A tire includes at least one body defining a plurality of body ply layers, and a toroidal element located between the body ply layers. The toroidal element includes inner and outer regions formed by the body ply layers, and a central region formed by an inner rubber component located between the body ply layers. At least a portion of the central region is more elastic than the inner and outer regions. The toroidal element includes a first sidewall portion extending along at least a portion of the first sidewall region of the tire, and a second sidewall portion extending along at least a portion of the second sidewall region of the tire. The toroidal element is pre-stressed such that the first sidewall portion of the toroidal element exerts a first axially outward force, and such that the second sidewall portion of the toroidal element exerts a second axially outward force.

A tire includes at least one body defining a plurality of body ply layers, and a toroidal element located between the body ply layers. The toroidal element includes inner and outer regions formed by the body ply layers, and a central region formed by an inner rubber component located between the body ply layers. At least a portion of the central region is more elastic than the inner and outer regions. The toroidal element includes a first sidewall portion extending along at least a portion of the first sidewall region of the tire, and a second sidewall portion extending along at least a portion of the second sidewall region of the tire. The toroidal element is pre-stressed such that the first sidewall portion of the toroidal element exerts a first axially outward force, and such that the second sidewall portion of the toroidal element exerts a second axially outward force.

According to the present invention, when a first point (P1) is set on an end edge on an outer end portion (15a) side of a coupling member (15) and a fifth point (P5) is set on an end edge on an inner end portion (15b) side of the coupling member (15), and when a distance (H1) from the fifth point (P5) to the second point (P2) along a reference straight line (RL) passing through the first point (P1) and a tire axis is set to 0.80 times a reference distance (H) from the fifth point (P5) to the first point (P1) along the reference straight line, a distance (H2) from the fifth point (P5) to the third point along the reference straight line is set to 0.65 times the reference distance (H), and a distance (H3) from the fifth point (P5) to the fourth point (P4) along the reference straight line is set to 0.30 times the reference distance (H), the third point (P3) is disposed on the other side in the tire circumferential direction of an overall inclined straight line (SL) passing through the first point (P1) and the fifth point (P5), and a horizontal distance (D2) between the second point (P2) and the third point (P3) in a perpendicular direction (D) perpendicular to the reference straight line (RL) is larger than each of a horizontal distance D1 between the first point (P1) and the second point (P2) in the perpendicular direction (D) and a horizontal distance (D4) between the fourth point (P4) and the fifth point (P5) in the perpendicular direction (D).

A threaded connection body is welded to the wall of a pipe, seachest or other flooded cavity within the hull of a ship or floating offshore installation. A sealed cutting apparatus is mounted via a valve unit n the connection body and a cutter extended through the open valve to form an opening in the wall. After retracting the cutter and closing the valve, the cutting apparatus is replaced by an inspection unit having a camera which is extended through the valve and the opening to inspect the cavity. After retracting the camera and closing the valve, the inspection unit is replaced by a plug deployment unit which advances a plug through the valve and screws it into the connection body. The valve unit can then be removed and replaced with a cap so that the plug and the cap provide a double seal to the connection body.

A threaded connection body is welded to the wall of a pipe, seachest or other flooded cavity within the hull of a ship or floating offshore installation. A sealed cutting apparatus is mounted via a valve unit n the connection body and a cutter extended through the open valve to form an opening in the wall. After retracting the cutter and closing the valve, the cutting apparatus is replaced by an inspection unit having a camera which is extended through the valve and the opening to inspect the cavity. After retracting the camera and closing the valve, the inspection unit is replaced by a plug deployment unit which advances a plug through the valve and screws it into the connection body. The valve unit can then be removed and replaced with a cap so that the plug and the cap provide a double seal to the connection body.

A wheel assembly includes a wheel axle, an inner wheel, and an outer wheel. The inner wheel is mounted on the wheel axle. The inner wheel is rotatable about the wheel axle. The inner wheel is rotatably retained in the outer wheel. The inner and outer wheels include a gap therebetween, and the outer wheel is rotatable eccentrically about the wheel axle.

A wheel assembly includes a wheel axle, an inner wheel, and an outer wheel. The inner wheel is mounted on the wheel axle. The inner wheel is rotatable about the wheel axle. The inner wheel is rotatably retained in the outer wheel. The inner and outer wheels include a gap therebetween, and the outer wheel is rotatable eccentrically about the wheel axle.

Wheel with an in-wheel suspension system, and suspension member thereof. Wheel includes: stationary member including an axis, rotary member rotatable about the axis, and selective suspension system. The selective suspension system has at least one suspension member positioned between the stationary member and the rotary member, thereby providing a fixed distance therebetween, and retains the fixed distance when stressed up to a threshold value, and recoverably alters the fixed distance when stressed over the threshold value. The suspension member includes: cylindrical housing, piston slidably movable in the cylindrical housing, and compression spring whose first end is connected to the piston and second end is connected to the housing. The compression spring, when fully relaxed or compressed under the threshold value, maintains the housing and piston at a normally fixed distance. Applicable to wheelchairs and bicycles, among other self-propelled and powered vehicles.

A structurally supported tire includes a ground contacting annular tread portion, an annular hoop structure for supporting a load on the tire, a means for attachment to a vehicle rim, and a ply structure secured to a first axial limit and extending radially outward and between the hoop structure and the tread portion and further extending radially inward from between the hoop structure and tread portion to a second axial limit. The ply structure is secured to both the first axial limit and the second axial limit. The tread portion is secured to a radially outer surface of the ply structure. The hoop structure is secured to a radially inner surface of the ply structure.

A structurally supported tire includes a ground contacting annular tread portion, an annular hoop structure for supporting a load on the tire, a means for attachment to a vehicle rim, and a ply structure secured to a first axial limit and extending radially outward and between the hoop structure and the tread portion and further extending radially inward from between the hoop structure and tread portion to a second axial limit. The ply structure is secured to both the first axial limit and the second axial limit. The tread portion is secured to a radially outer surface of the ply structure. The hoop structure is secured to a radially inner surface of the ply structure.