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.

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 includes an inner ring having an axis of rotation and an outer ring having a plurality of circumferential reinforcements. The non-pneumatic tire further includes support structure extending from the inner ring to the outer ring. The non-pneumatic tire also includes a circumferential tread extending about the outer ring. The circumferential tread includes a tread reinforcement layer spaced from a bottom of the circumferential tread.

A non-pneumatic tire includes an inner ring having an axis of rotation and an outer ring having a plurality of circumferential reinforcements. The non-pneumatic tire further includes support structure extending from the inner ring to the outer ring. The non-pneumatic tire also includes a circumferential tread extending about the outer ring. The circumferential tread includes a tread reinforcement layer spaced from a bottom of the circumferential tread.

A non-pneumatic wheel having a hub (12), an outer tread band (200) and a plurality of spokes (100) connecting the hub (12) with the outer tread band (200), each of the plurality of spokes (10) having first and second support elements joined by a first elastomeric joint body (130) connecting the first support element to the second support element.

A non-pneumatic tire and wheel assembly including a wheel having a first and second bead ring, a non-pneumatic tire having a shear band and tread forming a tread band, and a first and second sidewall region; wherein the first and second sidewall regions each extend from the tread band and terminate into a first and second respective bead area, wherein the first and second bead area are each mounted on the first and second bead ring, respectively; wherein each bead area is located axially outward of the crown region of the non-pneumatic tire when mounted on the wheel, and wherein the first and second sidewall each have an upper sidewall region that is uncoupled from the outer lateral ends of the tread band.

A non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly having a wheel having a first and second bead ring, wherein the non-pneumatic tire has a crown region and a first and second sidewall region; wherein the first and second sidewall regions each extend from the crown and terminate into a first and second respective bead area, wherein the first and second bead area are each mounted on the first and second bead ring, respectively; wherein each bead area is located axially outward of the crown region of the non-pneumatic tire when mounted on the wheel, and wherein the non-pneumatic tire further includes a reinforcement ply which extends from the first bead area to the second bead area.

A non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly having a wheel having a first and second bead ring, wherein the non-pneumatic tire has a crown region and a first and second sidewall region; wherein the first and second sidewall regions each extend from the crown and terminate into a first and second respective bead area, wherein the first and second bead area are each mounted on the first and second bead ring, respectively; wherein each bead area is located axially outward of the crown region of the non-pneumatic tire when mounted on the wheel, and wherein the non-pneumatic tire further includes a reinforcement ply which extends from the first bead area to the second bead area.

A non-pneumatic tire includes an annular inner ring, an annular outer ring, and a support structure positioned between the annular inner ring to the annular outer ring. The support structure includes a multilayer structure of a rubber skim layer and a cord embedded in the rubber skim layer. The rubber skim layer has resistance to ozone exposure without need for a protective layer overlying the rubber skim layer. The rubber skim layer exhibits adhesion to embedded metallic cords. Methods of making a non-pneumatic tire include forming a multilayer structure by applying a skin layer directly over one or more cords.