Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a tire for a vehicle wheel includes making a carcass structure, applying a belt structure to the carcass structure, applying a tread band to the belt structure, and applying at least one pair of sidewalls to the carcass structure. Making the carcass structure includes applying at least one first part of the at least one carcass ply on a toroidal support, applying at least one circumferentially-inextensible annular anchoring insert, and applying at least one stiffening element. The at least one annular anchoring insert includes a cross-sectional profile of flattened conformation, extending away from an equatorial plane of the tire. The at least one stiffening element includes at least one main portion with a cross-sectional profile tapering away from a rotation axis of the tire. The at least one main portion is located substantially at an axially-inner position relative to the at least one annular anchoring insert.
Abstract:
A wheel-and-tire apparatus having at least two coaxially mounted tires is disclosed in which the diameters of one or more of the tires in the apparatus may be adjusted to select the tire or tires which are to be in contact with the road surface. The apparatus facilitates the selective use of tires having different performance characteristics, as may be desired or preferred to suit particular road conditions or vehicle operating conditions. The diameters of particular tires are increased or decreased as required to achieve a desired configuration of relative tire diameters, using tire diameter adjustment means such as one or more pneumatic pumps mounted in association with the apparatus. Sensors monitor selected operational parameters of the vehicle and transmit corresponding signals to a computer which selects an optimal tire configuration to suit the particular combination of operational parameters received from the sensors. The computer then transmits a corresponding signal instructing the tire diameter adjustment means to adjust the diameter of one or more tires in the apparatus as required to achieve the selected optimal tire configuration.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to a high-speed, puncture proof tire including a tire casing having a tread portion and a pair of side wall portions and a plurality of small diameter pressurized tubes disposed within the tire casing. Each pressurized tube has an elongate body fabricated from film material that is sealed crosswise along the length of the body to define at least two compartments that contain gas-under pressure. The tubes can be oriented radially or circumferentially within the annular space of the tire casing. In another embodiment of the tire, at least one panel of film material resistant to shear forces is disposed within the annular space of the tire casing. The panel is sealed lengthwise thereof to define a plurality of small diameter pressurized tubes. Each pressurized tube is sealed crosswise along the length of the tube to define at least two compartments that contain gas under pressure.
Abstract:
A double inner tube and valve system for use in a wheel assembly including a circular rim with a base wall and opposing radially extending flanges defining a well, and an aperture formed in said base wall. A tire is mounted on the rim, and defines an annular cavity in conjunction with the rim. The double inner tube is positioned in the annular cavity and defines an inflatable primary tube adjacent to the tire, and an inflatable secondary tube positioned between the primary tube and the rim. A valve assembly is attached to the double inner tube and positioned in the aperture in the rim. The valve assembly comprises a primary valve in fluid communication with the primary tube to allow inflation of the primary tube and a secondary valve which replaces the primary valve and is in fluid communication with the secondary tube for inflation of the secondary tube. The valve assembly is selectively configurable to inflate the primary tube or the secondary tube.
Abstract:
There is disclosed a safety tire for motor vehicles which is comprised of a cord-reinforced body having a pair of generally radially extending outer sidewalls and a third center wall. The three walls terminate in inextensible tire beads which are adapted to seat on a rim and to form therewith two side-by-side, axially arranged, airtight chambers. The rim has two axially outer bead seats, and an axially inner bead seat formed by flanges each curving toward a respective tire chamber.
Abstract:
An inflated wheel tire for a vehicle, and which is divided by several partitions into a plurality of circular chambers so that in case one of them becomes punctured and deflated, then the others will continue to remain inflated so to allow the vehicle to continue traveling without interuption of a "flat tire"; and the tire including air intake valves located on the partition walls and extending therethrough so that each valve supplies air to both chambers on each side of the partition.
Abstract:
A multi air chamber tire 1 includes a tread portion 4, a pair of bead portions 2, a pair of sidewall portions 3, and partition walls 30 respectively provided to half portions of a tire which are defined with respect to a tire equator plane, the partition walls 30 partitioning an inner cavity of the tire to form a plurality of air chambers disposed adjacent to each other. Each of the partition walls 30 includes a first coupling portion 9a and a second coupling portion 9b coupled with a tire inner wall surface. When the tire 1 is filled with fluid, a first air chamber 20 is formed in a space inward of the partition walls 30 in a tire width direction, and a second air chamber 21 is formed in each space between a partition wall 30 and the tire inner wall surface of a sidewall portion 3.