TIRE/RIM ASSEMBLY FOR A SUPPORT STRUCTURE

A tire and rim assembly is disclosed comprising a tire (205); a circular hub member (207) for securing to a rotatable axle of a vehicle; a rim piece (210) for engaging the hub member (207), the rim piece (210) having a first annular ring flange (212) for engaging the tire (205); a second annular ring flange (230) for engaging the tire (205); and a plurality of cylindrical shafts (220) for each axially engaging the first annular ring flange (212) at one axial end of each of the shafts (220) and the second annular ring flange (230) at another opposite axial end of each of the shafts (220). Also, a method for non-pneumatically supporting a vehicle load is disclosed.