A non-pneumatic tire includes a lower ring having a first diameter, an upper ring having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, and a plurality of closed geometric shapes connected to the lower ring. The non-pneumatic tire further includes a plurality of spokes extending from each closed geometric shape to the upper ring. Each of the plurality of spokes includes a first linear segment connected to one of the plurality of closed geometric shapes and extending in a first direction, and a second linear segment connected to the upper ring and extending in a second direction different from the first direction.

A rim for a non-pneumatic tire comprises a cylindrical rim wall portion, and a fixing member disposed to be spaced apart from the rim wall portion in a radial direction. The rim wall portion is provided with a fixing protrusion protruding in the radial direction or a fixing groove depressed in the radial direction.

A green tire includes a plurality of sheets of green rubber having a substantially circular shape, wherein each sheet of green rubber includes an upper ring and a lower ring, and each sheet of green rubber further includes a plurality of spoke portions extending from the upper ring to the lower ring. The green tire further includes a plurality of reinforcements. Each reinforcement is disposed between adjacent sheets of green rubber. At least one reinforcement is sandwiched between the upper rings of adjacent sheets of green rubber, and at least one reinforcement is sandwiched between the spoke portions of adjacent sheets of green rubber.

A non-pneumatic tire defining axial, radial and circumferential directions, the non-pneumatic tire comprising an annular shear band (106) including an annular shear layer (252) comprising an elastomeric material, and a plurality of discrete, annular reinforcing elements positioned within the shear layer (252) along a plurality of axially-extending rows (254.sub.A, 254.sub.B, 254.sub.C, 254.sub.D, 254.sub.E) within a radial plane of the tire, the reinforcing elements having circular cross-sections along the radial plane of the tire, wherein along each row the reinforcing elements alternate between reinforcing elements (250.sub.D1) having a first diameter and reinforcing elements (250.sub.D2) having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter.

A wheel for a vehicle, such as a forklift (e.g., an electric forklift) or another material-handling vehicle, in which the wheel comprises a tire (e.g., a non-pneumatic tire) and may be designed to enhance its use and performance and/or use and performance of the vehicle, including, for example, to exhibit less rolling resistance, be more energy-efficient and/or allow the vehicle to travel faster and/or with improved ride comfort. For instance, elastic deformation of the wheel as it rolls may be better managed (e.g., reduced), which may improve thermal behavior of the wheel and/or may be combined with ways to better distribute or dissipate heat (e.g., by increasing thermal conductivity).

A non-pneumatic tire assembly includes a non-pneumatic tire. The non-pneumatic tire includes an inner circumferential ring and an outer circumferential ring defining an annular space and a cylindrical space inside the inner circumferential ring. A plurality of partitions connect the circumferential rings within the annular space. A ground-contacting tread is located on the outer circumferential ring. A rim, including a plurality of pieces, is located within the cylindrical space. The non-pneumatic tire assembly further includes a hub that is removably connected to the rim.

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 wheel unit for overcoming an obstacle includes a hub, a plurality of unit blocks and a supporting body. The hub rotates by receiving a rotating force. The plurality of unit blocks is spaced apart from the hub and forms an outer shape of the wheel unit. The supporting body is configured to connect the hub with the unit blocks, or is filled between the hub and the unit blocks. The supporting body applies a tension to the unit blocks along a direction toward the hub, to close up the unit blocks with each other, when the wheel unit passes through a ground. The unit blocks adjacent to each other are relatively rotated or moved, when the wheel unit overcomes an obstacle.

A wheel unit for overcoming an obstacle includes a hub, a plurality of unit blocks and a supporting body. The hub rotates by receiving a rotating force. The plurality of unit blocks is spaced apart from the hub and forms an outer shape of the wheel unit. The supporting body is configured to connect the hub with the unit blocks, or is filled between the hub and the unit blocks. The supporting body applies a tension to the unit blocks along a direction toward the hub, to close up the unit blocks with each other, when the wheel unit passes through a ground. The unit blocks adjacent to each other are relatively rotated or moved, when the wheel unit overcomes an obstacle.