninflated, the outer ply cord (93) is elongated, increasing its modulus of elasticity and thus, shifting the load from the axially inwardmost ply (88) to the axially outwardmost ply (90).

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a runflat capability provided with a crescent shaped reinforcing rubber layer at the side part thereof, wherein an inner layer is composed of a thermoplastic elastomer composition containing (A) at least one thermoplastic resin having an air permeation coefficient of 100×10−12 cc·cm/cm2·sec·cmHg or less and a Young's modulus of more than 500 MPa and (B) at least one elastomer ingredient having an air permeation coefficient of 50×10−12 cc·cm/cm2·sec·cmHg or more and a Young's modulus of 500 MPa or less in amounts of at least 30% by weight based upon the total polymer ingredients and having an air permeation coefficient of 100×10−12 cc·cm/cm2·sec·cmHg or less.

Abstract: The present inventions are a run-flat tire and a tire/wheel assembly in which the workability of the tire-to-rim fit has been improved while including a core-type run-flat support member. The tire/wheel assembly is formed by fitting a pneumatic tire into a wheel rim. In the tire/wheel assembly, the run-flat support member constituted of a circular shell and elastic rings is inserted into a cavity of the pneumatic tire, in which the circular shell has a support surface thereof extended toward the periphery of the tire and leg portions along each end of the support surface, and the elastic rings are attached to the leg portions of the circular shell. Meanwhile, stages extending in a tire circumferential direction are formed on the inner walls of a pair of right and left beads in the pneumatic tire, and the elastic rings are locked into the stages.