A non-pneumatic wheel having a thermoplastic wheel hub includes a center hub for attachment to a wheel bearing of a vehicle. The center hub has a central shaft aperture extending axially therethough and a plurality of lug apertures spaced radially from and circumferentially about the central shaft aperture. The thermoplastic wheel hub also includes a plurality of ribs extending radially outwardly from the center hub. The thermoplastic wheel hub further includes a cylindrical tire mount connected to the ribs and extending axially in substantially a cylinder for mounting a non-pneumatic tire thereon.

A thermoplastic wheel hub (10) includes a center hub (26) for attachment to a wheel bearing (20) of a vehicle. The center hub (26) has a central shaft aperture (28) extending axially therethough and a plurality of lug apertures (30) spaced radially from and circumferentially about the central shaft aperture (28). The thermoplastic wheel hub (10) also includes a plurality of ribs (40) extending radially outwardly from the center hub (26). The thermoplastic wheel hub (10) further includes a cylindrical tire mount (46) connected to the ribs and extending axially in substantially a plane for mounting a non-pneumatic tire (12) thereon.

Provided is a non-pneumatic tire having excellent durability performance. This non-pneumatic tire is provided with an annular tread portion which contacts the road surface, an annular inner peripheral portion which is positioned radially inward of the tread portion, and multiple linking units which join the tread portion and the inner peripheral portion. The tread portion includes a first portion which contacts the road surface, and a second portion which includes an inner peripheral surface facing the inner peripheral portion. The thermal conductivity of the second portion is greater than that of the first portion.

A caster wheel assembly includes a wheel mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis within a wheel carriage such that the wheel rotates about the horizontal axis with respect to the wheel carriage. The wheel carriage is positioned within a retention ring such that the wheel carriage can rotate about the vertical axis with respect to the retention ring. The wheel carriage also has an opening on the bottom surface such that the wheel can make contact with the ground. The horizontal axis about which the wheel rotates is offset from the vertical axis about which the wheel carriage rotates. An outer carriage may be included such that the outer carriage is positioned within the retention ring and the wheel carriage is positioned within the outer carriage. The outer carriage would be able to rotate about the vertical axis with respect to both the retention ring and the wheel carriage.

Vehicle rim for mounting of a tire, comprising: an axially central part (20) comprising a disc; two lateral parts (31, 32), at least one of the lateral parts being separate from the axially central part, each of the lateral parts having a rim seat to receive a bead of a tire, the axially central part and the two lateral parts being made from a rigid matrix; an intermediate part (41, 42) that forms the only mechanical link between the axially central part and each lateral part that is separate from the axially central part, this intermediate part being made of a flexible matrix, the Young's modulus of uniaxial extension of the flexible matrix being greater than and equal to 50 MPa and less than or equal to 400 MPa; wherein the Young's modulus of uniaxial extension of the rigid matrix is greater than or equal to 5 GPa.

Vehicle rim for the mounting of a tire, comprising: an axially central part (20) comprising a disc; two lateral parts (31, 32), at least one of the lateral parts being separate from the axially central part, each of the lateral parts having a rim seat receiving a bead of a tire, the axially central part and the two lateral parts being made from a rigid matrix reinforced by a plurality of reinforcement elements; an intermediate part (41, 42) linking the axially central part and each lateral part separate therefrom, this intermediate part being made of a flexible matrix reinforced by a reinforcement, wherein 1 MPa the Young's modulus of uniaxial extension of the flexible matrix 100 MPa, the Young's modulus of uniaxial extension of the reinforcement elements is 5 GPa; wherein the Young's modulus of uniaxial extension of the rigid matrix is 5 GPa.

A composition for a vehicle wheel member and an article using the same are provided. The composition includes 100 parts by weight of thermoplastic polyurethane, 1 to 30 parts by weight of a plasticizer, and 400 to 1,680 parts by weight of metal particles. The composition has a density of 3 g/cm.sup.3 or more. The thermoplastic polyurethane has a Shore A hardness of 59 to 92.