Embodiments of collapsible wheels and methods of making collapsible wheels are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Embodiments of collapsible wheels and methods of making collapsible wheels are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

A vacuum cleaner can include an upright section, a surface cleaning head coupled to the upright section, and at least one wheel coupled to the surface cleaning head. The at least one wheel can include a hub, a rim, and an absorber. The absorber can extend between the hub and the rim. The absorber can be configured to deform before the rim experiences substantial deformation. A deformation limiter can be provided that is configured to limit the deformation in the absorber.

A method of forming a non-pneumatic tire is provided that includes the steps of providing an outer shear band ring (56) and an intermediate section (14) that has a supporting structure (16). The intermediate section (14) is collapsed from an uncollapsed state to a collapsed state. The intermediate section in the collapsed state is inserted inside of the outer shear band ring such that the outer shear band ring is located outward from the intermediate section in a radial direction of the tire. Compression of the intermediate section (14) is released when the intermediate section (14) is inside of the outer shear band ring (56) so that the intermediate section returns to the uncollapsed state from the collapsed state. In one embodiment, the compressing step of the intermediate section (14) is performed by a compression device (68) that has a plurality of gripping members.

A method of forming a non-pneumatic tire is provided that includes the steps of providing an outer shear band ring (12) that has an inner diameter. An intermediate section (14) is provided that has a supporting structure. An outer diameter (102) of the intermediate section (14) in the uncompressed state is greater than the inner diameter (70) of the outer shear band ring (12). The intermediate section is compressed from the uncompressed state to a compressed state, and is inserted inside of the outer shear band ring (12). Compression of the intermediate section is released when the intermediate section is inside of the outer shear band ring, and the intermediate section (14) moves from the compressed state to a state of interference fit with the outer shear band ring (12).

A method of forming a non-pneumatic tire is provided that includes the steps of providing an outer shear band ring (12) that has an inner diameter. An intermediate section (14) is provided that has a supporting structure. An outer diameter (102) of the intermediate section (14) in the uncompressed state is greater than the inner diameter (70) of the outer shear band ring (12). The intermediate section is compressed from the uncompressed state to a compressed state, and is inserted inside of the outer shear band ring (12). Compression of the intermediate section is released when the intermediate section is inside of the outer shear band ring, and the intermediate section (14) moves from the compressed state to a state of interference fit with the outer shear band ring (12).

A method of forming a non-pneumatic tire (10) is provided that includes the steps of providing an outer shear band ring (12), an intermediate section (14) with a supporting structure (16), and an inner shear band ring. The intermediate section (14) is positioned inside of the outer shear band ring (12) such that the outer shear band ring is located outward from the intermediate section in a radial direction of the tire. A hub (20) is positioned inside of the intermediate section such that the intermediate section (14) is located outward from the hub (20) in the radial direction.

A method of forming a non-pneumatic tire (10) is provided that includes the steps of providing an outer shear band ring (12), an intermediate section (14) with a supporting structure (16), and an inner shear band ring. The intermediate section (14) is positioned inside of the outer shear band ring (12) such that the outer shear band ring is located outward from the intermediate section in a radial direction of the tire. A hub (20) is positioned inside of the intermediate section such that the intermediate section (14) is located outward from the hub (20) in the radial direction.

Embodiments of collapsible wheels and methods of making collapsible wheels are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Embodiments of collapsible wheels and methods of making collapsible wheels are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.