A non-pneumatic wheel possessing spokes having a compliant shear block providing spoke tension.

A non-pneumatic wheel possessing spokes having a compliant shear block providing spoke tension.

Mold assemblies for curing non-pneumatic tires include first and second mold sections that are axially displaceable relative to one another. Lateral-pressure members are supported on the first mold section. The first lateral pressure members include a first pressure member wall with first and second edge surface portions. A first curing shoe cooperatively engages the first edge surface portion of the first lateral-pressure member and an associated less-than-fully-cured non-pneumatic tire. A second curing shoe abuttingly engages the second edge surface portion of the first lateral-pressure member and the associated less-than-fully-cured nonpneumatic tire. Methods of manufacturing non-pneumatic tires are also included.

Provided is a non-pneumatic tire including an attachment body attached to an axle, a ring-shaped body (13) configured to surround the attachment body from the outside in the tire radial direction, and a plurality of connecting members disposed between an exterior body (12) and the ring-shaped body (13) in a tire circumferential direction and configured to connect the exterior body (12) and the ring-shaped body (13) in a relatively displaceable manner, wherein, when the tire comes in contact with the ground, the connecting members are deformed by a compressive load in the tire radial direction, and the exterior body (12) and the ring-shaped body (13) are relatively displaced in the tire radial direction, among the plurality of connecting members, the connecting members disposed between the ground surface (G), with which the tire comes in contact, and the exterior body (12) abut other connecting members neighboring in the tire circumferential direction.

Provided is a non-pneumatic tire including an attachment body attached to an axle, a ring-shaped body (13) configured to surround the attachment body from the outside in the tire radial direction, and a plurality of connecting members disposed between an exterior body (12) and the ring-shaped body (13) in a tire circumferential direction and configured to connect the exterior body (12) and the ring-shaped body (13) in a relatively displaceable manner, wherein, when the tire comes in contact with the ground, the connecting members are deformed by a compressive load in the tire radial direction, and the exterior body (12) and the ring-shaped body (13) are relatively displaced in the tire radial direction, among the plurality of connecting members, the connecting members disposed between the ground surface (G), with which the tire comes in contact, and the exterior body (12) abut other connecting members neighboring in the tire circumferential direction.

A vehicle wheel includes two annular rim members, at least one annular flange member disposed between the two rim members, a securing member that secures relative positional relationship between adjacent members among the two rim members and the at least one flange member, a plurality of body springs that each connects adjacent members among the two rim members and the at least one flange member, and a plurality of linking springs linked to the plurality of body springs so as to restrict relative displacement between the plurality of body springs. At least part of each body spring in a width direction of the vehicle wheel protrudes further to an outer side in a radial direction of the vehicle wheel than the rim members and the flange member, and the plurality of body springs is provided at intervals over an entire circumferential direction of the vehicle wheel.

Improvements are disclosed regarding the way in which vehicle wheels are designed and assembled, including ultralight, airless vehicle wheels adapted for mounting on a rim to receive a tire. One or more flexible ring-shaped tendons are disposed over the rim. A stuffer component is disposed over the tendons, and the wheel is disposed over the stuffer. A cover is bolted onto the rim holding the stuffer and tendons in position. Importantly, the tendons, stuffer and cover are all installed onto the rim from the outside toward the vehicle, thereby easing installation and maintenance. The invention may be adapted for all-terrain vehicles, and the wheel may have diameter on the order of 7 inches, 14 inches, or any other appropriate dimensions.

A non-pneumatic tire includes a lower ring having a first diameter and an upper ring having a second diameter. The upper ring is substantially coaxial with the lower ring. A support structure connects the lower ring to the upper ring. The support structure is made up of a plurality of spokes. The support structure is arranged and configured so that adjacent spokes of the plurality of spokes contact one another upon the occurrence of a high impact event.