A tire may comprise a hub and a plurality of discrete traction elements coupled to the hub. Each of the traction elements may comprise a backing plate and an elastomeric material bonded to the backing plate. Circumferentially adjacent traction elements may axially overlap.

A tire may comprise a hub and a plurality of discrete traction elements coupled to the hub. Each of the traction elements may comprise a backing plate and an elastomeric material bonded to the backing plate. Circumferentially adjacent traction elements may axially overlap.

Segmented tires employ segments featuring cooperating recesses and protrusions at opposing sides thereof for mating of the segments with one another in the assembled tire body. Cleated tires with embedded cleats of greater rigidity than the tire body material provide improved traction in muddy or other slippery conditions while the compressible tire body smooths out the ride harshness of the tire. Mounting elements are also embedded within the segments of the tire body for secure mounting and reliable retention of the segments.

Segmented tires employ segments featuring cooperating recesses and protrusions at opposing sides thereof for mating of the segments with one another in the assembled tire body. Cleated tires with embedded cleats of greater rigidity than the tire body material provide improved traction in muddy or other slippery conditions while the compressible tire body smooths out the ride harshness of the tire. Mounting elements are also embedded within the segments of the tire body for secure mounting and reliable retention of the segments.

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.

A green tire includes a plurality of sheets of green rubber having a substantially circular shape, with each sheet having a tread region disposed along a circumference. A plurality of objects are sandwiched between adjacent sheets of green rubber in the tread region. Each object is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of steel, polyester, nylon, carbon fiber, aramid, fiber glass, cotton, hemp, polyurethane and other plastic, other synthetic or natural fibers and other metal materials.

A green tire includes a plurality of sheets of green rubber having a substantially circular shape, with each sheet having a tread region disposed along a circumference. A plurality of objects are sandwiched between adjacent sheets of green rubber in the tread region. Each object is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of steel, polyester, nylon, carbon fiber, aramid, fiber glass, cotton, hemp, polyurethane and other plastic, other synthetic or natural fibers and other metal materials.

A wheel assembly to be coupled to a hub of a vehicle may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle, and an outer rim surrounding the hub. The wheel assembly may also include gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim to provide a gas suspension for relative movement between the inner rim and the outer rim. The wheel assembly may also include a disk coupled to the inner rim and defining a closeable gap with adjacent interior portions of the outer rim to define a mechanical stop to limit relative movement of the inner rim and outer rim.

A wheel assembly to be coupled to a hub of a vehicle may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle, and an outer rim surrounding the hub. The wheel assembly may also include gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim to provide a gas suspension for relative movement between the inner rim and the outer rim. The wheel assembly may also include a disk coupled to the inner rim and defining a closeable gap with adjacent interior portions of the outer rim to define a mechanical stop to limit relative movement of the inner rim and outer rim.