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.

A motor vehicle tire is disclosed with a pair of post-cure run-flat inserts, each of the pair of post-cure run-flat inserts is disposed within a tire cavity between a shoulder region and a respective upper sidewall region of the tire. The tire further includes a cylindrical sidewall defining an interior cylindrical cavity, each of the cylindrical sidewall and the interior cylindrical cavity extending 360 degrees about a rotational axis of the tire, the cylindrical sidewall having an exterior surface contacting a radially inner surface of an inner liner between the shoulder region and the respective upper sidewall region during a normal inflation condition of the tire.

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.

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 tire-wheel assembly includes a run-flat support member disposed on an inner side of a tread portion of a pneumatic tire, wherein the run-flat support member is made from a foamed body and has a height or greater of a cavity height of the pneumatic tire. When an internal pressure of the pneumatic tire is higher than a predetermined air pressure, the run-flat support member does not come into contact with a rim of the wheel, a side portion of the pneumatic tire, or an inner circumferential surface of a bead portion When an internal pressure of the pneumatic tire is equal to or lower than a predetermined air pressure, an inner side of the run-flat support member in a tire radial direction comes into contact with an outer circumference of the rim of the wheel and/or the inner circumferential surface of the bead portion of the pneumatic tire.

A tire-wheel assembly includes a run-flat support member disposed on an inner side of a tread portion of a pneumatic tire, wherein the run-flat support member is made from a foamed body and has a height or greater of a cavity height of the pneumatic tire. When an internal pressure of the pneumatic tire is higher than a predetermined air pressure, the run-flat support member does not come into contact with a rim of the wheel, a side portion of the pneumatic tire, or an inner circumferential surface of a bead portion When an internal pressure of the pneumatic tire is equal to or lower than a predetermined air pressure, an inner side of the run-flat support member in a tire radial direction comes into contact with an outer circumference of the rim of the wheel and/or the inner circumferential surface of the bead portion of the pneumatic tire.

A tire-wheel assembly includes a run-flat support member disposed on a rim within a cavity portion of a pneumatic tire and including a support surface formed on an outer circumference; the run-flat support member being a bladder comprising a foamed body therein and being disposed in an annular manner around an outer circumference of the rim.

A tire-wheel assembly includes a run-flat support member disposed on a rim within a cavity portion of a pneumatic tire and including a support surface formed on an outer circumference; the run-flat support member being a bladder comprising a foamed body therein and being disposed in an annular manner around an outer circumference of the rim.

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.

An insert for a pneumatic tire including an annular member adapted to contact at least 10% of an interior surface of the pneumatic tire and provide an outward pressure thereagainst. An insert for a pneumatic tire including an annular member adapted to contact at least 10% of an interior surface of the pneumatic tire and provide an outward pressure thereagainst, and an inflatable bladder disposed adjacent to the annular member. A tire assembly including a pneumatic tire having an interior surface and an annular member contacting at least 10% of the interior surface and providing an outward pressure thereagainst.