A quick release mechanism for a wheel includes a hub and a clip, which interact with a wheel or roller that may or may not be part of the invention per se. The hub is disposable on a drive shaft such that it will rotate with the drive shaft. An optional hub cap is disposable on the wheel and has an opening that is complimentary to the geometry of the hub to allow engagement thereof such that the hub the hub cap rotate together. The clip is disposable on the hub in a closed or an open position so that the hub cap cannot or can be removed from the hub.

A tire is configured to be received by a wheel having at least one angled surface. The tire includes a tread portion, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The first sidewall has a first outer surface, a first inner surface, and a first projection extending inwardly from the first inner surface. The first projection has a first angled surface configured to engage a first corresponding surface of a wheel. The second sidewall has a second outer surface, a second inner surface, and a second projection extending inwardly from the second inner surface. The second projection has a second angled surface configured to engage a second corresponding surface of the wheel.

A wheel assembly comprising a rigid wheel including a radially outer rim wall presenting a polygonal shape with a plurality of outermost vertices connecting a plurality of planar faces, and a flexible tire mounted on the outer rim wall. The tire is supported by the vertices of the rim wall and is separated from the rim faces by a space, portions of the tire located between the vertices being configured to flex inwardly when subject to ground engaging pressure.

A multi-layer or multi-section foam insert replacement for a pneumatic inner tube emulates the effect of air pressure, across a wide range of temperatures and pressures, while maintaining the weight of a conventional air-filled pneumatic tube. Through the use of different density materials and/or the orientation and thickness of such materials, desirable handling properties are achieved. The multi-layer/multi-section foam insert can be produced by steam molding or extrusion of foam materials.

The invention relates to a run-flat device for a mounted assembly of a motor vehicle and such a mounted assembly incorporating it.

This device comprises a wheel rim having a rim base of diameter D and a tire mounted on the rim, the device being suitable for supporting the tire in a run-flat situation and comprising: a ring comprising a multitude of axial portions juxtaposed over a circumference of the ring and defining an inner mounting face on the rim base and an outer support face of the tire in a run-flat situation, each portion having at least one support situated radially between the mounting and support faces, and at least one belt which surrounds the ring over the circumference thereof so as to support it substantially in contact with the rim base and which passes through the portions by being applied on the supports thereof.

According to the invention, the portions are not hinged to one another and are tight or spaced apart from one another over the circumference by a total sum of consecutive spaces, measured between the portions at the mounting face thereof, which is less than .Math.D/2.

A runflat device, and a method of fitting a runflat device. The runflat device can include a chain of segments which is flexible enough to be manipulated for fitting, while also being laterally stable to ensure correct positioning and to avoid misalignment when tightening onto a wheel. The fitting method initially expands the runflat device within the cavity of the tire, retaining the runflat device securely in place against the inside of the tire's tread area. This advantageously leaves the beads of the tire unobstructed for fitting to a wheel.

Provided is an insert for a tire, capable of being fastened together with a rim and a tire, the insert including a flow path connecting an upper surface and a lower surface of the insert.

A wheel for a racing bicycle including a rim with a rim body having a rim well and lateral rim flanks provided with rim flanges, the rim flanges showing bulges protruding inwardly, each defining an undercut at the pertaining rim flange. A tire with two circumferential tire beads is accommodated on the rim body between the rim flanges, the tire beads bearing against the inside of the rim flanges and entering the undercut at the bulges of the rim flanges. A tire retaining device is included which is disposed in the internal space between the tire and the rim well. The tire retaining device includes an insert member having a hollow space that extends between the tire beads and contains a radially outwardly peripheral wall and a radially inwardly peripheral wall, wherein at least the radially inwardly peripheral wall extends continuously across an inner axial width of the insert member.

A run flat system. The run flat system includes a run flat assembly and a continuous elastomeric cap member. The run flat assembly includes a plurality of arcuate shaped run flat segments which collectively form a ring, and the run flat assembly forms a noncompliant load bearing portion of the run flat system. The continuous elastomeric cap member covers a radially outer surface of the run flat assembly, and the continuous elastomeric cap member forms a compliant portion of the run flat system.

A run flat device configured to be fitted to a tubeless mounted assembly for a motor vehicle, which includes a wheel rim and a tire cover including beads mounted against edges of the rim, the run flat device including: an annular supporting structure which is configured to be mounted around the rim so as to support the cover following a drop in inflating pressure inside the mounted assembly, including: three composite spring segments forming sectors in an arc of a circle assembled circumferentially around the rim forming the annular supporting structure by means of transverse pins whose shape geometry is asymmetrical; and an arrangement for locking the beads against the edges which are configured to connect the annular supporting structure to these beads.