The present invention provides an annular beam of monolithic construction of one homogeneous material and a related efficient, low-cost non-pneumatic tire. Specific geometric design, combined with nonlinear elastomer physical properties, enable the suppression of all reinforcing belts, continuous fibers, or other strengthening layers in the annular beam. The annular beam consists of at least two bands that are continuous in the circumferential direction and connected by a web geometry. The non-pneumatic tire consists of the annular beam, a ground contacting portion, a central wheel, and a plurality of web spokes that connect the wheel and beam. When the tire is loaded to a design load against a flat surface over a design contact length, a contact area of essentially uniform pressure is produced, while the load is transmitted from the beam to the hub via tension in the web spokes. The tire can be economically manufactured.

In a non-pneumatic tire, an outer ring comprises a laminate having a plurality of fiber layers, and at least one elastomer layer interposed between an adjacent pair of a plurality of fiber layers, the plurality of fiber layers include an outermost layer which among the plurality of fibers is that which is arranged in outwardmost fashion in a tire radial direction, and an innermost layer which among the plurality of fibers is that which is arranged in inwardmost fashion in the tire radial direction, and at least one of the outermost layer and the innermost layer contains a first fiber array at which fibrous material is arrayed so as to extend in the long direction of a joint.

In a non-pneumatic tire, an outer ring comprises a laminate having a plurality of fiber layers, and at least one elastomer layer interposed between an adjacent pair of a plurality of fiber layers, the plurality of fiber layers include an outermost layer which among the plurality of fibers is that which is arranged in outwardmost fashion in a tire radial direction, and an innermost layer which among the plurality of fibers is that which is arranged in inwardmost fashion in the tire radial direction, and at least one of the outermost layer and the innermost layer contains a first fiber array at which fibrous material is arrayed so as to extend in the long direction of a joint.

A system in accordance with the present invention cures and manufactures a partially-cured tire assembly. The system includes: a functional wheel member being slid into a corresponding annular, radially inner surface of the partially-cured tire assembly; a plurality of elongate spacer members; a first annular curing platen for axially securing the wheel member and spacer members relative to each other; a second annular curing platen for axially securing the wheel member and spacer members relative to each other; and a plurality of elongate inserts for creating a substantially smooth, uniform outer cylindrical surface formed by a radially outer surface of each insert and flap members of the tire assembly positioned by the radially outermost surfaces of the spacer members.

A system in accordance with the present invention cures and manufactures a partially-cured tire assembly. The system includes: a functional wheel member being slid into a corresponding annular, radially inner surface of the partially-cured tire assembly; a plurality of elongate spacer members; a first annular curing platen for axially securing the wheel member and spacer members relative to each other; a second annular curing platen for axially securing the wheel member and spacer members relative to each other; and a plurality of elongate inserts for creating a substantially smooth, uniform outer cylindrical surface formed by a radially outer surface of each insert and flap members of the tire assembly positioned by the radially outermost surfaces of the spacer members.

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.

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.

A shear band for a tire includes a first belt layer extending circumferentially around the tire, a second belt layer extending circumferentially around the tire, and a shear band radially interposed between the first belt layer and the second belt layer. The shear band includes a first reinforcing ply radially adjacent the first belt layer, a third reinforcing ply radially adjacent the second belt layer, and a second reinforcing ply radially interposed between the first reinforcing ply and the second reinforcing ply. The first reinforcing ply includes a first flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a first rubber layer. The second reinforcing ply includes a second flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a second rubber layer. The third reinforcing ply includes a third flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a third rubber layer.

A non-pneumatic tire includes an annular inner ring, an annular outer ring, and a support structure extending from the annular inner ring to the annular outer ring. The support structure includes a multilayer structure. The multilayer structure includes a skim layer, a plurality of cords embedded in the skim layer, and an outer protective layer covering at least a portion of a surface of the skim layer. The outer protective layer has greater resistance to ozone exposure than the skim layer. Methods of making a non-pneumatic tire include forming a multilayer structure by applying an outer protective layer to at least a portion of a surface of a skim layer having a plurality of cords embedded in the skim layer.

A non-pneumatic tire includes an annular inner ring, an annular outer ring, and a support structure extending from the annular inner ring to the annular outer ring. The support structure includes a multilayer structure. The multilayer structure includes a skim layer, a plurality of cords embedded in the skim layer, and an outer protective layer covering at least a portion of a surface of the skim layer. The outer protective layer has greater resistance to ozone exposure than the skim layer. Methods of making a non-pneumatic tire include forming a multilayer structure by applying an outer protective layer to at least a portion of a surface of a skim layer having a plurality of cords embedded in the skim layer.