A method of manufacturing a spoke (12) for a non-pneumatic tire is provided that involves providing a first form (14) and a second form (16), where first and second components (18, 20) of the spoke are placed on the first form (14). A third component (22) of the spoke is placed on the second form (16). The first and second components are transferred to the second form (16). The first component, the second component, and the third component are transferred from the second form to a mold (48). Further, the first component, the second component, and the third component have heat and pressure applied thereto for curing.

A non-pneumatic wheel having a hub (12), an outer tread band (200) and a plurality of spokes (100) connecting the hub (12) with the outer tread band (200), each of the plurality of spokes (10) having first and second support elements joined by a first elastomeric joint body (130) connecting the first support element to the second support element.

One aspect of this invention involves a process for producing a non-pneumatic tire comprising a structure and a shear band, said process comprising providing a structure comprising a thermoplastic material having a surface intended to be brought into contact with a shear band; pretreating the surface of the structure to obtain a pretreated surface; providing an atmospheric pressure plasma generated from a gas mixture; depositing a plasma polymerized coating layer from the atmospheric pressure plasma on the pretreated surface to produce a structure with a coated surface comprising a plasma polymerized coating layer; providing a shear band with a layer of rubber material and contacting the coated surface of the structure with said layer of rubber material; and co-vulcanizing the coated surface of the structure with the layer of rubber material of the shear band.

One aspect of this invention involves a process for producing a non-pneumatic tire comprising a structure and a shear band, said process comprising providing a structure comprising a thermoplastic material having a surface intended to be brought into contact with a shear band; pretreating the surface of the structure to obtain a pretreated surface; providing an atmospheric pressure plasma generated from a gas mixture; depositing a plasma polymerized coating layer from the atmospheric pressure plasma on the pretreated surface to produce a structure with a coated surface comprising a plasma polymerized coating layer; providing a shear band with a layer of rubber material and contacting the coated surface of the structure with said layer of rubber material; and co-vulcanizing the coated surface of the structure with the layer of rubber material of the shear band.

The invention provides in a first aspect a non-pneumatic tire and wheel assembly comprising an outer annular ring having a ground contacting tread portion and a shear band, one or more spoke disks, wherein each spoke disk is connected to the shear band, wherein each spoke disk has at least two spokes, wherein each spoke has a first leg and a second leg, wherein a continuous strip of reinforcement is received in the first leg and the second leg.

A rubber composition manufacturing method in accordance with the present invention comprises an operation in which at least rubber, silica, and silane coupling agent are kneaded in an internal kneader while kneading temperature is controlled so as to suppress occurrence of a coupling reaction between the silica and the silane coupling agent, wherein for at least a portion of time during which the operation is being carried out, at least the rubber, the silica, and the silane coupling agent are kneaded while a ram of the internal kneader is in a nonpressing state.

A rubber composition manufacturing method in accordance with the present invention comprises an operation in which at least rubber, silica, and silane coupling agent are kneaded in an internal kneader while kneading temperature is controlled so as to suppress occurrence of a coupling reaction between the silica and the silane coupling agent, wherein for at least a portion of time during which the operation is being carried out, at least the rubber, the silica, and the silane coupling agent are kneaded while a ram of the internal kneader is in a nonpressing state.

A system for curing a portion of a tire assembly includes: an axially placement shaft; a first actuator; a first retainer plate; a core on the axially placement shaft; a plurality of first inserts each axially and radially engaging a radially outer surface of the core with first ends of the first inserts axially engaging the first retainer plate; a plurality of second inserts each axially and radially engaging the radially outer surface of the core with first ends of the second inserts axially engaging the first retainer plate, each second insert disposed circumferentially between two of the plurality of first inserts; a second retainer plate; and a second actuator.

A system for curing a portion of a tire assembly includes: an axially placement shaft; a first actuator; a first retainer plate; a core on the axially placement shaft; a plurality of first inserts each axially and radially engaging a radially outer surface of the core with first ends of the first inserts axially engaging the first retainer plate; a plurality of second inserts each axially and radially engaging the radially outer surface of the core with first ends of the second inserts axially engaging the first retainer plate, each second insert disposed circumferentially between two of the plurality of first inserts; a second retainer plate; and a second actuator.

A system cures and manufactures a partially-cured tire assembly. The system includes an annular hub member slid into a corresponding annular, radially inner surface, a plurality of elongate spacer members for maintaining corresponding uniform cavity dimensions by fastening the spacer members to the hub member with flap members thereby enclosing a radially outermost surface of each of the spacer members, a first annular curing platen for axially securing the hub member and spacer members relative to each other, a second annular curing platen for axially securing the hub member and spacer members relative to each other; and a plurality of elongate inserts.