An apparatus for assembling a non-pneumatic tire is provided that includes a plurality of elements that move relative to a base. The elements have a central axis that extends in a longitudinal direction, and the elements are disposed in a circumferential direction around the central axis. The apparatus also includes a radial movement member that moves in a radial direction, a hub, a shear band, and a plurality of spokes that are attached to the hub. The radial movement member moves outward in the radial direction and urges the elements to move relative to the base such that the elements urge the spokes to move outward in the radial direction. Adhesive engages the spokes and the shear band at an attachment location of the spokes and the shear band.

This disclosure includes methods and apparatus for forming a non-pneumatic tire carcass comprising an inner hub, an outer band, and a plurality of spokes. The method includes arranging the inner hub, the plurality of spokes, and the outer band to form a curing assembly arranged in a first arrangement within a forming apparatus, where the inner hub is arranged concentrically within a radially inner annular side of the outer band and the plurality of spokes are arranged between the outer band and the inner hub. The plurality of spokes are forced in opposite radial directions from the first arrangement and to a second arrangement, where each spoke of the plurality of spokes is forced in a curing position against the inner hub and towards the outer band in a curing arrangement. The plurality of spokes are then cured to each of the inner hub and outer band.

A method of mounting a non-pneumatic tire (102) onto a hub (300) to provide a non-pneumatic wheel (100). Certain portions of spokes (106) of the non-pneumatic tire (102) are connected to grooves (318) along the hub (300). The tire (102) is repeatedly rotated and deformed to allow the remaining portions of the spokes (106) to be connected with the grooves (318) in order to fully mount the non-pneumatic tire (102) onto the hub (300).

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.

Devices and methods for fixing a spoke of a running wheel in the context of trueing, an exemplary device having a clamp (1) with a clamping gap (4) of variable width and a longitudinal axis (L) configured to receive a section of the spoke, wherein driving the clamp (1) narrows the clamping gap (4) so that the section of the spoke can be fixed via force-fitting and/or form-locking, further wherein the device rotationally fixes the section but permits movement of the section in the longitudinal direction.

The invention refers to a machine (1) and the automatic method for applying tape (5) in the interior of the rim (3a) of a bicycle wheel (3) to protect the inner tube and/or seal the rim (3a) for tubeless tyres. The machine (1) of the invention comprises a stand (2) where the wheel (3) is placed on a positioning and retention system (4) that rotates it to place the tape (5) in the interior of the rim (3a) by means of a dispensing system (6). The machine (1) and the method of the invention comprise a shaping system (8) for the tape (5) by means of a pressure roller (8a) and a heat dispenser (8b) together with an automation system (9) to setting the taping parameters required by the different systems.

Embodiments of the present invention include non-pneumatic tires (100) having an electrically conductive path, and methods for forming the same. It is appreciated electrical charges may be generated during land vehicle operation and land vehicles are often grounded by providing an electrically conductive path between the vehicle and the ground. In embodiments of the present invention, a non-pneumatic tire (100) and a method for forming a non-pneumatic tire are described for providing an electrically conductive path between the vehicle and the ground at the non-pneumatic tire. The method for forming the non-pneumatic tire comprises the step of applying a mold release (290) to one or more molding surfaces (280) of the spoke mold wherein the mold release (290) includes an electrically conductive additive.

In a method for manufacturing a spoke unit, the continuous fiber reinforced plastic is led from a middle supporting portion to a first supporting portion along the front surface of the mandrel. Subsequently, the continuous fiber reinforced plastic is led from the first supporting portion to the middle supporting portion along the back surface of the mandrel. Subsequently, the continuous fiber reinforced plastic is led from the middle supporting portion to a second supporting portion along the front surface of the mandrel. Subsequently, the continuous fiber reinforced plastic is led from the second supporting portion to the middle supporting portion along the back surface of the mandrel.

A cassette for a bicycle may include a plurality of sprocket portions joined together into a single unit. The cassette may include a cavity formed in the large end of the cassette. A related manufacturing method may include joining a first generally planar sprocket portion having a plurality of connector portions extending transverse to the plane of the first sprocket portion, to a second generally planar sprocket portion, e.g., by fusing at least one of the connector portions to the second sprocket portion.

A vehicle wheel, including a rim, a hub, and a plurality of spokes, a first anchor to connect one of the spokes to one of the rim and hub at a connection interface. One of the spokes is pre-tensioned by a pre-tensioning means. The first anchor may be manipulated between: (i) a released orientation where the connection interface is longitudinally released from the spoke to permit independent longitudinal displacement therebetween; and (ii) an engaged orientation where the connection interface is longitudinally connected to said spoke to limit independent longitudinal displacement between the two and to maintain the pre-tension of said spoke. The pre-tensioning means is discreet from the first anchor.