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 pneumatic runflat tire including at least one sidewall insert, the at least one sidewall insert including a heterogenous rubber compound comprising first rubber and second rubber composition phases, wherein the second rubber phase is further vulcanizable.

Abstract: A run-flat pneumatic tire assembly includes a pneumatic tire having an elastomeric casing and a tire cavity formed therein. A longitudinally-extending and approximately planar length of strip material is helically arranged within the tire cavity to pre-stress the length of strip material for usage of the pneumatic tire during under-inflated and non-inflated conditions. A method of making a run-flat pneumatic tire assembly is also included.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flat-running device intended for equipping a mounted assembly without an air chamber for a motor vehicle, and to such a mounted assembly incorporating this device. This device (30) comprises a wheel rim (10) with a plurality of blocks (10a and 10b) and a tire (20) comprising beads (21 and 22) mounted against flanges (12 and 13) of the rim, the device comprising: a structure (31) for supporting the tire, which structure is to be mounted around the rim and is divided into ring sectors (32) in the form of an arc of a circle, surmounted by a casing (34) which is intended for supporting the tire when the latter is running flat and which has two projecting lateral portions (34b) partially covering lateral faces (32b) of the structure, and means (33) for locking the beads against said flanges, which connect the annular supporting structure to the beads.

Abstract: A runflat tire having an improved ride comfort performance without impairing the runflat durability, and comprising a carcass 6 and sidewall-reinforcing rubber layers 9 having a crescent-shaped cross section disposed axially inward of carcass 6 in sidewall portion 3, wherein each sidewall-reinforcing rubber layer 9 comprises at least a radially outermost first rubber portion 9a and a second rubber portion 9b which is contiguous to the first rubber portion 9a and extends toward a bead portion 4, and the second rubber portion 9b has a complex modulus E*2 of at least 1.1 times the complex modulus E*1 of the first rubber portion 9a.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle wheel system having an inner wheel half, an outer wheel half, a centering element, and a sleeve which are concentrically aligned with each other, where the centering element has a first bead lock for securing a first bead of a tire and where the sleeve has a second bead lock for securing a second bead of the tire, to enable a vehicle to continue to operate with a flat or deflated tire. For a heavier, military vehicle wheel system, a varied centering element is used in conjunction with segmented inner tire system.

Abstract: A vehicle rim, of revolution, intended for mounting a tire and an annular bearing support capable of supporting a tread of the tire in the event of a loss of inflation pressure from the tire. This rim includes a first and a second rim seat, each intended to receive a bead of the tire. Each of the rim seats has a generatrix the axially inner end of which is on a circle of diameter DI greater than the diameter DE of the circle on which the axially outer end is located. The first rim seat is delimited axially to the inside by a protrusion, the external diameter DS of which is greater than the mean diameter DP of a supporting bearing surface of the rim. The supporting bearing surface is formed of at least one substantially cylindrical surface of revolution of mean diameter DP extending axially between the two seats and intended to be in close contact with the bearing support.

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

Abstract: The invention relates to a flat running device to be fitted on a tubeless mounted assembly for an automobile, and to such a mounted assembly including said device. The flat running device (30) of the invention comprises: an annular bearing structure (31) comprising a ring having a radially outside bearing face (31a) for bearing a flat-running tyre cover (20), and at least one tightening belt (32) surrounding the ring so as to maintain the same substantially in contact with a running rim (10), at least one radial reinforcement (31b) being formed in the bearing face, the tightening belt(s) being applied on said reinforcement and being recessed relative to the bearing face. According to the invention, the bearing structure includes a means (33) for locking it in this hollow (11) by mounting the same so as to bear against a side wall (11b) of the hollow, a radially inner face (31c) of the locking means being adapted so as to conform to the axial profile of the bottom (11a) of said hollow.

Abstract: A flat tire (2) according to the present invention includes a load support layer (12) positioned on an inside in an axial direction of a sidewall (6). The tire (2) further includes a belt (14) constituted by an inner belt ply (40) and an outer belt ply (42), and a full band (16) substantially covering a whole surface on an outside in a radial direction of the belt (14). The full band (16) is formed by a cord and a topping rubber. When a tensile load of 50N is applied, the cord has an elongation of 3.0% or less. The tire (2) may include a center band which has a smaller width in the axial direction than the width of the full band (16) and is laminated on the full band (16) in the vicinity of an equator (CL).

Abstract: A pneumatic tire including a circumferential tread, two spaced apart beads, and sidewalls connecting said beads and tread, wherein said tire sidewall contains at least one internal annular sidewall insert including at least two annular segments, the at least two annular segments including first and second adjacent annular segments; wherein said first and second annular segments are disposed with an interface therebetween; wherein each of the at least two annular segments includes a rubber composition comprising at least one diene based rubber and at least one vulcanization modifier selected from the group consisting of ?,?-bis(N,N?-dihydrocarbylthiocarbamamoyldithio)alkanes, bismaleimides, and biscitraconimides; and wherein the concentration of vulcanization modifier in the first annular segment is less than the concentration of vulcanization modifier in the second annular segment.

Abstract: A run-flat device, which is inserted into pneumatic tires to allow mobility in the event of pressure loss in the pneumatic tire, can comprise an inner ring, outer ring, and an interconnected web connecting the two. The run-flat device can support an applied load by working in tension and compression.

Abstract: A run-flat support assembly for a wheel rim of a pneumatic tired wheel and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tubular support structure is positioned in a tire cavity of the pneumatic tired wheel and coupled to the wheel rim to turn concurrently with an axis of rotation of the wheel rim. A skeletal structure is disposed within the tubular support structure. Circumferentially spaced linkages are displaceably secured to respective mounting races of a body of the skeletal structure. Each of the circumferentially spaced linkages is adapted to plastically fail at a pre-determined moment load in a run-flat condition, thereby pivoting relative to the respective mounting race.

Abstract: The run-flat supporting body (1) is configured of the annular shell (2) and elastic rings (3) and (3). The annular shell (2) works as a supporting surface on an outer peripheral side, and bifurcates into two leg portions on an inner peripheral side. In addition, the annular shell (2) is provided with a large number of the through holes (4) in wall surfaces thereof. The elastic rings (3) and (3) are attached respectively to the two leg portions of the annular shell (2). The run-flat supporting body 1 is supported on a rim of a wheel with the elastic rings (3) and (3). According to a configuration of the present invention, peripheries of the respective through holes (4) are thickened, residual stresses are applied to the peripheries of the respective through holes (4), or each through hole (4) is formed into an elliptic shape having the major axis in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: A run flat support body for a pneumatic tire, including an annular shell and elastic rings, where the elastic rings are composed of a composite elastic material made by compounding reinforcement fillers with an elastic material so as to provide anisotropy to an effect of reinforcement thereof. Additionally, the compressive rigidity of the elastic rings in a radial direction of the tire is made larger than that of unreinforced elastic rings in the radial direction, and the bending rigidity of the elastic rings in an axial direction of the tire is made substantially equal to that of the unreinforced elastic rings in the axial direction. Preferably, the elastic rings include a layered body formed by alternately laminating layers of a composite elastic material in which short fibers are aligned in a circumferential direction and layers of a composite elastic material in which short fibers are aligned in the axial direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tire/wheel assembly and a run-flat core, which enable reduction of a cavity resonance generated in a case where the run-flat core is inserted into a cavity formed between the pneumatic tire and a rim of a wheel. In the tire/wheel assembly of the present invention, the run-flat core is inserted into a cavity formed between the pneumatic tire and the rim of the wheel, the run-flat core includes a pair of elastic rings which are disposed on the rim respectively along bead portions of the pneumatic tire, and a circular shell which stretches between the elastic rings and extends in the tire circumferential direction. A sound absorbing member is provided to the circular shell.

Abstract: Provided is a run-flat support for pneumatic tire, which support is improved in durability while still achieving a lightweight. A run-flat support 1 is constituted of an annular shell 2, and elastic rings 3. In a lateral cross section of the annular shell 2, the annular shell 2 has: an outer circumferential side formed in a plurality of convex support potions 2a each bulging outward, and a concave linking portion 2b linking the convex supporting portions 2a; and a pair of right and left leg portions 2c extending radially inward respectively from the supporting portions 2a on the corresponding sides in a bifurcating manner. The elastic rings are mounted respectively on ends of both leg portions of the annular shell 2.

Abstract: A run-flat support body and a method assembling the same that improves reliability during running by eliminating mechanical joint components and realizes weight reduction and uniform mass-production are provided. The run-flat support body of the present invention comprises a pair of elastic rings fitted to a rim of a wheel and an annular shell bridging between these elastic rings. In the run-flat support body, the elastic rings and the annular shells are integrally joined, at least one discontinuous spot is provided in a circumference of the annular shell and the elastic rings, a connection structure is formed in which butted ends of the annular shell are joined together by welding, and joining between the annular shell and the elastic ring is partially released in the vicinity of a butted position of the annular shell.

Abstract: A safety wheel for a vehicle includes a rim having a body and a protrusion extending outward from an outer circumference of the body, and having a fastening groove; a first rubber layer wrapped on the protrusion of the rim; an air-filled tube disposed on the first rubber layer, and having a hollow body filled with compressed air therein; an outermost second rubber layer wrapped on the rim protrusion, the first rubber layer and the air-filled tube; and a rubber sheath wrapped on the rim protrusion, the first rubber layer, the air-filled tube and the second rubber layer. The safety wheel maintains pressure to support the weight of the vehicle, and even if the tire is blown out, prevents the vehicle from rocking and overturning due to inclination, as well as affords stability so that the vehicle can travel for a predetermined distance.

Abstract: Interface disc for a vehicle wheel, comprising: at least one substantially central attachment element designed to allow the said disc to be attached to a wheel; a plurality of substantially radial arms connected to the attachment elements and extending radially outwards from a substantially central portion of the said disc as far as a substantially peripheral portion of the said disc; an energy absorption surface collaborating with the said arms and configured to form a wall between the said substantially central portion of the disc and its substantially peripheral portion; at least one circumferential reinforcing element collaborating with the said arms and the modulus of which is substantially higher than that of the energy absorption element.

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 in accordance with the invention for a unit comprises a wheel rim having a plurality of pieces and a tire cover comprising beads mounted against the flanges of the rim, the device comprising: a support ring for mounting around the rim to support the tire cover following a drop in inflation pressure and divided into at least two ring sectors; and means for locking said beads against the flanges to connect the sectors to the beads. The device is such that each ring sector comprises a rigid wall which defines at least one internal volume and which defines the lateral faces of the ring sector.

Abstract: Provided is a run-flat support body (1) for a pneumatic tire, in which an outer peripheral side of an annular shell (2) serves as a support surface for supporting an inner surface of the tire (T); an inner peripheral side of the annular shell (2) straddles in the form of a bifurcation; elastic rings (3) and (3) are attached respectively to two leg parts (2b) and (2b) of the annular shell (2); and the annular shell (2) is supported on a rim (Rm) of a wheel with the elastic rings (3) and (3). The elastic rings (3) and (3) are composed of a composite elastic material formed by compounding reinforcement fillers in an elastic material. Accordingly, compressive rigidity of the elastic rings in a radial direction of the tire is made larger than that of the unreinforced elastic rings in the tire radial direction, the unreinforced elastic rings being composed of a single elastic material in which the reinforcement fillers are not compounded.

Abstract: The present invention provides a run-flat tire provided with a reinforcing rubber layer 9 arranged in a side wall section 2 so as to be formed in a crescent cross sectional shape, an annular protrusion section 10 protruding to an outer side in a tire width direction from at least one of bead sections 1, and having an inner peripheral side surface 11 facing to an outer peripheral side curved surface of a rim flange 8a at a time of installing a specified rim, and an annular bead 1b arranged in the annular protrusion section 10, in which the run-flat tire is provided with a ridge section 23 connecting to an outer side in the tire width direction from an inner peripheral side surface 11 of the annular protrusion section 10 so as to protrude to an inner peripheral side of the tire, and having an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the rim flange 8a, and a soft rubber layer 15 arranged in the ridge section 23 and having a corner section 16 tapered toward the tire inner peripheral side.

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: A manufacturing method for annular run-flat tire support which has a supporting part and a leg part, and which, at the time of run-flat running, is capable of carrying load, comprises the steps of supplying said supporting part and said leg part, applying a bonding agent including a chemical conversion treatment to the bonding region of the radial-direction inside end part of said supporting part that is provided for bonding to said leg part, and bonding between said radial-direction inside end part and said leg part. Thereby, a manufacturing method for run-flat tire support which maintains a high bondability between the supporting part and the leg part, and is excellent in durability, and a run-flat tire support are provided.

Abstract: A run-flat support member having an annular shell for supporting a tread portion when a pneumatic tire is operated in a run-flat condition. The annular shell is formed from a shell body which is annularly curved and has opposite circumferential edges that are butted against each other and are joined. The shell body is structured such that the butted opposite circumferential edges come into contact with each other by forces acting in directions where they are butted against each other.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire largely improves the run-flat durability while preventing the deterioration of the ride comfort to the input of vibrations to the tire at a normal state and comprises a reinforcing rubber 6 arranged inside a sidewall portion 2 and having a crescent form at its cross section, in which one cord reinforcing layer 9 having a rubberized structure of steel cords is arranged along a turnup portion 5a of a carcass ply 5 around a bead core 4 and an interval between the steel cords in the cord reinforcing layer is within a range of 2.5-20 times a diameter of the cord.

Abstract: An improved run flat tire and system for use with a two-piece or multi-piece wheel and tire to provide for continued operation of vehicles after tire deflation. Certain aspects of the invention include a plurality of arcuate sections releasably aligned and secured to each other for positioning around a wheel, wherein extended lip portions of each arcuate section extend laterally from the inner base portion of each arcuate section to limit lateral movement of the run flat device relative to the wheel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tire wheel assembly allowed to enhance working efficiency in rim assembling without destabilizing mounting of a run-flat support member, and furthermore, allowed to realize noise reduction by improving a vibration characteristic during normal traveling. The tire wheel assembly is one where, while a pneumatic tire is fitted to a rim of a wheel, inserted into a cavity portion of the pneumatic tire is a run-flat support member formed of a pair of elastic rings fitted to the rim; and an annular shell straddling between the elastic rings. In the tire wheel assembly, inner diameters of the pair of elastic rings are made different from each other to make an inner diameter of one elastic ring fitted to the rim in a back side of the wheel smaller than an inner diameter of the other elastic ring fitted to the rim in a front side of the wheel.

Abstract: A run-flat device (13) for fitting on the outer circumference of a wheel (11) inside an inflatable tire (12). The device (13) comprising an annular ring (14) made up of a plurality (preferably three) of arcuate segments (15) interconnected at each end by clamping means (23, 23a, 23b, 28, 29, 35) equally spaced around the ring that imparts to each segment (15) a circumferential clamping force and an axial clamping force to urge the segments circumferentially and axially towards each other.

Abstract: Disclosed are a tire wheel assembly and a noise-reducing device whereby cavity resonance sound can be effectively reduced. A noise-reducing device, which includes a shell structure where a rough surface portion having a ten-point height of irregularities (Rz) in a range of 0.1 to 5.0 mm is provided on at least part of a surface, is attached to a wheel rim in a cavity portion of a pneumatic tire, and additionally, a height of the shell structure from a rim sheet is set in a range of 10 to 70% of a cross-sectional height of the tire.

Abstract: Provided is a run flat supporter for pneumatic tire which can be used for a plurality of kinds of pneumatic tires having different tire sizes. The run flat supporter includes an annular shell and elastic rings. The annular shell has an outer peripheral side formed as a tire support surface and an inner peripheral side bifurcated into left and right leg portions. The elastic rings are attached to each of the tips of the left and right leg portions. The run flat supporter is supported on the left and right seats of a rim of a wheel with the elastic rings interposed therebetween. The run flat supporter for pneumatic tire is characterized in that at least one of the left and right leg portions of the annular shell is divided into an outer-diameter-side shell and an inner-diameter-side shell, and the inner-diameter-side shell is connected to the outer-diameter-side shell so as to be displaceable in the tire axial direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mounted assembly (i.e. tire/wheel assembly) for an automobile vehicle, comprising a rim, a safety support which is mounted on the rim and at least the radially outer face of which is formed of a material of very high modulus, a tire casing mounted on the rim around said support, said rim having on each of its two peripheral edges a rim seat on which is mounted a bead of said casing, and comprising between its two seats a bearing surface receiving said support; this mounted assembly is characterised in that: the material of very high modulus has a secant tensile modulus at 10% elongation, measured at 80° C. and denoted E10, which is greater than 50 MPa; the mounted assembly is provided with a lubricating composition having values of viscosity (denoted respectively ?1 and ?2), expressed in Pa·s and measured at 20° C., which satisfy the following relationships: at a shear rate of 0.3 s?1: 80<?1<2500; at a shear rate of 10 s?1: 0.1<?2<35.

Abstract: A tire/wheel assembly comprising: a wheel having a disc and a rim provided on the outer peripheral edge of the disc in such a manner that the widthwise center of the rim is offset towards one side; a pneumatic tire mounted on the rim; and a run-flat support member disposed in the cavity of the pneumatic tire, the run-flat support member having an annular shell and elastic rings, the annular shell including a support surface located radially outwardly thereof and two leg portions formed radially inwardly thereof in a straddling state, the support surface having a plurality of convexly curved surface sections that are widthwisely arranged, the elastic rings supporting the leg portions on the rim. One of the elastic rings located on the opposite side of the rim to the offset side is smaller in rigidity than the other of the elastic rings located on the offset side.

Abstract: An airbag device for a vehicle tire capable of stabilizing the vehicle timely when the tire is exploding or being punctured suddenly to avoid potential accidents and to ensure driving comfort. The airbag device comprises a resilient outer ring installed between the tire and the wheel hub, and an inner ring serving to support the resilient outer ring. The resilient outer ring and the inner ring are compressed between the tire and the wheel hub under normal tire air pressure, and a space serving to increase driving comfortability and keep the outer ring from contacting the inner surface of the tire tread is designed between the resilient outer ring and the inner surface of the tire tread. When the tire is exploding or the air pressure of the tire is lost, the resilient outer ring is capable of bouncing instantly to support the weight of the vehicle.

Abstract: Support element designed to be fitted to a rim inside a vehicle tire, for supporting the tread of this tire in the event of loss of inflation pressure, including a base, a cover and an annular body in which each supporting partition of the annular body is in the form of an oblique parallelepiped with two circumferentially oriented outer faces arranged on either side of said support element and two faces inclined relative to the circumferential direction by an angle ?, two adjacent supporting partitions form a V-shaped pattern, and, at the base of the V, two adjacent supporting partitions are separated by a narrow axial slit extending radially through the whole of the annular body.

Abstract: A run flat safety support ring intended to be mounted on a wheel rim inside a tire equipping a vehicle for supporting the tire tread in case of loss of inflation pressure has a generally cylindrical crown intended to come in contact with the interior of the tire tread in the event of the loss of inflation pressure, but has a clearance from the tire tread interior at normal pressure. The ring also has an annular body located radially inward of the crown, the annular body comprising a grid of continuous reinforcement composite.

Abstract: A safety support includes a substantially cylindrical base configured to conform to the rim. The support further includes a crown with a radially outer wall configured to enter into contact with an internal wall of a crown of the tire in the event of a loss of pressure and to leave clearance therebetween at the rated operating pressure of the tire. The safety support further includes an annular body linking the base and the crown of the support. An envelope of the radially outer wall of the support crown is defined, when the support is mounted on the rim, with f being the deflection undergone by the support mounted on the rim under a load Z, the rated load of the tire, the envelope being confined between two cylinders of revolution of radius Rmax and Rmin satisfying the following relationship: 0.2f<Rmax?Rmin<2f.

Abstract: A pneumatic runflat tire comprising a sidewall component comprising a rubber composition comprising at least one diene based elastomer and from about 1 to about 40 phr of glass bubbles having a crush strength of at least 10,000 psi as measured by ASTM D3102-78 in glycerol.

Abstract: A run-flat tire has a radial carcass reinforcement ply extending through a pair of opposing sidewalls and anchored in opposing bead portions. At least one of the bead portions having a bead heel and a bead toe wherein the bead heel is radially outward and axially inward from the bead toe. At least one of the bead portions has a bead composite and a bead apex therein. The bead composite has a maximum axial width WB, the axial width being measured perpendicular to the tire equatorial plane. The maximum axial width WB is greater than 50% of the maximum axial width W of the at least one bead portion, as measured from the opposing axial sides of the bead portion.

Abstract: A tire insert system for assembly into a continuous ring during its positioning within a tire, and is supported on a wheel web between the wheel flanges where the continuous tire insert ring is mounted to the wheel to support a tire load for a significant travel distance should that tire lose air. The four tire insert segments each include an arcuate shaped outer portion that, when assembled end to end, form the insert ring, and each tire insert segment includes an anchor plate that is an arcuate section when assembled side by side with other anchor plates forms a flat disk having an open center portion, which anchor plate is secured to the tire insert on its top end and includes mounting holes formed in its lower portion for receiving bolt type fasteners fitted therethrough and through forward and rear wheel sections, sandwiching the anchor plates therebetween, forming the tire insert ring in the tire during a mounting of the tire between wheel flanges.

Abstract: A run flat device for use in a wheel assembly comprises a wheel rim made of a plurality of blocks and a tire cover having beads mounted against flanges of the rim. The device includes an annular support structure for mounting around the rim to support the cover, the structure subdivided in at least two ring sectors to form the structure by juxtaposition in the circumferential direction thereof, and means for locking the beads against the flanges to connect the ring sectors to the beads. Each ring sector comprises at least two rigid support elements superposed in the radial direction of the structure and separated in pairs by respective rubber-based resilient layers, the layers adapted to shear based on a lateral force applied to the structure to enable the radially outer support element to be displaced axially relative to the radially inner support element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tire/wheel assembly which, even in a case of forming a run-flat support member by processing a metal material high in breaking strength, realizes the forming without generating wrinkles and cracks. In the tire/wheel assembly, a run-flat support member is inserted into a cavity portion of a pneumatic tire mounted onto a rim, a run-flat support member being formed of an annular shell having an arched cross-section, and elastic rings attached to bent ends of the annular shell in an inner peripheral side thereof In the tire/wheel assembly, while plural notches are provided in the bent ends along a circumferential direction thereof, a length Ln (mm) of the notches in the circumferential direction is set between 1.0 mm and 15.0 mm inclusive, and a ratio Ws/Wg of a width Ws (mm) of the bent ends of the annular shell to a thickness Wg (mm) of the elastic rings is set between 0.55 and 0.92 inclusive.

Abstract: A run-flat support system and method for installing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the run-flat support system includes a torque assembly removably coupled to a split wheel rim of a pneumatic tired wheel. A plurality of support segments are adapted for attachment to the torque assembly in order to support the pneumatic tired wheel in a flat condition such as an under-inflated condition or deflated condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a run flat device for fitting to a tubeless wheel assembly for a motor vehicle, and to such a wheel assembly incorporating the device. A device of the invention comprises: an annular cover support structure subdivided into at least two ring sectors that are circumferentially juxtaposed; and locking means for locking the beads against the flanges to connect the support structure to the beads.

Abstract: A peroxide-crosslinked rubber composition having a superior anti-blooming property of a crosslinking agent and a high hardness containing (A) more than 60 parts by weight but not more than 95 parts by weight of rubber selected from NR, IR, SBR, BR, EPM, EPDM, silicone rubber and/or fluororubber and (B) 5 parts by weight but less than 40 parts by weight of a polar polymer having a solubility parameter (Sp value) of at least 17.6 (Pa1/2) and a weight average molecular weight of at least 100,000.

Abstract: A tire support ring for pneumatic tires in the event of loss of inflation pressure is disclosed. The support ring comprises an annular main body and a plurality of noise dampers. The main body made is made of an elastic material and provided on both sides thereof with a plurality of holes each having a pair of opposite radially-extending side surfaces. The noise damper is made of a spongy material and inserted into the hole such that gaps of from 2.0 to 10.0 mm are formed between the side surfaces and the damper. The hole has a closed end, and in the hole, a hollow space is remained behind the inserted noise damper.

Abstract: A support for a tire tread band comprising an outer portion for contacting a tread and a base, wherein the base comprises a reinforcement framework having at least two plies of reinforcement elements. Each of the plies has mutually parallel reinforcement elements, and said elements are crossed from one ply to a next ply. The support further comprising a polymer material having a modulus greater than 30 MPa.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component comprising a rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and an inorganic negative thermal expansion (NTE) filler comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of metal tungstates, metal phosphates, metal molybdates, metal vanadates, and metal arsenates, wherein the inorganic filler has a negative coefficient of thermal expansion in at least part of the temperature range of 0° C. to 200° C.

Abstract: Method of, and apparatus for, fitting a resilient ring substantially circular in shape into a tire, and removing it therefrom, the method comprising the following steps in sequence: initial deforming of the resilient ring by slightly stretching it along one diameter thereof so as to cause it to change from a circular to an elliptical shape; fitting of the thus deformed ring lengthwise into the light of a tire in which the ring is to be assembled; first releasing of the ring whereby it tends to regain its initial circular shape while remaining engaged in the tire light; final deforming of the resilient ring by stretching it in a radial direction within the tire, and final releasing of the deformable ring whereby it regains its initial circular shape within the tire.