A wheel for an autonomous cleaning robot that maneuvers the robot on a floor surface includes a tire having first and second opposing outer edges and a middle portion having a tread pattern between the first and second outer edges, the tread pattern comprising a plurality of raised tread having trenches therebetween. Each of the plurality of raised tread includes a first raised tread portion extending from the first outer edge to the middle portion and substantially perpendicular to the first and second outer edges; a second raised tread portion extending at an angle away from the first raised tread portion; and a third raised tread portion extending from the second raised tread portion to the second outer edge and substantially perpendicular to the first and second outer edges, the third raised tread portion being laterally offset from the first raised tread portion.

A wheel for an autonomous cleaning robot that maneuvers the robot on a floor surface includes a tire having first and second opposing outer edges and a middle portion having a tread pattern between the first and second outer edges, the tread pattern comprising a plurality of raised tread having trenches therebetween. Each of the plurality of raised tread includes a first raised tread portion extending from the first outer edge to the middle portion and substantially perpendicular to the first and second outer edges; a second raised tread portion extending at an angle away from the first raised tread portion; and a third raised tread portion extending from the second raised tread portion to the second outer edge and substantially perpendicular to the first and second outer edges, the third raised tread portion being laterally offset from the first raised tread portion.

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 mounting plate for attachment to a rotatable axle; a plurality of friction plates each engaging one of a plurality of parts of a tire assembly; and a plurality of cable members each connecting the mounting plate to the tire assembly such that each cable member extends radially outward through a first hole in one of the friction plates and radially inward through a second hole in the one friction plate to form a loop about the one friction plate and the one part of the plurality of parts of the tire assembly.

A wheel assembly includes a mounting plate for attachment to a rotatable axle; a plurality of friction plates each engaging one of a plurality of parts of a tire assembly; and a plurality of cable members each connecting the mounting plate to the tire assembly such that each cable member extends radially outward through a first hole in one of the friction plates and radially inward through a second hole in the one friction plate to form a loop about the one friction plate and the one part of the plurality of parts of the tire assembly.

A non-pneumatic wheel (100) including a hub (300) and a non-pneumatic tire (102), as well as a method for mounting the non-pneumatic tire (102) onto the hub (300). The hub (300) is formed, with grooves (318) that receive the radially-inner ends (110) of spokes (106) of the non-pneumatic tire (102). To secure the tire (102) onto the hub (300) during assembly, the grooves (318) with the radially inner ends (110) of the spokes (106) received therein are pulled radially inward to decrease the diameter of the hub (300) and increase tension in the spokes (106).

A non-pneumatic wheel (100) including a hub (300) and a non-pneumatic tire (102), as well as a method for mounting the non-pneumatic tire (102) onto the hub (300). The hub (300) is formed, with grooves (318) that receive the radially-inner ends (110) of spokes (106) of the non-pneumatic tire (102). To secure the tire (102) onto the hub (300) during assembly, the grooves (318) with the radially inner ends (110) of the spokes (106) received therein are pulled radially inward to decrease the diameter of the hub (300) and increase tension in the spokes (106).

A non-pneumatic tire intended to be mounted on a rim and fitted to a lightweight vehicle, namely an assembly (A) for a tire, made up of a tire element (1) and of a clamping insert (9), and able to be wound onto a rim. To increase the load-bearing capability, the tire element (1) has two stiffening portions (6) at least partially not joined together, and each stiffening portion (6) extends in the open main interior cavity (5), from a transition zone between the bead (4) and the sidewall (3) as far as the vicinity of the middle of the crown (2), and delimits, with a portion of tire element (7) facing the stiffening portion (6), a closed secondary interior cavity (8). The clamping insert (9) may be a tape, with two transverse edges (91) inserted in the respective longitudinal grooves (41) of the two beads (4) of the tire element (1) so that to apply a clamping force to the two beads (4).

A non-pneumatic tire intended to be mounted on a rim and fitted to a lightweight vehicle, namely an assembly (A) for a tire, made up of a tire element (1) and of a clamping insert (9), and able to be wound onto a rim. To increase the load-bearing capability, the tire element (1) has two stiffening portions (6) at least partially not joined together, and each stiffening portion (6) extends in the open main interior cavity (5), from a transition zone between the bead (4) and the sidewall (3) as far as the vicinity of the middle of the crown (2), and delimits, with a portion of tire element (7) facing the stiffening portion (6), a closed secondary interior cavity (8). The clamping insert (9) may be a tape, with two transverse edges (91) inserted in the respective longitudinal grooves (41) of the two beads (4) of the tire element (1) so that to apply a clamping force to the two beads (4).

A nonpneumatic tire includes a tread portion, an upper ring, and a plurality of spokes extending radially downward from the upper ring. Each spoke is configured to carry a load while in tension and while in compression. The upper ring and the plurality of spokes are part of a unitary component constructed of a single material. Each spoke terminates at a lower end having a spoke mount with an opening configured to engage a corresponding hub mount. Each spoke is under substantially no tension when the tread portion is not in contact with a ground surface and when each spoke mount is disengaged from its corresponding hub mount. Each spoke is under tension when the tread portion is not in contact with the ground surface and when each spoke mount is engaged with its corresponding hub mount.