A tire includes: a skeleton portion including a rim member, a plurality of body springs latched on the rim member, and a plurality of interlink springs interlaced with the body springs; and a tread member disposed at least on the outer periphery of the skeleton portion.

A variable compliance non-pneumatic wheel which comprises a stationary tubular body (32) attached to the vehicle chassis. A tubular member is freely rotatable relative to the stationary tubular body and has a series of peripheral mounting rods (12, 13) on sides of the wheel. A plurality of interconnected and freely rotating caterpillar-like tiles (5), which are in contact with the ground during wheel operation, are coupled to the outer periphery of the wheel. A plurality of connecting spring members, (3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11), each connecting a specific mounting rod on a side of the hub (1, 2) are configured to connect the tiles (5) to the hub. The tubular member is split in two parts (1, 2) which are each free to rotate relative to one another. Each part carries approximately half number of mounting rods and connecting springs on a respective side of the wheel.

A variable compliance non-pneumatic wheel which comprises a stationary tubular body (32) attached to the vehicle chassis. A tubular member is freely rotatable relative to the stationary tubular body and has a series of peripheral mounting rods (12, 13) on sides of the wheel. A plurality of interconnected and freely rotating caterpillar-like tiles (5), which are in contact with the ground during wheel operation, are coupled to the outer periphery of the wheel. A plurality of connecting spring members, (3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11), each connecting a specific mounting rod on a side of the hub (1, 2) are configured to connect the tiles (5) to the hub. The tubular member is split in two parts (1, 2) which are each free to rotate relative to one another. Each part carries approximately half number of mounting rods and connecting springs on a respective side of the wheel.

An assembly has a wheel and a nonpneumatic tire. The nonpneumatic tire includes a plurality of helical springs. Each helical spring includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion. Each helical spring being is interlaced with at least one other helical spring thereby forming a laced toroidal structure extending about an entire circumference of the nonpneumatic tire. The toroidal structure supports an entire load placed on the nonpneumatic tire. The plurality of helical springs are constructed of a predetermined material that maintains strength and ductility down to 17 K.

A spoke (100) for a tire attaching an outer tread to a hub, the spoke (100) having first and second spoke elements (142, 144) possessing spoke element reinforcements, the spoke elements (142, 144) joined by a joint body (130) comprised of an elastomer connecting the first spoke element (142) to the second spoke element (144) and a reinforcement membrane (132) extending from the first spoke element (142) to the second spoke element (144) and having a first end (172) and a second end (170) and a middle portion (174), the first end (172) lying closer to the first spoke element reinforcements than the middle portion (174) and the second end (170) lying closer to the second spoke element reinforcements than the middle portion (174) of the spoke reinforcement membrane (132).

In a non-pneumatic tire, the plurality of connecting portions comprise first connecting portions extending in such fashion as to be directed from a first side in a tire width direction of an inner annular portion toward a second side in the tire width direction of an outer annular portion, and second connecting portions extending in such fashion as to be directed from the second side in the tire width direction of the inner annular portion toward the first side in the tire width direction of the outer annular portion, and at least one of the plurality of connecting portions comprises a main body portion having a width that is constant or that increases in tapered fashion by a constant ratio as viewed in the tire width direction, and an reinforcing portion that connects an end in a tire circumferential direction of the main body portion and the annular portion.

In a non-pneumatic tire, the plurality of connecting portions comprise first connecting portions extending in such fashion as to be directed from a first side in a tire width direction of an inner annular portion toward a second side in the tire width direction of an outer annular portion, and second connecting portions extending in such fashion as to be directed from the second side in the tire width direction of the inner annular portion toward the first side in the tire width direction of the outer annular portion, and at least one of the plurality of connecting portions comprises a main body portion having a width that is constant or that increases in tapered fashion by a constant ratio as viewed in the tire width direction, and an reinforcing portion that connects an end in a tire circumferential direction of the main body portion and the annular portion.

A rim assembly for a tire includes an outer rim having an outer annular surface and an inner surface. The rim assembly also has an inner rim with an outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the outer rim has a first plurality of axial grooves that define a first plurality of axial ridges. The outer surface of the inner rim has a second plurality of axial grooves that define a second plurality of axial ridges. The second plurality of axial grooves have a cross-sectional geometry corresponding to a cross-sectional geometry of the first plurality of axial ridges, and the second plurality of axial ridges have a cross-sectional geometry corresponding to a cross-sectional geometry of the first plurality of axial grooves.

A system for adjusting the compliance of a wheel is provided. In one embodiment, wheel segments are adjusted, causing the stiffness of the wheel to change. Such adjustments can be made while the wheel is rotating, allowing the wheel compliance to be changed while a vehicle is in motion.

A system for adjusting the compliance of a wheel is provided. In one embodiment, wheel segments are adjusted, causing the stiffness of the wheel to change. Such adjustments can be made while the wheel is rotating, allowing the wheel compliance to be changed while a vehicle is in motion.