A puncture resistant wheel apparatus, and method of use, for safely climbing obstacles are disclosed herein. A plurality of wheel apparatuses is mounted on a vehicle (e.g. a wheelchair, cart, mountain bicycle, etc.) to enable it to safely traverse obstacles, such as a flight of stairs, road curbs, etc. without slipping, and while creating a smoother ride. Each wheel apparatus comprises: a tire comprising a plurality of teeth sections separated via a thin space to grip an obstacle edge between the teeth; a circular rim attachable to the tire inner surface via T-joints, and a plurality of evenly spaced spokes extending to a central hub; and two hoop rings, mounted on opposing tire sidewalls. The center of each tire tooth section further comprises an elastic unit, comprising a vertical spring and two horizontal springs that further act to dampen the vibrational and jarring forces exerted on the wheel apparatus.

A non-pneumatic tire and wheel assembly is described herein having an outer annular ring which includes a ground contacting tread portion and a shear band. One or more spoke disks are integrally mounted on a wheel wherein a plurality of anchors on the spoke disks are received in mating aligned slots of the wheel.

A non-pneumatic tire and wheel assembly is described herein having an outer annular ring which includes a ground contacting tread portion and a shear band. One or more spoke disks are integrally mounted on a wheel wherein a plurality of anchors on the spoke disks are received in mating aligned slots of the wheel.

A wheel assembly includes a hub for attachment to a rotatable axle, a plurality of first friction plates each engaging a first surface of one part of a plurality of parts of a tire assembly, a plurality of second friction plates each engaging a second surface of the one part of a plurality of parts of a tire assembly, the second surface being radially opposite the first surface, and a plurality of radial cable members each connecting the hub to the tire assembly such that each radial cable member extends radially away from the hub, bends circumferentially adjacent a corresponding second friction plate, bends radially outward and back circumferentially adjacent a corresponding first friction plate, and radially inward to a first point of intersection with the same radial cable member.

A wheel assembly includes a hub for attachment to a rotatable axle, a plurality of first friction plates each engaging a first surface of one part of a plurality of parts of a tire assembly, a plurality of second friction plates each engaging a second surface of the one part of a plurality of parts of a tire assembly, the second surface being radially opposite the first surface, and a plurality of radial cable members each connecting the hub to the tire assembly such that each radial cable member extends radially away from the hub, bends circumferentially adjacent a corresponding second friction plate, bends radially outward and back circumferentially adjacent a corresponding first friction plate, and radially inward to a first point of intersection with the same radial cable member.

A system manufactures a tire assembly. The system includes a core having a cylindrical hub and radially protruding extensions projecting radially outward from the hub, a plurality of internal arcuate members for positioning a reinforcing layer of the tire assembly about the core, the internal arcuate members being disposed in spaces between the extensions of the core, a first side plate for securing the internal arcuate members in place relative to the core, and a second side plate for securing the core and internal arcuate members to each other.

A non-pneumatic tire and hub assembly includes an inner ring having an axis of rotation, a deformable outer ring, and a flexible web extending between the inner ring and the deformable outer ring. The assembly further includes a hollow, metal cylinder coupled to the inner ring. The hollow, metal cylinder has a flanged portion extending towards an interior portion of the hollow, metal cylinder.

A non-pneumatic tire and hub assembly includes an inner ring having an axis of rotation, a deformable outer ring, and a flexible web extending between the inner ring and the deformable outer ring. The assembly further includes a hollow, metal cylinder coupled to the inner ring. The hollow, metal cylinder has a flanged portion extending towards an interior portion of the hollow, metal cylinder.

A wheel and tire assembly includes a plurality of support elements for supporting part of a load of a vehicle and an annular shear band extending circumferentially around the support elements. The band has a radially inner circumferential membrane, a radially outer circumferential membrane, and a shear layer interconnecting the inner membrane and the outer membrane. The shear layer has a plurality of closed cells for controlling shear deflection between the inner membrane and the outer membrane.

A wheel and tire assembly includes a plurality of support elements for supporting part of a load of a vehicle and an annular shear band extending circumferentially around the support elements. The band has a radially inner circumferential membrane, a radially outer circumferential membrane, and a shear layer interconnecting the inner membrane and the outer membrane. The shear layer has a plurality of closed cells for controlling shear deflection between the inner membrane and the outer membrane.