A green tire includes a plurality of sheets of green rubber having a substantially circular shape, wherein each sheet of green rubber includes an upper ring and a lower ring, and each sheet of green rubber further includes a plurality of spoke portions extending from the upper ring to the lower ring. The green tire further includes a plurality of reinforcements. Each reinforcement is disposed between adjacent sheets of green rubber. At least one reinforcement is sandwiched between the upper rings of adjacent sheets of green rubber, and at least one reinforcement is sandwiched between the spoke portions of adjacent sheets of green rubber.

Expanded rubber articles (11) and processes for making such, comprising: partially curing an expandable rubber formulation (2) by heating it in a first mold cavity (1) to form a molded blank (3); releasing the molded blank (3) from the first mold cavity (1) and allowing the molded blank (5) to expand to form an expanded molded blank (4); and further curing and expanding the expanded molded blank (4) by heating it to form the expanded rubber article (11) comprising an expanded rubber part (6), wherein the expanded molded blank (4) is heated in a second mold cavity (5). Optionally, the expanded molded blank (4) is contacted with a further rubber formulation (7) and a substrate comprising a base material (9) and an elastomer bonding layer (8) in the second mold cavity (5) to form an expanded rubber article additionally comprising a solid rubber part (10) and a substrate (8, 9).

This invention relates to a tyre insert comprising an inner component comprising a first foam material, and an outer component comprising a second foam material, wherein the second foam material has either a higher or lower density than the first foam material, and wherein the outer component comprises an inwardly facing channel which is shaped to accept the inner component. This invention also relates to a wheel for a vehicle comprising a tyre insert as described above, as well as to a vehicle comprising the wheel.

A molded body is useful in non-pneumatic tires. The non-pneumatic tires containing the molded body are useful for vehicle wheels such as wheels for cars, bikes, motorcycles, trucks, e-scooters, toys, sports equipment, golf caddy, strollers, or wheelchairs. A process for manufacturing the molded body for non-pneumatic tires is also provided.

A non-pneumatic wheel with reinforcement bands that provide structural support for the wheel and a method of manufacture of such a wheel are described. The reinforcement band forms part of an annular reinforcement structure that includes a core that is cast in place between annular reinforcement bands. The core can be impregnated with a matrix material. The matrix material can also be used to form one or more elements of the non-pneumatic wheel.

Expanded rubber articles (11) and processes for making such, comprising: partially curing an expandable rubber formulation (2) by heating it in a first mould cavity (1) to form a moulded blank (3); releasing the moulded blank (3) from the first mould cavity (1) and allowing the moulded blank (5) to expand to form an expanded moulded blank (4); and further curing and expanding the expanded moulded blank (4) by heating it to form the expanded rubber article (11) comprising an expanded rubber part (6), wherein the expanded moulded blank (4) is heated in a second mould cavity (5). Optionally, the expanded moulded blank (4) is contacted with a further rubber formulation (7) and a substrate comprising a base material (9) and an elastomer bonding layer (8) in the second mould cavity (5) to form an expanded rubber article additionally comprising a solid rubber part (10) and a substrate (8, 9).

A non-pneumatic tire is disclosed where a resilient wheel is mounted on a rim and the wheel has an inner ring, an outer ring and a plurality of flexible webs interconnected between the inner and outer rings. The flexible webs define openings in through the resilient wheel. The stiffness of the inner wheel at a position adjacent to the inner face is different than the stiffness of the inner wheel at a position adjacent to the outer face. This stiffness difference can be accomplished by providing inflated membranes in at least some of the openings or by molding the wheel with an asymmetric parting line. In addition, the wheels could be dynamically controlled by providing magnetically actuable membranes in some of the openings.

Tire, comprising an annular massive tire body having an essentially round or oval cross section having a centre M.sub.B, and having an outer circumference Co forming a tread and an inner circumference Ci facing the centre of the annular body, the body containing a longitudinal pull cable channel, the channel containing a pull cable and having a cross section having a centre M.sub.K, wherein the distance between M.sub.K and the inner circumference Ci is between 7 and 18 mm measured along a line connecting M.sub.K and M.sub.B and structure comprising the tire mounted around a wheel rim.

A system and method for a tubeless tire insert. The present invention includes an annular body having shock absorbing characteristics. A positioning system configured to vary a mean inner diameter of the insert is also included. The insert has a mean inner diameter X when the tire is being installed on the rim, and the insert has a mean inner diameter Y when the tire is installed on the rim, where X is greater than Y.

Shape memory alloy elements (SMAs) are bonded, encased, or encapsulated with one or more polymers to form an integrated component with unique elastic, pseudoelastic, and load-bearing properties.