A method of forming a non-pneumatic tire (10) is provided that includes the steps of providing an outer shear band ring (12), an intermediate section (14) with a supporting structure (16), and an inner shear band ring. The intermediate section (14) is positioned inside of the outer shear band ring (12) such that the outer shear band ring is located outward from the intermediate section in a radial direction of the tire. A hub (20) is positioned inside of the intermediate section such that the intermediate section (14) is located outward from the hub (20) in the radial direction.

A non-pneumatic wheel having a plurality of lengthwise reinforced spokes each spoke having at least one separation extending from the radially inner end of each of the plurality of spokes to the radially outer end of each of the plurality of spokes forming at least two spoke web sections where the radially inner end of each spoke is mechanically attached to the hub and the radially outer surface of each spoke is bonded to the outer annular band.

A non-pneumatic wheel having a plurality of spokes attached within slots in a hub, the slots having a first retaining surface and a second retaining surface, the radially outer portion of the first retaining surface possesses a flared edge such that the radially outer portion of the first retaining surface curves away from the radially outer portion of the second retaining surface.

A method of constructing a non-pneumatic wheel by securing a plurality of spokes around the outer circumference of a hub, positioning at least one spoke support at the radially outer end of each spoke such that the at least one spoke support holds the radially outer end of each spoke in a radially outward annular orientation, placing an outer annular band concentrically over the radially outer ends of the spokes, bonding the spokes to the outer annular band, contracting the at least one spoke support radially inward; and separating the at least one spoke supports from the non-pneumatic wheel.

An apparatus for assembling a radially outer portion of a nonpneumatic wheel onto a hub having a plurality of slots extending along an axis, each of the slots arranged in a frustoconical orientation extending from the first end to the second end such that the distance between the slots is greater at the first end than at the second end.

The present invention provides an annular beam of monolithic construction of one homogeneous material and a related efficient, low-cost non-pneumatic tire. Specific geometric design, combined with nonlinear elastomer physical properties, enable the suppression of all reinforcing belts, continuous fibers, or other strengthening layers in the annular beam. The annular beam consists of at least two bands that are continuous in the circumferential direction and connected by a web geometry. The non-pneumatic tire consists of the annular beam, a ground contacting portion, a central wheel, and a plurality of web spokes that connect the wheel and beam. When the tire is loaded to a design load against a flat surface over a design contact length, a contact area of essentially uniform pressure is produced, while the load is transmitted from the beam to the hub via tension in the web spokes. The tire can be economically manufactured.

A tire including: a circular tire frame that includes a polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomer having a hard segment and a soft segment, the hard segment containing a copolymer of a dicarboxylic acid having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms and a diamine having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms, and the soft segment containing a polyamine; and a reinforcing cord layer that includes a reinforcing cord member wound around an outer circumferential portion of the tire frame along a tire circumferential direction at an average interval of from 0.4 mm to 3.2 mm in a tire width direction.

An airless tire includes a tread ring, a hub positioned on radial direction inner side of the tread ring, and a spoke structure connecting the tread ring and hub. The tread ring includes a reinforcing body including a first reinforcing cord layer, a second reinforcing cord layer and a shear layer such that the first layer is extending in tire circumferential direction, the second layer is positioned on tire radial direction inner side of the first layer and extending in the tire circumferential direction, and the shear layer including elastomer is positioned between the first and second layers, and the shear layer includes first and second portions such that the first portion has loss tangent tan and shear modulus Ee in MPa at temperature of 30 C. satisfying tan 0.06 and Ee/tan 1500 and the second portion is formed of material different from material of the first portion.

A wheel and tire assembly in accordance with the present invention for a mobile vehicle includes an inner central hub, an outer shear band and tread structure mounted on the central hub, and a spoke structure extending between the central hub and the shear band and tread structure. The spoke structure defines a plurality of cavities disposed concentrically about the central hub whereby the cavities allow the spoke structure to deflect under load.

A wheel includes a main hub portion having outer and inner portions, the inner portion being spaced from the outer portion by a main hub sidewall; a ring portion configured to engage the main hub portion so as to enclose the outer portion and the inner portion and create an enclosed void; and an exterior covering surrounding at least part of the main hub portion and the ring portion at the enclosed void. A method of forming a wheel includes forming a main hub portion having an outer portion and an inner portion; forming a ring portion configured to engage the main hub portion so as to enclose the outer portion and the inner portion and create an enclosed void; assembling the main hub portion and the ring portion into an assembled hub; and overmolding an exterior covering surrounding at least part of the main hub and ring portions.