Abstract: A impact resistant rim is configured to soften or minimize an impact, thereby reducing the risk of pinching or otherwise flattening the tire and/or damaging the rim. This impact resistant rim further reduces the effects of an impact by maintaining the integrity of the rim during and following the impact. In this rim design, a shock absorbing cord is inlaid, molded, an/or otherwise embedded inside opposing leading edges of the rim. The shock absorbing cord is designed to elastically and/or plastically deform during an impact.

Abstract: An elastic wheel includes a disk (1) secured to an axle hub, a rim (12) for mounting a tire, and an elastic member (10) arranged between the inner peripheral surface of the rim (12) and the outer peripheral surface of the disk (1). The elastic wheel is separable either between an outer peripheral surface portion (2) and a radial disk portion (3) of the disk (1), or between the inner peripheral surface of the rim (12) and the elastic member (10), or at both locations. This construction ensures long-lasting passenger comfort, anti-vibration performance and noise-suppression performance of the elastic wheel and allows optimization of these characteristics depending on applications of the wheel even during its use. The elastic wheel facilitates rim assembly as well as core mounting. Also, in cases where rubber is used to serve as the elastic member in the elastic wheel, vulcanization can be carried out without using an integrated rim unit, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of vulcanization apparatus.

Abstract: An elastic wheel having a disk 1 equipped with a base rim 2 and a rim 3 for supporting a tire includes a pair of guides 4 fixed annularly on the inner peripheral surface of the rim 3 and a pair of wall portions 5 fixed annularly on the both side areas in the axial direction of the wheel on the outer peripheral surface of the base rim 2, where rubber elastic bodies 6 are fitted annularly between the side surfaces of the guides 4 and the side surfaces of the wall portions, respectively. The elastic bodies 6 being installed are able to absorb vibrations by their shearing deformations, so that especially the riding comfortableness performance, the vibrationproof performance, and the soundproof performance can be improved against the small input load. Regarding the soundproof performance, furthermore, it is extremely effective on a high frequency area of 100 Hz or higher.

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: An as-spun monofilament of thermotropic aromatic polyester(amide), which satisfies the following conditions: D≧40; Te>45; &Dgr;L≧0, D being its diameter (in &mgr;m), Te its tenacity (in cN/tex) and &Dgr;L its variation in length (in %) after 2 minutes at 235±5° C. at an initial tension of 0.2 cN/tex. A spinning process for obtaining such a monofilament, including, upon emergence from the spinneret, of structuring the flow of the polymer by stretching in a layer of gaseous fluid for a predetermined time which is a function of the diameter D, before thermally quenching the flow of polymer thus structured in a liquid, so as to solidify it.

Abstract: The wheel comprises an inner rim attached to a wheel hub e.g. by spokes, an outer rim for receiving a tire, and a resilient member between the rims which in use serves to absorb shocks from the surface over which the wheel passes. An opening for a valve is provided. The material of the member is polymeric, e.g. polyurethane foam.

Abstract: A reinforced resilient wheel having a rim (4), a hub (12), a shock absorbing air space (18), formed between a channel (10), and an elastomeric member (16) with flange means (26) clamping the elastomeric member to the rim, and reinforcing means (60, 62) for securing the elastomeric member to the rim.

Abstract: A resilient wheel of a railway car includes a hub (1) with an annular projection (2) on the outer surface thereof, and a pressure disk (8), the hub and the disk being connected by bracing elements (7), and having ventilation ports (3, 9). An inner rim (4) having an annular projection (5) on the inner surface thereof is interposed between the hub (1) and the pressure disk (8). The wheel further includes resilient elements (13) some of which are reinforced and disposed between the side surfaces of the pressure disk (8) and the annular projections (2, 5) of the inner rim (4) and hub (1), while one more resilient element is disposed between the hub (1) and the inner surface of the annular projection (5) of the inner rim (4).

Abstract: A shock-absorbing wheel assembly having an annular cast iron core member disposed concentrically about an annular bearing seat in spaced relation thereto, with the core member having passageways extending radially therethrough. A continuous integral mass of moldably polyurethane is provided to cover the exterior surface of the core member with a predetermined thickness, to fill the passageways in the core member, and to fill the spacing between the core member and the bearing seat. A method of forming the wheel assembly is provided, which includes locating the core member and bearing seat within a cylindrical mold cavity, permitting flowable polyurethane to flow into the interconnected spacings and passageways, and allowing the polyurethane to cure.