Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire and wheel assembly incorporates a tire tread and a conventional vehicle wheel with an elastomer tire body element and integral wall elements extending radially inward from the tire body element for sealing engagement with the wheel. The tire body element includes multiple concentric layers with alternating spokes. A bonded multilayer cover may be employed which is received within a recess in an outer surface of the tire body element from the tire tread. An attachment plate is engaged to the cover and attached to the wheel.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a vacuum cleaner body, a suction fan and motor operatively associated with the vacuum cleaner body, and a wheel. The wheel has a wheel body having an axis of rotation, a tread surface, and a cushion layer radially interposed between the wheel body and the tread surface. The cushion layer includes a resilient shell having a plurality of resilient cells therein. The shell and the plurality of cells have one or more gasses in them, and are dimensioned to damp vibrations and impacts between the tread surface and a floor surface that the tread surface contacts as the wheel rotates about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: The present invention provides exemplary wheel assemblies for use with a wide range of wheeled vehicles and apparatus. In one embodiment, a wheel assembly (800) includes a rim (810) having edges (816, 818). The wheel assembly includes a plurality of protrusions 822 disposed in a trough portion (820) between the rim edges. A resilient member (830) is disposed over the spaced protrusions, and an actuator (850) is disposed over the resilient layer. The actuator is adapted to at least partially compress the resilient layer between the spaced protrusions when the wheel assembly is loaded with a weight. In this manner, the wheel assembly is capable of providing energy return to the wheel assembly during rotation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides exemplary vehicle wheel assemblies for use with a wide range of wheeled vehicles and apparatus. In one embodiment, a wheel assembly (100) includes first and second rim portions (210, 212) having edges (220, 222). The wheel assembly includes a cartridge disposed in a trough portion between the rim edges. The cartridge includes a chamber portion (300) having a plurality of spaced protrusions (310), a resilient member (400) disposed over the plurality of spaced protrusions, an actuator (500) disposed over the resilient layer, and a traction layer (600) disposed over the actuator. The actuator is adapted to compress the resilient layer at least partially into the chamber portion when the wheel assembly is loaded with a weight. In this manner, the wheel assembly is capable of providing energy return to the wheel assembly during rotation thereof.

Abstract: The tire for heavy load consists of a multi-layered flat ring held in the axial and radial direction by a two-part metal felloe and supported between the felloe by air.