Wheels for use on vehicles and methods of manufacturing vehicle wheels are described in the present disclosure. According to one embodiment, a method includes a step of manufacturing a wheel that includes a rim, a center disk, and a plurality of spokes. The rim may include a substantially-cylindrical barrel adapted to seal a tubeless tire. The center disk may include a central bore adapted for engagement with an axle of a vehicle. Also, the plurality of spokes may be adapted to connect the center disk to the rim. The method further includes the step of deforming outwardly-facing surfaces of the spokes using one or more hammering or punching instruments.

The present invention is directed to airless tires. Exemplary airless tires include a hub configured for attachment to an axle and includes a hub support extending away from the hub. Such exemplary airless tires also include a heel configured around the hub and connected at a distal end of the hub support, whereby the heel includes an elastomer base oriented in a ring around a circumference of the hub support. Such exemplary airless tires also include elastomeric tubes extending radially outward from the heel. Other exemplary airless tires include a centerless hub assembly configured for attachment to an axle and a heel configured around the centerless hub assembly. The heel in such exemplary airless tires includes an elastomer base oriented in a ring around a circumference of the centerless hub assembly. These other exemplary airless tires include elastomeric tubes extending radially outward from the heel.

The present invention is directed to airless tires. Exemplary airless tires include a hub configured for attachment to an axle and includes a hub support extending away from the hub. Such exemplary airless tires also include a heel configured around the hub and connected at a distal end of the hub support, whereby the heel includes an elastomer base oriented in a ring around a circumference of the hub support. Such exemplary airless tires also include elastomeric tubes extending radially outward from the heel. Other exemplary airless tires include a centerless hub assembly configured for attachment to an axle and a heel configured around the centerless hub assembly. The heel in such exemplary airless tires includes an elastomer base oriented in a ring around a circumference of the centerless hub assembly. These other exemplary airless tires include elastomeric tubes extending radially outward from the heel.

The present invention is directed to airless tires. Exemplary airless tires include a hub configured for attachment to an axle and includes a hub support extending away from the hub. Such exemplary airless tires also include a heel configured around the hub and connected at a distal end of the hub support, whereby the heel includes an elastomer base oriented in a ring around a circumference of the hub support. Such exemplary airless tires also include elastomeric tubes extending radially outward from the heel. Other exemplary airless tires include a centerless hub assembly configured for attachment to an axle and a heel configured around the centerless hub assembly. The heel in such exemplary airless tires includes an elastomer base oriented in a ring around a circumference of the centerless hub assembly. These other exemplary airless tires include elastomeric tubes extending radially outward from the heel.

A vehicle wheel has spokes, on which cover elements are provided for a space between the spokes. The cover elements deform according to the temperature in such a way that, at higher temperatures, a passage of air through a region of the space between the spokes is possible, which is covered by the cover element at lower temperatures. In this way, the cover elements do not entirely cover the respective spaces between the spokes, and a rigid cap element is provided per intermediate space in addition to a cover element deforming according to the temperature. Alternatively, two cover elements are provided in each space between the spokes, next to one another in the circumferential direction of the wheel, wherein in the deformed state, one of the cover elements is curved outwards and the other cover element is curved inwards towards the vehicle.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, a vibrator is used to generate a vibration wave with a variable frequency that can agitate and facilitate the circulation of the processing fluids, thereby enhancing the uniformity and efficiency of the resulting semiconductor device features, the vibrator may be a piezoelectric vibrator or other similar vibrators. In some embodiments, the vibration of the processing fluids can facilitate the processing fluids in circulating in and out of narrow channels or features, or the vibration of the processing fluids can facilitate the bubbling out of the microbubbles entrapped in the processing liquid or entrapped between the surface of the semiconductor wafer and the processing liquid. In another embodiment, the vibrations generated by the vibrator have vibration waves with a variable frequency to avoid resonance that may damage the semiconductor wafer and the features thereon.

An apparatus for assembling a non-pneumatic tire is provided that includes a plurality of spokes attached to a hub, a frame, and a plurality of mechanical elements disposed between and engaging successive spokes. The spokes extend to locations radially inward and radially outward of the locations of engagement with the mechanical elements. A radial movement member moves the mechanical elements in a radial direction. The spokes are compressed by the mechanical elements, and retaining elements engage the mechanical elements to hold them and the spokes in this position. Release by the retaining elements and outward radial movement of the mechanical elements urge the spokes toward a shear band that is outward in the radial direction. Adhesive located between the spokes and the shear band is pressed there between through this urging to result in the spokes being attached to the shear band in a state of pre-compression.

An apparatus for assembling a non-pneumatic tire is provided that includes a plurality of spokes attached to a hub, a frame, and a plurality of mechanical elements disposed between and engaging successive spokes. The spokes extend to locations radially inward and radially outward of the locations of engagement with the mechanical elements. A radial movement member moves the mechanical elements in a radial direction. The spokes are compressed by the mechanical elements, and retaining elements engage the mechanical elements to hold them and the spokes in this position. Release by the retaining elements and outward radial movement of the mechanical elements urge the spokes toward a shear band that is outward in the radial direction. Adhesive located between the spokes and the shear band is pressed there between through this urging to result in the spokes being attached to the shear band in a state of pre-compression.

In a saddle riding vehicle including: a sprocket driven by a power transmission member; a sprocket support member that supports the sprocket and that is connected with a wheel; a damper member that is housed in a recessed portion in a hub of the wheel and disposed between the hub and the sprocket support member, the damper member being deformed through a relative rotation between the hub and the sprocket support member; and a resistance mechanism that dampens the relative rotation between the hub and the sprocket support member, the sprocket support member includes an extension portion that covers an outer periphery of the hub from an outside in a radial direction, and the resistance mechanism is disposed between an inner periphery of the extension portion and the outer periphery of the hub.

The invention is directed to a method for producing a rim (2) comprising at least one three-dimensionally shaped layer of reinforcing fibers (26). In a first step a forming tool (25) is provided which comprises a three-dimensionally shaped outer contour. In a subsequent step a band of reinforcing fibers (26) is wound onto the forming tool (25) such that the reinforcing fibers follow the outer contour of the forming tool (25) and are arranged in at least one of reinforcing fibers. A draping device (27) is provided by which the band of reinforcing fibers (26) is preformed before the band of reinforcing fibers (26) is wound onto the forming tool (25).