A non-pneumatic tire (100) having a pair of opposing annular support structures (102, 104) that extend circumferentially around the tire. Each support structure (102, 104) includes a radially-inner joint (120), a radially-outer joint (122), and a pair of support legs (132, 134) connected with a central joint portion (148). An annular band connects with the support structures (102, 104).

A two-piece rim and tire assembly. The tire is held to the rim by fasteners extending through flanges integral with the tire main body and then into the rim. Further, the outer edges of the rim clinchably mount the tire main body thereto. A flexible overhanging portion extends outwardly of the tire main body minimizing dirt and mud accumulation on the tire and rim. A bearing is held within the rim by a ring.

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).

The present invention provides an annular beam of monolithic construction of one homogeneous material and a related efficient, low-cost non-pneumatic tire. Specific geometric design, combined with nonlinear elastomer physical properties, enable the suppression of all reinforcing belts, continuous fibers, or other strengthening layers in the annular beam. The annular beam consists of at least two bands that are continuous in the circumferential direction and connected by a web geometry. The non-pneumatic tire consists of the annular beam, a ground contacting portion, a central wheel, and a plurality of web spokes that connect the wheel and beam. When the tire is loaded to a design load against a flat surface over a design contact length, a contact area of essentially uniform pressure is produced, while the load is transmitted from the beam to the hub via tension in the web spokes. The tire can be economically manufactured.

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.

Bearing structure (6) has identical bearing elements (61) in tension outside contact patch (A) with the ground and in compression in the contact patch (A). Bearing elements (61) are filamentary and are connected to radially inner face (23) of radially outer structure of revolution (2) by radially outer fabric (71) and to radially outer face (33) of radially inner structure of revolution (3) by radially inner fabric (72), respectively. Furthermore, mean surface density D of bearing elements (61) per unit area of radially outer structure of revolution (2), expressed in 1/m.sup.2, is at least equal to (S/S.sub.E)*Z/(A*F.sub.r), where S is area, in m.sup.2, of radially inner face (23) of radially outer structure of revolution (2), S.sub.E is connecting area, in m.sup.2, of radially outer fabric (71) with radially inner face (23) of radially outer structure of revolution (2), Z is nominal radial load, in N, A is area of contact with the ground, in m.sup.2, and F.sub.r is the force at break, in N, of bearing element (61).

A two-piece rim and tire assembly. The tire is held to the rim by fasteners extending through flanges integral with the tire main body and then into the rim. Further, the outer edges of the rim clinchably mount the tire main body thereto. A flexible overhanging portion extends outwardly of the tire main body minimizing dirt and mud accumulation on the tire and rim. A bearing is held within the rim by a ring.

A press wheel comprises a rigid body and a semi-tubular tire. The tire comprises a flexible envelope with a sole portion through which the tire is mounted on the rigid body, a tread portion and a pair of sidewalls each one connecting the sole to the tread. The sidewalls extend, at least partially, along a generally concave profile, viewed from the exterior of the tire.

A disclosed example embodiment of a gauge wheel tire includes a first polyurethane sidewall portion, a second polyurethane sidewall portion, a polyurethane ground-engaging portion, and a polyurethane axial support portion. The first polyurethane sidewall portion is spaced apart from the second polyurethane sidewall portion, and the polyurethane ground-engaging portion extends from the first polyurethane sidewall portion to the second polyurethane sidewall portion and is adapted to contact a ground surface as the gauge wheel tire rotates about an axis of rotation. The polyurethane axial support portion extends from the first polyurethane sidewall portion to the second polyurethane sidewall portion, and is spaced apart from the polyurethane ground-engaging portion to form a gap that allows radial movement of the polyurethane ground-engaging portion relative to the polyurethane axial support portion.