A method of preparing a green tire innerliner, the method comprising mixing one or more vulcanizable rubbery polymers, less than 0.75 parts by weight zinc oxide, less than 0.75 parts by weight magnesium oxide, and less than 0.75 parts by weight sulfur, per 100 parts by weight rubber, to form a vulcanizable mixture and extruding the mixture to form a green tire innerliner.

A tire having a central axis and a radius further includes a circumferential tread having a convex cross-section. The convex cross-section is defined by a radius that is less than a maximum radius of the tire. A pair of sidewalls extends from opposite sides of the circumferential tread. Each of the pair of sidewalls has a concave cross-section that is defined by a radius that is greater than a maximum radius of the convex cross-section of the circumferential tread.

A shear band and a non-pneumatic tire is described which includes a ground contacting annular tread portion; a shear band, and a connecting web positioned between a hub and the shear band. The shear band is preferably comprised of a three-dimensional spacer fabric having a first and second layer connected by connecting members. The three-dimensional spacer fabric has a defined depth. The first and second layer of fabric of the three-dimensional spacer structure are reinforced with a respective first and second layer of non-crimped fabric, eliminating the need for a rubber shear layer and reinforcement layers commonly used for the shear band.

A non-pneumatic tire having a block type reinforcement configuration includes: a tread unit that forms an outer portion of the tire and comes in contact with a road surface; a wheel unit that is connected to an axle; a spoke unit that is formed between the tread unit and the wheel unit; and a block type reinforcement unit that includes a block formed inside the tread unit in the circumferential direction of the tread unit, and a plurality of reinforcing members formed in the block to correspond to the shape of the block.

A non-pneumatic tire having a block type reinforcement configuration includes: a tread unit that forms an outer portion of the tire and comes in contact with a road surface; a wheel unit that is connected to an axle; a spoke unit that is formed between the tread unit and the wheel unit; and a block type reinforcement unit that includes a block formed inside the tread unit in the circumferential direction of the tread unit, and a plurality of reinforcing members formed in the block to correspond to the shape of the block.

A non-pneumatic tire compries a tire wheel; a rim which is made of a rigid material and concentrically disposed at an interval with respect to the tire wheel; spokes each of which has one side fastened to a circumference of the tire wheel and the other side fastened to a circumference of the rim and elastically supports the interval between the tire wheel and the rim; and a tire cover which is coupled to cover the rim and has a tread pattern formed on an outer surface of the tire cover, wherein the rim has a plurality of circular rings having a width and a thickness, the plurality of rings is disposed to face one another at intervals in a width direction of the tire cover, and interval support members, which elastically support the intervals among the rings and bind the rings, are provided among the rings.

A wheel assembly includes a rigid wheel and an airless flexible tire with certain performance characteristics of a pneumatic tire. The rigid wheel includes a central portion and a plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting elements removably attached to a radially outer margin of the central portion. The tire is mounted on the wheel and engages the mounting elements such that portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements are separated radially from the wheel by a space. The tire is configured such that portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements flex inwardly toward the wheel when subject to ground engaging pressure, thereby minimizing ground penetration and soil disruption. The tire may include one or more tension elements embedded in the tire to increase the tire's strength and resilience.

A wheel assembly includes a rigid wheel and an airless flexible tire with certain performance characteristics of a pneumatic tire. The rigid wheel includes a central portion and a plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting elements removably attached to a radially outer margin of the central portion. The tire is mounted on the wheel and engages the mounting elements such that portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements are separated radially from the wheel by a space. The tire is configured such that portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements flex inwardly toward the wheel when subject to ground engaging pressure, thereby minimizing ground penetration and soil disruption. The tire may include one or more tension elements embedded in the tire to increase the tire's strength and resilience.

A non-pneumatic tire is described that includes a ground contacting annular tread portion, a shear band, wherein the shear band is formed of a first and second inextensible layer, and a low modulus material positioned between the first and second inextensible layer. The non-pneumatic tire further includes a connecting web positioned between a hub and the shear band, wherein the connecting web is formed of one or more spokes extending from an inner ring to an outer ring, wherein the one or more spokes are formed from a material reinforced with a three dimensional spacer structure.

A wheel assembly includes a collapsible wheel and an airless flexible tire mounted on the wheel. The wheel includes a central portion and a plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting elements attached to the central portion. Each of the mounting elements is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, and may be pivotally attached to the central portion of the wheel and configured to pivot between the retracted position and the extended position. The tire may be positioned on the wheel when one or more of the mounting elements is in the retracted position, and the one or more mounting elements are moved to the extended position wherein the mounting elements engage and support the tire.