A wheel assembly and method of assembling the same for use with an airless or non-pneumatic tyre. The assembly includes a rim member and at least one locking or retaining member. The rim member includes a first portion at least part of which is adapted to be attached to an axle in use, and at least part of the locking member is configured to detachably attach to at least part of the first portion of the rim member. Attachment to the rim member assists in retaining the tyre in position on rim member and/or the wheel assembly in use.

A non-pneumatic tire intended to be mounted on a rim and fitted to a lightweight vehicle, and the subject of the present invention is more specifically a tire element, which is 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 said stiffening portion (6), a closed secondary interior cavity (8).

A non-pneumatic tire intended to be mounted on a rim and fitted to a lightweight vehicle, and the subject of the present invention is more specifically a tire element, which is 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 said stiffening portion (6), a closed secondary interior cavity (8).

A wheel assembly to be coupled to a hub of a vehicle, may include arcuate inner rim assemblies removably coupled together to define a circular inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle. Each arcuate inner rim assembly may include an arcuate inner rim segment, and an arcuate inner ring segment extending radially outward from the arcuate inner rim segment. The wheel assembly may also include arcuate outer rim assemblies removably coupled together to define a circular outer rim. Each arcuate outer rim assembly may include an arcuate outer rim segment, and an arcuate outer ring segment extending radially inward from the arcuate outer rim segment. The wheel assembly may also include gas springs operatively coupled between the circular inner rim and the circular outer rim to provide a gas suspension for relative movement therebetween.

A system in accordance with the present invention cures and manufactures a partially-cured tire assembly. The system includes: a functional wheel member being slid into a corresponding annular, radially inner surface of the partially-cured tire assembly; a plurality of elongate spacer members; a first annular curing platen for axially securing the wheel member and spacer members relative to each other; a second annular curing platen for axially securing the wheel member and spacer members relative to each other; and a plurality of elongate inserts for creating a substantially smooth, uniform outer cylindrical surface formed by a radially outer surface of each insert and flap members of the tire assembly positioned by the radially outermost surfaces of the spacer members.

A tire member of a non-pneumatic tire is provided. An inner circumference of the tire member is provided with a mounting protrusion. Securing notches for securing the tire member to a rim are provided at two sides of where the mounting protrusion joins the tire member. A position fixing groove is provided at an inner circumference of the mounting protrusion. The position fixing groove has an annular structure; alternatively, the position fixing groove has an arc structure, and a plurality of the position fixing grooves having the arc structure are uniformly distributed at the inner circumference of the mounting protrusion in a circumferential direction. Two side walls of the position fixing groove are provided with several securing holes below the securing notches, respectively. The securing holes pass through the side walls of the position fixing groove, and partially coincide with securing notches at an outer side.

A tire member of a non-pneumatic tire is provided. An inner circumference of the tire member is provided with a mounting protrusion. Securing notches for securing the tire member to a rim are provided at two sides of where the mounting protrusion joins the tire member. A position fixing groove is provided at an inner circumference of the mounting protrusion. The position fixing groove has an annular structure; alternatively, the position fixing groove has an arc structure, and a plurality of the position fixing grooves having the arc structure are uniformly distributed at the inner circumference of the mounting protrusion in a circumferential direction. Two side walls of the position fixing groove are provided with several securing holes below the securing notches, respectively. The securing holes pass through the side walls of the position fixing groove, and partially coincide with securing notches at an outer side.

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.

A method for manufacturing a wheel hub (300) for a non-pneumatic wheel (100). A sheet (332) of material may be folded, cut, bent, and otherwise processed to form portions of the desired wheel hub(300). The wheel hub (300) may be connected with an annular band (108) through load supporting members (106) that can be selectively connected and disconnected from the hub (300).

A flexible wheel may include a flexible tire section which is deformable in a radial direction from a circumference thereof, and an anti-bending guide section coupled with the flexible tire section. The anti-bending guide section is connected to a driving shaft, and the flexible tire section and the anti-bending guide section are concentric. The flexible tire section includes a ring-shaped outer layer, one or more inner layers, and a plurality of spokes. In addition, the anti-bending guide section includes a plurality of plates, a hub, and a plurality of guides.