A method of assembling spokes into a non-pneumatic tire (10) is provided in which a shear band (16) is located outward from a hub (12) in a radial direction. A segment (20) is present that has a plurality of spokes (22), and both inner and outer radial bonding ends (24, 26). The plurality of spokes (22) engage both of these bonding ends (24, 26). The outer radial bonding end (24) is attached to the shear band (16) using adhesive (28), and the inner radial bonding end (26) is attached to the hub (12) using adhesive (28). This segment (20) extends less than 360 degrees about the central axis (14) in a circumferential direction.

A non-pneumatic tire includes a plurality of axially adjacent wheel portions. Each wheel portion has an inner ring, an outer ring, and a flexible, interconnected web extending between the inner ring and the outer ring. The flexible, interconnected web includes a plurality of web sectors disposed circumferentially about the tire to form a generally annular web. Each of the plurality of web sectors is hingedly connected to a pair of oppositely adjacent web sectors.

Segmented wheels offer advantages in storage space of closely packed segments as compared to whole wheels. Individually damaged or worn segments may be replaced in the field with little or no need for jacks or cranes to support the rest of the vehicle, and entire wheels may be replaced or reconfigured from one tread type to another by swapping out segments not in contact with the ground and then driving the vehicle a distance which is a fraction of the circumference of its wheels to expose the remaining segments for retrofit. Segments may be freely supported by rigid or compliant spokes or may be bound together by straps or designed to interlock with adjacent segments. Embodiments of the invention may be made in any size range including applications for bicycles, agricultural machinery, cars, trucks and mining machinery and vehicles.

A non-pneumatic tire having at least two tire sections that are operable to be coupled together. Each tire section includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a plurality of radial supports that extend from the inner wall to the outer wall such that there is no interior volume enclosed by any combination of the inner wall, the outer wall, and the plurality of radial supports.

A non-pneumatic tire having at least two tire sections that are operable to be coupled together. Each tire section includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a plurality of radial supports that extend from the inner wall to the outer wall such that there is no interior volume enclosed by any combination of the inner wall, the outer wall, and the plurality of radial supports.

A non-pneumatic tire includes an inner ring having an axis of rotation and an outer ring coaxial with the inner ring. The non-pneumatic tire further includes support structure extending from the inner ring to the outer ring. The support structure is constructed of a thermoplastic material and having reinforcement cords embedded therein. The non-pneumatic tire also includes a circumferential tread extending about the outer ring.

A tire includes a central region configured to be mounted to a wheel and a crown region including a circumferential tread and a shear element disposed below the circumferential tread. The shear element includes an upper reinforcement layer, a lower reinforcement layer, and an elastic region disposed between the upper reinforcement layer and the lower reinforcement layer. A radial distance between the upper reinforcement layer and the lower reinforcement layer varies along an axial width of the tire. The tire also includes an intermediate region extending from the central region to the crown region.

A tire includes a central region configured to be mounted to a wheel and a crown region including a circumferential tread and a shear element disposed below the circumferential tread. The shear element includes an upper reinforcement layer, a lower reinforcement layer, and an elastic region disposed between the upper reinforcement layer and the lower reinforcement layer. A radial distance between the upper reinforcement layer and the lower reinforcement layer varies along an axial width of the tire. The tire also includes an intermediate region extending from the central region to the crown region.

An omnidirectional wheel includes a hub, a number of wheels, and a number of rubber covers. The hub defines a shaft hole passing through the hub. Each of the wheels is rotationally mounted on the hub and spaced around the shaft hole. Each of the rubber covers is sleeved on a corresponding one of the wheels and includes a three-dimensional pattern. The rubber covers prevent the hub from directly contacting the ground.

A solid tire assembly for eliminating flat tires on a vehicle includes a tire that is defined by a plurality of concentric rings. Each of the concentric rings is comprised of a resiliently compressible material to facilitate the tire to perform similar to an inflated tire. Each of the concentric rings is comprised of a plurality of bands. Moreover, intersections between each of the bands of each of the concentric rings are staggered with respect to each of the concentric rings to enhance structural integrity of the tire.