Unitary bead-lock and run-flat roller support ring for pneumatic tires on two-part wheels

A unitary bead-lock and run-flat roller support device for pneumatic tires on two-part wheels, said device comprising an essentially cylindrical, rigid closed ring member adapted for insertion within a pneumatic tire, having spaced mounting beads at the inner tire diameter for engagement with edge flanges of a circumferentially divided two-part wheel rim, the wheel rim providing a central bearing surface joining the flanges, in bead seating portions which are inclined the conventional 5 or 15.degree. from the horizontal;

• the ring member, having an outside diameter approximately 5/8" greater than the inside diameter of the tire beads, an edge thickness of about 1/4" for engagement with inner surfaces of the tire beads, and a width such as to firmly compress the tire beads in engagement with the rim flanges when the wheel is fully assembled, the central portion of the ring having an inwardly protruding smooth inner surface for close engagement with the bearing surface of the wheel, and the outer surface of the ring member having a central annular rectangular depression track about 1/4" deep, said depression track being of a width to freely and rotatably receive a run-flat support roller comprising a plurality of arcuate members assembled in end-to-end relation.