A method of forming a non-pneumatic tire is provided that includes the steps of providing an outer shear band ring (56) and an intermediate section (14) that has a supporting structure (16). The intermediate section (14) is collapsed from an uncollapsed state to a collapsed state. The intermediate section in the collapsed state is inserted inside of the outer shear band ring such that the outer shear band ring is located outward from the intermediate section in a radial direction of the tire. Compression of the intermediate section (14) is released when the intermediate section (14) is inside of the outer shear band ring (56) so that the intermediate section returns to the uncollapsed state from the collapsed state. In one embodiment, the compressing step of the intermediate section (14) is performed by a compression device (68) that has a plurality of gripping members.

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 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 an annular reinforcement structure that includes rectangular reinforcements within a shear layer. The rectangular reinforcements replace deforming rubber or polymeric materials and can thereby reduce the volume of deforming materials to optimize energy loss therein and reduce rolling resistance of the non-pneumatic wheel.

A non-pneumatic wheel having an annular reinforcement structure that includes rectangular reinforcements within a shear layer. The rectangular reinforcements replace deforming rubber or polymeric materials and can thereby reduce the volume of deforming materials to optimize energy loss therein and reduce rolling resistance of the non-pneumatic wheel.

A tire includes a central region configured to be mounted to a wheel and a crown region including a circumferential tread and a shear element disposed below the circumferential tread. The shear element includes an upper reinforcement layer, a lower reinforcement layer, and an elastic region disposed between the upper reinforcement layer and the lower reinforcement layer. A radial distance between the upper reinforcement layer and the lower reinforcement layer varies along an axial width of the tire. The tire also includes an intermediate region extending from the central region to the crown region.

A tire includes a central region configured to be mounted to a wheel and a crown region including a circumferential tread and a shear element disposed below the circumferential tread. The shear element includes an upper reinforcement layer, a lower reinforcement layer, and an elastic region disposed between the upper reinforcement layer and the lower reinforcement layer. A radial distance between the upper reinforcement layer and the lower reinforcement layer varies along an axial width of the tire. The tire also includes an intermediate region extending from the central region to the crown region.

A non-pneumatic tire has an inner annular body centered on a rotation axis portion, an outer annular body provided radially outward of the inner annular body, a wheel portion including a connecting member elastically deforming and for connecting the inner annular body and the outer annular body, and a tread portion provided radially outward of the outer annular body and in contact with a road. The non-pneumatic tire is provided with an electrode portion which is in contact with the tread portion and is provided on the radially inner side of tread portion, and a wiring portion which connects the electrode portion and the inner annular body and is formed of a conductor. A part of the wheel portion is formed of a nonmetallic material, and the electrode portion is formed of a conductor having a prescribed width in tire width direction and a prescribed length in tire circumferential 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 tire includes a central region configured to be mounted to a wheel and a crown region including a circumferential tread. A plurality of voids are disposed in the crown region, below a surface of the circumferential tread. The tire further includes an intermediate region extending from the central region to the crown region.