A nonpneumatic tire has at least one spoke loop structure connected to a shear band, wherein the spoke loop structure has a plurality of loops extending inward from the shear band, and wherein each loop is connected to a wheel. A method for forming the nonpneumatic tire includes the step of forming a base and loop subassembly by providing a base having a plurality of grooves, inserting a layer of elastomer strip into each groove and forming a loop between each of the grooves; and inserting the base and loop subassembly which has a plurality of flexible loops extending inward from a shearband so that the base is positioned adjacent the shear band; curing the base and loop subassembly formed from a strip of elastomeric material into the shearband; providing a wheel, and then connecting each loop to the wheel.

A non-pneumatic tire is described herein having a spoke loop structure forming an annular ring, and further including a ground contacting tread portion and a shear band. The spoke loop structure has a plurality of flexible loops extending inward from the shear band, wherein each loop is formed from a strip of elastomeric material, and wherein each loop is connected to a wheel. The wheel has at least two circumferential partition, wherein each spoke loop is received in a compartment formed between two adjacent partition, wherein the compartment prevents axial movement of the spoke loop.

A non-pneumatic tire is described herein having a spoke loop structure forming an annular ring, and further including a ground contacting tread portion and a shear band. The spoke loop structure has a plurality of flexible loops extending inward from the shear band, wherein each loop is formed from a strip of elastomeric material, and wherein each loop is connected to a wheel. The wheel has at least two circumferential partition, wherein each spoke loop is received in a compartment formed between two adjacent partition, wherein the compartment prevents axial movement of the spoke loop.

A wheel assembly comprising a wheel disk and a tread member disposed around the wheel disk. The wheel disk can have a substantially conical shape when in an unloaded state, but be flexible such that it can deform under load to optimize and/or maximize contact area between the tread member and a driving surface.

A wheel assembly comprising a wheel disk and a tread member disposed around the wheel disk. The wheel disk can have a substantially conical shape when in an unloaded state, but be flexible such that it can deform under load to optimize and/or maximize contact area between the tread member and a driving surface.

A rim for a non-pneumatic tire comprises a cylindrical rim wall portion, and a fixing member disposed to be spaced apart from the rim wall portion in a radial direction. The rim wall portion is provided with a fixing protrusion protruding in the radial direction or a fixing groove depressed in the radial direction.

A rim for a non-pneumatic tire comprises a cylindrical rim wall portion, and a fixing member disposed to be spaced apart from the rim wall portion in a radial direction. The rim wall portion is provided with a fixing protrusion protruding in the radial direction or a fixing groove depressed in the radial direction.

A tire and wheel assembly includes a non-pneumatic tire and a wheel. The non-pneumatic tire incudes a tread, an inner liner, and a plurality of spokes extending between and coupling the tread to the inner liner. The plurality of spokes have a first width and the inner liner has a second width greater than the first width such that a pair of inner liner flanges extend beyond the plurality of spokes in an axial direction. The wheel includes a rim and the inner liner is configured to be mounted on the rim with the pair of inner liner flanges fastened to the rim such that the non-pneumatic tire is serviceably mounted on the wheel.

A tire and wheel assembly includes a non-pneumatic tire and a wheel. The non-pneumatic tire incudes a tread, an inner liner, and a plurality of spokes extending between and coupling the tread to the inner liner. The plurality of spokes have a first width and the inner liner has a second width greater than the first width such that a pair of inner liner flanges extend beyond the plurality of spokes in an axial direction. The wheel includes a rim and the inner liner is configured to be mounted on the rim with the pair of inner liner flanges fastened to the rim such that the non-pneumatic tire is serviceably mounted on the wheel.

This disclosure includes methods and apparatus for forming a non-pneumatic tire carcass comprising an inner hub, an outer band, and a plurality of spokes. The method includes arranging the inner hub, the plurality of spokes, and the outer band to form a curing assembly arranged in a first arrangement within a forming apparatus, where the inner hub is arranged concentrically within a radially inner annular side of the outer band and the plurality of spokes are arranged between the outer band and the inner hub. The plurality of spokes are forced in opposite radial directions from the first arrangement and to a second arrangement, where each spoke of the plurality of spokes is forced in a curing position against the inner hub and towards the outer band in a curing arrangement. The plurality of spokes are then cured to each of the inner hub and outer band.