Abstract: A tire for mounting on rim with hump in which each bead:a) contains a main wire, around which the carcass fabric is wound, and a secondary wire placed outside the carcass fabric;b) the inner diameter of the main wire after mounting on the rim is greater than the diameter of the top of the hump, and its maximum elastic elongation is at most equal to 1.5%;c) before mounting on the rim, the outer diameter of the secondary wire is less than the inner diameter of the main wire; after mounting on the rim, the inner diameter of the secondary wire is less than the diameter of the top of the hump; the inner diameter of the secondary wire after mounting on the rim is 1.5 to 3% greater than the inner diameter of the secondary wire before mounting on the rim and the maximum elastic elongation of the secondary wire is at least 3%.

Abstract: A run flat pneumatic tire is reinforced by a thin annular composite band imbedded in the crown portion of the tire in combination with a plurality of radial cords or plies in its sidewalls which have freedom in shear with respect to one another. The band is formed by a plurality of layers of material strips wherein each strip is wound in a helical pattern, with adjacent strips being wound at reverse angles to each other. Each layer is formed under sufficient pressure and at an elevated temperature whereby the band is prestressed in tension which decreases the maximum stress at the footprint area of the tire. The invention furthermore incorporates the method of imparting the prestress on the annular band during its manufacture.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire 10 has a pair of sidewall portions 20, a pair of bead regions 22 and a carcass 30 reinforced with at least two sidewall fillers or inserts 42, 46 for each sidewall portion and at least one cord reinforced ply 38 and two bead cores 26 one in each bead region and a reinforcing belt structure 36. This tire is preferably a runflat radial ply tire. The at least one cord reinforced ply 38 has a pair of turnup ends 32 wrapped around the pair of bead cores 26. The turnup ends 32 each extend radially outwardly to a terminal end 33 located under the reinforcing belt structure 36. The first insert 42 for each sidewall portion lies radially inward and adjacent the at least one ply 38. The second insert 46 for each sidewall portion is radially between the at least one ply 38 and its turnup end 32.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel has a wheel rim with a radially inwardly positioned mounting surface and rim flanges connected axially to opposite ends of the the mounting surface. A pneumatic vehicle tire with a carcass including at least one carcass ply is provided. The pneumatic vehicle tire has a tread and two sidewalls. The pneumatic vehicle tire is mounted on the inner mounting surface of the wheel rim so as to substantially enclose the mounting surface of the wheel rim. The rim flanges have a radially outwardly projecting end portion serving as axial contact surfaces for a respective one of the sidewalls.

Abstract: A vehicle drive wheel including a pneumatic tire mounted on a rim is provided with a track driven by the tire. The track comprises tire-supporting elements. At least those portions of the outer surfaces of the tire which come into contact with the inner portions of the tire-supporting elements comprise an outer rubber layer which has a high wear resistance and low-friction properties and 50-100% of the rubber is butadiene rubber. Also, an admixture of natural rubber and/or styrene-butadiene rubber can be added to the outer rubber layer in an amount of from 0 parts by weight of the admixture per part by weight of butadiene rubber to less than one part by weight of the admixture per part by weight of butadiene rubber.

Abstract: A tubeless inner tire or shield 14 provides for easy assembly of the shield 14 into the outer tire 12 and over the rim 16 as compared to previous designs. The beads 43 in the shield comprise stranded filaments and the bead portion 40,42 of the shield 14 has increased flexibility. The increased flexibility of the bead portion 40,42 eliminates kinking of the shield 14 upon assembly which could prevent the shield 14 from properly sealing against the rim 16. Air passageways 44 between the inner shield 14 and outer tire 12 are provided on the shield 14 near the bead portion 42. The air passageway 44 includes a protrusion 50 extending from the surface of the shield and has an inclined radially inner surface 58. The inner surface 58 is inclined at an angle of 25.degree. to 60.degree. relative to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the inner shield 14.

Abstract: A run-flat tire and rim assembly for All Terrain Vehicles comprising: (A) a run-flat tire having beads with a radially inwardly protruding toe and a bead apex; (B) a rim having bead seats with a circumferentially extending groove with which the toe is engaged; (C) the height of the radially outer end of the bead apex being in a range of 15% to 30% of the tire section height; (D) the thickness of the rubber layer on the outside of a carcass in the tire sidewall regions being at least 10 times the diameter of the carcass ply cord; (E) the above-mentioned thickness decreasing gradually from a maximum tire section width point to the tire shoulder so as to form a weak portion in bending in each shoulder; (F) a circumferentially extending buttress provided in each shoulder; and (G) a hump with a diameter larger than the rim diameter formed axially inward of and adjacent to each bead seat of the rim.

Abstract: A chemical sealant device is provided for repairing a flat tire of a wheel, which consists of a rim for supporting and fitting a tire thereabout. A first mechanism is on the interior of the rim for carrying a portion of the load of the wheel after the tire is punctured and becomes partially flat. A second mechanism is within the first carrying mechanism for releasing at predetermined intervals of rotation of the wheel, tire chemical sealant and compressed air into the tire so that eventually the tire will be repaired and tire pressure will be at least partially restored, whereby road damage to the tire will be prevented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a radial tire and a radial tire-rim assembly. The radial tire (1) has a pair of beads (2), each bead having a bead core (3) and a bead apex (5), a carcass (4), with both edges thereof folded back around said bead core and fastened to said bead core, a tread (6), a belt layer (7), and an aspect ratio smaller than 60%. The tread is wider (in the axial direction) than the maximum width of said carcass and the edges of said tread are positioned within a range of 50-100% of the height of the cross-section of the carcass. This structure provides the tire side with rigidity and permits the tread to deform so that is supports the weight of the car and runs safely even when the tire pressure is decreased.

Abstract: A tire and an assembly of a rim and a tire are disclosed. The rim has a pair of rim bases, a hump formed axially inside each rim base, and an annular groove formed axially inside each hump.The tire comprises a pair of beads having a bead base seated on the rim base, a pair of bead cores disposed one in each bead, at least one of the beads having a toe and a hump groove disposed between the toe and the bead base, wherein, the tip of the toe is located radially outside a bead base line, and under such condition; that the tire is inflated to a normal internal pressure, the hump groove and the tip of the toe are spaced apart from the hump and the annular groove, and the distance L in the radial direction between the radially outermost point RT of the hump and the radially outermost point PT of the hump groove is not less than 0.5 mm and not more than 2.0 mm.

Abstract: A mold member for use in manufacturing a closed-torus tire comprises an annular inflatable resilient member having a substantially cylindrical inner wall and a corrugated outer wall opposed thereto. At the beginning of a tire manufacturing process, the mold member is expanded from its corrugated shape into a perfect toroid. A layer of rubber is first wrapped around the toroid and then a filament or cord is wound about the rubber. Upon the completion of the winding operation, additional rubber material is molded in a toroidal shape about the filament or cord so that the cord is fully embedded in rubber. Simultaneously with the molding operation, the additional rubber material is cast to a central wheel member. After vulcanization, the mold member is deflated from the expanded toroidal shape to the original corrugated form and the mold member is retained in the tire as a run-flat component, the corrugations forming a bumpy riding surface to inform a driver that a flat has occurred.

Abstract: A tire and an assembly of a rim and a tire are disclosed. The rim has a pair of rim bases, a hump formed axially inside each rim base, and an annular groove formed axially inside each hump.The tire comprises a pair of beads having a bead base seated on the rim base, a pair of bead cores disposed one in each bead, at least one of the beads having a toe and a hump groove disposed between the toe and the bead base, wherein the tip of the toe is located radially outside a bead base line, and under such condition that the tire is inflated to a normal internal pressure, the hump groove and the tip of the toe are spaced apart from the hump and the annular groove, and the distance L in the radial direction between the radially outermost point RT of the hump and the radially outermost point PT of the hump groove is not less than 0.5 mm and not more than 2.0 mm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a radial tire and a radial tire-rim assembly. The radial tire (1) has a pair of beads (2), each bead having a bead core (3) and a bead apex (5), a carcass (4), with both edges thereof folded back around said bead core and fastened to said bead core, a tread (6), a belt layer (7), and an aspect ratio smaller than 60%. The tread is wider (in the axial direction) than the maximum width of said carcass and the edges of said tread are positioned within a range of 50-100% of the height of the cross-section of the carcass. This structure provides the tire side with rigidity and permits the tread to deform so that it supports the weight of the car and runs safely even when the tire pressure is decreased. The radial tire-rim assembly is characterized in that the bead of the radial tire has a toe (9) extending inward (in the radial direction of the tire) and is further provided with a hump groove (10).

Abstract: A safety tire having a carcass turned up in both edges around bead cores, a tread thereon, a belt, a pair of bead apexes, wherein, in a state that the tire is assembled on a specified rim and inflated to a specified pressure, the aspect ratio of the tire is not more than 80%, the axial width WT of the tread is greater than the maximum width WC of the carcass, each edge of the tread is positioned at a height within a range of 50 to 100% of the sectional height HC of the carcass, the carcass provided on each side of the tire equator with a convex arc part with a radius R1 and a concave arc part with a radius R2 smoothly connected each other at an inflection point therebetween, the convex arc part has the center positioned inward of the tire and is extended radially inwardly from the point of the maximum width WC of the carcass to the inflection point, the concave arc part has the center positioned outward of the tire and is extended radially inwardly from the inflection point to the vicinity of a contact point

Abstract: A vehicle wheel that includes a valve which has a check device, with the wheel being intended for use with a pneumatic tire that even when operating as a tire which is flat or has otherwise lost pressure permits great distances to be covered at a reduced speed. To prevent misuse of the tire, in other words reinflation of a tire subsequent to flat-tire operation and before the tire has been checked for leaks, the valve is provided with a mechanism that prevents such misuse. This mechanism is pneumatically disposed in series with the check device and is installed in an open position and in such a way that it changes over into a closed position upon commencement of a flat-tire operation, with a special tool and/or special replacement parts being required in order to reestablish the open position of the mechanism.

Abstract: A multi-chambered tire assembly (10) is provided by a pneumatic outer tire (12) mounted upon a rim (16) of a wheel and having an inner tire (14) or shield which is also mounted upon the rim (16). The inner tire (14) has a crown portion (36) spaced from the outer tire and a pair of sidewalls (38) each extending from the crown to a bead portion (40, 42). At least one of the bead portions (42) of the inner tire (14) forms an air passage way (44) between it and the adjacent bead (22) of the outer tire and is provided with radially extending grooves (52) connecting the air passage way with the outer air chamber (32).

Abstract: A vehicle for overcoming obstacles includes a wheel having an elastomeric flexible annulus upon which the wheel normally rides. Parallel spaced sprockets receive the annulus and include individual cogs which extend less radially outwardly than the annulus. When an obstacle is encountered, the flexible annulus yields, thereby enabling a protruding cog to engage the obstacle and pivot around it thereby lifting the vehicle over the obstacle.

Abstract: A tire unit consisting of a coreless air tire (4), containing a reinforcing ply (7), and a rim (3), the edges (8, 10) of which are permanently connected to one another solely by bonding. The part of the tire edge (8) containing the reinforcing ply is bonded to the latter only on one side of the rim. The rim edge (10) has an undercut (28) in which the tire edge (8) contains an annular reinforcement (29). A main bonding zone (23, 37) is provided in the undercut or adjacent to it on the outside. In the main bonding zone, the tangential angle (25) to the axis (1) is at no point (24) smaller than at each point which lies closer to the tire side wall (6) or smaller than the angle (20) at which the tire side wall (6) runs clear of the rim under all normal loading conditions. Moreover, a process is proposed for producing such a tire unit.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel for pneumatic tires. The rim of the wheel has radially inwardly extending rim flanges, and adjacent thereto, along the inner periphery, has seats inclined in cross section for a belted tire, and adjacent thereto, has recessed portions. The recessed portions adjoining the seats extend at least partially inclined in cross section. The angle of inclination of the recessed portions with respect to the axial direction is equal to or greater than the corresponding inclination angle of the seats. The recessed portions, in the axial direction, have a dimension which is equal to or greater than that of the axial segments of the seats.

Abstract: A runflat safety insert and safety tire and wheel assembly which include a take-apart multi-piece wheel rim and safety inserts extending circumferentially around the rim to clamp the tire bead toes against the rim bead flanges. The insert is a sheet metal annulus of generally channel shape in radial cross section open at its radially inner periphery between its side edges. The annular has a central bight portion extending generally axially and bounded by radially in-turned leg portions. The leg portions diverge relative to one another radially inwardly towards the tire bead toes and terminates in toe portions bearing generally flat against the interior surfaces of the tire toe beads. An elastomeric tread is bonded to the outer surface of the central bight portion. The annulus is made up of a pair of semi-circular members having interengageable mating ends releasably interconnected to form a complete annulus.

Abstract: In order to maintain a pneumatic tire in an operational state after the tire has been deflated, a combined structure is embedded within the crown portion of the tire to resist compressive forces encountered when the tire is deflated. The combined structure includes a prestressed coil located adjacent coaxially spaced band segments. Radial plies are present in the tire to transmit compressive forces from a ground contact area to the combined structure which resists the compressive forces successfully.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire and wheel rim assembly of the type in which the wheel rim has retention means engageable with at least one tire bead to retain the tire bead at its bead seat under the action of road generated forces tending to dislodge tire bead wherein bead retention is improved by providing said at least tire bead with a bead reinforcement which has substantial resistance to deformation in an axial direction yet retains sufficient flexibility to a radial direction normal thereto to allow tire fitting to a one-piece rim. Suitable bead reinforcements are those having an axial rigidity factor `K` greater than 8.5 N.m.sup.2.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel adapted to provide support for deflated or punctured tire. The wheel rim comprises a pair of parallel, circumferentially extending, axially spaced-apart, radially outwardly facing bead seats. Adjacent to and axially outwards of each bead seat is a radially outwardly projecting tire retaining flange. A tire fitting well is provided between the bead seat and a substantially rigid, deflated tire support surface radially outwardly of the bead seats mounted upon a support member projecting radially from the well wherein the support member is positioned at one side of the well, considered in axial cross section of the wheel rim, around part of the circumference of the wheel rim and at the other side of the well around the remainder of the circumference so that tire fitting is facilitated. The support member is preferably at one side of the well around half the circumference and may also be integral and the remainder of the wheel rim.

Abstract: A bead lock for locking the bead portion of a pneumatic tire against the outer periphery of a vehicle wheel is adapted to seat in the vehicle wheel. In a first embodiment, the bead lock includes first and second annular members. The first annular member includes an endless band of aeromatic polyamide fibers. The second annular member has radially inner and outer portions and interconnecting resilient side portions. The first annular member is received and retained within a circumferentially extending slot formed in one of the outer portions to urge the side portions against the bead portions of the tire. The second embodiment includes a pair of locking rings, a pair of resilent sealing rings and a clamping mechanism for selectively clamping the locking and sealing rings and the bead portions together against the outer periphery of the wheel.

Abstract: A banded radial run-flat pneumatic tire with a transversely segmented band that varies the bending stiffness of the band circumferentially relative to the bending stiffness across the band. The band can be segmented into annular side-by-side hoop-like coaxial band elements either of the same or of different diameters. An elastomer bonded between adjoining circumferential edges of the band elements connects them for cooperative association to give the band its desired operating characteristics. The elasticity of the elastomer and the spacing between the band elements can be selected to tailor the performance of the band. Preferably the bending stiffness of the band is 1000 times as great circumferentially as it is transversely across the band.

Abstract: A rim for a pneumatic vehicle tire, the beads of which are adapted to be mounted on the radially inner periphery of the rim. The rim has a rim ring that is provided radially inwardly with seating surfaces for the tire beads. On the lateral edges, the rim ring has essentially radially inwardly extending rim flanges. Furthermore, the rim ring is provided radially outwardly with support surfaces for emergency operation when a puncture, flat tire, etc. is encountered. In order to increase the ability to operate with a flat tire, the wall of the rim ring, in the vicinity of each of the rim flanges, is bent radially outwardly, and is then bent back axially inwardly at a radial spacing relative to the remainder of the rim ring, so that two annular supports are formed for supporting a flat tire.

Abstract: A run-flat pneumatic radial tire is equipped with a prestressed helical coil which is positioned inside the tire crown radially inwardly of the tread thereof. The coil is wound to approximately 50 percent of its free diameter to prestress it and the outer surface has a resin-impregnated tape applied thereto. The tape serves to hold the coil in a predetermined condition while the taped coil is cured. The taped coil can be co-cured in situ with the tire or prepared in advance of tire fabrication.

Abstract: A tire, which may be pneumatic or non-pneumatic, having beads which are each provided with an elastic annular member axially and radially inwardly of the associated bead core. The carcass ply is wrapped axially outwards of the bead core and part of the annular member.The tire bead seat has a taper angle which is greater than that of the rim bead seat such that on fitment of the tire to the rim the annular member, and the associated edge of the ply rotate around the bead core and cause the carcass ply to be placed in tension.

Abstract: A tire mounting device utilizing a locking sleeve wherein the sleeve has an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the bottom of the rim so as to encircle the rim and a width slightly greater than the internal separation of the tire beads when the latter are applied to the flanges of the rim, the sleeve being provided with a cross channel to permit the passage of an air passage.