Abstract: Segmented wheels offer advantages in storage space of closely packed segments as compared to whole wheels. Individually damaged or worn segments may be replaced in the field with little or no need for jacks or cranes to support the rest of the vehicle, and entire wheels may be replaced or reconfigured from one tread type to another by swapping out segments not in contact with the ground and then driving the vehicle a distance which is a fraction of the circumference of its wheels to expose the remaining segments for retrofit. Segments may be freely supported by rigid or compliant spokes or may be bound together by straps or designed to interlock with adjacent segments. Embodiments of the invention may be made in any size range including applications for bicycles, agricultural machinery, cars, trucks and mining machinery and vehicles.

Abstract: A molding tool for forming a non-pneumatic tire includes a wheel portion cavity, a tread ring portion cavity, and a plurality of spoke cavities extending between the wheel portion cavity and the tread ring portion cavity. At least a subset spoke cavities within the plurality of spoke cavities include at least one of a non-uniform thickness, a non-uniform width, and a non-uniform surface. Also, the molding tool can include a conformal thermal control channel, e.g., a conformal cooling channel and/or a conformal heating channel, proximate to at least one mold cavity.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes a wheel portion, a tread ring portion, a plurality of flexible spokes extending between and attached to the wheel portion and the tread ring portion, and plurality of bump stops positioned between the wheel portion and the tread ring portion. The bumps stops are configured to limit deformation and/or compressive strain of the plurality of flexible spokes. The plurality of bump stops includes a plurality of tower bump stops, a plurality of triangular-shaped bump stops, and/or a plurality of roof-top shaped bump stops.

Abstract: A method of mounting a non-pneumatic tire onto a hub to provide a non-pneumatic wheel is provided. Certain portions of spokes of the non-pneumatic tire are connected to grooves along the hub. The tire is repeatedly rotated and deformed to allow the remaining portions of the spokes to be connected with the grooves in order to fully mount the tire onto the hub.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire may include a hub configured to be coupled to a machine, an outer circumferential barrier radially spaced from the hub and configured to be associated with a tread portion of the tire, and a plurality of support members extending between the hub and the outer circumferential barrier and being configured to support a load on the hub in tension. At least some of the plurality of support members may include at least one tension member coupled to one of the hub and the outer circumferential barrier, and an intermediate member coupled to the at least one tension member and one of the hub and the outer circumferential barrier. The at least one tension member may be configured not to transmit compressive load to the intermediate member.

Abstract: Articulated railway service wheel with structurally distinct rim, web, and hub. A toroidal rim is interconnected to the hub by a rod-like web defining individual spring units which respond in tension and compression to vertical and lateral loading. The spring web units are seated in rim and hub socket means which prevent relative rotational movement. A unitary hub-axle is also provided.